That seems a remarkably large number, although it may be normal for Ohio. There are five that I know of within 20 minutes walk (which is probably equivalent to 6 minutes drive in average conditions) - four mainstream Protestant denominations, one Seventh ... moreThat seems a remarkably large number, although it may be normal for Ohio. There are five that I know of within 20 minutes walk (which is probably equivalent to 6 minutes drive in average conditions) - four mainstream Protestant denominations, one Seventh Day Adventist. They serve a population of around 15,000. There is also a mosque, possibly more than one in fact, and a Sikh temple.
One is not having a reliable means of illumination for after dark, or spare batteries for it. Another is underestimating how cold it will get during the night, especially in the spring and early summer in high latitudes. Not usually an issue for firs... moreOne is not having a reliable means of illumination for after dark, or spare batteries for it. Another is underestimating how cold it will get during the night, especially in the spring and early summer in high latitudes. Not usually an issue for first-timers, but one thing that you should remember to do regularly if you have an oldish tent is to check all parts of it regularly (fabric and poles) for damage and to re-waterproof it from time to time.
About lavender oil...if you take a bath you can sprinkle a few drops on the surface of the bathwater, or you can sprinkle a few drops on your bedcover or pillow before going to bed. Some people use oil-burners to fragrance a room - these use a candle flam... moreAbout lavender oil...if you take a bath you can sprinkle a few drops on the surface of the bathwater, or you can sprinkle a few drops on your bedcover or pillow before going to bed. Some people use oil-burners to fragrance a room - these use a candle flame to warm a small sample of the oil in a little saucer so that it slowly evaporates; I don't like them because I don't care for the smell of smoke or hot paraffin wax. Lavender has a calming effect so it is good for anxiety or mild depression. If there is an essential oils shop in the town where you live, they may be able to advise you on which one will suit your needs, or let you try samples.Anyway, Rosie, I hope you start feeling better during the week. less
It may last a few days, perhaps occasionally as much as two or three weeks. But it is difficult to give a precise answer because one person's depression is another person's sad is another person's normal. As for how I cope...exercise, hot baths, lavender ... moreIt may last a few days, perhaps occasionally as much as two or three weeks. But it is difficult to give a precise answer because one person's depression is another person's sad is another person's normal. As for how I cope...exercise, hot baths, lavender oil, St John's wort, and socialising or spending time with my family all help alleviate it somewhat.
Yes, Rosie, it is a common observation. I have noticed it most with wasps - not that an abundance of wasps is something I would miss, to be honest; also moths, and butterflies to some extent. There was a time when I would get a variety of moths straying i... moreYes, Rosie, it is a common observation. I have noticed it most with wasps - not that an abundance of wasps is something I would miss, to be honest; also moths, and butterflies to some extent. There was a time when I would get a variety of moths straying inside my home in summer attracted to the light, nowadays it is usually just the very tiny brown ones. The moth and butterfly numbers seem to have picked up a little this year, perhaps because we have had a warm summer. It seems to be happening with many classes of insect and there are a range of theories about what is causing it:https://e360.yale.edu/features/insect_numbers_declining_why_it_matters less
Not if it's on TV because I haven't had to spend anything to sit down and watch it. If we're talking about going out to see a movie, or hiring one on DVD, I usually have a good instinct for whether I'll enjoy it or not before I make a commitment to watch ... moreNot if it's on TV because I haven't had to spend anything to sit down and watch it. If we're talking about going out to see a movie, or hiring one on DVD, I usually have a good instinct for whether I'll enjoy it or not before I make a commitment to watch it. There have been a couple in recent years that I abandoned half way through. One was the South Park Movie. Another was a black and white 1930s movie starring a comedian called WC Fields - I normally like old comedies and he was supposed to be a comic genius, but his style of humour just didn't appeal to me. less
No, because I have doubts about their reliability when it comes to identifying national or ethnic origin, and the family history research I have done tells me as much as I want or need to know about that side of things. On that basis I am satisfied that I... moreNo, because I have doubts about their reliability when it comes to identifying national or ethnic origin, and the family history research I have done tells me as much as I want or need to know about that side of things. On that basis I am satisfied that I am at least 93.75% indigenous British (mostly English, although one of my great-great grandparents lived right on the Welsh border). My maternal grandmother always claimed to have Austrian Jewish ancestry on her father's side but the documentary evidence for this is missing or inconclusive. less
They should definitely be a band - either an 80s style jazz-fusion combo or politically conscious folk-rock.If you ever get British citizenship, I'll nominate you to become mayor of Tyldesley!(It is a place)
Not necessarily. Minority groups - defined by religion, culture, or lifestyle - may have all sorts of reasons to segregate themselves. E.g. survivalists, Strict Orthodox Jews.
