"How did Iran win? Naturally, the Iranian Minister of War credited divine intervention, declaring 'God deserves all the glory.' His nation, he said, fought with the 'protection of divine providence. A massive effort with miraculous protection.'
Well, theocrats gonna theocrat.
But I lied. That wasn’t a quote from an Iranian official. That’s what Pete Hegseth, our self-proclaimed Secretary of War, said while claiming that one of the worst strategic defeats in American history was a great victory."
This country is weird. Man is investigated by the police but never charged. Events happen decades ago. Man is sacked from his job at the BBC even though he was never charged, let alone convicted. What exactly has Scott Mills done??
Because Mills likely breached a clause in his contract through his behaviour and the details are confidential. It is not necessary to be convicted of a criminal offence to lose your job through bad behaviour outside work.
In this case he probably had some form of “don’t bring the BBC into disrepute” clause in his contract and did something that the BBC considered brought them into disrepute. If not then he breached some other clause. He’s entitled to bring a claim if he thinks otherwise.
It would be an insane world if you could only get fired if you’re conduct is criminal.
Yes, it is surprising that so many people get surprised by that fact. You see it all the time when a politician is investigated, as people demand criminal levels of proof and get lawyers involved without need for conduct matters, but even where someone was outright acquitted of a crime you could probably still fire them for the conduct involved - someone might not have behaved appropriately even if no laws were broken.
Thanks both for that. I do understand you can breach contracts in non criminal ways. In this case I am genuinely perplexed by the ‘new information’. That the complainant was u16? The CPS did not press charges and the events happened nearly 30 years ago. We have become a seriously cancel culture country.
This country is weird. Man is investigated by the police but never charged. Events happen decades ago. Man is sacked from his job at the BBC even though he was never charged, let alone convicted. What exactly has Scott Mills done??
Because Mills likely breached a clause in his contract through his behaviour and the details are confidential. It is not necessary to be convicted of a criminal offence to lose your job through bad behaviour outside work.
In this case he probably had some form of “don’t bring the BBC into disrepute” clause in his contract and did something that the BBC considered brought them into disrepute. If not then he breached some other clause. He’s entitled to bring a claim if he thinks otherwise.
It would be an insane world if you could only get fired if you’re conduct is criminal.
Yes, it is surprising that so many people get surprised by that fact. You see it all the time when a politician is investigated, as people demand criminal levels of proof and get lawyers involved without need for conduct matters, but even where someone was outright acquitted of a crime you could probably still fire them for the conduct involved - someone might not have behaved appropriately even if no laws were broken.
Thanks both for that. I do understand you can breach contracts in non criminal ways. In this case I am genuinely perplexed by the ‘new information’. That the complainant was u16? The CPS did not press charges and the events happened nearly 30 years ago. We have become a seriously cancel culture country.
My contract of employment says I have to inform my employer immediately if I am ever arrested, failure to do so is gross misconduct, depending on the charges it could become a safeguarding issue, we have some very vulnerable clients, his job involved dealing with under 16s.
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
This country is weird. Man is investigated by the police but never charged. Events happen decades ago. Man is sacked from his job at the BBC even though he was never charged, let alone convicted. What exactly has Scott Mills done??
Because Mills likely breached a clause in his contract through his behaviour and the details are confidential. It is not necessary to be convicted of a criminal offence to lose your job through bad behaviour outside work.
In this case he probably had some form of “don’t bring the BBC into disrepute” clause in his contract and did something that the BBC considered brought them into disrepute. If not then he breached some other clause. He’s entitled to bring a claim if he thinks otherwise.
It would be an insane world if you could only get fired if you’re conduct is criminal.
Yes, it is surprising that so many people get surprised by that fact. You see it all the time when a politician is investigated, as people demand criminal levels of proof and get lawyers involved without need for conduct matters, but even where someone was outright acquitted of a crime you could probably still fire them for the conduct involved - someone might not have behaved appropriately even if no laws were broken.
Thanks both for that. I do understand you can breach contracts in non criminal ways. In this case I am genuinely perplexed by the ‘new information’. That the complainant was u16? The CPS did not press charges and the events happened nearly 30 years ago. We have become a seriously cancel culture country.
My contract of employment says I have to inform my employer immediately if I am ever arrested, failure to do so is gross misconduct, depending on the charges it could become a safeguarding issue, we have some very vulnerable clients, his job involved dealing with under 16s.
Plus, the BBC post-Savile are not going to execise discretion are they? No umming and ahhing.
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
Montserrat, since they forgot it was a British territory.
This country is weird. Man is investigated by the police but never charged. Events happen decades ago. Man is sacked from his job at the BBC even though he was never charged, let alone convicted. What exactly has Scott Mills done??
Because Mills likely breached a clause in his contract through his behaviour and the details are confidential. It is not necessary to be convicted of a criminal offence to lose your job through bad behaviour outside work.
In this case he probably had some form of “don’t bring the BBC into disrepute” clause in his contract and did something that the BBC considered brought them into disrepute. If not then he breached some other clause. He’s entitled to bring a claim if he thinks otherwise.
