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What a difference 13 months makes – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 13,184
edited June 10 in General
What a difference 13 months makes – politicalbetting.com

From promising to reduce prices and no more (Middle East) wars no wonder so many of Trump voters are unhappy with the delivery of the second Trump presidency.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • Sweeney74Sweeney74 Posts: 660
    first
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,855
    second
  • PeterCairnsPeterCairns Posts: 110
    edited June 10
    First...the other two are lying!

    Peter.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,815
    He's flopped (or worse, done the opposite) on almost every campaign pledge, hasn't he.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,346
    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 3,323
    There is a meeting of the Fed next week. The new revised Labour stats suggest a rate rise so interesting to see the competition between the new Trump-appointed Fed leader with the new Trump-appointed Bureau of Labour Statistics leader
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,346

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    As a so called leftie Liberal he should have got life without parole ! Indeed this is the irritation I have when people pigeonhole those more on the left as soft on crime .

    I’m anti the death penalty but think sentences are too soft for murders .
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331
    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    This has been the case with almost every occupying military force since the dawn of time.

    If Israel is going to save itself it needs to find a way to defend itself without occupying foreign territory.
  • Jim_the_LurkerJim_the_Lurker Posts: 316
    edited June 10

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    “But… but… something about two-tier Keir. “

    I know it is a bit [edited typo] “what-about-ery” to call out racists for only caring about crimes by non-whites, but it is also necessary.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,815
    Sweeney74 said:

    nico67 said:

    They might be unhappy but the vast majority still support him.

    I saw an interview where a MAGA guy was going to lose his business because of the tariffs and yet he still blamed everyone else but Trump .

    It’s an illness an extreme case of sunk cost fallacy .

    It's identity politics

    If you’ve spent years making support for Trump part of your personal identity, admitting he was wrong isn’t just changing your mind about tariffs. It means admitting that people you’ve dismissed, argued with and voted against might have been right all along.

    Most people will absorb a surprising amount of personal pain before they’ll accept that kind of psychological hit. So if the business fails, it becomes Biden’s fault, China’s fault, immigrants’ fault, the media’s fault, the “deep state’s” fault, anyone’s fault except the bloke they built their identity around.
    Yes that's got to be a part of it. It's closer to the loyalty felt towards a cult leader rather than a mere politician. And Trump knows this. He knows his base adore him come what may. Which perhaps explains the contempt he has for them. You see that in the way he baby-talks them whilst focusing purely on his own interests. He views his base the way a bigtime drug baron views the hapless addicts who fill his coffers.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,964
    edited June 10
    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane. And every American I talk to, that is number one topic of conversation, gas and grocery prices.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane.

    Don’t forget to tip at least 30%
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 64,538
    Taz said:

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane.

    Don’t forget to tip at least 30%
    At the grocery store.

    Because someone scanned the bar code on your carton of milk.
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 6,316

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    Oh, the rioters are definitely two-tier rioters.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,964
    edited June 10
    Taz said:

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane.

    Don’t forget to tip at least 30%
    20% seems to work ok, below that you start to get funny looks and comments. I was at dinner the other day with an American and they tipped 18% (i think because the menu prices were already steep for what it was) and got the "was something wrong with your meal sir"....
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    rcs1000 said:

    Taz said:

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane.

    Don’t forget to tip at least 30%
    At the grocery store.

    Because someone scanned the bar code on your carton of milk.
    Even self service !!

    https://x.com/realashlar/status/2047990299817881825?s=61
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,631
    Pro_Rata said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    Oh, the rioters are definitely two-tier rioters.
    I wonder what sanction will be used against the Community Leaders?

    I know, when they have lunch at Stormont, no pudding.
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,346
    Taz said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Taz said:

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane.

    Don’t forget to tip at least 30%
    At the grocery store.

    Because someone scanned the bar code on your carton of milk.
    Even self service !!

    https://x.com/realashlar/status/2047990299817881825?s=61
    OMG that’s insane !
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,855
    kinabalu said:

    He's flopped (or worse, done the opposite) on almost every campaign pledge, hasn't he.

    Seems to be catching...
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 91,964
    Taz said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Taz said:

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane.

    Don’t forget to tip at least 30%
    At the grocery store.

    Because someone scanned the bar code on your carton of milk.
    Even self service !!

    https://x.com/realashlar/status/2047990299817881825?s=61
    Mrs U had that on a trip a couple of years ago at an airport self service checkout.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    Oh God, it’s war again.

    Still. We know someone will be chuffed.


    ‘ BREAKING: President Trump says that the US Military will "hit Iran hard today."

    "We are going to hit Iran hard today in case you don't turn on your TV," Trump says.

    The US stock market falls to a new low of the day.’


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2064737830241280115?s=61
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,683

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane. And every American I talk to, that is number one topic of conversation, gas and grocery prices.

    Saw this and thought of you.

    I can’t wait to get to Boston for the World Cup next week purely to rattle Americans when I refuse to tip anyone for anything.

    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿


    https://x.com/Yesitsrobharvey/status/2061911734084882836
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 8,122
    Taz said:

    Oh God, it’s war again.

    Still. We know someone will be chuffed.


    ‘ BREAKING: President Trump says that the US Military will "hit Iran hard today."

