FlyTheNest

Morning

Good morfternoon.

https://news.sky.com/story/guinea-pigs- ... k-11318411" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Guinea pigs and cat belonging to Sergei Skripal died in wake of nerve agent attack"
Similar headline is used in other news reports, and makes it sound like the cause of death was the nerve agent, but then go on to say that the Guinea pigs died due to lack of water and the cat was distressed.
The cat was taken to Portadown, then put down, but the only reason given is severe malnutrition.
The body was then burnt to prevent contamination, so presumably had some traces of nerve agent, but it's not stated.

Good-morning, everyone

Morning:

http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analy ... -s-anti-mi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Homelessness, exploitation, failure: The price of May's anti-migrant project

Article about the new scheme where landlords face fines and prison if they rent to illegal immigrants. Predictably it has led to lots of people who aren't illegal immigrants facing difficulties finding somewhere to rent. The most shocking thing is that the Home Office has made zero effort to assess the impact of their new policy. They seem completely uninterested in whether it has proved successful in achieving its aims or has had unintended consequences. It's like the policy itself is the aim, not the things they say they introduced it to achieve.

tinybgoat wrote:https://news.sky.com/story/guinea-pigs- ... k-11318411
"Guinea pigs and cat belonging to Sergei Skripal died in wake of nerve agent attack"
Similar headline is used in other news reports, and makes it sound like the cause of death was the nerve agent, but then go on to say that the Guinea pigs died due to lack of water and the cat was distressed.
The cat was taken to Portadown, then put down, but the only reason given is severe malnutrition.
The body was then burnt to prevent contamination, so presumably had some traces of nerve agent, but it's not stated.

When you put various articles together and read between the lines a bit, a rather unpleasant scenario emerges where a local vet contacted authorities shortly after the Skripals were taken to hospital to let them know there were pets at the property. Unsure how and with what the Skripals were poisoned the house was on lockdown and it seems like a decision was taken to keep the house in lockdown, despite knowing pets were trapped inside. A decision that led to the guinea pigs to die from lack of water (once their water bottle ran out they wouldn't have lasted very long) and the cat to starve. And it's hard not to suspect that the cat, when finally rescued from the house, was put down for reasons that weren't just due to its physical health as a precaution.

Not a story that's going to endear the authorities to the animal loving general public, but it shouldn't have been kept quiet, nonetheless.

Oh and the possibility of a second cat that has apparently gone missing is going to keep the conspiracy theorists busy.

The information/misinformation wars continue.....

John Prescott
‏
Verified account

@johnprescott
3h3 hours ago
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I fully support the #sugartax. £10,000 charged for every stupid tweet and statement Alan Sugar makes. It'll clear the national debt within a year.

https://amp.theguardian.com/society/201 ... ssion=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scrap two-child limit on benefits, say UK's religious leaders
Policy will lead to rise in poverty and abortions, say Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups

The government give their usual bland and disingenuous responses:

The Department for Work and Pensions has said the policy will be implemented compassionately, with exceptions and safeguards. However, it insisted that people on benefits should have to “make the same financial choices as those supporting themselves solely through work”.

Except, as pointed out by Patrick Butler on Twitter this morning, a woman who has claimed benefits to raise two younger siblings after their mum died is now unable to claim benefits for a "third" child if she wishes to start a family of her own. Not what most people would consider "compassionate".

Willow904 wrote:Morning:

http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analy ... -s-anti-mi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Homelessness, exploitation, failure: The price of May's anti-migrant project

Article about the new scheme where landlords face fines and prison if they rent to illegal immigrants. Predictably it has led to lots of people who aren't illegal immigrants facing difficulties finding somewhere to rent. The most shocking thing is that the Home Office has made zero effort to assess the impact of their new policy. They seem completely uninterested in whether it has proved successful in achieving its aims or has had unintended consequences. It's like the policy itself is the aim, not the things they say they introduced it to achieve.