It would be an insane world if you could only get fired if you’re conduct is criminal.
Yes, it is surprising that so many people get surprised by that fact. You see it all the time when a politician is investigated, as people demand criminal levels of proof and get lawyers involved without need for conduct matters, but even where someone was outright acquitted of a crime you could probably still fire them for the conduct involved - someone might not have behaved appropriately even if no laws were broken.
Thanks both for that. I do understand you can breach contracts in non criminal ways. In this case I am genuinely perplexed by the ‘new information’. That the complainant was u16? The CPS did not press charges and the events happened nearly 30 years ago. We have become a seriously cancel culture country.
My contract of employment says I have to inform my employer immediately if I am ever arrested, failure to do so is gross misconduct, depending on the charges it could become a safeguarding issue, we have some very vulnerable clients, his job involved dealing with under 16s.
Plus, the BBC post-Savile are not going to execise discretion are they? No umming and ahhing.
Indeed, I had a colleague who got very drunk one day, whipped out his John Thomas to have a slash, and well the police arrested him and since the original reason was indecent exposure as that what the woman who alerted the police was worried about which led to his suspension from work.
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
As Queen Victoria? So to where will they deport you?
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
As Queen Victoria? So to where will they report you?
Germany or the Isle of Wight?
I can speak fluent German, what language do they speak on the Isle of Wight?
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
As Queen Victoria? So to where will they report you?
Germany or the Isle of Wight?
I can speak fluent German, what language do they speak on the Isle of Wight?
Hampshire. There are a lot of ruffians on the Isle of Wight. Although Victoria had a great view of the Spinnaker Tower from Osborn House. Unless Osborn is in the deal I'd take Germany.
Just eight days until I'm on holiday; then I can speak my Marlborough French
Just in case anyone missed this earlier, I found out this bit of local history this morning..
"I just discovered that my town was the butt of a medieval joke
Walter Map was a Welsh writer and a courtier of Henry II. He wrote about it in his book De nugis curialium (Medieval Latin for "Of the trifles of courtiers")
"There was in service upon the aforesaid king a clerk who hath written these things down for us, whose name is Map. He was dear to the king and found favour in his eyes, not through any merit of his own, but through that of his parents, who had been the king’s loyal supporters both before he had become king and after.
The king had also a son, Geoffrey by name, born, if I may say so, from a bawd whose name was Hikenai, as I have remarked above in passing, and this Geoffrey the king, contrary to the belief and the will of all, adopted as his own. Between him and Map there sometimes arose ready quarrels in the presence of the king himself and also elsewhere.
Through the king Geoffrey was elected to the see of Lincoln, and held that bishopric longer than was lawful, although the Pope often urged that he give it up or be ordained a bishop ; he hesitated a long time, saying yea and saying nay to neither and to both.
The king, therefore, who noted with some worry that much land was covered by such a fig tree, forced him to do one thing or the other ; he chose to resign.
He resigned at Marlborough, where is a spring of which, if one tasteth, they say, he talketh barbarous French ; hence, if one is faulty in his use of this tongue, we say that he speaketh French of Marlborough.
Therefore, during his speech of resignation, which Map heard him make before the lord Richard of Canterbury, when the Archbishop had asked him, ‘ What sayest'thou ? ’ wishing him to repeat his words for all to hear, and when, since Geoffrey made no reply, the Archbishop had asked him a second time, ‘ What Sayest thou ? ’
Map answered in his stead, ‘ French of Marlborough.’
The others laughed at this, Geoffrey withdrew in anger. "
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
As Queen Victoria? So to where will they report you?
Germany or the Isle of Wight?
I can speak fluent German, what language do they speak on the Isle of Wight?
Don’t raise the profile of the Isle of Wight too much or Starmer will try to give it to France.
Just eight days until I'm on holiday; then I can speak my Marlborough French
Just in case anyone missed this earlier, I found out this bit of local history this morning..
"I just discovered that my town was the butt of a medieval joke
Walter Map was a Welsh writer and a courtier of Henry II. He wrote about it in his book De nugis curialium (Medieval Latin for "Of the trifles of courtiers")
"There was in service upon the aforesaid king a clerk who hath written these things down for us, whose name is Map. He was dear to the king and found favour in his eyes, not through any merit of his own, but through that of his parents, who had been the king’s loyal supporters both before he had become king and after.
The king had also a son, Geoffrey by name, born, if I may say so, from a bawd whose name was Hikenai, as I have remarked above in passing, and this Geoffrey the king, contrary to the belief and the will of all, adopted as his own. Between him and Map there sometimes arose ready quarrels in the presence of the king himself and also elsewhere.
Through the king Geoffrey was elected to the see of Lincoln, and held that bishopric longer than was lawful, although the Pope often urged that he give it up or be ordained a bishop ; he hesitated a long time, saying yea and saying nay to neither and to both.
The king, therefore, who noted with some worry that much land was covered by such a fig tree, forced him to do one thing or the other ; he chose to resign.
