QUOTE OF THE DAY. TRIPPS ORIGINAL

[Stanley]

I can imagine the scene Peter. I hope the fools pay!

[Stanley]

Mr Sunderland was speaking on 2 April at an event for Young Conservatives organised by a group called the True Blue Patrons Supper Club and titled: What’s it like behind the scenes at the Home Office. He is a parliamentary private secretary to Mr Cleverly and has previously worked for Suella Braverman. Mr Sunderland is heard to say: "I have been part of this for the last two years, and I’m immersed in it and I probably shouldn’t say too much.
"What I would say to you is that - nobody has got their cameras on, their phones - the policy is crap, OK? It’s crap."
It has been said since that he wasn't talking about the policy just the effects of introducing it. If that's so, why was he worried about being recorded?

[Tizer]

Joe Biden garbling his words on a Philadelphia-based radio station interview...
“By the way I’m proud to be, as I said the first vice president, the first Black woman served with a Black president...Proud of the first Black woman, the Supreme Court. There’s just so much that we can do because together we, there’s nothing. Look, this is the United States, America.” NBC Montana

[Tripps]

The response of commentators to this situation is again noteworthy. James O'Brien spent a full hour yesterday with the message - "nothing to see here", and today on LBC this morning they had an American woman who immediately said we should be looking at quotes from Donald Trump rather than Biden.

She then explained that he actually meant to say was - "I was the first Vice President to a black President, and the first President to have a black Vice President. That's perfectly credible - but the chap is seriously confused, and should leave public life - with whatever spin is required for his and his family's self esteem.

[PanBiker]

Biden himself was contemplating standing down earlier last week and they convinced him otherwise! They had a perfect opportunity to put someone, fully fit, both physically and mentally and a lot younger in post to take the other geriatric bloke on.

You couldn't make up most of US politics.

[Tizer]

If Biden steps down it's almost certain that it would have to be the present VP, Kamala Harris, who replaces him as the Democrat candidate. She's had a lot of criticism even among Democrats, but who knows, she might just turn out to be quite different if the got the job. Biden has been so excited that he's finally made it to his lifelong goal as POTUS that he's wanted to do everything and leave her little chance to be tested. A black woman might be just the right opposition for Trump if she's tough enough!

[Tripps]

From a letter in the Telegraph -

"They say it is no use crying over spilt milk... but looking back,
those people who refused to accept a 52% win on a 72% turnout in 2016
are the very same people celebrating a 33% win on a 59% turnout in 2024.
It's a funny old world!"

[Stanley]

That's a brilliant letter David and quite true!
Ian, I agree with you, US politics at the moment is beyond my comprehension.

[PanBiker]

The very fact that the law allows a President to be elected even if the candidate is in prison or continue as President if sent to prison is an anathema to me. In our flawed version of FPTP democracy you cant stand, (even for council) if you have so much as a CCJ against you. Certainly not if you are in Gaol.

If that's what Land of the Free stands for, count me out.

[Tripps]

I rest my case - the discussion is immediately turned from Biden to Trump.

you cant stand, (even for council) if you have so much as a CCJ against you

Speaking of probity in politics the matter of the current Mayor of Pendle is worth a second look - (ibid) No criminal record but treated as a protected category, and just made to apologise for what some would describe as a criminal act. This aspect of political life will figure more in the next few years.

[PanBiker]

No criminal record but treated as a protected category, and just made to apologise for what some would describe as a criminal act.

That's my point what some would describe is not good enough.

[Tripps]

A public admission of what is without doubt a criminal offence, in the presence of a solicitor and a police officer should usually be enough to start legal proceedings wouldn't you say?

I would.

[Stanley]

And so would I..... It's the 'great and the good' syndrome. The epitome of which is the 'honours system'.
Look how it operates in the financial system and public life. It's the reason why Paula Vennells isn't in gaol.

[PanBiker]

Still not in the same league as a defeated candidate encouraging an armed insurrection against the seat of government. They will still elect him again even if he eventually ends up in gaol, which is where he belongs. That is a corrupt system in my view.

