Do you want to discuss boring politics? (17 Viewers)

[skybluetony176]

View attachment 21617

It’s scary. On the aircraft front I was reading something earlier that says that the actual number is less as numerous aircraft were used to escape with and sizeable numbers are already in neighbouring countries. There’s also the issue that the US had something like 60’000 contractors in there maintaining them and they’ve all left so the Taliban is unlikely to be able to use most of it as they won’t have the spares to maintain them or the personnel to do the work. Also wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a series of drone attacks once all American bodies are out in a couple of days on things like the Blackhawks and C130’s.

The armoured vehicles and weapons on the other hand is a different story. The Taliban has been promoted from Toyota pick up trucks to purpose built armoured battle wagons overnight and a free weapons cache they could only have dreamed of. Doesn’t bode well for the other factions in Afghanistan that are considered friendly to the west and still fighting them, although it might actually do the west a favour if the Taliban are fighting IS in Afghanistan. Not that the Taliban is much better.

 

---

[wingy]

It’s scary. On the aircraft front I was reading something earlier that says that the actual number is less as numerous aircraft were used to escape with and sizeable numbers are already in neighbouring countries. There’s also the issue that the US had something like 60’000 contractors in there maintaining them and they’ve all left so the Taliban is unlikely to be able to use most of it as they won’t have the spares to maintain them or the personnel to do the work. Also wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a series of drone attacks once all American bodies are out in a couple of days on things like the Blackhawks and C130’s.

The armoured vehicles and weapons on the other hand is a different story. The Taliban has been promoted from Toyota pick up trucks to purpose built armoured battle wagons overnight and a free weapons cache they could only have dreamed of. Doesn’t bode well for the other factions in Afghanistan that are considered friendly to the west and still fighting them, although it might actually do the west a favour if the Taliban are fighting IS in Afghanistan. Not that the Taliban is much better.

Think I read one got shot down crossing a border.

 

[skybluetony176]

Think I read one got shot down crossing a border.

Read that too. Apparently the west has been tracking and satellite images show numerous US supplied Afghanistan aircraft parked up on airstrips of neighbouring countries.

 

[Evo1883]

A US army General on sky news has just said .

" no military in the world tries to avoid civilian casualties like the US military "

Nearly choked on my Curly Wurly

 

[fernandopartridge]

A US army General on sky news has just said .

" no military in the world tries to avoid civilian casualties like the US military "

Nearly choked on my Curly Wurly

Tries (but fails)

 

[Deleted member 9744]

A US army General on sky news has just said .

" no military in the world tries to avoid civilian casualties like the US military "

Nearly choked on my Curly Wurly

It's like when Johnson says 'we're working round getting clock'.

 

[skybluetony176]

Why are we running out of blood test specific test tubes?

 

[skybluetony176]

Dominic Raab proving today why he’s perfectly qualified to be in this government, if not the position of foreign secretary.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Why are we running out of blood test specific test tubes?

I don't know,but it does mean I can't get a blood test until 27th September...

 

[chiefdave]

I don't know,but it does mean I can't get a blood test until 27th September...

Are they made of glass? There was an issue with vaccine vials as we'd closed the UK based factory that manufactured the glass and therefore had to import which meant being in competition with other countries. Could be something similar.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

So naturally the earlier dates after that are booked... apart from a date I can't do.

Compounded by the fact in the Covid madness they lost the blood test I did last year... so me assuming all was OK may have been naive!

 

[Ian1779]

We had a school visit today from the SoS Frank Spencer…

 

[Skybluefaz]

We had a school visit today from the SoS Frank Spencer…



View attachment 21679

You lucky person. Did he exhude an air of authority and knowledge on the subject of education?

 

[Ian1779]

You lucky person. Did he exhude an air of authority and knowledge on the subject of education?

He came to check on the C02 monitors he’s promised but hasn’t actually managed to deliver so far….

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Why are we running out of blood test specific test tubes?

 

[Philosoraptor]

As many Labour voters feel Starmer should step down as leader, as staying on.

Makes for a fascinating Conference. Could be his first and last as leader.

Should Keir Starmer remain as leader of the Labour Party?

Do you think Keir Starmer should remain as leader of the Labour Party, or stand down and let someone else take over?

yougov.co.uk

 

[Philosoraptor]

William Hill is now offering odds on whether Starmer will be Labour leader or not going into the next General Election.

 

[skybluetony176]

William Hill is now offering odds on whether Starmer will be Labour leader or not going into the next General Election.

Can’t see it myself. I guess it depends on how big his ego is and how stubborn he is.

