A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
We don't know that. Remember Andrew was being advised by whatever idiot thought the Newsnight interview would clear his name.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
Ex forces as Defence Secretary is a fucking stupid idea. Mostly, they are not that bright, aren't used to handling complex commercial transactions and go native too easily. Prime example: Baldy Ben.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
The nice list shows what an asset the Princess of Wales is to the royals. Andrew obviously prominent on the naughty list and a negative so the King stripped him of his titles, Windsor home and roles. Whether Labour are as ruthless with Starmer and Reeves, who as the list shows remain very unpopular, could determine their chances at the next general election. Trump has always been unpopular here but as he is US President that is less relevant to him as he doesn’t need to worry what Brits think of him
Get rid of all the parasites
The monarchy are far better than a politician head of state
Photo for the day. The Muffin Top Destroyer - why the Arleigh-Burke hull is at the end of its lifecycle.
Is that the new USS Bone Spur class?
It's actually a pretty effective vessel, and one if the longest serving types is history, which they're still struggling to develop a replacement for (see the Zumwalt, for example). US naval planning has been a bit of a shitshow, and Trump is set to make it worse.
That's a fair summary.
They have now failed with 3 series of ships in a row = Zumwalt destroyer, Littoral Combat Ship and recently the Frigate which Sub-Lieutenant Hegseth just cancelled.
Personally I think that the current idea to upscale the Coastguard Cutter is likely to wreck that programme as well, rather than save the other by transferring relative success.
Imo the USN is much further up shit creek than we have been, without a paddle, or a boat, or a working shipyard, or a workforce, or an incorrupt Congress, or any of the other bits they need.
There was a video I saw the other day arguing that they should start building Oliver Hazard Perry Frigates again. These were commissioned into the USN from 1977 to 1989, so it's a 55 year old design.
I think they will end up suspending the "build in USA only" practice for a period, to cover the interim, and do something like order 20 Mogami (or improved Mogami) class from Japan, built in Japan, at one or two per year.
The cutter idea seems a nonsense. To turn it into an effective fighting vessel it would need to be entirely redesigned; they'd be better if with something purpose built - and as you say there are plenty of good, available foreign alternatives.
I think the core issue here is that the entire USN procurement process is up shit creek.
They are not clear about what they need as soon as it gets beyond rhetoric, so they all pile in and it ends up like the shitshow our army made with Ajax.
A cutter (it is about 25% smaller than our Type 31 frigate) will not meet the need for second tier battle group protection alongside the Arleigh-Burkes, but if they are looking at "presence" or "keeping shipping lanes open by escorting merchantmen" or "escort the tankers to the battle group because the Arleigh-Burke's can't make it across the Pacific without a tea break" (so covering roles of our River Class Batch 2 or Type 31 low-end frigates) it could be fine with some upgrades, especially as it already has a 12,ooo nautical mile range.
But they won't; they will try and create a big Swiss Army knife for machete-fights.
Actually it is worse than that. The Pentagon panicked because China is building a ship a week, or some such, so America's new aim is to go back to ww2 production capacity, and the way they have chosen to increase shipbuilding is a complete halt by cancelling existing contracts (including the Italian frigates).
the thing these lists says to me is how popular Marin Lewis is.
Martin Lewis is trusted, and rightly so.
He is also seen to stand up for ordinary people, which none of the politicians do.
I'm a fan. I don't like the over the top presentation style personally but it works. He is one of the few people that does stuff brief enough to be understood yet unlike most stuff that is condensed it seems to cover everything accurately. And he fights good causes.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
We don't know that. Remember Andrew was being advised by whatever idiot thought the Newsnight interview would clear his name.
Pull the other one, you think Lizzie would have parted with 12 million if she thought for a second he was innocent.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
It’s proximity. Netanyahu is a P o S, but so are most leaders in the Middle East, and most people here only have a cursory interest in the region.
Andrew is our own villain, and ticks every box of spoiled, stupid, aristocratic arrogance.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
Yes but it was Epstein and Maxwell convicted of doing the trafficking not Andrew.
A civil settlement was reached but Andrew was not charged or convicted of any criminal offence
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
We don't know that. Remember Andrew was being advised by whatever idiot thought the Newsnight interview would clear his name.