It's a nightmare. We're finally selling up and going into sheltered accommodation. The housing association asked to see my passport to prove my nationality. Mr Ohso had to show his most recent pension form, driving licence, passport and our wedding certificate. We also have to show the same documentation to the solicitor who is handling the sale of our place.

ohsocynical wrote:

Willow904 wrote:Morning:

http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analy ... -s-anti-mi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Homelessness, exploitation, failure: The price of May's anti-migrant project

Article about the new scheme where landlords face fines and prison if they rent to illegal immigrants. Predictably it has led to lots of people who aren't illegal immigrants facing difficulties finding somewhere to rent. The most shocking thing is that the Home Office has made zero effort to assess the impact of their new policy. They seem completely uninterested in whether it has proved successful in achieving its aims or has had unintended consequences. It's like the policy itself is the aim, not the things they say they introduced it to achieve.

It's a nightmare. We're finally selling up and going into sheltered accommodation. The housing association asked to see my passport to prove my nationality. Mr Ohso had to show his most recent pension form, driving licence, passport and our wedding certificate. We also have to show the same documentation to the solicitor who is handling the sale of our place.

Should have added: when you ask why, they say money laundering. They won't say illegal immigrants.

ohsocynical wrote:

Willow904 wrote:Morning:

http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analy ... -s-anti-mi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Homelessness, exploitation, failure: The price of May's anti-migrant project

Article about the new scheme where landlords face fines and prison if they rent to illegal immigrants. Predictably it has led to lots of people who aren't illegal immigrants facing difficulties finding somewhere to rent. The most shocking thing is that the Home Office has made zero effort to assess the impact of their new policy. They seem completely uninterested in whether it has proved successful in achieving its aims or has had unintended consequences. It's like the policy itself is the aim, not the things they say they introduced it to achieve.

It's a nightmare. We're finally selling up and going into sheltered accommodation. The housing association asked to see my passport to prove my nationality. Mr Ohso had to show his most recent pension form, driving licence, passport and our wedding certificate. We also have to show the same documentation to the solicitor who is handling the sale of our place.

How is Mr ohso these days?

Got a nerve with that one, given how much expensive London property is being hoovered up by rich Russians, no questions asked.



Edited to add was a response to Ohso, not the following comment by AK, which popped up in between and made my comment look a bit deranged.

How is Mr ohso these days?

Thanks for asking.
Coming up to three years since he was diagnosed. We call it B/C and A/C.
Thankfully nearly two years free of bladder and bowel cancer with lots of checks still, but now has a malignant mole on his lower eyelid, which is being removed in two weeks. But he's pretty well considering.

I'm happy to hear that, Ohso, please give him my love.

Years ago, I lived in a country where showing official photo documentation several times a day was the norm. Most people accepted it as routine. It's different in the UK. I respect and appreciate that difference. It's not appropriate government steam roll personal identification procedures onto people. It's inappropriate making people who've never had to ask for ID from people responsible for doing it with penalties for not doing it. They lack good guidance and that's the fault of Westminster. I don't have a problem showing ID. I have a problem with current government's confused, harmful policies, incompetencies and failures. Tory government's untrustworthiness is documented.

tinybgoat wrote:https://news.sky.com/story/guinea-pigs- ... k-11318411
"Guinea pigs and cat belonging to Sergei Skripal died in wake of nerve agent attack"
Similar headline is used in other news reports, and makes it sound like the cause of death was the nerve agent, but then go on to say that the Guinea pigs died due to lack of water and the cat was distressed.
The cat was taken to Portadown, then put down, but the only reason given is severe malnutrition.
The body was then burnt to prevent contamination, so presumably had some traces of nerve agent, but it's not stated.

Not to make light of the animals' suffering but - will he get deported now that he doesn't have a cat (or guinea pigs)? He may, I suppose, have British citizenship - which detail I've failed to absorb amidst all the shifting sands of the saga.

