General News Thread

[CornwallFox]

40 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg0e485wwwo

 

Florida is aiming to become the first US state to cancel all of its vaccine mandates, many of which require children to get jabs against diseases like polio in order to attend public schools.

The state's top health official, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, likened the mandates to "slavery", in announcing the plans.

"Who am I to tell you what your child should put in your body?" he said. "I don't have that right. Your body is a gift from God."

Florida officials did not give a timeline or details on ending the mandates. Several may only be repealed through a vote by the Republican-led state legislature, while others can be scrapped by the state health department.

Ladapo, though, pledged several times during Wednesday's news conference to end "all of them, every last one of them".

 

MTDDGA - Make Transmissible (and) Debilitating Diseases Great Again. 

I often think what we're currently going through over vaccines, climate change and other forms of anti-science rhetoric, is like a fall into the dark ages (accepting that term isn't really used now).

[urban.spaceman]

5 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

You can parrot your graphs all you want, but its deflecting from the real issue here, and you know that.

 

If you think something is only punishable if its rubbed up against a previous example of another wrongdoing on a larger scale then what precedent does that set for public office? 

 

''Yes officer I did assault someone in the street but I definitely didn't hit him as hard as somebody else did a year ago''

 

It's still assault. 

Ludicrous analogy, unless we have some sort of law about being allowed to assault someone to an appropriate level but then finding out later you were supposed to twat them far, far harder. 

 

You're wilfully ignoring the clear mitigating circumstances - she asked THREE different tax advisers how much tax she should pay, paid it, then found out that advice was wrong and she should have paid more, which she is doing. 

[urban.spaceman]

4 minutes ago, Bilo said:

The performative cruelty of the populist right, here and in the US, is a real problem. They don't pretend to focus on making their supporters' lives better, just making the lives of those their supporters consider to be enemies, or below them in the social hierarchy, worse. 

As I said. ****ing evil. 

[Tommy G]

Just now, urban.spaceman said:

Ludicrous analogy, unless we have some sort of law about being allowed to assault someone to an appropriate level but then finding out later you were supposed to twat them far, far harder. 

 

You're wilfully ignoring the clear mitigating circumstances - she asked THREE different tax advisers how much tax she should pay, paid it, then found out that advice was wrong and she should have paid more, which she is doing. 

BBC: Her allies have said she sought advice of three people, described as a conveyancer and two experts on the law on trusts.

But a conveyancer specialises in property law and is unlikely to have been able to provide tax advice.

It is similarly unclear whether the trust law experts were qualified to advise on tax law, particularly as it relates to stamp duty. Rayner’s team have declined to clarify anything further about who they were.

So who were they, and was it fair for Rayner to think they were equipped to provide specialist tax advice? And if they were, did she provide enough information about the trust and the ownership of her former family home for them to do that?

It’s those questions Sir Laurie Magnus, the government’s ethics adviser, will be probing. And the answers will likely decide her political future.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Show me anywhere who they were, and if she paid them as that's what you've stated above? All I've seen is people distancing themselves from it. 

[StanSP]

I don't know if it's because I have a young kid now but I'm genuinely worried sometimes for mine and my family's safety when going out on the street or into town or just being out like normal people do! 

 

Drove through a small village to get to my parents' house this morning. Roundabout fvcking painted in the shittiest way

 

I don't actually laugh, I just pity the people that feel like it means anything, or if they feel like it puts them in a position of strength about anything. 

 

Seeing more and more examples of people going about their daily business or holidays and just randomly getting pelted with abuse. The sad thing? It's kids dishing it out. KIDS! Young children that will be amongst my child in school in just a few years time. They're innocent children being brainwashed by their ignorant bigoted parents. How is that fair? 

 

The irony? Do I feel safe in the street any more? Not particularly. The thing they moan about and that fuels their anger? Not feeling safe on the streets any more. Congratulations to them we're now in the same small boat  (pun intended). 

 

My worry is purely for my child - how do I know who he's going to interact with as he gets older or what that family's views are? How do I know he'll be safe? 

 

How do I know when I take him to his first football match (or cricket, rugby, whatever sport) that he's not going to get verbally abused just for being in the same place at the same time as a small narrow-minded emboldened racist *****?!

[Zear0]

1 minute ago, StanSP said:

I don't know if it's because I have a young kid now but I'm genuinely worried sometimes for mine and my family's safety when going out on the street or into town or just being out like normal people do! 

 

Drove through a small village to get to my parents' house this morning. Roundabout fvcking painted in the shittiest way

 

I don't actually laugh, I just pity the people that feel like it means anything, or if they feel like it puts them in a position of strength about anything. 

 

Seeing more and more examples of people going about their daily business or holidays and just randomly getting pelted with abuse. The sad thing? It's kids dishing it out. KIDS! Young children that will be amongst my child in school in just a few years time. They're innocent children being brainwashed by their ignorant bigoted parents. How is that fair? 

 

The irony? Do I feel safe in the street any more? Not particularly. The thing they moan about and that fuels their anger? Not feeling safe on the streets any more. Congratulations to them we're now in the same small boat  (pun intended). 

