And this hollowing out of the civil service, to be replaced by political appointees, is Reform’s policy for the UK.
The public have had enough of experts, they want instinctive feelz.......until that hits reality, by when they still don't want experts, just someone else's instinctive feelz.
Weird guy, leaning into the whole 'JD is weird' thing.
And he's widely regarded as best placed to lead the negotiations on Iran, supposedly because he's the least deranged prominent MAGA leader. How did we ever get here?
The US* have learned nothing from Ukraine's numerous successful attacks on Russian airbases.
They appear to have lost or suffered significant damage to a number of Stratotankers, too.
All just parked in straight lines out in the open.
*I doubt most of NATO is any better prepared.
There are any number of second World War airfields around where you can still see the 'dispersal' stands so that planes could be parked separate from each other and away from important structures
After numerous instances of fighters "beating up" airfields. If you have a nice straight line of aircraft in front of you and an aircraft primarily armed with machine guns and cannons...
IIRC in the first world war, they changed the rules about becoming an ace. You had to be fighting airborne targets. Because too many pilots were beating up an airbase and claiming more than 5 kills in one go.
During the cold war, bunkers for aircraft were the fashion.
Desert Storm changed that - PGMs meant that any such position was an expensive death trap.
Afaik aces could only count air-to-air victories right from the beginning. Apart from anything else very difficult to prove an aircraft was destroyed on the ground by puny mg rounds. Of course in WWII for propaganda reasons the ground attack ace became a thing, Rudel being the nonpareil. He was a horrible, old Nazi but a remarkable flier, going back to front line flying for the last couple of months of the war after having a leg amputated.
Doing a bit of a further look at the Sky news RefCon battle, Reform clearly ahead in the places youd expect the Tories to do badly - South Yorks industrial, Merseyside, central belt Scotland, inner London, Valleys, the NE. Its not that surprising given the polls. I think the Tories would 'bank' this as a launchpad for the longer term as it were.
Just for fun - Jenrick and Kruger gone, Braverman and Rosindell toss ups.
The Conservatives’ cratering in Red Walll/working class seats, but holding firm in posher/rural seats might be what saves them.
In the posh seats (the Waitrose wall) they are getting their arses kicked by the LibDems.
They are being hit from both sides.
Waitrose Wall is very good!
The serious point about this is the question of which way the non-populist advocates of pragmatism are going to go at the next election.
Netanyahu is scum, but comparing him to Hitler is the mark of an unhinged mind.
Or a lateral thinker
You can't classify evil
Evil is evil
Genocide is genocide
Netanyahu right now is as great a threat to the world as Hitler ever was.
You absolutely can classify evil.
Genocide is genocide, yes. Fighting in war is not genocide, sending people into gas chambers is genocide.
Netanyahu is nothing like Hitler.
After 7th October, where over a thousand innocent people were murdered and others raped, kidnapped etc. Israel responded with war on Hamas, with collateral casualties running into tens of thousands. Whilst most of us think it’s gone too far, I’m not sure what alternatives people had in mind for an Israeli response.
Does that include those in the West Bank, Syria and Lebanon killed or dispossessed - the latter category including a fifth of Lebanon's population ?
When do they declare this response concluded ?
When Bibi gets an official pardon for all the crimes he definitely didn’t commit?
Doing a bit of a further look at the Sky news RefCon battle, Reform clearly ahead in the places youd expect the Tories to do badly - South Yorks industrial, Merseyside, central belt Scotland, inner London, Valleys, the NE. Its not that surprising given the polls. I think the Tories would 'bank' this as a launchpad for the longer term as it were.
Just for fun - Jenrick and Kruger gone, Braverman and Rosindell toss ups.
The Conservatives’ cratering in Red Walll/working class seats, but holding firm in posher/rural seats might be what saves them.
In the posh seats (the Waitrose wall) they are getting their arses kicked by the LibDems.
They are being hit from both sides.
Waitrose Wall is very good!
At the other end of the scale, the Wetherspoons Wall.
Netanyahu is scum, but comparing him to Hitler is the mark of an unhinged mind.
Or a lateral thinker
You can't classify evil
Evil is evil
Genocide is genocide
Netanyahu right now is as great a threat to the world as Hitler ever was.
You absolutely can classify evil.
Genocide is genocide, yes. Fighting in war is not genocide, sending people into gas chambers is genocide.
Netanyahu is nothing like Hitler.
After 7th October, where over a thousand innocent people were murdered and others raped, kidnapped etc. Israel responded with war on Hamas, with collateral casualties running into tens of thousands. Whilst most of us think it’s gone too far, I’m not sure what alternatives people had in mind for an Israeli response.
Does that include those in the West Bank, Syria and Lebanon killed or dispossessed - the latter category including a fifth of Lebanon's population ?
When do they declare this response concluded ?
West Bank and Syria, no. Lebanon, yes.
Lebanon is a war against Hezbollah, whom are fighting alongside Iran and Hamas.
Responses/wars are generally concluded once the war is concluded because the threat has been eliminated or surrendered.
Doing a bit of a further look at the Sky news RefCon battle, Reform clearly ahead in the places youd expect the Tories to do badly - South Yorks industrial, Merseyside, central belt Scotland, inner London, Valleys, the NE. Its not that surprising given the polls. I think the Tories would 'bank' this as a launchpad for the longer term as it were.
Just for fun - Jenrick and Kruger gone, Braverman and Rosindell toss ups.
The Conservatives’ cratering in Red Walll/working class seats, but holding firm in posher/rural seats might be what saves them.
In the posh seats (the Waitrose wall) they are getting their arses kicked by the LibDems.
They are being hit from both sides.
