General News

[leicsmac]

31 minutes ago, Bilo said:

There are signs that the SCOTUS is not quite as compliant as Trump hopes. They certainly seem to be quite assertive when it comes to executive or federal overreach, which would not bode well for this executive order should this come to court.

Thus far, yes.

 

I hope that they're ready for the campaign of smears, intimidation and likely outright violence that is coming their way from Trump and his supporters, though. They need to be - they're about the only one of the "checks and balances" acting as such right now.

 

28 minutes ago, Bilo said:

In a weird way, it's kind of reassuring that they're so galactically incompetent. 

 

An administration that can't even manage what is essentially a more sophisticated WhatsApp group properly is going to struggle to dismantle 250 years of federal governance.

Agreed, but we should remember Grey's Law and not underestimate them.

[bovril]

9 hours ago, Mike Oxlong said:

Boycott US goods. They're no friend of ours 

Like I'm glad the penny is dropping now in England it's just a bit disappointing it's taken 405 years. 

[Sampson]

It’s clearer than ever that we are a European country with European values. We get hoodwinked sometimes that because of our shared language we feel like we aren’t a few islands in Europe but are in the middle of the Atlantic and are so somehow in between the US and Europe and should tread the line between them, but I don’t see how you can still make that argument. Language barrier apart, in terms of our values, legal system, culture, sport etc. we’re just much closer to Germany, France, Italy, the Nordics, Benelux, Iberia etc. than we are the US. And let’s not forget, the culturally closest and most important country for the UK foreign policy-wise to remain on cordial terms with will always be Ireland, sheerly out of geography and our pretty rotten history towards them.

 

Canada I could understand as that feels much closer to a European country values wise than the US. But America just values different things. It has a right to go down its own path, but we should be remembering we are much more alike Canada and Denmark when it threatens them. 

Edited 27 March by Sampson

[MaidstoneFox]

23 minutes ago, Sampson said:

It’s clearer than ever that we are a European country with European values. We get hoodwinked sometimes that because of our shared language we feel like we aren’t a few islands in Europe but are in the middle of the Atlantic and are so somehow in between the US and Europe and should tread the line between them, but I don’t see how you can still make that argument. Language barrier apart, in terms of our values, legal system, culture, sport etc. we’re just much closer to Germany, France, Italy, the Nordics, Benelux, Iberia etc. than we are the US. And let’s not forget, the culturally closest and most important country for the UK foreign policy-wise to remain on cordial terms with will always be Ireland, sheerly out of geography and our pretty rotten history towards them.

 

Canada I could understand as that feels much closer to a European country values wise than the US. But America just values different things. It has a right to go down its own path, but we should be remembering we are much more alike Canada and Denmark when it threatens them. 

The USA is a country founded on conflict and that has always been the centre of its appeal and repugnancy. This era of Trump is essentially an retread to a 'wild west', where sheriffs were crocked and judges could be paid off. Trump and his acolytes loath Europeans for their social democratic tendencies that offer a welfare state as support mechanism and value a more centralised state. They are in control, they are going to abuse power and do everything they can to maintain power.

[Jattdogg]

1 hour ago, Sampson said:

It’s clearer than ever that we are a European country with European values. We get hoodwinked sometimes that because of our shared language we feel like we aren’t a few islands in Europe but are in the middle of the Atlantic and are so somehow in between the US and Europe and should tread the line between them, but I don’t see how you can still make that argument. Language barrier apart, in terms of our values, legal system, culture, sport etc. we’re just much closer to Germany, France, Italy, the Nordics, Benelux, Iberia etc. than we are the US. And let’s not forget, the culturally closest and most important country for the UK foreign policy-wise to remain on cordial terms with will always be Ireland, sheerly out of geography and our pretty rotten history towards them.

 

Canada I could understand as that feels much closer to a European country values wise than the US. But America just values different things. It has a right to go down its own path, but we should be remembering we are much more alike Canada and Denmark when it threatens them. 

Canada is more european then just better American accents (some might think otherwise) and sports aside. We are very different to them politically and even to a point culturally. A lot of European history has remained here and with Quebec, it ties us more deeply to Europe. We are the land of immigrants and so diverse. More worldly then they will ever be. We are close due to our proximity but if they want to go this path then I think we could easily move our trading with the rest of the world.  Won't be pretty at all but perhaps we all get together and tell the usa to wank themselves to death.

 

 

 

[Torquay Gunner]

1 hour ago, MaidstoneFox said:

The USA is a country founded on conflict and that has always been the centre of its appeal and repugnancy. This era of Trump is essentially an retread to a 'wild west', where sheriffs were crocked and judges could be paid off. Trump and his acolytes loath Europeans for their social democratic tendencies that offer a welfare state as support mechanism and value a more centralised state. They are in control, they are going to abuse power and do everything they can to maintain power.

This is after all,  a country quite content to subjugate 10% of it’s population for three quarters of a century, all with the blessing of The Supreme Court ‘s ruling of Plessy v Ferguson. 