 

[wingy]

What do we think of this?
Much mooted over the last couple of months .
I see there is another article in the same publication regards rewards being increased .
Think this one suggests it's aimed at green industry's.
I'm sceptical myself, given that govts scheme's can often run at significantly more than an individual or company can generally source their own projects.

Prime Minister hosts summit to thrash out green pensions plan

A source said there will be in-depth discussions about how pension cash can be diverted into initiatives such as installing solar panels in homes and providing charging points for electric cars.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

 

[Skybluefaz]

Eurghhh, energy prices rising, Brexit and now this. The squeeze will be felt very soon.

 

[chiefdave]

Eurghhh, energy prices rising, Brexit and now this. The squeeze will be felt very soon.

That can’t possibly be true. First page of the Conservative manifesto for the last election was a guarantee from Johnson not to raise National Insurance.

 

[shmmeee]

Eurghhh, energy prices rising, Brexit and now this. The squeeze will be felt very soon.

Tories gonna Tory. I don’t know why people buy their nonsense about no tax rises every time. It’s in their nature to hit the working peoples on income so they can stay away from their donors’ wealth.

 

[chiefdave]

Tories gonna Tory. I don’t know why people buy their nonsense about no tax rises every time. It’s in their nature to hit the working peoples on income so they can stay away from their donors’ wealth.

Look at the replies to that tweet. There's already people in there defending them for breaking their manifesto promise.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Look at the replies to that tweet. There's already people in there defending them for breaking their manifesto promise.

I don't actually mind them putting up taxes to pay for services. Am not convinced they've picked the right tax to put up, however...

 

[clint van damme]

I don't actually mind them putting up taxes to pay for services. Am not convinced they've picked the right tax to put up, however...

They've definitely picked the wrong tax.
It disproportionately affects the worse off.

 

[shmmeee]

The right tax is almost always a wealth tax. Especially for a service that’s for the elderly. They’ll never tax wealth.

 

[chiefdave]

I don't actually mind them putting up taxes to pay for services. Am not convinced they've picked the right tax to put up, however...

Nor do I but needing to pay for care isn't something that they've suddenly discovered so why the manifesto promises? And of course they've picked the tax that means those earning about £50K aren't hit as hard as those on lower wages.

Sadly having once again been presented with an open goal by the government Labour have failed to score as they couldn't offer any alternative and just gave some waffle about having an alternative plan ready for the next election.

 

[skybluetony176]

Nor do I but needing to pay for care isn't something that they've suddenly discovered so why the manifesto promises? And of course they've picked the tax that means those earning about £50K aren't hit as hard as those on lower wages.

Sadly having once again been presented with an open goal by the government Labour have failed to score as they couldn't offer any alternative and just gave some waffle about having an alternative plan ready for the next election.

Boris was also saying he had a plan for mental healthcare during the election campaign which would be implemented as soon as they’re re-elected. So again not an excuse.

 

[jimmyhillsfanclub]

Should scrap the rather stupid & outdated triple lock pension promise before rasing NI.......

 

[clint van damme]

Should scrap the rather stupid & outdated triple lock pension promise before rasing NI.......

I think they have or are going to.
But we already have one of the lowest state pensions in Europe.

 

[chiefdave]

Should scrap the rather stupid & outdated triple lock pension promise before rasing NI.......

Don't worry, that's another manifesto promise they're planning to break.

We will keep the triple lock, the winter fuel payment, the older person’s bus pass and other pensioner benefits, ensuring that older people have the security and dignity they deserve.

Pensions triple lock for 12million Brits 'to be axed next week' to stop 8% rise

Rishi Sunak is widely expected to axe or water down the Tory manifesto pledge, which if not adjusted would hand pensioners a bumper rise in April 2022 due to a statistical quirk

www.mirror.co.uk

 

[jimmyhillsfanclub]

Don't get me wrong.....It would be lovely to give all pensioners a chunky 8% pay rise.....but keeping in mind that as a group, pensioners hold the most wealth in the country, it would just appear to be a massive slap in the face for the youth & low paid working population.....

 

[skybluetony176]

Don't get me wrong.....It would be lovely to give all pensioners a chunky 8% pay rise.....but keeping in mind that as a group, pensioners hold the most wealth in the country, it would just appear to be a massive slap in the face for the youth & low paid working population.....

Most of that is asset wealth rather than cash in the bank though ie they’ve paid their mortgage off.

The government also has the luxury of raising minimum wage should they wish. Which incidentally would help raise tax revenue and pay for an increase in pensions.

 

[skybluetony176]

I think they have or are going to.
But we already have one of the lowest state pensions in Europe.

I think it’s worse than that isn’t it? Worst in the developed world I think.

 

[COV]

Look at the replies to that tweet. There's already people in there defending them for breaking their manifesto promise.

There will no doubt be a few on here that do as well