    "We are going to hit Iran hard today in case you don't turn on your TV," Trump says.

    The US stock market falls to a new low of the day.’


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2064737830241280115?s=61

    Iran say thanks for the warning.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 8,122

    Am in the US at the moment, prices are f##king insane. And every American I talk to, that is number one topic of conversation, gas and grocery prices.

    Saw this and thought of you.

    I can’t wait to get to Boston for the World Cup next week purely to rattle Americans when I refuse to tip anyone for anything.

    🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿


    https://x.com/Yesitsrobharvey/status/2061911734084882836
    That’s his visa revoked.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331
    This attack, which was followed by the Dublin riots, has now reached trial.
    ---
    Girl injured in Parnell Square stabbing now non-verbal and in a wheelchair, mother tells court

    https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/06/10/woman-whose-daughter-suffered-severe-brain-damage-in-parnell-square-stabbing-wept-while-giving-evidence/
    ---
    The poor child has suffered so badly as a result - her brain was without oxygen for 40 minutes.

    I thought that the below was an interesting point to consider in the context of Eleanor Donaldson being declared unfit to stand trial.

    "Bouchaker [the alleged attacker] previously suffered from a benign brain tumour, and required brain surgery in 2021. During the intervention by members the public at Parnell Square, he suffered a further head injury and required hospitalisation for about a month, after which he was arrested, counsel said.

    As a result of his existing injury, and the one suffered at Parnell Square, he has an acquired brain injury affecting his ability to sustain attention and concentration, counsel said.

    Bouchaker has been found by the judge fit to stand trial"


    I guess the Republic applies a different threshold to this test than Northern Ireland.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 9,285

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    People are more exercised about random public attacks than attacks involving people who know each other. Not surprising.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 28,831
    Taz said:

    Oh God, it’s war again.

    Still. We know someone will be chuffed.


    ‘ BREAKING: President Trump says that the US Military will "hit Iran hard today."

    "We are going to hit Iran hard today in case you don't turn on your TV," Trump says.

    The US stock market falls to a new low of the day.’


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2064737830241280115?s=61

    Bullshit, the buffoon will chicken out. 🐔🌮
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 8,346
    You have to really fear for the mental toll of those stuck in the Strait of Hormuz . I wonder if some companies have been able to helicopter in new crew to take over .

  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331
    Just so that those of you in Britain can feel better about how badly your country is governed, here is some news from Ireland.

    The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that two long term savings funds, established by the Government to retain some of the corporation tax paid by multinationals, will have to be part-funded by borrowing.

    The development occurred because the Coalition plans to spend the bulk of the corporation tax it receives from multinationals.

    The council expects Ireland's national debt will increase from €220 billion to €250 billion by the end of the decade as the Government borrows money to finance payments for the savings funds.

    "This departs from the original purpose of those funds, which was to save, rather than spend, risky corporation tax receipts," the council said.

    It will mean the State will have to pay interest on the borrowings, which will go to finance the payments to the savings funds.


    https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0610/1577650-fiscal-advisory-council-savings-funds/
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    Is PB excited about the launch of another left leaning news outlet to complete with Novara, The Canary, Byline Times, PoliticsJoke and there may be others.

    Can’t see what it adds to a crowded field.

    https://x.com/zeteouk/status/2064226191305805851?s=61
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,815

    Taz said:

    Oh God, it’s war again.

    Still. We know someone will be chuffed.


    ‘ BREAKING: President Trump says that the US Military will "hit Iran hard today."

    "We are going to hit Iran hard today in case you don't turn on your TV," Trump says.

    The US stock market falls to a new low of the day.’


    https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2064737830241280115?s=61

    Bullshit, the buffoon will chicken out. 🐔🌮
    If only he could rewind 3 months and chicken out of embarking on it.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331
    edited June 10
    nico67 said:

    You have to really fear for the mental toll of those stuck in the Strait of Hormuz . I wonder if some companies have been able to helicopter in new crew to take over .

    It appears that an increasing number of ships have been making a run for it overnight.

    The desperation of the crew might be a factor in making such a course of action more acceptable to them.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 9,285

    Just so that those of you in Britain can feel better about how badly your country is governed, here is some news from Ireland.

    The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that two long term savings funds, established by the Government to retain some of the corporation tax paid by multinationals, will have to be part-funded by borrowing.

    The development occurred because the Coalition plans to spend the bulk of the corporation tax it receives from multinationals.

    The council expects Ireland's national debt will increase from €220 billion to €250 billion by the end of the decade as the Government borrows money to finance payments for the savings funds.

    "This departs from the original purpose of those funds, which was to save, rather than spend, risky corporation tax receipts," the council said.

    It will mean the State will have to pay interest on the borrowings, which will go to finance the payments to the savings funds.


    https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0610/1577650-fiscal-advisory-council-savings-funds/

    A Potemkin Sovereign Wealth fund, it seems.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 28,831
    carnforth said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    People are more exercised about random public attacks than attacks involving people who know each other. Not surprising.
    Also not justified.

    The former are a much lower risk than the latter.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    🚨 NEW: The family of the Belfast attempted beheading victim has called for calm

    "We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country. We depend on them to make our country work. We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people"

    https://x.com/politlcsuk/status/2064684341947437163?s=61
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 5,470

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    Are we going to play Snap?
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,431
    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331

    carnforth said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    People are more exercised about random public attacks than attacks involving people who know each other. Not surprising.
    Also not justified.