We get to see some more of how thats going in Surrey, Hants and Sussex this year. Last year it was more mixed. - Oxon very much a mullering, Cambs a little ahead, Wiltshire, Herts pretty much a dead heat, Bucks Tories ahead
Doing a bit of a further look at the Sky news RefCon battle, Reform clearly ahead in the places youd expect the Tories to do badly - South Yorks industrial, Merseyside, central belt Scotland, inner London, Valleys, the NE. Its not that surprising given the polls. I think the Tories would 'bank' this as a launchpad for the longer term as it were.
Just for fun - Jenrick and Kruger gone, Braverman and Rosindell toss ups.
The Conservatives’ cratering in Red Walll/working class seats, but holding firm in posher/rural seats might be what saves them.
In the posh seats (the Waitrose wall) they are getting their arses kicked by the LibDems.
They are being hit from both sides.
Waitrose Wall is very good!
The serious point about this is the question of which way the non-populist advocates of pragmatism are going to go at the next election.
This is where I agree with HY. The Conservatives under Cleverly would appeal to this bloc more than they do with Kemi.
I guess this means Swalwell is the front runner for governor.
FBI Director Kash Patel is pressing to release a decade-old investigative file involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) and a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, according to people familiar with the effort. https://x.com/washingtonpost/status/2037930234301829486
(Swalwell cooperated with the investigation back then and was entirely exonerated.)
The Dems need to get behind one of the candidates or they could hand the governorship to the GOP. The jungle primary means only the top two go through to the run off and currently that’s the two GOP .
There are 8 Dems running and only 2 GOP. Some of the Dems who have zero chance of advancing have refused to leave the race . Utterly self indulgent and it could become a catastrophic decision unless some at least withdraw .
California Dem turnout in November could be hit if 2 GOP end up on the ballot and having a Trump stooge as governor would be a big problem !
I guess this means Swalwell is the front runner for governor.
FBI Director Kash Patel is pressing to release a decade-old investigative file involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) and a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, according to people familiar with the effort. https://x.com/washingtonpost/status/2037930234301829486
(Swalwell cooperated with the investigation back then and was entirely exonerated.)
The Dems need to get behind one of the candidates or they could hand the governorship to the GOP. The jungle primary means only the top two go through to the run off and currently that’s the two GOP .
There are 8 Dems running and only 2 GOP. Some of the Dems who have zero chance of advancing have refused to leave the race . Utterly self indulgent and it could become a catastrophic decision unless some at least withdraw .
California Dem turnout in November could be hit if 2 GOP end up on the ballot and having a Trump stooge as governor would be a big problem !
Swalwell will get it.
This is just a feeble attempt to repeat Hillary's emails.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
I guess this means Swalwell is the front runner for governor.
FBI Director Kash Patel is pressing to release a decade-old investigative file involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) and a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, according to people familiar with the effort. https://x.com/washingtonpost/status/2037930234301829486
(Swalwell cooperated with the investigation back then and was entirely exonerated.)
The Dems need to get behind one of the candidates or they could hand the governorship to the GOP. The jungle primary means only the top two go through to the run off and currently that’s the two GOP .
There are 8 Dems running and only 2 GOP. Some of the Dems who have zero chance of advancing have refused to leave the race . Utterly self indulgent and it could become a catastrophic decision unless some at least withdraw .
California Dem turnout in November could be hit if 2 GOP end up on the ballot and having a Trump stooge as governor would be a big problem !
Its probably a shakedown, they will mostly withdraw eventually but only once offered power and or money from donors and rivals. See one RFK for how it can work.
It's good in a world seemingly on the verge of anarchy to have some certainties on which one can rely - feeling crap after losing an hour's sleep and a PB debate on personal freedoms.
We've had many iterations of the latter down the years whether it be on drugs, alcohol, gambling or whatever addictive subject (such as PB itself I'd argue) is the mot du jour.
As a liberal (well, many on here say they are liberal except @HYUFD and one or two others but everyone's definition of liberalism is so varied it's lost the meaning just as the terms "left" and "right" no longer mean anything significant), the notion "I don't like your view but I'll defend to the death your right to express it" carries a lot of weight.
However, as with many other addictions, smoking carries collateral impacts via the passive ingestion of second hand smoke. The solution, it seems, would be to ban cigarettes and cigars and go back to chewing tobacco with a spitoon in every pub and train.
Prohibition can and often does go too far - what an individual does in the privacy of their home is their business. It's also fair to say the consequences of addiction (whether it be for smoking, gambling, drug abuse (of all kind including painkillers) and PB) are often used as an argument for prohibition while the vast majority of those who smoke, gamble, take pain killers and contribute to PB do so in a controlled and moderate way.
As I see round my part of the world, however, the consequences of uncontrolled addiction can be severe - the bulk of the petty crime (shop lifting and car break ins) is carried out (I'm told) by a small group of addicts who are often rough sleepers. We can and must do more to help those who are unable to control their cravings - I suspect the resources available are nowhere near the demand - while recognising the rights of those who wish to enjoy a smoke, a drink, a wager and a few minutes on PB.
RFK is on the heroin again.
RFK JR: One time, Trump grabbed a placemat, turned it over, took a Sharpie, and drew a perfect map of the Middle East. Then he marked the troop strength of every country along each border on that map.. https://x.com/Acyn/status/2038038880172359711
The defense of Trump's birthday card to Epstein was that "he doesn't draw pictures"
I guess this means Swalwell is the front runner for governor.
FBI Director Kash Patel is pressing to release a decade-old investigative file involving Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-California) and a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, according to people familiar with the effort. https://x.com/washingtonpost/status/2037930234301829486
(Swalwell cooperated with the investigation back then and was entirely exonerated.)
The Dems need to get behind one of the candidates or they could hand the governorship to the GOP. The jungle primary means only the top two go through to the run off and currently that’s the two GOP .