 

My worry is purely for my child - how do I know who he's going to interact with as he gets older or what that family's views are? How do I know he'll be safe? 

 

How do I know when I take him to his first football match (or cricket, rugby, whatever sport) that he's not going to get verbally abused just for being in the same place at the same time as a small narrow-minded emboldened racist *****?!

Unfortunately ignorance is worn as a badge of honour amongst many.

[leicsmac]

7 minutes ago, Bilo said:

The performative cruelty of the populist right, here and in the US, is a real problem. They don't pretend to focus on making their supporters' lives better, just making the lives of those their supporters consider to be enemies, or below them in the social hierarchy, worse. 

I have asked, on here, repeatedly and out of genuine search for understanding, for at least something of an explanation from those of a more populist persuasion as to what motivated their policy based actions and how it fits into the future for them and everyone else. 

 

I have heard nothing in response. I would like to, if only for the sake of basic honesty of purpose. 

 

4 minutes ago, CornwallFox said:

I often think what we're currently going through over vaccines, climate change and other forms of anti-science rhetoric, is like a fall into the dark ages (accepting that term isn't really used now).

Those even vaguely familiar with this forum know that I've been tolling the bell on this matter for years now. 

 

I take no pleasure in seeing the consequences of the above ignorance start to manifest themselves, and desperately hope we can turn things around as a species before truly irrevocable damage is done. 

[CosbehFox]

3 hours ago, Salisbury Fox said:

Doesn’t the fact that she is SoS for housing have to be considered in this? I get why people are trying to defend her on the basis of the scale in comparison to the transgressions of others, but there is no defined scale of acceptability and so this argument seems moot to me.

You pinpoint at the great issue with Parliament. Too many people making decisions which directly benefit themselves than the wider public. The conflict of interests undermines everything 

[Free Falling Foxes]

Streaming platform taken down

[Guest Bilo]

3 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

I have asked, on here, repeatedly and out of genuine search for understanding, for at least something of an explanation from those of a more populist persuasion as to what motivated their policy based actions and how it fits into the future for them and everyone else. 

 

I have heard nothing in response. I would like to, if only for the sake of basic honesty of purpose. 

 

Honestly at this stage, I think it's a combination of hopelessness and bitterness.

 

'My life is always going to be miserable, and the only power I'll ever have is voting for someone who can make the lives of others miserable on my behalf for my entertainment.'

[bovril]

8 minutes ago, StanSP said:

I don't know if it's because I have a young kid now but I'm genuinely worried sometimes for mine and my family's safety when going out on the street or into town or just being out like normal people do! 

 

Drove through a small village to get to my parents' house this morning. Roundabout fvcking painted in the shittiest way

 

I don't actually laugh, I just pity the people that feel like it means anything, or if they feel like it puts them in a position of strength about anything. 

 

Seeing more and more examples of people going about their daily business or holidays and just randomly getting pelted with abuse. The sad thing? It's kids dishing it out. KIDS! Young children that will be amongst my child in school in just a few years time. They're innocent children being brainwashed by their ignorant bigoted parents. How is that fair? 

 

The irony? Do I feel safe in the street any more? Not particularly. The thing they moan about and that fuels their anger? Not feeling safe on the streets any more. Congratulations to them we're now in the same small boat  (pun intended). 

 

My worry is purely for my child - how do I know who he's going to interact with as he gets older or what that family's views are? How do I know he'll be safe? 

 

How do I know when I take him to his first football match (or cricket, rugby, whatever sport) that he's not going to get verbally abused just for being in the same place at the same time as a small narrow-minded emboldened racist *****?!

My partner who's an immigrant and I are going to leave especially as we've just had a kid. Pretty obvious which direction the country is going in. Unfortunately have to get a visa now to live in Europe but better than staying here where we're worried about speaking another language on the street 

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, Bilo said:

Honestly at this stage, I think it's a combination of hopelessness and bitterness.

 

'My life is always going to be miserable, and the only power I'll ever have is voting for someone who can make the lives of others miserable on my behalf for my entertainment.'

That's a working hypothesis, but I'd like to know for sure. 

 

Understanding is important, I think. 

[StanSP]

Just now, bovril said:

My partner who's an immigrant and I are going to leave especially as we've just had a kid. Pretty obvious which direction the country is going in. Unfortunately have to get a visa now to live in Europe but better than staying here where we're worried about speaking another language on the street 

How sad it has come to that, though.

 

I hope you have a better society and life there for your family. No child deserves to have to be subject to either their parents with bigoted views or be on the receiving end of said child's abuse. That's what saddens me about this whole debacle these days - the older folk are all FUBAR. At least kids will have a chance to change but they're on the wrong path already. 

[urban.spaceman]

16 minutes ago, Tommy G said:

BBC: Her allies have said she sought advice of three people, described as a conveyancer and two experts on the law on trusts.

But a conveyancer specialises in property law and is unlikely to have been able to provide tax advice.

