Tuesday 2nd December 2014

Post by **refitman** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 7:26 am

Morning all. Conservatives and Labour tied on Yougov:

Latest YouGov / The Sun results 1st December -

Con 32%, (nc)
Lab 32%, (-2)
LD 8%, (+1)
UKIP 15%; (nc)
Grn 6%;(nc)

APP -20 (+5)

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 8:15 am

That approval looks a tad higher than normal.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 8:30 am

Morning.

Hearing Gordon Brown reveal he had operations to help save his sight while PM made me wonder if that was around the time The Sun ripped him to shreds for his handwriting [thick black marker and spelling mistakes] in a letter to a deceased soldier's mother.
If so, then an apology is surely due from Murdoch's rag.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 8:39 am

From today's Mirror, more pieces in the jig saw ?

John Allen, 73, and Michael John Carroll, 66, were friends when they were abusing youngsters North Wales and London respectively in the 1980s

Council documents reveal how Carroll, right, used to visit Allen, left, at his children's home.
Two notorious paedophiles were at the centre of a nationwide network of abusers which allegedly included both Labour and Tory politicians, a Mirror investigation has found.

Their links can be revealed on the day Allen was jailed for life for sexually abusing 19 children he was paid to look after.

Margaret Thatcher's former aide Sir Peter Morrison is suspected of abusing boys in Allen's care in Wales while a former minister in Tony Blair's government is currently being probed over his alleged visits to Carroll's Angell Road children's home in Lambeth, south London.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tw ... de-4727494" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 9:36 am

Morning all.

A decent write up of Brown by Letts. Surprisingly.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... flaws.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 9:52 am

Andy Burnham ‏@andyburnhammp 45m45 minutes ago
Might not be his wisest ever move “@guardian: Nick Clegg secures funds to tackle fall in student voter registration http://gu.com/p/43nhn/tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ”

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 10:09 am

Morning all...long time no comment due to #CameronMustGo fixation (I don't say much but find myself just watching the timeline as it grows

)

Interesting piece I caught on R4 Toady this morning - George Sorryass now seems to think that economic theory might not be all that great - so in steps Ms Steph Flouncers and some Economics lecturer to advise us that when we were told the 'markets' were 'infallible' and 'worked efficiently', it wasn't strictly correct...does this come under the 'no sh1t, sherlock' category? So they're looking to review the last 20-25 years, so that economics students get some 'facts and data' instead of just 'exact' theory. Considering how much has been lost over the last 35 years (to this false myth and out-and-out con trick of market infallibility) you'd think perhaps they'd look a little further back....especially seeing as though Gidiot the Gormless is now stuck with the final act of said con trick unravelling before their eyes.

Westmonster Bubble 0 Actual Evidence-Based Reality 1

Shame it's too late for all those affected.

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 10:19 am

yahyah wrote:From today's Mirror, more pieces in the jig saw ?

John Allen, 73, and Michael John Carroll, 66, were friends when they were abusing youngsters North Wales and London respectively in the 1980s

Council documents reveal how Carroll, right, used to visit Allen, left, at his children's home.
Two notorious paedophiles were at the centre of a nationwide network of abusers which allegedly included both Labour and Tory politicians, a Mirror investigation has found.

Their links can be revealed on the day Allen was jailed for life for sexually abusing 19 children he was paid to look after.

Margaret Thatcher's former aide Sir Peter Morrison is suspected of abusing boys in Allen's care in Wales while a former minister in Tony Blair's government is currently being probed over his alleged visits to Carroll's Angell Road children's home in Lambeth, south London.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tw ... de-4727494" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Indeed...there's still much more to come (all horrible, as far as I can tell) - latest (well for the last month or so) rumour from police is a mass 200 person arrest has been in planning for quite a while...and the wait for the CSA Inquiry to start has now lasted more days than Coulson spent inside (this time)...but on #csainquiry no-one seems to be forgetting Patrick Rock....you remember, the one Dodgy Dave trusted to oversee online pornography filters

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/da ... ls-4409569

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 10:29 am

Lonewolfie wrote:
yahyah wrote:From today's Mirror, more pieces in the jig saw ?