There are 8 Dems running and only 2 GOP. Some of the Dems who have zero chance of advancing have refused to leave the race . Utterly self indulgent and it could become a catastrophic decision unless some at least withdraw .
California Dem turnout in November could be hit if 2 GOP end up on the ballot and having a Trump stooge as governor would be a big problem !
Its probably a shakedown, they will mostly withdraw eventually but only once offered power and or money from donors and rivals. See one RFK for how it can work.
It’s too late now though to withdraw their names from the ballot so they’ll remain on there even if they pull their campaign.
Those candidates will never be forgiven if they end up costing the party the governorship.
Almost for the the first time ever I agree Farage about the generational smoking ban. Not because it's Cromwellian but because it's a nonsense. You either ban tobacco for all age groups - vaping is your safer alternative for a nicotine addiction - or you allow people of all ages to carry on killing themselves.
"Grandfather rights" is a fairly common concept. Surely it recognises that smoking is addictive, and those who started when it was legal may not be in a position to stop immediately. They are offered help to stop and others are not allowed to start.
Why anyone ever thought that inhaling smoke was ever likely to be healthy is beyond me.
Doing a bit of a further look at the Sky news RefCon battle, Reform clearly ahead in the places youd expect the Tories to do badly - South Yorks industrial, Merseyside, central belt Scotland, inner London, Valleys, the NE. Its not that surprising given the polls. I think the Tories would 'bank' this as a launchpad for the longer term as it were.
Just for fun - Jenrick and Kruger gone, Braverman and Rosindell toss ups.
The Conservatives’ cratering in Red Walll/working class seats, but holding firm in posher/rural seats might be what saves them.
In the posh seats (the Waitrose wall) they are getting their arses kicked by the LibDems.
They are being hit from both sides.
Waitrose Wall is very good!
The serious point about this is the question of which way the non-populist advocates of pragmatism are going to go at the next election.
To pragmatists Badenoch has one role, and one role only, which is to draw votes away from Farage, who is even more dire. If she doesn't do this, or worse again, goes into bed with Reform, there's no point to her.
I don't smoke, and I could probably count the cigarettes and cigars I've smoked using my digits.
However, I cannot stand the authoritarian, puritanical attitude about this within our population. It's the same as the people wanting eternal lockdown. It makes me thoroughly ashamed to be British.
I have the same problem as yourself. I have never smoked, never desired to smoke, find the smell nauseating and yet feel, morally I ought to smoke simply because of the people who tell me I ought not to.
Doing a bit of a further look at the Sky news RefCon battle, Reform clearly ahead in the places youd expect the Tories to do badly - South Yorks industrial, Merseyside, central belt Scotland, inner London, Valleys, the NE. Its not that surprising given the polls. I think the Tories would 'bank' this as a launchpad for the longer term as it were.
Just for fun - Jenrick and Kruger gone, Braverman and Rosindell toss ups.
The Conservatives’ cratering in Red Walll/working class seats, but holding firm in posher/rural seats might be what saves them.
In the posh seats (the Waitrose wall) they are getting their arses kicked by the LibDems.
They are being hit from both sides.
Waitrose Wall is very good!
The serious point about this is the question of which way the non-populist advocates of pragmatism are going to go at the next election.
To pragmatists Badenoch has one role, and one role only, which is to draw votes away from Farage, who is even more dire. If she doesn't do this, or worse again, goes into bed with Reform, there's no point to her.
What is the purpose of the Tories if they are not completely separate from Reform...
Both the historic main parties are subject to an impossible to deal with pincer movement - there is a popular party on their extreme side and quietly successfully Lib Dems in the middle.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
He claims that everything was peer reviewed and then when asked who peer reviewed it goes - you don't know them they went to another school.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
He claims that everything was peer reviewed and then when asked who peer reviewed it goes - you don't know them they went to another school.
I cant put my finger on why exsctly Farage avoided campaigning for this guy until the 59th minute of the 11th hour
The utter hypocrisy of our ruling class laid bare once again: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0w1jydgdko "An SNP spokesperson said: "We hope today's verdict brings some justice to those who have bravely come forward and shared their experiences. Their courage in speaking out cannot be overstated. As proceedings remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.""
"He told prosecutor Alistair McDermid that he went to police in 2023 to report Linden's conduct because he "did not feel confident" that internal reports he had made within the party from 2022 onwards would be dealt with appropriately.
He said: "Everywhere I went for help in the SNP I was ignored or it was downplayed.""
Today the ST also has a story that charities have received £6bn from the Scottish government conditional on their support (and lack of criticism) for government policy. In many cases nearly 90% of these charities funding comes from public funds. Scotland has not replicated rules in England which prevent charities spending public money on lobbying. And they have not adopted the rules about not punishing anyone which does not support government policy either.
Weird guy, leaning into the whole 'JD is weird' thing.
And he's widely regarded as best placed to lead the negotiations on Iran, supposedly because he's the least deranged prominent MAGA leader. How did we ever get here?
One important step on this road to hell was spin and "truthiness". You can't say with a straight face that "normal" politicians tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It's been various degrees of half-truths, evasions, lies-by-omission, deception, etc, for many years.
Lies beat half-truths. And half-truths beat the truth. Will we be lucky and see the truth beat lies? It has to be worth a try.
OT- I’m more interested in building conservation than religion, but walking past the restored Notre-Dame this Palm Sunday and hearing the carillon ring out brought a lump to my throat.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
He claims that everything was peer reviewed and then when asked who peer reviewed it goes - you don't know them they went to another school.
I cant put my finger on why exsctly Farage avoided campaigning for this guy until the 59th minute of the 11th hour
I suspect that with a different candidate Reform may have done better - at least to the extent that the Reform wasn't less than half the Green + Labour vote.
