Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Local By-Election Results : February 25th 2016

13»

Comments

  • Americans can also travel to much of the West Indies, Mexico and Canada without a passport too, and often get only 2 weeks leave per year, and much of that is visiting relatives.
    Don't think thats still true these days.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,368

    So far from where?

    Given the signs in question were approximately 50 miles from the nearest human habitation, and even 30miles from the nearest mountains with lots of flat featureless desert in between, I think the answer has to be 'anywhere and everywhere.'
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Exactly, you can go skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, surfing, adventuring on volcanoes, gambling, shopping and everything else without leaving your own country.

    There is little reason for Americans to hold a passport. If we didn't need a passport to visit anywhere in Europe, from the Balaerics to Moscow, from Scandinavia to Turkey, then the proportion of Brits to own a passport would likely be a lot lower.

    The USA is massive and includes all forms of holiday destinations.
  • If you go to rural parts of this country, Westminster feels a very long way away.

    I can only imagine (until I visit this Summer) what the rural US feels like.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,276

    Americans can also travel to much of the West Indies, Mexico and Canada without a passport too, and often get only 2 weeks leave per year, and much of that is visiting relatives.

    Securing very long land borders with friendly neighbours is an expensive business: it's cheaper to allow passport free travel.
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    His diaries are my favourite books.
    Toms said:

    It's part of a wonderful social coherence. I think Alistair Cooke loved the Midwest.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,276
    edited February 2016

    Don't think thats still true these days.

    American citizens don't need a passport to visit Canada and vice-versa. There are plenty of crossing points across the border where there's a hut and no guard.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,368

    If you go to rural parts of this country, Westminster feels a very long way away.

    I can only imagine (until I visit this Summer) what the rural US feels like.

    Enjoy your visit. I love rural America. The mid-west is great if that's where you're going. I have another friend who likes the South, but I've never been there so I don't know what it's like at first hand.
  • I have done whole coast to coast across Canada and USA...trying to explain to people that you drove days without hardly seeing a sole & when it says last gas station for x00 miles it means it is normally greeted by British people with confusion.
    I'd be surprised if you saw many fish of any kind across much of the heartland!!
  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800
    edited February 2016

    Boris announces in the Times that he has changed his mind and that a leave vote will be just that. This brings him in line with David Cameron and rather contradicts Michael Howard's position (and many others). Leave will need to make a proper case for leaving as this seems to strengthen David Cameron's position, which he has maintained from the beginning

    I think Boris is angry, and has now thrown himself full tilt at it, rather than ponce about with half-hearted gestures such as vote out now and we will get a better deal later.

    However i think Michael Howard is spot on.
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    It is actually worse...400k the government don't know anything about.

    Well I can see the jungle in Calais and other illegal camps getting bigger.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    rcs1000 said:

    Securing very long land borders with friendly neighbours is an expensive business: it's cheaper to allow passport free travel.
    Mr Trump is going to get the Mexicans to build a wall it seems!
  • The old joke is that in Europe, 100 miles is a long way. In America, 100 years is a long time.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 83,371
    edited February 2016

    I'd be surprised if you saw many fish of any kind across much of the heartland!!
    LOL...I did see the typo but couldn't be bothered to fix it.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,204
    edited February 2016
    Why is Osborne needing to do more cuts btw - I thought we had a £20 Bn windfall a few months ago.

    I mean I'm in favour of cuts rather than tax rises, but I thought we had "extra money " !
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    ydoethur said:

    Enjoy your visit. I love rural America. The mid-west is great if that's where you're going. I have another friend who likes the South, but I've never been there so I don't know what it's like at first hand.
    Pine forest, chicken fried steak and humidity. Alabama is flat. The state animal is a run-over dog. I lived in the South for five years...
  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800
    edited February 2016

    If you go to rural parts of this country, Westminster feels a very long way away.

    I can only imagine (until I visit this Summer) what the rural US feels like.

    I spend a few weeks a year down in Cornwall and there are plenty of people there that have never crossed the Tamar.
  • I think Boris is angry, and has now thrown himself full tilt at it, rather than ponce about with half-hearted gestures such as vote out now and we will get a better deal later.

