Tuesday 7th April 2015
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Welcome to FTN. New posters are welcome to join the conversation. You can follow us on Twitter @FlythenestHaven You are responsible for the content you post. This is a public forum. Treat it as if you are speaking in a crowded room. Site admin and Moderators are volunteers who will respond as quickly as they are able to when made aware of any complaints. Please do not post copyrighted material without the original authors permission.
Tuesday 7th April 2015
Morning all.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Back from a blissful long weekend in the Lakes.
Caught up with much of the political news from here but had to skip through - so many posts!
So, what is #hotdoggate please?
Caught up with much of the political news from here but had to skip through - so many posts!
So, what is #hotdoggate please?
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Is it to do with lambgate ?
This image forewarns voters what Cameron's really like.
Cuddle you one minute, have you killed and carved the next.
https://twitter.com/search?q=hotdoggate&src=typd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
[can't seem to be able to post it - it is of Cameron sitting with knife and fork in front of a big plate of lamb chops.
This image forewarns voters what Cameron's really like.
Cuddle you one minute, have you killed and carved the next.
https://twitter.com/search?q=hotdoggate&src=typd" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
[can't seem to be able to post it - it is of Cameron sitting with knife and fork in front of a big plate of lamb chops.
- Lonewolfie
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Moraftinevenoon....
#hotdoggate seems to be the Tory version of the bacon sandwich....in that OGRFG has been photographed eating a hot dog...but he's so much more switched on and clever than nasty weak Mr Ed, he used a knife and fork, just like Nanny taught him, to avoid any 'unflattering' images.
...and it seems not everything is going the way of the SNP...
A KEY figure in the independence movement has sensationally defected to Labour – and claimed many SNP activists really ARE hoping for a Tory victory.
Nicola Sturgeon’s election campaign suffered a major setback last night after Asians for Independence organiser Muhammad Shoaib resigned from her party in disgust.
Shoaib – who worked closely with SNP leaders during the referendum campaign - said he was “shocked” at the way senior SNP members in Sturgeon’s Glasgow constituency are secretly backing another five years of David Cameron.
The former Pollokshields SNP branch convener shared a platform with Sturgeon and former first minister Alex Salmond during the referendum campaign as their party stepped up efforts to reach out to Asian voters.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/polit ... ur-5469873
#hotdoggate seems to be the Tory version of the bacon sandwich....in that OGRFG has been photographed eating a hot dog...but he's so much more switched on and clever than nasty weak Mr Ed, he used a knife and fork, just like Nanny taught him, to avoid any 'unflattering' images.
...and it seems not everything is going the way of the SNP...
A KEY figure in the independence movement has sensationally defected to Labour – and claimed many SNP activists really ARE hoping for a Tory victory.
Nicola Sturgeon’s election campaign suffered a major setback last night after Asians for Independence organiser Muhammad Shoaib resigned from her party in disgust.
Shoaib – who worked closely with SNP leaders during the referendum campaign - said he was “shocked” at the way senior SNP members in Sturgeon’s Glasgow constituency are secretly backing another five years of David Cameron.
The former Pollokshields SNP branch convener shared a platform with Sturgeon and former first minister Alex Salmond during the referendum campaign as their party stepped up efforts to reach out to Asian voters.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/polit ... ur-5469873
Proud to be 1 of the 76% - Solidarity...because PODEMOS
- Lonewolfie
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Proud to be 1 of the 76% - Solidarity...because PODEMOS
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Thanks for the SNP link Wolfie.
Was just saying yesterday to my other half, if only an SNPer would be brave enough to tell the truth.
Have put the link on AS's blog, will probably get major 45-er verbal abuse for it, but at the moment it's swear at Blair time over there.
Was just saying yesterday to my other half, if only an SNPer would be brave enough to tell the truth.
Have put the link on AS's blog, will probably get major 45-er verbal abuse for it, but at the moment it's swear at Blair time over there.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Thanks I'm now fully up to date!
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Happy birthday Gilsey - hope the sun is shining on you today.
- rebeccariots2
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Echoing yahyah with Happy Birthday wishes for gilsey. It's a super sunny morning here - hope it is the same for you.
