Friday 14th to Monday 17th April 2017

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 4:20 am

Happy Easter Weekend fellow flighters

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 4:21 am

I guess we must be wrong about him then:

Theresa May backs Boris Johnson’s ‘excellent’ response to Syria crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -g7-russia" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

stupid us.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 4:23 am

On nomenclature, perhaps we could agree a scale of leftness.

The new social democratic thinking across Europe I've seen seems to be more about cross-country solidarity and collaboration, not isolation. But I have not read widely or deeply, it's true.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 4:43 am

Sorry PfY, RFM - forgot to include the year in the topic name.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 4:47 am

Solar power crisis blamed on Tory Government as number of new installations plummets 80%
http://www.independent.co.uk/environmen ... 82501.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Solar Trade Association (STA), which produced the figures based on recently released government statistics, found the first three months of this year had seen a catastrophic collapse in the number of solar panels following the withdrawal of virtually all subsidies, a stunning business rate hike of up to 800 per cent and the imposition of “red tape”.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 8:47 am

Private firms rake in millions more than budget for Tories' hated disability benefit tests

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/p ... e-10222732" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 9:01 am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0502srz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Profit on disability benefit?

Abrahams and Scrabb

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 9:25 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:Sorry PfY, RFM - forgot to include the year in the topic name.

You could have edited your own post to fix it TC

Anyway it's done.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 9:27 am

Although "when I were a lad" Good Friday was a working day. It should perhaps not be included in the holiday weekend at all?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 9:31 am

https://www.theguardian.com/global-deve ... CMP=twt_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Harare's park bench grandmas: 'I speak to them and feel a load is lifted off my heart'
One in four Zimbabweans suffers from mental illness, but untrained female health workers are setting a new benchmark for the treatment of patients

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 9:46 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:Sorry PfY, RFM - forgot to include the year in the topic name.
You could have edited your own post to fix it TC

Anyway it's done.

I tried, but come second to PF in technology prowess.
(THANKS)

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 9:47 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Although "when I were a lad" Good Friday was a working day. It should perhaps not be included in the holiday weekend at all?

We could change it ... (I use the term "we" loosely)

NonOxCol · Post by **NonOxCol** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:02 am

Morning.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scum.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:04 am

gestalt moment alert: have now worked out how I could have edited the subject

(am idiot)

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:05 am

(and apologies to PF for suggesting I came second ...)

tinybgoat · Post by **tinybgoat** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:07 am

scientist finds microwaving tea really does make the best brew

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl ... roadchurch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can accept that the primary purpose of a microwave is to reheat tea ( or preferably coffee), but suspect this is a step to far.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:10 am

I microwave tea regularly because I become distracted and the correct temperature is vital. But I can categorically state that (at least where I live) it does not improve the flavour.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:11 am

coincidentally the other half skyped me this literally as I posted above:

http://orwell.ru/library/articles/tea/english/e_tea" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

tinybgoat · Post by **tinybgoat** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:23 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:coincidentally the other half skyped me this literally as I posted above:

http://orwell.ru/library/articles/tea/english/e_tea" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Spooky, maybe they're trying to tell you something?
edited: tried following the guardian instructions, 30 seconds gives lukewarm water, no tea evident.
2 minutes, still not hot enough, but lots of tannin.
Maybe depends on type of cup?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:32 am

https://www.theguardian.com/housing-net ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Forget the property ladder. We need real housing rights for all
Dawn Foster

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:36 am

Had a talking microwave for a few years.It was a bit repetitive,wasn't very patient with me and swore like a trooper,but I still miss its increasingly annoyed tones.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:38 am

Talking clock remains,probably outlive me.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 10:46 am

HindleA wrote:Had a talking microwave for a few years.It was a bit repetitive,wasn't very patient with me and swore like a trooper,but I still miss its increasingly annoyed tones.

Sounds like I should be suing the product designer for royalties

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 11:21 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:I guess we must be wrong about him then:

Theresa May backs Boris Johnson’s ‘excellent’ response to Syria crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -g7-russia" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
stupid us.

I think this is one of those statements of "support" which could do with being decoded, however

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 12:08 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:I guess we must be wrong about him then:

Theresa May backs Boris Johnson’s ‘excellent’ response to Syria crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/20 ... -g7-russia" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
stupid us.
I think this is one of those statements of "support" which could do with being decoded, however

It just makes me want to try some of that high quality weed she is clearly smoking. Surely if her aim is to make him look stupid until even his huge fan club realise he is useless, a less damaging job could be found.

Home Secretary is the traditional graveyard, or Northern Ireland.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 12:23 pm

Morning all.

Did we see this from Hugh Muir?

