[Continuation] Brexit: Now What? The Perfect 10. - Page 8

P.J. Denyer · 14th July 2020, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

Yes, the reduction of Huawei's involvement being a sop to the US is exactly what I've heard. That said, I'm not too upset by that particular bit of news, given that their involvement had been flagged up as a security risk anyway.

Yes but so has Boris Johnson's.

ponderingturtle · 14th July 2020, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

- compulsory English in public.

You mean they will finally stamp out the welsh language? Maybe it will all be worth it.

Jack by the hedge · 14th July 2020, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

Well, Malcolm Tucker was based on Alistair Campbell, so...

Yes, that's true.

And since Alastair Campbell was such an uncontroversial figure, attracting no criticism for acting as if he called could order government ministers around, I see no reason for anyone to object to Dominic Cummings doing the same thing now.

Or something.

Darat · 14th July 2020, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge

Yes, that's true.

And since Alastair Campbell was such an uncontroversial figure, attracting no criticism for acting as if he called could order government ministers around, I see no reason for anyone to object to Dominic Cummings doing the same thing now.

Or something.

I think the major difference is that Campbell was a bastard, whereas Cummings is a creepy bastard.

Captain_Swoop · 14th July 2020, 12:33 PM

Brexit border check plans announced as firms face £13bn in customs costs

The net contribution to.the EU in 2018 was £11bn.

We've turned an £11bn investment into a £13bn red tape bill.

https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/b...plans-22348413

P.J. Denyer · 14th July 2020, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Brexit border check plans announced as firms face £13bn in customs costs

The net contribution to.the EU in 2018 was £11bn.

We've turned an £11bn investment into a £13bn red tape bill.

https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/b...plans-22348413

I don't know, maybe it's just me but I'm starting to get this nagging suspicion that maybe this wasn't the absolute best idea anyone ever had.

Tolls · 15th July 2020, 12:22 AM

But, but, but...SOVEREIGNTY!

Surely that's worth pissing billions away?!?

Squeegee Beckenheim · 15th July 2020, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge

Yes, that's true.

And since Alastair Campbell was such an uncontroversial figure, attracting no criticism for acting as if he called could order government ministers around, I see no reason for anyone to object to Dominic Cummings doing the same thing now.

Or something.

My point was that it's been "normal" outside of The Think Of It for a while now.

And yes, we should object to it.

Jack by the hedge · 15th July 2020, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

My point was that it's been "normal" outside of The Think Of It for a while now.

And yes, we should object to it.

Yes, fair point. The Thick Of It was parody of the late '90s reality so the figure in the shadows who's also somehow in the limelight was a subject of mockery in the Blair era too.

Captain_Swoop · 15th July 2020, 09:58 AM

The new "Get ready for Brexit" radio adverts are making me cringe.
They've tried to include accents from everywhere in Britain but they couldn't afford to actually get voice actors who can actually do those accents.

Darat · 15th July 2020, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

The new "Get ready for Brexit" radio adverts are making me cringe.
They've tried to include accents from everywhere in Britain but they couldn't afford to actually get voice actors who can actually do those accents.

Probably got "old Knobby Smith from school - he always did those funny 'up north' voices"!

P.J. Denyer · 15th July 2020, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

Probably got "old Knobby Smith from school - he always did those funny 'up north' voices"!

And Plebs, he can do the working class oiks too! Terribly talented chap. Probably learned it listening to the servants...

The Don · 16th July 2020, 01:46 AM

Welsh politicians are worried that Westminster will try a post-Brexit power grab.

Quote:

New post-Brexit trade rules must not be imposed on Wales without consent, the Welsh Government has warned.

UK government plans ask all four nations to accept rules and standards set by each other to ensure trade remains seamless across the UK.

The Welsh Government said it had not seen the plans and any system forced on Wales would be "deeply damaging".

Plaid Cymru called Whitehall's proposals a "power grab" and an undermining of devolution.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-53425094

To be honest, Brexit will be so damaging that this will only be a rounding error at worst.

Captain_Swoop · 16th July 2020, 02:16 AM

Brexit Party in Wales already said they will get rid of the Assembly and have a First Minister answerable to MPs.