Edited 27 March by Torquay Gunner

[bovril]

1 hour ago, Sampson said:

It’s clearer than ever that we are a European country with European values. We get hoodwinked sometimes that because of our shared language we feel like we aren’t a few islands in Europe but are in the middle of the Atlantic and are so somehow in between the US and Europe and should tread the line between them, but I don’t see how you can still make that argument. Language barrier apart, in terms of our values, legal system, culture, sport etc. we’re just much closer to Germany, France, Italy, the Nordics, Benelux, Iberia etc. than we are the US. And let’s not forget, the culturally closest and most important country for the UK foreign policy-wise to remain on cordial terms with will always be Ireland, sheerly out of geography and our pretty rotten history towards them.

Legal system closer to the US surely.

 

I think culturally we're closer to other Anglo countries than e.g. France or Italy, because of language, but economically and politically we are very clearly European. 

[Jon the Hat]

Good comment in the Times today by Hugo Rifkind, pointing out the irony that the US has in fact wanted subservient NATO partners since the start, see Suez etc. They might not like where they end up if they keep this direction going.  After all what are they offering exactly if not free trade and military support?

[Lionator]

Really good article by Andrew Marr on where we are with ourselves and Ukraine. Basically explains the points I’ve tried to make on these pages but in a much better way https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2025/03/peacekeepers-world-without-peace-andrew-marr-starmer-ukraine

 

”But rebuilding European security is a long game. For now, we desperately need the Nato umbrella. This year, and next, our strategic ambition should be to avoid war with a mobilised if bleeding Russia, while enabling some kind of independent Ukraine to survive. That is going to be difficult enough. Public opinion has perhaps not yet woken up fully to the seriousness of where we are. So, we need maximum candour, and clarity about the hard realities, not rhetoric about – or preparation for – a war we cannot yet fight”

 

Ps I don’t think we should ever go to war with a nuclear power unless absolutely necessary, I like to think that the Russians feels the same way. 

[kenny]

36 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Really good article by Andrew Marr on where we are with ourselves and Ukraine. Basically explains the points I’ve tried to make on these pages but in a much better way https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2025/03/peacekeepers-world-without-peace-andrew-marr-starmer-ukraine

 

”But rebuilding European security is a long game. For now, we desperately need the Nato umbrella. This year, and next, our strategic ambition should be to avoid war with a mobilised if bleeding Russia, while enabling some kind of independent Ukraine to survive. That is going to be difficult enough. Public opinion has perhaps not yet woken up fully to the seriousness of where we are. So, we need maximum candour, and clarity about the hard realities, not rhetoric about – or preparation for – a war we cannot yet fight”

 

Ps I don’t think we should ever go to war with a nuclear power unless absolutely necessary, I like to think that the Russians feels the same way. 

What he doesn't touch on us that the largest and most experienced army in that coalition is the Ukrainian one with over 1m personnel. They probably have the greatest war manufacturing capability as well as major advances in drone warfare.

 

I suspect it is recognised by all parties except the USA that Ukraine has made itself a key component in the re-arming of Europe.

 

Unusually for Marr, he has got bogged down with the British 10k troops which is a misnomer and a lazy headline grabber. There are 1.5m troops in the EU and UK, plus those from the other partners which will be another 500k-1m.

[Lionator]

3 hours ago, kenny said:

What he doesn't touch on us that the largest and most experienced army in that coalition is the Ukrainian one with over 1m personnel. They probably have the greatest war manufacturing capability as well as major advances in drone warfare.

 

I suspect it is recognised by all parties except the USA that Ukraine has made itself a key component in the re-arming of Europe.

 

Unusually for Marr, he has got bogged down with the British 10k troops which is a misnomer and a lazy headline grabber. There are 1.5m troops in the EU and UK, plus those from the other partners which will be another 500k-1m.

Only the British and French are willing to send troops, and with an American backstop. The idea is that the Russians daren't attack Ukraine again because the British and French have nukes. It would be interesting to see if we would threaten to nuke Russia if they break the agreement. 

[Lionator]

I fear this just gives Putin incentive to prolong the war. Basically gives him even less reason to agree to a ceasefire. 

[leicsmac]

https://www.politico.eu/article/marjorie-taylor-greene-uk-reporter-journalist-british-sky-news-donald-trump/

 

U.S. Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene clashed with a British journalist during a press conference on Wednesday, telling her to “go back” to the United Kingdom.

The confrontation occurred when Sky News reporter Martha Kelner attempted to ask Greene, a vociferous ally of President Donald Trump, about the so-called Signalgate scandal, in which senior officials from the Trump administration used the encrypted messaging app to discuss a planned military strike in Yemen.

 

How very proud the people of Georgia must be.

[bovril]

3 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.politico.eu/article/marjorie-taylor-greene-uk-reporter-journalist-british-sky-news-donald-trump/

 

U.S. Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene clashed with a British journalist during a press conference on Wednesday, telling her to “go back” to the United Kingdom.

The confrontation occurred when Sky News reporter Martha Kelner attempted to ask Greene, a vociferous ally of President Donald Trump, about the so-called Signalgate scandal, in which senior officials from the Trump administration used the encrypted messaging app to discuss a planned military strike in Yemen.

 

How very proud the people of Georgia must be.

