DJ360
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Posts posted by DJ360
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15 hours ago, Cliff Ton said:
I've edited the previous post from DJ360 because it had caused problems with the format and layout of the page and site.
It seems likely the problem occurred because the original post was too big for the Reply box to cope with. I don't think the question has ever arisen before, but there is presumably a limit to the number of Quotes and Characters which the system can accommodate.
If anyone feels the need to say so much again, it's best to split everything into a number of consecutive posts rather than cramming it all into one mega-post.
Thanks for sorting it Kev.
I suspect it's more likely it was something about one of the quotes that I put up rather than just linked to, I generally try to avoid copy and paste of articles which also contain graphics etc.. but that one was pretty central to the discussion between Jim and me, so I wanted our audience, such as it might be, to also be clear on what it said.
Still never mind. All is well.
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Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, mea Culpa!!!
Jim is correct and has just beat me to it.
Apologies to any and all who want to post in the Politics Thread but my last reply to Jim seems to have tipped it over the edge.. I think I broke the internet..
.. I've tried but can't do anything from this end, so we are all in the hands of our mighty leader Kev/Cliff-ton.. 
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On 1/24/2024 at 5:23 PM, Brew said:
A matter of differing opinions is the very definition of needing proof, empirical evidence that can be analysed to reach a definitive answer. such a result will eliminate any division or argument.
The divisive never ending arguments, legal and political, we have at the moment are taking us no nearer to a solution than we were 5 years and several billion pounds ago.
From the point of view of the dispassionate observer, of course your argument makes sense. However, we are not governed by dispassionate observers, but by people with agendas and opinions. 'Opinions' flourish in the absence of empirical evidence, but in reality, our political system is a mix of opinion and fact. The nearest thing we have to 'dispassionate observers' are our courts and judges, and in my view it is no accident that our courts and judges are subject to increasing defamation and even threat, by the forces of the Far Right, which have to a considerable extent infiltrated the Conservative Party. Also, despite The House of Lords having a very clear Conservative majority which even the combined ranks of Labour and the Lib Dems cannot defeat, it consistently asks this Govt. to 'think again' on this issue.
On 1/24/2024 at 5:23 PM, Brew said:It is diverting govt; attention and resources away from the problems that desperately need addressing, true. They may have muddled priorities but I don't believe it's a deliberate ploy and surely makes a good case for decisive
action to present to the voters.
Here again our respective views of the Govt. approach to 'Stopping The Boats', come down mostly to opinion. I believe it is a deliberate diversion to take the electorate's eye off the many other balls in play. You believe that it is the Govt., being involuntarily diverted by the issue. I'd argue that I have more 'facts' on my side.
The Govt. betrays itself by its own utterances. Recently, when Sunak did his 'big' Press Conference, and also at Prime Minister's Question Time, Sunak has mentioned various other measures which he says are effective, including 'interdicting' the supply of boats, 'Going after the gangs', etc. And yet he continues to focus most loudly and clearly on the Rwanda issue which, even if it ever (literally) gets off the ground, is widely regarded as legally suspect, unproven, etc..etc. and is proving as divisive within his own ranks as it is elsewhere. OK, I withdraw my comments that is is 'pointless' or whatever. I don't need to prove or disprove its potential efficacy. I just feel obliged to point out the way it is being used as pre-electoral propaganda in my view and in the view of many others.
On 1/24/2024 at 5:23 PM, Brew said:I rather take he accusation of being a pragmatist as a compliment, among other things a synonym for pragmatism is - good sense - common sense - realism........
It's a neutral observation, meant to neither criticise nor praise. My only issue is that you seem to me to more easily slip into 'disparaging' language when describing Centre Left utterances, than you do when discussing Conservative utterances.
OK, I accept your usage of the term 'diatribe' but I don't recall you using it to describe anything from the Conservative side, you seem to reserve if for Centre Left stuff with which you disagree.
On 1/24/2024 at 5:23 PM, Brew said:Frankly you either didn't listen without your blinkers or didn't read my post properly.
In my rebuttal of Mohamed speech I do not remember using the word 'extreme' and the word diatribe is in this case a perfectly proper use of the noun. You seem to have a problem with my syntax, this being the fourth time you've complained about my choice of words. And it's a possible smoke screen to hide behind the fact you've offered no evidence he's right, no counter-argument or facts and simply defending him on principle - he's bashing Tories so he must be right?
