Seen in the News

[Tizer]

Trump is doomed now. He's really upset Taylor Swift and her many millions of `Swiftie' fans. And they're not just a lot of kids, she has many older fans, some much older too! She has supported the Democrats before and this will make her even more keen to stick the knife into Trump...
`Trump falsely implies Taylor Swift endorses him' LINK

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report on the sinking of the yacht off Sicily.
Specialist divers continue to search for six people who were onboard a luxury superyacht which capsized off the coast of Sicily on Monday morning - but questions have been asked about why the vessel sank. According to vessel tracking app Vesselfinder, the boat left the Sicilian port of Milazzo on 14 August and was last tracked east of Palermo on Sunday evening, with a navigation status of "at anchor". It is believed the ship was struck by a tornado over the water - otherwise known as a waterspout - causing Bayesian to capsize. There are separate reports the boat's mast snapped during the freak storm and other factors in the boat's sinking include water entering through hatches and doors which had been left open because of warm weather off the Italian coast.
There is much more speculation in the article but what strikes me is the irony of these privileged people living in the height of luxury being snuffed out like a candle flame.
No doubt more facts will emerge but they will do nothing to lessen what I see as the lessons we can draw from this..... It doesn't matter how luxurious the accommodation, if you are out at sea in a small boat in extreme weather you are in danger.....

[Tripps]

BBC News reports -

"Fans at Taylor Swift's concerts in Edinburgh danced so hard that they set off earthquake monitors, say scientists.
According to the British Geological Survey the vibration was recorded by their monitors six kilometres (3.7 miles) away. The British Geological Survey (BGS) said analysis of their seismograph data suggested that the energy "peaked" on the Friday night - the opening night of the UK leg of her tour. BGS Seismologist Callum Harrison said: "Clearly Scotland’s reputation for providing some of the most enthusiastic audiences remains well intact!"

No mention of how much the reading was on the Richter scale? That might invite comparisons with fracking - which might even have been lower - which would never do.

[Stanley]

I saw THIS heading the BBC news.
Divers searching the wreckage of a superyacht which sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday have found the bodies of five of the six missing passengers, and recovered four of them to shore. The Italian Coastguard has not formally identified the bodies which have been brought up from the wreck of the Bayesian - but rescuers have spent days searching for four Britons and two Americans. These include Mike Lynch - the UK tech entrepreneur whose wife owns the Bayesian yacht, his daughter Hannah Lynch, the chairman of Morgan Stanley Bank International Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy Bloomer. The first two bodies to be found were brought ashore to Porticello harbour on Wednesday afternoon. Hours later two more bodies were pulled from the water before the search was paused as night fell.
One thing that keeps bugging me is the fact that the media keep referring to a 'super yacht' and telling us it has the second tallest sailing mast in the world but I looked it up. The Bayesian's gross tonnage is 379 so she was a very small ship in maritime terms.

[PanBiker]

There is a theory that they may have left hatches and portholes or windows open due to the high temperatures. This would contribute to the rapid sinking once it was blown on its side. Hard to confirm as the yacht is lying on its side on the sea bed so the divers can only see half a picture. Complicated also as at 150ft down the divers only have 10 minutes at the site before having to resurface. No doubt they will come to a conclusion with the use of submersible drones for inspection. The other theory is that the hull stabiliser which would give side stability seems to be in the retracted position so it could be a combination of errors that led to the tragedy.

Comment from other sailors who have experienced water spouts which are quite common in the area. Apparently not a great problem if your vessel is shipshape.

I'm not a marine engineer but I can't honestly see why the mast needed to be higher than the length of the boat.

[Stanley]

I see in the news that it has been confirmed that Mike Lynch died when the Bayseian capsized. The only body unaccounted fro is his daughter Hannah.
Much speculation still of what the causes of the sinking were. All will become clear as time passes. My main impression still is the irony of a celebratory trip on a luxury yacht becoming a tragic disaster. We expect 60mph winds in Barlick today but I am not in any danger..... There is a lesson in there somewhere.

[PanBiker]

Also seen in the local NW news that some reprobates have been reported for putting up false Facebook sites with donation links for the little lassies that were killed recently. One was posted a couple of days before the first funeral, absolutely disgusting. If caught, I would like to see a return of the stocks or some other draconian punishment for actions such as this. Makes me sick thinking of those prepared to make profit from such a tragic loss.