    The former are a much lower risk than the latter.
    I think this is a bit like the contrast between foreign and native criminals.

    Unless you live a life of monastic solitude at some level you have to choose someone to trust to let inside your life, and there's always a risk of that person betraying that trust. Whereas the threat from a someone you have not let inside your life feels like one that it should be possible to stop.

    In the same way that there will always be people within the native population who do evil things, but it feels like it ought to be possible to deport foreigners at the first sign of trouble.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,855

    This attack, which was followed by the Dublin riots, has now reached trial.
    ---
    Girl injured in Parnell Square stabbing now non-verbal and in a wheelchair, mother tells court

    https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/06/10/woman-whose-daughter-suffered-severe-brain-damage-in-parnell-square-stabbing-wept-while-giving-evidence/
    ---
    The poor child has suffered so badly as a result - her brain was without oxygen for 40 minutes.

    I thought that the below was an interesting point to consider in the context of Eleanor Donaldson being declared unfit to stand trial.

    "Bouchaker [the alleged attacker] previously suffered from a benign brain tumour, and required brain surgery in 2021. During the intervention by members the public at Parnell Square, he suffered a further head injury and required hospitalisation for about a month, after which he was arrested, counsel said.

    As a result of his existing injury, and the one suffered at Parnell Square, he has an acquired brain injury affecting his ability to sustain attention and concentration, counsel said.

    Bouchaker has been found by the judge fit to stand trial"


    I guess the Republic applies a different threshold to this test than Northern Ireland.

    I believe the UK threshold involves the size of the lawyer you can afford
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    This would seem to imply that the plan is not expected to be well-received.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 27,880
    carnforth said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    People are more exercised about random public attacks than attacks involving people who know each other. Not surprising.
    Eagles could have found some stranger attacks to use as Owen Jones did:

    https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/2064334644074418626
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 63,631
    viewcode said:

    This attack, which was followed by the Dublin riots, has now reached trial.
    ---
    Girl injured in Parnell Square stabbing now non-verbal and in a wheelchair, mother tells court

    https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/06/10/woman-whose-daughter-suffered-severe-brain-damage-in-parnell-square-stabbing-wept-while-giving-evidence/
    ---
    The poor child has suffered so badly as a result - her brain was without oxygen for 40 minutes.

    I thought that the below was an interesting point to consider in the context of Eleanor Donaldson being declared unfit to stand trial.

    "Bouchaker [the alleged attacker] previously suffered from a benign brain tumour, and required brain surgery in 2021. During the intervention by members the public at Parnell Square, he suffered a further head injury and required hospitalisation for about a month, after which he was arrested, counsel said.

    As a result of his existing injury, and the one suffered at Parnell Square, he has an acquired brain injury affecting his ability to sustain attention and concentration, counsel said.

    Bouchaker has been found by the judge fit to stand trial"


    I guess the Republic applies a different threshold to this test than Northern Ireland.

    I believe the UK threshold involves the size of the lawyer you can afford
    No, it depends on the size of the toilet you claim to have been hiding in.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 28,831

    carnforth said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    People are more exercised about random public attacks than attacks involving people who know each other. Not surprising.
    Also not justified.

    The former are a much lower risk than the latter.
    I think this is a bit like the contrast between foreign and native criminals.

    Unless you live a life of monastic solitude at some level you have to choose someone to trust to let inside your life, and there's always a risk of that person betraying that trust. Whereas the threat from a someone you have not let inside your life feels like one that it should be possible to stop.

    In the same way that there will always be people within the native population who do evil things, but it feels like it ought to be possible to deport foreigners at the first sign of trouble.
    People fixate on the small fraction of the problem, then allow others to get away with much bigger problems.

    Jason Gideon: You know what program did the most harm to this country, in terms of crimes like this? Child abduction?
    Det. Charlotte Russet: No.
    Dr. Spencer Reid: Stranger danger.
    Jason Gideon: Flooded the schools with it.
    Dr. Spencer Reid: I remember them coming to my classroom. It was Officer Friendly with stranger danger coloring books.
    Jason Gideon: Taught a whole generation about a scary man in a trench coat, hiding behind a tree. Then we learned that strangers are only a... fraction of the offenders out there. Most are people you see every day - your family, your neighbors, schoolteachers. You know the rest. Prepared our children for 1% of the danger, made them more vulnerable to 99%. So we've been wrong before. All we can do is learn from it, and hopefully be better next time.
    Criminal Minds, episode "What Fresh Hell", season 2.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,452
    On the topic:

    Trump (about an hour ago):

    "No, I love it. I love the inflation."

  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,855
    Taz said:

    Is PB excited about the launch of another left leaning news outlet to complete with Novara, The Canary, Byline Times, PoliticsJoke and there may be others.

    Can’t see what it adds to a crowded field.

    https://x.com/zeteouk/status/2064226191305805851?s=61

    For all those of you who want to scoff at left leaning news outlets, I am happy to provide the links below so you can scoff from really close up: No, it's OK, don't all thank me at once...
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,842

    On the topic:

    Trump (about an hour ago):

    "No, I love it. I love the inflation."