What is the PB consensus on King Charles visiting the Mad king?
Apparently if it is cancelled Trump will go ballistic (no change there then)
Should he cancel, or should he go, and do a Love Actually moment on US soil?
He should go and try, as much as possible, to talk past Trump directly to the American public. Eventually Trump will pass and, out of the wreckage, we want as good a relationship with the US that survives.
Netanyahu is scum, but comparing him to Hitler is the mark of an unhinged mind.
Or a lateral thinker
You can't classify evil
Evil is evil
Genocide is genocide
Netanyahu right now is as great a threat to the world as Hitler ever was.
You absolutely can classify evil.
Genocide is genocide, yes. Fighting in war is not genocide, sending people into gas chambers is genocide.
Netanyahu is nothing like Hitler.
After 7th October, where over a thousand innocent people were murdered and others raped, kidnapped etc. Israel responded with war on Hamas, with collateral casualties running into tens of thousands. Whilst most of us think it’s gone too far, I’m not sure what alternatives people had in mind for an Israeli response.
Does that include those in the West Bank, Syria and Lebanon killed or dispossessed - the latter category including a fifth of Lebanon's population ?
When do they declare this response concluded ?
West Bank and Syria, no. Lebanon, yes.
Lebanon is a war against Hezbollah, whom are fighting alongside Iran and Hamas.
Responses/wars are generally concluded once the war is concluded because the threat has been eliminated or surrendered.
That kinda overlooks the Israeli politicians saying they should stay in the occupied Lebanese (and Syrian) territories indefinitely.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
442 of them are Welsh-speaking schools presumably.
Reform are an all things to all people party - it's why they are popular..
What the country needs is for them to win the 2026 local councils so they are found out while running them.
Indeed - where Reform have taken power its all slid downhill rather quickly. Enjoyed a Twitter spat where a Reformer in Chesterfield was foaming on about how her Labour council had put the tax up. "But Derbyshire set the tax and that's Reform" eventually wore down her insistent that the Labour-run Borough Council was actually responsible.
People who are Fed Up have been coached that most council spending is a waste, is woke, is stupid, is Labour (and sometimes Tory) and REFORM will fix it by cutting the woke waste.
To find Reform doing all the same things for all the same reasons is hugely damaging, especially when Reform take the worst of the Tories and add morons and bigots to the mix to create administrations which both spend money and deliver nothing?
Reality always catches up with rhetoric, as the Tories found out.
Netanyahu is scum, but comparing him to Hitler is the mark of an unhinged mind.
Or a lateral thinker
You can't classify evil
Evil is evil
Genocide is genocide
Netanyahu right now is as great a threat to the world as Hitler ever was.
You absolutely can classify evil.
Genocide is genocide, yes. Fighting in war is not genocide, sending people into gas chambers is genocide.
Netanyahu is nothing like Hitler.
After 7th October, where over a thousand innocent people were murdered and others raped, kidnapped etc. Israel responded with war on Hamas, with collateral casualties running into tens of thousands. Whilst most of us think it’s gone too far, I’m not sure what alternatives people had in mind for an Israeli response.
Does that include those in the West Bank, Syria and Lebanon killed or dispossessed - the latter category including a fifth of Lebanon's population ?
When do they declare this response concluded ?
West Bank and Syria, no. Lebanon, yes.
Lebanon is a war against Hezbollah, whom are fighting alongside Iran and Hamas.
Responses/wars are generally concluded once the war is concluded because the threat has been eliminated or surrendered.
That kinda overlooks the Israeli politicians saying they should stay in the occupied Lebanese (and Syrian) territories indefinitely.
A few lone voices not representative of the Israeli government. Apart from being in that government of course.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
442 of them are Welsh-speaking schools presumably.
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
Reform are an all things to all people party - it's why they are popular..
What the country needs is for them to win the 2026 local councils so they are found out while running them.
Indeed - where Reform have taken power its all slid downhill rather quickly. Enjoyed a Twitter spat where a Reformer in Chesterfield was foaming on about how her Labour council had put the tax up. "But Derbyshire set the tax and that's Reform" eventually wore down her insistent that the Labour-run Borough Council was actually responsible.
People who are Fed Up have been coached that most council spending is a waste, is woke, is stupid, is Labour (and sometimes Tory) and REFORM will fix it by cutting the woke waste.
To find Reform doing all the same things for all the same reasons is hugely damaging, especially when Reform take the worst of the Tories and add morons and bigots to the mix to create administrations which both spend money and deliver nothing?
Reality always catches up with rhetoric, as the Tories found out.
What is the reality then? Have you any evidence that 'it's all slid downhill rather quickly' in Reform-led councils, because I think if that were the case we'd have heard plenty about it here by now.
As far as I am aware, Reform have made necessary and sensible economies, and the council tax rises they have implemented have been less than in councils controlled by other parties, but they haven't been able to touch the major burdens because the spend is mandated centrally.
Rock historian Andrew Hickey, in his analysis of The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-129-i-cant-get-no-satisfaction-by-the-rolling-stones/ , argues that the song represents the sentiment of a teenaged boy who doesn't want to clean his room. But, he then points out, there are a lot of teenaged boys who don't want to clean their rooms.
Farage is doing the same with his smoking policy. As with other announcements, he's aiming this at the core vote and he thinks there's enough of the core vote to achieve his aims. What's less clear is what his aims are. Is he just in it for the money, in which case actually winning an election would be an inconvenience (which is pretty much what he said about Reform winning control of Worcestershire, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93wv0ylq9yo )? Or is he so blinded by Trump's "brilliance" that he thinks a core vote strategy is enough to win outright in the UK? Whatever the reason, I don't think Farage is going to tack to the centre any time soon.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
442 of them are Welsh-speaking schools presumably.