Whether the policy is racist or not, it is not likely to result in greater prosperity and may even be an economic catastrophe, according to these writers:https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/south-africa-land-expropriation-compensation-economy-effects-a84... moreWhether the policy is racist or not, it is not likely to result in greater prosperity and may even be an economic catastrophe, according to these writers:https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/south-africa-land-expropriation-compensation-economy-effects-a8497996.htmlhttps://www.news24.com/MyNews24/expropriation-without-compensation-spells-economic-disaster-20180301Looks like a case of "cutting off one's nose to spite ones face".
I agree that there aren't many good comedies being produced any more, but overall I don't feel I'm getting less enjoyment from going to the movies than I have in the past. But I tend to watch the less mainstream, less crowd-pleasing movies, the ones that ... moreI agree that there aren't many good comedies being produced any more, but overall I don't feel I'm getting less enjoyment from going to the movies than I have in the past. But I tend to watch the less mainstream, less crowd-pleasing movies, the ones that don't get a very big release, as well as independent and foreign-language films, so maybe my experience isn't typical. If I were to list my top 5 favourite films from each of the last 10 years, I'm sure that at least 20 would be non-Hollywood. Superhero and franchise action movies are something I can take or leave. In my opinion, if there was a low point for Hollywood, it was the early 2000s. less
If these links are, in effect, offering pirated movies, then I would say there is a significant risk they will contain viruses or malware. I have never heard of anyone getting a virus that way but I don't think it's worth the risk. I would never use a fre... moreIf these links are, in effect, offering pirated movies, then I would say there is a significant risk they will contain viruses or malware. I have never heard of anyone getting a virus that way but I don't think it's worth the risk. I would never use a free movie streaming site unless it's recommended to me by someone whose opinion I hold in high esteem, and even then I would still have ethical objections.
Wow . . . I didn't expect this thread would run and run the way it has. My view of Tommy Robinson - on this occasion, yes, he was in the wrong, more generally his methods tend to be crude and often counter-productive, especially in setting up the Eng... moreWow . . . I didn't expect this thread would run and run the way it has. My view of Tommy Robinson - on this occasion, yes, he was in the wrong, more generally his methods tend to be crude and often counter-productive, especially in setting up the English Defence League, an organisation that was notorious for its lack of self-discipline and never seemed to have any real strategy or goals. And he hasn't always been consistent about his own views. But he is not the main problem - he is just a symptom. When you have a situation where the Government allows the levels of Muslim immigration we have over the last 20 years or so, when all the social and law and order problems it causes get swept under the carpet, the police are ineffective at protecting people, and we have a culture where it's difficult even to talk about Islam or Islamic cultures openly because we're so obsessed with not offending minorities . . . that's the sort of environment that people like Tommy Robinson can thrive in. The same sort of thing c... less
Ideally, train, or bus if it's a direct route, or some combination of these. If that would mean a very long and expensive journey, the destination has no rail connection or it would take more than one change, I may drive instead. The last time I went to a... moreIdeally, train, or bus if it's a direct route, or some combination of these. If that would mean a very long and expensive journey, the destination has no rail connection or it would take more than one change, I may drive instead. The last time I went to a foreign country was Iceland last summer, I flew there because there is no realistic alternative, but if I am going to continental Europe I will at least loom at the option of rail even if it means an extra stop-over. The only two times I have been to Ireland, I chose boat. less
There was a Goosemuck Lane somewhere I'm England which, it was reported, changed its name because local residents were embarrassed by it. But geese do produce a lot of "muck" so at least it has a sort of honesty to it.