    He was also publicly celebrating the record breaking ... trade deficit.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331

    On the topic:

    Trump (about an hour ago):

    "No, I love it. I love the inflation."

    Truth is stranger than fiction. Trump doesn't even need to use a police state and coercion, most of his MAGA base will come to love inflation willingly.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 3,323
    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,558

    On the topic:

    Trump (about an hour ago):

    "No, I love it. I love the inflation."

    Given his penile inadequacy, it's the only thing he's ever got up for a long period of time.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,842
    An interesting take on the "have you stopped beating your wife ?" gambit.

    Fetterman seems to believe that Platner sent photos of himself to women, calling him “Captain Dick pic.”

    “Have we become the pro-dick party?” he adds

    “Did he send a dick pic?” asks
    @ArthurDelaneyHP

    “He hasn't denied that, but he could clear it up and show it,” Fetterman says

    https://x.com/igorbobic/status/2064729652501839894
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 3,323

    Just so that those of you in Britain can feel better about how badly your country is governed, here is some news from Ireland.

    The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that two long term savings funds, established by the Government to retain some of the corporation tax paid by multinationals, will have to be part-funded by borrowing.

    The development occurred because the Coalition plans to spend the bulk of the corporation tax it receives from multinationals.

    The council expects Ireland's national debt will increase from €220 billion to €250 billion by the end of the decade as the Government borrows money to finance payments for the savings funds.

    "This departs from the original purpose of those funds, which was to save, rather than spend, risky corporation tax receipts," the council said.

    It will mean the State will have to pay interest on the borrowings, which will go to finance the payments to the savings funds.


    https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0610/1577650-fiscal-advisory-council-savings-funds/

    Borrowing to save sounds a bit Irish to me.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,558

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Speaker Lindsey goes ballistic, Starmer is atrocious?
    He looks a bit of a Dick.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,855

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 2,292

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Speaker Lindsey goes ballistic, Starmer is atrocious?
    Faux outrage.

    It's a shame the Speaker cared not a flying fuck when Cameron, May, Boris, Truss reduced defence spending from 2.5% of GDP to under 2% and commissioned Ships that leak, un drivable Army vehicles and completely stripped the RAF of Planes and Pilots
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,874
    The only surprise is why more of Trump's voters are not mad at him. An unfortunately impressive retention due to personal loyalty and the incredibly intense partisan fervour that makes up american politics.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,842
    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
  • Brixian59Brixian59 Posts: 2,292
    edited June 10
    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.

    We'll no doubt hear from the Lord Haw Haw of UK Israeli propaganda
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,558
    Nigelb said:

    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
    FTFY
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,874
    edited June 10

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    My entire adult life governments have made major announcements outside the House, then Speakers angrily criticise them for it, the government apologizes, then they do it all over again.

    Quite frankly I am completely bored with the fiction that we still live in a world where major announcements are made in the House. Hoyle may well be legitimately angry, he may be very reasonably angry, but this kind of reaction is performative and it's just silly that we keep pretending that major policy decisions are not or should not be trailed in the press or even flat out announced elsewhere.

    The world has changed, and it is not going back, after 30 years of it happening (at least), I'm sick of it.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,936
    viewcode said:

    Taz said:

    Is PB excited about the launch of another left leaning news outlet to complete with Novara, The Canary, Byline Times, PoliticsJoke and there may be others.

    Can’t see what it adds to a crowded field.

    https://x.com/zeteouk/status/2064226191305805851?s=61

    For all those of you who want to scoff at left leaning news outlets, I am happy to provide the links below so you can scoff from really close up: No, it's OK, don't all thank me at once...
    Most left leaning outlets are unwatchable/unreadable/ unlistenable.

    Rightwing outlets are far more informative, earnest and comedic (although contributors are often themselves devoid of a sense of self awareness and humour).
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,431
    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    Hence the Speaker's ‘once again’.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    Brixian59 said:

    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.

    We'll no doubt hear from the Lord Haw Haw of UK Israeli propaganda
    International war crimes tribunals that exist are merely there as a tool to reinforce western hegemony.

    African Warlords, East Europeans, the odd president. Send them down.

    You’ll never see a US or U.K. or Israeli politician or army dude on trial for their actions
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,558
    Brixian59 said:

    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.
    Almost no Nazis were shot over the Holocaust. A few were hanged, but barely 500 all told. Most lived out their lives in Germany or South America, many of them quite openly under their own names.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,874
    nico67 said:

    You have to really fear for the mental toll of those stuck in the Strait of Hormuz . I wonder if some companies have been able to helicopter in new crew to take over .

    I hope those being choppered in get a big fat bonus.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,431
    Brixian59 said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Speaker Lindsey goes ballistic, Starmer is atrocious?
    Faux outrage.

    It's a shame the Speaker cared not a flying fuck when Cameron, May, Boris, Truss reduced defence spending from 2.5% of GDP to under 2% and commissioned Ships that leak, un drivable Army vehicles and completely stripped the RAF of Planes and Pilots
    The Speaker is not Leader of the Opposition.

    As for Tory defence cuts, the Prime Minister did at last get round to listing some at PMQs.