    However i think Michael Howard is spot on.
    You seem to be contradicting yourself
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,896

    There is little reason for Americans to hold a passport. If we didn't need a passport to visit anywhere in Europe, from the Balaerics to Moscow, from Scandinavia to Turkey, then the proportion of Brits to own a passport would likely be a lot lower.

    The USA is massive and includes all forms of holiday destinations.
    Indeed, the British are not that much better travelled when you consider travel outside Europe. Only 44% of Britons have been to North America, 30% have been to Africa, 27% to Asia, 14% to Australia and 12% to South America.

    By contrast 28% of Americans have been to Europe, 14% to Asia, 13% to South America, 6% to Australia and 5% to Africa. So we are better travelled than Americans but not vastly so!
    https://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/11/21/british-people-far-more-well-travelled-americans/
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    I'd a flight to catch from Vegas and zipped across the Mojave around midnight for hours from San Diego. It was still 125. Hideous.

    I remember driving across from the Big Sur to Vegas back in 1979 and seeing a sign that read "absolutely nothing for 90 miles
  • You seem to be contradicting yourself
    Why?
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,204
    Whats happened to George's extra £27 Bn ?
  • Exactly, you can go skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, surfing, adventuring on volcanoes, gambling, shopping and everything else without leaving your own country.

    All that stuff is more fun to do in another culture though!!
  • I would be very surprised if the torrent of pro leave comments in the press and media haven't helped leave in this weekends polls. If they haven't leave needs to be worried
  • Pulpstar said:

    Whats happened to George's extra £27 Bn ?

    Gone to the Remain campaign?
  • HYUFD said:

    Indeed, the British are not that much better travelled when you consider travel outside Europe. Only 44% of Britons have been to North America, 30% have been to Africa, 27% to Asia, 14% to Australia and 12% to South America.

    By contrast 28% of Americans have been to Europe, 14% to Asia, 13% to South America, 6% to Australia and 5% to Africa. So we are better travelled than Americans but not vastly so!
    https://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/11/21/british-people-far-more-well-travelled-americans/
    Are we still prattling on about that hoary old canard about americans and passports?
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Expect no cops or anything. Bring lots of water, and some counties are still dry post prohibition.

    Honestly, it's so wonderful. Free, yet innate conservative culture makes it all very safe.

    If you go to rural parts of this country, Westminster feels a very long way away.

    I can only imagine (until I visit this Summer) what the rural US feels like.

  • Why?
    You say Boris has thrown himself full tilt at it rather than vote out now and we will get a better deal but vote out now and get a better deal is Michael Howard's position
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    Indeed there is lots councils can do and much of it will save money not cost extra. But if councils are duplicating work etc then that is not sensible.

    All these issues in their responsibility have to happen anyway. Being efficient and energy efficient etc good, being inefficient in making work to look like you're doing something bad.

    No idea if Bradford is good or bad on this. Though I could make a guess.
    One of the cuts is bin collection moving from weekly to fortnightly,only this week we have been told one bin per household,are they taking the Pi$$.

    Bradford has a reputation for been a sh!thole,well with all the fly tipping it will earn it.
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    edited February 2016
    Breaking News.
    Second GOP governor endorses Trump:

    https://twitter.com/bterris/status/703333154732396544

    The dam is truly broken.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548

    I spend a few weeks a year down in Cornwall and there are plenty of people there that have never crossed the Tamar.
    When I was doing a locum in Truro some years back I admitted a man in his eighties who had only spent one night outside Cornwall. He went to an agricultural show in Gloucester, but didn't enjoy it because he was worried about his cows.

    Those of us who flit around the world forget quite what a big deal travel is to some people. I get some patients in Coalville who would rather go untreated than go to Leicester for treatment. It is 14 miles away!
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,461
    Speedy said:

    Breaking News.
    Second GOP governor endorsed Trump:

    https://twitter.com/bterris/status/703333154732396544

    Going to be over before Super Tuesday at this rate....
  • TomsToms Posts: 2,478
    Just doing a quick data grab, I see that California has a gdp of about 2.4 trillion usd, a population of about 40 million, and an area of about 165,000 square miles, whereas the figures for the UK are 2.9 trillion, 65 million, and 93,000.