Update: An unnamed "Prison Service spokesman" has released a statement contradicting some aspects of Robinson's account of his time in prison. But given how badly flawed the original hearing was, I wonder whether we can trust anything the authorities tell... moreUpdate: An unnamed "Prison Service spokesman" has released a statement contradicting some aspects of Robinson's account of his time in prison. But given how badly flawed the original hearing was, I wonder whether we can trust anything the authorities tell us about the case.
Yes, I know a lot of Tommy Robinson's supporters don't care much about factual accuracy...But so far, none of the claims have been contradicted by any mainstream media source. It is true that he was transferred from a 7% to a 31% Muslim prison within a fe... moreYes, I know a lot of Tommy Robinson's supporters don't care much about factual accuracy...But so far, none of the claims have been contradicted by any mainstream media source. It is true that he was transferred from a 7% to a 31% Muslim prison within a few weeks of beginning his sentence, thus putting him at far greater risk of attack. I have written to the Home Secretary to ask him for further details including why he was transferred. I have never agreed with Tommy Robinson's methods, but the transfer decision looks like a misuse of executive power, and if the authorities can get away with doing it in this case, they may do it to legitimate political activists as well. As they said about Nazi Germany: "When they came for the communists I did not speak out because I was not a communist..." - I'm sure you know the rest. less
Perhaps I should have explained that he is a controversial British anti-Islamism activist. His case received a fair amount of international attention, but perhaps not much in the mainstream media.
This is regardless of whether you agree with his opinions or methods. If the authorities move someone to a jail where he is more likely to be targeted because of his political views so that he has to be put in solitary, is afraid to eat in case his food i... moreThis is regardless of whether you agree with his opinions or methods. If the authorities move someone to a jail where he is more likely to be targeted because of his political views so that he has to be put in solitary, is afraid to eat in case his food is poisoned so that he loses 42 pounds in 2 months, and can't even open a window? I wasn't very sympathetic to him before but this is shocking.https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/02/tommy-robinson-solitary-confinement-23-5-hours-excrement-window/
"what does she see in him"? I felt that about a youngish couple I knew once who had recently met on a dating site. It turned out they had a shared interest in pet snakes. Perhaps having a rare or niche interest is all it takes for some people?
In my case, it's because I feel alienated from traditional left-right politics. I regard myself as left of centre on bread-and-butter issues, but right of centre on cultural and social issues, so none of the parties in my country come close to representin... moreIn my case, it's because I feel alienated from traditional left-right politics. I regard myself as left of centre on bread-and-butter issues, but right of centre on cultural and social issues, so none of the parties in my country come close to representing me. One party says we should slash the state and pander to the super-rich, the other says we can just solve all our problems by throwing money at them, but when it comes to many of the issues I care about, like immigration, policing and civil liberties, they are all singing from the same grubby hymn sheet. Come the next General Election, I will probably abstain again, unless there is the option of voting for one of the smaller newer parties such as the English Democrats or For Britain. Or unless there is a good independent candidate. Nothing wrong with voting for the lesser of two evils (or the least of several) if it is an informed choice, but it shouldn't just be voting for the sake of voting. less
I didn't know that. I had always assumed that suicide rates were higher in the winter.I do not cope with extremes of temperature very well but I think I would adjust to hotter summers better than colder winters. In Britain we are in the middle of a heatwa... moreI didn't know that. I had always assumed that suicide rates were higher in the winter.I do not cope with extremes of temperature very well but I think I would adjust to hotter summers better than colder winters. In Britain we are in the middle of a heatwave right now and I'm loving it even though it's not fashionable to say so!
Ideally a country should have total freedom of speech the only exceptions being defamation, threats or harassment of an individual, incitement to violence, or national security. Of advanced democracies America probably comes close to achieving this.
A friend of mine likes to say "the future's bright" but he's mainly talking about technological side of things - he gets very excited about new technological discoveries, especially graphene research, which is not surprising as he is an electrician.Politi... moreA friend of mine likes to say "the future's bright" but he's mainly talking about technological side of things - he gets very excited about new technological discoveries, especially graphene research, which is not surprising as he is an electrician.Politically, I think there have been times when it's been a lot "darker" than it is now, and we've pulled through.
