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Post by alec on Feb 8, 2024 20:47:27 GMT
I think the state should run Dutch Auctions.
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Post by alec on Feb 8, 2024 20:49:30 GMT
johntel - I'll need to check the methodology, but it sounded like they had assessed individual players before and after infection. Whatever though, I don't find the results remotely surprising. The measured science data regarding impaired performance after infection is very strong, and very alarming, across multiple studies.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2024 21:17:31 GMT
mercian - "Can't you guys take a break?" Happy to. Just takes Danny to stop talking nonsense, or take it to the covid thread, and we're there.
I would add that I get a bit annoyed that I get constantly lumped in with Danny. I post accurate, factual information, based predominantly on real science, with referenced papers. He makes stuff up, rambling imaginings, nonsense on stilts, repeatedly disproven. We're not cut from the same cloth.
You could just ignore him, alec. Danny may well have his admirers and readers on here, I think johntel and patrickbrian are two subscribers, but I suspect most swerve around the majority of his often lengthy posts. I have to say, as an admirer of a lot of what you write on general political matters, I really can't understand why you don't too. It's not as if you're ever going to remotely change his mind or get him to stop replying to you in ways that clearly infuriate you. It all seems utterly pointless to me and absorbs a lot of the site's bandwidth. Just to explain the absurdity further: I almost never read anything Danny posts. I read everything that alec posts apart from his responses to the former, in case, obviously, it forces me to read something that he wrote. If we assume - probably safely - that I am not alone in making these decisions then surely an intelligent person such as alec can work out that he is the only one to give a toss about Danny’s Covid bollocks and, if those views upset him so much it makes more sense for him to send him a pm and continue the exchange that way. Paul/fed-up |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2024 21:20:21 GMT
Ok folks, here's an idea I've had: two of us take extreme positions on a political topic, and then gradually make concessions in turn and see how close we end up. It might be better on a separate thread, but I'll start by saying that the state should run absolutely nothing at all. Some one else (just one) then starts from the position that private business of any sort should not be allowed, right the way down to the self-employed. I then concede that the state should run the armed forces. We now need someone to make a concession from the other side. Sort of like a Dutch auction. Any takers? Yes: we should have private armies. i.e. nobody above the rank of private so that we discourage elitism. But run privately as well. (Should be quite cheap due to my initial cunning plan.) |
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Post by mercian on Feb 8, 2024 21:31:50 GMT
@fecklessmiser
🙂
It seems no-one's going to take up the idea seriously. A shame really, it could have been interesting. But most posters just seem to want to post partisan rants or have pointless endless arguments.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2024 21:35:30 GMT
Ok folks, here's an idea I've had: two of us take extreme positions on a political topic, and then gradually make concessions in turn and see how close we end up. It might be better on a separate thread, but I'll start by saying that the state should run absolutely nothing at all. Some one else (just one) then starts from the position that private business of any sort should not be allowed, right the way down to the self-employed. I then concede that the state should run the armed forces. We now need someone to make a concession from the other side. Sort of like a Dutch auction. Any takers? Ok then. Private companies can be allowed to run baths and whelk stalls. The State struggles with them. |
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pjw1961
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Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
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Post by pjw1961 on Feb 8, 2024 21:35:49 GMT
Ok folks, here's an idea I've had: two of us take extreme positions on a political topic, and then gradually make concessions in turn and see how close we end up. It might be better on a separate thread, but I'll start by saying that the state should run absolutely nothing at all. Some one else (just one) then starts from the position that private business of any sort should not be allowed, right the way down to the self-employed. I then concede that the state should run the armed forces. We now need someone to make a concession from the other side. Sort of like a Dutch auction. Any takers? Not sure that would work on here. I can already sense oldnat warming up his keyboard to demand that you define "state" for example. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2024 21:37:55 GMT
@fecklessmiser 🙂 It seems no-one's going to take up the idea seriously. A shame really, it could have been interesting. But most posters just seem to want to post partisan rants or have pointless endless arguments. Be fair mercian . They are waiting to celebrate the defeat of the Tories. Nothing much else matters. |
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pjw1961
