Thursday 31st March 2016

[rebeccariots2]

I will be off soon to cook something very basic whilst Masterchef is on. I do hope the dog keeps her dinner down tonight. Her psychedlic output was most unfortunately timed yesterday.

[seeingclearly]

Ephemerid, you are so good at putting all these changes in their rightful context, in a way I never could, thank you for the clarity on process. I can only do the gut reaction thing based on what I have learned so far, tbh I can smell it at a distance, and it stinks.

[citizenJA]

"The increase in the current account deficit in 2015 marks the fourth consecutive annual deterioration since 2011, more
than 80% of which is attributable to falls in net foreign direct investment (FDI) earnings....it is likely that the performance
of multinational companies and commodity prices have played a central role. The majority of the decline in foreign direct
investment credits is attributable to the largest 25 multinational companies..."

- Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Home Economy National accounts Balance of payments
An analysis of the drivers behind the fall in direct investment earnings and their impact on the UK's current account deficit
31 March 2016

https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/national ... 2016-03-31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

UK current account deficit for 2015, "the biggest deficit on record, the largest for 67 years,"
said Andrew Verity, BBC economics correspondent. The BBC article he's quoted from did its best to protect the Establishment.

It's real important for George Osborne's self-esteem we all agree whimsical storm clouds buffeted multinational
corporations causing economic boondoggles inexplicably occurring during Chancellor Jeff's economic leadership.

Twenty-five multinational companies have the private sector catastrophe capacity to do what, now?

[citizenJA]

It's a spiral fracture of the fibula. Stepped backwards down the allotment and trod on a brick and my ankle went over. Knew I'd done something bad so called 111 which didn't work so had to call 999. 2:30 wait then all sorted quickly.

Take care, my friend, I'm so sorry.

[citizenJA]

George Osborne: We intervened in Tata Port Talbot closure
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-35938094" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The UK government has intervened in the "overnight" closure of Port Talbot steelworks, George Osborne has said.
The chancellor claims its actions have given "breathing space", but would not say what he meant by intervention.
It follows Tuesday's announcement that Tata Steel is selling its entire loss-making UK business, with more than 4,000 jobs at Port Talbot at risk.
But the Indian firm has not given an "open ended" commitment to keep plants open during the sale.
The UK government has faced criticism that it has not helped the industry enough.
But Mr Osborne said the UK government is taking action to cut energy prices and to ensure British steel is used in British construction...

Why am I not convinced ... ?

Osborne has said, 'The UK government has intervened in the "overnight" closure of Port Talbot steelworks'. That's his and his government's definition of government intervention.

[seeingclearly]

Hoping your leg heals well and doesn't give you too much gyp, frightful oik. Nice to know you got such good treatment.

[citizenJA]

It's a spiral fracture of the fibula. Stepped backwards down the allotment and trod on a brick and my ankle went over. Knew I'd done something bad so called 111 which didn't work so had to call 999. 2:30 wait then all sorted quickly.

Lucky that (well, a lot luckier than something worse....) - it's the tibia that takes all the weight.
The fibula is more of a frame for the attachments of ligaments/tendons etc.

Short leg plaster, 6 weeks - and hopefully not too much soft tissue injury.

Keep it elevated to reduce the swelling.
Physiotherapists will sort out any damage once the bone is healed.

Ta Elbe and all. Off to bed now

Goodnight, frightful_oik!

[seeingclearly]

Cable break issues, and no spare. I'll be reading but not posting. Damn, everything is so interesting right now.

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... ng-benefit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Without supported housing, a lot of people will be left outside to die
Frances Ryan

[ephemerid]

Ephemerid, you are so good at putting all these changes in their rightful context, in a way I never could, thank you for the clarity on process. I can only do the gut reaction thing based on what I have learned so far, tbh I can smell it at a distance, and it stinks.

That's kind - but I'm not sure it's entirely true!

I got involved with disability issues many years ago - but the benefits/political stuff is much more recent. It was having to go through the appeals system in 2009 that got me doing the research, and from then on I've kept up to date with the legislation. That's all.

I wrote a thing here some time ago about "mission creep" in the social security system. It was obvious what the Tories were up to as early in their last government as 2011 - and things have got a lot worse as time goes on. It's all planned, it's all deliberate.

We don't really have a social security system any more. Bit by bit, it's all being taken away when they can get away with it, or made impossible to deal with when they can't. Anyone who actually makes a claim for anything is now subject to a plethora of new rules, new conditions, new charges, new sanctions, new fines..... in some cases they are being coerced into unsuitable workfare or training, in others they are being forced to engage with "treatment" or "support" that could do them active harm. It's appalling.

What IDS wanted was a cowed and grateful cohort of people who he expected to see him as a great reformer and someone who was on their side; you have only to look at the leaflets of fake people happy to get a sanction, or hear him saying how grateful they are, to know that this is how he expected claimants to react to his "reforms".
He was the useful idiot for Osborne and Cameron - they knew they could let him run riot through the system, get him to make life hell for the sick, disabled, unemployed, and working poor, and they could sit back and watch while social security collapsed. Now they've got the oleaginous Crabb (does he ever wash his hair?) so the cull will continue.

