General News Thread

[leicsmac]

Rubio playing the "good cop" but still using an amazing amount of logical fallacies, chief among them Appeal to Nature. 

 

Borders are "human nature", Marco? You know what else is "natural"? Arsenic, botulinium toxin and extinction. Perhaps, as such, we should look to move beyond such ideas that solely appeal to "nature" before they screw us all?

[Trav Le Bleu]

25 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Rubio playing the "good cop" but still using an amazing amount of logical fallacies, chief among them Appeal to Nature. 

 

Borders are "human nature", Marco? You know what else is "natural"? Arsenic, botulinium toxin and extinction. Perhaps, as such, we should look to move beyond such ideas that solely appeal to "nature" before they screw us all?

He meant boarders and he was talking about oil tankers.

[leicsmac]

16 minutes ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

He meant boarders and he was talking about oil tankers.

On that general topic, it truly baffles me how he can spout blatant BS about forward looking countries not switching away from oil reliance with a straight face. 

 

Using fossil fuels for energy generation is Paleolithic, Marco. Come out of the cave and put the club away. Boris, for all his faults as a PM, at least understood that very well. 

[Trav Le Bleu]

27 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

Rubio playing the "good cop" but still using an amazing amount of logical fallacies, chief among them Appeal to Nature. 

 

Borders are "human nature", Marco? You know what else is "natural"? Arsenic, botulinium toxin and extinction. Perhaps, as such, we should look to move beyond such ideas that solely appeal to "nature" before they screw us all?

Re: borders, as a postie, I think some people feel it's only, at the very least, their right.

 

On my round the number of fences that have gone up between neighbours (thereby making me walk further ) is notable. How many people have removed fences? Zero. You also get strategically placed plant pots and wheelie bins to create a cheaper border.

 

Then you get people who argue and fall out with their neighbours because they've put up a new fence a couple of inches inside what they perceive to be their property. They should try having a neighbour who has a hedge, an ever encroaching barrier that requires you to spend time and energy on every couple of months.

 

Myself, and I know there at least some people like-minded, really couldn't care less. Always makes me laugh when people say if we hadn't won WW2 we'd all be speaking German now, as if that would've been the worst thing to happen under Nazi rule. Couldn't care less which language was my native tongue.

[leicsmac]

11 minutes ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

Re: borders, as a postie, I think some people feel it's only, at the very least, their right.

 

On my round the number of fences that have gone up between neighbours (thereby making me walk further ) is notable. How many people have removed fences? Zero. You also get strategically placed plant pots and wheelie bins to create a cheaper border.

 

Then you get people who argue and fall out with their neighbours because they've put up a new fence a couple of inches inside what they perceive to be their property. They should try having a neighbour who has a hedge, an ever encroaching barrier that requires you to spend time and energy on every couple of months.

 

Myself, and I know there at least some people like-minded, really couldn't care less. Always makes me laugh when people say if we hadn't won WW2 we'd all be speaking German now, as if that would've been the worst thing to happen under Nazi rule. Couldn't care less which language was my native tongue.

Oh yes, I've heard planning disputes over just a few centimetres of land behind utterly brutal. 

 

At an individual level, I understand the need for personal property and the need to delineate between areas of said personal property. What I don't understand, or accept, is the way that people like Rubio apply that idea at a national level to simply further their own self interest and that of their immediate "tribe" at the direct expense of other human beings who have done nothing to deserve the suffering inflicted upon them. And the main reason I don't accept it is because as much as those people go on about "Western civilisation" (as if that's the only one that matters), the way they do things will, at some point soon, bring down all civilisations - including the one they supposedly value above all others.

Edited 14 February by leicsmac

[Sampson]

1 hour ago, leicsmac said:

 

 

Borders are "human nature", Marco? You know what else is "natural"?

Like the Danish borders around Greenland? 

[leicsmac]

Just now, Sampson said:

Like the Danish borders around Greenland? 

Which Rubio et al are entirely happy to apparently ignore.

 

Still, if folks like him didn't have double standards they'd have no standards at all. 