    So why not turn BREXIT into USENTER become the 51st state and bugger the EU. Maybe we could help them with their gun problem. Or not.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,368

    Expect no cops or anything. Bring lots of water, and some counties are still dry post prohibition.

    Honestly, it's so wonderful. Free, yet innate conservative culture makes it all very safe.

    Unless you are a road sign in Nevada :wink:
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    edited February 2016

    Going to be over before Super Tuesday at this rate....
    Actually it's already over.
    Who is next to endorse Trump?
  • Louis theroux told BBC bosses in 2001 that Saville slept with a 15 year old...but nobody knew anything. Remember Saville was still abusing until 2006.
  • One of the cuts is bin collection moving from weekly to fortnightly,only this week we have been told one bin per household,are they taking the Pi$$.

    Bradford has a reputation for been a sh!thole,well with all the fly tipping it will earn it.
    Conwy Council is attempting to reduce bin collection to once a MONTH and this despite several years of 5% annual council tax rises.
  • EPG said:

    Trump wants more British-style libel laws?
    Running against the First Amendment is, well, brave.

    Trump does not want anyone to remind the world that he has been bankrupt 4 times.
  • Pulpstar said:

    Whats happened to George's extra £27 Bn ?

    It never existed.

    But don't worry the OBR will find some more behind the back of the magic money tree.

    Some money exists in the real world and some money would be better described as being more 'theoretical' or perhaps as an article of faith.

    Its the money which is theoretically needed to balance the books in five years time.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,461
    Speedy said:

    Who is next to endorse Trump?
    He may well have an organised cascade.....

    Trump is proving way smarter than many have given him credit for. That includes the Democrats...
  • You say Boris has thrown himself full tilt at it rather than vote out now and we will get a better deal but vote out now and get a better deal is Michael Howard's position
    iPad is playing up, will answer later
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,276
    Toms said:

    Just doing a quick data grab, I see that California has a gdp of about 2.4 trillion usd, a population of about 40 million, and an area of about 165,000 square miles, whereas the figures for the UK are 2.9 trillion, 65 million, and 93,000.

    So why not turn BREXIT into USENTER become the 51st state and bugger the EU. Maybe we could help them with their gun problem. Or not.

    Do you think Republicans would be keen to accept a new state, the largest in the union, which permanently elected Democrats?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,461

    Expect no cops or anything. Bring lots of water, and some counties are still dry post prohibition.

    Honestly, it's so wonderful. Free, yet innate conservative culture makes it all very safe.


    I got done for speeding in Snowflake, Arizona. I haggled - argued that the car I had wasn't actually capable of doing that speed. Got it down to $20 fine....

    You tend to find that virtually everybody in rural US is a diamond. They will go hugely out their way to help if anything goes wrong.
  • rcs1000 said:

    Do you think Republicans would be keen to accept a new state, the largest in the union, which permanently elected Democrats?
    Wouldn't it be 4 states with 8 senators ?
  • TomsToms Posts: 2,478
    rcs1000 said:

    Do you think Republicans would be keen to accept a new state, the largest in the union, which permanently elected Democrats?
    Very true I fear. The royal family would fit right in, however, just as Alaskan Inuits do with their totem poles.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,204
    rcs1000 said:

    Do you think Republicans would be keen to accept a new state, the largest in the union, which permanently elected Democrats?
    We could make POTUS Trump a big, bold offer to switch with California ?
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    On topic: good results for the LibDems and Labour in this months elections, no sign of a backlash against the Remain parties, nor of Leavers flocking to the polls fervently.

    While Corbyn remains personally hard to sell, the overall Labour brand does not seem discredited.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,896
    Based on the latest general election poll in each state (including the latest Florida PPP poll today and awarding Iowa to Clinton, as although tied she led in the previous poll) I make it Clinton 271 Trump 267.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statewide_opinion_polling_for_the_United_States_presidential_election,_2016
    http://www.270towin.com/
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    edited February 2016
    Ha!