John Allen, 73, and Michael John Carroll, 66, were friends when they were abusing youngsters North Wales and London respectively in the 1980s

Council documents reveal how Carroll, right, used to visit Allen, left, at his children's home.
Two notorious paedophiles were at the centre of a nationwide network of abusers which allegedly included both Labour and Tory politicians, a Mirror investigation has found.

Their links can be revealed on the day Allen was jailed for life for sexually abusing 19 children he was paid to look after.

Margaret Thatcher's former aide Sir Peter Morrison is suspected of abusing boys in Allen's care in Wales while a former minister in Tony Blair's government is currently being probed over his alleged visits to Carroll's Angell Road children's home in Lambeth, south London.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tw ... de-4727494" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Indeed...there's still much more to come (all horrible, as far as I can tell) - latest (well for the last month or so) rumour from police is a mass 200 person arrest has been in planning for quite a while...and the wait for the CSA Inquiry to start has now lasted more days than Coulson spent inside (this time)...but on #csainquiry no-one seems to be forgetting Patrick Rock....you remember, the one Dodgy Dave trusted to oversee online pornography filters

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/da ... ls-4409569

I wonder how many times that hearing will be delayed ... and for how long.

Morning all.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 10:46 am

Morning all.Blimey,it's cold today.
I want to say that my life was better and I felt safer when Gordon Brown was in government.He did a lot for ordinary people and I believe he felt deeply about the country as a whole.
The usual nat hatred is flowing.One person at the Scotsman has stated that Gordon Brown is mixed up in the paedophile investigations at Westminster.Then ,oh well,he hasn't refuted the claims so they must be true',then 'no smoke without fire' and lastly 'I'm not suggesting anything'.I reported the posts,reminding the Scotsman of the result of Sally Bercows far more innocuous tweet.
I know I've said this before,but how I wish they had voted Yes and taken their foul,miserable,lying ,hateful and generally fucked in the head selves off.
And Nicola Sturgeon urging her fellow Scots to vote SNP to destroy Labour,but then kindly offering to prop up a Labour govt in Westminster if their demands for more powers are met.
Please,Ed,tell them to fuck off.
Rant over,but,blimey,I do hate them.Worse than kippers or tories .

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:06 am

There's the same sleight of hand going on over flood defence spending according to Herons Flight over on AS.

So, in reality it looks like flood defence spending is actually being cut:

According to Liz Truss, spending over the five year term of the Coalition government will be £3.2bn.

Spending over the next six years will be £2.3bn, and presumably some of that figure is included in the current five year expenditure.

So, over the current 5 years, that's £640m per year.

Over the coming 6 years thats £383m per year.

Which looks to me like a massive cut.

My partner's parents and her brother live in the Somerset Levels. Virtually none of the promised flood defence work has been carried out yet.

The devil will be in the detail tomorrow to see just how much capital spending has reduced since March...given the anxiety to tell us how much they're spending...I'd say, a fair bit.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:12 am

This place was very slow again for me last night - anybody else have the same problem?

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:21 am

AnatolyKasparov wrote:This place was very slow again for me last night - anybody else have the same problem?

Fine for me AK.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:25 am

BBC Politics ‏@BBCPolitics 49s49 seconds ago
Poland will not accept David Cameron's proposal to clampdown on EU migrants claiming benefits for four years... http://bbc.in/1wiEyJ0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:27 am

@Anatoly I had a couple of problems. Not slow. Either there or not

On infrastructure, I've mentione dbefore I reckon they've cut the commitment to electrification of the Transpennine route between Manchester and Leeds in favour of an airy commitment to HS3. Anyone know where I can find out?

Post by **refitman** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:27 am

AnatolyKasparov wrote:This place was very slow again for me last night - anybody else have the same problem?

I've not noticed anything. I will have a look at the logs when I get home, see if they shed any light.

Post by **refitman** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:30 am

Grayling's not had the best of starts, at the Select Committee:

Sir Alan Beith, the committee chairman, goes first. He says the committee received evidence last night from the Ministry of Justice and from others.

Elfyn Llywd, the Plaid Cymru MP, goes first.

Q: In the absence of any credible evidence on the safety of the probation reforms, what can you say to assure us that they are safe?

Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, says the committee has the evidence in front of it that he will use when he takes his decision tomorrow on whether to press ahead with his reforms.