    What did the Conservatives do on defence spending? They took it from 2.5% and cut it to 2.3%. We will take no lectures from them. They sat at the heart of a Government that failed our armed services. They cut frigates and destroyers by 25%. They cut minehunters by 50%. They cut the Army from 100,000 down to 72,000. They missed Army recruitment targets every single year for 14 years, and they left morale in the armed forces at an all-time low, so we will take no lectures from them on the defence and security of our country.
    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/3219CC50-6B6A-4F88-8661-9E71FDEDF276/Engagements
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 13,468
    nico67 said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    As a so called leftie Liberal he should have got life without parole ! Indeed this is the irritation I have when people pigeonhole those more on the left as soft on crime .

    I’m anti the death penalty but think sentences are too soft for murders .
    You’d have to leave the ECHR for life without parole to be possible
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 12,907

    Brixian59 said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Speaker Lindsey goes ballistic, Starmer is atrocious?
    Faux outrage.

    It's a shame the Speaker cared not a flying fuck when Cameron, May, Boris, Truss reduced defence spending from 2.5% of GDP to under 2% and commissioned Ships that leak, un drivable Army vehicles and completely stripped the RAF of Planes and Pilots
    The Speaker is not Leader of the Opposition.

    As for Tory defence cuts, the Prime Minister did at last get round to listing some at PMQs.

    What did the Conservatives do on defence spending? They took it from 2.5% and cut it to 2.3%. We will take no lectures from them. They sat at the heart of a Government that failed our armed services. They cut frigates and destroyers by 25%. They cut minehunters by 50%. They cut the Army from 100,000 down to 72,000. They missed Army recruitment targets every single year for 14 years, and they left morale in the armed forces at an all-time low, so we will take no lectures from them on the defence and security of our country.
    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/3219CC50-6B6A-4F88-8661-9E71FDEDF276/Engagements
    Labour, then in opposition, didn't really comment because they were going to do what we see now.

    There are no doubt the odd good bits in the MoD's spend, but the French lending us the Bayeux tapestries surely could be a hint.
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 10,143

    nico67 said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    As a so called leftie Liberal he should have got life without parole ! Indeed this is the irritation I have when people pigeonhole those more on the left as soft on crime .

    I’m anti the death penalty but think sentences are too soft for murders .
    You’d have to leave the ECHR for life without parole to be possible
    How do we do whole life orders, such as that given to Couzens, then? Or is there some subtle distinction?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,874
    Selebian said:

    nico67 said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    As a so called leftie Liberal he should have got life without parole ! Indeed this is the irritation I have when people pigeonhole those more on the left as soft on crime .

    I’m anti the death penalty but think sentences are too soft for murders .
    You’d have to leave the ECHR for life without parole to be possible
    How do we do whole life orders, such as that given to Couzens, then? Or is there some subtle distinction?
    Theoretical possibility of release probably, even if it is not practically going to happen.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,958
    A reality TV celebrity with 1.2 million followers has endorsed Restore.

    https://x.com/ScottGShore/status/2064473884003356802
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    Selebian said:

    nico67 said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    As a so called leftie Liberal he should have got life without parole ! Indeed this is the irritation I have when people pigeonhole those more on the left as soft on crime .

    I’m anti the death penalty but think sentences are too soft for murders .
    You’d have to leave the ECHR for life without parole to be possible
    How do we do whole life orders, such as that given to Couzens, then? Or is there some subtle distinction?
    Indeed and we have had them since 1983

    They’re growing in frequency too.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prisoners_with_whole_life_orders
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,815
    Nigelb said:

    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
    Our biggest threat is Russia. And Russia is being denuded and demoralised by its failure to win its war of choice and aggression against Ukraine. So imo that should be the short term focus - helping Ukraine to the max both unilaterally and in tandem with other European countries. That ticks all the boxes.

    Longer term there's great uncertainty over America's direction which is perhaps a justifiable reason for some uncertainty about ours. You wouldn't want to commit to big expensive decisions based on deeply questionable assumptions. Not that this precludes incompetence, but it might be a factor.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 23,279
    ydoethur said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.
    Almost no Nazis were shot over the Holocaust. A few were hanged, but barely 500 all told. Most lived out their lives in Germany or South America, many of them quite openly under their own names.
    And people like Albert Speer got to appear on the world at war. How he evaded the death penalty when he’d been at the head of Organisation Todt using slave labour, being worked to death, I have no idea.

    Someone suggested that after the war the western allies had had enough bloodshed.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,815
    FF43 said:

    Trump turning out broadly as well as anyone would expect, if they were paying a bit of attention, or had a memory

    Quite.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 17,452
    edited June 10

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    It's a puzzle why they are doing this so often. For those who notice these things it just seems so undignified to do everything via leaks and media handouts.Who benefits?

    As to the speaker, parliament does not belong to government and it is supreme. If the speaker wanted to be serious about this he should think about taking much more drastic action like suspending the sitting, naming ministers and requiring them to leave the house, refusing to allow the PM an audience until it is sorted and so on.

  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,936

    A reality TV celebrity with 1.2 million followers has endorsed Restore.

    https://x.com/ScottGShore/status/2064473884003356802

    Who is Snotty T.? It's not like having Cilla Black supporting Thatcher Tories back in the day.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 3,323
    edited June 10

    A reality TV celebrity with 1.2 million followers has endorsed Restore.

    https://x.com/ScottGShore/status/2064473884003356802

    Interesting background for an influencer.