    I adore Death Valley. It's the most extreme , intriguing and breathtaking place I've ever experienced.

    So hot it fries you dry, so barren only the hardiest animals and plants survive. Yet they appear. At night,the sky is inky black/full of stars and all is silent.

    There's Disney dunes, sandstorms, ice and dead volcanoes that try to suck you in.

    I've never been more thrilled or sated.
    ydoethur said:

    Unless you are a road sign in Nevada :wink:
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,276

    Wouldn't it be 4 states with 8 senators ?
    I like it...
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    Toms said:

    Very true I fear. The royal family would fit right in, however, just as Alaskan Inuits do with their totem poles.
    The Royal Family would be abolished, as would tbe House of Lords. The Constitution specifically bans titles of nobility.

  • I got done for speeding in Snowflake, Arizona. I haggled - argued that the car I had wasn't actually capable of doing that speed. Got it down to $20 fine....

    You tend to find that virtually everybody in rural US is a diamond. They will go hugely out their way to help if anything goes wrong.
    That has always been my experience, other than this one total douche pulled me for going too slowly through town, made me walk the line etc, checked out all my documents & after it all checked out informed me I wasn't welcome in town & escorted me out..
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,896

    Are we still prattling on about that hoary old canard about americans and passports?
    The point is really that while a majority of Americans have been to Mexico or Canada or another US state and a majority of Britons have been to continental Europe only a minority have been beyond that
  • TomsToms Posts: 2,478

    The Royal Family would be abolished, as would tbe House of Lords. The Constitution specifically bans titles of nobility.
    That would be a big improvement in my view.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,276
    HYUFD said:

    Based on the latest general election poll in each state (including the latest Florida PPP poll today and awarding Iowa to Clinton, as although tied she led in the previous poll) I make it Clinton 271 Trump 267.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statewide_opinion_polling_for_the_United_States_presidential_election,_2016
    http://www.270towin.com/

    On my simulation with Bloomberg running too, I make it a dead heat between Hillary and Trump, with Bloomberg winning New York and California
  • rcs1000 said:

    Montana and Idaho - combined - have less than 1% of the population of the US. They are no more America than Florida or New York.

    In many ways, what is so underappreciated about the US is how different San Diego is from Providence, Seattle from Tampa, Chicago from New Orlean, etc etc etc.
    Its a massive continental wide country.
    And don't people in Queensland call New South Walesers 'cockroaches'? Continental wide countries create continental wide differences.
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    Conwy Council is attempting to reduce bin collection to once a MONTH and this despite several years of 5% annual council tax rises.
    I see the word 'attempting' Bradford's population growing with large families,you have to have 7 in family to get a bin a little bigger for two weeks,can't be done.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,896
    rcs1000 said:

    On my simulation with Bloomberg running too, I make it a dead heat between Hillary and Trump, with Bloomberg winning New York and California
    Yes, Bloomberg could make it even tighter, though I think he only runs if Sanders is Dem nominee
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,368

    Louis theroux told BBC bosses in 2001 that Saville slept with a 15 year old...but nobody knew anything. Remember Saville was still abusing until 2006.

    An interesting and saddening example of why teachers are very strongly told never ever to agree to talk to a child in confidence. Because if they tell you something like this, you are then royally stuffed insofar as you either have to break a confidence or conceal a felony.

    In fairness to Theroux, he probably didn't realise just what he was about to find out when he agreed.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,204
    HYUFD said:

    Based on the latest general election poll in each state (including the latest Florida PPP poll today and awarding Iowa to Clinton, as although tied she led in the previous poll) I make it Clinton 271 Trump 267.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statewide_opinion_polling_for_the_United_States_presidential_election,_2016
    http://www.270towin.com/

    http://www.270towin.com/maps/MR0Xm

    I assume ?
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    I find it interesting how few British have visited the USA.

    Too much for a ticket or assume it's like here and therefore dull?