Because of the inherent difficulty in distinguishing among:Lies;Innacuracies;Exaggerations;Mistakes made in good faith;Legitimate differences of opinion.If Facebook has too much power already, it is even more dangerous to make them the arbiters of what is "true".
I have to admit I have not been following the negotiations closely and I do not have very specific ideas about what sort of Brexit I would prefer. My gut feeling is I would tend towards a stance that would allow us to control immigration from EU countries... moreI have to admit I have not been following the negotiations closely and I do not have very specific ideas about what sort of Brexit I would prefer. My gut feeling is I would tend towards a stance that would allow us to control immigration from EU countries, not because I have been negatively affected by it myself, but because we are a densely populated country and it is putting a strain on our housing supply and infrastructure. If this means "no deal" or a less favourable deal, then I think there will be some hardship in the short term but we will adjust. As I understand it, some aspects of migration policy have been postponed for resolution after 2021 when the transition period ends. less
It's always been about the Government trying to get the best of all possible worlds - for example, keeping as far as possible our existing trading arrangements with Europe while not been constrained from developing new ones with the wider world, and being... moreIt's always been about the Government trying to get the best of all possible worlds - for example, keeping as far as possible our existing trading arrangements with Europe while not been constrained from developing new ones with the wider world, and being able to limit immigration from Europe. That is why the deal that has taken so long to achieve and why many people, especially in the pro-Brexit camp, don't agree with it.
No apology necessary! It's a long time since I've tasted watermelon - they'll probably have it in the outdoor market this Saturday so I may go and get me some.
Leaving the EU is now inevitable. The current uncertainty is over whether the EU will accept the deal recently put together by the UK cabinet. If they reject it and no acceptable alternative can be found, then it will be a "no deal" Brexit. We will still ... moreLeaving the EU is now inevitable. The current uncertainty is over whether the EU will accept the deal recently put together by the UK cabinet. If they reject it and no acceptable alternative can be found, then it will be a "no deal" Brexit. We will still be able to trade with the European Union countries but only on World Trade Organisation terms.
I've never associated white with any one season but I rarely wear white clothes anyway. I still eat soup during the summer, but not porridge for breakfast - that's still a three-seasons thing. But British summers are typically not very hot compared to wha... moreI've never associated white with any one season but I rarely wear white clothes anyway. I still eat soup during the summer, but not porridge for breakfast - that's still a three-seasons thing. But British summers are typically not very hot compared to what you must be used to.
I don't think I ever really chose a side in the first place, if "side" means a political party. Back in the late '80s and early '90s I would have considered myself to be on the Left politically, but without a strong party allegiance. I was cautiously opti... moreI don't think I ever really chose a side in the first place, if "side" means a political party. Back in the late '80s and early '90s I would have considered myself to be on the Left politically, but without a strong party allegiance. I was cautiously optimistic about the Labour Party's election victory in 1997 - I never really warmed to Tony Blair but saw him as a necessary evil. However, I gradually became disillusioned with Labour and the Left generally during the Blair and Brown years, on account of their inefficient spending programmes, attacks on civil liberties, failure to tackle welfare dependency, and many other reasons. But by 2010 I felt the Conservatives were not really offering much of an alternative. I was generally in favour of the Government's "austerity" programme (a programme of budget cuts to eliminate the structural deficit) - which was a Conservative policy but pretty much endorsed by the other two main parties as well, although I changed my mind about this as well when it became clear it was... less
Probably a couple of months ago. I rarely read newspapers in "dead tree" format now; the Guardian and the Independent have all their news and commentary online for free (although I am not averse to making a donation for an online resource I use a lot.) Th... moreProbably a couple of months ago. I rarely read newspapers in "dead tree" format now; the Guardian and the Independent have all their news and commentary online for free (although I am not averse to making a donation for an online resource I use a lot.) The disadvantage of this approach is that the news i read is likely to have a liberal-left bias so there is an argument that I should buy and read the Telegraph more often so as to get a balanced picture. There are always copies of our local newspaper lying around in our office at work so I don't need to shell out for that either. But I occasionally buy and read The New European - as a Leave voter in the referendum it gives an insight into what the "other side" is thinking. less
There have always been people who dislike minorities as a collective, but are friendly with individuals who belong to that collective. We should never underestimate people's ability to compartmentalise their beliefs.