    * Bankrupt
    * Non-compliant social media influencer according to the ASA
    * Charged by the Financial Conduct Authority, alongside other influencers, in relation to promotions of unauthorised investments.
    * Axed as a cast member in 2018 after being pictured snorting a suspicious substance

    But his mother loves him. (Should add - allegedly)
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,815

    viewcode said:

    Taz said:

    Is PB excited about the launch of another left leaning news outlet to complete with Novara, The Canary, Byline Times, PoliticsJoke and there may be others.

    Can’t see what it adds to a crowded field.

    https://x.com/zeteouk/status/2064226191305805851?s=61

    For all those of you who want to scoff at left leaning news outlets, I am happy to provide the links below so you can scoff from really close up: No, it's OK, don't all thank me at once...
    Most left leaning outlets are unwatchable/unreadable/ unlistenable.

    Rightwing outlets are far more informative, earnest and comedic (although contributors are often themselves devoid of a sense of self awareness and humour).
    The LRB politics pod is good for some effete high brow left. It's my people but still a tough listen at times.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397

    A reality TV celebrity with 1.2 million followers has endorsed Restore.

    https://x.com/ScottGShore/status/2064473884003356802

    Who is Snotty T.? It's not like having Cilla Black supporting Thatcher Tories back in the day.
    Scotty. That predictive text eh !!

    He was on Geordie Shore, the same show that gave us Charlotte Crosby and Chloe Ferry.

    That’s no endorsement, is it !!

    Look on the bright side. In Wales you werent treated to incessant ‘news’ articles about them in your local rag. Probably planted by their agent.

    Although Vicky Pattison/Pattinson seems to be fine.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,558

    ydoethur said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.
    Almost no Nazis were shot over the Holocaust. A few were hanged, but barely 500 all told. Most lived out their lives in Germany or South America, many of them quite openly under their own names.
    And people like Albert Speer got to appear on the world at war. How he evaded the death penalty when he’d been at the head of Organisation Todt using slave labour, being worked to death, I have no idea.

    Someone suggested that after the war the western allies had had enough bloodshed.
    It wasn't that, as his deputy was hanged. It was because he persuaded the tribunal (a) he hadn't known the full extent of what was happening and (b) he was truly sorry about what had happened.

    The second may or may not have been true but the first was clearly a load of bollocks. Even Gitta Sereny (who was singularly credulous in her interviews with him) didn't swallow that.

    Airey Neave thought it was probably as much as anything else because of the air of solid middle-class respectability he gave off which endeared him to the Western judges.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    Battlebus said:

    A reality TV celebrity with 1.2 million followers has endorsed Restore.

    https://x.com/ScottGShore/status/2064473884003356802

    Interesting background for an influencer.

    * Bankrupt
    * Non-compliant social media influencer according to the ASA
    * Charged by the Financial Conduct Authority, alongside other influencers, in relation to promotions of unauthorised investments.
    * Axed as a cast member in 2018 after being pictured snorting a suspicious substance

    But his mother loves him. (Should add - allegedly)
    Didn’t he promote some Crypto shit along with a few others, like some TOWIE stars, and fall foul over that ?
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,684
    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
    Our biggest threat is Russia. And Russia is being denuded and demoralised by its failure to win its war of choice and aggression against Ukraine. So imo that should be the short term focus - helping Ukraine to the max both unilaterally and in tandem with other European countries. That ticks all the boxes.

    Longer term there's great uncertainty over America's direction which is perhaps a justifiable reason for some uncertainty about ours. You wouldn't want to commit to big expensive decisions based on deeply questionable assumptions. Not that this precludes incompetence, but it might be a factor.
    Sounds right. If we don't know how to spend our defence budget sensibly give at least some of the money to Ukraine because they need it and it will be used to address a here-and-now threat. Then we can learn from them what effective defence looks like.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,397
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.
    Almost no Nazis were shot over the Holocaust. A few were hanged, but barely 500 all told. Most lived out their lives in Germany or South America, many of them quite openly under their own names.
    And people like Albert Speer got to appear on the world at war. How he evaded the death penalty when he’d been at the head of Organisation Todt using slave labour, being worked to death, I have no idea.

    Someone suggested that after the war the western allies had had enough bloodshed.
    It wasn't that, as his deputy was hanged. It was because he persuaded the tribunal (a) he hadn't known the full extent of what was happening and (b) he was truly sorry about what had happened.

    The second may or may not have been true but the first was clearly a load of bollocks. Even Gitta Sereny (who was singularly credulous in her interviews with him) didn't swallow that.

    Airey Neave thought it was probably as much as anything else because of the air of solid middle-class respectability he gave off which endeared him to the Western judges.
    Although the two Russian Judges just wanted all 21 hanged
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,558
    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.
    Almost no Nazis were shot over the Holocaust. A few were hanged, but barely 500 all told. Most lived out their lives in Germany or South America, many of them quite openly under their own names.
    And people like Albert Speer got to appear on the world at war. How he evaded the death penalty when he’d been at the head of Organisation Todt using slave labour, being worked to death, I have no idea.

    Someone suggested that after the war the western allies had had enough bloodshed.
    It wasn't that, as his deputy was hanged. It was because he persuaded the tribunal (a) he hadn't known the full extent of what was happening and (b) he was truly sorry about what had happened.

