urban.spaceman

I honestly couldn't disagree more. Powell was talking about immigrants from the Commonwealth being a racial threat to the native white population, predicting inevitable racial conflict and bloodshed in the future just by their mere existence in this country. Starmer didn't say anything near to that and it really is offensive to suggest he did. He argued the opposite about immigration in fact, saying: "Migration is part of Britain’s national story. We talked last week about the great rebuilding of this country after the war; migrants were part of that, and they make a massive contribution today. You will never hear me denigrate that." “Britain must compete for the best talent in the world in science, in technology, in healthcare.” What his speech set out was reforming a system that had been deliberately broken by the Tories and Brexit, bringing down immigration to a sustainable level after the Tories more than quadrupled it, and restricting access to people with skills in areas the economy actually needs. That couldn't be more different from what Powell said. One was warning of an existential racial threat by blaming immigrants' even being here as the problem; the other is literally celebrating and welcoming migration but in terms that actively benefit our country's economy and social cohesion, blaming the broken system for the problems we face and not people migrating here. I struggle to see what's wrong with that. Where? Seriously, where? What am I missing? "Let me put it this way: Nations depend on rules – fair rules. Sometimes they’re written down, often they’re not, but either way, they give shape to our values. They guide us towards our rights, of course, but also our responsibilities, the obligations we owe to one another. Now, in a diverse nation like ours, and I celebrate that, these rules become even more important. Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together." 'Island of strangers' refers to US, what WE would become to each other if the rules that shaped our values were not kept in tact. That's nothing to do with migration or immigrants, that's about the system itself, about the structure of our society that has been literally been broken down over the last 14 years by the Tories in an act of deliberate ideological sabotage. They were arguing completely different things, with completely opposing ideological standpoints, painting very, very different pictures about Britain's future. I wish I could see what you see but on the other hand I'm glad I don't. I go back to my original point - I'm so ****ing tired of everything in our culture being framed on the extremes of left and right. It needs to stop.

Having a flashback to when Hamza's cousin posted saying he was being scouted by Barca at the age of 16 then realising that was ELEVEN ****ING YEARS AGO

Which brings me back to my original post. That speech didn't lift or quote anything from Powell's speech. They were completely different speeches arguing completely different things. I'm so ****ing tired of these extremes, I really am.

Like what?

I've mentioned it before on here for sure but I left the country in January 2016 before Cameron formally called the referendum and returned on the 24th of June, without having the opportunity to register to vote cos they'd made it impossible to do so while travelling, and without seeing any debates or news coverage, and being completely dialled out of social media etc. Leicester winning the league was also another major distraction of course. So I missed the 6 months worth of campaigning, publicity, discussions, etc. Practically anything to do with Brexit, I missed out on cos I was having the time of my ****ing life. The first time I realised something was wrong was when the South African news channels were reporting that a British MP had been murdered. The country had completely changed when I arrived home. It was bewildering the and still is bewildering now. What the **** happened to this country in those 6 months? It's been relentless chaos ever since. What the **** happened?

Cannot wait. Please, PLEASE be good. it’s Hawley so I’m very hopeful.

Meanwhile.

People on the left think Labour are on the far right. People on the right think Labour are on the far left. I'm honestly just tired of the hysteria, the misinformation and the bullshit. It's like we're addicted to chaos.

Everything really did start to go to shit after the complete failure to hold anyone accountable for the banking crisis didn't it?

In language he can understand

I thought we were an autonomous collective

Found it. Slightly early draft. No wonder this sold for £38m.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mnnje4wlro A police officer was taken to hospital after being hit with a sledgehammer while responding to reports of criminal damage. A vehicle was used to ram the entrance of the Bristol HQ of defence technology firm Elbit Systems on Bolingbroke Way in Patchway, on the outskirts of Bristol, shortly before 04:00 BST. Employees and police officers who intervened were assaulted, Avon and Somerset Constabulary said, and six people were arrested. Sledgehammers, axes, whips and other homemade weapons were seized, police added. During the incident, two officers were assaulted with a sledgehammer, police said. One of the officers was taken to hospital with injuries to her back and has since been discharged, while the other officer received medical treatment at the scene after being struck on the back of his legs. An employee of the business was also treated by paramedics for an injury to their head. Police said six people aged 20-30 years old were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including Section 18 wounding with intent, aggravated burglary, burglary and criminal damage.

Full Palace statement; https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/statement/crystal-palace-club-statement/ At a time when we should be celebrating our victory in the Community Shield at Wembley, the decision by UEFA and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless. When we won the FA Cup against Manchester City on that momentous day in May, our manager and players earned the right to play Europa League football. We have been denied that opportunity. It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power. This growing and unhealthy influence has shattered the hopes and dreams of Crystal Palace supporters, and does not bode well for aspirational teams all over Europe competing to progress when rules and sanctions are unevenly applied in the most flagrant way. Multi-club structures hide behind the charade of a “blind trust” while clubs such as ours, who have no connection to another club whatsoever, are prevented from playing in the same competition. To compound the injustice, clubs that appear to have huge informal arrangements with each other are also allowed to participate and even possibly play against each other. While we respect the CAS tribunal members, the process is designed to severely restrict and, in our case, make it almost impossible to receive a fair hearing. The denial of all disclosure requests to obtain correspondence between the relevant parties, the refusal to allow witness testimony from those involved, and the general lack of formality and respect for law mean decisions cannot be properly challenged, leading to pre-determined outcomes. UEFA’s decision has wider implications for the governance of the sport. A combination of poorly conceived regulations and their unequal application means our brilliant fans will be deprived of the chance to watch this team compete in the Europa League for the first time in our history. This should be a turning point for football. UEFA must fulfil its mandate to pass coherent rules which are properly communicated and applied, with reasonable cure periods to resolve uncertainty and consistent sanctions, treating all clubs equally with a proper appeal process. The European Court of Justice has made it clear that rulings similar to this will be under greater scrutiny from national courts in future. Only then will fairness and due process be granted to every team. Although we continue to take legal advice on the next steps, we will compete in the Conference League with the same determination and will to win that characterises this incredible club.

It's happening. Je Suis Paul Atreides.

It still could BE.

Announced 4 years ago today.

Can you still use the club’s car parks nearby the ground? Tried to look just now but couldn’t find it on the website.

Unfortunately he left his password in his other tracksuit

When did we as fans of the sport just stop caring about genuine sporting merit? This sport is broken. And I fear it’s broken beyond repair.

Adorable!

Sadly this mischievous bugger died quite suddenly last week. Only 7 years old, from a mystery illness. Very unusual for beagles apparently. I miss those ears dearly.

Italian Lira knowing our luck.