Not that they will get very far in any election.

P.J. Denyer · 16th July 2020, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

Brexit Party in Wales already said they will get rid of the Assembly and have a First Minister answerable to MPs.

Not that they will get very far in any election.

Yeah but to be fair they're the marketing dept for "Keep Farage In The Limelight Inc" not a political party.

Darat · 16th July 2020, 10:51 AM

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ister-confirms

⁣
They really have no shame:

.... The Department for Transport has signed off on the*purchase of a vast site in Kent*for a Brexit border facility and confirmed that it will be partly used as a giant lorry park just days after the cabinet ministerMichael Gove insisted that was not the “intention”....

The Don · 16th July 2020, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ister-confirms

⁣
They really have no shame:

.... The Department for Transport has signed off on the*purchase of a vast site in Kent*for a Brexit border facility and confirmed that it will be partly used as a giant lorry park just days after the cabinet ministerMichael Gove insisted that was not the “intention”....

It's going to be a complete **** storm

P.J. Denyer · 16th July 2020, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer

Yeah but to be fair they're the marketing dept for "Keep Farage In The Limelight Inc" not a political party.

In fairness nothing this government does is what was intended.

Mojo · 16th July 2020, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer

In fairness nothing this government does is what was intended.

Up to and including Brexit.

P.J. Denyer · 16th July 2020, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mojo

Up to and including Brexit.

Especially Brexit. ~~Losing~~ Winning that vote was where it all started to go off plan.

P.J. Denyer · 17th July 2020, 02:59 AM

In the non-US covid thread the Carbolic Smoke Ball Company case has been mentioned, it's years since I studied it, but from what I recall the defense stated that their claims were so obviously hyperbolic that no-one could take them seriously and that therefore they couldn't be held to their very public promises...

We have the Carbolic Smoke Brexit Government.

In other news the ISC has voted unanimously to release the Russian interference report, suggesting that the four Tories were more concerned with how opposing releasing it would look to the public once the contents were known than they were Johnson and Cummings. The government has responded with a dead cat claiming Russia was helping Labour at the last election, presumably this was between "helping Hilary" and (really) sending cash to Boris....

The report is due for release next week, sadly Parliament is going on summer break and I don't believe there will be a PMQs after it's release(probably explaining the timing of reconvening the committee).

ZeeGerman · 17th July 2020, 12:09 PM

I've just come across an article about the queen knighting that Captain Tom guy. And it's a great story, the like of which we have too few these times.

But then, looking at that picture this thought shot through my mind which made laugh and at the same time think "what a cluster fudge ..." From what you see about the UK in the German media, these two ar the best in terms of public figures, Britain has to offer right now

&

Mojo · 17th July 2020, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge

Yes, fair point. The Thick Of It was parody of the late '90s reality so the figure in the shadows who's also somehow in the limelight was a subject of mockery in the Blair era too.

Our current government looks like a parody of The Thick Of It.

3point14 · 17th July 2020, 03:42 PM

FFS.

I wonder what I'll be making in the sweat shops.

https://www.businessinsider.com/leak...20-7?r=US&IR=T

The Don · 17th July 2020, 11:35 PM

US cars and SUVs don't meet UK safety standards - especially pedestrian collision standards but Boris Johnson is determined to have them included.

UK/US trade deal, if the chicken doesn't kill you, the Chrysler will.

P.J. Denyer · 18th July 2020, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by The Don

US cars and SUVs don't meet UK safety standards - especially pedestrian collision standards but Boris Johnson is determined to have them included.

UK/US trade deal, if the chicken doesn't kill you, the Chrysler will.

The car insurance industry and petrol prices should take care of that. Mind you one of my neighbours has just bought herself an American 'truck' that's almost the size of the houses around here so you never know...

Captain_Swoop · 18th July 2020, 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by ZeeGerman

I've just come across an article about the queen knighting that Captain Tom guy. And it's a great story, the like of which we have too few these times.

But then, looking at that picture this thought shot through my mind which made laugh and at the same time think "what a cluster fudge ..." From what you see about the UK in the German media, these two ar the best in terms of public figures, Britain has to offer right now

http://www.internationalskeptics.com...1f50164cb2.jpg&

My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!