Seems we have quite a few spring birthday folks here ---- I hope you all feel like spring chickens inside regardless of actual years on the clock.
Seems we have quite a few spring birthday folks here ---- I hope you all feel like spring chickens inside regardless of actual years on the clock.
Working on the wild side.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
NHS faces financial ‘black hole’
Analysis shows fall in productivity after reforms pushed up costs
FT - I don't have access
Analysis shows fall in productivity after reforms pushed up costs
FT - I don't have access
- TheGrimSqueaker
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
The Nats are in damage limitation mode (DefCon45) over on Twitter!! Apparently he failed to get selected as a PPC (and he alleges impropriety in the selection process) so some are dismissing it as sour grapes, or digging into his past and trying to discredit him that way.yahyah wrote:Thanks for the SNP link Wolfie.
Was just saying yesterday to my other half, if only an SNPer would be brave enough to tell the truth.
Have put the link on AS's blog, will probably get major 45-er verbal abuse for it, but at the moment it's swear at Blair time over there.
Happy Birthday Gilsey.
COWER BRIEF MORTALS. HO. HO. HO.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Trouble is, any SNPer with political ambitions needs to more than brave to speak up. (cue Monty Python sketch about becoming an ex-SNPer etc):yahyah wrote:Thanks for the SNP link Wolfie.
Was just saying yesterday to my other half, if only an SNPer would be brave enough to tell the truth.
Have put the link on AS's blog, will probably get major 45-er verbal abuse for it, but at the moment it's swear at Blair time over there.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3732693A controversial change to standing orders was overwhelmingly agreed at conference yesterday and states that no MPs shall “publicly criticise a group decision, policy or another member of the group”.
edited to make sense.
Last edited by Eric_WLothian on Tue 07 Apr, 2015 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
- rebeccariots2
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Humphreys tried to pull Natalie Bennett apart on Radio 4 ... same old stuff about terrorist group membership, pulling out of NATO and getting rid of the standing army, making army bases windfarms and nature reserves .... and whether the citizen's income is doable or not, a long term aim or a manifesto commitment. And, of course, the Green council in Brighton's lamentable record on recycling. He's very derivative I've decided - not a single new line of enquiry that I heard - she kept her cool. He finished with a flourish by thanking her but as 'Caroline Lucas'. How offensive is that? Very similar to the far too often made slip by interviewers and commentators re using David Miliband rather than Ed Miliband when discussing Labour. I heard that done twice in as many sentences the other evening with no correction by anyone. To give her credit Bennett laughed when Humphreys did it ... only way to respond really.
Working on the wild side.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
He's not the first then:TheGrimSqueaker wrote:The Nats are in damage limitation mode (DefCon45) over on Twitter!! Apparently he failed to get selected as a PPC (and he alleges impropriety in the selection process) so some are dismissing it as sour grapes, or digging into his past and trying to discredit him that way.yahyah wrote:Thanks for the SNP link Wolfie.
Was just saying yesterday to my other half, if only an SNPer would be brave enough to tell the truth.
Have put the link on AS's blog, will probably get major 45-er verbal abuse for it, but at the moment it's swear at Blair time over there.
Happy Birthday Gilsey.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3645014A FORMER UK ambassador who was sacked by Tony Blair’s government a decade ago has been blocked from standing as an SNP candidate at the next general election because of a “lack of a commitment to group discipline”.
- rebeccariots2
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
It says Labour has moved well on from his days - that the party has got its own people, plans and activities in place in the marginal seats - and that he just isn't the essential element that the media would like to pretend he is for Labour - he really isn't.Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 10m10 minutes ago
What does it say about current Labour party that Tony Blair is not making his 'Brexit' warning speech tday in a marginal seat?
Working on the wild side.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:NHS faces financial ‘black hole’
Analysis shows fall in productivity after reforms pushed up costs
FT - I don't have access
The National Health Service is facing an even bigger financial “black hole” than politicians and health leaders have acknowledged, following a sharp fall in productivity revealed in an analysis of official data for the Financial Times.