[Sampson]

Just now, leicsmac said:

Which Rubio et al are entirely happy to apparently ignore.

 

Still, if folks like him didn't have double standards they'd have no standards at all. 

Or the Ukrainian border around the Crimea and the Donbass which Europe are trying to defend but the US wants to give up so they don’t have to spend money any more for that matter… 

[Sampson]

I think Starmer’s speech now is definitely a tone shift. Never heard him so openly anti-US and pro-Europe in his time as PM. That last line here from the bbc is the strongest I’ve heard from him. 

 

Europe is a sleeping giant when it comes to defence - Starmerpublished at 10:44

10:44

The Nato alliance is a phenomenon in human history, he says hailing the alliance, but notes that we need to create a more European version. 

"Europe is a sleeping giant," Starmer says, highlight how their economies "dwarf Russia's more than ten times over".

But, he notes, those have huge defence capabilities also suffer from fragmentation and duplication, which has made them "wildly inefficient", harming their collective security. 

The US security umbrella has allowed us to develop these bad habits, he says, "but we must break them".

Edited 14 February by Sampson

[Sampson]

'Europe must stand on our own two feet'published at 10:36

10:36

Europe, the UK prime minister says, must stand on our own two feet.

He says this can be achieved by putting an end to "petty concerns" and building a more European Nato, underpinned by "deeper links". 

He says that part of this foundation can be built by showing that "people who look different than each other can live peacefully together". 

"We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore," he says to loud applause.

"Because we know that in a dangerous world, we would not take control by turning inward, we would surrender it," he says, adding: "And I won't let that happen."

[The Bear]

Trump and his cronies must be thinking they can party like it's 1776 with all these threats and trading tariffs to other countries. 

 

After all it's the 250th anniversary of Independence in a few months. There are big festivities and celebrations planned across the country. It'd be highly "ironical" if someone used that as an excuse for a mass shooting, or someone had another pop at Trump. 

Edited 14 February by The Bear

[foxes1988]

On 12/02/2026 at 14:54, danny. said:

Probably out after 9 years. And people getting 3 years for Facebook posts. This country 🤦‍♂️

 

If you believe free speech means you can say whatever and these kind of comments should be allowed then that's your opinion but the fact that they are online shouldn't really come into it should it?

 

Usually thats done because you would either be trying to down play comments because they are online (hence why people added the 'just' to your post) or maybe you think online speech should be judged less harshly then "in person" speech which I'm not sure really holds up.

 

On 12/02/2026 at 23:10, danny. said:

https://www.opindia.com/2024/08/uk-courts-award-jail-sentences-upto-38-months-for-anti-immigrant-social-media-posts/

 

On 12/02/2026 at 23:55, accessory said:

A dodgy source - the Indian equivalent of GB News or the Daily Mail.

 

Pretty sure there was also more context in those cases than was covered in the article - such as many of the perps a) being serial offenders and b) pleading guilty.

 

Jordan Parlour. Pleaded guilty seems to of been involved in a few posts/comments on this.

 

'he posted: "Every man and their dog should be smashing f*** out of Britannia Hotel." The post, relating to an East Leeds hotel housing more than 200 refugees and asylum seekers, was brought to authorities' attention after objects were thrown at it in two terrifying incidents last week.

 

Prosecutor Matthew Donkin said examination of Parlour's phone showed the post, including a reply from someone else who said: "I'm down if you are my lad?" A reply from the defendant said: "Start by 5 bells tonight...be all gravy." Mr Donkin said: "He was asked about his anger and frustration and he said he posted it because he feels asylum seekers take tax off our people, rape our kids and get priority and he said he'd rather his money go on something else."'

 

Tyler Kay. Pleaded guilty and Was involved in a few posts.

'He tweeted on Wednesday: "Mass deportations now, set fire to all the f***ing hotels full of the b******s for all I care... If that makes me racist, so be it".

Kay also reposted a screenshot of another message inciting action against a named immigration solicitors in Northampton.

He went on to respond to several comments posted by others following his post, adding that it was "100% the plan.'