Sir Alan Beith says it is “not satisfactory” for Grayling to give documents to the committee so late.

mikems · Post by **mikems** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 11:45 am

I had a fair bit of waiting for the comments to download.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 12:10 pm

mikems wrote:I had a fair bit of waiting for the comments to download.

So its not just me, then!

All the other sites I visit regularly have been OK

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 12:20 pm

Andy Slaughter MP retweeted
Jack Blanchard ‏@Jack_Blanchard_ 11m11 minutes ago
Chris Grayling tells MPs that the 69% surge in suicides in his overcrowded, understaffed prisons last year was a "blip".

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 12:24 pm

Labour Environment ‏@LabourDefra 38m38 minutes ago
The Government still claim they've spent record amount on flood protection. @NAOorguk say they've actually cut it http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29902472" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … …

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 12:29 pm

Sadiq Khan MP ‏@SadiqKhan 2h2 hours ago
The night the Lib Dems gave up their last remaining principles – not even a whimper from them on #JudicialReview http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2014/12 ... g-principl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 12:43 pm

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 2h 2 hours ago
New TNS-BMRB poll has
LAB 31%, CON 30%, UKIP 19%, LD 6%, GRN 6%

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:14 pm

Sarah Wollaston MP ‏@drwollastonmp 14h14 hours ago
If the Scottish Parliament are giving us Salmond, can we give them Gordon Brown?

Diane Abbott MP ‏@HackneyAbbott 28m28 minutes ago
.@drwollastonmp that is, for sure, a bad deal for us..

Particularly graceless remark and timing from Wollaston.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:20 pm

Tory MP says those who live in “outlying regions” are “dog-end voters”
http://labourlist.org/2014/12/tory-mp-s ... nd-voters/
... Tory MP for Wyre Forest, Mark Garnier has been overheard saying some voters can be ignored because they are “dog-end” and live in “outlying regions”.

Speaking to the Institute of Economic Affairs, Garnier – a former banker – said:

“We need to be giving a much clearer message to them [“wealth creators”] that they don’t have to worry about politicians mucking around with tax rates in order to try and attract a few dog-end voters in the outlying regions of the country”.

It’s reported that he quickly tried to cover his tracks by explaining “Not that they’re not important – but what is important is that businesses can feel surety in what is happening within tax rates”...

Calling all fellow dog-ends .... let us rise up and boot these superior shites into the political abyss ... what a pillock.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:46 pm

Indeed, what a dickhead.

Reminds me of that government "advisor" who basically called for places like Barrow to be abandoned.

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:48 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Tory MP says those who live in “outlying regions” are “dog-end voters”
http://labourlist.org/2014/12/tory-mp-s ... nd-voters/
... Tory MP for Wyre Forest, Mark Garnier has been overheard saying some voters can be ignored because they are “dog-end” and live in “outlying regions”.

Speaking to the Institute of Economic Affairs, Garnier – a former banker – said:

“We need to be giving a much clearer message to them [“wealth creators”] that they don’t have to worry about politicians mucking around with tax rates in order to try and attract a few dog-end voters in the outlying regions of the country”.

It’s reported that he quickly tried to cover his tracks by explaining “Not that they’re not important – but what is important is that businesses can feel surety in what is happening within tax rates”...
Calling all fellow dog-ends .... let us rise up and boot these superior shites into the political abyss ... what a pillock.

Same bloke who 'had a word' with Tom Watson. And the arrogance of assuming he's going to be anywhere near office after May. I've decided he's an odious individual.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:52 pm

frightful_oik wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
Tory MP says those who live in “outlying regions” are “dog-end voters”
http://labourlist.org/2014/12/tory-mp-s ... nd-voters/
... Tory MP for Wyre Forest, Mark Garnier has been overheard saying some voters can be ignored because they are “dog-end” and live in “outlying regions”.

Speaking to the Institute of Economic Affairs, Garnier – a former banker – said:

“We need to be giving a much clearer message to them [“wealth creators”] that they don’t have to worry about politicians mucking around with tax rates in order to try and attract a few dog-end voters in the outlying regions of the country”.

It’s reported that he quickly tried to cover his tracks by explaining “Not that they’re not important – but what is important is that businesses can feel surety in what is happening within tax rates”...
Calling all fellow dog-ends .... let us rise up and boot these superior shites into the political abyss ... what a pillock.
Same bloke who 'had a word' with Tom Watson. And the arrogance of assuming he's going to be anywhere near office after May. I've decided he's an odious individual.