I remember reading at the time that the interview was mostly Andrew’s cunning plan, and immediately afterwards he shot his Turnbull & Asser cuffs and pronounced that he thought ‘it had gone rather well’.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
Aye, Taiwan are well aware of the risk and the island's very defensible. But from a mainland Chinese perspective, if they want to go for a military option then (unless the US disintegrates or disengages) the next few years are the best shot they'll have.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
That's Chris Parry not David Parry, I think.
(There's a former submariner called David Parry, so it matters.)
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Oh I agree. They are hoping that a few “words of encouragement” Will keep us in line. We aren’t big enough for them to be a threat but they would likely want us to continue being Robin to their Batman.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
Yes but it was Epstein and Maxwell convicted of doing the trafficking not Andrew.
A civil settlement was reached but Andrew was not charged or convicted of any criminal offence
I doubt if he paid out £12 m as a gesture of goodwill. He paid, because on the balance of probabilities, he would have been found guilty.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
I honestly don't think that they care about Europe anymore and have given up pretending that they do. It's easy to blame Trump and the VP because they are so rude, boorish and obnoxious but this has been some time coming, at least since Obama's time and arguably longer.
This means that there will be some things that we agree on but many which we don't and they are ok with that. We seem to be a lot less comfortable about it. What Europe needs to decide is whether they remain a relatively peaceful and prosperous backwater or whether they still want to play a role on the world stage. To put it at its kindest there is a real difference of views within the EU about that.
Even Obama and the Democrats were more focused on Asia than Europe, though they saw the EU as an ally unlike Trump and saw Russia under Putin as a threat unlike Trump and opposed Brexit unlike Trump. Europe and the EU should focus on defending its own continent and growing its own economy, the age of Empire is over. Beyond that any global action should be via global bodies like the UN and IMF and G20 and when a more amenable US administration takes office via US leadership
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
It’s proximity. Netanyahu is a P o S, but so are most leaders in the Middle East, and most people here only have a cursory interest in the region.
Andrew is our own villain, and ticks every box of spoiled, stupid, aristocratic arrogance.
Exactly and most of them would get rid of Israel in a heartbeat if they were capable, having tried many many times. Strange the masses here in UK are happy with them but hate Israel and raise not a whimper against the despot regimes.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
The rapid development of sea drones will have given Beijing cause to pause. Plus the loss of western markets through sanctions. They willl have learned much from Russia's ill-fated imperialism. Xi is an old man man a hurry, but he does not want his legacy to be simi;aer to that of putin with Ukraine.
If I were advising Xi, I would suggest that he offers Taiwan a fifty year "friendship zone" of economic co-operation together with a pledge of no military intervention. Look to rebuild Greater Manchuria by buying it off Russia instead - a much greater legacy.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
Yes but it was Epstein and Maxwell convicted of doing the trafficking not Andrew.
A civil settlement was reached but Andrew was not charged or convicted of any criminal offence
Methinks your union jack underpants are a bit too tight
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
Aye, Taiwan are well aware of the risk and the island's very defensible. But from a mainland Chinese perspective, if they want to go for a military option then (unless the US disintegrates or disengages) the next few years are the best shot they'll have.
Maybe but as I said it would not come without cost for Beijing
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
One for PB BBC history podcast 2 Nottingham lads How a sex tourist / lifestyle journalist became a political propagandist and a bouncer became a Russian POW
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
I honestly don't think that they care about Europe anymore and have given up pretending that they do. It's easy to blame Trump and the VP because they are so rude, boorish and obnoxious but this has been some time coming, at least since Obama's time and arguably longer.
This means that there will be some things that we agree on but many which we don't and they are ok with that. We seem to be a lot less comfortable about it. What Europe needs to decide is whether they remain a relatively peaceful and prosperous backwater or whether they still want to play a role on the world stage. To put it at its kindest there is a real difference of views within the EU about that.
Even Obama and the Democrats were more focused on Asia than Europe, though they saw the EU as an ally unlike Trump and saw Russia under Putin as a threat unlike Trump and opposed Brexit unlike Trump. Europe and the EU should focus on defending its own continent and growing its own economy, the age of Empire is over. Beyond that any global action should be via global bodies like the UN and IMF and G20 and when a more amenable US administration takes office via US leadership
Ha Ha Ha , UN , a bunch of non entities who could not run a bath, G20 not much different and I doubt IMF would be of any help.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
A gilded cage non the less, no UC or sleeping in doorways for him, will still be the lap of luxury for sure.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
Yes but it was Epstein and Maxwell convicted of doing the trafficking not Andrew.