 

Pretty hateful comments tbf. I think if you make these sorts of comments and then hotels get attacked and people commit arson on them then these sorts of messages are going to get attention on them and then the police are going to investigate.  The thing is with online posts is the evidence is much clearer then if you said something down the pub.

 

Edited 14 February by foxes1988

[bovril]

27 minutes ago, The Bear said:

Trump and his cronies must be thinking they can party like it's 1776 with all these threats and trading tariffs to other countries. 

 

After all it's the 250th anniversary of Independence in a few months. There are big festivities and celebrations planned across the country. It'd be highly "ironical" if someone used that as an excuse for a mass shooting, or someone had another pop at Trump. 

Would be good if it's also the year we start to see Europe taking independence from the American empire seriously.

[CosbehFox]

Some big blue on blue in the right wing echo chamber this morning with Rupert Lowe, risked football chairman launching a party which is already attracted some hugely unfavourable characters. 
 

I know this because my Twitter feed is full of it, even though I don’t ask for it 

[Free Falling Foxes]

Heard about this on the radio this morning.

'Consciousness exists beyond death and the process of dying should be considered a ‘negotiable condition’, a bombshell study claims.

Traditionally, death has been defined as the irreversible loss of brain and circulatory function.

But experts are beginning to challenge this view – arguing that consciousness can persist even when the brain stops working.'

 

Several newspapers are reporting this too.

Gulp! 

Edited 15 February by Free Falling Foxes

[The Bear]

3 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

Heard about this on the radio this morning.

'Consciousness exists beyond death and the process of dying should be considered a ‘negotiable condition’, a bombshell study claims.

Traditionally, death has been defined as the irreversible loss of brain and circulatory function.

But experts are beginning to challenge this view – arguing that consciousness can persist even when the brain stops working.'

 

Several newspapers are reporting this too.

Gulp! 

My first question is - "for how long?"

[Trav Le Bleu]

32 minutes ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

Heard about this on the radio this morning.

'Consciousness exists beyond death and the process of dying should be considered a ‘negotiable condition’, a bombshell study claims.

Traditionally, death has been defined as the irreversible loss of brain and circulatory function.

But experts are beginning to challenge this view – arguing that consciousness can persist even when the brain stops working.'

 

Several newspapers are reporting this too.

Gulp! 

Eh? 

[Trav Le Bleu]

28 minutes ago, The Bear said:

My first question is - "for how long?"

5 nanoseconds 

[Free Falling Foxes]

58 minutes ago, The Bear said:

My first question is - "for how long?"

On the radio they suggested several minutes!

[bovril]

It's not too late atheists 

[Free Falling Foxes]

1 hour ago, The Bear said:

My first question is - "for how long?"

Actually, we may have evidence for this on our own doorstep.

Some of our players appear 'brain dead' but seem to be able to walk off the pitch after 90 mins.

[foxy tiler]

5 hours ago, Free Falling Foxes said:

Heard about this on the radio this morning.

'Consciousness exists beyond death and the process of dying should be considered a ‘negotiable condition’, a bombshell study claims.

Traditionally, death has been defined as the irreversible loss of brain and circulatory function.

But experts are beginning to challenge this view – arguing that consciousness can persist even when the brain stops working.'

 

Several newspapers are reporting this too.

Gulp! 

Fascinating stuff .....when we die is that it or do we move onto another plane of consciousness. Find out (or not) at some point.

[CornwallFox]

On 14/02/2026 at 10:43, Sampson said:

I think Starmer’s speech now is definitely a tone shift. Never heard him so openly anti-US and pro-Europe in his time as PM. That last line here from the bbc is the strongest I’ve heard from him. 

 

Europe is a sleeping giant when it comes to defence - Starmerpublished at 10:44

10:44

The Nato alliance is a phenomenon in human history, he says hailing the alliance, but notes that we need to create a more European version. 

"Europe is a sleeping giant," Starmer says, highlight how their economies "dwarf Russia's more than ten times over".

But, he notes, those have huge defence capabilities also suffer from fragmentation and duplication, which has made them "wildly inefficient", harming their collective security. 

The US security umbrella has allowed us to develop these bad habits, he says, "but we must break them".