I knew I'd heard his name before - and not in a particularly good way. Thanks for jogging the old grey cells oiky. I haven't got enough of them to keep up with all the insults and PR slips.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:55 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Indeed, what a dickhead.

Reminds me of that government "advisor" who basically called for places like Barrow to be abandoned.

Isn't he someone's father or father in law? Or are you remembering somebody else? I'm thinking of the one who called for fracking to be done in the desolate, barren places like the North East .... another right charmer. Cos nobody would give a monkeys about awful places like that, would they.

Post by **refitman** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 1:59 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Indeed, what a dickhead.

Reminds me of that government "advisor" who basically called for places like Barrow to be abandoned.
Isn't he someone's father or father in law? Or are you remembering somebody else? I'm thinking of the one who called for fracking to be done in the desolate, barren places like the North East .... another right charmer. Cos nobody would give a monkeys about awful places like that, would they.

That was Osborne's father-in-law.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 2:04 pm

Good advance blog from Paul Mason.

Eight questions about the autumn statement answered

Ahead of the chancellor’s autumn statement tomorrow, here are eight questions answered:

- See more at: http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... bxQ12.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 2:11 pm

refitman wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Indeed, what a dickhead.

Reminds me of that government "advisor" who basically called for places like Barrow to be abandoned.
Isn't he someone's father or father in law? Or are you remembering somebody else? I'm thinking of the one who called for fracking to be done in the desolate, barren places like the North East .... another right charmer. Cos nobody would give a monkeys about awful places like that, would they.
That was Osborne's father-in-law.

I've never forgotten it; I doubt I ever will.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 2:48 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
frightful_oik wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote: All the nasty thoughts and opinions, are finally coming out. Now we're seeing what the majority of them think of us.

I'd say the next five months are going to be a real eye opener.

Calling all fellow dog-ends .... let us rise up and boot these superior shites into the political abyss ... what a pillock.
Same bloke who 'had a word' with Tom Watson. And the arrogance of assuming he's going to be anywhere near office after May. I've decided he's an odious individual.
I knew I'd heard his name before - and not in a particularly good way. Thanks for jogging the old grey cells oiky. I haven't got enough of them to keep up with all the insults and PR slips.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 2:55 pm

Wokingham council calls for an end to Government's austerity
Dec 02, 2014 12:27 By Laura Miller
Leader Cllr Keith Baker is one of more than 100 leader in England to warn chancellor George Osborne local authorities cannot afford more spending cuts

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local- ... ts-8211758" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Love Redwood's [Wokingham's MP] quote at the end of the article.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 2:56 pm

ZOMG Labour are in trouble again! piece by Wintour. Renaming to Window would be apt, he's so transparent.

Green party membership doubles to 27,600 as Ukip’s reaches 40,000

http://gu.com/p/43z86" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 3:02 pm

"David Cameron was keen to take credit for the G8's Lough Erne declaration in June that "countries should change rules that let companies shift their profits across borders to avoid taxes".
The task of changing the international tax rules fell to the OECD, which last month duly produced a report. Its priority was for major economies to strengthen domestic laws to stop multinationals shunting profits into tax haven subsidiaries - so called "controlled foreign companies" laws. Without these laws, tax haven companies remain tax free and every country suffers.
'Cameron, who welcomed the OECD report, should have a word with his chancellor. For in the last two years, George Osborne has shredded the UK's controlled foreign companies laws to the point that offshore finance companies amounting to no more than shells - in places like Jersey and Luxembourg - will be taxed at 5% and other profits diverted from real economies into British multinationals' tax haven companies will not be taxed at all.

A little snippet from the files. Lest we forget.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 3:05 pm

David Cameron’s flagship Big Society Network is being investigated by the Charity Commission over allegations that it misused government funding and made inappropriate payments to its directors – including a Tory donor.