ZeeGerman · 18th July 2020, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!

Squeegee Beckenheim · 18th July 2020, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!

I'll see if I can find it tomorrow, but there was a great image doing the rounds of the two of them when they were still far away from each other, and the Mortal Kombat "FIGHT!" graphic had been photoshopped in.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 18th July 2020, 10:42 AM

Anyway, I'm not really on-board with the Captain Tom stuff. I mean, God bless him, and all, but what was he doing? Raising money for the NHS. My main takeaway is that it's a terrible state of affairs when a pensioner war veteran has to spearhead a national fundraising campaign for an institution that is supposed to be funded by the government, and which was promised all the resources it needs.

Honestly, I think it's shameful.

P.J. Denyer · 18th July 2020, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

Anyway, I'm not really on-board with the Captain Tom stuff. I mean, God bless him, and all, but what was he doing? Raising money for the NHS. My main takeaway is that it's a terrible state of affairs when a pensioner war veteran has to spearhead a national fundraising campaign for an institution that is supposed to be funded by the government, and which was promised all the resources it needs.

Honestly, I think it's shameful.

I completely agree, but isn't it a great distraction?

Trebuchet · 18th July 2020, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by The Don

US cars and SUVs don't meet UK safety standards - especially pedestrian collision standards but Boris Johnson is determined to have them included.

UK/US trade deal, if the chicken doesn't kill you, the Chrysler will.

That's FIAT-Chrysler to you, Limey! Oh wait, you're in Wales. Carry on then.

Trebuchet · 18th July 2020, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer

The car insurance industry and petrol prices should take care of that. Mind you one of my neighbours has just bought herself an American 'truck' that's almost the size of the houses around here so you never know...

The worst thing about those ~~full~~ house-sized American trucks is that they all have four-wheel drive and four full doors. So you need a ladder to get in and, unless you're willing to have it over 20 feet long, a cargo bed too short to put my little trebuchet in.

I have a 2005 Ford Ranger for my hurling vehicle. The Ranger has been out of production for a while but they are bringing it back. The new one will be about 50% bigger than mine.

P.J. Denyer · 18th July 2020, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

The worst thing about those ~~full~~ house-sized American trucks is that they all have four-wheel drive and four full doors. So you need a ladder to get in and, unless you're willing to have it over 20 feet long, a cargo bed too short to put my little trebuchet in.

I have a 2005 Ford Ranger for my hurling vehicle. The Ranger has been out of production for a while but they are bringing it back. The new one will be about 50% bigger than mine.

Yeah, I can't figure it out, she has a shop selling window blinds so if she's using it for work I'D have thought a small van (or a 4x4 with a roof rack and custom cargo box) would be way more practical, because it has back seats the cargo area on the monster is about the same as a small van like a Twingo but really, really shallow, and parking it must be an utter, utter nightmare, we're just outside Oxford and I remember one wine tasting where I could barely park my Tigra and get it out through the street. I mean seriously, I have an old, second Gen Rav4 as my work vehicle and I can get a full sized kitchen appliance in the back without taking the back seats out, she'd have to lose the hard cover on the deck, and mine takes up half the footprint.

Garrison · 20th July 2020, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer

Yeah, I can't figure it out, she has a shop selling window blinds so if she's using it for work I'D have thought a small van (or a 4x4 with a roof rack and custom cargo box) would be way more practical, because it has back seats the cargo area on the monster is about the same as a small van like a Twingo but really, really shallow, and parking it must be an utter, utter nightmare, we're just outside Oxford and I remember one wine tasting where I could barely park my Tigra and get it out through the street. I mean seriously, I have an old, second Gen Rav4 as my work vehicle and I can get a full sized kitchen appliance in the back without taking the back seats out, she'd have to lose the hard cover on the deck, and mine takes up half the footprint.

I've seen this discussed before and its seems to be largely a psychological thing, the high driving position and sheer size of the vehicle makes drivers feel more secure even if its wholly impractical and a menace to pedestrians.

