Monday 16th February 2026

[refitman]

Morning all.

[Frog222]

Morning !

There was another brief mention of this very early on R4 but I was half-asleep ...



AKA -- what else but dirt-digging ?

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I finally caught up with yesterday's Andy Beckett --

One of Labour minimalism’s key characteristics was its acceptance of much of the social status quo, which increasingly meant accepting extreme wealth. “We are intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich,” as Mandelson famously said in 1998, “as long as they pay their taxes.” Since then, Labour governments have kept taxes on the rich low by European standards, while often praising them as wealth creators.

The party has also deferred to other, more modestly privileged right-leaning voters, from prosperous home counties homeowners to socially conservative white men in the “red wall”. Minimalist Labour politicians rarely challenge the views or interests of such groups, or of the truly powerful, and are sometimes welcomed into elite circles in return – as Mandelson discovered to his initial delight and eventual ruin.

Technocratic steady-as-she-goes government just does not answer any more .

[Frog222]

" Despite speaking of an unbreakable link and shared heritage with Europeans, Rubio’s message has hardly changed, as he criticised Europe’s energy policy, striking what Douglas Herbert of FRANCE 24 described as the “same ideological notes” and the “same resonance with many of the MAGA themes.” "

Closed with a bit on Newsom and the Dems being oh so patient that " Trump will pass " .
Yep, just like Adolf in 1933, after he'd purged the Opposition following the Reichstag fire.

And finally paraphrasing AOC at Munich -- " close the wealth inequality gap and you have a lesser chance of seeing the likes of Trump rising to power " .

[Frog222]

Must watch video on how Labour Together Gang tried to use a 'reputation management company' to squash journalist who exposed those who first chose Starmer and then organised his rise to power

Remember the name Josh Simons , now an MP , an unscrupulous shit working primarily for Israel and then for any corporation wanting to dismember UK public services ...

Dirty business .

[refitman]

Lost another one of the greats

[Frog222]

One of my favourite Westerns --

Open Range with Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, and Michael Gambon.

Great life !

[Frog222]