Here’s an examination of what Big Society projects promised - and what they delivered.
Your Square Mile
Your Square Mile’s purpose was to encourage and enable local people to improve their community. It was awarded £830,000 by the Big Lottery Fund – despite officials assessing the application as “weak” in three out of the six criteria.
What happened: In February 2012 the project had attracted just 64 signed-up groups compared with the one million predicted in the funding application.
Get In
Get In aimed to tackle childhood obesity through sport. In April 2012 it was awarded a grant of £299,800 from the Cabinet Office despite officials concluding it was unlikely to meet its stated objectives. They were told to change their selection criteria and approve the grant.
What happened: The project was never even launched.
Britain’s Personal Best
Britain’s Personal Best, which aimed to build on the Olympic Games by encouraging people to excel in athletic, educational or creative challenges. Given £997,960 in April 2013 by the Big Lottery Fund, it claimed it would sign up 120,000 people to take on challenges in their community.
What happened: It was wound up within months after failing to meet all the milestones the Big Lottery Fund had set.
Nesta
A long running investigation by Civil Society News into Big Society Network funding has also discovered that the organisation was given statutory grants totalling £480,000 in 2010 by Nesta – which was then an arms-length body of the Department of Business – without a competitive pitch being held.
About £150,000 was to part-finance the core costs of running the organisation in its early stages and £330,000 was to support four projects – called Nexters, Spring, Your Local Budget and It’s Our Community.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 3:08 pm

Members of the House of Lords have lodged a series of extravagant complaints about their taxpayer-subsidised restaurants, expressing their anger about the size of menus, “chaotic” table layouts and “inferior cappuccinos”.
Peers can enjoy seared scallops, foie gras and champagne risotto at the Barry Room private restaurant, part of a group of facilities catering to them and their guests which are subsidised by the taxpayer at a cost of £1.3m a year. A full roast dinner costs £9.50. Peers also receive a £300-a-day expenses allowance for attending the House of Lords.
But this has not stopped a steady stream of complaints being sent to Lord John Sewel, the Chairman of Committees, which were released in redacted form to The Independent following a Freedom of Information request.
One impassioned Lord complained of a 15-minute wait to be seated, which they said lost “some of the finesse of the afternoon” and left their guests unable to “eat the beautiful cake selection” in time. Another member decried the “chaotic litter of small tables” in the Lords’ tea room after its rearrangement over Easter.
One peer even appealed for the return of “menus printed on light card” for guests to take home as souvenirs, while another said he had been left “scarred” after his dinner booking was cancelled suddenly. He complained that his wife was “unable to lunch elsewhere” because she was wearing a tiara. The Lord recalled: “We were only saved by the kindness of [a fellow peer] who offered us the use of his nearby home to change in and took us out to lunch.”
The installation of a controversial new coffee machine also attracted a series of complaints, which the Lords said was “inferior” and left them “nowhere to go” for a decent cappuccino in the House.
One member complained that the arrival of the new machine was “insulting” and “staggering”, because peers hadn’t been consulted about the change. In his letter to Lord Sewel, the Lord added: “Even by parliamentary standards, that’s an impressive manoeuvre. You could not have calculated a move more likely to spread ill will.” Another handwritten note called for staff at the canteen to “stop asking whether we want butter on jacket potatoes when what they mean is marge.”
Labour’s Maria Eagle said: “These complaints are completely out of touch at a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, thanks to the Government’s cost-of-living crisis. They should be grateful not to be one of the half a million people forced to rely on help from food banks since April, despite Britain being the seventh richest country on the planet.”
In last year’s list of complaints, which were also unearthed through Freedom of Information laws, Lords complained about the quality of their subsidised smoked salmon, scallops and the lack of Chilean wine for a distinguished guest. One peer even suggested they host the director of a Chilean wine association for a tasting to improve the situation.
Last month, an angry Lord accused catering heads at Parliament’s subsidised restaurants of serving food like that produced by high-street chains such as Prezzo and ASK, which he described as “downmarket”.
The peer, who was not named by officials, said the menu was “flimsy”, there was no melba toast, no rice pudding and that the menu at Christmas did not offer turkey. Writing about an experience with his wife in the Barry Room, he added: “There were two adequate pasta dishes which we ordered but I could have had these in a downmarket establishment eg Prezzo, ASK... With fare like this the place will soon be deserted.”
Lord Sewell declined to comment.
By Tom Paine, 02/02/14. The independent.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 3:49 pm

One of those days .... Just driven back up our track after a fantastic windy walk on the beach with the dogs - turned a bend to be face to bumper with rather large Holstein cow - rather large young Holstein cow - with attitude. Now our track isn't that wide and we don't have any passing places on that section. When said cow turned sideways on to eat the grass on the bank - it filled the width of the track totally. Have just spent 25 minutes driving very very slowly behind it, nudging it towards the turn off to our neighbours. We went slow enough for the cow to have a leisurely meal on the way. Of course it ambled past the turn off - turned around and gave me a stare ... as if to say ... well, what to do now? I reversed slowly let it come towards me and trundled past it as soon as there was sufficient room by the turn off.