    The second may or may not have been true but the first was clearly a load of bollocks. Even Gitta Sereny (who was singularly credulous in her interviews with him) didn't swallow that.

    Airey Neave thought it was probably as much as anything else because of the air of solid middle-class respectability he gave off which endeared him to the Western judges.
    Although the two Russian Judges just wanted all 21 hanged
    Yes, that's the key.

    And apparently Jodl was hanged (rather than shot) to as a deal to stop them complaining about the ones who were imprisoned rather than hanged.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331

    nico67 said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    As a so called leftie Liberal he should have got life without parole ! Indeed this is the irritation I have when people pigeonhole those more on the left as soft on crime .

    I’m anti the death penalty but think sentences are too soft for murders .
    You’d have to leave the ECHR for life without parole to be possible
    Britain has a fair number of prisoners with whole life tariffs. Wayne Couzens received one. Wikipedia says this:

    "In February 2015, the ECtHR upheld the lawfulness of whole-life orders, on the ground that they can be reviewed in exceptional circumstances"
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331
    Selebian said:

    nico67 said:

    My Google isn't working properly, can somebody post me some links to the riots this murder in Northern Ireland sparked?

    This was from court last week.

    A YouTuber who murdered his pregnant girlfriend and falsely claimed he was live-streaming a video game as an alibi has been jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years.

    Stephen McCullagh, 36, was convicted by a jury at Belfast Crown Court in March of killing Natalie McNally, 32, who was 15 weeks pregnant with their child.

    During the attack, at her home in Lurgan on 18 December 2022, she suffered stab wounds, strangulation and blows to the hand.

    McCullagh concocted an alibi that he had been live-streaming himself playing computer games on his channel when Ms McNally was murdered.


    https://news.sky.com/story/youtuber-jailed-for-murdering-pregnant-girlfriend-13544222

    As a so called leftie Liberal he should have got life without parole ! Indeed this is the irritation I have when people pigeonhole those more on the left as soft on crime .

    I’m anti the death penalty but think sentences are too soft for murders .
    You’d have to leave the ECHR for life without parole to be possible
    How do we do whole life orders, such as that given to Couzens, then? Or is there some subtle distinction?
    The Home Secretary has discretion to release such prisoners on compassionate grounds in exceptional circumstances. That seems to be enough for the European Court.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 24,331
    FF43 said:

    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
    Our biggest threat is Russia. And Russia is being denuded and demoralised by its failure to win its war of choice and aggression against Ukraine. So imo that should be the short term focus - helping Ukraine to the max both unilaterally and in tandem with other European countries. That ticks all the boxes.

    Longer term there's great uncertainty over America's direction which is perhaps a justifiable reason for some uncertainty about ours. You wouldn't want to commit to big expensive decisions based on deeply questionable assumptions. Not that this precludes incompetence, but it might be a factor.
    Sounds right. If we don't know how to spend our defence budget sensibly give at least some of the money to Ukraine because they need it and it will be used to address a here-and-now threat. Then we can learn from them what effective defence looks like.
    That would be fine, except we aren't spending enough even to maintain the assets we already have. So, rather than treading water while we work out what to do, we are sinking.

    Secondly, why is it that every other member of NATO is doing more than Britain to rearm? Why are we uniquely in a state of confusion about future warfare?

    I think the answer is simply that the Cabinet cannot agree how the required extra spending is to be funded.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,855

    FF43 said:

    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
    Our biggest threat is Russia. And Russia is being denuded and demoralised by its failure to win its war of choice and aggression against Ukraine. So imo that should be the short term focus - helping Ukraine to the max both unilaterally and in tandem with other European countries. That ticks all the boxes.

    Longer term there's great uncertainty over America's direction which is perhaps a justifiable reason for some uncertainty about ours. You wouldn't want to commit to big expensive decisions based on deeply questionable assumptions. Not that this precludes incompetence, but it might be a factor.
    Sounds right. If we don't know how to spend our defence budget sensibly give at least some of the money to Ukraine because they need it and it will be used to address a here-and-now threat. Then we can learn from them what effective defence looks like.
    That would be fine, except we aren't spending enough even to maintain the assets we already have. So, rather than treading water while we work out what to do, we are sinking.

    Secondly, why is it that every other member of NATO is doing more than Britain to rearm? Why are we uniquely in a state of confusion about future warfare?

    I think the answer is simply that the Cabinet cannot agree how the required extra spending is to be funded.
    Starmer cannot make a decision
    Starmer cannot make a decision
    Starmer cannot make a decision
    Starmer cannot make a decision
    Starmer cannot make a decision
  • FishingFishing Posts: 6,365

    FF43 said:

    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
    Our biggest threat is Russia. And Russia is being denuded and demoralised by its failure to win its war of choice and aggression against Ukraine. So imo that should be the short term focus - helping Ukraine to the max both unilaterally and in tandem with other European countries. That ticks all the boxes.

    Longer term there's great uncertainty over America's direction which is perhaps a justifiable reason for some uncertainty about ours. You wouldn't want to commit to big expensive decisions based on deeply questionable assumptions. Not that this precludes incompetence, but it might be a factor.
    Sounds right. If we don't know how to spend our defence budget sensibly give at least some of the money to Ukraine because they need it and it will be used to address a here-and-now threat. Then we can learn from them what effective defence looks like.
    That would be fine, except we aren't spending enough even to maintain the assets we already have. So, rather than treading water while we work out what to do, we are sinking.