A civil settlement was reached but Andrew was not charged or convicted of any criminal offence
I doubt if he paid out £12 m as a gesture of goodwill. He paid, because on the balance of probabilities, he would have been found guilty.
Civil cases have a lower burden of proof, as I said he was never charged nor convicted of any criminal offence in either the UK or US. Prosecutors also take no notice of separate civil actions or settlements
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
The rapid development of sea drones will have given Beijing cause to pause. Plus the loss of western markets through sanctions. They willl have learned much from Russia's ill-fated imperialism. Xi is an old man man a hurry, but he does not want his legacy to be simi;aer to that of putin with Ukraine.
If I were advising Xi, I would suggest that he offers Taiwan a fifty year "friendship zone" of economic co-operation together with a pledge of no military intervention. Look to rebuild Greater Manchuria by buying it off Russia instead - a much greater legacy.
The Taiwanese might look at Hong Kong and wonder whether Chinese "fifty year" arrangements are perhaps not worth the paper they're printed on...
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
The rapid development of sea drones will have given Beijing cause to pause. Plus the loss of western markets through sanctions. They willl have learned much from Russia's ill-fated imperialism. Xi is an old man man a hurry, but he does not want his legacy to be simi;aer to that of putin with Ukraine.
If I were advising Xi, I would suggest that he offers Taiwan a fifty year "friendship zone" of economic co-operation together with a pledge of no military intervention. Look to rebuild Greater Manchuria by buying it off Russia instead - a much greater legacy.
The Taiwanese might look at Hong Kong and wonder whether Chinese "fifty year" arrangements are perhaps not worth the paper they're printed on...
Hong Kong was leased - and was always going back. That the Chinese still honour some degree of autnomy is a win for Hong Kong - Xi could just reel it back in and nobody would have any diplomatic leg to stand on if he did.
Taiwan has a different status, albeit China doesn't concede that.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
I honestly don't think that they care about Europe anymore and have given up pretending that they do. It's easy to blame Trump and the VP because they are so rude, boorish and obnoxious but this has been some time coming, at least since Obama's time and arguably longer.
This means that there will be some things that we agree on but many which we don't and they are ok with that. We seem to be a lot less comfortable about it. What Europe needs to decide is whether they remain a relatively peaceful and prosperous backwater or whether they still want to play a role on the world stage. To put it at its kindest there is a real difference of views within the EU about that.
Even Obama and the Democrats were more focused on Asia than Europe, though they saw the EU as an ally unlike Trump and saw Russia under Putin as a threat unlike Trump and opposed Brexit unlike Trump. Europe and the EU should focus on defending its own continent and growing its own economy, the age of Empire is over. Beyond that any global action should be via global bodies like the UN and IMF and G20 and when a more amenable US administration takes office via US leadership
Ha Ha Ha , UN , a bunch of non entities who could not run a bath, G20 not much different and I doubt IMF would be of any help.
They are not perfect but they are the only bodies we have to bring together the nations of the world on political, military, economic and healthcare issues
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Your weekly reminder of the conspiracy theory that Siberia (or the bit that used to be Outer Manchuria until Russia stole it 150 years ago) is the real target. Unlike Taiwan, an overcrowded island whose technological lead is fast disappearing with the help of President Trump, Siberia is full of natural resources that China desperately needs, and China has many factories there. They've recently done a ‘Gulf of America’ style relabelling of maps. If China followed the Russian playbook of a referendum, the locals would almost certainly opt for China. If China followed the Russian playbook of sending in a small policing operation to protect its own citizens, there's not much Moscow could do about.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Oh I agree. They are hoping that a few “words of encouragement” Will keep us in line. We aren’t big enough for them to be a threat but they would likely want us to continue being Robin to their Batman.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
We’re back to the issue we’ve discussed previously.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
The rapid development of sea drones will have given Beijing cause to pause. Plus the loss of western markets through sanctions. They willl have learned much from Russia's ill-fated imperialism. Xi is an old man man a hurry, but he does not want his legacy to be simi;aer to that of putin with Ukraine.