Mr Riots is now down with the neighbour trying to herd it back towards the farm ...

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:02 pm

Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn · 8h 8 hours ago
EXCL: 12 senior Tories to humiliate Cameron by asking MPs to back bid to override EU just before Autumn Statement http://spr.ly/6018t2Hr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well the Autumn Statement is tomorrow ... has Operation Humiliation happened and gone unnoticed, or fizzled out?

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:11 pm

Afternoon all. Not been around too much of late (cheers from other FTNers) for one reason or another, but looking in now to report some (welcome) news, to wit, I had an agency contact me last week with the prospect of a job in Salford Quays with K3, a software supplier, who are looking for someone for their support function. The idea was speak to one of the managers today via phone, then a technical phone call later in the week, and if they still liked me, a face to face interview some time after. Well, I had the first phone interview this afternoon, and at the end, the woman I was chatting to said "Well, I think I'll get you over to here so my boss can interview you..." so presumably she liked the cut of my jib. If I can squeak through the face to face one, then it would mean a very merry Xmas chez Remarx, I can tell you.

What's more, it looks like there are contract programming jobs in Leeds and Northampton coming up, so for once things are looking rather brighter than they were towards the end of October, when you may recall I got the bum's rush from those shysters over near Oldham.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:13 pm

ErnstRemarx wrote:Afternoon all. Not been around too much of late (cheers from other FTNers) for one reason or another, but looking in now to report some (welcome) news, to wit, I had an agency contact me last week with the prospect of a job in Salford Quays with K3, a software supplier, who are looking for someone for their support function. The idea was speak to one of the managers today via phone, then a technical phone call later in the week, and if they still liked me, a face to face interview some time after. Well, I had the first phone interview this afternoon, and at the end, the woman I was chatting to said "Well, I think I'll get you over to here so my boss can interview you..." so presumably she liked the cut of my jib. If I can squeak through the face to face one, then it would mean a very merry Xmas chez Remarx, I can tell you.

What's more, it looks like there are contract programming jobs in Leeds and Northampton coming up, so for once things are looking rather brighter than they were towards the end of October, when you may recall I got the bum's rush from those shysters over near Oldham.

Excellent news Ernst. Well done for staying positive despite the bad experience with those unmentionables. Really hope this turns out well - Remarx Towers certainly deserves a very cheerful Xmas.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:14 pm

ErnstRemarx wrote:Afternoon all. Not been around too much of late (cheers from other FTNers) for one reason or another, but looking in now to report some (welcome) news, to wit, I had an agency contact me last week with the prospect of a job in Salford Quays with K3, a software supplier, who are looking for someone for their support function. The idea was speak to one of the managers today via phone, then a technical phone call later in the week, and if they still liked me, a face to face interview some time after. Well, I had the first phone interview this afternoon, and at the end, the woman I was chatting to said "Well, I think I'll get you over to here so my boss can interview you..." so presumably she liked the cut of my jib. If I can squeak through the face to face one, then it would mean a very merry Xmas chez Remarx, I can tell you.

What's more, it looks like there are contract programming jobs in Leeds and Northampton coming up, so for once things are looking rather brighter than they were towards the end of October, when you may recall I got the bum's rush from those shysters over near Oldham.