The research, carried out by the Health Foundation, an independent think-tank, shows that despite an inflation-protected budget, hospital productivity tumbled from 2012 as the NHS prepared for, then implemented, a contentious structural shake-up that stripped out layers of management and handed budget control to clinicians.
Government pressure on hospitals to hire more nurses following a 2013 inquiry into a care scandal at a Staffordshire hospital further hit financial performance as many NHS institutions hired agency staff, substantially inflating the health service pay bill, the analysis found.
The findings will fuel the general election debate over the coalition’s management of the NHS and suggests whichever party forms the next government may confront an immediate imperative to inject more money into the health service.
If I'm not here, then I'll be in the library. Or the other library.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
It says that the new Labour lovies in the MSM need to accept it's time to move on.rebeccariots2 wrote:It says Labour has moved well on from his days - that the party has got its own people, plans and activities in place in the marginal seats - and that he just isn't the essential element that the media would like to pretend he is for Labour - he really isn't.Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 10m10 minutes ago
What does it say about current Labour party that Tony Blair is not making his 'Brexit' warning speech tday in a marginal seat?
Something I've been pondering on recently is how much a successful neighbouring MP impacts on the prospects in a constituency. Does a first time incumbent factor affect 'next door'?
- Lonewolfie
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I've no idea why nobody (in the MSM) has the slightest interest in repeating/publicising this - although, as has always been the case, the threat of losing your livelihood by producing balanced, well-thought out reporting (that is in direct opposition to the unspoken 'party line') focuses the mind somewhat...
“Power without responsibility - the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages”
Since April 1979, no British government has been elected without the support of Rupert Murdoch. That does not necessarily mean that it was Murdoch who won each battle. The facts and figures are too complex for such a simple conclusion. What it means is that politicians fear that his power may possibly be decisive, and so they play safe with him. At least, they persuade themselves that they are safe.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... rt-murdoch
...now I know there is a political party in Britain that has metaphorically stuck 2 fingers up at Murkydochia, but as they're all the same I can't work out who it is
edited to add 'comma'
“Power without responsibility - the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages”
Since April 1979, no British government has been elected without the support of Rupert Murdoch. That does not necessarily mean that it was Murdoch who won each battle. The facts and figures are too complex for such a simple conclusion. What it means is that politicians fear that his power may possibly be decisive, and so they play safe with him. At least, they persuade themselves that they are safe.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... rt-murdoch
...now I know there is a political party in Britain that has metaphorically stuck 2 fingers up at Murkydochia, but as they're all the same I can't work out who it is
edited to add 'comma'
Proud to be 1 of the 76% - Solidarity...because PODEMOS
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
The other day I spoke of not kicking the crutches away and holding out a hand and this morning read an article in the G where they termed it 'a hand on the shoulder', How Glasgow cut its murder rate in half by 'caring people into change': http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015 ... ime-police
Not quite what I was speaking of but still one of guidance and support, which unsurprisingly is now short-funded. Other than funding issues I felt quite uplifted by the work of the Violence Reduction Unit, not that I would do it myself but then I started to read btl. No wonder I feel disenchanted so frequently. Anyway it got me thinking back to the Scotland Road Free School in Liverpool back in the early seventies whose teachers and pupils I would sometimes encounter in my shop. I didn't know too much about them but had the impression that most of the kids had been excluded from other schools but cannot find too much about them online, The anarchic experimental schools of the 1970s: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29518319
There is some mention of probation and truancy but nothing to confirm my suspicions. Anyway what I wanted to say was that the kids seemed all the better for the respect that they were shown and seemed genuinely interested in others and their surroundings. As for academic achievements then having read the above article, the less said the better.
Edit: fixed a broken link.
Not quite what I was speaking of but still one of guidance and support, which unsurprisingly is now short-funded. Other than funding issues I felt quite uplifted by the work of the Violence Reduction Unit, not that I would do it myself but then I started to read btl. No wonder I feel disenchanted so frequently. Anyway it got me thinking back to the Scotland Road Free School in Liverpool back in the early seventies whose teachers and pupils I would sometimes encounter in my shop. I didn't know too much about them but had the impression that most of the kids had been excluded from other schools but cannot find too much about them online, The anarchic experimental schools of the 1970s: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29518319
There is some mention of probation and truancy but nothing to confirm my suspicions. Anyway what I wanted to say was that the kids seemed all the better for the respect that they were shown and seemed genuinely interested in others and their surroundings. As for academic achievements then having read the above article, the less said the better.