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Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Posts: 8,623
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Post by pjw1961 on Feb 8, 2024 21:41:06 GMT
Ok folks, here's an idea I've had: two of us take extreme positions on a political topic, and then gradually make concessions in turn and see how close we end up. It might be better on a separate thread, but I'll start by saying that the state should run absolutely nothing at all. Some one else (just one) then starts from the position that private business of any sort should not be allowed, right the way down to the self-employed. I then concede that the state should run the armed forces. We now need someone to make a concession from the other side. Sort of like a Dutch auction. Any takers? Ok then. Private companies can be allowed to run baths and whelk stalls. The State struggles with them. The Roman Empire was pretty good at public baths. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermae |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2024 21:45:51 GMT
Ok then. Private companies can be allowed to run baths and whelk stalls. The State struggles with them. The Roman Empire was pretty good at public baths. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThermaeThe smaller baths were privately owned. Both State and private charged fees. |
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Post by crossbat11 on Feb 8, 2024 22:01:43 GMT
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 8, 2024 22:11:54 GMT
I really can’t see Biden getting through this. |
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Post by crossbat11 on Feb 8, 2024 22:24:06 GMT
I really can’t see Biden getting through this. The damaging thing politically for Biden isn't so much the charge of retaining classified documents that he shouldn't have had in his personal possession, the special counsel has declined to charge him on that, it's the evidence emerging that investigators concluded while looking into the charge that his memory had "serious limitations". This is the very claim his detractors have often made about him, but this appears to be the first time that we've gone beyond speculation, political mischief-making and social media memes. |
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Post by mark61 on Feb 8, 2024 22:31:21 GMT
I have just seen a clip of Wes Streeting on BBC qt tonight, what ever you think about his politics I think he is that rare thing a Labour Politician who can reach out and connect with those who are not natural Labour supporters, in a language they recognise. Labour would be wise to give him a prominent role in the forthcoming campaign he strikes me as one to watch for the future.
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Post by crossbat11 on Feb 8, 2024 22:33:13 GMT
I have just seen a clip of Wes Streeting on BBC qt tonight, what ever you think about his politics I think he is that rare thing a Labour Politician who can reach out and connect with those who are not natural Labour supporters, in a language they recognise. Labour would be wise to give him a prominent role in the forthcoming campaign he strikes me as one to watch for the future. Don't tell pjw1961. P S. I agree with you! |
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pjw1961
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Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
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Post by pjw1961 on Feb 8, 2024 22:42:30 GMT
@fecklessmiser 🙂 It seems no-one's going to take up the idea seriously. A shame really, it could have been interesting. But most posters just seem to want to post partisan rants or have pointless endless arguments. Be fair mercian . They are waiting to celebrate the defeat of the Tories. Nothing much else matters. It is our turn!  |
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pjw1961
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Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Posts: 8,623
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Post by pjw1961 on Feb 8, 2024 22:47:05 GMT
I have just seen a clip of Wes Streeting on BBC qt tonight, what ever you think about his politics I think he is that rare thing a Labour Politician who can reach out and connect with those who are not natural Labour supporters, in a language they recognise. Labour would be wise to give him a prominent role in the forthcoming campaign he strikes me as one to watch for the future. Oh, I watch what he's up to closely, don't worry about that. Mind you, he did say something a couple of days ago that I support as a baby step in the right direction: "Mr Streeting vowed that a Labour Government would 'steamroll' the food industry and ban the online and TV advertisement of junk food to children. He added that Labour might go further, adding there was a 'serious case to be made' for stricter restrictions on food packaging." (Daily Mail) |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 8, 2024 22:48:16 GMT