He resigned at Marlborough, where is a spring of which, if one tasteth, they say, he talketh barbarous French ; hence, if one is faulty in his use of this tongue, we say that he speaketh French of Marlborough.
Therefore, during his speech of resignation, which Map heard him make before the lord Richard of Canterbury, when the Archbishop had asked him, ‘ What sayest'thou ? ’ wishing him to repeat his words for all to hear, and when, since Geoffrey made no reply, the Archbishop had asked him a second time, ‘ What Sayest thou ? ’
Map answered in his stead, ‘ French of Marlborough.’
The others laughed at this, Geoffrey withdrew in anger. "
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
As Queen Victoria? So to where will they report you?
Germany or the Isle of Wight?
I can speak fluent German, what language do they speak on the Isle of Wight?
Don’t raise the profile of the Isle of Wight too much or Starmer will try to give it to France.
Other than @IanB2 and @Foxy would we really miss it?
@IanB2 would get his maroon passport back which has to be a bonus.
Well, the world didn't end and there was a doctor who saw me at the hospital. But the oddest appointment I've ever had; I think I was asked to attend the wrong clinic. GP said, do some imaging, show what's going on inside, maybe they'll send you for a mammogram afterwards. I supposed by imaging she meant an MRI, but maybe not.
it was just a standard breast clinic: physical breast exam, mammogram, results clear, strong hints I should have phoned for a non-urgent mammogram if I'd wanted one, goodbye. In & out in just over 30 minutes. Everyone very courteous & helpful but nobody interested in the actual problem for which my GP referred me (pancreas locality).
I'm very sorry about their wasted time but I feel my time has been wasted too.
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
It's a classic example of 'would X object if someone did it to them?'
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
ReformUK have selected a local election candidate called Muhammed Sharia which has generated some commentary from Restore Britain supporters on X https://x.com/i/trending/2041920490214977741
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged her support for President Nicolas Sarkozy's re-election bid, 80 days before French voters go to the polls.
The point was about furore in the USA if a senior foreign government official campaigned for their opponent, openly on stage as part of official rallies
You know that and can do a lot better than this, since even fellow EU leaders backing each other could indeed be criticised. The situations are also quite different in character and timing.
So, amusingly, you've undermined your intended point even though you made another point with some potential substance.
Just eight days until I'm on holiday; then I can speak my Marlborough French
Just in case anyone missed this earlier, I found out this bit of local history this morning..
"I just discovered that my town was the butt of a medieval joke
Walter Map was a Welsh writer and a courtier of Henry II. He wrote about it in his book De nugis curialium (Medieval Latin for "Of the trifles of courtiers")
"There was in service upon the aforesaid king a clerk who hath written these things down for us, whose name is Map. He was dear to the king and found favour in his eyes, not through any merit of his own, but through that of his parents, who had been the king’s loyal supporters both before he had become king and after.
The king had also a son, Geoffrey by name, born, if I may say so, from a bawd whose name was Hikenai, as I have remarked above in passing, and this Geoffrey the king, contrary to the belief and the will of all, adopted as his own. Between him and Map there sometimes arose ready quarrels in the presence of the king himself and also elsewhere.
Through the king Geoffrey was elected to the see of Lincoln, and held that bishopric longer than was lawful, although the Pope often urged that he give it up or be ordained a bishop ; he hesitated a long time, saying yea and saying nay to neither and to both.
The king, therefore, who noted with some worry that much land was covered by such a fig tree, forced him to do one thing or the other ; he chose to resign.
He resigned at Marlborough, where is a spring of which, if one tasteth, they say, he talketh barbarous French ; hence, if one is faulty in his use of this tongue, we say that he speaketh French of Marlborough.
Therefore, during his speech of resignation, which Map heard him make before the lord Richard of Canterbury, when the Archbishop had asked him, ‘ What sayest'thou ? ’ wishing him to repeat his words for all to hear, and when, since Geoffrey made no reply, the Archbishop had asked him a second time, ‘ What Sayest thou ? ’
Map answered in his stead, ‘ French of Marlborough.’
The others laughed at this, Geoffrey withdrew in anger. "
White House announces that JD Vance will lead the negotiating team in Islamabad on Saturday, with Witkoff and Kushner, to end the Iran War.
This is actually good news for the world. As all three have been reported as being anti-Iran-war, and highly skeptical from the off about over optimistic Israeli lies about regime change in Tehran
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
If you’re from an ethnic background and support Reform or stand for them then you’re a fxcking moron .
It’s like Latinos and Blacks for Trump who are now shocked that their friends and relatives are being deported . Wtf did they think was going to happen .
Net favourablility as a percentage of those expressing an opinion, i.e. excluding don’t knows. John Swinney - 40% Ed Davey - 40% Kemi Badenoch - 26% Zack Polanski - 36% Nigel Farage - 22% Anas Sarwar - 31% Keir Starmer - 19% Alex Cole-Hamilton - 36% Russell Findlay - 30% Ross Greer - 28% Gillian Mackay - 26% Malcolm Offord - 17%
On that basis, the SNP and the Lib Dems are the least unpopular.
