leicsmac

It was said yesterday (?) that the populace only appear to be able to have one election-defining matter per election. Even if that matter is, as you say, comparatively inconsequential. I wonder why that is? There will be ethnic violence, in all likelihood. Either "lone wolf" attacks, state-endorsed (depending on who is in charge at the time), or both.

WRT recent discussion, this applies to political compassing, too.

The Overton Window adds additional complications to this. For instance, what people would consider a liberal/conservative in Oslo and in Alabama differs wildly.

Don't worry, plenty of tropical style torrential rain to replace it Think the banhammer came down there. Perhaps idolising Enoch Powells approach to race relations was a bit much.

If this really was such an echo chamber, my single issue "one world or no world" spiel would be getting more likes/ agreement. But in all seriousness, for what its worth as a single issue, the poll of a few hundred folks on here on the climate thread pretty much matches the national polling I've looked at on the topic nearly exactly.

Agreed - there’s definitely issues that deserve a talking shop and discussion rather than absolutism. This flag matter is far too complicated in terms of all the elements to be reduced to one way or the other. Of course, however, there are also topics where one would really expect (or even demand) unity of thought, both on here and out in the wider world.

Yep. Patriotism, or nationalism. Those putting the flags up in the name of the former need to acknowledge there will be plenty of those doing it in the name of the latter, too.

Yeah, just stating the temperature at one place and time isn't really useful. There needs to be more reportage on the effects of the consistent temperature increase, such as UK farmers struggling with reduced crop yields due to more flooding and drought for the nth year running.

And the same is true with any overt showing of any flag/symbol - intent, and context, matters.

I think that an issue with all this is that it's difficult to say who is doing it in the name of patriotism, and who is doing it in the name of nationalism. Two very different things with very different intents.

And should the next election have that particular single issue focus, the choices talked about will both be a good barometer of the human calibre of the UK population, and (depending on the degree of consequence afterwards) will likely be talked about by quite a few generations afterwards. Hopefully not in the same way as they now talk about the election in Germany in 1933.

Unfortunately, it may end up coming to violence in order to neutralise the danger to the future represented by these parties. I really, really hope not though.

Oh, and the powers that be seem unhappy that the South Koreans didn't let Yoon impose martial law. Possibly because those same powers are already liking and testing the idea themselves.

... ah, and apparently the word of the day today is... "mishap". Of course, tragic "mishaps" happen, right?

That would be morbidly hilarious tbh. But, in all seriousness, perhaps the people who want to burn down a place holding asylum seekers might have more success next time, or the time after that.

That seems accurate. And now the focus should perhaps switch to how to mitigate such an issue before it ends as it always does - with unnecessary loss of life and suffering.

It's all so deeply depressing. We are all, at the end of the day, human beings, with more than enough problems generated by the world we live in to make more among ourselves.

Two examples of small issues being manipulated into big ones by skilful digital information influencing.

Then the future is very dark. I hope that you're wrong. I fear that you're right.

If that's true (and it's entirely possible), then large scale unrest, if not full on demographic conflict, is inevitable. How sad that would be.

No doubt there was a lot of ill feeling going on around that time, but I think that event showed it was at least possible for things to go in a different direction. Unfortunately, the events of 2016 and since have appeared to make that notion appear fanciful.

Was looking back at some 2012 Olympic clips today. It was amazing to see how it united the entire country. The events of 2016 and since have been so damaging to the very societal fabric of the UK. And other places, too.

Highest Aussie ODI score is 434, could go. Not coming close to the triumvirate of England scores of that golden era, though. Edit: 431, 8th highest of all time and 2nd highest by Oz in the end.

How long did it take them to close that particular loophole?

You have my sympathy, mon ami. It's brutal. I remember (back in the mists of time) my local Maryland Chicken used to do a chicken burger + 2 chicken strips + fries + drink for a fiver on a Friday evening. Always seemed like a good idea up until Saturday morning Goodness knows how I don't have more stomach issues than I actually do now.