[Tizer]

With luck Trump will dig himself into a hole so deep we never see him again!...
`Trump lashes out as DNC attacks throw him off message' LINK

[Stanley]

Couldn't agree more Ian. Whoever is doing this is a pariah and should be treated as such!
Peter, I read the report on Trump, very perceptive and I like what I am hearing.
One thing is certain, If Trump wins the election it is a disaster for America and I hope enough voters recognise that and vote Harris!

[Tizer]

The rest of the Kennedy family are outraged. It was bad enough when he became prominent in the anti-vaccination movement but this is even worse. Could his behaviour now be related to when he suffered from a brain parasite a decade ago which caused severe memory loss and brain fog?...
`Robert F Kennedy Jr suspends campaign and backs Trump' LINK

This was front page news in the i newspaper today... The i
`HS2 trains too high for station platforms – leaving taxpayers with £200m bill: the news comes days after it emerged that the trains will require a separate redesign to have extra doors added'
As the Chancellor Rachel Reeves mulls tax rises and spending cuts to balance the UK’s books, taxpayers will have to find another £200m to refit HS2 train carriages because their doors are too high for ordinary station platforms. Industry sources told i that Network Rail and the Office for Rail and Road were unwilling to allow the 225mph trains to run on the existing network because of fears that the gap between the train and the platform will be too great, making them unsafe.

[Tripps]

I don't know a lot abut American politics, but there seems a lot of hatred for Trump here and elsewhere. I asked the Artificial Intelligence site ChatGPT for help . It;s the new thing we're told - might as well use it. the reply is quite long, but worth a look I'd say. I don't conclude that he was the worst of these three.

Tripps asked - Compare Donald Trump's, George W Bush's, and Joe Bidens presidencies - on the basis of harm done to the USA and the world

ChatGPT replied:-

Comparing the presidencies of Donald Trump, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden based on the harm they may have caused to the U.S. and the world involves examining a variety of policies and events. The impacts are complex and often subjective, but I'll provide an analysis focusing on key areas.
1. Foreign Policy and Global Impact
George W. Bush (2001-2009):
Iraq War: Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003 is widely seen as one of the most harmful U.S. foreign policy decisions of the 21st century. The war, based on claims of weapons of mass destruction that were never found, led to significant loss of life, regional instability, and the rise of extremist groups like ISIS. The war strained U.S. relations with allies and damaged the country's reputation globally.
Afghanistan War: While initially supported globally, the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan became a quagmire with unclear objectives. It ultimately resulted in a costly, two-decade-long conflict that ended chaotically in 2021.

Donald Trump (2017-2021):
America First: Trump’s foreign policy was characterized by the "America First" approach, which often alienated traditional allies and undermined multilateral institutions. He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the Iran Nuclear Deal, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, signaling a retreat from global leadership.
Relations with Adversaries: Trump's unconventional diplomacy with North Korea and his contentious relationship with NATO allies created global uncertainty. His erratic decision-making, such as the withdrawal of troops from Syria, was criticized for betraying allies like the Kurds and empowering adversaries like Russia.
Damage to U.S. Global Image: Trump's rhetoric and policies were seen as damaging to the U.S.’s global standing, as his administration was often accused of undermining democratic values.

Joe Biden (2021-present):
Withdrawal from Afghanistan: The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 marked a significant low point in Biden's presidency. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the resurgence of the Taliban were seen as failures of U.S. policy, leading to a humanitarian crisis and damaging U.S. credibility.
Climate and Diplomacy: Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement and sought to restore relationships with allies, aiming to repair some of the global harm caused during Trump’s tenure. However, his administration has also been criticized for inconsistent responses to international crises and continuing some of Trump’s protectionist trade policies.
Ukraine Conflict: Biden's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been a major focus. His administration has provided significant military and economic support to Ukraine, leading to a united Western front against Russian aggression. This has been seen both as a positive assertion of U.S. leadership and as a potential trigger for further escalation.