Edit: fixed a broken link.
Last edited by utopiandreams on Tue 07 Apr, 2015 10:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
I would close my eyes if I couldn't dream.
- rearofthestore
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Just this minute completed a yougov survey, one of the three political questions was 'Tony Blair is making a speech today supporting the Labour party. Will this assist or hinder Labour's campaign?' (paraphrased)StephenDolan wrote:It says that the new Labour lovies in the MSM need to accept it's time to move on.rebeccariots2 wrote:It says Labour has moved well on from his days - that the party has got its own people, plans and activities in place in the marginal seats - and that he just isn't the essential element that the media would like to pretend he is for Labour - he really isn't.Paul Waugh @paulwaugh 10m10 minutes ago
What does it say about current Labour party that Tony Blair is not making his 'Brexit' warning speech tday in a marginal seat?
Something I've been pondering on recently is how much a successful neighbouring MP impacts on the prospects in a constituency. Does a first time incumbent factor affect 'next door'?
The other two were about school discipline and abortion.
- Lonewolfie
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
With the Stalinist approach to 'groupthink' I've a feeling there could be more...they've got to keep attacking Labour (Murkydochia/the MSM/Greens/UKIP/SNP/Plaid/Lost Deposits and Tories), for fear of the truth arriving in the sunlit uplands, blinking in the brightness of the light finally being shone on it after being released from the dungeons in the Mist of Murkydochia.yahyah wrote:Thanks for the SNP link Wolfie.
Was just saying yesterday to my other half, if only an SNPer would be brave enough to tell the truth.
Have put the link on AS's blog, will probably get major 45-er verbal abuse for it, but at the moment it's swear at Blair time over there.
Proud to be 1 of the 76% - Solidarity...because PODEMOS
- AngryAsWell
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Blair on R5Live now - he's still good!
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Miliband's consistency indicates his honesty & integrity. He's already said he doesn't watch TV News - he told us this last year, if not earlier. This part of the G headline comes as no surprise to me.
It's a beautiful day & I'm glad Gilsey was born.
Good morning, friends.
There's more in the article & subtitle I'm declining to comment on at this time.Ed Miliband: I'd defend the licence fee (but don't ask me to watch BBC news)
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... watch-news" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's a beautiful day & I'm glad Gilsey was born.
Good morning, friends.
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I agree.AngryAsWell wrote:Blair on R5Live now - he's still good!
The former Tory party usurper of Labour leadership from almost two decades ago has virtues totally absent from the modern Tory party.
edited to add the G had an innocuous image of T Blair for several minutes
It was replaced with an 'Il Duce' pose
Last edited by citizenJA on Tue 07 Apr, 2015 11:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Whether or not you agree with his politics, Blair is an accomplished performer and polished speaker, AngryAsWell. Cameron on the other hand seems condescending and adopts the manner of one who instructs what you should be thinking. Worse than that his words are completely at odds with his actions, lies to put it another way. Miliband for all the media's portrayal of him has had 4/5 years of growing into the role. He is certainly more accomplished at public speaking than once he was and at least projects sincerity, interest in audience's views for that matter.AngryAsWell wrote:Blair on R5Live now - he's still good!
As for Shapps and his dismissal of Ed's debate's performance, I can't remember how he put it, but what the hell does he think of his own performances? As I said in the other place, they've removed the mirrors from the Cabinet Office and replaced the door sign with 'Projection Room'.
Edit: misplaced comma.
I would close my eyes if I couldn't dream.
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Good morfternoon.
I've read the text, over at the Guardian's Election Blog, of Tony Blair's speech. I've never been a big fan of the man - but it was very well-crafted - clear and to the point.