Whilst he is right that what is happening now is more important than things he did 10+ years ago - and voters probably agree - is this really Zack's defence for being titanically stupid around breast hypnosis? That it is unreasonable to point out how monumentally thick he was about it?
Labour dredging up a 2013 Sun article as if that’s what matters.
We’re living through a moment where the PM is complicit in genocide, backing a US President threatening destruction of civilisation.
I think his popularity can be sustained regardless, but pretending he wasn't a dumb weirdo about it is not going to stop people bringing it up.
He really is the heir to Corbyn, apparently it is bad form to quote exactly the stuff you've said and done in the past.
A particularly silly period of politics indeed.
He should be in an easier position because part of Corbyn's appeal was that he had been unchanging in his views for decades, steadfast and correct, so disavowing or clarifying past statements/views would undermine that. Whereas Zack is still youthful and new on the scene, he could probably laugh it off as a momentary youthful lapse (notwithstanding he was not a youth).
But getting angry about it, to use one of his supporters' favourite words, makes him look rattled by it.
Sure, it is petty and probably not going to move the dial much, but it will come up time and time again, because it is funny and allows us to mock a leading politician for being stupid, and we always like that.
Why are people convinced political opponents are “rattled” on sometimes the flimsiest of grounds
Sir Keir Starmer was on the last day of his holiday in Spain with his family when Donald Trump threatened to obliterate civilisation in Iran
As the world held its breath amid fears that the Middle East was about to descend into even deeper turmoil, the prime minister was flying back to the UK on a commercial flight after a four-day Easter break
He arrived back on Tuesday evening and was left with no choice but to wait with everyone else to see whether Trump would follow through on his pledge to send Iran back to the “Stone Age”
I expect we’ll see a level of vomit inducing begging from Rutte and the mother of all fellations . It won’t be pretty , let’s hope Rutte doesn’t go a step further than the embarrassing meeting last year and call him big daddy !
Scotland desperately needs a right of centre government in my opinion but it looks like they're going to miss out on the opportunity once again. A real shame.
There's a silver lining for England though - the SNP's staggering incompetence at anything other than whining with its begging bowl out has always been a warning for us south of the border, and occasionally we've even noticed how badly they run the place.
are you doolally, have you seen the shambles Westminster has done to the whole UK
The IDF was very disappointed because their kill bonuses would be lowered . So today they’re overjoyed because they managed to wipe out nearly a hundred people in Beirut .
Checking again it was 254 people that were wiped out so they’ll be popping the champagne at IDF HQ !
The western media are couching this as ceasefire breaches on both sides !
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
As Queen Victoria? So to where will they report you?
Germany or the Isle of Wight?
I can speak fluent German, what language do they speak on the Isle of Wight?
Don’t raise the profile of the Isle of Wight too much or Starmer will try to give it to France.
I think we're safe - we could give them the island, but where would we find the money for the £38bn bung?
The IDF was very disappointed because their kill bonuses would be lowered . So today they’re overjoyed because they managed to wipe out nearly a hundred people in Beirut .
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
Can you imagine if say the UK Deputy PM went to the USA and stood on stage campaigning for the Dem against a GOP President. There would be absolute furore over there . Yet they go round interfering in others elections.
They got upset about a few letters from Guardian readers.
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
1/ Today as we approve Springwell Solar farm, set to be the UK’s largest approved power‑producing solar farm, @NESO have confirmed a new solar record, with over 14.4GW of clean power generated at the peak.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
I don’t think the Americans quite appreciate the degree to which Europe, and indeed the rest of the civilised world, react to comments like this with a chorus of “you can fuck right off”.
Under its current government it's as destabilising a force as Iran.
The US needs to tell them to stop the bombing in Lebanon and Iran. Or else a complete cessation in military deliveries and aid.
Agreed but the US dances to their tune not vice versa
The problem, as with all ceasefire agreements, is that extremists on each side set out to undermine peace by provoking their opponents with some new outrage. We managed to overcome this during the Northern Ireland peace process. Here, I'm not sure anyone is even trying.
The IDF was very disappointed because their kill bonuses would be lowered . So today they’re overjoyed because they managed to wipe out nearly a hundred people in Beirut .
Nearly three hundred.
Eternal Darkness for them then. I think Israel (current regime) realise they've won the lottery with this ignorant vain and gullible US presidency and are determined to make maximum use of the opportunity it affords.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
I don’t think the Americans quite appreciate the degree to which Europe, and indeed the rest of the civilised world, react to comments like this with a chorus of “you can fuck right off”.
Never have we been more united in our contempt.
They think they can boss the entire world around.
They couldn't even boss a medium sized (by population) middle eastern country around.
They aren't going to learn their past influence being a friend to other countries far exceeds what influence they will end up with being an antagonist to them.