Excellent news ER, fingers crossed it pans out.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:26 pm

Is Uber’s rider database a sitting duck for hackers?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the ... r-hackers/

Interesting blog and comments on from Washington Post.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:30 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
ErnstRemarx wrote:Afternoon all. Not been around too much of late (cheers from other FTNers) for one reason or another, but looking in now to report some (welcome) news, to wit, I had an agency contact me last week with the prospect of a job in Salford Quays with K3, a software supplier, who are looking for someone for their support function. The idea was speak to one of the managers today via phone, then a technical phone call later in the week, and if they still liked me, a face to face interview some time after. Well, I had the first phone interview this afternoon, and at the end, the woman I was chatting to said "Well, I think I'll get you over to here so my boss can interview you..." so presumably she liked the cut of my jib. If I can squeak through the face to face one, then it would mean a very merry Xmas chez Remarx, I can tell you.

What's more, it looks like there are contract programming jobs in Leeds and Northampton coming up, so for once things are looking rather brighter than they were towards the end of October, when you may recall I got the bum's rush from those shysters over near Oldham.

Excellent news Ernst. Well done for staying positive despite the bad experience with those unmentionables. Really hope this turns out well - Remarx Towers certainly deserves a very cheerful Xmas.

Cheers RR2 - just had the interview confirmed: next Wednesday at 11.30. (crosses all fingers and toes).

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:31 pm

StephenDolan wrote:
ErnstRemarx wrote:Afternoon all. Not been around too much of late (cheers from other FTNers) for one reason or another, but looking in now to report some (welcome) news, to wit, I had an agency contact me last week with the prospect of a job in Salford Quays with K3, a software supplier, who are looking for someone for their support function. The idea was speak to one of the managers today via phone, then a technical phone call later in the week, and if they still liked me, a face to face interview some time after. Well, I had the first phone interview this afternoon, and at the end, the woman I was chatting to said "Well, I think I'll get you over to here so my boss can interview you..." so presumably she liked the cut of my jib. If I can squeak through the face to face one, then it would mean a very merry Xmas chez Remarx, I can tell you.

What's more, it looks like there are contract programming jobs in Leeds and Northampton coming up, so for once things are looking rather brighter than they were towards the end of October, when you may recall I got the bum's rush from those shysters over near Oldham.

Excellent news ER, fingers crossed it pans out.

Thank you very much. Let's hope I'm their kinda guy...

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:40 pm

Zoe Williams @zoesqwilliams · 6h 6 hours ago
Weird that @Adamstoon1 didn't put his UKIP christmas card on his timeline. Almost as if he were REALLY ASHAMED OF HIMSELF

Christian Adams ‏@Adamstoon1 6h6 hours ago
They DID NOT ASK PERMISSION!
RT @zoesqwilliams: Weird that @Adamstoon1 didn't put his UKIP christmas card on his timeline.

Zoe Williams
‏@zoesqwilliams
@Adamstoon1 you should definitely sue them.

Christian Adams @Adamstoon1 · 6h 6 hours ago
Angry Telegraph Syndication are on the case!

Nigel Farage’s Christmas card depicts white van driving over party leaders
Ukip chooses design by Daily Telegraph cartoonist Christian Adams referencing Labour MP’s tweet during byelection
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... CMP=twt_gu

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 4:41 pm

ErnstRemarx wrote:Afternoon all. Not been around too much of late (cheers from other FTNers) for one reason or another, but looking in now to report some (welcome) news, to wit, I had an agency contact me last week with the prospect of a job in Salford Quays with K3, a software supplier, who are looking for someone for their support function. The idea was speak to one of the managers today via phone, then a technical phone call later in the week, and if they still liked me, a face to face interview some time after. Well, I had the first phone interview this afternoon, and at the end, the woman I was chatting to said "Well, I think I'll get you over to here so my boss can interview you..." so presumably she liked the cut of my jib. If I can squeak through the face to face one, then it would mean a very merry Xmas chez Remarx, I can tell you.

What's more, it looks like there are contract programming jobs in Leeds and Northampton coming up, so for once things are looking rather brighter than they were towards the end of October, when you may recall I got the bum's rush from those shysters over near Oldham.

Good luck Ernst.

My nephew lost his job in July, a week before their first baby was born, in rather unpleasant circumstances which left him with an undeserved blot on his record.
Not only has he got another job, it's one he's been hoping to get into for a while. Good things do happen.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 5:36 pm

Yep, all the best Ernst

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Tue 02 Dec, 2014 5:38 pm

Thanks all.

Now having hijacked the (admittedly quiet) thread, back to normal programming!

Seen this?

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... ng-regions" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;