steve
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Post by steve on Apr 20, 2024 12:34:56 GMT
God save us!
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steve
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Posts: 12,087
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Post by steve on Apr 20, 2024 12:37:50 GMT
Ground hog day
"Hunt reportedly mulling stamp duty and NI cuts in effort to woo voters"
Because obviously that went well the last two time round.
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Apr 20, 2024 12:42:21 GMT
Ground hog day "Hunt reportedly mulling stamp duty and NI cuts in effort to woo voters" Because obviously that went well the last two time round. Reported to cost £3b for the stamp duty changes and £9n for the NI cuts by the end of the decade. Meantime we already have huge public debt and public services in desperate need of investment Also looking at the last time stamp duty was cut, all that happens is house prices are pushed up making them even less affordable
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domjg
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Post by domjg on Apr 20, 2024 12:44:46 GMT
Tend to agree. Even our brief exchange of infantile Villa v Blues "banter" was an upgrade on some of the weird drivel I've just read this morning. On that basis, and to take the debate into far more edifying territory, I'm interested to know what people think about the reintroduction of the Dukes ball to county cricket yesterday and whether this assisted Jason Holder's improved bowling performance at Kidderminster. The previous two rounds of soporific county games, when the more rapidly softening and less pronounced seam surrounded Kookaburra ball was used, are gladly things of the past. Their only contribution to the sporting scene being them providing a timely reminder that the balance between bat and ball needs to be an even one in order to make cricket a decent spectacle to watch. Please discuss. If we want to encourage new posters to the site, particularly from the younger generation, I suggest we pick more important and relevant subjects to discuss - for example Taylor Swift's new offering "The Tortured Poets Department'. Isn't it awful how the poor girl suffers - it must be so hard for a sensitive soul like her to get so much unwanted intrusion, not only from the paparazzi but also her own fans! Her English ex-boyfriend seems to have treated her so badly and wasted so many of her prime years - the cad. Still she seems to be getting by and hopefully the proceeds of her new album will enable her to buy some warm clothes... Clearly I'm not the target audience but just don't get Swift at all. She seems to be more media phenomenon than musician. Whenever I've heard her music it's always struck me as quite dull. I guess she's got to write about something but Adele had the dissecting end of relationship shtick sewn up years ago. Also I don't know how much she's being paid by the leotard marketing board but it must be a lot.
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steve
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Post by steve on Apr 20, 2024 13:28:05 GMT
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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: 8,318
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Post by pjw1961 on Apr 20, 2024 13:43:48 GMT
If we want to encourage new posters to the site, particularly from the younger generation, I suggest we pick more important and relevant subjects to discuss - for example Taylor Swift's new offering "The Tortured Poets Department'. Isn't it awful how the poor girl suffers - it must be so hard for a sensitive soul like her to get so much unwanted intrusion, not only from the paparazzi but also her own fans! Her English ex-boyfriend seems to have treated her so badly and wasted so many of her prime years - the cad. Still she seems to be getting by and hopefully the proceeds of her new album will enable her to buy some warm clothes... Clearly I'm not the target audience but just don't get Swift at all. She seems to be more media phenomenon than musician. Whenever I've heard her music it's always struck me as quite dull. I guess she's got to write about something but Adele had the dissecting end of relationship shtick sewn up years ago. Also I don't know how much she's being paid by the leotard marketing board but it must be a lot. The only interesting thing about Swift is whether she will endorse Biden for the presidency or not (I say, thus proving the point about being out of touch).
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Post by mercian on Apr 20, 2024 13:54:10 GMT
Dunkeld (voted best town in Scotland in the Times recently) You have to be able to bitch as well as stitch though.... I don't think that will be a problem.My wife goes to knit and natter. Sounds a bit cosier.
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Post by crossbat11 on Apr 20, 2024 14:10:52 GMT
As Taylor might say "Fuck the Patriarchy" That sounds like the name of an album that, sadly, PJ Harvey never got round to releasing. The Lost Tapes, maybe.