This is regardless of whether you agree with his opinions or met... moreThis is regardless of whether you agree with his opinions or methods. If the authorities move someone to a jail where he is more likely to be targeted because of his political views so that he has to be put in solitary, is afraid to eat in case his food is poisoned so that he loses 42 pounds in 2 months, and can't even open a window? I wasn't very sympathetic to him before but this is shocking.https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/02/tommy-robinson-solitary-confinement-23-5-hours-excrement-window/
An example - a couple I know had a break-up but carried on livin... moreAn example - a couple I know had a break-up but carried on living together. Should I send them a Christmas card each or one addressed to both? Another one. Suppose I have a friend called Chloe whom I've known for 20 years. She has a long term partner called Roger whom I hardly know, I've only met once and spoken on the phone to him a couple of times. They live apart for 8 months of the year because he works in another country, should I address my Christmas card to "Chloe" or "Chloe and Roger"?
And are there any other racially-pejorative terms that have give... moreAnd are there any other racially-pejorative terms that have given rise to street names?
For me, it's between "War Game" by Philip K Dick and "The Darfst... moreFor me, it's between "War Game" by Philip K Dick and "The Darfstellar" by Walter M Miller Jnr.
That seems a remarkably large number, although it may be normal ... moreThat seems a remarkably large number, although it may be normal for Ohio. There are five that I know of within 20 minutes walk (which is probably equivalent to 6 minutes drive in average conditions) - four mainstream Protestant denominations, one Seventh Day Adventist. They serve a population of around 15,000. There is also a mosque, possibly more than one in fact, and a Sikh temple.
"Many's the slip twixt the cup and the lip" by The Present:https... more"Many's the slip twixt the cup and the lip" by The Present:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAyk1CedFJc(sorry, I can't seem to get embedding to work)
One is not having a reliable means of illumination for after dar... moreOne is not having a reliable means of illumination for after dark, or spare batteries for it. Another is underestimating how cold it will get during the night, especially in the spring and early summer in high latitudes. Not usually an issue for first-timers, but one thing that you should remember to do regularly if you have an oldish tent is to check all parts of it regularly (fabric and poles) for damage and to re-waterproof it from time to time.
About lavender oil...if you take a bath you can sprinkle a few d... moreAbout lavender oil...if you take a bath you can sprinkle a few drops on the surface of the bathwater, or you can sprinkle a few drops on your bedcover or pillow before going to bed. Some people use oil-burners to fragrance a room - these use a candle flame to warm a small sample of the oil in a little saucer so that it slowly evaporates; I don't like them because I don't care for the smell of smoke or hot paraffin wax. Lavender has a calming effect so it is good for anxiety or mild depression. If there is an essential oils shop in the town where you live, they may be able to advise you on which one will suit your needs, or let you try samples.Anyway, Rosie, I hope you start feeling better during the week. less
It may last a few days, perhaps occasionally as much as two or t... moreIt may last a few days, perhaps occasionally as much as two or three weeks. But it is difficult to give a precise answer because one person's depression is another person's sad is another person's normal. As for how I cope...exercise, hot baths, lavender oil, St John's wort, and socialising or spending time with my family all help alleviate it somewhat.
Yes, Rosie, it is a common observation. I have noticed it most w... moreYes, Rosie, it is a common observation. I have noticed it most with wasps - not that an abundance of wasps is something I would miss, to be honest; also moths, and butterflies to some extent. There was a time when I would get a variety of moths straying inside my home in summer attracted to the light, nowadays it is usually just the very tiny brown ones. The moth and butterfly numbers seem to have picked up a little this year, perhaps because we have had a warm summer. It seems to be happening with many classes of insect and there are a range of theories about what is causing it:https://e360.yale.edu/features/insect_numbers_declining_why_it_matters less
A French film I particularly enjoyed this year was "Jeune Femme"... moreA French film I particularly enjoyed this year was "Jeune Femme", and Olivier Assayas consistently makes good films too.