None of the above. I offered it simply as an impassioned attack on Tory policy by a very articulate Barrister who is unashamedly 'of the left'. You focus mostly on the one example of a Refugee he quoted., but there was much more to his argument, including his view, which I've been trying to get across for years, that 'they are attacking our judges'. An internet search for this 'diatribe', results in numerous exampes of praise for his utterances. I couldn't find much from the Right Wing press, at all..and I did look.
Mohamed went on to attack the Tory government, saying that instead of presenting “real ideas”: “They’re attacking our judges. They're attacking our rule of law.
Quote“They are dividing our society. They are making us feel like refugees are the scum and who are foreign. They refer to the European courts that we are a part of, that have United Kingdom judges, as foreign cour“It's not only just disgusting, as this young lady was saying, it's unconscionable. The rhetoric is poison and we have to acknowledge that. Mohamed asked how much better the £400 million the Tories have sent to Rwanda without deporting a single asylum seeker, could have been if it was spent developing proper monitoring systems on the French coast.The barrister’s contribution was praised on social media, with campaigner and author Dan White calling it “just brilliant and truthful”.READ MORE: Joanna Cherry: Scotland could provide grounds to challenge Tories’ vile Rwanda BillScottish Social Care Minister Maree Todd shared the clip and commented: “Well said.”“If you watch one thing today, it should be this. The Rwanda Scheme is totally ripped apart," another user wrote, as KC Jessica Timor added: "Please make this go viral. It’s never been articulated be....etc.
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Sorry but my reply is spread over two posts, due to the over eager editing policies here.
Surely it's more subtle than that? Some things can only be proved by testing.. that's true. However, in numerous situations, especially where politics, opinion and 'agendas' are concerned, the probability of any given outcome becomes a matter of opinion? In this case it is evident that opinion is deeply divided even within the ranks of the Conservative Party, not to mention in the wider community.
On 1/21/2024 at 1:26 AM, Brew said:Immigration is as you acknowledge an important issue very much in the front of peoples minds, for a government of any colour to ignore it would be wrong on every level.
I don't think that any Govt. past, present, or future can really be accused of ignoring immigration. There are simply differing viewpoints and differing opinions on how to manage immigration.
Two things are blindingly obvious about the current Tory approach to immigration.
1. Whilst no sane or credible political viewpoint denies that immigration is an issue, the current Tory Administration is deliberately 'hyping up' the small boats issue.. keeping it 'front and centre' of it's narrative and keeping it rolling.. in order to distract from its catalogue of failures on Health, Education, Cost of Living, Housing, Regulation of Privatised Utilities, Criminal Justice etc.etc.. not to mention the slowly emerging evidence of corruption, misappropriation of public funds, etc.
2. Simultaneously, the current Govt. is quietly not only allowing, but encouraging legal migration, to meet labour shortages it has created via it's gross incompetence in managing Education and Training policy, not to mention the effects of Brexit.
QuoteIn principal the governments actions are only questionable whilst the law is ambiguous, remove the ambiguity and we remove the doubt.
The courts never said the proposal was illegal only that, at the time, Rwanda was on the HMG list of of unsafe states - now it's not. Whether that changes the safety is moot but it does change the legality. Ludicrous possibly, legal certainly.
Your pragmatism is showing again... there's morality and political opinion in there somewhere too, not to mention the increasing Tory assault on our democracy and our institutions. This Govt. is far too fond of using its ill-gotten majority to play 'fast and loose' with the Law. When it suits them, they retreat behind existing Law and when it doesn't, as in this case, they change the Law to suit their agenda. Of course, all Govt's are able to change the Law and it's part of what they exist for. However, this lot are not just playing fast and loose with the law, but actually attacking the Judiciary. Let's be absolutely clear here.. Parliament makes the Law, but the Judiciary interpret and apply it. Ever since Brexit we have seen repeated hysterical headlines such as the notorious 'Enemies of the People' rubbish in the Mail, whenever the Judiciary simply do their job. This should worry us all.