PC Palmer deserved our respect. We owe it to all public-sector workers

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ly-treated

That’s not to ignore a need for the fair scrutiny that can make public services more effective. It’s rather to say that we need a different way of viewing the contract between society and the members of that society whose collective efforts provide the structure and the safety net. The first issue is not the money, important though that is. The priority is a fundamental understanding that public servants bring as much to our everyday lives as the banks, the private institutions and the private industrialists whose activities drive a capitalist economy.

The philosophy of “private good, public bad” infects the media, industry and politics, and the effects are easily discernible. Public-sector solutions are denigrated and rejected in favour of wasteful, incompetent outsourcing, which is often socially corrosive, but is hardly ever subject to the animus directed at services supplied by the state – not to mention the individuals who provide them. That’s where we need to start a rethink.

Yep. Good article.

SpinningHugo · Post by **SpinningHugo** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 12:29 pm

Coulby Newham (Middlesbrough) result:

CON: 38.0% (+8.3)
LAB: 35.5% (-8.2)
IND: 24.1% (-2.5)
GRN: 2.4% (+2.4)

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 12:30 pm

With all the frantic sabre rattling in the media at the moment it is probably worth reviewing the real landscape compared with breathless media landscape.

- Syria, stabilised. Lots of cross words, mainly because it suits both sides to appear furious. No more chemical attacks, no more American escalation.

- North Korea, a mess so no change. Kim will conduct a test, America will sound cross about it, nobody is going to be bombing, shooting or nuking anybody. Whoever Trump is listening to on defence clearly has some skill and won't do stupid stuff.

Incidentally I have no idea why America used a 10 Ton airburst bomb in Afghanistan. The British Grand Slam back in the day was also 10 Tons, but was designed to bury itself into the ground thus maximising structural damage. Surely a better option for collapsing tunnel complexes. Maybe the MOAB was near its use by date.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 12:32 pm

Well, given the leaks last night I am not quite as sanguine about the DPRK.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 1:26 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:Morning all.

Did we see this from Hugh Muir?

PC Palmer deserved our respect. We owe it to all public-sector workers

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ly-treated

That’s not to ignore a need for the fair scrutiny that can make public services more effective. It’s rather to say that we need a different way of viewing the contract between society and the members of that society whose collective efforts provide the structure and the safety net. The first issue is not the money, important though that is. The priority is a fundamental understanding that public servants bring as much to our everyday lives as the banks, the private institutions and the private industrialists whose activities drive a capitalist economy.

The philosophy of “private good, public bad” infects the media, industry and politics, and the effects are easily discernible. Public-sector solutions are denigrated and rejected in favour of wasteful, incompetent outsourcing, which is often socially corrosive, but is hardly ever subject to the animus directed at services supplied by the state – not to mention the individuals who provide them. That’s where we need to start a rethink.
Yep. Good article.

Thanks for posting this. Nice to see the odd bit of decency.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 1:34 pm

SpinningHugo wrote:Coulby Newham (Middlesbrough) result:

CON: 38.0% (+8.3)
LAB: 35.5% (-8.2)
IND: 24.1% (-2.5)
GRN: 2.4% (+2.4)

Plainly not a good result, but it probably doesn't help that the sitting MP is one of the most obnoxious arses in the PLP.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 1:54 pm

This is quite appalling. This fool is an NUS officer. (edit- not sure she is elected).

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shelly Asquith‏Verified account @ShellyAsquith Apr 11
It's not just the CCTV cameras @UniWestminster is guilty of. They also destroyed all the students' Qurans. This is what Prevent has caused.

So Prevent makes universities destroy Qurans. Appalling, right?

Explanation offered here.

https://www.gspellchecker.com/2017/04/n ... f-prevent/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Spokesperson from the University told me that in 2016 it was decided that a prayer room at the University would be turned into a multi-faith room. The consultation/transition period for this change began in the summer and ended in December 2016. During this period, the Islamic Society (ISOC) were consulted and made aware that any existing materials would need to be removed from the room, otherwise they would be disposed of on a forewarned date. And that is exactly what happened.

Shelley Asquith's response to this was "the Qurans were shredded!"

She can't see how this sort of stuff could get people killed.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 1:55 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Well, given the leaks last night I am not quite as sanguine about the DPRK.

They are just doing what they always do. Give us free stuff or else, toddler with guns.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 1:58 pm

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 1:59 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:This is quite appalling. This fool is an elected NUS officer.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shelly Asquith‏Verified account @ShellyAsquith Apr 11
It's not just the CCTV cameras @UniWestminster is guilty of. They also destroyed all the students' Qurans. This is what Prevent has caused.
So Prevent makes universities destroy Qurans. Appalling, right?

