sime42

Appreciating your cynical pragmatism and analogy, but it doesn't have to be a choice between a douch and a turd sandwich. Not claiming that it could be smoked salmon and caviar, but it could at least be an honest ham and mustard sarny. I'm sure there have been, are, and could be decent, honest politicians in the game. Those who are motivated at least in large part by good for the whole rather than just good for the self.

The bit about not being a great believer in democracy. Are you just accepting of the fact that it's flawed but the best we can hope to achieve? If there is no viable alternative, then all we can do is try to improve the current system. Taking the US cesspit as an example of worst practice, surely the first thing to do is take the money out of the whole process, as far as possible. On Question Time a couple of weeks ago Dale Vince suggested that all electoral campaigns should be state funded, (in response to a question about Musk trying to pump money into Farage). On the face of it, it sounds like a ludicrous idea, but when you stop and think about it, it might actually make some sense. Level the playing field up a bit. Otherwise those who already have money/fame/power are always going to have the advantage. Especially in the age of mass social media, run by the same kinds of people, intent on stoking Populism. Quite how such a system would work wasn't elaborated on, but it's got to be considered at least, along with the concept of degrowth economics.

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A trial, makeshift, slack line. Any ideas how to anchor the ends of one of these if there's no handy trees where you need them? Even like this the BBQ moved when I tried it, not acceptable.

Pictures please. Always good to see different ways of doing things.

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ How does one make a bomb from a condom then ND? @Johnsond? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Yeah I had to resort to wearing a mask when doing a lot of it. It was giving me chest pain. I wonder if it might be teeny tiny hairs that some people are susceptible to. I don't think it matters what kind of mask, as long as it fits properly. A disposable dust mask, ffp2 type thing.

A small crowbar can be a useful addition to the tool kit, saves muntering your silky/lopers/secateur if push comes to shove.

Yeah, peeling ivy is definitely cathartic, but can be tedious also. A solid week of it is epic. The elation that results from a big sheet of it being removed cleanly in one go is one of those things that only those who have done a lot of tedious ivy peeling will appreciate! Shame about the irritating dust, makes me cough like a good'un.

Spitting Image. What a program that was. Shirley it's well overdue being brought back, there's not enough political satire on the box now. Some on the radio yes, but not on TV. Have I got news for you is good, but it doesn't exactly fit the bill. Spitting Image would be a perfect fit for that Friday night slot, after the news. Get rid of that annoying Graham Norton twit. Condoms. I'm not sure that his devoted followers are questioning it you know. Unless it's some kind of clever allegory thats gone over our heads. There's an easy way to put it to the test. So, do either of the devoted believers believe The Donald's "500 000 000 condoms used to make Hamas bombs" claim? The secondary, and more interesting question is how exactly does one use a Jonny to make a bomb? Bomb making isn't my strong point.

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Speaking of ATC. Dismantling of the National Weather Service and NOAA was another brilliant idea mentioned in Project 2025 I think. (An attempt to hide the unfolding affects of Climate Breakdown from the MAGA maybe). That's going to make the job of ATC even harder when it comes to pass.

The mind boggles. The worst thing is that he never bothers to even attempt to justify or provide evidence to back up all these crazy BS claims that are his currency. Presumably he's realised that he doesn't need to, his MAGA flock will just swallow it all regardless of truth. It's a sad and worrying state of affairs when fact has now become completely interchangeable with opinion and belief in some circles. The US, and beyond, does seem to be becoming a morality and factuality wasteland.

Time for Ukexit then maybe.

Five key impacts of Brexit five years on WWW.BBC.CO.UK The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020.

That's a peach of a photo that second one Doug. The composition and light even more so just makes it.

Could be silver ............

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Old Spice or Brut, which is your go to scent?

Maybe its just a case of Pogonophobia. What happens if you don't shave?

Hang on a minute, hold it right there! Are we saying that beards have been consigned to Room 101 as well now? I had no idea that shaving is a basic of modern society. Gutted. 😪 Is that because only Socialists don't shave every morning?