I've read the text, over at the Guardian's Election Blog, of Tony Blair's speech. I've never been a big fan of the man - but it was very well-crafted - clear and to the point.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I happen to have agreed with everything he said about the EU and Scotland. The fact he said it - and said it well - does not mean I need to change my mind about either just to disagree with him.citizenJA wrote:I agree.AngryAsWell wrote:Blair on R5Live now - he's still good!
The former Tory party usurper of Labour leadership from almost two decades ago has virtues totally absent from the modern Tory party.
I would have preferred him to keep out of things and not cause controversy at this point in the election, or to remind his committed haters that he's still around.
No matter what people think of him, life in the UK under his time in office was settled, kinder and more friendly for the sick & disabled, the unemployed, the young and the old and otherwise disadvantaged. In fact it was a gentler, nicer country all round.
Does he still have a way with words that commands attention? Yes.
Would I like to see him back? No.
- TechnicalEphemera
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Blair is still world class. That was a fantastic hammering of Cameron. Even better he gets sympathetic coverage in the media.
But he needs to be kept within a constrained box. Europe is about the only thing the modern Labour Party really agrees with him on. That said his answer on inequality was top draw.
But he needs to be kept within a constrained box. Europe is about the only thing the modern Labour Party really agrees with him on. That said his answer on inequality was top draw.
Release the Guardvarks.
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I've now got "Fight Test" by Flaming Lips stuck in my head (which is no bad thing, I might add) as always happens when I see the Guardian's "the event has ended" thing. (It reminds me of the line\lyric "the test is over".)
Edited to add a "the"
Edited to add a "the"
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Excellent posts here - thank you.
- TheGrimSqueaker
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
He was inevitably going to weigh in at some point, so best it were done in a way where he can add something positive to the campaign; actually, he managed two positives, a strong & unequivocal statement on Europe which will be tricky to refute and driving OGRFG's regional tour off the news (they'll be too busy concentrating on Blair to bother with Dave's little stunt). Loathe him or hate him, he is a canny operator and this has been timed to perfection.AngryAsWell wrote:I happen to have agreed with everything he said about the EU and Scotland. The fact he said it - and said it well - does not mean I need to change my mind about either just to disagree with him.citizenJA wrote:I agree.AngryAsWell wrote:Blair on R5Live now - he's still good!
The former Tory party usurper of Labour leadership from almost two decades ago has virtues totally absent from the modern Tory party.
I would have preferred him to keep out of things and not cause controversy at this point in the election, or to remind his committed haters that he's still around.
No matter what people think of him, life in the UK under his time in office was settled, kinder and more friendly for the sick & disabled, the unemployed, the young and the old and otherwise disadvantaged. In fact it was a gentler, nicer country all round.
Does he still have a way with words that commands attention? Yes.
Would I like to see him back? No.
COWER BRIEF MORTALS. HO. HO. HO.
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Why are most people wrong about everything? For example, after 30 odd years of reporting 'the troubles' in NI, most people thought that a) it was all about religion and b) the catholics were oppressing the protestants. Another example : after 40 odd years of reporting the Israeli occupation of Palestine, most people thought that Palestine occupied Israel.
Well done BBC News and Current Affairs!
Well done BBC News and Current Affairs!
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Why do most people think that the number of 'immigrants' is much higher than it is? Why do people think that benefits are much higher than they really are? Why do people think that they are 'middle class'? Why do they think that wealth is much more evenly spread than it really is?
Take a bow, boys and girls of the BBC News!
Take a bow, boys and girls of the BBC News!
- TechnicalEphemera
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Hard to disagree. The media is shocking at reporting stuff. The BBC has a particular problem that it is staffed by arts students who don't understand evidence and balance.mikems wrote:Why do most people think that the number of 'immigrants' is much higher than it is? Why do people think that benefits are much higher than they really are? Why do people think that they are 'middle class'? Why do they think that wealth is much more evenly spread than it really is?
Take a bow, boys and girls of the BBC News!
In climate change you do not achieve balance by offering equal time to advocates and deniers as the latter have no evidence base to argue from.