Captain_Swoop · 20th July 2020, 03:44 AM

Arron Banks’ Leave.EU campaign team met with Russian embassy officials as many as 11 times in the run-up to the EU referendum and in the two months beyond, documents seen by the Observer suggest – seven more times than Banks has admitted. The same documents suggest the Russian embassy extended a further four invitations to Brexit’s biggest funder, but it is not known if they were accepted.

It is the third time the number of such meetings has been revised upwards. For two years, Banks insisted his only contact with the Russian government consisted of one “boozy lunch” with the Russian ambassador.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...ny-as-11-times

Captain_Swoop · 20th July 2020, 04:34 AM

Arron Banks has called on the Commons intelligence committee to show him any references in the Russia report that reference his name before the document is published.

He claims that he should be allowed to input into the report so that he can dispute any false allegations about himself

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top...port-1-6753893

Vixen · 20th July 2020, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

Anyway, I'm not really on-board with the Captain Tom stuff. I mean, God bless him, and all, but what was he doing? Raising money for the NHS. My main takeaway is that it's a terrible state of affairs when a pensioner war veteran has to spearhead a national fundraising campaign for an institution that is supposed to be funded by the government, and which was promised all the resources it needs.

Honestly, I think it's shameful.

No, he was raising money for NHS charities not the NHS proper.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 20th July 2020, 09:11 AM

Then take everything that I've said and apply it to the fact that the NHS even has charities.

Gulliver Foyle · 20th July 2020, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by McHrozni

Quite likely, I agree. Northern Ireland would also follow in some fashion, perhaps as an independent state that seeks to unify with ROI, whether that happens or not. After what we've seen UK would the dismemberment too.

McHrozni

Northern Ireland will vote to reunite with Ireland when the border poll is allowed to go ahead. As the last two elections in the North have shown the nationalist share of the vote is now over 50% and with the teenage population being close to 55-45 in favour of nationalist communities that disparity is going to widen.

Add in parties like Alliance and the Northern Greens (who are mainly composed of unionists who are reconciling themselves to reuinficiation) who would likely push for reunification when a bad Brexit happens and you could see a vote in, say, ten years time pushing near to 60% for reunification.

Arlene's best allies at the moment are the "32 county republicans" of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, who are more afraid of what reunification would do to their chances of ever getting into government again than protecting the rights of the nationalist community under the GFA.

14th July 2020, 09:44 AM	#281
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim Yes, the reduction of Huawei's involvement being a sop to the US is exactly what I've heard. That said, I'm not too upset by that particular bit of news, given that their involvement had been flagged up as a security risk anyway. Yes but so has Boris Johnson's.
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

14th July 2020, 10:10 AM	#282
ponderingturtle Orthogonal Vector Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 50,121	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop - compulsory English in public. You mean they will finally stamp out the welsh language? Maybe it will all be worth it.
	__________________ Sufficiently advanced Woo is indistinguishable from Parody "There shall be no poofing in science" Paul C. Anagnostopoulos Force ***** on reasons back" Ben Franklin

14th July 2020, 12:27 PM	#284
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 95,995	Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge Yes, that's true. And since Alastair Campbell was such an uncontroversial figure, attracting no criticism for acting as if he called could order government ministers around, I see no reason for anyone to object to Dominic Cummings doing the same thing now. Or something. I think the major difference is that Campbell was a bastard, whereas Cummings is a creepy bastard.
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

14th July 2020, 01:07 PM	#286
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop Brexit border check plans announced as firms face £13bn in customs costs The net contribution to.the EU in 2018 was £11bn. We've turned an £11bn investment into a £13bn red tape bill. https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/b...plans-22348413 I don't know, maybe it's just me but I'm starting to get this nagging suspicion that maybe this wasn't the absolute best idea anyone ever had.
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

15th July 2020, 12:48 AM	#288
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,940	Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge Yes, that's true. And since Alastair Campbell was such an uncontroversial figure, attracting no criticism for acting as if he called could order government ministers around, I see no reason for anyone to object to Dominic Cummings doing the same thing now. Or something. My point was that it's been "normal" outside of The Think Of It for a while now. And yes, we should object to it.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

14th July 2020, 10:23 AM	#283
Jack by the hedge Safely Ignored Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10,778	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim Well, Malcolm Tucker was based on Alistair Campbell, so... Yes, that's true. And since Alastair Campbell was such an uncontroversial figure, attracting no criticism for acting as if he called could order government ministers around, I see no reason for anyone to object to Dominic Cummings doing the same thing now. Or something.