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
Sorry to hear that, i hope he finds his way out the exit without misery
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
We're all a long time dying. Only exceptions are those already dead.
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
Two noughts would be sufficient for a land invasion. But, indeed, the US hasn't sent anywhere near enough. And won't.
Reform are an all things to all people party - it's why they are popular..
What the country needs is for them to win the 2026 local councils so they are found out while running them.
Indeed - where Reform have taken power its all slid downhill rather quickly. Enjoyed a Twitter spat where a Reformer in Chesterfield was foaming on about how her Labour council had put the tax up. "But Derbyshire set the tax and that's Reform" eventually wore down her insistent that the Labour-run Borough Council was actually responsible.
People who are Fed Up have been coached that most council spending is a waste, is woke, is stupid, is Labour (and sometimes Tory) and REFORM will fix it by cutting the woke waste.
To find Reform doing all the same things for all the same reasons is hugely damaging, especially when Reform take the worst of the Tories and add morons and bigots to the mix to create administrations which both spend money and deliver nothing?
Reality always catches up with rhetoric, as the Tories found out.
What is the reality then? Have you any evidence that 'it's all slid downhill rather quickly' in Reform-led councils, because I think if that were the case we'd have heard plenty about it here by now.
As far as I am aware, Reform have made necessary and sensible economies, and the council tax rises they have implemented have been less than in councils controlled by other parties, but they haven't been able to touch the major burdens because the spend is mandated centrally.
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
You'd need at least half a million to take Tehran, in all likelihood. Israel's participation would increase any resistance.
This is Numpty Trumpty witlessly digging his own political grave, in addition to the wrecking of the USA and elsewhere, and the deaths he will cause.
In the conflict he does not hold many cards, nor does he have exit criteria defined or an off-ramp identified.
The only slight advantage Trump has over Putin is that he could always 'Declare Victory and bail'. Putin couldn't do that because of his ego, and whilst Trump also has an ego he knows his supporters will believe and follow him anywhere.
He'd leave the region in the hands of Iran/Israel and the (formerly puppet) gulf states would be gone in a year but for him, who cares about that?
What is the PB consensus on King Charles visiting the Mad king?
Apparently if it is cancelled Trump will go ballistic (no change there then)
Should he cancel, or should he go, and do a Love Actually moment on US soil?
A diplomatic indisposition is called for. On doctors' advice he is not to travel to the Americas. (Unless invited to visit Canada, where the climate is beneficial.)
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
Two noughts would be sufficient for a land invasion. But, indeed, the US hasn't sent anywhere near enough. And won't.
They don't have a million regular army. And if they send the national guard and reservists, who is going to help overturn the election in November ?
Doing a bit of a further look at the Sky news RefCon battle, Reform clearly ahead in the places youd expect the Tories to do badly - South Yorks industrial, Merseyside, central belt Scotland, inner London, Valleys, the NE. Its not that surprising given the polls. I think the Tories would 'bank' this as a launchpad for the longer term as it were.
Just for fun - Jenrick and Kruger gone, Braverman and Rosindell toss ups.
The Conservatives’ cratering in Red Walll/working class seats, but holding firm in posher/rural seats might be what saves them.
In the posh seats (the Waitrose wall) they are getting their arses kicked by the LibDems.
They are being hit from both sides.
Waitrose Wall is very good!
At the other end of the scale, the Wetherspoons Wall.
I like Wetherspoons. A lot! And I'm a sandal wearing, tree hugging Lib Dem........ Always knew I was weird.
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
Hasn’t Labour proposed to implement the nuclear power review in full?
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
Goodwin doubling down on his race baiting dishonesty.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
There are 24,479 schools in England. 2000 is less than 10% of 24,479
Reform are an all things to all people party - it's why they are popular..
What the country needs is for them to win the 2026 local councils so they are found out while running them.
Indeed - where Reform have taken power its all slid downhill rather quickly. Enjoyed a Twitter spat where a Reformer in Chesterfield was foaming on about how her Labour council had put the tax up. "But Derbyshire set the tax and that's Reform" eventually wore down her insistent that the Labour-run Borough Council was actually responsible.
People who are Fed Up have been coached that most council spending is a waste, is woke, is stupid, is Labour (and sometimes Tory) and REFORM will fix it by cutting the woke waste.
To find Reform doing all the same things for all the same reasons is hugely damaging, especially when Reform take the worst of the Tories and add morons and bigots to the mix to create administrations which both spend money and deliver nothing?
Reality always catches up with rhetoric, as the Tories found out.
What is the reality then? Have you any evidence that 'it's all slid downhill rather quickly' in Reform-led councils, because I think if that were the case we'd have heard plenty about it here by now.
As far as I am aware, Reform have made necessary and sensible economies, and the council tax rises they have implemented have been less than in councils controlled by other parties, but they haven't been able to touch the major burdens because the spend is mandated centrally.
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
Hasn’t Labour proposed to implement the nuclear power review in full?
That's talking a good game. Let's see what it actually means in practice.
Years ago I knew a guy whose fix for everything was duct tape. My favourite was a PC that needed four screws to reattach the case fixed instead with tape. Took a minute to do correctly. After he left he went to work at Sellafield…
Duct tape is like the Force.
Gorilla Glue for me. It's magical. Fixes everything. I'm thinking of applying it to my love life
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
A very good friend died of cancer this week. She was conducting choir only a month ago.
Reform are an all things to all people party - it's why they are popular..
What the country needs is for them to win the 2026 local councils so they are found out while running them.