And, while we're on Russians, Willow904 wrote exactly what I was thinking about the oligarchs.

Thanks for the update ohso, all the best to both of you.

https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/ec ... e7Ndm.uxfs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


FWIW we got the same DWP guff ie "make the same choices" (as people in totally different circumstance)" in response to the fascistically targeted,anti independent living denial of contributions historically amnesiac counter vast cost saving facillitation,not least for the NHS misanthropic spite.They have also specifically removed the ability to also work.

The arse about facery of benefits create dependency,rather than facillitate independence,the most pernicious of all.

Of course if the extra costs were actually adequately accounted for..

I don't expect all those receiving NHS treatment eg.haemo etc to carry them at home,I won't accept the denigration,false portrayal as selfish.

Nor is the "discretion" line acceptable to me.It should be,and is otherwise,encouraged.

https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/12895" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Observations

More into workplace pensions: minimum default pension contributions rise for most employees and their employers
IFS

Not very eventful on the by-election front last night for Labour, but......

Two safe Tory holds. One nice gain for the Greens from Ind and, just in:

Britain Elects@britainelects

Liberal Democrat GAIN Caol & Mallaig (Highland) from SNP.

Looking forward as ever to a full report

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ata-hijack" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


First past the post leaves UK elections uniquely vulnerable to data hijack

Opening up communities, closing down institutions



https://www.wearelumos.org/resources/op ... titutions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sergei Skripal no longer in critical condition and 'improving rapidly'

Former spy poisoned with nerve agent is responding well to treatment, says Salisbury hospital
(Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... -skripal-n

Householder returns home to find intruder soaking in the bath

A householder had to call the police after returning home to find an intruder taking a soak in his bath.

Staffordshire police said officers were called to the address in Stoke-on-Trent, but that the naked man fled the property as they arrived. He was arrested shortly afterwards.

The force said the householder, from the Longton area of the city, reported that the man had made himself a drink and was drinking it while in the tub, in an upstairs bathroom.

A 36-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of burglary following what police called a “highly unusual episode”, but was later released without charge.

The force added: “The man’s safeguarding needs were addressed.” (Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... n-the-bath

PorFavor wrote:

Householder returns home to find intruder soaking in the bath

A householder had to call the police after returning home to find an intruder taking a soak in his bath.

Staffordshire police said officers were called to the address in Stoke-on-Trent, but that the naked man fled the property as they arrived. He was arrested shortly afterwards.

The force said the householder, from the Longton area of the city, reported that the man had made himself a drink and was drinking it while in the tub, in an upstairs bathroom.

A 36-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of burglary following what police called a “highly unusual episode”, but was later released without charge.

The force added: “The man’s safeguarding needs were addressed.” (Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... n-the-bath

christ
so that was the cause of the ruckus

Quite a normal occurence here,we like to share.

Was the naked bather a member of the Skripal family by any chance?

Have a good night, everyone
love,
cJA

Nominations for next month's elections are now being released - and it seems the BNP are not defending their sole remaining principal authority seat (on Pendle DC)

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Nominations for next month's elections are now being released - and it seems the BNP are not defending their sole remaining principal authority seat (on Pendle DC)

Polling card received here a few days ago, and today received my first (and only, so far) election literature (Labour).

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Nominations for next month's elections are now being released - and it seems the BNP are not defending their sole remaining principal authority seat (on Pendle DC)

Polling card received here a few days ago, and today received my first (and only, so far) election literature (Labour).

SKRIPALS ‘SURVIVED B/C NOVICHOK IN THEIR SKIN’. BUT PORTON DOWN IDENTIFIED IT FROM THEIR BLOOD

Russia still prime suspect but government story becoming more convoluted
Sergei Skripal joins his daughter in recovery
medics say survival thanks to fact of skin-absorption from door handle
Porton Down told court poison did reach bloodstream.
security services briefed media that door-handle method proved Russia behind the act – Russia trains its assassins in least efficient way of delivering the toxin
The story around the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal gets more convoluted and problematic by the day, almost the hour.