14th July 2020, 12:33 PM	#285
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,320	Brexit border check plans announced as firms face £13bn in customs costs The net contribution to.the EU in 2018 was £11bn. We've turned an £11bn investment into a £13bn red tape bill. https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/b...plans-22348413

15th July 2020, 12:22 AM	#287
Tolls Philosopher Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5,198	But, but, but...SOVEREIGNTY! Surely that's worth pissing billions away?!?

15th July 2020, 01:28 AM	#289
Jack by the hedge Safely Ignored Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10,778	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim My point was that it's been "normal" outside of The Think Of It for a while now. And yes, we should object to it. Yes, fair point. The Thick Of It was parody of the late '90s reality so the figure in the shadows who's also somehow in the limelight was a subject of mockery in the Blair era too.

15th July 2020, 09:58 AM	#290
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,320	The new "Get ready for Brexit" radio adverts are making me cringe. They've tried to include accents from everywhere in Britain but they couldn't afford to actually get voice actors who can actually do those accents.

15th July 2020, 10:06 AM	#291
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 95,995	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop The new "Get ready for Brexit" radio adverts are making me cringe. They've tried to include accents from everywhere in Britain but they couldn't afford to actually get voice actors who can actually do those accents. Probably got "old Knobby Smith from school - he always did those funny 'up north' voices"!
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

15th July 2020, 01:19 PM	#292
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by Darat Probably got "old Knobby Smith from school - he always did those funny 'up north' voices"! And Plebs, he can do the working class oiks too! Terribly talented chap. Probably learned it listening to the servants...
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

16th July 2020, 01:46 AM	#293
The Don Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sir Fynwy Posts: 30,945	Welsh politicians are worried that Westminster will try a post-Brexit power grab. Quote: New post-Brexit trade rules must not be imposed on Wales without consent, the Welsh Government has warned. UK government plans ask all four nations to accept rules and standards set by each other to ensure trade remains seamless across the UK. The Welsh Government said it had not seen the plans and any system forced on Wales would be "deeply damaging". Plaid Cymru called Whitehall's proposals a "power grab" and an undermining of devolution. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-53425094 To be honest, Brexit will be so damaging that this will only be a rounding error at worst.

16th July 2020, 02:16 AM	#294
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,320	Brexit Party in Wales already said they will get rid of the Assembly and have a First Minister answerable to MPs. Not that they will get very far in any election.

16th July 2020, 03:13 AM	#295
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop Brexit Party in Wales already said they will get rid of the Assembly and have a First Minister answerable to MPs. Not that they will get very far in any election. Yeah but to be fair they're the marketing dept for "Keep Farage In The Limelight Inc" not a political party.
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

16th July 2020, 10:51 AM	#296
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 95,995	https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ister-confirms ⁣ They really have no shame: .... The Department for Transport has signed off on thepurchase of a vast site in Kentfor a Brexit border facility and confirmed that it will be partly used as a giant lorry park just days after the cabinet ministerMichael Gove insisted that was not the “intention”....
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

16th July 2020, 12:00 PM	#297
The Don Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sir Fynwy Posts: 30,945	Originally Posted by Darat https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ister-confirms ⁣ They really have no shame: .... The Department for Transport has signed off on thepurchase of a vast site in Kentfor a Brexit border facility and confirmed that it will be partly used as a giant lorry park just days after the cabinet ministerMichael Gove insisted that was not the “intention”.... It's going to be a complete **** storm

16th July 2020, 12:25 PM	#298
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer Yeah but to be fair they're the marketing dept for "Keep Farage In The Limelight Inc" not a political party. In fairness nothing this government does is what was intended.
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

