Jon the Hat

Not from the UK or France anyway. I find it hard to believe he is that stupid that he really meant the UK & France. I hope he isn't anyway.

The fact he thinks this is crazy suggests he is a bit of a ****wit to be honest.

I've met Roger Cook very briefly. He is quite small. Has grown in my estimation now!

Yes indeed, pretty much their whole country is aligned in the awareness of Russia as the danger to Finnish freedoms. It even pushed them to fight against Russia and alongside Germany in WW2, as they saw Russia as the bigger threat. They have huge reserve forces, good plans and a lot of weaponry. When their membership of NATO was confirmed, a seriously uninformed retired general was on the news calling it out as more symbolic than anything, which was embarrassing as I was in Helsinki at the time with colleagues. They are rightly proud of their capabilities and determination to defend themselves. Zero chance of a preemptive attack on Russia though.

If they are not busy lining someone up so they can sack Ruud then I am at a loss as to what they are doing. Seriously, this is the clearest case for sacking ever seen.

The glaring problem with your logic is that NATO forces have been bought, built and trained to work as an integrated force, so if the US sits it out as you say, there are huge gaps in technology, communication, command structure and logistics which make the remaining NATO forces pretty basic. This is why it’s so shocking when or if the US turns around and takes its ball home, it’s bloody hard for anyone else to play effectively.

Toucan play at that game!

We can't afford not to at this point.

Yes exactly, I cannot be going from a LR Discovery HSE to some tacky plastic shit from a company owned by a psychopath.

I've had a look for you - the article is about the fact that if you get a pay rise from say 98k to 102k you can actually be worse off due to stupid tax rules which all kick in at the same point. Which is nuts when average pay rises are 4% or so.

Completely agree, and I think it is quite a jump from your normal car. Also not very luxurious at all so if you are used to leather everywhere and adjustable everything etc. you are not going to find it in a Tesla. A lot of other manufacturers are not going down that road experience wise and that is a lot more appealing to me.

Do we know if they have been working or on leave?

It always has been. It’s just for the last 50 years or so the US has been so superior no one else tried much.

He probably offered to send a mini submarine.

Congratulations, I don;t envy buying and selling the UK now, so easy over here, 5 weeks from offer to completion. It was more stressful cleaning the rental we were in before!

Europe spent more on Ukraine than the US too, but don't let that distract anyone.

Unfortunately he has an awful lot of power, and unlike most Presidents has no moral compass to limit his use of it. We are essentially back to the old pre WW2 world of major powers deciding things between themselves and other countries falling into line or getting invaded or cut off.

Except for political podcasts where Trump provides so much content they are struggling to edit them down to reasonable length.

I can't find this definition anywhere, which suggests either 1) You are wrong, or b) it is so entrenched everyone but you are too embarrassed to mention the real root of the phrase. I am going with iii) both.

I'd forgotten he was in prison, that has cheered me up no end!

No-no club more like.

How lovely for you all. A loving connection with a baby at that early age is so important, I have no doubt her ability to have what sounds like pretty normal relationships with her adoptive family is down to you and your wife. I think for adoptive parents it must be a bit terrifying to allow contact when you adopt a baby from difficult circumstances, your desire to protect your child is paramount. I hope your younger granddaughter chooses to reach out when she is old enough to choose herself. A sister and loving grandparents could be an amazing discovery for her.

Or the midfield, bench, manager or owners.

Probably their worst cross all game