2. Domestic Impact
George W. Bush:
Economic Impact: The Bush administration's tax cuts, combined with increased military spending, contributed to a significant increase in the national debt. The deregulation of financial markets is often blamed for contributing to the 2008 financial crisis, which led to a severe recession.
Civil Liberties: Post-9/11 policies, including the Patriot Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, led to significant debates about the balance between security and civil liberties.

Donald Trump:
Polarization: Trump’s presidency exacerbated political and social divisions in the U.S. His rhetoric often inflamed racial and cultural tensions, contributing to a rise in hate crimes and white nationalist activities.
COVID-19 Response: Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was widely criticized for downplaying the virus, promoting misinformation, and undermining public health measures. This response is considered to have led to higher infection and death rates.
Economy: Trump's tax cuts and deregulation benefited corporations and the wealthy, but critics argue these policies widened economic inequality. His trade wars, particularly with China, had mixed effects on the U.S. economy, hurting some industries while benefiting others.

Joe Biden:
Economic Challenges: Biden inherited an economy still reeling from the pandemic. His administration passed significant stimulus measures, but inflation and rising national debt remain serious concerns. Critics argue that some of his policies, such as the ambitious social spending programs, have contributed to inflationary pressures.
Social and Political Polarization: While Biden campaigned on unity, political polarization has remained high. His administration has struggled to pass some key legislative priorities due to deep divisions in Congress.
Public Health: Biden’s handling of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been more organized than Trump’s, with a focus on vaccine distribution. However, vaccine hesitancy and political resistance have limited the administration's success.

3. Environmental Impact

George W. Bush:
Environmental Policy: Bush’s administration was criticized for its environmental record, including its resistance to international climate agreements like the Kyoto Protocol and policies favoring fossil fuels. This contributed to global environmental harm and set back U.S. leadership on climate issues.

Donald Trump:
Environmental Rollbacks: Trump’s administration aggressively rolled back environmental protections, including weakening the Clean Air Act, reducing protections for public lands, and withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. These actions were seen as a significant setback in the global fight against climate change.

Joe Biden:
Climate Initiatives: Biden has made climate change a central focus of his presidency, rejoining the Paris Agreement and proposing significant investments in clean energy. However, implementation has been challenging, and critics argue that more aggressive action is needed to meet climate goals.

Conclusion

George W. Bush: The most significant harm under Bush's presidency likely comes from the long-term global and domestic consequences of the Iraq War and the financial crisis of 2008. His presidency is often criticized for decisions that led to lasting instability in the Middle East and economic hardship in the U.S. and globally.

Donald Trump: The harm associated with Trump's presidency is often linked to the erosion of democratic norms, increased polarization, environmental damage, and a chaotic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His "America First" policies alienated allies and weakened global institutions, which some argue damaged U.S. global leadership.

Joe Biden: While still in office, Biden's presidency has faced significant challenges, particularly with the withdrawal from Afghanistan and economic issues like inflation. His administration's focus on restoring alliances and addressing climate change represents an attempt to mitigate some of the harm done under Trump, though the long-term effectiveness remains to be seen.

Each presidency has had profound impacts, with varying degrees of harm depending on the focus area. Bush's foreign policy decisions had lasting global repercussions, Trump's presidency is marked by deep domestic and global divisiveness, and Biden's tenure is a work in progress with mixed outcomes so far.
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

[Stanley]

Peter. Robert Kennedy's support for Trump is an aberration in itself. No wonder the family are disturbed.
Never one to miss a chance of causing confusion, I note Trump has promised to investigate the Shooting of John Kennedy in Dallas.....
I heard the report about the HS2 rolling stock not fitting the existing platforms. I wonder who wrote the specification? Whoever it is they shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the redesign!

THIS BBC report is head of the news this morning.
Police have arrested two men on suspicion of murder after a woman and her three children died in a house fire in Bradford. Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her daughter Denisty Birtle, nine, son Oscar Birtle, five, and daughter Aubree Birtle, 22 months, died on Westbury Road on 21 August. Two men, aged 36 and 45, were arrested overnight in the Keighley area and were being held in custody, West Yorkshire Police said. A 39-year-old man arrested at the scene on Wednesday on suspicion of murder remains in hospital with critical injuries, the force added.
Such a tragic waste of life.