16th July 2020, 12:44 PM	#299
Mojo Mostly harmless Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nor Flanden Posts: 33,557	Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer In fairness nothing this government does is what was intended. Up to and including Brexit.
	__________________ "You got to use your brain." - McKinley Morganfield "The poor mystic homeopaths feel like petted house-cats thrown at high flood on the breaking ice." - Leon Trotsky

16th July 2020, 01:34 PM	#300
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by Mojo Up to and including Brexit. Especially Brexit. ~~Losing~~ Winning that vote was where it all started to go off plan.
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

17th July 2020, 02:59 AM	#301
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	In the non-US covid thread the Carbolic Smoke Ball Company case has been mentioned, it's years since I studied it, but from what I recall the defense stated that their claims were so obviously hyperbolic that no-one could take them seriously and that therefore they couldn't be held to their very public promises... We have the Carbolic Smoke Brexit Government. In other news the ISC has voted unanimously to release the Russian interference report, suggesting that the four Tories were more concerned with how opposing releasing it would look to the public once the contents were known than they were Johnson and Cummings. The government has responded with a dead cat claiming Russia was helping Labour at the last election, presumably this was between "helping Hilary" and (really) sending cash to Boris.... The report is due for release next week, sadly Parliament is going on summer break and I don't believe there will be a PMQs after it's release(probably explaining the timing of reconvening the committee).
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

17th July 2020, 12:09 PM	#302
ZeeGerman Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Nuremberg area Posts: 1,091	Poor Brittania I've just come across an article about the queen knighting that Captain Tom guy. And it's a great story, the like of which we have too few these times. But then, looking at that picture this thought shot through my mind which made laugh and at the same time think "what a cluster fudge ..." From what you see about the UK in the German media, these two ar the best in terms of public figures, Britain has to offer right now &
	__________________ Wenn die Katze ein Pferd wäre, könnte man die Bäume raufreiten.

17th July 2020, 12:16 PM	#303
Mojo Mostly harmless Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Nor Flanden Posts: 33,557	Originally Posted by Jack by the hedge Yes, fair point. The Thick Of It was parody of the late '90s reality so the figure in the shadows who's also somehow in the limelight was a subject of mockery in the Blair era too. Our current government looks like a parody of The Thick Of It.
	__________________ "You got to use your brain." - McKinley Morganfield "The poor mystic homeopaths feel like petted house-cats thrown at high flood on the breaking ice." - Leon Trotsky

17th July 2020, 03:42 PM	#304
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,371	FFS. I wonder what I'll be making in the sweat shops. https://www.businessinsider.com/leak...20-7?r=US&IR=T
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,371	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

17th July 2020, 11:35 PM	#305
The Don Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sir Fynwy Posts: 30,945	US cars and SUVs don't meet UK safety standards - especially pedestrian collision standards but Boris Johnson is determined to have them included. UK/US trade deal, if the chicken doesn't kill you, the Chrysler will.

18th July 2020, 01:57 AM	#306
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by The Don US cars and SUVs don't meet UK safety standards - especially pedestrian collision standards but Boris Johnson is determined to have them included. UK/US trade deal, if the chicken doesn't kill you, the Chrysler will. The car insurance industry and petrol prices should take care of that. Mind you one of my neighbours has just bought herself an American 'truck' that's almost the size of the houses around here so you never know...
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

18th July 2020, 03:59 AM	#307
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,320	Originally Posted by ZeeGerman I've just come across an article about the queen knighting that Captain Tom guy. And it's a great story, the like of which we have too few these times. But then, looking at that picture this thought shot through my mind which made laugh and at the same time think "what a cluster fudge ..." From what you see about the UK in the German media, these two ar the best in terms of public figures, Britain has to offer right now http://www.internationalskeptics.com...1f50164cb2.jpg& My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!