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Apr 20, 2024 14:13:44 GMT
I'm not a Swifty and her music isn't my bag, but she is incredibly talented. She has also given a lot of support to important issues such as abortion rights, the fight against sexual harassment, gay rights, gun control etc
I suspect Trump is worried she will again come out in support of Biden and mobilise her fans, who are many. A 2023 survey by Morning Consult, in the U.S. found 53% of adults said they were fans of Swift, of whom 44% identified as Swifties and 16% as her "avid" fans.
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Post by mercian on Apr 20, 2024 14:16:51 GMT
Jeez! this place has jumped the shark tonight! JiB did you mean to post that on here or on another site you like! Jen have you ever thought of posting without shouting? Your style doesn't encourage engagement does it? and if you don't want that why are you posting on here? Tend to agree. Even our brief exchange of infantile Villa v Blues "banter" was an upgrade on some of the weird drivel I've just read this morning. On that basis, and to take the debate into far more edifying territory, I'm interested to know what people think about the reintroduction of the Dukes ball to county cricket yesterday and whether this assisted Jason Holder's improved bowling performance at Kidderminster. The previous two rounds of soporific county games, when the more rapidly softening and less pronounced seam surrounded Kookaburra ball was used, are gladly things of the past. Their only contribution to the sporting scene being them providing a timely reminder that the balance between bat and ball needs to be an even one in order to make cricket a decent spectacle to watch. Please discuss. I understand Robert Key is very keen on the Kookaburra. Any idea why? Couldn't he cope with a seaming ball when he played?
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Post by lululemonmustdobetter on Apr 20, 2024 14:57:31 GMT
I'm not a Swifty and her music isn't my bag, but she is incredibly talented. She has also given a lot of support to important issues such as abortion rights, the fight against sexual harassment, gay rights, gun control etc I suspect Trump is worried she will again come out in support of Biden and mobilise her fans, who are many. A 2023 survey by Morning Consult, in the U.S. found 53% of adults said they were fans of Swift, of whom 44% identified as Swifties and 16% as her "avid" fans. Oh I love TayTay. She is absolutely fantastic darling, but I wouldn't go as far to classify myself as a Swiftie. She is an incredibly gifted young woman, and brings joy to millions of fans. Good luck to her.
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steve
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Posts: 12,087
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Post by steve on Apr 20, 2024 15:11:34 GMT
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steve
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Posts: 12,087
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Post by steve on Apr 20, 2024 15:13:29 GMT
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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: 8,318
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Post by pjw1961 on Apr 20, 2024 15:13:52 GMT
I understand Robert Key is very keen on the Kookaburra. Any idea why? Couldn't he cope with a seaming ball when he played? His theory is that the Duke encourages little dibbly-dobbly seamers who are so much cannon-fodder outside England whereas to get wickets with the Kookaburra you need to have something extra - high pace, reverse swing, wrist spin. Key pointed to all the extra overs of spin that were bowled in the first two rounds of County Championship matches. The trouble with that argument is those spinners didn't actually take many wickets. Nobody did. series of dull run-fest draws.
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pjw1961
Member
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Posts: 8,318
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Post by pjw1961 on Apr 20, 2024 15:52:11 GMT
Lol, as they say these days: "Jared Moskowitz, a Democratic congressman from Florida, moved an amendment to the Ukraine bill calling for (Marjorie) Taylor Greene’s office in the Cannon Building to be renamed the Neville Chamberlain room ... and asking she be appointed “Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to the US”."
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Post by bardin1 on Apr 20, 2024 16:02:20 GMT
Lol, as they say these days: "Jared Moskowitz, a Democratic congressman from Florida, moved an amendment to the Ukraine bill calling for (Marjorie) Taylor Greene’s office in the Cannon Building to be renamed the Neville Chamberlain room ... and asking she be appointed “Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to the US”." You have to smile, after some of the crass statements she has made recently
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Post by johntel on Apr 20, 2024 16:17:10 GMT
Yes she's a very astute businesswoman. 10 years ago she pulled her music from Spotify because she said streaming monetarily devalued music but returned in 2017. With streaming volume is key, hence the 31 tracks on her new album. She also re-recorded all her back catalogue in order to get back full revenue control. She has made donations to a variety of good causes, though they amount to a very small proportion of her income. But of course she won't speak out against Trump.