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
JD Vance: "Will you stand against the bureaucrats in Brussels? Will you stand for western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, truth, and the God of our fathers? Then, my friends, go to the polls and stand for Viktor Orban!" https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
I don't know which is worse, the things Vance is saying, or that he used to castigate politicians for saying such tripe so he doesn't in all likelihood believe what he is saying. He's not really MAGA, he's a sheep in wolf's clothing, a pretend tough guy from an administration full of such people; bullies, cowards, and other morally vacant scum.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
I don’t think the Americans quite appreciate the degree to which Europe, and indeed the rest of the civilised world, react to comments like this with a chorus of “you can fuck right off”.
Never have we been more united in our contempt.
It's very obvious he wants out of NATO and has been creating difficulties to exploit (like Greenland), but the accusations now amount to demanding total servility to the US President. Since they've already mostly responded to prior criticisms of not raising defence spending.
As to servility, they might get it a lot more easily if it were couched as requests of allies, not demands of subjects.
Trump is not totally stupid, he will know by making his demands in the way he does, it makes it harder for politicians elsewhere to actually comply, since they have electorates of their own who don't want their leaders to grovel to Trump. Rubio and the rest are just along for the ride.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
Under its current government it's as destabilising a force as Iran.
The US needs to tell them to stop the bombing in Lebanon and Iran. Or else a complete cessation in military deliveries and aid.
When you are facing evil, destabilising is a good thing.
Collective punishment of six million people is not a good thing, Bart. Israel's treatment of Lebanon is unconscionable.
Much as everyone in Lebanon will despise what is happening, the non-Hezbollah part is probably furious about Hezbollah provding a pretext.
And given Israel appears to constantly want to create new 'buffer' zones, it does seem like a pretext, since there will be areas next to the new buffer zones which also need a buffer presumably.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
The best reaction is “so long, fairwell, Auf wiedersehen goodbye”.
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
He doesn't need to formally withdraw from NATO to make it effectively defunct, or less dramatically just screw up its internal workings and long term plans.
Much like how he couldn't and cannot shut down USAID, but he was able to cancel all its contracts and fire its staff.
I think this is where some people can be distracted by knowing too much, if that makes any sense - since he cannot actually withdraw without Congress, the threat is treated as bluster by experts, when less knowledgable me would say the mere threat is destabilising and damaging.
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
Under its current government it's as destabilising a force as Iran.
The US needs to tell them to stop the bombing in Lebanon and Iran. Or else a complete cessation in military deliveries and aid.
When you are facing evil, destabilising is a good thing.
Collective punishment of six million people is not a good thing, Bart. Israel's treatment of Lebanon is unconscionable.
Much as everyone in Lebanon will despise what is happening, the non-Hezbollah part is probably furious about Hezbollah provding a pretext.
And given Israel appears to constantly want to create new 'buffer' zones, it does seem like a pretext, since there will be areas next to the new buffer zones which also need a buffer presumably.
Eventually, Turkey will be needed as a buffer against the evil Greeks.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
NATO isn’t dead if the next US President is less mad/incompetent/venal than Trump. Also. Trump can’t withdraw the US from NATO. That decision is up to Congress and there aren’t the votes for withdrawal.
This is sub-Judice so none of you are allowed to comment. Cough.
Unless you can come up with something non-prejudicial.
(So where was bloody Hegseth when he was needed to be baptised?)
A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after a man died during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.
Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, London, died from drowning at an address on Slade Road, Erdington, on 8 October 2023.
Cheryl Bartley, 48, was charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during the baptism, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Bartley, of Erdington, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 14 May.
The BBC previously reported that the man was taking part in the ceremony carried out by Life Changing Ministries in a small pool in the property's garden.
The baptism event was streamed live on the church's Facebook page, but the stream was cut during the event and the video later removed.
Under its current government it's as destabilising a force as Iran.
The US needs to tell them to stop the bombing in Lebanon and Iran. Or else a complete cessation in military deliveries and aid.
When you are facing evil, destabilising is a good thing.
Collective punishment of six million people is not a good thing, Bart. Israel's treatment of Lebanon is unconscionable.
Much as everyone in Lebanon will despise what is happening, the non-Hezbollah part is probably furious about Hezbollah provding a pretext.
And given Israel appears to constantly want to create new 'buffer' zones, it does seem like a pretext, since there will be areas next to the new buffer zones which also need a buffer presumably.
As with Syria, where Israel said it needed a buffer (territory long held by Syria) for its buffer (having taken over the UN zone) for its buffer (the Golan Heights).
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
I would not mind a NATO job and an interview with him on the topic of membership , he would be told where to go in no uncertain terms. Out by the arse of his breeks.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
NATO isn’t dead if the next US President is less mad/incompetent/venal than Trump. Also. Trump can’t withdraw the US from NATO. That decision is up to Congress and there aren’t the votes for withdrawal.
Yes and even if Congress voted to withdraw, which it likely won't given a few Republicans will vote with Democrats to stay in, NATO has 31 other members beyond the USA
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
He doesn't need to formally withdraw from NATO to make it effectively defunct, or less dramatically just screw up its internal workings and long term plans.
Much like how he couldn't and cannot shut down USAID, but he was able to cancel all its contracts and fire its staff.