 

On 14/02/2026 at 10:45, Sampson said:

 

'Europe must stand on our own two feet'published at 10:36

10:36

Europe, the UK prime minister says, must stand on our own two feet.

He says this can be achieved by putting an end to "petty concerns" and building a more European Nato, underpinned by "deeper links". 

He says that part of this foundation can be built by showing that "people who look different than each other can live peacefully together". 

"We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore," he says to loud applause.

"Because we know that in a dangerous world, we would not take control by turning inward, we would surrender it," he says, adding: "And I won't let that happen."

Europe is a superpower as a combined entity. 

I always find it strange that Tory type voters, who generally love the US and hate Europe, don't want to see it recreated in Europe as for some reason as United States here would be terrible.

It wouldn't. It would be fantastic. I've always wanted to see a United States of Europe. 

Britain would still have it's history but would be in something new. Something where as citizens we'd no longer be bound by just the borders of this island. 

What it is about the British that makes us so resistant to the idea of open borders in Europe I'm not really sure (I'm talking for it's citizens, not open borders for immigrants, though I'll give it two minutes before somebody moves on to that). Why wouldn't I want to be able to live, work etc in a much larger area? Why does having a different currency and governing body make any difference to me? The history of Britain, it's wars, palaces and currency would all still be a historic record, much as individual states in America have their own cultures and histories. Can't for the life of me understand why we have to only be Britain and stay within our little island and not be part of something bigger.

[st albans fox]

23 minutes ago, CornwallFox said:

 

Europe is a superpower as a combined entity. 

I always find it strange that Tory type voters, who generally love the US and hate Europe, don't want to see it recreated in Europe as for some reason as United States here would be terrible.

It wouldn't. It would be fantastic. I've always wanted to see a United States of Europe. 

Britain would still have it's history but would be in something new. Something where as citizens we'd no longer be bound by just the borders of this island. 

What it is about the British that makes us so resistant to the idea of open borders in Europe I'm not really sure (I'm talking for it's citizens, not open borders for immigrants, though I'll give it two minutes before somebody moves on to that). Why wouldn't I want to be able to live, work etc in a much larger area? Why does having a different currency and governing body make any difference to me? The history of Britain, it's wars, palaces and currency would all still be a historic record, much as individual states in America have their own cultures and histories. Can't for the life of me understand why we have to only be Britain and stay within our little island and not be part of something bigger.

We hate the French more than we hate the Germans ! 
it’s bizarre 

[bovril]

20 minutes ago, CornwallFox said:

 

Europe is a superpower as a combined entity. 

I always find it strange that Tory type voters, who generally love the US and hate Europe, don't want to see it recreated in Europe as for some reason as United States here would be terrible.

It wouldn't. It would be fantastic. I've always wanted to see a United States of Europe. 

Britain would still have it's history but would be in something new. Something where as citizens we'd no longer be bound by just the borders of this island. 

What it is about the British that makes us so resistant to the idea of open borders in Europe I'm not really sure (I'm talking for it's citizens, not open borders for immigrants, though I'll give it two minutes before somebody moves on to that). Why wouldn't I want to be able to live, work etc in a much larger area? Why does having a different currency and governing body make any difference to me? The history of Britain, it's wars, palaces and currency would all still be a historic record, much as individual states in America have their own cultures and histories. Can't for the life of me understand why we have to only be Britain and stay within our little island and not be part of something bigger.

The conservative case for a united Europe is probably better than a liberal one. The EU is a tool that Europeans can use in whatever way they choose and makes it more likely that European culture and values will be preserved. European conservatives have realised this since late last decade, which is why they generally now favour staying in and influencing EU policy on things like immigration, instead of leaving it.

 

English conservatives never understood this because they are generally Europhobic and still hung up on the US and the Commonwealth. They also grew up in a time when the UK was able to project its power quite successfully. However I think they are slowly realizing both that those two worlds - the US and commonwealth countries like India - are less natural allies to us than they thought and also that being out of the EU doesn't protect us against the forces of globalisation they understandably dislike - it makes us more vulnerable to them.