I really can’t see Biden getting through this. The damaging thing politically for Biden isn't so much the charge of retaining classified documents that he shouldn't have had in his personal possession, the special counsel has declined to charge him on that, it's the evidence emerging that investigators concluded while looking into the charge that his memory had "serious limitations". This is the very claim his detractors have often made about him, but this appears to be the first time that we've gone beyond speculation, political mischief-making and social media memes. The news has just broken so I need to do a bit more reading up on it to be honest. However I do think it is also about the documents. If Trump shouldn’t have done it then neither should Biden. I know it appears that Trump did it on an industrial scale but it’s the same principle. However we fully agree what is the worst bit for Biden’s prospects of a second term - what will really do for him is the special counsel saying he’d come across in court as an old man with a very poor memory. That’ll be the killer. I’m saying all that on the face of what we’re hearing so far. There could be caveats such as is the special counsel politically motivated? If so, that’s a different matter. But if there is nothing like that then I can’t see Biden having a chance of a second term. Surely the Democrats would move on that realisation. |
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pjw1961
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Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
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Post by pjw1961 on Feb 8, 2024 22:54:43 GMT
If you read it, the guy who suggested that is not neutral, being a Republican, others have taken issue with what he wrote and the documents themselves date back to wham Biden was Vice President 16 to 8 years ago, so difficult to see what his current mental state has to do with it. Looks like a hatchet job to me. (I say that as someone who wishes Biden had stood down). |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2024 23:06:36 GMT
@fecklessmiser 🙂 It seems no-one's going to take up the idea seriously. A shame really, it could have been interesting. But most posters just seem to want to post partisan rants or have pointless endless arguments. It’s not fair to expect everybody to be as wise as wot we is Pete. |
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Post by peterbell on Feb 8, 2024 23:38:01 GMT
@crossbatt11 wrote "Makes you think that Labour need to beef up their Instant Rebuttal Unit as we get ever nearer the general election."
I have felt this for months. As one of those sick people who normally watch PMQs, I am sick and tired of Starmer allowing Sunak to spout lies about Labour. Starmer inevitably sticks to his script without responding to Sunak's lies. For those watching who have less info than than many on here, they probably accept Sunak's lies as they have not been contested.
This typical lack of response from Starmer also highlights the level to which he was shocked yesterday by Sunak's trans jibe which caused him to respond.
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jib
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Post by jib on Feb 9, 2024 0:00:17 GMT
God help the free world if this is all that's left between it and Trumpism.  |
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oldnat
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Extremist - Undermining the UK state and its institutions
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Post by oldnat on Feb 9, 2024 0:36:21 GMT
Ok folks, here's an idea I've had: two of us take extreme positions on a political topic, and then gradually make concessions in turn and see how close we end up. It might be better on a separate thread, but I'll start by saying that the state should run absolutely nothing at all. Some one else (just one) then starts from the position that private business of any sort should not be allowed, right the way down to the self-employed. I then concede that the state should run the armed forces. We now need someone to make a concession from the other side. Sort of like a Dutch auction. Any takers? Not sure that would work on here. I can already sense oldnat warming up his keyboard to demand that you define "state" for example.
The UK, of course, does allow one private army - the Atholl Highlanders - as does Putin's Russia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atholl_Highlanders |
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Feb 9, 2024 5:45:21 GMT
I have just seen a clip of Wes Streeting on BBC qt tonight, what ever you think about his politics I think he is that rare thing a Labour Politician who can reach out and connect with those who are not natural Labour supporters, in a language they recognise. Labour would be wise to give him a prominent role in the forthcoming campaign he strikes me as one to watch for the future. I agree, he was very good. I was one of those disappointed with Labour's rowing back on the green pledge, but if you are going to do it this is how you sell it |
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steve
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Post by steve on Feb 9, 2024 6:32:00 GMT
"The news has just broken so I need to do a bit more reading up on it to be honest. However I do think it is also about the documents. If Trump shouldn’t have done it then neither should Biden. I know it appears that Trump did it on an industrial scale but it’s the same principle."
Its not just the vast scale that differentiates the cases.
When the small number of classified documents were discovered at Biden's address, he didn't actually possess these illegally as they were collected while he was vice president, Biden immediately assisted with their retrieval and they were handed back to the archive.
The traitor.
Stole the documents in the first place, he had ceased to be president.