I think this is where some people can be distracted by knowing too much, if that makes any sense - since he cannot actually withdraw without Congress, the threat is treated as bluster by experts, when less knowledgable me would say the mere threat is destabilising and damaging.
Yes, he can gum up NATO while in office, but a next President can undo those things just as quickly.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
NATO isn’t dead if the next US President is less mad/incompetent/venal than Trump. Also. Trump can’t withdraw the US from NATO. That decision is up to Congress and there aren’t the votes for withdrawal.
As I've noted the threat is damaging in its own right, and he certainly can take action to seriously disrupt NATO even if he cannot withdraw. Dead is not literal, but it will be far less than it was.
And I have to disagree that the next US President being less mad etc than Trump makes much difference. 40% of the USA is on board with whatever Trump proposes (no matter if a current poll were to say fewer than that were against this policy), and that means US support for NATO hinges on a few hundred thousands voters in swing states every 4 years.
The alliance cannot build for the future on such a base.
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
Same, on the grounds that the Greens are less likely to deport me than Reform.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
You're half-German, your father's a German, and you married a German?
Phil Stewart @phildstewart · 1h !!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
He doesn't need to formally withdraw from NATO to make it effectively defunct, or less dramatically just screw up its internal workings and long term plans.
Much like how he couldn't and cannot shut down USAID, but he was able to cancel all its contracts and fire its staff.
I think this is where some people can be distracted by knowing too much, if that makes any sense - since he cannot actually withdraw without Congress, the threat is treated as bluster by experts, when less knowledgable me would say the mere threat is destabilising and damaging.
Yes, he can gum up NATO while in office, but a next President can undo those things just as quickly.
And the one after can redo it - and that there is no consensus anymore on NATO membership among the US population is why it cannot last as it is.
It's not like if, say, the Netherlands were to pull out. Unwanted, sure, but the US is a whole different beast if its membership is a partisan question, which it is (GOP might have said they were not against traditionally, but they clearly are now, and the voters would follow).
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
NATO isn’t dead if the next US President is less mad/incompetent/venal than Trump. Also. Trump can’t withdraw the US from NATO. That decision is up to Congress and there aren’t the votes for withdrawal.
As I've noted the threat is damaging in its own right, and he certainly can take action to seriously disrupt NATO even if he cannot withdraw. Dead is not literal, but it will be far less than it was.
And I have to disagree that the next US President being less mad etc than Trump makes much difference. 40% of the USA is on board with whatever Trump proposes (no matter if a current poll were to say fewer than that were against this policy), and that means US support for NATO hinges on a few hundred thousands voters in swing states every 4 years.
The alliance cannot build for the future on such a base.
Trump's habit would perhaps be deliberately to stay to wreck it.
Polanski has had a humour bypass . He also needs to get his teeth sorted out .
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
I'll put you down as a 'maybe'.
If it was a choice only between the Greens and Reform I’d have to vote for Polanski. I’m willing to accept a diet of mung beans and daily gatherings around a camp fire singing kumbaya !
This is sub-Judice so none of you are allowed to comment. Cough.
Unless you can come up with something non-prejudicial.
(So where was bloody Hegseth when he was needed to be baptised?)
A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after a man died during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.
Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, London, died from drowning at an address on Slade Road, Erdington, on 8 October 2023.
Cheryl Bartley, 48, was charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during the baptism, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Bartley, of Erdington, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 14 May.
The BBC previously reported that the man was taking part in the ceremony carried out by Life Changing Ministries in a small pool in the property's garden.
The baptism event was streamed live on the church's Facebook page, but the stream was cut during the event and the video later removed.
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Let’s be honest - NATO is dead. So why entertain Trump and his ridiculous delusions
Indeed. Now, some may say that it is overdramatic to just accept NATO is dead, and fair enough, but what is the case is that trying to mollify Trump does not work, so when he says he is considering withdrawal there's literally no point in begging him not to because it is not good for us or the USA.
NATO isn’t dead if the next US President is less mad/incompetent/venal than Trump. Also. Trump can’t withdraw the US from NATO. That decision is up to Congress and there aren’t the votes for withdrawal.
As I've noted the threat is damaging in its own right, and he certainly can take action to seriously disrupt NATO even if he cannot withdraw. Dead is not literal, but it will be far less than it was.
And I have to disagree that the next US President being less mad etc than Trump makes much difference. 40% of the USA is on board with whatever Trump proposes (no matter if a current poll were to say fewer than that were against this policy), and that means US support for NATO hinges on a few hundred thousands voters in swing states every 4 years.
The alliance cannot build for the future on such a base.
Well, yes, it depends what happens post-Trump (and maybe post-Vance). If the US has a reckoning and turns against MAGA, many of those 40% might say they never really supported Trump and norms are re-established.
Comments
Well, theocrats gonna theocrat.
But I lied. That wasn’t a quote from an Iranian official. That’s what Pete Hegseth, our self-proclaimed Secretary of War, said while claiming that one of the worst strategic defeats in American history was a great victory."
https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041929210223280532
There’s no way that this alliance can last, but it would be horrifically intriguing to see how it governed
As for the Greens policies . Idealistic fantasy drivel.