    That has always been my experience, other than this one total douche pulled me for going too slowly through town, made me walk the line etc, checked out all my documents & after it all checked out informed me I wasn't welcome in town & escorted me out..
  • I read his suggestion as Out but with a new arrangement (EG EFTA) in the first place anyway.

    But for someone so erudite as he is, it wasn't very clear exactly what he meant.
    How politics works:

    (1) Politician states his position
    (2) Journalists misunderstand or misinterpret the position
    (3) Politician re-states his position in words of one syllable so even journalists can't misinterpret or misunderstand
    (4) Journalists cry "U turn!"
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,896
    edited February 2016
    Pulpstar said:

    http://www.270towin.com/maps/MR0Xm

    I assume ?
    Yes, except Hillary wins New Hampshire
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,896

    I find it interesting how few British have visited the USA.

    Too much for a ticket or assume it's like here and therefore dull?

    Price is probably the main factor, even a long weekend in New York is about twice the price of a week in Spain
  • It wasn't so many years ago that from New Year to Budget Day the Chancellor would rarely be seen.

    Now we get Osborne drivelling on "The economy is smaller than we thought ... "

    Is that an admission that his predictions have been crap ?
    OBRs predictions.
    He is talking about 'may' need. The govt is in fact quite a few billion better off over the next few years because of lower than expected interest rates on borrowing. It strikes me that as long as the govt are seen to be pressing down on spending then those rates will stay low and maybe lower.
    Capital Economics has calculated the rush to safe havens by investors is driving down the rates of interest on government bonds.
    This will reduce government spending by £2bn this year – and by £21bn over the five years to 2020.

    The fact that Osborne is pressing the importance of spending restraint on departments is a good thing its something which needs never to be forgotten.
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    He's got that nerds manner that makes him unthreatening and able to get people to talk. It's a rare talent.

    His Weekend shows on Netflix are gobsmacking. He gets liposuction and does porn to show the worlds he sees.

    He's immense psycho cojones.
    ydoethur said:

    An interesting and saddening example of why teachers are very strongly told never ever to agree to talk to a child in confidence. Because if they tell you something like this, you are then royally stuffed insofar as you either have to break a confidence or conceal a felony.

    In fairness to Theroux, he probably didn't realise just what he was about to find out when he agreed.
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    What a superb place name!


    I got done for speeding in Snowflake, Arizona. I haggled - argued that the car I had wasn't actually capable of doing that speed. Got it down to $20 fine....

    You tend to find that virtually everybody in rural US is a diamond. They will go hugely out their way to help if anything goes wrong.
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    I'd love to tour the South, but only in an AC winnebago.

    It'd be hideous otherwise. I'm happy in Sahara heat and sand boots, humidity kills me.
    ydoethur said:

    Enjoy your visit. I love rural America. The mid-west is great if that's where you're going. I have another friend who likes the South, but I've never been there so I don't know what it's like at first hand.
  • Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    I was fortunate to know the owner of the World Travel Awards. He's a darling.

    He took me to NYC First Class for a weekend.
    HYUFD said:

    Price is probably the main factor, even a long weekend in New York is about twice the price of a week in Spain
  • OBRs predictions.
    He is talking about 'may' need. The govt is in fact quite a few billion better off over the next few years because of lower than expected interest rates on borrowing. It strikes me that as long as the govt are seen to be pressing down on spending then those rates will stay low and maybe lower.
    Capital Economics has calculated the rush to safe havens by investors is driving down the rates of interest on government bonds.
    This will reduce government spending by £2bn this year – and by £21bn over the five years to 2020.

    The fact that Osborne is pressing the importance of spending restraint on departments is a good thing its something which needs never to be forgotten.
    Very convenient.

    The government spends more money to set up a new quango so that the government can blame the new quango for the government not meeting its Budget predictions.


  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,896

    I was fortunate to know the owner of the World Travel Awards. He's a darling.

    He took me to NYC First Class for a weekend.

    Certainly helps to know the right people if you want to travel in style!
This discussion has been closed.