Not if it's on TV because I haven't had to spend anything to sit... moreNot if it's on TV because I haven't had to spend anything to sit down and watch it. If we're talking about going out to see a movie, or hiring one on DVD, I usually have a good instinct for whether I'll enjoy it or not before I make a commitment to watch it. There have been a couple in recent years that I abandoned half way through. One was the South Park Movie. Another was a black and white 1930s movie starring a comedian called WC Fields - I normally like old comedies and he was supposed to be a comic genius, but his style of humour just didn't appeal to me. less
No, because I have doubts about their reliability when it comes ... moreNo, because I have doubts about their reliability when it comes to identifying national or ethnic origin, and the family history research I have done tells me as much as I want or need to know about that side of things. On that basis I am satisfied that I am at least 93.75% indigenous British (mostly English, although one of my great-great grandparents lived right on the Welsh border). My maternal grandmother always claimed to have Austrian Jewish ancestry on her father's side but the documentary evidence for this is missing or inconclusive. less
My mother looks like a young Kate Winslet, in some old photograp... moreMy mother looks like a young Kate Winslet, in some old photographs that were taken before I was born when she was in her 20s.
They should definitely be a band - either an 80s style jazz-fusi... moreThey should definitely be a band - either an 80s style jazz-fusion combo or politically conscious folk-rock.If you ever get British citizenship, I'll nominate you to become mayor of Tyldesley!(It is a place)
Not necessarily. Minority groups - defined by religion, culture,... moreNot necessarily. Minority groups - defined by religion, culture, or lifestyle - may have all sorts of reasons to segregate themselves. E.g. survivalists, Strict Orthodox Jews.
Whether the policy is racist or not, it is not likely to result ... moreWhether the policy is racist or not, it is not likely to result in greater prosperity and may even be an economic catastrophe, according to these writers:https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/south-africa-land-expropriation-compensation-economy-effects-a8497996.htmlhttps://www.news24.com/MyNews24/expropriation-without-compensation-spells-economic-disaster-20180301Looks like a case of "cutting off one's nose to spite ones face".
I agree that there aren't many good comedies being produced any ... moreI agree that there aren't many good comedies being produced any more, but overall I don't feel I'm getting less enjoyment from going to the movies than I have in the past. But I tend to watch the less mainstream, less crowd-pleasing movies, the ones that don't get a very big release, as well as independent and foreign-language films, so maybe my experience isn't typical. If I were to list my top 5 favourite films from each of the last 10 years, I'm sure that at least 20 would be non-Hollywood. Superhero and franchise action movies are something I can take or leave. In my opinion, if there was a low point for Hollywood, it was the early 2000s. less
If these links are, in effect, offering pirated movies, then I w... moreIf these links are, in effect, offering pirated movies, then I would say there is a significant risk they will contain viruses or malware. I have never heard of anyone getting a virus that way but I don't think it's worth the risk. I would never use a free movie streaming site unless it's recommended to me by someone whose opinion I hold in high esteem, and even then I would still have ethical objections.
Wow . . . I didn't expect this thread would run and run the way ... moreWow . . . I didn't expect this thread would run and run the way it has. My view of Tommy Robinson - on this occasion, yes, he was in the wrong, more generally his methods tend to be crude and often counter-productive, especially in setting up the English Defence League, an organisation that was notorious for its lack of self-discipline and never seemed to have any real strategy or goals. And he hasn't always been consistent about his own views. But he is not the main problem - he is just a symptom. When you have a situation where the Government allows the levels of Muslim immigration we have over the last 20 years or so, when all the social and law and order problems it causes get swept under the carpet, the police are ineffective at protecting people, and we have a culture where it's difficult even to talk about Islam or Islamic cultures openly because we're so obsessed with not offending minorities . . . that's the sort of environment that people like Tommy Robinson can thrive in. The same sort of thing c... less
That is a great beginning paragraph. It makes me want to put it ... moreThat is a great beginning paragraph. It makes me want to put it on the reading list for my local book club.
Ideally, train, or bus if it's a direct route, or some combinati... moreIdeally, train, or bus if it's a direct route, or some combination of these. If that would mean a very long and expensive journey, the destination has no rail connection or it would take more than one change, I may drive instead. The last time I went to a foreign country was Iceland last summer, I flew there because there is no realistic alternative, but if I am going to continental Europe I will at least loom at the option of rail even if it means an extra stop-over. The only two times I have been to Ireland, I chose boat. less
"" This is the way we make a broken heart' by Asleep At The Whee... more"" This is the way we make a broken heart' by Asleep At The Wheel. Original by Roseanne Cash.