QuoteThe QT piece is arguable, only one instance of someone circumventing and taking undue advantage is proof it will not work?
Hashi Mohamed was actually in Rwanda and presumably whilst there searching for evidence to disparage the proposal.
The only evidence against the plan he came up with were the actions or dodgy hearsay statement of one ne'er-do-well? Seriously?
He mentioned it's an Israeli arrangement. That's to say not the same thing as the UK plan, It's also important to make clear there was never an official agreement between Rwanda and Israel, a fact he conveniently forgot to mention and that Israel sent them there with no support.
Comparing apples with oranges?
Mohamed is blatantly left wing and giving us a well rehearsed diatribe, short on facts, long on supposition, conjecture and the lefties loaded into the audience loved it. Typical for Starmerites there was no mention of a viable alternative
I'm always intrigued by the way you approach conservative ideology pragmatically, but try to dismiss centre left ideology as somehow 'extreme', 'conjecture' etc.. Frankly, most of your characterisation of Mohamed's 'diatribe' (another of your favourite words employed to 'diss' centre left argument) is as much supposition as you claim his to be. What is the Tory projection of the effectiveness of Rwanda if not conjecture?
'Lefties loaded into the audience'? Really? The opposite is the usual accusation levelled at QT audiences. I'd say that the audience was more than usually reflective of the general mood of the electorate. You seem reluctant to accept that the 'the game is up' for the present Govt. and that most people see that.
It's also incorrect to state that 'Starmerites' didn't mention an alternative. Emily Thornberry described a future Labour emphasis on 'breaking' the smuggling gangs among other things. Opposing 'Rwanda' does not equate to doing nothing. In fact, Sunak also constantly dribbles out stuff about breaking gangs etc..and claims they are working, yet he still pursues Rwanda. I repeat, the only logical conclusion to be drawn is that he wants the issue front and centre to keep what's left of his electoral support frothing at the mouth.
QuoteReally? That seems somewhat complacent the election is his to lose and if he doesn't soon start showing some sort of leadership he'll do just that.
I'll admit that I'm also frustrated by Starmer's apparent lack of policy or vision, but he really is right to be super careful, since the almost totally right wing UK press will pounce on even the slightest perceived 'faux pas'. Starmer is way ahead in the polls and as the Tories continune to tear themselvers apart there's no sign of him losing either that lead.. or the coming election.
QuotePure left wing rhetoric spouted by those who would I've no doubt scream blue murder if they were taxed at 45%.
There you go again! It is not 'rhetoric', to recognise that only the wealthy can seriously engage with the Bond Markets, whilst the profits on Bonds derive from taxation of the poorer majority. Personally, I'd welcome the opportunity to owe 45% Tax.
QuoteThe Oxfam piece is pure shameless propaganda. 3 out 4 millionaires want to pay more taxes? apart from the fact I don't believe it, it rather depends on who they ask. I know at least three in the seven figure bracket and all take every legal opportunity to reduce their liability.
Well of course they do. Their accountants will insist upon it. But it doesn't follow that they would oppose an increase in taxation. The people we are talking about are those who need their cash so much..that they don't spend it... they simply 'offshore' it, whilst the poorest provide them with it.
It is undeniable that the 'wealth gap' in this country has increased under the Tories. It is after all, their unspoken objective, mentioned only in code via 'cutting public spending', 'reducing taxes' 'holding down pay to 'halt inflation '
..etc.etc.
You don't need to believe Oxfam. Look here..:
QuoteMUSK - £5 billion to charity
Arnault - £19 billion
Bezos - £3 billion
Ellison - 95% of fortune
Zuckerberg - £45 billion
Not in the top list but Buffet has given £55 billion through the Gates foundation which in itself has given huge amounts to good causes.
There will no doubt be a tax deductible reason but the end result is the money goes directly to charity and not towards the bill for a broken down aircraft carrier.
The list goes one. The top ten between them have probably given more than the GDP of some small countries.
The short response to the above is 'So what?' The fact that a few ulmost incomprehensibly wealthy individuals have given away amounts which are frankly 'Chicken feed' to them, in no way undermines the fact that they have also doubled their wealth.