Indeed - where Reform have taken power its all slid downhill rather quickly. Enjoyed a Twitter spat where a Reformer in Chesterfield was foaming on about how her Labour council had put the tax up. "But Derbyshire set the tax and that's Reform" eventually wore down her insistent that the Labour-run Borough Council was actually responsible.
People who are Fed Up have been coached that most council spending is a waste, is woke, is stupid, is Labour (and sometimes Tory) and REFORM will fix it by cutting the woke waste.
To find Reform doing all the same things for all the same reasons is hugely damaging, especially when Reform take the worst of the Tories and add morons and bigots to the mix to create administrations which both spend money and deliver nothing?
Reality always catches up with rhetoric, as the Tories found out.
What is the reality then? Have you any evidence that 'it's all slid downhill rather quickly' in Reform-led councils, because I think if that were the case we'd have heard plenty about it here by now.
As far as I am aware, Reform have made necessary and sensible economies, and the council tax rises they have implemented have been less than in councils controlled by other parties, but they haven't been able to touch the major burdens because the spend is mandated centrally.
Apart from Worcestershire at 9%.
I suspect Worcestershire has adopted the correct approach - massively increase council tax now so as the next local elections come around you can have a far lower increase than would otherwise be the case.
As I said to @Taz regarding Durham I wouldn't have a 3% increase this year, because the risk is a 5% rise later, better to increase by 5% now so you have leeway to have a 3% cut later when the next election comes along.
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
Two noughts would be sufficient for a land invasion. But, indeed, the US hasn't sent anywhere near enough. And won't.
They don't have a million regular army. And if they send the national guard and reservists, who is going to help overturn the election in November ?
That's the problem with invading Iran, no part of this war from the first air strike makes any sense...
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
Sorry to hear that, i hope he finds his way out the exit without misery
Thanks, tho thje sympathies go to him, of course, not me
He's basically dying because of drugs followed by severe alcoholism (which replaced the drugs). A bottle of neat vodka a day kind of thing
He's very philosophical about it. He says "I feel it is my punishment for some bad decisions I made", then he shrugs
He's almost TOO philosophical, if that makes any sense. I visited him with a mutual friend, after the visit we went for a drink to steady our nerves, as you do
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
They could capture Kharg island. Where they would become a drone magnet. Which would then create a motivation for sending further troops for further limited in scope missions.
And so, gradually, more US forces are sucked into a conflict they don't know how to win.
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
Hasn’t Labour proposed to implement the nuclear power review in full?
Promised at national level. So far.
The enquiry industrial complex is strong in this country. See the continuing anger that offshore wind projects were given a sensible planning route - basically, that if the sensible list of questions is answers the project is something close to unstoppable.
Another area of fury is that power storage below 30MWh is not considered a full power station. So doesn’t get a decade of legal challenges.
So with the nuclear thing, the legislation will get drawn up. Then a long series of legal representations will be made to “improve it”. Then the legislation will be challenged in the courts.
On the other hand, the plan is for nuclear to go on the existing sites, which generally doesn’t have much local opposition. On the third hand, opposition to nuclear at national level is well organised.
Years ago I knew a guy whose fix for everything was duct tape. My favourite was a PC that needed four screws to reattach the case fixed instead with tape. Took a minute to do correctly. After he left he went to work at Sellafield…
Duct tape is like the Force.
Gorilla Glue for me. It's magical. Fixes everything. I'm thinking of applying it to my love life
What will happen when you try to remove your stuck hand from your penis? Could be painful.
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
They could capture Kharg island. Where they would become a drone magnet. Which would then create a motivation for sending further troops for further limited in scope missions.
And so, gradually, more US forces are sucked into a conflict they don't know how to win.
The reason they don't know how to win because there is no way to win - which is why Iran wasn't attacked back in the 80s through now...
Every other President would have listened to the General who followed Israel's presentation and gone don't do anything because it won't work for these reasons and started the very long list.
Trump being Trump has of caused removed all sanity from around him so there was no-one to stop him being so stupid.
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
Sorry to hear that, i hope he finds his way out the exit without misery
Thanks, tho thje sympathies go to him, of course, not me
He's basically dying because of drugs followed by severe alcoholism (which replaced the drugs). A bottle of neat vodka a day kind of thing
He's very philosophical about it. He says "I feel it is my punishment for some bad decisions I made", then he shrugs
He's almost TOO philosophical, if that makes any sense. I visited him with a mutual friend, after the visit we went for a drink to steady our nerves, as you do
Went to see a dying friend yesterday. He’s been a long time a-dying - as he says himself. But he is slowly getting there. He’s now in a bed, with a nappy, 24/7 - and has been for months
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
A very good friend died of cancer this week. She was conducting choir only a month ago.
Jesus. Sorry to hear that
I don't know if the swiftness is worse or better. Worse?
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
Two noughts would be sufficient for a land invasion. But, indeed, the US hasn't sent anywhere near enough. And won't.
They don't have a million regular army. And if they send the national guard and reservists, who is going to help overturn the election in November ?
Drones have changed warfare permanently I think and we are still catching up. I don't think we should be quick to predict how many troops are needed for xyz... no one really knows.
With Trump as well - there's no sign he would care about civilian casualties.
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
Don't worry.
Angela Rayner will be PM after May.
Whoever is Labour leader, after May will have a majority of Labour MPs demanding change. Enough rebels to prevent legislation in the HoC, if they choose.
They will demand NIMBYism to try and get re-elected.
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
'...the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.' 50% of voters aged 18-24 and 62% of voters aged 25-49 oppose building new housing on 'green belt land' not massively lower than the 76% of over 65s who oppose building new homes on the greenbelt. 64% of 2024 Green voters and 59% of 2024 Labour voters oppose building new homes on the greenbelt.