18th July 2020, 06:47 AM	#308
ZeeGerman Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Nuremberg area Posts: 1,091	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!
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18th July 2020, 10:39 AM	#309
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,940	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die! I'll see if I can find it tomorrow, but there was a great image doing the rounds of the two of them when they were still far away from each other, and the Mortal Kombat "FIGHT!" graphic had been photoshopped in.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

18th July 2020, 10:42 AM	#310
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,940	Anyway, I'm not really on-board with the Captain Tom stuff. I mean, God bless him, and all, but what was he doing? Raising money for the NHS. My main takeaway is that it's a terrible state of affairs when a pensioner war veteran has to spearhead a national fundraising campaign for an institution that is supposed to be funded by the government, and which was promised all the resources it needs. Honestly, I think it's shameful.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

18th July 2020, 12:22 PM	#311
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim Anyway, I'm not really on-board with the Captain Tom stuff. I mean, God bless him, and all, but what was he doing? Raising money for the NHS. My main takeaway is that it's a terrible state of affairs when a pensioner war veteran has to spearhead a national fundraising campaign for an institution that is supposed to be funded by the government, and which was promised all the resources it needs. Honestly, I think it's shameful. I completely agree, but isn't it a great distraction?
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

18th July 2020, 12:24 PM	#312
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Townsend, Washington Posts: 30,567	Originally Posted by The Don US cars and SUVs don't meet UK safety standards - especially pedestrian collision standards but Boris Johnson is determined to have them included. UK/US trade deal, if the chicken doesn't kill you, the Chrysler will. That's FIAT-Chrysler to you, Limey! Oh wait, you're in Wales. Carry on then.
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

18th July 2020, 12:28 PM	#313
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Townsend, Washington Posts: 30,567	Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer The car insurance industry and petrol prices should take care of that. Mind you one of my neighbours has just bought herself an American 'truck' that's almost the size of the houses around here so you never know... The worst thing about those ~~full~~ house-sized American trucks is that they all have four-wheel drive and four full doors. So you need a ladder to get in and, unless you're willing to have it over 20 feet long, a cargo bed too short to put my little trebuchet in. I have a 2005 Ford Ranger for my hurling vehicle. The Ranger has been out of production for a while but they are bringing it back. The new one will be about 50% bigger than mine.
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18th July 2020, 01:06 PM	#314
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	Originally Posted by Trebuchet The worst thing about those ~~full~~ house-sized American trucks is that they all have four-wheel drive and four full doors. So you need a ladder to get in and, unless you're willing to have it over 20 feet long, a cargo bed too short to put my little trebuchet in. I have a 2005 Ford Ranger for my hurling vehicle. The Ranger has been out of production for a while but they are bringing it back. The new one will be about 50% bigger than mine. Yeah, I can't figure it out, she has a shop selling window blinds so if she's using it for work I'D have thought a small van (or a 4x4 with a roof rack and custom cargo box) would be way more practical, because it has back seats the cargo area on the monster is about the same as a small van like a Twingo but really, really shallow, and parking it must be an utter, utter nightmare, we're just outside Oxford and I remember one wine tasting where I could barely park my Tigra and get it out through the street. I mean seriously, I have an old, second Gen Rav4 as my work vehicle and I can get a full sized kitchen appliance in the back without taking the back seats out, she'd have to lose the hard cover on the deck, and mine takes up half the footprint.
P.J. Denyer Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7,714	__________________ "I know my brain cannot tell me what to think." - Scorpion "Nebulous means Nebulous" - Adam Hills

20th July 2020, 03:31 AM	#315
Garrison Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 5,451	Originally Posted by P.J. Denyer Yeah, I can't figure it out, she has a shop selling window blinds so if she's using it for work I'D have thought a small van (or a 4x4 with a roof rack and custom cargo box) would be way more practical, because it has back seats the cargo area on the monster is about the same as a small van like a Twingo but really, really shallow, and parking it must be an utter, utter nightmare, we're just outside Oxford and I remember one wine tasting where I could barely park my Tigra and get it out through the street. I mean seriously, I have an old, second Gen Rav4 as my work vehicle and I can get a full sized kitchen appliance in the back without taking the back seats out, she'd have to lose the hard cover on the deck, and mine takes up half the footprint. I've seen this discussed before and its seems to be largely a psychological thing, the high driving position and sheer size of the vehicle makes drivers feel more secure even if its wholly impractical and a menace to pedestrians.
	__________________ So I've started a blog about my writing. Check it out at: http://fourth-planet-problem.blogspot.com/ And my first book is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077W322FX