blandy

We do. you’re right. Though a part of that is of course irresponsible cat ownership. I don’t hate cats, btw. They’re beautiful creatures for the most part. But humans letting them out, without bells and during the nesting season, or letting them run completely wild are the instigators of the slaughter cats do. Far too many people don’t look after cats properly and have no respect for wildlife.

The example in th IHRA definition is that denying the Jewish people self determination , for example by saying the existence of the state of Israel is a racist endeavour. As I posted last week, or the week before, it's fine to say (as you could for any nation, if true) "their (Israel's) laws are racist against the minority Arab population, or that there is fundamental discrimination and racism endemic in their institutions or in their Gov't or in their society". That's fine by the IHRA defintion and examples. IHRA def'n specifically says that treating Israel the same as any other state is not anti-semitic. It is however concerned specifically with the setting up of the nation/state of Israel - in essence saying that if that act is said to be "racist" then that is anti-semitic - like I said last week, that's because it denies legitimacy - Israel not being legitimate would imply it and its population shouldn't exist or be there and therefore they could be singled out and treated differently..." The Government of Israel is fair game for criticism, the institutions are fair game, Saying Israel has bad or racist laws is OK. It's fine. As long as we don't tar all Jews or the establishment of the Israeli state as racist, then all's good. There's no problem. the IHRA does not prevent criticism of Israel at all.

Yeah. I can't help feeling as well that he's unsettled the squad and team needlessly, too.

I imagine the Labour party spokesperson was unavailable. I'm sure had they been, they'd have said that (paraphrasing) 'Checkers is a bad deal nobody wants, it cannot work and will not work the people hate it the EU won't accept it, it won't pass our tests and Labour will vote against it.' Radio presenter: So what do you propose? Labour MP: 'We've been very clear, we want what's right for Britain.' With such a wide range of choices, and such great intellectual honesty, I can't work out where to put my vote, either.

That's a big 180 degree "clarification" Yeah it's more serious, sure. And he's down to so few due to not just to not recruiting, but also to letting what we had go. It's bonkers mad if we want to challenge for promotion. TBH it's likely to see us miles away from challenging. He's away with the fairies on this.

You absolutely can say that the Israeli Gov't has passed racist laws, or that the IDF act in a racist way, or whatever else without being anti-semitic, or being accused of it. Governments pass laws, not Nations or States of (in this case) 9 million or so people. The machinery of a state - its institutions, government, police, army, health service etc. are not the same thing as the state, the nation of 9 million Jews and Arabs and whatever else (though people seem often to equate the two) As long as you (anyone, I mean) can somehow, resist your apparent urges to stray into a Livingstone-esque, comparing Israel to the Nazis who gassed 6 million plus Jews, type meltdown, and can can follow some unchallenging, even for a child, guidelines on human decency, then there is no issue at all.

I don't see why you would interpret it that way. I mean last season we had only one left back (and lots of right backs) and no one said "oh that Steve Bruce can't be in charge of transfers". Perhaps he's just a bit absent minded when it comes to these things "Now I was gonna buy something, damn! can't remember what it was..."something back" I think...hmmm, lef...no...cent....no, ah sod it, I'll just get someone who can go at right back, what could possibly go wrong?"

which bit of killing indigenous wildlife is not doing harm to the environment? That's absolutely harmful, not least to the butterflies. Multiply by the number of cats and there's as I posted earlier, a veritable slaughter of natural wildlife being done by Cats, exterminations and annihalations of native species. Cats are terrible for wildlife.

link

I don’t often wear jeans, but I do it too if it’s cold. Keeps m’tum warm.

I’m sorry you think that, sorry because it’s dismissive of a different view to yours, sorry because it’s deemed bad, sorry because it’s “tagging” a view. I’ll be honest, the Israel Palestinian oppression and horror isn’t a big deal in my life it doesn’t affect my life. It’s awful, but the bus turns up, I go to work, or whatever. It’s a way away. I admit I don’t know jack. i probably am centrist, by this week’s definition. Previously I was left or socialist, or etc. Whatever, it’s all cool, all a label. Now I’m centrist both sides ism. Sorry for trying to work out how to make sense of it.

Absolutely. Complete agreement from me, there.

Thank you. I didn't and don't want to repeat the same points, so that's why the short reply. It's possible things can get so much worse of course, and if they got to such a state, then...the world is even more done for than it already is. Yeah, it's beyond my understanding too. It's "easy" for us to see the horrors that Israeli forces have committed, or to read about the impact on the lives of the people crammed into the West Bank and the Gaza strip. The land thefts, discrimination, collective punishment and all the rest. It's a little mnore difficult to get information and stories about the murders and punishments and inhumanity of some of the Palestinian groups on their own people. Easy to see when they bomb a bus or fire some rockets, and then get a barrage of bombs in return. It's an utter mess and being made worse at the moment by Trump, by the Israeli Gov't, in part emboldened by Trump. It's getting worse not better. I don't think the leaders" of either side currently want peace. It very sadly suits them to have conflict, much to the detriment of the two societies.

