kevinjohnsonmbe

Brilliant! You really are on form tonight! Is it day release?

Are you confusing "unseated" with "resigned?" A small technical point, but since your entire apparent theory is predicated on it, fairly fundamental. Can't believe I'm falling for it and getting sucked in...

Hopefully, she's reading Nigel Jones' piece in the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/03/powerful-forces-pro-eu-lobby-have-struck-blow-against-brexit/

Another way of looking at it might be: Would I shed a tear if a self important, designer suit wearing, expense account sucking, Michelin star restaurant dining, highly salaried, well pensioned, soft handed, desk jockey, career bureaucrat lost his / her luncheon vouchers? Hold on while I put a jacket on against the cold and rain whilst taking a seat on this tree stump to pour a cup of tea from my flask whilst eating a sandwich to contemplate the question.... 🤔 All these expensive layers of desk jockeys have to be paid for after all... Best get back to work! 😆

The prevarication is the biggest embarrassment. The EU is doomed with or without the UK.

Is the avoidance of paying business rates any different to benefit fraud or any other form of financial crime? There are changes afoot which may bring farm diversification in line with any other business: Farm diversifications may face higher business rates in 2017 - Farmers Weekly

The desperation to interpret this as some kind of national Brexit barometer is tragic. A single seat by-election where Lab lost its deposit (less votes than there are party members?), the Tories didn't put up a candidate and in a previous 70% Bremoan constituency... You want to read something significant into that? Really??

Ah, gotcha! Interesting question. JC is, apparently, what grass roots Labour wanted. Long may it remain! Alan Johnson just delivered a characteristically classy performance on QT. As was mentioned on the show, I always wondered why he didn't run for party leadership - the Tories would have been in deep do-do if he had. I can't "do" Fawlty Towers etc, but as you say, a sad loss to TV comedy.

I'm not sure if that's a question or an example of a socialist with nothing more than paper cuts to compare with the hands of a working man??

I don't see it as that much of an unknown - Trump as PODUS or Brexit. Trump (just like Obama) has ideological changes as head mark ambitions for his term(s) in office. And, just like Obama, he will not be able to unilaterally impose his will without checks & controls. Obama had flagship policies which he was determined to implement but failed to achieve: close GTB, impose restrictions of gun ownership etc and in a very similar vain, so does Trump. (I'm not suggesting Trump's aspirations are correct and Obama's were flawed - just saying that whatever the presidential aspiration might be, it doesn't always come to pass and as such, I don't feel that which might be perceived as radical (from either perspective) should necessarily be feared. And as such, I don't see it as that much of an unknown - what we DO know, is that he won't be able to deviate too far from that which Senate will sanction - so not a drastic unknown really. And briefly on Brexit, the EU "project" has eaten itself and is on the verge of implosion regardless of Brexit. A curse on the house of all Bremoaners and a double curse on the political class of Bremoaners: Strike down upon them with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to Bremoan my brothers.

Not a particularly well written article for sure... I wonder what motive or momentum is behind it, or maybe it is just as simple as being a poor piece of work. For example, it could just as easily have said "...but urges planners, local authorities and developers to take into account the adverse effect that ROADS can have on air quality if badly sited or unmanaged.. " It's not the trees creating the pollution after all.....

Excuse the jumping backwards and forwards between UK / US, but I'm applying (my) UK logic to express my interpretation of the US situation - may be appropriate, maybe not but it's all I have so that's what I'll use. Take it in 2 parts Mull, Take the second part first - Are our politicians constrained through decades of peer mimickery promotions and institutionalised routine which acts as a disincentive to initiative and non-conformist manoeuvrability? Do I believe that - yes, absolutely. It's an endemic, systemic affliction of the Public Sector. Just a quick example off the top of my head, take Jacob Rees-Mogg (no really, take him....) One of the smartest and most capable of MPs but no cabinet position - why, because he is non-conformist, too smart and considered a potential threat to superiors rather than a lap dog to be promoted and controlled. And then, has Trump achieved his current position through climbing the political ladder of compromise, double deals, butt kissing and brown nosing? No. So his thinking is not constrained by that career path / system. Nobody has a clue what Trump will be like..... Not sure I totally agree, it is becoming clearer with each passing day.

"...Nice does not recommend that councils cut down trees in leafy suburbs to meet pollution limits, but urges planners, local authorities and developers to take into account the adverse effect that trees can have on air quality if badly sited or unmanaged..." Can't see anything controversial or ridiculous about encouraging appropriate thinking? Trees in the wrong position may exacerbate rather than ameliorate poor air quality - fair comment.

You see (and recognise) what many can't! I'd agree that he appears to benefit from a freedom of thinking unlike that of the career politicians who are constrained through decades of peer mimickery promotions and institutionalised routine which acts as a disincentive to initiative and non-conformist manoeuvrability.

Did you watch the video embedded in the story? Given the context of the story, there's some fairly lazy (over confident maybe) work practices in the vid - cutting with the big saw one handed whilst hand banging the wedge in with the other hand..... Not judging.... Just observing!! P poor video to attach to that story under the circumstances perhaps....

Great post and much to recognise / remember! A massive subject so I'll just pick 1 point which I think remains valid and could be a future consideration. People have become so used to utilities on tap (pun intended) that they don't take as much care as was possibly the case before. Gas, leccy, oil, water - has it all become so common place that folks take it for granted? I'm not suggesting that, in a developed economy, they shouldn't be readily available, but I'd suggest less people would leave the engine running on a car (noting having a car was quite flash back in the day) than would leave a light on unnecessarily or the tap running. Utilities cost money but I'm not sure people treat that cost with respect it deserves? Maybe I've just turned into a miserable tight old duffer....

What actual harm do these CSW people do?

Agreed! Rural roads + excessive / careless / inconsiderate driving is a recipe for disaster. It may well be that the frustration directed at the people volunteering at these speed watch positions would be better directed at the people who are speeding. It might seem pointless because there are no "powers to punish" associated with Community Speed Watch but the data collected facilitates targeted road traffic police attention to problem areas. Really, which is worse - careless, inconsiderate, speeding, distracted drivers or a few old duffers having a day out in the fresh air?

Maybe worth a thought if you plan to move them: "...Liquidambar should be planted in full sun in neutral to acid soil that is moist but well-drained. The genus resents transplanting, but if this is unavoidable, prepare by root-pruning a year in advance..." Liquidambar | Horticulture Week

If it goes down that route I'll keep it in one piece (or what ever best suits you) and swap the piece for 2 nice bowls if you fancy??

If I could do that I'd be a rich man! It's up on the moor but protected from prevailing wind by a shelter belt and with a sunny aspect. Maybe it just doesn't get quite warm enough.

Not sure of the origin (point of sale or cultivar) and didn't think to get a close up leaf shot - been asked to remove due to no colour display at end of season. Seems a pity as it appears otherwise healthy and vigorous young tree planted in prior to current homeowner so no providence available. Currently growing in dappled sun reasonably close to 2x mature Ash (they are due a crown raise.) Thinking of checking soil condition and type to ensure neutral to acid soil that is moist and well-drained (not expecting it to be too chalky in Cornwall which can, apparently stop them colouring.) Any suggestions / ideas gratefully received?? I'm thinking soil test, feed & mulch, branch tip prune (size is becoming an issue in available garden space) and look back in a year or 2 if I can convince the owner.

The price difference between Ranger / Hilux disappears when you apply the Mole Valley discount of 15%! Not sure if Mole Valley is national or regional SW UK but it's worth punting out of area for 4.5k!

👍🏻😬🤔 dhooh!