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Apr 20, 2024 16:27:29 GMT
johntel'But of course she won't speak out against Trump' Except of course she has
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Post by johntel on Apr 20, 2024 16:38:58 GMT
johntel 'But of course she won't speak out against Trump' Except of course she has My point is that I don't believe she'll speak out against Trump between now and the election. I hope I'm wrong.
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Apr 20, 2024 16:44:57 GMT
johntel 'But of course she won't speak out against Trump' Except of course she has My point is that I don't believe she'll speak out against Trump between now and the election. I hope I'm wrong. As she was very vocal in her criticism the last time, I see no reason to doubt she will again, she's already crossed that rubicon. Attacking him would also fit in well with her views on women's rights and sexual assault/harassment of women She's very clever, so I suspect she will let rip at a time to inflict maximum damage on Trump and his election campaign
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Apr 20, 2024 16:50:08 GMT
There are some dangerous/bat shit crazy people in the Republican party www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/20/republicans-ukraine-aid-package-congressRepublicans As the speaker of the House finally allows a vote to go forward on aid, the GOP’s internecine warfare is tearing apart the party... Branded “Moscow Marjorie” by a former Republican congressman Ken Buck, who said she gets her talking points from the Kremlin, Taylor Greene went further by accusing Ukraine of waging “a war against Christianity” “The Ukrainian government is attacking Christians; the Ukrainian government is executing priests,” she said. “Russia is not doing that; they’re not attacking Christianity.” (In fact, according to figures from the Institute for Religious Freedom, a Ukrainian group, at least 630 religious sites had been damaged or looted in Russia’s invasion by December last year.)'
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pjw1961
Member
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Posts: 8,318
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Post by pjw1961 on Apr 20, 2024 16:51:37 GMT
My point is that I don't believe she'll speak out against Trump between now and the election. I hope I'm wrong. As she was very vocal in her criticism the last time, I see no reason to doubt she will again, she's already crossed that rubicon. Attacking him would also fit in well with her views on women's rights and sexual assault/harassment of women She's very clever, so I suspect she will let rip at a time to inflict maximum damage on Trump and his election campaign There is a actual MAGA conspiracy theory that Taylor Swift and her current boyfriend are deep state CIA agents awaiting orders to intervene against the blessed saviour of America/the white race/Christian civilisation (delete to taste) Donald J Trump. Much ranting on social media about it.
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Post by mercian on Apr 20, 2024 17:25:40 GMT
pjw1961I wonder if the world is entering a new era of instability, not just because of Putin and others, but because it is so easy now to organise demonstrations and even rebellions via social media. I know we've always had demonstrations, but Just Stop Oil, Extinction Rebellion, the pro-Palestine marches and so on in this country, and the attempt to storm Congress in the USA might be harbingers of more widespread unrest. These things seem to blow up from time to time (1848 and 1968 spring to mind), and something like that could be organised much quicker nowadays, giving the authorities less time to prepare.
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steve
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Post by steve on Apr 20, 2024 17:50:36 GMT
I think comparing broadly peaceful if slighlty inconvenient demonstrations with an armed insurrection resulting in seven deaths aimed at bringing down the elected head of state of the most powerful country in the world is shall we say a novel interpretation
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Apr 20, 2024 18:04:08 GMT
Congress has voted in favour of giving Ukraine the $60.8bn (£49bn) military aid package.
The final result was 311-112.