If I were advising Xi, I would suggest that he offers Taiwan a fifty year "friendship zone" of economic co-operation together with a pledge of no military intervention. Look to rebuild Greater Manchuria by buying it off Russia instead - a much greater legacy.
The Taiwanese might look at Hong Kong and wonder whether Chinese "fifty year" arrangements are perhaps not worth the paper they're printed on...
Hong Kong was leased - and was always going back. That the Chinese still honour some degree of autnomy is a win for Hong Kong - Xi could just reel it back in and nobody would have any diplomatic leg to stand on if he did.
Taiwan has a different status, albeit China doesn't concede that.
The point is that China promised Hong Kong 50 years of "one country two systems" and then de facto is reeling back in some of that, because they can get away with it. They might promise Taiwan 50 years of economic cooperation, but I don't think Taiwan should believe that means China won't invade at some point in those fifty years if they think they can get away with it.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Oh I agree. They are hoping that a few “words of encouragement” Will keep us in line. We aren’t big enough for them to be a threat but they would likely want us to continue being Robin to their Batman.
I admire your ambition for the UK.
I think centrists complaining about our vassal status to the US is pretty rich to be honest. There was not a dickie bird about this from them when I raised this issue frequently - just a lot of pompous twaddle about how this was the way of the modern world. Well, surprise surprise, the USA elected someone you don't like, and you didn't get a vote. Diddums.
Or is it in furtherance of the pro-autocracy foreign policy ?
Both is also possible.
2nd and 3rd tier relationships getting the donkey figureheads we already get.
Those affected by the shake-up are not losing their foreign service jobs but will be returning to Washington for other assignments should they wish to take them, according to the State Department officials who spoke to AP.
The news agency said Africa was most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Your weekly reminder of the conspiracy theory that Siberia (or the bit that used to be Outer Manchuria until Russia stole it 150 years ago) is the real target. Unlike Taiwan, an overcrowded island whose technological lead is fast disappearing with the help of President Trump, Siberia is full of natural resources that China desperately needs, and China has many factories there. They've recently done a ‘Gulf of America’ style relabelling of maps. If China followed the Russian playbook of a referendum, the locals would almost certainly opt for China. If China followed the Russian playbook of sending in a small policing operation to protect its own citizens, there's not much Moscow could do about.
Such a breakup between China and Russia would also be ideal for the West. Even Trump, Vance and MAGA aren’t keen on China even if they like Putin’s white nationalism
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Your weekly reminder of the conspiracy theory that Siberia (or the bit that used to be Outer Manchuria until Russia stole it 150 years ago) is the real target. Unlike Taiwan, an overcrowded island whose technological lead is fast disappearing with the help of President Trump, Siberia is full of natural resources that China desperately needs, and China has many factories there. They've recently done a ‘Gulf of America’ style relabelling of maps. If China followed the Russian playbook of a referendum, the locals would almost certainly opt for China. If China followed the Russian playbook of sending in a small policing operation to protect its own citizens, there's not much Moscow could do about.
Far from impossible China's after that as well. Russia's economic subservience/reliance on China means the Chinese can largely get what they want without anything so crude as a straight-up confrontation. In that context, China's interest is keeping the Ukraine war going on and on and on to slowly drain Russia and make it more desperate than ever for assistance.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Your weekly reminder of the conspiracy theory that Siberia (or the bit that used to be Outer Manchuria until Russia stole it 150 years ago) is the real target. Unlike Taiwan, an overcrowded island whose technological lead is fast disappearing with the help of President Trump, Siberia is full of natural resources that China desperately needs, and China has many factories there. They've recently done a ‘Gulf of America’ style relabelling of maps. If China followed the Russian playbook of a referendum, the locals would almost certainly opt for China. If China followed the Russian playbook of sending in a small policing operation to protect its own citizens, there's not much Moscow could do about.
Such a breakup between China and Russia would also be ideal for the West. Even Trump, Vance and MAGA aren’t keen on China even if they like Putin’s white nationalism
A couple more thoughts about Russia and China. Although China nominally supports Russia in the SMO, it is not actually helping. China has shown it values trade with the West above warm fuzzies with Putin.
The other is that both countries are led by elderly men who have extended their own terms, and whose successions are not certain. Interesting times?