(Deport me where though, that's a trickier question as I am as British as Queen Victoria.)
You’ll only get that if you’ve seen the film !
Germany or the Isle of Wight?
"I just discovered that my town was the butt of a medieval joke
Walter Map was a Welsh writer and a courtier of Henry II. He wrote about it in his book De nugis curialium (Medieval Latin for "Of the trifles of courtiers")
"There was in service upon the aforesaid king a clerk who hath written these things down for us, whose name is Map. He was dear to the king and found favour in his eyes, not through any merit of his own, but through that of his parents, who had been the king’s loyal supporters both before he had become king and after.
The king had also a son, Geoffrey by name, born, if I may say so, from a bawd whose name was Hikenai, as I have remarked above in passing, and this Geoffrey the king, contrary to the belief and the will of all, adopted as his own. Between him and Map there sometimes arose ready quarrels in the presence of the king himself and also elsewhere.
Through the king Geoffrey was elected to the see of Lincoln, and held that bishopric longer than was lawful, although the Pope often urged that he give it up or be ordained a bishop ; he hesitated a long time, saying yea and saying nay to neither and to both.
The king, therefore, who noted with some worry that much land was covered by such a fig tree, forced him to do one thing or the other ; he chose to resign.
He resigned at Marlborough, where is a spring of which, if one tasteth, they say, he talketh barbarous French ; hence, if one is faulty in his use of this tongue, we say that he speaketh French of Marlborough.
Therefore, during his speech of resignation, which Map heard him make before the lord Richard of Canterbury, when the Archbishop had asked him, ‘ What sayest'thou ? ’ wishing him to repeat his words for all to hear, and when, since Geoffrey made no reply, the Archbishop had asked him a second time, ‘ What Sayest thou ? ’
Map answered in his stead, ‘ French of Marlborough.’
The others laughed at this, Geoffrey withdrew in anger. "
https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.184466/2015.184466.De-Nugis-Curialium_djvu.txt "
https://vf.politicalbetting.com/discussion/comment/5510011/#Comment_5510011
https://x.com/disclosetv/status/2041936124113789353
White House announces that JD Vance will lead the negotiating team in Islamabad on Saturday, with Witkoff and Kushner, to end the Iran War.
@IanB2 would get his maroon passport back which has to be a bonus.
Can you give me a clue???
it was just a standard breast clinic: physical breast exam, mammogram, results clear, strong hints I should have phoned for a non-urgent mammogram if I'd wanted one, goodbye. In & out in just over 30 minutes. Everyone very courteous & helpful but nobody interested in the actual problem for which my GP referred me (pancreas locality).
I'm very sorry about their wasted time but I feel my time has been wasted too.
https://x.com/atrupar/status/2041549460199686359
It's not normal for VPs to give election rally speeches in another country, is it ?
https://x.com/araghchi/status/2041929940678144097
The Iran–U.S. Ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the U.S. must choose—ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both.
The world sees the massacres in Lebanon. The ball is in the U.S. court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/08/jd-vance-dismisses-claims-us-interfering-hungarian-election-budapest-viktor-orban
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged her support for President Nicolas Sarkozy's re-election bid, 80 days before French voters go to the polls.
https://x.com/i/trending/2041920490214977741
And 80 days versus a few days before the election .
You know that and can do a lot better than this, since even fellow EU leaders backing each other could indeed be criticised. The situations are also quite different in character and timing.
So, amusingly, you've undermined your intended point even though you made another point with some potential substance.
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/expressions/parler-le-francais-comme-une-vache-espagnole/
Or is that your point ?
https://www.politico.eu/article/vlodymyr-zelenskyy-angela-merkel-and-lech-walesa-bono-get-top-eu-prize/
#One of these things is not like the others
It’s like Latinos and Blacks for Trump who are now shocked that their friends and relatives are being deported . Wtf did they think was going to happen .
NY Times live blog
The answer is Iran for those at the back who have not been paying attention.
Net favourablility as a percentage of those expressing an opinion, i.e. excluding don’t knows.
John Swinney - 40%
Ed Davey - 40%
Kemi Badenoch - 26%
Zack Polanski - 36%
Nigel Farage - 22%
Anas Sarwar - 31%
Keir Starmer - 19%
Alex Cole-Hamilton - 36%
Russell Findlay - 30%
Ross Greer - 28%
Gillian Mackay - 26%
Malcolm Offord - 17%
On that basis, the SNP and the Lib Dems are the least unpopular.