America as the first country to trial government by 4 chan board.

[Foxdiamond]

2 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.politico.eu/article/marjorie-taylor-greene-uk-reporter-journalist-british-sky-news-donald-trump/

 

U.S. Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene clashed with a British journalist during a press conference on Wednesday, telling her to “go back” to the United Kingdom.

The confrontation occurred when Sky News reporter Martha Kelner attempted to ask Greene, a vociferous ally of President Donald Trump, about the so-called Signalgate scandal, in which senior officials from the Trump administration used the encrypted messaging app to discuss a planned military strike in Yemen.

 

How very proud the people of Georgia must be.

The tactic from Greene, Trump, Vance etc seems to never even attempt to answer a question but to insult and deflect as soon as the questioner is identified as anyway difficult.  Have the rednecks and hicks taken over completely?

[bovril]

3 minutes ago, Foxdiamond said:

The tactic from Greene, Trump, Vance etc seems to never even attempt to answer a question but to insult and deflect as soon as the questioner is identified as anyway difficult.  Have the rednecks and hicks taken over completely?

All of those have clearly spent a lot of time on and been shaped by social media where that type of aggressive whataboutism rules, so maybe this isn't a deliberate tactic but just the direction that politics and society is inevitably going in.

[Md9]

15 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.politico.eu/article/marjorie-taylor-greene-uk-reporter-journalist-british-sky-news-donald-trump/

 

U.S. Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene clashed with a British journalist during a press conference on Wednesday, telling her to “go back” to the United Kingdom.

The confrontation occurred when Sky News reporter Martha Kelner attempted to ask Greene, a vociferous ally of President Donald Trump, about the so-called Signalgate scandal, in which senior officials from the Trump administration used the encrypted messaging app to discuss a planned military strike in Yemen.

 

How very proud the people of Georgia must be.

Another horrendous person that can’t answer a question and only tries to shout at people and be rude 

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, bovril said:

All of those have clearly spent a lot of time on and been shaped by social media where that type of aggressive whataboutism rules, so maybe this isn't a deliberate tactic but just the direction that politics and society is inevitably going in.

It's certainly the direction they want it to go in, but I'm really hoping that it's not inevitable, because if it is that's going to be a whole bunch of no fun.

[Foxdiamond]

2 minutes ago, bovril said:

All of those have clearly spent a lot of time on and been shaped by social media where that type of aggressive whataboutism rules, so maybe this isn't a deliberate tactic but just the direction that politics and society is inevitably going in.

Anyone know what the mood is in US from the more moderate and sophisticated?

[leicsmac]

1 minute ago, Foxdiamond said:

Anyone know what the mood is in US from the more moderate and sophisticated?

Appalled, aggravated, but still scrabbling for a solution that doesn't involve a lot of blood on the floor.

[Foxdiamond]

9 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Appalled, aggravated, but still scrabbling for a solution that doesn't involve a lot of blood on the floor.

I suppose this highlights a major difference between US and UK. Truss had to resign after a debacle but Trump and Co can run roughshod 

[kenny]

1 hour ago, Lionator said:

Only the British and French are willing to send troops, and with an American backstop. The idea is that the Russians daren't attack Ukraine again because the British and French have nukes. It would be interesting to see if we would threaten to nuke Russia if they break the agreement. 

Know one knows which countries have committed troops. Rumours are turkey, Finland and Germany.

 

Reality is Ukraine has 1m already. The coalition troops are there assuming Russia will be too scared to attack them and almost certainly to provide a no fly zone.

 

I doubt nuclear as an option has even been discussed outside of being the usual deterrent.

 

Putin needs the war to continue, without it Russia will collapse, their economy is based upon the war at the moment and they can expect rampant inflation once it's over. This will not be ending any time soon and foreign troops won't be deployed IMO.

[Parafox]

23 hours ago, DennisNedry said:

I think the Government needs to go even further with cutting PIP. It absolutely should be means tested at the very least.

 

The way it's set up is like compensation for being disabled, rather than being in any way being designed to cover extra costs incurred by the disability.

 

£5bn is nothing really against the huge and ever rising welfare bill.

 

You really have no idea, do you?

 

Do you know anyone who is entitled to it or is your comment another knee-jerk uninformed opinion?

 

The second part of that sentence is EXACTLY what it is designed to do.

[Detroit Blues]

2 hours ago, Foxdiamond said:

Anyone know what the mood is in US from the more moderate and sophisticated?

It feels a lot like being a Leicester fan TBH. The people in charge are making decisions that make no sense. The system feel broken beyond repair, and now you are just kind of hoping it will fail spectacularly to show the apathetic masses that they need to wake up and demand change.

 

The last time this country was this far apart politically, it ended with a Civil War. 

 

[Foxdiamond]

15 minutes ago, Detroit Blues said:

It feels a lot like being a Leicester fan TBH. The people in charge are making decisions that make no sense. The system feel broken beyond repair, and now you are just kind of hoping it will fail spectacularly to show the apathetic masses that they need to wake up and demand change.

 

The last time this country was this far apart politically, it ended with a Civil War. 

 

Thanks. Hopefully change is sooner rather than later.