From being told originally that the Novichok poison used is five, eight or ten times (accounts vary) more toxic than the powerful VX nerve agent – and recently that they absorbed it from their front door handle where it had been applied in a ‘gloopy substance’ – we now have a situation in which all three people contaminated with the toxin have survived, with the announcement today that Sergei Skripal is responding well and is no longer in critical condition.

Sky News, announcing Mr Skripal’s improvement, explained that they had been told that the Skripal’s were able to recover because the toxin only got into their skin:

https://skwawkbox.org/2018/04/06/skripa ... eir-blood/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mr citizen and I
for healing

I keep getting squirrel messages.

PorFavor wrote:

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Nominations for next month's elections are now being released - and it seems the BNP are not defending their sole remaining principal authority seat (on Pendle DC)

Polling card received here a few days ago, and today received my first (and only, so far) election literature (Labour).

You can say that again

Not sure what's been causing the problems, not experienced anything myself. Will keep an eye out though.

Talking of site maintenance, TC2 - it has taken a long time for me to get round to it, but:

Night night.

https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... e-novichok" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Boris Johnson has now moved from post-truth to post-shame"- Marina Hyde

It’s remarkable, incidentally, how often the foreign secretary is undone by language. For a man who wears his vast vocabulary so heavily, Boris struggles for lexical precision when it actually matters. He can lavish who knows how much time coming up with the mot juste for Jeremy Corbyn – “mugwump” – and then produce it like he’s James effing Joyce in every news interview for a 24-hour period. But he can’t expend quite so much care when discussing the evidential basis for the deployment of a nerve agent in an attempted assassination on UK soil.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/co ... ssion=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Who knew Jeremy Corbyn's antisemitic beetroot would cause such anger at the Daily Mail?"-Mark Steel

Labour MP John Woodcock said Corbyn’s presence at the Seder was “deliberately baiting the mainstream Jewish community”. And you can see what he means, because it was outrageous for Corbyn to celebrate Passover with Jews who support Labour, rather than with Jews who can’t stand him.
It’s the same with Christians. I’m sure every year, John Woodcock spends Christmas Day with people who detest him, because if he had dinner with any of his friends that would deliberately bait the mainstream Christian community.

Nicely put TBG

https://labourlist.org/2018/04/john-hea ... thousands/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A fascistic act ,going largely under the radar,sending a brick to the DWP or indeed any cunt who objected ,the equivalent to the contribution after several decades of contributions,longer than many of the comparative "unfairly treated" have actually lived and continuing,to put into any orifice of their choice.

Atrocious and continuing lack of investment to defacillitate institutionalism/heavier reliance on State given/suitably pathetic for charitable purposes,the historical amnesia is deeply worrying.

Taking control/active engaged citizenship-fuck that,removal of choice presented as "freedom",the learned behaviour to secure basic entitlements is a rightist creation.

"there’s a reason that conservative thinkers like Charles Murray, and even the father of neoliberalism Milton Friedman, support versions of the UBI: they know it’s a way to reduce the size of government and increase people’s reliance on the market.

By replacing welfare programs with a cash payment, right-wing proponents of a UBI argue that government can stop delivering basic services and simply give people the money to buy social services from private providers."


http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal ... 4z7vo.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


why aid the intention?

"Ironic" that a main charge against Thatcher was the over generosity/ease of access towards sickness/disability payments presented as dubious,so the collusive direction of travel was somewhat inevitable given the swathes of not really ill theme,zero evidence,legacy benefits/facillitation of progressive deinstitutionalism/community based-the lack of proper accounting now reframed as a "problem".A social.policy disaster,continuing not only unaddressed but actively made worse.

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/g ... ncna850261" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


The GOP's H.R. 620 will gut the Americans With Disabilities Act, pushing disability rights back to 1989
The Republicans' bill would devastate the civil rights of disabled Americans. You need to know about it.