Release the Guardvarks.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Whatever the causes of dispute in NI, mikems, religion or unionism, I met many Catholic and Protestant youngsters (late teens and early twenties) on this side of the Irish Sea in the early seventies. What perticularly stood out was how much they had in common and how well they all got on, but back in Belfast would never meet each other, in fact were afraid to even show any consideration for the 'other' side. Which only goes to show how ridiculous Gove's religious schools are, segregation is the greatest enemy.mikems wrote:Why are most people wrong about everything? For example, after 30 odd years of reporting 'the troubles' in NI, most people thought that a) it was all about religion and b) the catholics were oppressing the protestants. Another example : after 40 odd years of reporting the Israeli occupation of Palestine, most people thought that Palestine occupied Israel.
Well done BBC News and Current Affairs!
I would close my eyes if I couldn't dream.
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Powerful people & their little groups decide the stories most people get to see, hear & read about. I purchased a University education & discovered my childhood was littered with lies from mostly well-intentioned, ignorant people.mikems wrote:Why do most people think that the number of 'immigrants' is much higher than it is? Why do people think that benefits are much higher than they really are? Why do people think that they are 'middle class'? Why do they think that wealth is much more evenly spread than it really is?
Take a bow, boys and girls of the BBC News!
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Top two stories on the BBC news website.
Blair backing Miliband 100%
A&E waiting times hits record worst levels.
Not a good morning for Cameron and Clegg.
Blair backing Miliband 100%
A&E waiting times hits record worst levels.
Not a good morning for Cameron and Clegg.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
James Landale "This Tony Blair event very nostalgic. A member of the audience even called me "Tory scum" for asking a question. "
It isn't asking the question that makes that true James.
It isn't asking the question that makes that true James.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I'm very pleased that you put it this way, citizenJA. Not that it happened often, but occasionally as an OU tutor, I would have a falling out with a student over their work, usually if they'd received low(ish) marks for an assignment. One of the problems was that rather than paying for an education their perception was one of buying their degree. I see some parallels with those attending universities these days since the removal of grants and the introduction of tuition fees. Of course I'm not suggesting that students should not criticise the tuition they receive, constructively I hopecitizenJA wrote:... I purchased a University education ...
Edit: closed quote correctly. Mmm, the problems of editing out some of it.
I would close my eyes if I couldn't dream.
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I'm more than willing to believe that Tony Blair thinks that Ed Miliband is a shade (!) too "left" for his (TB's) liking but - really? This is an extrapolation too far.But he sounded like he meant it when he said that Miliband was right to identify inequality as the great challenge of our time, even if his follow-up about Miliband having “excellent policies” in this area was perhaps less persuasive. (Guardian Election Blog)
- AngryAsWell
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
This is the quote - how on earth does whoever is blogging at the G arrive at that assumption?PorFavor wrote:I'm more than willing to believe that Tony Blair thinks that Ed Miliband is a shade (!) too "left" for his (TB's) liking but - really? This is an extrapolation too far.But he sounded like he meant it when he said that Miliband was right to identify inequality as the great challenge of our time, even if his follow-up about Miliband having “excellent policies” in this area was perhaps less persuasive. (Guardian Election Blog)
"I agree completely with what he’s saying about the central challenge of inequality in our country today. I think he’s absolutely right to know that the times have changed, that this is a huge issue for people, and I think he’s got an excellent set of policies to deal with it."
I despair I really do!
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- Prime Minister
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I read this as no tax reductions for the poorer, carry on with starving the NHS, and it's all Labours fault.CCHQ Press Office retweeted
George Osborne @George_Osborne 13 mins13 minutes ago
A permanent deficit under Labour costs £3bn extra on debt interest payments in next parliament.That's £3bn we can't use for NHS &lower taxes
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Yes. I know the Guardian's website and comments pages are all over the place these days but even I can access and read the header - which goes as follows:AngryAsWell wrote:This is the quote - how on earth does whoever is blogging at the G arrive at that assumption?PorFavor wrote:I'm more than willing to believe that Tony Blair thinks that Ed Miliband is a shade (!) too "left" for his (TB's) liking but - really? This is an extrapolation too far.But he sounded like he meant it when he said that Miliband was right to identify inequality as the great challenge of our time, even if his follow-up about Miliband having “excellent policies” in this area was perhaps less persuasive. (Guardian Election Blog)
"I agree completely with what he’s saying about the central challenge of inequality in our country today. I think he’s absolutely right to know that the times have changed, that this is a huge issue for people, and I think he’s got an excellent set of policies to deal with it."
