Amsterdam_Neil_D

There is never a "let's open the Ark of the Covenant" moment, when you need one.

I'll see your "Asda Minworth", I go all in on on "The Fort". The original Hell Hole. It was awful when it opened, I have not been there for 15 years though so maybe it is a shining light of all shopping experiences now ?

Surrounded, it doesn't matter if they are all Ivan Drago, they gonna get minced up.

I am on no ones side here but a thinking out loud more than anything. I don't live there so don't kill me, I can't vote there but I am only interested in the UK politics wise, but maybe the thread is a bit predictable. Discussion points more than anything. I don't believe this graph or contents is the main driver. Some perspective for inflation, in The Netherlands where they have literally no control what's so ever on any fiscal policy short or long term. we are so small as to have no say in the EU: The current inflation rate today is 17%. The mini budget specifically targeted sectors that together allready contributes well over 11% of the UK GDP. (High end housing and banking, these are sort of multipliers as they genuinely do trickle through the economy). They can attract the best bankers in the EU or the world, increase revenue going through the city and they can earn more so more tax. Lets say they add 1.0% to the 10% of GDP for that. That is massive, can be used for the Debt or NHS etc. There has to be some fuel added to the fire after Covid and Ukraine just to get it going again, The UK is relying on the greed of bankers through the EU, they will go where they can earn unlimited money. A sure bet. To combat inflation, the base rate must increase slightly as a matter of course and this was always going to happen. The problem, this has a 50% chance of success but if it gets momentum and the war stops then things calm down. They can still win from here IMO, they will do anything to stay in power. Would anyone bet their house on a Labour win now ? I wouldn't.

Don't forget, lets not big him up either, he is not master politician or tactical mind. He used to be a actual bag carrier for diplomats. Waiting at a airport baggage carousel for "Big Boss bag" He just got lucky and now it runs out.

If he even tries to get one of the ground, Moscow is gone as a matter of course I would think, no more naughty step. It's a pre defined response with no wriggle room, Putin understands this very well. They have had since February to sort him out and he is now systematically killing his own recruits so what do they want in Russia as an excuse ? It's really their choice as to what might happen now. North Korea and China are watching very closely as to what they can get away with.

I think this is the case, if he looks like he will do it then his time in office is over I suspect.

On a lighter note, the above conversation takes place in every small heath house/caravan every weekend when all their offspring refuse to go to the sty again as they would rather play in the rubbish skip outside Aunty Jackie's round the corner.

I just find it odd, look at all the stuff recently in the UK for example. I would think more people would be at least a little more engaged with it as for many its the choice between heating or eating for example. But they aren't. It's baffling.

I know, you are correct of course, but it makes me think this is a problem. It would be better if more people were bothered.

They wouldn't survive the night in a proper rough London estate never mind a theatre of war, guns or no guns. They know they are dead allready.

He will still have a go though, I don't think he totally understands the modern world. Creating 1000's of dead or wounded soldiers is something Russia can ill afford long term either. Lost GDP or long term care as opposed to creating revenue. Its approx. $500 k per dead person as it is (Lifetime GDP). If you factor care for wounded its a comical self inflicted disaster. Putin is slowly turning into Alf Garnett. Just wants the old times back.

I doubt Russia blew this up. The US maybe.

Also, its one thing doing a surprise attack, its a totally different game if the US actually has its finger actually touching a real big trigger aimed at your head. He twitches wrong and fires up some missile engines, even as a test, he might regret it. North Korea, fires missiles all over the gaff. Putin wouldn't dare even as a joke. Putin, he's like the local hardman on a council estate, won't risk town for a drink.

I bet he drinks up town as well.

Would it not be simpler and easier to make everyone vote ? You can pay 10 pounds not to vote if you want ? Then it is super fair, no ?

Good post mate, both things have problems I suppose. The Red party thing is interesting, its like a safety net to stop it going in the wrong direction even though it gets only a small %.

Not sure if 100% relevant but, In Holland we have amongst others "Gert Wilders". I wont write the stuff he says in Parliament as it would make your eyes bleed. She (Raynor) might be onto something though. You inadvertently give people like him a big voice is a bigger possibility. Never an outright majority here either, waste of time really. There is a pet party, tree party and things like that. Maybe 100 parties as well, its well cheap to start one.

Hope everyone tries like you did

As a chant, not easy.

I fear you might be correct but, If they make the waiting times in A&E any longer, people will start meeting themselves being treated for earlier injuries in the same week. They will change the fundamental way time works in A&E to cut the times. Maybe put them on the 10th (A&E) floor to take advantage of the small slow down in time compared to floor level + make sure there is no lift.

The conflict as a whole has taught me a few thing I think, I look at the Russians as a brainwashed people, same as ISIS in a way. 100% believe lies and are happy to kill for these lies, all they want is torture, rape, kill and money as far as I can make out. If the above soldier had managed to get to a Ukraine town, like the 1000's and 1000's of his colleges, they wil rape, burn and kill anything they can get their hands on. It is in their DNA unfortunately through decades of propaganda. Russian soldiers are almost human yes, but not quite. If you were from Ukraine and your wife and sisters were killed by this lot, use that as a base line. When this is over and we find out what they have been up to, I suggest to keep all the sympathy locked and loaded until its all clear.