Explanation offered here.

https://www.gspellchecker.com/2017/04/n ... f-prevent/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Spokesperson from the University told me that in 2016 it was decided that a prayer room at the University would be turned into a multi-faith room. The consultation/transition period for this change began in the summer and ended in December 2016. During this period, the Islamic Society (ISOC) were consulted and made aware that any existing materials would need to be removed from the room, otherwise they would be disposed of on a forewarned date. And that is exactly what happened.
Shelley Asquith's response to this was "the Qurans were shredded!"

She can't see how this sort of stuff could get people killed.

Student politics. A member of the Stupid Left.

Presumably that accusation is so poisonous she will be sacked by the NUS and prosecuted.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:02 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:

The Nile is not just a river in Egypt.

Two comedy explanations today, Occams Razor is presumably a shaving brand to these people.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:02 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Well, given the leaks last night I am not quite as sanguine about the DPRK.
They are just doing what they always do. Give us free stuff or else, toddler with guns.

"They" can quite plausibly be applied to both sides in this one - that is part of the problem.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:19 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:This is quite appalling. This fool is an elected NUS officer.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shelly Asquith‏Verified account @ShellyAsquith Apr 11
It's not just the CCTV cameras @UniWestminster is guilty of. They also destroyed all the students' Qurans. This is what Prevent has caused.
So Prevent makes universities destroy Qurans. Appalling, right?

Explanation offered here.

https://www.gspellchecker.com/2017/04/n ... f-prevent/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Spokesperson from the University told me that in 2016 it was decided that a prayer room at the University would be turned into a multi-faith room. The consultation/transition period for this change began in the summer and ended in December 2016. During this period, the Islamic Society (ISOC) were consulted and made aware that any existing materials would need to be removed from the room, otherwise they would be disposed of on a forewarned date. And that is exactly what happened.
Shelley Asquith's response to this was "the Qurans were shredded!"

She can't see how this sort of stuff could get people killed.
Student politics. A member of the Stupid Left.

Presumably that accusation is so poisonous she will be sacked by the NUS and prosecuted.

Not sure there's anything to prosecute her for.

Probably if she's sacked, she'll become a cause celebre for all sorts of fools. So I'll suggest she spends a few weeks with some secularists in Pakistan. In the tradition of school trips, she can write an extended essay on it.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:24 pm

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:30 pm

This seems to be the area of Middlesbrough in question.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for ... sortType=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There are indeed some nice detached houses. But it's also got semis for £110k.

It's not Beaconsfield.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:37 pm

Coulby Newham

2015 Culley (1079) Tory (996)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middlesbr ... lby_Newham" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2016 Branson (732) Tory (352)
https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/electi ... d-election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2017 Higgins (468) Tory (501)
http://britainelects.com/results/council-by-elections/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:37 pm

Labour should not have lost it, but it is possible for such a thing to have more than one cause. IMO it is fair comment that its both Corbyn and Blenkinsop wot dun it.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:43 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39599331?n ... ws_central" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Disability benefits: PIPs assessment firms 'to get extra £200m'

(NB only working age DLA to PIP)

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:44 pm

If Corbyn can't control his MPs, he needs to walk.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 2:56 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:If Corbyn can't control his MPs, he needs to walk.

I'm afraid that reads a bit like "people who get assaulted bring it upon themselves" to me.

A significant part of the PLP were a disgrace under Miliband as well.

But we have had these discussions before.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 3:01 pm

Was in Chesterfield,yesterday,as it happens.Corbyn.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 3:06 pm

It doesn't read anything like that because being a leader isn't like being a regular person. You've put yourself forward for special responsibility.

Miliband had far better behaviour from MPs than Cameron. I think you seriously overdo this stuff.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 3:15 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:It doesn't read anything like that because being a leader isn't like being a regular person. You've put yourself forward for special responsibility.

Miliband had far better behaviour from MPs than Cameron. I think you seriously overdo this stuff.

I dispute that, in the 2010-15 period anyway.

Apart from the EU (even then, mostly vanished after the referendum promise) and gay marriage, Dave got notably little grief from his own side during that time.

And even the critics dutifully repeated all the prepared "attack lines" against Labour (as did many LibDems, too - that was also pretty crucial)

Whereas a small but influential group of Labour MPs, crucially with the ear of certain political journalists/commentators (and at least one SC member was amongst them) were briefing against Ed literally from the very first minutes of his leadership. They emerged to gloat, sickeningly and hubristically, almost as soon as the 2015 exit poll came out as well.

(and that was why Ed resigned straight away, despite the attempts by the usual suspects to blame him for that too)

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 3:44 pm

We have to allow that the internal opponents had a point, don't we? His ratings were dire and always going to lose the election. The ratings we were relying on- of Labour- were wrong, and pollsters had to correct them afterwards.

It may have been on only a few subjects, but the EU opposition was enormous. Cameron had backbenchers pass a law on a referendum because they didn't trust him. Incredible really.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Fri 14 Apr, 2017 3:46 pm