I despair I really do!
As I recall, it's quite large and in a bright red box. Someone should tell the staff.Election 2015: I support Ed Miliband 100%, says Tony Blair - live updates
- RogerOThornhill
- Prime Minister
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
So...on NHS stories we have in the last few days/weeks:
1. A&E figures that are the worst ever
2. Knee jerk reaction to Mid Staffs means that NHS finances are in a critical state
3. Tories burying Stuart Rose's report as it almost certainly says that Lansley's 'reforms' are crap.
All good then...
1. A&E figures that are the worst ever
2. Knee jerk reaction to Mid Staffs means that NHS finances are in a critical state
3. Tories burying Stuart Rose's report as it almost certainly says that Lansley's 'reforms' are crap.
All good then...
If I'm not here, then I'll be in the library. Or the other library.
- TheGrimSqueaker
- Speaker of the House
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I remember an interview with Warren Mitchell back in the early 90s which talked about this; he'd been filming (the shortlived sitcom) "So You Think You've Got Troubles" which dealt, at least in part, with the divide between the communities - a couple of episodes revolved around the knotty problem of bringing some Catholic workers into a mainly Protestant workforce. Daring stuff for its day, which is possibly why it only had the one series.utopiandreams wrote:Whatever the causes of dispute in NI, mikems, religion or unionism, I met many Catholic and Protestant youngsters (late teens and early twenties) on this side of the Irish Sea in the early seventies. What perticularly stood out was how much they had in common and how well they all got on, but back in Belfast would never meet each other, in fact were afraid to even show any consideration for the 'other' side. Which only goes to show how ridiculous Gove's religious schools are, segregation is the greatest enemy.mikems wrote:Why are most people wrong about everything? For example, after 30 odd years of reporting 'the troubles' in NI, most people thought that a) it was all about religion and b) the catholics were oppressing the protestants. Another example : after 40 odd years of reporting the Israeli occupation of Palestine, most people thought that Palestine occupied Israel.
Well done BBC News and Current Affairs!
Anyway, Mitchell went on Wogan and talked about how alien he found the environment. He said that on more than once occasion he was asked about his religion/allegiances; when he told them he was Jewish they invariably asked "Yes, but are you Protestant Jewish or Catholic Jewish". I know things are still not perfect out there, but I hope we have moved on from that point; ironically, considering his presence in the news today, Tony Blair can take a bow for that achievement. *
* Although Mo Mowlam can take the credit, rightly.
COWER BRIEF MORTALS. HO. HO. HO.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Fings wot I learnt today. Blair is a warlord, Blair is a Tory, Blair is a Marxist murderer, the SNP are taking over the world, Nicola Sturgeon is God.
Time for sanity, out to garden.
29 more days of **** from the right, Liberals and ultra left to cope with, not sure mental health and blood pressure can cope with it.
Time for sanity, out to garden.
29 more days of **** from the right, Liberals and ultra left to cope with, not sure mental health and blood pressure can cope with it.
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Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Well, any "Blairite" who still wants Ed to lose after what the man himself said today is a traitor. Simple as.
Seeing political hacks desperately scrabbling about for the tiniest bit of "evidence" that he doesn't back Miliband "really" has made it a cheering morning
Seeing political hacks desperately scrabbling about for the tiniest bit of "evidence" that he doesn't back Miliband "really" has made it a cheering morning
"IS TONTY BLAIR BEHIND THIS???!!!!111???!!!"
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
I apologise, Yahyah, for my part in that name-calling, sincerely. I'm sorry.yahyah wrote:Fings wot I learnt today. Blair is a warlord, Blair is a Tory, Blair is a Marxist murderer, the SNP are taking over the world, Nicola Sturgeon is God.
Time for sanity, out to garden.
29 more days of **** from the right, Liberals and ultra left to cope with, not sure mental health and blood pressure can cope with it.
Re: Tuesday 7th April 2015
Has Cameron ever shared a stage to give a speech with John Major ?