And it is a cull. People are dying. The homelessness and hunger is bad enough, but the deaths are increasing and there will be more.

I've been sickened by the likes of Field supporting what IDS did; appalled at the paeans of praise for his saintliness. Meanwhile, the lies continue, and this latest nonsense is part of a much wider agenda. Challenge my arse.

[ohsocynical]

I will be off soon to cook something very basic whilst Masterchef is on. I do hope the dog keeps her dinner down tonight. Her psychedlic output was most unfortunately timed yesterday.

Sympathise on the carpet. When we had three dogs and were a bit better off, I invested in a carpet shampooer. Saved my life quite a few times... Or rather saved the carpets life.

On the cooking front I bought a slow cooker from the Charity shop for a fiver, so I'm investigating meals I can cook in it. I did beef and dumplings today. Cheap meat melts in your mouth using it and Mr Ohso has to have a high protein diet when he starts the chemo so it's going to be dead useful ...

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016 ... CMP=twt_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BMA launches legal action against junior doctors' contract

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... SApp_Other" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Latest Rowson

[HindleA]

Fur candles

[danesclose]

Evening all. Just read the latest edition of Private Eye & was delighted to see they haven't lost their satirical edge.
They have an article stating that The Telegraph has rid itself of its two Labour-inclined columnists, Mary Riddell & Dan Hodges.

[danesclose]

Evening all. Just read the latest edition of Private Eye & was delighted to see they haven't lost their satirical edge.
They have an article stating that The Telegraph has rid itself of its two Labour-inclined columnists, Mary Riddell & Dan Hodges.

[danesclose]

How did that happen?

[StephenDolan]

How did that happen?

This place is an echo chamber.

[HindleA]

This place is an echo chamber.

[RogerOThornhill]

I guess it's good that even Toby Young's "uneasy" about full academization but he was so snide about it - and dead wrong in certain places so he only gets two cheers.

http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/04/why- ... s-for-all/

As someone who believes in limited government, I feel conflicted about universal academisation. I’m a fan of the academies policy because it reduces the involvement of politicians and bureaucrats in taxpayer-funded education, but there’s something a little Stalinist about the state forcing all local-authority schools to become academies. It’s using socialist methods to bring about a conservative goal. It reminds me of that paradox first-year philosophy students struggle with — is it right to force a slave to be free?

I've asked several times what he thinks the civil servants calling themselves Regional Schools Commissioners are if not bureaucrats but rec'd no answer.

I also just pointed out that one of them used to be a director in the DfE itself. and another was edu director at Essex CC.

How can they not be bureaucrats? And what's more with far more power over schools than any LA director has had for 25 years!

[Hobiejoe]

Can't link because I'm on my 'phone (in the bar of the Heathrow Premier Inn, international travel has never been so glamorous - I'm sure I just saw a Hollywood starlet waft past with her entourage. Taking the family to Norway for some snowy fun with skiing, snowshoes and dog sledding. The travel and accommodation are really good value, but I won't be buying any beers in a bar...) but Rowson in the G is wonderful tonight.

[HindleA]

Tata steel has had no contact with senior government ministers since they announced they were selling its UK assets, ITV News has learned.

[HindleA]

An unleashed Paul Mason on Newsnight versus K.Clarke.

[rebeccariots2]

An unleashed Paul Mason on Newsnight versus K.Clarke.

Did he tell Clarke that the government doesn't give a shit?

[citizenJA]

Tata steel has had no contact with senior government ministers since they announced they were selling its UK assets, ITV News has learned.

Osborne hallucinated the intervention then.
Entirely likely, in fact.

[citizenJA]

I'd be surprised if he weren't hallucinating.

[citizenJA]

Goodnight, everyone.
love,
cJA

[HindleA]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0 ... t-31032016" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016 ... tervention" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Exclusive: royal family considering dramatic Brexit intervention

“William says that chap at ITV, Bradby, sees things like us. And there is a strong feeling that we should do over the Bleating Broadcasting Corporation. Serve them right for cocking up the Queen’s water pageant with those disc jockeys instead of using a Dimbleby.”

[HindleA]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho ... 62431.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Scotland and Wales 'could form own country' if Britain votes to leave EU

[RogerOThornhill]

Exclusive: Schools to be told to introduce daily "free learning" hour

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/br ... rning-hour

The DfE’s new drive for child-centred learning is being seen as an extension of the push for character education that Ms Morgan has championed. Statutory guidance for the “free-learning” hour will set out the requirement that it should include 10 minutes of phonics drilling, another 20 minutes reading the great works of the English literary canon and 10 minutes reciting the 13 times table.

A DfE spokesman said: “We do not comment on speculation.”

Night all.