It is similarly unclear whether the trust law experts were qualified to advise on tax law, particularly as it relates to stamp duty. Rayner’s team have declined to clarify anything further about who they were.

So who were they, and was it fair for Rayner to think they were equipped to provide specialist tax advice? And if they were, did she provide enough information about the trust and the ownership of her former family home for them to do that?

It’s those questions Sir Laurie Magnus, the government’s ethics adviser, will be probing. And the answers will likely decide her political future.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Show me anywhere who they were, and if she paid them as that's what you've stated above? All I've seen is people distancing themselves from it. 

That's where the due process comes in. Instead of making yourself Judge Judy and executioner maybe we should all wait for more information to come to light?

[StanSP]

3 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

Instead of making yourself Judge Judy and executioner

Please tell me this was intentional mate

 

[Guest Bilo]

24 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

That's a working hypothesis, but I'd like to know for sure. 

 

Understanding is important, I think. 

I think we first saw it here with Brexit.

 

It's benefited very few people, yet its supporters still laugh with glee about 'Remoaner tears.'

 

We're seeing the same when they talk about why they're voting Reform, struggle to articulate how and why a Reform government would make their lives better, but foam at the mouth with delight about deportations, triggered lefties and the marginalisation of vulnerable groups.

Edited 4 September 2025 by Bilo

[leicsmac]

6 minutes ago, StanSP said:

How sad it has come to that, though.

 

I hope you have a better society and life there for your family. No child deserves to have to be subject to either their parents with bigoted views or be on the receiving end of said child's abuse. That's what saddens me about this whole debacle these days - the older folk are all FUBAR. At least kids will have a chance to change but they're on the wrong path already. 

Sad is exactly right.

 

How sad it is that some human beings cannot or will not look past skin colour, or history, or whatever other difference they incorrectly think is important, and persist in dividing our species for seemingly no other reason beyond incredibly petty self interest.

[bovril]

7 minutes ago, StanSP said:

How sad it has come to that, though.

 

I hope you have a better society and life there for your family. No child deserves to have to be subject to either their parents with bigoted views or be on the receiving end of said child's abuse. That's what saddens me about this whole debacle these days - the older folk are all FUBAR. At least kids will have a chance to change but they're on the wrong path already. 

Tbf we were thinking about it anyway for many reasons but the resurgence of Farage has made our minds up.

[Guest Bilo]

Just now, bovril said:

Tbf we were thinking about it anyway for many reasons but the resurgence of Farage has made our minds up.

I'm desperately worried as well. It's only the fact that my daughter is barely in Year 1 and I'm in my early forties that I'm not looking for teaching jobs abroad at the moment. But, and I emphasise this, it's 'at the moment.'

 

A Farage government would most likely change my mind.

[Tommy G]

5 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

That's where the due process comes in. Instead of making yourself Judge Judy and executioner maybe we should all wait for more information to come to light?

If you've ran out of ideas fair enough - I can keep going as long as you like 

[urban.spaceman]

2 minutes ago, StanSP said:

Please tell me this was intentional mate

 

After all the years I’ve been on this forum you really ought to know the answer to that 

[leicsmac]

2 minutes ago, Bilo said:

I think we first saw it here with Brexit.

 

It's benefited very few people, yet its supporters still laugh with glee about 'Remoaner tears.'

 

We're seeing the same when they talk about why they're voting Reform when they struggle to articulate how and why a Reform government would make their lives better, but foam at the mouth with delight about deportations, triggered lefties and the marginalisation of vulnerable groups.

I thought that too, but a little while ago @bovril correctly reminded me that such sentiment was common before that, too. 

 

The thing that gets me about it all is that, in the end, it is not only destructive to the groups targeted, but to everyone. That seeks obvious to me and I've no idea why someone would seek a pathway like that. 

[kenny]

54 minutes ago, urban.spaceman said:

Yes, imagine the uproar if a Tory did anything remotely similar or even far, far worse, there'd be wall-to-wall coverage especially proportionate to the scale of the alleged misdeed. 

 

As you were

I'll ask again, what has an unelected wife to a politician done wrong? Was she found to have broken a law or avoided tax?

 

Or did she follow the laws of the land and pay taxes in the country in which they were earned?

 

My understanding was that she then agreed voluntarily to pay tax in the UK?

[Tommy G]

1 minute ago, kenny said:

I'll ask again, what has an unelected wife to a politician done wrong? Was she found to have broken a law or avoided tax?

 

Or did she follow the laws of the land and pay taxes in the country in which they were earned?

 

My understanding was that she then agreed voluntarily to pay tax in the UK?

You're on a hiding to nothing here...

[Guest Bilo]

10 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

I thought that too, but a little while ago @bovril correctly reminded me that such sentiment was common before that, too. 

 

The thing that gets me about it all is that, in the end, it is not only destructive to the groups targeted, but to everyone. That seeks obvious to me and I've no idea why someone would seek a pathway like that. 

The sentiment was common, but Brexit legitimised it. In the same way, racism and bigotry definitely existed in the US before Trump but he made it mainstream.