KNEECAP
@KNEECAPCEOL
1h
Happy anniversary
Quote
Sky News Breaking
@SkyNewsBreak
·
8 Apr 2013
Baroness Thatcher died this morning following a stroke according to her spokesman Lord Bell
https://x.com/KNEECAPCEOL/status/2041912990312628283?s=20
Steven Swinford
@Steven_Swinford
Sir Keir Starmer was on the last day of his holiday in Spain with his family when Donald Trump threatened to obliterate civilisation in Iran
As the world held its breath amid fears that the Middle East was about to descend into even deeper turmoil, the prime minister was flying back to the UK on a commercial flight after a four-day Easter break
He arrived back on Tuesday evening and was left with no choice but to wait with everyone else to see whether Trump would follow through on his pledge to send Iran back to the “Stone Age”
https://x.com/Steven_Swinford/status/2041935711641739386
I expect we’ll see a level of vomit inducing begging from Rutte and the mother of all fellations . It won’t be pretty , let’s hope Rutte doesn’t go a step further than the embarrassing meeting last year and call him big daddy !
The ceasefire situation remains fluid.
https://x.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2041922770595115056
Checking again it was 254 people that were wiped out so they’ll be popping the champagne at IDF HQ !
The western media are couching this as ceasefire breaches on both sides !
Ed Miliband
@Ed_Miliband
1/ Today as we approve Springwell Solar farm, set to be the UK’s largest approved power‑producing solar farm, @NESO
have confirmed a new solar record, with over 14.4GW of clean power generated at the peak.
https://x.com/Ed_Miliband/status/2041924052697186539
PRESS SEC: It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense.
President Trump looks forward to having a very frank and candid conversation with Secretary Rutte.
Under its current government it's as destabilising a force as Iran.
The US needs to tell them to stop the bombing in Lebanon and Iran. Or else a complete cessation in military deliveries and aid.
Acyn
@Acyn
·
22m
Leavitt: The president's red lines, namely the end of Iranian enrichment in Iran, have not changed.
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2041949551494623463
Never have we been more united in our contempt.
https://x.com/MikeSington/status/2041843078282276919
“I am sick of this sh*t. Can’t he just behave like a normal human?” Megyn Kelly completely unleashes on Trump, and it’s brutal.
They couldn't even boss a medium sized (by population) middle eastern country around.
They aren't going to learn their past influence being a friend to other countries far exceeds what influence they will end up with being an antagonist to them.
Oh, here's an idea...
Phil Stewart
@phildstewart
·
1h
!!! Trump to discuss possibility of withdrawing from NATO in meeting in a couple of hours with NATO's secretary general, White House says
https://x.com/phildstewart/status/2041937595089740006
All of their nearest and most dangerous adversaries are severely weakened
Their reputation isn’t looking so good; but so many hated them anyway that fucking up the Iranians was probably worth the further reputational damage
But I expect Rutte will make some public obeisance to Trump to try to mollify him (which never works).
As to servility, they might get it a lot more easily if it were couched as requests of allies, not demands of subjects.
Trump is not totally stupid, he will know by making his demands in the way he does, it makes it harder for politicians elsewhere to actually comply, since they have electorates of their own who don't want their leaders to grovel to Trump. Rubio and the rest are just along for the ride.
Israel's treatment of Lebanon is unconscionable.
And given Israel appears to constantly want to create new 'buffer' zones, it does seem like a pretext, since there will be areas next to the new buffer zones which also need a buffer presumably.
Much like how he couldn't and cannot shut down USAID, but he was able to cancel all its contracts and fire its staff.
I think this is where some people can be distracted by knowing too much, if that makes any sense - since he cannot actually withdraw without Congress, the threat is treated as bluster by experts, when less knowledgable me would say the mere threat is destabilising and damaging.
As they did, even in the Biden years, to let more immigrants in.
Perhaps I should have expected this administration to actually do the "how many divisions has the Pope" line
https://bsky.app/profile/benansell.bsky.social/post/3miyy4pd6tc2j
Unless you can come up with something non-prejudicial.
(So where was bloody Hegseth when he was needed to be baptised?)
A pastor has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after a man died during a baptism ceremony in Birmingham.
Robert Smith, 61, from Brixton, London, died from drowning at an address on Slade Road, Erdington, on 8 October 2023.
Cheryl Bartley, 48, was charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to her role as a pastor during the baptism, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Bartley, of Erdington, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 14 May.
The BBC previously reported that the man was taking part in the ceremony carried out by Life Changing Ministries in a small pool in the property's garden.
The baptism event was streamed live on the church's Facebook page, but the stream was cut during the event and the video later removed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg3kx8r139o
And I have to disagree that the next US President being less mad etc than Trump makes much difference. 40% of the USA is on board with whatever Trump proposes (no matter if a current poll were to say fewer than that were against this policy), and that means US support for NATO hinges on a few hundred thousands voters in swing states every 4 years.
The alliance cannot build for the future on such a base.
News: Jeffries writes to Dems with two big updates.
1. War Powers Resolution coming tomorrow at pro forma
2. Raskin briefing caucus on 25th Amendment on Friday
https://x.com/maxpcohen/status/2041960845534503370?s=20
It's not like if, say, the Netherlands were to pull out. Unwanted, sure, but the US is a whole different beast if its membership is a partisan question, which it is (GOP might have said they were not against traditionally, but they clearly are now, and the voters would follow).
They may do what they did to the WTO.