I find Martin Lewis irritating because always has to explain everything to the LCD's. Its the same on Moneybox on R4
But that is why he is good. And why Moneybox is also good, but not as good as him. Not everyone knows this stuff so it is a good thing to do. Most others who try this normally get stuff wrong or miss out important stuff when aiming at a low level. To do it to a low level so all can understand, but still keep all the detail and always get it correct is a real skill.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Look, just because he wants Sadiq Khan, Anas Sarwar and Humza Yousuf (all born in Britain) deported, it doesn’t mean he’s a racist.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
The monarch is our head of state, of course their annual speech is important.
Andrew though is not King nor even a working royal now
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
I find Martin Lewis irritating because always has to explain everything to the LCD's. Its the same on Moneybox on R4
We’re not his target market, though. His market is people that can’t afford an IFA or don’t have enough assets to make it worthwhile for an IFA to service. The people that used to use banks and the old life insurance companies like the Pearl, the Pru and the Co-op. Fortunately, he gives better advice than most of them did.
Nothing from US, UK, EU, or anything with military use, is allowed to pass.
Good morning, everyone.
From the little I've read/watched, it seems the central Asian republics are both co-operating a bit more with each other, and that China is very keen to fully replace Russia as the power in that region.
They are reportedly installing ICBM silos along the Mongolian border to aim at Taiwan (?) apparently.
Rarely going to be a better time for China to have a crack at Taiwan.
China's at its demographic peak. America is led by a fickle moron. Europe's heavily concerned by Russia (and may face military action there as China invades Taiwan).
And, from Xi Jinping's perspective, he's not getting any younger.
Ukraine did not collapse after the Russian invasion though and nor is Taiwan guaranteed to after a Chinese invasion either. Taiwan has been building defences for years and even if it did fall many Chinese lives would be lost in that invasion which would also be costly economically for Beijing trying to maintain control
You would hope by now that naughty world leaders would understand that there is absolutely no benefit, indeed a detriment, to any military action that cannot be guaranteed to meet its objectives very quickly and also have the vague support of the people in the target country.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
We’re back to the issue we’ve discussed previously.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
Taiwan is perhaps a special case. If China took it, the economic damage to its US adversary might be many times that suffered by China itself. There's also probably a sizeable minority of the Taiwanese population which would happily collaborate with the new rulers. And once taken, it would be almost impossible to liberate.
Is it just social media feeding me things, or has something turned in the US posture towards Europe in the last few days? Not just the usual playground trolling but a new stage where we really are now facing a United States as strategic enemy?
I guess it depends on whether your “we” means the UK and Europe. I personally think, without any evidence but pure gut, that the US would like the UK more distant to the EU but apart from their concerns about the evils of Sadiq Khan and when King Charles is going to convert and declare the UK a caliphate, I think they see us separately.
They clearly see the EU as, if not an enemy, no longer a friend and it’s a competitor.
The EU is a trade competitor by virtue of its size and wealth, is a competitor on geopolitical-political influence and to MAGA the EU speak funny languages and have strange customs.
So I don’t think the US is yet a strategic enemy to “us” but is moving that way to Europe unless Europe shifts to being a nodding dog to Trump and Co.
If that's correct, you might add that the US expect us to be a nodding dog.
Oh I agree. They are hoping that a few “words of encouragement” Will keep us in line. We aren’t big enough for them to be a threat but they would likely want us to continue being Robin to their Batman.
I admire your ambition for the UK.
I think centrists complaining about our vassal status to the US is pretty rich to be honest. There was not a dickie bird about this from them when I raised this issue frequently - just a lot of pompous twaddle about how this was the way of the modern world. Well, surprise surprise, the USA elected someone you don't like, and you didn't get a vote. Diddums.
Which is another way of saying you'd be a happy poodle.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Ok ignore. My apologise @Luckyguy1983 (I think) and to anyone I might have libelled (eek). I can't be bothered to following up but I might be getting confused and hat tip to @MattW for alerting me. I might be getting a Chris Parry and a David Parry mixed up.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Mint, nut or orange are above coffee.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
Reform clearly isn't my cup of tea, but even so I'm disturbed that any major political party - actually one that is likely to be the next government - is promoting unadorned racists like Chris Parry.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
I find Martin Lewis irritating because always has to explain everything to the LCD's. Its the same on Moneybox on R4
We’re not his target market, though. His market is people that can’t afford an IFA or don’t have enough assets to make it worthwhile for an IFA to service. The people that used to use banks and the old life insurance companies like the Pearl, the Pru and the Co-op. Fortunately, he gives better advice than most of them did.