Refused to assist in their return repeatedly and lied about it.
Conspired and lied via his attorneys about the number and that they had been returned.
Conspired and lied to hide and retain the documents.
Lied to the federal authorities and the FBI about their return until a search warrant was executed to find them.
Continues to this day to lie about his right to retain the documents, lies about his cooperation, lies about the FBI and the department of justice, lies about the presidents involvement in instigating the investigation and lied about the nature, the storage, the location , the security, the distribution of highly classified documents.
No the two aren't remotely the same it's not just the numbers.
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steve
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Post by steve on Feb 9, 2024 6:47:50 GMT
oldnat The British army does have a tradition of employing mercenaries.It still does. The Gurkhas however admirable their qualities and loyalty as soldiers are effectively a mercenary unit of the British army , similar in that sense to the French foreign legion. The difference is that service in the legion for three years or until injured in service carries the automatic right of French citizenship. Until 2022 Gurkhas wishing to apply for British citizenship had to pay over £2000 a year in visa fees while waiting. They still have to transfer to other army units, wait five years , or apply after they retire, acceptance of a citizenship request isn't automatic while right to remain sort of is.
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Danny
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Post by Danny on Feb 9, 2024 6:50:11 GMT
Governmant has a cunning plan to solve all our problems. Its going to make a special law banning climbing on war memorials.
Also anyone protesting outside a foreign embassy who wears a mask so those inside cannot identify them and take revenge on their relatives, will now be required to take those masks off to assist those governments attacks on their relatives.
Its funny how they cannot make up their minds. One year its forcing us to wear masks. Next its forcing us not to.
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steve
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Post by steve on Feb 9, 2024 6:53:49 GMT
Some election news
East Hunsbury & Shelfleys (West Northamptonshire) Council By-Election Result:
🔶 LDM: 38.8% (+15.8)
🌳 CON: 35.3% (-16.9)
🌹 LAB: 25.9% (+1.1)
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2021.
Crewe Central (Cheshire East) Council By-Election Result:
🌳 CON: 43.3% (+19.8)
🌹 LAB: 35.8% (-18.9)
🏘️ PCF: 16.5% (+1.2)
♀️ WEP: 2.8% (New)
🌍 GRN: 1.6% (New)
No RFM (-6.5) as previous.
Conservative GAIN from Labour.
Changes w/ 2023.
Criccieth (Gwynedd) Council By-Election Result:
🌼 PLC: 71.9% (+30.3)
🙋 IND: 24.3% (New)
🔶 LDM: 2.1% (New)
🌳 CON: 1.7% (New)
No IND (-47.3) or LAB (-11.2) as previous.
Plaid Cymru GAIN from Independent.
Changes w/ 2022.
Not a great night for labour, standard gain for the home team , That Plaid win is pretty impressive.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Feb 9, 2024 7:14:11 GMT
Steve said “ Its not just the vast scale that differentiates the cases”.
I know.
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Danny
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Post by Danny on Feb 9, 2024 7:24:50 GMT
So it does look like the "warm homes" policy has taken the biggest hit While insulating homes will reduce energy costs, I am reminded of a study I heard about last year which found the immediate drop in energy usage which takes place after insulating tends to dissipate after a couple of years. The reason seems to be that occupiers tend to have a 'budget' for energy, so they can still afford the same amount of energy as before, and they do so. Presumably before they had been living in a colder home than they would have liked so they live in a warmer one using just as much energy. But as to the other schemes for decarbonisation which the conservatives cancelled, the obvious worst was their ban on land based wind turbines, which labour has said it will reverse. Plus of course investment in the grid distribution systm so we can actually get it where its needed, which con have done nothing about. This period of conservative government may be seen in 100 years time as a uniquely awful period of government where key changes to Britian simply didnt happen or went in completley the opposite direction to what was needed. The switch to renewables and brexit being the two obvious points, but the continued deliberate shortage of housing being another. Also probably, the policy of relying upon and encouraging immigrant labour will be seen as a mistake. |
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