    Secondly, why is it that every other member of NATO is doing more than Britain to rearm? Why are we uniquely in a state of confusion about future warfare?

    I think the answer is simply that the Cabinet cannot agree how the required extra spending is to be funded.
    They are usually world champions at stealing and blowing other people's money.

    But only when it comes to shovelling it to client base.

    Whenever it comes to something worthwhile, all of a sudden they don't have any money.

    And, weirdly, they don't seem to connect the fact that they've shafted the private sector throughout their whole term of office with the fact that that's no spare cash.

    In other words, they're a classic Labour government.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 40,227
    "Michael Deacon
    Politicians only have themselves to blame for the Belfast riots
    This is what happens when, election after election, people vote for proper control of our borders and MPs keep ignoring them"

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/10/politicians-themselves-blame-riots/
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,431

    FF43 said:

    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    viewcode said:

    ICYMI the Speaker has gone ballistic this afternoon:-

    There are strong rumours that the Government are going to produce their defence investment plan on Friday. That would be an utter disgrace and an utter kick in the face to Members of this House. I say to Downing Street that, under the ministerial code, it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that major announcements are made here. This may be speculation, and I am sure it will be corrected, but I will be appalled if it is done on a Friday, given that Members have been waiting so long.

    This affects all parties who have a great interest in the defence investment plan, including Members on the Government Benches. We all have jobs, and we all have people who serve in the armed forces. We must end the speculation and treat this House with the respect that elected Members deserve. Once again, it seems to me that we are becoming second-class citizens under this Government. I do not want that to be the case, and I hope that I am going to be proved wrong.

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-10/debates/DA392024-5FAF-486E-9EC1-508DB9AF8B57/DefenceInvestmentPlan

    Hasn't this Government got form for this? If I remember correctly the EHRC Final Guidance was released on a Friday. Happy to be corrected if wrong.
    This isn't so much disrespect, as sheer incompetence.
    They're simply unable to work out WTF they're doing on defence funding.
    Our biggest threat is Russia. And Russia is being denuded and demoralised by its failure to win its war of choice and aggression against Ukraine. So imo that should be the short term focus - helping Ukraine to the max both unilaterally and in tandem with other European countries. That ticks all the boxes.

    Longer term there's great uncertainty over America's direction which is perhaps a justifiable reason for some uncertainty about ours. You wouldn't want to commit to big expensive decisions based on deeply questionable assumptions. Not that this precludes incompetence, but it might be a factor.
    Sounds right. If we don't know how to spend our defence budget sensibly give at least some of the money to Ukraine because they need it and it will be used to address a here-and-now threat. Then we can learn from them what effective defence looks like.
    That would be fine, except we aren't spending enough even to maintain the assets we already have. So, rather than treading water while we work out what to do, we are sinking.

    Secondly, why is it that every other member of NATO is doing more than Britain to rearm? Why are we uniquely in a state of confusion about future warfare?

    I think the answer is simply that the Cabinet cannot agree how the required extra spending is to be funded.
    Tbf it is a bit more complicated than that. As well as all the competing programmes and inter-service rivalries, one new complication is the faction that wants to scrap ships and tanks and just rely on drones. Talking about spending as a percentage of GDP does not help much either because all the bills are due in actual spondulicks.
  • StereodogStereodog Posts: 1,381
    ydoethur said:

    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Brixian59 said:

    Battlebus said:

    Taz said:

    nico67 said:

    The Israel Defense Forces said its troops had “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them” and that one of the soldiers had “responded with single shots toward the vehicle”.

    Basically the IDF can just kill anyone they like and whenever they like and make up a pile of bullshit to justify it . The car was told to slow down and did and they decided they wanted their kill bonus .

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/10/palestinian-baby-shot-dead-israeli-troops-occupied-west-bank-new-footage

    The most moral army in the world according to Bibi.
    It's also a conscript army. See Russia.
    Everyone of them should be tracked down, rounded up and shot or imprisoned

    Thats what they did to Nazi Holocaust perpetrators, this is Genocide pure and simple.
    Almost no Nazis were shot over the Holocaust. A few were hanged, but barely 500 all told. Most lived out their lives in Germany or South America, many of them quite openly under their own names.
    And people like Albert Speer got to appear on the world at war. How he evaded the death penalty when he’d been at the head of Organisation Todt using slave labour, being worked to death, I have no idea.

    Someone suggested that after the war the western allies had had enough bloodshed.
    It wasn't that, as his deputy was hanged. It was because he persuaded the tribunal (a) he hadn't known the full extent of what was happening and (b) he was truly sorry about what had happened.

    The second may or may not have been true but the first was clearly a load of bollocks. Even Gitta Sereny (who was singularly credulous in her interviews with him) didn't swallow that.

    Airey Neave thought it was probably as much as anything else because of the air of solid middle-class respectability he gave off which endeared him to the Western judges.
    Although the two Russian Judges just wanted all 21 hanged
    Yes, that's the key.

    And apparently Jodl was hanged (rather than shot) to as a deal to stop them complaining about the ones who were imprisoned rather than hanged.
    The Russians dissented from the judgement so I'm not sure that was the reason.
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