David, Bob Bliss used to accuse me of not coming to conclusions in my essays.... I think we can say the same about ChatGPT....

[Tizer]

`The 16 minutes that plunged the Bayesian yacht into a deadly spiral' LINK
Scroll down to about halfway and you'll see this bit:
Much of the focus for the investigation team is of course on the conduct of the captain, 51-year-old James Cutfield from New Zealand. He survived, along with eight of his crew, and is being questioned. “We didn’t see it coming,” he told Italian media, alluding to the storm, in his only public comment so far. The problem is: plenty of others did. Violent winds and rain were forecast, following days of searing heat. The head of the company that built the Bayesian, Giovanni Costantino, told me he was convinced there had been a litany of errors on board....

Then read what follows.

[Stanley]

I read the report Peter and exactly as I expected. I know enough about the sea and yachts to know that they should have been under power, head to wind, drop keel down and all hatches battened down. It seems to me the captain must have been over-confident in the boat's ability to withstand whatever came and he was wrong.

[Stanley]

See THIS shocking report of another tower block fire in London.
A resident who fled a burning tower block in east London has told the BBC he fears he and his family have lost everything. Tariq Ziad, 17, has described seeing smoke quickly fill his fourth floor flat in Dagenham as flames engulfed the building in the early hours of Monday morning. More than 80 people were evacuated, two were taken to hospital and all of the building’s occupants have been accounted for, according to London Fire Brigade (LFB). The fire service has said the building has “known” safety issues, and the role cladding played will form part of the investigation.
It's a disgrace that as the Grenfell Enquiry grinds slowly on the same problems are still threatening residents lives.

[Tripps]

The hysterical reaction to the announcement of the return of the singularly unattractive - (musically, physically, and personality wise ) Gallagher brothers, causes me to wonder if I really belong to this society.

People who you might once had some respect for have now forfeited it. Are they pretending enthusiasm and perhaps scared of appearing to be the odd one out?

Stop the world I want to get off - again. . .

[Stanley]

I agree with you David. Every time their 'teasing' was mentioned yesterday my reaction was "Who the hell cares?".

THIS was what caught my eye this morning.....
"Our impeccable attention to detail is at the forefront of our build process," declares the brochure, external for Bassingbourn Fields, a housing estate in Fordham, Cambridgeshire "and our high standards are reflected in our dedication to customer service". Tell that to the occupants of many of its 100 properties. For some in this new build community, the name of the developer - Bellway - has become a dirty word. "We call it Hellway," one homeowner tells me, after what residents describe as more than two years of chaos and no end of snags - the industry term for defects. Bellway says it is working on resolving outstanding issues. So what has gone wrong?
I sit here in my 150 year old terraced house with walls two feet thick and thank god I haven't got to live with the problems these home-owners have. Add to that the current concerns about the fire that destroyed the block of flats in London and the whole subject of building regulation appears to be out of control.
We are told that the Grenfell Report is imminent. (After seven years I should think so!) Does anyone expect sanctions on the guilty parties or meaningful changes to Building Regulations?
I heard a man on R4 who sounded plausible giving his opinions about why remediation of the flats with dangerous cladding is taking too long. He said it was because of serial buck-passing of blame up the command chain and that this was on-going. Why is this allowed to happen?
I have to conclude that I am totally out of sync with the modern world. I shall be getting off soon.....

[PanBiker]

The Tories already moved the gateposts on the fire regulations with a midnight session knee jerk reaction to the flak they were getting for doing nothing. We found that out with our current property plans which have to comply with the same rules as a thirty story multi occupancy building. Already cost us a second set of plans and the knock on of having walls we don't want and upgraded doors that have to be kept closed. Oh and a fire curtain to keep the theoretical disabled person trapped on the landing in a wheelchair if the building set on fire. It only has to keep said person alive for 20 minutes though. Thanks Rishy.

[Tizer]

It's amazing to see how the Ukrainian's have managed to develop these latest drones. This is the future of warfare, not aircraft carriers...
`Ukraine's long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia' LINK
....The BBC has been briefed by a number of those involved in these missions. They include one of Ukraine’s largest one-way attack drone manufacturers, as well as a big data company which has helped develop software for Ukraine to carry out these strikes. Francisco Serra-Martins says the strategy is already creating huge dilemmas for Moscow. He believes that with extra investment, it will turn the tide of the war in Ukraine’s favour....