There was a Goosemuck Lane somewhere I'm England which, it was r... moreThere was a Goosemuck Lane somewhere I'm England which, it was reported, changed its name because local residents were embarrassed by it. But geese do produce a lot of "muck" so at least it has a sort of honesty to it.
Update: An unnamed "Prison Service spokesman" has released a sta... moreUpdate: An unnamed "Prison Service spokesman" has released a statement contradicting some aspects of Robinson's account of his time in prison. But given how badly flawed the original hearing was, I wonder whether we can trust anything the authorities tell us about the case.
Yes, I know a lot of Tommy Robinson's supporters don't care much... moreYes, I know a lot of Tommy Robinson's supporters don't care much about factual accuracy...But so far, none of the claims have been contradicted by any mainstream media source. It is true that he was transferred from a 7% to a 31% Muslim prison within a few weeks of beginning his sentence, thus putting him at far greater risk of attack. I have written to the Home Secretary to ask him for further details including why he was transferred. I have never agreed with Tommy Robinson's methods, but the transfer decision looks like a misuse of executive power, and if the authorities can get away with doing it in this case, they may do it to legitimate political activists as well. As they said about Nazi Germany: "When they came for the communists I did not speak out because I was not a communist..." - I'm sure you know the rest. less
Perhaps I should have explained that he is a controversial Briti... morePerhaps I should have explained that he is a controversial British anti-Islamism activist. His case received a fair amount of international attention, but perhaps not much in the mainstream media.
This is regardless of whether you agree with his opinions or met... moreThis is regardless of whether you agree with his opinions or methods. If the authorities move someone to a jail where he is more likely to be targeted because of his political views so that he has to be put in solitary, is afraid to eat in case his food is poisoned so that he loses 42 pounds in 2 months, and can't even open a window? I wasn't very sympathetic to him before but this is shocking.https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/02/tommy-robinson-solitary-confinement-23-5-hours-excrement-window/
"what does she see in him"? I felt that about a youngish couple ... more"what does she see in him"? I felt that about a youngish couple I knew once who had recently met on a dating site. It turned out they had a shared interest in pet snakes. Perhaps having a rare or niche interest is all it takes for some people?
In my case, it's because I feel alienated from traditional left-... moreIn my case, it's because I feel alienated from traditional left-right politics. I regard myself as left of centre on bread-and-butter issues, but right of centre on cultural and social issues, so none of the parties in my country come close to representing me. One party says we should slash the state and pander to the super-rich, the other says we can just solve all our problems by throwing money at them, but when it comes to many of the issues I care about, like immigration, policing and civil liberties, they are all singing from the same grubby hymn sheet. Come the next General Election, I will probably abstain again, unless there is the option of voting for one of the smaller newer parties such as the English Democrats or For Britain. Or unless there is a good independent candidate. Nothing wrong with voting for the lesser of two evils (or the least of several) if it is an informed choice, but it shouldn't just be voting for the sake of voting. less
I didn't know that. I had always assumed that suicide rates were... moreI didn't know that. I had always assumed that suicide rates were higher in the winter.I do not cope with extremes of temperature very well but I think I would adjust to hotter summers better than colder winters. In Britain we are in the middle of a heatwave right now and I'm loving it even though it's not fashionable to say so!
Ideally a country should have total freedom of speech the only e... moreIdeally a country should have total freedom of speech the only exceptions being defamation, threats or harassment of an individual, incitement to violence, or national security. Of advanced democracies America probably comes close to achieving this.
So, the slang word might have come from the spade with which peo... moreSo, the slang word might have come from the spade with which people dug them up, or the knife with which people cut them up?
A friend of mine likes to say "the future's bright" but he's mai... moreA friend of mine likes to say "the future's bright" but he's mainly talking about technological side of things - he gets very excited about new technological discoveries, especially graphene research, which is not surprising as he is an electrician.Politically, I think there have been times when it's been a lot "darker" than it is now, and we've pulled through.