It won't be advice as that would fall foul of FCA rules on the matter. He gives them information. Advice is when you have assessed and verified their finances in some detail.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Luckyguy got his name wrong, which might explain it ? Though it's pretty obvious from the link that it's Chris Parry, septuagenarian "go home" nutter.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Mint, nut or orange are above coffee.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
Fruit flavoured soft centres and hard nutty chocolates are both far better than the endless varieties of truffle that currently seem fashionable.
I find Martin Lewis irritating because always has to explain everything to the LCD's. Its the same on Moneybox on R4
We’re not his target market, though. His market is people that can’t afford an IFA or don’t have enough assets to make it worthwhile for an IFA to service. The people that used to use banks and the old life insurance companies like the Pearl, the Pru and the Co-op. Fortunately, he gives better advice than most of them did.
It won't be advice as that would fall foul of FCA rules on the matter. He gives them information. Advice is when you have assessed and verified their finances in some detail.
I was using the word advice in its common meaning rather than its more restricted financial services meaning.
Or is it in furtherance of the pro-autocracy foreign policy ?
Both is also possible.
2nd and 3rd tier relationships getting the donkey figureheads we already get.
Those affected by the shake-up are not losing their foreign service jobs but will be returning to Washington for other assignments should they wish to take them, according to the State Department officials who spoke to AP.
The news agency said Africa was most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
Fresh anger as 11 new corrections issued to Sandie Peggie tribunal ruling.
Let’s hope the appeal is undertaken more professionally and less politically, and that the appeal judge is less swayed by Scottish government pressure.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Mint, nut or orange are above coffee.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
Fruit flavoured soft centres and hard nutty chocolates are both far better than the endless varieties of truffle that currently seem fashionable.
I'm going to suffer this Christmas.
The wine hamper that was supposed to be a present for a friend in London just turned up on my doorstep because I put the wrong address in !!!
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
The age of consent for prostitution is 18 in New York State, and Giuffre was trafficked.
If he were innocent, he would not have made a huge payout.
Yes but it was Epstein and Maxwell convicted of doing the trafficking not Andrew.
A civil settlement was reached but Andrew was not charged or convicted of any criminal offence
I doubt if he paid out £12 m as a gesture of goodwill. He paid, because on the balance of probabilities, he would have been found guilty.
Civil cases have a lower burden of proof, as I said he was never charged nor convicted of any criminal offence in either the UK or US. Prosecutors also take no notice of separate civil actions or settlements
A pedant notes: You are confusing burden of proof with standard of proof. Burden of proof is about who must do the proving and is neither higher nor lower; standard of proof is about what constitutes proof for particular legal purposes.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Mint, nut or orange are above coffee.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
Fruit flavoured soft centres and hard nutty chocolates are both far better than the endless varieties of truffle that currently seem fashionable.
I'm going to suffer this Christmas.
The wine hamper that was supposed to be a present for a friend in London just turned up on my doorstep because I put the wrong address in !!!
Hiccup !
You will be making amends by delivering it personally, obviously!
Fresh anger as 11 new corrections issued to Sandie Peggie tribunal ruling.
Let’s hope the appeal is undertaken more professionally and less politically, and that the appeal judge is less swayed by Scottish government pressure.
Not much hope Red , the legal establishment seem to be a govt run dept nowadays.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
Reform clearly isn't my cup of tea, but even so I'm disturbed that any major political party - actually one that is likely to be the next government - is promoting unadorned racists like Chris Parry.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
A gilded cage non the less, no UC or sleeping in doorways for him, will still be the lap of luxury for sure.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Ok ignore. My apologise @Luckyguy1983 (I think) and to anyone I might have libelled (eek). I can't be bothered to following up but I might be getting confused and hat tip to @MattW for alerting me. I might be getting a Chris Parry and a David Parry mixed up.
You mean there are two retired naval officers supporting Reform. Chris and David Parry, who happen to look identical?
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Mint, nut or orange are above coffee.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
Fruit flavoured soft centres and hard nutty chocolates are both far better than the endless varieties of truffle that currently seem fashionable.
I'm going to suffer this Christmas.