[Big Kev]

It's amazing to see how the Ukrainian's have managed to develop these latest drones. This is the future of warfare, not aircraft carriers...
`Ukraine's long-range drones using Western tech to hit Russia' LINK
....The BBC has been briefed by a number of those involved in these missions. They include one of Ukraine’s largest one-way attack drone manufacturers, as well as a big data company which has helped develop software for Ukraine to carry out these strikes. Francisco Serra-Martins says the strategy is already creating huge dilemmas for Moscow. He believes that with extra investment, it will turn the tide of the war in Ukraine’s favour....

I like that they are made of wood in a repurposed furniture factory (ideally they shouldn't need to be using any kind of weapons but Putin appears to be quite unhinged).

[Tizer]

The Russian public are beginning to get worried now that Ukraine can strike far into their country. Suddenly they're realising they're at war, not the brief `special military operation' that Putin promised.

[Stanley]

The one thing we can be certain of is that Ukraine is proving to be a tougher nut to crack than Putin and his allies thought.
Peter is right, He must be getting internal problems from the offensives the Ukrainians are launching.

See THIS BBC report on brownfield housing on ex-army bases.
A government scheme to use vacant military land for new homes was quietly shelved two years ago without a single house being built. The plan was meant to deliver up to 10,000 new homes, but came to an end after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) withdrew most of the chosen sites from the programme. Earlier this year the MoD identified further surplus "brownfield" land that could be used for almost 35,000 new homes. But the BBC can reveal that none of that land has yet been released or sold by the government either.
This and other examples like it prove to me that it is better to assume that the default mode of any administration is to pull the wool over the voters' eyes.
How many times were we reassured about the numbers of houses being planned and built?

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report and take notice!
A family's dream holiday turned into a nightmare when severe sunburn left a 10-year-old boy requiring hospital treatment. Hector had been enjoying a sunshine break with his loved ones in Cape Verde, when he decided he wanted to enjoy a final few hours of fun by the hotel pool before they left for the airport. His mother Natalie said their suncream had run out so they purchased an extra bottle of high factor cream at the resort and applied that. However shortly after leaving the pool, his back and shoulders turned bright red and huge blisters started to appear. Natalie has decided to speak about Hector's experience to warn other families going abroad about only using suncreams they know and trust.
It's another consequence of climate change.... UV levels are higher and more care should be taken over protection.

[Tizer]

I was visiting New Zealand at the end of the 1980s when suddenly the ozone hole over Antarctica was discovered, the result of all the man-made CFCs released into the atmosphere. (It was one of James Lovelock's inventions that allowed the scientists to measure ozone and CFCs in the atmosphere.) The government went into overdrive with warnings everywhere telling people to cover up and/or use high-factor sun cream whenever exposed to the sun. That quick action saved many people from serious sunburn and subsequent cancer. I followed the instructions but realised the danger when I failed to notice the sun getting through a hole in an awning on a boat. My sleeves were rolled up because I thought I was in full shade. A patch of sun shone on a couple of square of my arm for about 15 minutes but gave me a painful burn. Many years later that patch turned bad and I had to have it treated with creams to prevent cancer forming. Ever since that NZ visit I've kept my skin covered when in the sun.

[Stanley]

Very wise Peter. I like the idea they have in the Mid-West of the US of a 'Farmer's Tan' Only the backs of your hands and neck exposed to the sun.

THIS caught my eye this morning....
Mel B said she felt very privileged to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations in her "old stomping ground". Thousands turned out to see the Spice Girls singer flip the switch. She said the resort was very close to her heart, having started out as a 16-year-old dancer in the Mystique show at the Pleasure Beach Resort. "Blackpool was my old stomping ground when I was a teenager, I lived here two years," she said. "I was 15 or 16 and I became a dancer here in Blackpool, and that was my first professional job before I got into Spice Girls. "So Blackpool is very dear to my heart."
I always associate the switching on of the lights with Autumn and the end of the year. I don't suppose we can avoid it but we don't seem to have had summer yet!