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
They could capture Kharg island. Where they would become a drone magnet. Which would then create a motivation for sending further troops for further limited in scope missions.
And so, gradually, more US forces are sucked into a conflict they don't know how to win.
The reason they don't know how to win because there is no way to win - which is why Iran wasn't attacked back in the 80s through now...
Every other President would have listened to the General who followed Israel's presentation and gone don't do anything because it won't work for these reasons and started the very long list.
Trump being Trump has of caused removed all sanity from around him so there was no-one to stop him being so stupid.
Well, that depends on what the victory conditions are. Precipitating a civil war which sees Iranians concentrate on fighting Iranians might be considered by Trump to be a victory from this point. But it's hard to know how to win when you haven't defined what winning is.
Every party is the NIMBY party. They talk a game at national level. But then…
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
Hasn’t Labour proposed to implement the nuclear power review in full?
Promised at national level. So far.
The enquiry industrial complex is strong in this country. See the continuing anger that offshore wind projects were given a sensible planning route - basically, that if the sensible list of questions is answers the project is something close to unstoppable.
Another area of fury is that power storage below 30MWh is not considered a full power station. So doesn’t get a decade of legal challenges.
So with the nuclear thing, the legislation will get drawn up. Then a long series of legal representations will be made to “improve it”. Then the legislation will be challenged in the courts.
On the other hand, the plan is for nuclear to go on the existing sites, which generally doesn’t have much local opposition. On the third hand, opposition to nuclear at national level is well organised.
On balance, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
I think NIMBYism is probably our biggest problem as a country.
We really need to allow people to build whatever and wherever they want. As long as it's not dangerous (like it's going to fall down), I'd be extremely permissive especially in urban areas.
I know people tire of me talking about phone masts but it's an area I can relate. Really these should be allowed by default in cities, there's no actual reason to reject them.
“Trump is waging war based on instinct and it isn't working”
The first few paragraphs talk about plans, planning etc.
The BBC are sanewashing again. Trump didn't have a plan. It was just 'bomb because we can' and assume the Iranians would surrender and install Trump as the new Supreme leader. It really didn't go further than that.
The US continue NOT to have a plan. Are they going to launch a ground invasion? If so, where? What's the aim, what's the objective?
Well without a ground invasion it is unlikely to be able to remove the Iranian regime
How do you envisage a ground invasion removing the Iranian regime?
Well US and Israeli troops enter Tehran and literally remove the regime and Revolutionary Guard
What level of forces are required for that, and how many are in theatre?
10,000 US troops and marines are now in the region with more on the way. Israel would also send troops
That is grossly insufficient for any land invasion of a country of 90 million people who hate the United States as much as their own regime. Add THREE more noughts to the figure, and you still probably haven't got enough.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
Obviously ground troops would be co ordinated with a massive bombing campaign by US and Israeli jets and one would hope with Iranian rebels on the ground and in exile
Years ago I knew a guy whose fix for everything was duct tape. My favourite was a PC that needed four screws to reattach the case fixed instead with tape. Took a minute to do correctly. After he left he went to work at Sellafield…
Duct tape is like the Force.
Gorilla Glue for me. It's magical. Fixes everything. I'm thinking of applying it to my love life
What is the PB consensus on King Charles visiting the Mad king?
Apparently if it is cancelled Trump will go ballistic (no change there then)
Should he cancel, or should he go, and do a Love Actually moment on US soil?
I think an uncontroversial reason for postponement should be found .
Given the King would be going to join the Americans celebrating the removal of his ancestor King George III as their head of state I doubt he would be too bothered at not having to go. Though he might find it amusing to tell the Democrat 'No Kings' protestors yesterday that maybe having him as a constitutional monarch like their neighbours Canada would be better than the current President of their Republic!
Comments
Of course in WWII for propaganda reasons the ground attack ace became a thing, Rudel being the nonpareil. He was a horrible, old Nazi but a remarkable flier, going back to front line flying for the last couple of months of the war after having a leg amputated.
Lebanon, yes.
Lebanon is a war against Hezbollah, whom are fighting alongside Iran and Hamas.
Responses/wars are generally concluded once the war is concluded because the threat has been eliminated or surrendered.
Last year it was more mixed. - Oxon very much a mullering, Cambs a little ahead, Wiltshire, Herts pretty much a dead heat, Bucks Tories ahead
There are 8 Dems running and only 2 GOP. Some of the Dems who have zero chance of advancing have refused to leave the race . Utterly self indulgent and it could become a catastrophic decision unless some at least withdraw .
California Dem turnout in November could be hit if 2 GOP end up on the ballot and having a Trump stooge as governor would be a big problem !
This is just a feeble attempt to repeat Hillary's emails.
In more than 2,000 schools in England today a majority of children no longer speak English as their main language. My critics might not think that tells us something important about what is happening to our country. But I do. And I will not change my view
https://x.com/GoodwinMJ/status/2037792677266162089
https://x.com/fia/status/2038185673912357204
Apparently if it is cancelled Trump will go ballistic (no change there then)
Should he cancel, or should he go, and do a Love Actually moment on US soil?
Those candidates will never be forgiven if they end up costing the party the governorship.
Both the historic main parties are subject to an impossible to deal with pincer movement - there is a popular party on their extreme side and quietly successfully Lib Dems in the middle.
EDIT: we have the same idea!
* Did you like the Sir Jeremy Clarkson voice?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0w1jydgdko
"An SNP spokesperson said: "We hope today's verdict brings some justice to those who have bravely come forward and shared their experiences. Their courage in speaking out cannot be overstated. As proceedings remain ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.""
During the trial the court heard this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg4l9m944po
"He told prosecutor Alistair McDermid that he went to police in 2023 to report Linden's conduct because he "did not feel confident" that internal reports he had made within the party from 2022 onwards would be dealt with appropriately.