The wine hamper that was supposed to be a present for a friend in London just turned up on my doorstep because I put the wrong address in !!!
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Just no. Chocolate>nuts>alcohol>caramel>fruit>>>coffee.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Andrew should have and will have no further role in public life but apart from being an idiot associating with Epstein and young women is there any evidence he did anything illegal? Even Giuffre was 17 not underage in the UK.
If Andrew had any sense he would quietly do volunteering work for homeless charities and food banks for the poor in Norfolk, be grateful he still has a home and spend time with his daughters and grandchildren. His ego though is too big for that
One of the biggest mysteries of the year and one that says a lot about the UK as a nation is our fixation on Andrew. I couldn't care less what he's done. I think no worse of him now than I did when he was flying hellicopters in the Falklands. I saw a child without a leg having had it amputated yesterday . One of 85,000 bits of collateral damage after Netanyahu wreaked vengiance on Gaza.
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
I agree completely and in doing so I am not condoning Andrew's behaviour in any way. But when you consider Putin's guilt in well over 1m deaths, the theft of children, the bombing of civilians and the murder of rivals it is not a fair comparison. Ditto Netanyahu and the appalling behaviour of the IDF over the last 2 years. Ditto Xi and the genocide of the Uyghurs. Ditto that lunatic Kim Jong Un. And, increasingly, ditto that increasingly murderous DJT.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Perhaps if the media including the state broadcaster didn’t run PR day in, day out for the Firm, the fascination with them wouldn’t be so disproportionate. We’re conditioned all our lives to think where the monarch gives his Christmas speech is of prime importance, and that ‘the Queen’ (lol) sending a special message to the presenters of Strictly matters a fuck. If you’ve bought the box of chocolates, you can’t really complain about the coffee flavoured ones.
Coffee flavoured ones are my favourites to be honest but I do find our obsession with the Royal family and their comings and goings more than a bit tiresome. Clearly there's a market for it though.
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
Agree entirely. Coffee-flavoured chocolates are the best.
Just no. Chocolate>nuts>alcohol>caramel>fruit>>>coffee.
In news of a very good Reform signing, this is a very interesting, sometimes sparky interview of Rear Admiral Dr David Parry with David Starkey (on somewhat tetchy form).
Calmly devastating on the current state of our military, but with sensible solutions. Let's hope Reform listens to him (they have him running as one of the cancelled Mayors just now - he would be a far better defence spokesman), and he is eventually made Defence Sec.
You think Reform signing up a racist and misogynist is good?
Care to explain?
Really? You need me to explain? He was discussed on here just a few days ago regarding his views and his posts to the internet, and interviews, etc. I mean a quick search on the internet and you can get a bucket full of it.
Ok ignore. My apologise @Luckyguy1983 (I think) and to anyone I might have libelled (eek). I can't be bothered to following up but I might be getting confused and hat tip to @MattW for alerting me. I might be getting a Chris Parry and a David Parry mixed up.
You mean there are two retired naval officers supporting Reform. Chris and David Parry, who happen to look identical?
Oddly this seems to be nearly the case. The interview is with the racist Chris Parry, but David Parry the submariner also appears to be supportive of Reform, but not as far as I know an actual racist. They look quite similar too.
A From Balmoral nearly made it to the top of the naughty list.
Poor Archie...,.. all he had to do was find a grouse!
A from Balmoral sounds a distinctly unpheasant character.
In olden times, his brother officers would have would have left him in a locked room, with a bottle of brandy, and a revolver with a single bullet in it.
Not that A's self preserving vanity would allow it but even that avenue has been limited.
It could be anything from are they stored appropriately to is he a potential suicide risk at this particular time. They have huge discretion, including aiui a legal duty of care to the individual.
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
Given he will be locked in Sandringham he will be able to shoot off as much as he likes, place will be sealed off so unlikely any plebs would be likely to spot him lurking in the woods.
In its own way, it is a fitting punishment.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
A gilded cage non the less, no UC or sleeping in doorways for him, will still be the lap of luxury for sure.
A cage, even a luxury one, is still a cage.
he will have hundreds of acres to wander around, I don't feel sorry for him.
I wonder if the courts will also start taking a dim view of trans activists using them to enact petty vendettas against people who don’t share their worldview too ?