Some do, but most, maybe not. The situation with Labour MPs and members is different though. There is definitely genuine hurt and upset and disappointment as well as hypocritical and made up fuss. The cry wolf thing I mentioned a while ago - it's counter-productive and only aids the bells who deny there's any problem at all.

Yes.

Well exactly. The bastard Tory that he is, refusing to join the tories like that. ‘Kin Tory. but seriously, he’s a bit “independent” minded, sure, and 40 odd years as a labour MP suggests maybe labour has left him as much as he’s left them. Which is okay , things change, and he’s wrong on Brexit and has no divine right to be MP for wherever it is, but that applies to all of them. in a way it’s indicative of the flaws in the U.K. system of parliament and of parties. Lifelong campaigner against exploitation of the poor, ideas as to how to change that...sorry, you’re out Frank, not Corbyny enough...ok I quit..go on then, eff off you Tory.

Thank you. I’ve got a personal animus against Corbyn, Newman is a shoddy journalist Smeeth talked to the Telegraph...therefore.... thats it in a nutshell. Ignore because...they’re obviously y’know... perhaps, just maybe, I have “an animus” [ I just don’t rate him at all, I think he’s a wrong ‘un] against Corbyn because of examples such as this one, not what you’re implying which is that I’m having a go at him because I don’t rate him. I’d absolutely be, if not chuffed, relieved if this kind of thing wasn’t happening, if Labour was effectively opposing the tories, and Brexit instead of being rendered asunder by by internal disputes, plots, counter deselection threats, anti semitism, inept leadership and all the rest. It’s so inwards focused, instead of outwards. Sure they’ve always has headwinds because of the media loading for the tories, but his approach is not working, and worse than that, with the most inept, riven, terrible government ever they’re losing because of him. maybe I read it wrong, maybe decency, tolerance and egalitarianism will prevail through Corbyn’s saintly leadership... no, then again, perhaps not.

It depends. Most parties have a wide range of views and policy preferences amongst their membership. Other parts of Field's record are clear labour. He doesn't fit with the momentum type of Labour for sure. but he doesn't fit with a typical stereotype of any party, IMO. Even without the racism problems, I could see him leaving Labour, true.

My meaning is that while he doesn't tell them to do it, or hint they should do it, nevertheless they do it, and then he is rather reluctant to meaningfully discourage it, and he rather likes (IMO) the effect, or the results of the effect it creates. Turning something of a blind eye (as with all kinds of other areas) is his modus operandi - whether intentional, or sub-consciously, or because he cannot conceive that he's ever anything other than holier than thou righteous. Very much like your example from today, yes. It's rather helpful perhaps, so mild condemnation might tick the "nothing to do with me guv" box, but as with Boris Johnson and many other politicians, they are rather murkier than they like to project. They send signals, knowing exactly what will happen, but are distant enough to go with a pretence of innocence. It's not ALL down to Corbyn/AS/ Clown, but some of it is very much so. Like this kind of stuff So clear intimidation and abuse, and no condemnation, just "please be nice". And that was before he was leader (I think).

which bit of " his "band of furious tramps*" do that for him" does your post relate to, Peter? I know he doesn't personally engage in much more than mild anti-semitism and surely doesn't even believe he does. And why do you want to exclude more recent times, since he has been leader? Don't need to answer that one, we both know why. Because there are loads of examples of exactly what I said.

Probably about 12 years ago, I stripped out the kitchen, fitted new worktops and cupboards, sink, hob, cooker hood etc. and so I had to add a spur onto the ring main for the cooker hood fan. Because of the regs about getting a certificate, I had to pay a qualified lecky £125 quid to basically look at it, and sign a certificate. It didn't seem overly good vfm. (without wishing to big myself up, I am a competent person - member of the IET, chartered engineer etc.). So I guess there will be plenty of registered leckies getting £125+ for 5 minutes "work" (plus a 10 minute journey, to be fair).

Yes, absolutely wrong.... ...His people, his "band of furious tramps*" do that for him, whether online or in person. *(c) stewart lee

Yes, they do. That's what that Owl (a great grey owl) was doing. It's just the depth of the snow meant it's head also went into the snow http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Great_Grey_Owl#p00ffmnh has a short video be owl. don't be mouse.

The fallback option for the border. - i.e. until something is agreed it stays as it is (or is not, more accurately) si N.I effectively stays in the SM for the time being and the UK fudges some crud between N.I and the mainland. I agree the NI border issue is ultimately insoluble with the red lines - I was saying so before the vote, in terms of you can't have both "control of your borders and immigration" and "no border with the South" (and therefore the rest of the EU) ". But faced with the impossibility of their/her stupidity, the tories/May will have to give way on their current hard red line.

There's going to be a vote in parliament on whatever "deal" and it will happen before the EU vote on the same "deal". They are having something to vote on. In the event that parliament votes "no" to whatever Theresa May puts in front of it, then because the tories have made such an utter arse of the whole process it's not clear what happens next. One possibility is we just crash out, another is we go back to the EU, say "oops, it appears we've shit our own bed, can we, er have some time to sort ourselves out and get back to you?". May would be bound to resign, the EU would be suicidal not to allow an extension - it costs them nothing and gains them a fair bit (not least money). Then we're back to the top 3 options I gave.