[Stanley]

You're right Ian but have a look at what I have just written in response to Peter's post on US politics.
The question we have to ask ourselves is whether there is something fundamentally flawed in the way that we manage 'democracy'? Even Churchill had his doubts and he is held up as an example of what a good leader looks like by the far-right.
Perhaps the only good thing about the likes of Trump et al is that they lead us to questioning the system.
The nightmare solution to me would be to hand over to a computer system but I am not the first to suspect that this may be a future possibility..... The Age of Big Brother.......

[Tripps]

Thank you Molly Freshwater, Co-Founder of Secret Linen Store for this pertinent and very timely piece of advice. The heatwave is predicted to arrive tomorrow (Monday) and last until Tuesday. I wonder what's 'secret' about her linen store? Reminds me of Reginald Perrin and his shop chain 'Grot'.

"Experts have warned all UK households to put their mattresses on the FLOOR tonight ahead of the 34C UK heatwave. Experts are urging households to adopt a comfortable sleeping position as the UK heatwave looks set to strike.
If possible, experts say sleep with your limbs spread out to increase airflow around your body. Sharing a bed can generate more heat, so consider sleeping alone if space allows. Heat rises, so the closer you are to the floor, the cooler you'll be, they add.
Warning households to sleep "low" they say: "Some people find sleeping on a mattress or mat on the floor helps in hot weather." Molly Freshwater, Co-Founder of Secret Linen Store says: "Consider bed linen made from natural fibres such as 100% cotton or linen, rather than synthetic poly-cotton blends."

I think she should have added this gudance from the NHS, which seems very relevant for octogenarians.

Getting up from a fall
If you’re not hurt and feel well enough, you could try to get up from the floor. The best way will differ from person to person, but as a guide, you can:
Roll onto your side.
Push yourself up to a side sitting position.
Slowly get onto your hands and knees.
Crawl towards a sturdy piece of furniture that can support you to get up – such as a solid chair or sofa.
Kneel side-on to the chair or sofa with your strongest leg next to it, then slide the foot of your strongest leg forward so that it’s flat on the floor. Your other knee should remain on the floor.
Put both hands on the chair or sofa.
Raise and turn your body, pushing through your hands and foot until your bottom is safely on the chair or sofa.
Sit for a few minutes before you try to do anything else and check again for injuries.

If you have weak muscles, or painful and stiff joints in your legs, you may not be able to follow these instructions. In this case, you can consider getting a community alarm so you know that help will always be available. Find out more about telecare services using the Telecare Self-check tool. To improve your confidence and technique, it’s a good idea to practice getting up from a fall in different rooms of your house and using different types of sturdy furniture for support. For your safety, ask a friend or relative to be with you when you practice.

[PanBiker]

Or just open the window and sleep naked without any covers. It works in the Greek islands whenever we have visited and it's usually a bit warmer down there. A single sheet if you wish.

My question would be, who are the "experts"?

[Stanley]

I once slept with the window open in Bruges. Woke up the following morning with a face like a pumpkin due to mossie bites..... Apologies from the management, they had forgotten to put the fly screens up after the winter.....

[PanBiker]

I am fortunate that nothing bites me, I must be nasty tasting or something.

[Stanley]

"HSBC has promised it will not announce any new closures of its bank branches until at least 2026."

I found this lurking in a BBC report about the high price low serial numbers on the new Charles banknotes have achieved at auction.
The thought struck me that they haven't many high street branches left....... so not difficult to promise not to close them....

[Tripps]

From BBC News

A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to a year and eight months in prison for his part in disorder that broke out in Bristol earlier this month. Bradley McCarthy, 34, of Knowle, joined an anti-immigration march on 3 August - he later pleaded guilty to violent disorder after using racist slurs against counter-protesters and shouting at police officers and their dog.

Reminds me a little of Constable Savage Fancy shouting at a police dog - got off lightly I'd say. .

[Stanley]

Depends on what he was shouting?

[Tizer]

Perhaps subjecting the dog to racist, misogynistic or trans-exclusive abuse?

[Stanley]

Just one more instance of the world being a very strange place these days.....
I freely admit that I don't understand much of it.

[Tripps]

Amidst all the manufactured hysteria of the Democrats Convention - Andrew Neil quietly points out -

"The Harris-Walz campaign website contains not a word about policy. Nothing. You can donate to the campaign. You can learn a bit about Kamala and Tim. But you can’t find out what policies you’d be backing".
5:23 PM · Aug 22, 2024