My favourite one is "Revenue Protection Officer". It sure sounds... moreMy favourite one is "Revenue Protection Officer". It sure sounds a lot more genteel than "Ticket Inspector".
Because of the inherent difficulty in distinguishing among:Lies;... moreBecause of the inherent difficulty in distinguishing among:Lies;Innacuracies;Exaggerations;Mistakes made in good faith;Legitimate differences of opinion.If Facebook has too much power already, it is even more dangerous to make them the arbiters of what is "true".
I have to admit I have not been following the negotiations close... moreI have to admit I have not been following the negotiations closely and I do not have very specific ideas about what sort of Brexit I would prefer. My gut feeling is I would tend towards a stance that would allow us to control immigration from EU countries, not because I have been negatively affected by it myself, but because we are a densely populated country and it is putting a strain on our housing supply and infrastructure. If this means "no deal" or a less favourable deal, then I think there will be some hardship in the short term but we will adjust. As I understand it, some aspects of migration policy have been postponed for resolution after 2021 when the transition period ends. less
It's always been about the Government trying to get the best of ... moreIt's always been about the Government trying to get the best of all possible worlds - for example, keeping as far as possible our existing trading arrangements with Europe while not been constrained from developing new ones with the wider world, and being able to limit immigration from Europe. That is why the deal that has taken so long to achieve and why many people, especially in the pro-Brexit camp, don't agree with it.
No apology necessary! It's a long time since I've tasted waterme... moreNo apology necessary! It's a long time since I've tasted watermelon - they'll probably have it in the outdoor market this Saturday so I may go and get me some.
Leaving the EU is now inevitable. The current uncertainty is ove... moreLeaving the EU is now inevitable. The current uncertainty is over whether the EU will accept the deal recently put together by the UK cabinet. If they reject it and no acceptable alternative can be found, then it will be a "no deal" Brexit. We will still be able to trade with the European Union countries but only on World Trade Organisation terms.
I've never associated white with any one season but I rarely wea... moreI've never associated white with any one season but I rarely wear white clothes anyway. I still eat soup during the summer, but not porridge for breakfast - that's still a three-seasons thing. But British summers are typically not very hot compared to what you must be used to.
Living in a large town (100,000+), one learns to accept a modicu... moreLiving in a large town (100,000+), one learns to accept a modicum of weirdness as normal.
I don't think I ever really chose a side in the first place, if ... moreI don't think I ever really chose a side in the first place, if "side" means a political party. Back in the late '80s and early '90s I would have considered myself to be on the Left politically, but without a strong party allegiance. I was cautiously optimistic about the Labour Party's election victory in 1997 - I never really warmed to Tony Blair but saw him as a necessary evil. However, I gradually became disillusioned with Labour and the Left generally during the Blair and Brown years, on account of their inefficient spending programmes, attacks on civil liberties, failure to tackle welfare dependency, and many other reasons. But by 2010 I felt the Conservatives were not really offering much of an alternative. I was generally in favour of the Government's "austerity" programme (a programme of budget cuts to eliminate the structural deficit) - which was a Conservative policy but pretty much endorsed by the other two main parties as well, although I changed my mind about this as well when it became clear it was... less
Probably a couple of months ago. I rarely read newspapers in "de... moreProbably a couple of months ago. I rarely read newspapers in "dead tree" format now; the Guardian and the Independent have all their news and commentary online for free (although I am not averse to making a donation for an online resource I use a lot.) The disadvantage of this approach is that the news i read is likely to have a liberal-left bias so there is an argument that I should buy and read the Telegraph more often so as to get a balanced picture. There are always copies of our local newspaper lying around in our office at work so I don't need to shell out for that either. But I occasionally buy and read The New European - as a Leave voter in the referendum it gives an insight into what the "other side" is thinking. less
There have always been people who dislike minorities as a collec... moreThere have always been people who dislike minorities as a collective, but are friendly with individuals who belong to that collective. We should never underestimate people's ability to compartmentalise their beliefs.
The consequences are difficult to predict, but if I were America... moreThe consequences are difficult to predict, but if I were American I think I would be more worried about cross-border cartel activity than mere demographic change. There are a number of reasons for wanting a border wall but disrupting organised crime sounds like a good one.
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