Hard to credit 112 voting against, but a good result
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Post by alec on Apr 20, 2024 18:20:04 GMT
Polling on public support for US aid to Ukraine has been consistently pretty supportive. Last time I looked (a while ago) it was strengthening among Republican identifiers, and the party leadership is out of step on this issue. It has been a problem for them, like the actual interpretations of what overturning what Roe vs Wade should actually look like on the ground.
Like the right wing nutters here, (some Conservatives, Refuk etc) they're like a dog chasing a car. It's all great unlike they catch the car. Then it gets really troublesome.
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Post by mercian on Apr 20, 2024 18:22:21 GMT
I think comparing broadly peaceful if slighlty inconvenient demonstrations with an armed insurrection resulting in seven deaths aimed at bringing down the elected head of state of the most powerful country in the world is shall we say a novel interpretation I was simply using them as examples of how it seems easier to get big protests going now. I know the London ones were largely peaceful, but looking at the USA example it would be quite easy to rouse a disgruntled populace, not particularly here but anywhere.
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Post by alec on Apr 20, 2024 18:32:10 GMT
Some polling nuggets here - www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/20/labour-target-tory-over-65s-poll-pension-cuts-jeremy-hunt-tax-blunderLabour claiming the promise of future tax cuts is alarming older voters, fearful for pensions and the NHS. Hard to know how accurate the reporting is on public sentiment, but it does illustrate the fact that once you lose credibility as a party, it's difficult to replay the old winning moves. Because it's far less about what you say you are going to do or not do; it's much, much more about whether people trust you and take you seriously. This is why accusing Starmer of flip flopping is irrelevant. He has, without doubt, but voters generally see him and Labour as credible. With Corbyn it was the opposite, He actgually had some pretty popular policies, but no one believed he could deliver. Sunak is the new Corbyn. I doubt he'll be able to do anything right between now the the GE.
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Post by jib on Apr 20, 2024 18:38:53 GMT
pjw1961 I wonder if the world is entering a new era of instability, not just because of Putin and others, but because it is so easy now to organise demonstrations and even rebellions via social media. I know we've always had demonstrations, but Just Stop Oil, Extinction Rebellion, the pro-Palestine marches and so on in this country, and the attempt to storm Congress in the USA might be harbingers of more widespread unrest. These things seem to blow up from time to time (1848 and 1968 spring to mind), and something like that could be organised much quicker nowadays, giving the authorities less time to prepare. Indeed. Time to bring back the Met Police "Special Demonstration Squad" where Officers were given fake identities and enrolled on University courses and the like to infiltrate (and often impregnate) these scoundrels.
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Post by crossbat11 on Apr 20, 2024 19:20:28 GMT
Some random sporting thoughts and valedictions/best wishes/dedications: - Yeovil Town back in the big time of non-league football. Well done isa- We need to avoid another repeat Mancunian local derby FA Cup Final so all the best to Carfrew's Sky Blues tomorrow. - After events at Kidderminster today, I'm now persuaded that we need to reintroduce the brilliant Kookaburra cricket ball as soon as possible. - Well done to Tamworth for getting back into the non-league top flight. They provided the facilities at their famous old ground, The Lamb, to the Labour Party during the successful by-election campaign last year. Any place that hosts a chat between myself and Emily Thornberry is a place that will forever remain in my heart. - Well done to my hometown club Redditch United for regaining a potential play off position after a six game losing run that took them from first place to seventh. This disastrous run of form coincided with the mysterious disappearance of the Manager, Matt Clarke. That mystery has now been solved. He's been charged with drug supplying and criminal damage, amongst other offences! He was done for affray and assault when he was a player at the club. This took place in a match at Southport. The man had form. - Commiserations to Kiddy Harriers, relegated after one season back in the National League. Former Hull Manager, Phil Brown, couldn't quite save them, but they rallied well after a terrible start. There used to be a regular poster on the old site called Howard. He seemed a lovely fellow who shared my love of West Country football. We often chatted about the Harriers and Rovers and other teams from my favourite part of these beautiful isles. Howard, if you're lurking out there somewhere, the Harriers will be back, I'm sure.
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