He said: "Everywhere I went for help in the SNP I was ignored or it was downplayed.""
Today the ST also has a story that charities have received £6bn from the Scottish government conditional on their support (and lack of criticism) for government policy. In many cases nearly 90% of these charities funding comes from public funds.
Scotland has not replicated rules in England which prevent charities spending public money on lobbying. And they have not adopted the rules about not punishing anyone which does not support government policy either.
Lies beat half-truths. And half-truths beat the truth. Will we be lucky and see the truth beat lies? It has to be worth a try.
What the country needs is for them to win the 2026 local councils so they are found out while running them.
People who are Fed Up have been coached that most council spending is a waste, is woke, is stupid, is Labour (and sometimes Tory) and REFORM will fix it by cutting the woke waste.
To find Reform doing all the same things for all the same reasons is hugely damaging, especially when Reform take the worst of the Tories and add morons and bigots to the mix to create administrations which both spend money and deliver nothing?
Reality always catches up with rhetoric, as the Tories found out.
Apart from being in that government of course.
I asked him if he gets bored. He said no, and made a chirpy joke (that’s his way). But he did say “it’s like seeing life through a keyhole”
Carpe fucking diem PB. Indeed, Carpe fucking Horan
As far as I am aware, Reform have made necessary and sensible economies, and the council tax rises they have implemented have been less than in councils controlled by other parties, but they haven't been able to touch the major burdens because the spend is mandated centrally.
Farage is doing the same with his smoking policy. As with other announcements, he's aiming this at the core vote and he thinks there's enough of the core vote to achieve his aims. What's less clear is what his aims are. Is he just in it for the money, in which case actually winning an election would be an inconvenience (which is pretty much what he said about Reform winning control of Worcestershire, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93wv0ylq9yo )? Or is he so blinded by Trump's "brilliance" that he thinks a core vote strategy is enough to win outright in the UK? Whatever the reason, I don't think Farage is going to tack to the centre any time soon.
I'm not sure you can do anything with 10,000 troops, even if they're the best battle hardened troops in the world for a land invasion of Iran.
I know you're said, "With more on the way." but unless that 'more' is 9,990,000 troops, they're just going to get captured or killed.
The morphine was for the patient, not you!
Only exceptions are those already dead.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cx2695dkjzdo
Still he's going to face into his present challenges by, er... quitting. What a hero.
Offer to knight Trump, then go Highlander on him?
He'd leave the region in the hands of Iran/Israel and the (formerly puppet) gulf states would be gone in a year but for him, who cares about that?
On doctors' advice he is not to travel to the Americas.
(Unless invited to visit Canada, where the climate is beneficial.)
Which is why I predict that the attempts at increasing house building from Starmer will be u-turned after May.
One of the squares the Green will need to make into a circle is their strong NIMBYism locally, with the massive support for house building and infrastructure among the young.
And if they send the national guard and reservists, who is going to help overturn the election in November ?
Always knew I was weird.
Send Eugene and Beatrice to see Uncle Donald.
They'll know him well from summer school holidays
Angela Rayner will be PM after May.
Thats not stopped the GOAT
Second only to Senna
https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25
He's fixated with Tracors
He can't read
He can't write
That don't really matter
He's a sorry Ipswich fan
He can drive a tractor
"Forget birdwatching, I’m into moth-watching: they’re fascinating and misunderstood insects" by Helen Pilcher
I'd always assumed our friend from Devon was male!
Let's see what it actually means in practice.
She was conducting choir only a month ago.
As I said to @Taz regarding Durham I wouldn't have a 3% increase this year, because the risk is a 5% rise later, better to increase by 5% now so you have leeway to have a 3% cut later when the next election comes along.
He's basically dying because of drugs followed by severe alcoholism (which replaced the drugs). A bottle of neat vodka a day kind of thing
He's very philosophical about it. He says "I feel it is my punishment for some bad decisions I made", then he shrugs
He's almost TOO philosophical, if that makes any sense. I visited him with a mutual friend, after the visit we went for a drink to steady our nerves, as you do
And so, gradually, more US forces are sucked into a conflict they don't know how to win.
I'd plump for Fangio: five world championships for four different manufacturers and he didn't start until he was in his late 30s.
The enquiry industrial complex is strong in this country. See the continuing anger that offshore wind projects were given a sensible planning route - basically, that if the sensible list of questions is answers the project is something close to unstoppable.
Another area of fury is that power storage below 30MWh is not considered a full power station. So doesn’t get a decade of legal challenges.
So with the nuclear thing, the legislation will get drawn up. Then a long series of legal representations will be made to “improve it”. Then the legislation will be challenged in the courts.
On the other hand, the plan is for nuclear to go on the existing sites, which generally doesn’t have much local opposition. On the third hand, opposition to nuclear at national level is well organised.
On balance, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Every other President would have listened to the General who followed Israel's presentation and gone don't do anything because it won't work for these reasons and started the very long list.
Trump being Trump has of caused removed all sanity from around him so there was no-one to stop him being so stupid.
I don't know if the swiftness is worse or better. Worse?
A lot of PBers are ducking down sniper's alley
With Trump as well - there's no sign he would care about civilian casualties.
They will demand NIMBYism to try and get re-elected.
63% of 18-24s may generally support more new homes being built in their local area but even over 65s narrowly agree with that by 47% to 46%,
https://ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Copy_of_Internal_HouseBuilding_240709.pdf
We really need to allow people to build whatever and wherever they want. As long as it's not dangerous (like it's going to fall down), I'd be extremely permissive especially in urban areas.
I know people tire of me talking about phone masts but it's an area I can relate. Really these should be allowed by default in cities, there's no actual reason to reject them.