Day 4 of my Portmanteau watchathon. Dead of Night, Torture Garden, House that Dripped Blood and now Tales from the Crypt with the very best Xmas segment ever. The real horror is not what the deranged killer did to Joan Collins character but after killing her what did he do to the little girl ?
OK so clearly I am not the only one confused as to whether there are two nearly identical Parry's supporting Reform or one, but I am going on the safe side of apologising to @Luckyguy1983 on the basis that I might have got the wrong one (if of course there are actually two) rather than getting deeper into the mire, particularly as I have a Stollen dough to kneed and Chestnut stuff and Red Cabbage to make for tomorrow.
Comments
It is the appalling colorised version.
Is there no end to woke?
Yet Andrew is the greater villain
He can Appeal, but it's a hearing in the Crown Court - which would be tabloid fodder.
I'm not sure if loss of a license for Windsor has any impact if he also has one for Norfolk, or if he needs another one for another location.
https://crimeline.co.uk/appealing-the-revocation-of-firearms-licences/
Andrew is our own villain, and ticks every box of spoiled, stupid, aristocratic arrogance.
A civil settlement was reached but Andrew was not charged or convicted of any criminal offence
In an unusual move, the Trump administration is recalling the ambassadors from nearly 30 countries around the world.
https://x.com/NewsHour/status/2003606802601071086
Or is it in furtherance of the pro-autocracy foreign policy ?
Both is also possible.
(There's a former submariner called David Parry, so it matters.)
If I were advising Xi, I would suggest that he offers Taiwan a fifty year "friendship zone" of economic co-operation together with a pledge of no military intervention. Look to rebuild Greater Manchuria by buying it off Russia instead - a much greater legacy.
He faces a lifetime of irrelevancy and effective house arrest.
He will have plenty of time for regrets.
Vietnam, Afghanistan (Russia and the West), Iraq, Ukraine should all be lessons to China about the risk with Taiwan. Many things have to be considered that can go wrong and for China it would disrupt their economies, make other countries who have been generally open to them no longer see them as being fairly “neutral” and it would cost huge amount of lives.
Is it really worth it for them? Let’s hope they realise that the emotional and ego/pride drivers are defeated by cold hard reality.
BBC history podcast 2 Nottingham lads
How a sex tourist / lifestyle journalist became a political propagandist and a bouncer became a Russian POW
Taiwan has a different status, albeit China doesn't concede that.
What benefit does anybody derive from conquest, in this era? A well-organised defender will inflict dreadful casualties, it costs the attacker hundreds of billions that could be better spent, and you’re left with a hostile population, even if successful.
There is a real difference between being delusional, self obsessed and a selfish prat who thinks he is entitled to what he wants and genuine evil. We should not lose sight of that.
Those affected by the shake-up are not losing their foreign service jobs but will be returning to Washington for other assignments should they wish to take them, according to the State Department officials who spoke to AP.
The news agency said Africa was most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda.
Ambassadorial changes are also coming to Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovakia, Algeria, Egypt, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Guatemala and Suriname, it said.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/23/trump-recalls-30-career-diplomats-in-america-first-push
https://x.com/jules_su/status/2003503007984427454
The other is that both countries are led by elderly men who have extended their own terms, and whose successions are not certain. Interesting times?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8NHef83TGJE
Andrew though is not King nor even a working royal now
But the difference between genuine evil and selfish prat remains an important distinction.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/23/reform-uk-cap-aid-1bn-damage-britain-international-influence
If China took it, the economic damage to its US adversary might be many times that suffered by China itself.
There's also probably a sizeable minority of the Taiwanese population which would happily collaborate with the new rulers.
And once taken, it would be almost impossible to liberate.
We obsess about the Royals while ignoring the significant political influence granted them behind the scenes.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/19/reform-candidate-lammy-go-home-questioned-mps-loyalty-uk-chris-parry
Though it's pretty obvious from the link that it's Chris Parry, septuagenarian "go home" nutter.
(This country has gone bananas. Ed)
https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Campaign-Against-Antisemitism-v-Reginald-Hunter.pdf
The wine hamper that was supposed to be a present for a friend in London just turned up on my doorstep because I put the wrong address in !!!
Hiccup !
https://www.noradsanta.org/en/map
MIC has Reform 28%, Conservatives 22%, Labour 21%.
Chocolate>nuts>alcohol>caramel>fruit>>>coffee.