They are the outliers at the extremes of the graph and are largely protected by managing to stay 'offshore' from everywhere. The rich that I'm speaking of are the thousands of multimillionaires and the hundreds of billionaires in this country, plus thousands of others whose income is measured in multiples ot the UK 'Average' income. Income re-distribution is urgently needed here.
QuoteOxfam's innuendo is scurrilous manipulation
I thought I'd remove the supposition from that until you can prove your case. It now reads:
QuoteOxfam's
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On 1/21/2024 at 1:26 AM, Brew said:
I'm surprised at that, surely something that's never been tried or tested can never be proved or disproved
Surely it's more subtle than that? Some things can only be proved by testing.. that's true. However, in numerous situations, especially where politics, opinion and 'agendas' are concerned, the probability of any given outcome becomes a matter of opinion? In this case it is evident that opinion is deeply divided even within the ranks of the Conservative Party, not to mention in the wider community.
On 1/21/2024 at 1:26 AM, Brew said:Immigration is as you acknowledge an important issue very much in the front of peoples minds, for a government of any colour to ignore it would be wrong on every level.
I don't think that any Govt. past, present, or future can really be accused of ignoring immigration. There are simply differing viewpoints and differing opinions on how to manage immigration.
Two things are blindingly obvious about the current Tory approach to immigration.
1. Whilst no sane or credible political viewpoint denies that immigration is an issue, the current Tory Administration is deliberately 'hyping up' the small boats issue.. keeping it 'front and centre' of it's narrative and keeping it rolling.. in order to distract from its catalogue of failures on Health, Education, Cost of Living, Housing, Regulation of Privatised Utilities, Criminal Justice etc.etc.. not to mention the slowly emerging evidence of corruption, misappropriation of public funds, etc.
2. Simultaneously, the current Govt. is q
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11 hours ago, Brew said:
He had to sit almost 9 hours in the discharge suite waiting for medicines but home now. Not allowed to drive for at least six weeks and then assessed to see what progress he's made.
Glad he seems to be on the mend Jim.
As for 'waiting for meds'.
Mrs Col was discharged and 'Waiting for Meds', after a Gall Bladder op. After waiting from 08:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for her to call me and ask to be brought home, I drove to the hospital where she was still sitting patiently in bed. I went to the nurses station a few yards away and when somebody finally appeared, I enquired about the Meds. After a little rummage under the counter "Oh.. They're here.." God only knows how long they'd been there, but we were home 30 minutes later.
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Yesterday I went for an Echocardiogram requested by the Cardiologist. My BP was showing at 80 over 50 on my own monitor before I went. No wonder I struggled to walk from the car to the Cardio Dept... I have noted that Cardio Depts in hospitals are always as far as possible away from the entrance. Is it meant as a hint that we should be getting more exercise, or just somebody's idea of a joke? That said, the 'Sonographer' who did my 'echo', was lovely. Friendly, talkative and caring.
Today I have written again, to the manager of the local Targeted Lung Health programme to express my 'disappointment' that I have not received and acknowledgement of my first email a week ago, much less a full response. Still not fully recovered from that episode.
9 days until my next appointment. Just a blood test. Don't know what I'm going to do with myself for all that time...
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On 1/18/2024 at 12:59 PM, Brew said:
Really? By my reckoning it's a little less than half, 11 voted against, 18 wimps sat on the fence and did not vote, so 29 in all - from 349. A victory then for Sunak but I suspect the Lords will send it back to the commons which will start the whole thing again.
Yes, your figures are correct and a lot of his opposition 'bottled it', though I suspect most of them had their eyes more on the coming election and saving their necks/seats, than any high principles.
On 1/18/2024 at 12:59 PM, Brew said:I have yet to hear a cogent argument against it, how is the Rwanda plan pointless and, leaving aside long term solutions which will probably never happen, what alternative would you suggest in the short term to stop the boats?
It's pointless because even if it can be made to work, it's admitted that very few will be sent and the notion that it will act as a deterrent is unproven.
It's also legally questionable and the idea that by legislating, the Tories have somehow changed Rwanda from unsafe to safe at the stroke of a pen is not only ludicrous, but also a dangerous precedent.
What it comes down to is propaganda. It's Sunak and his cronies trying to keep the focus of the electorate on illegal immigration which, although an important issue, isn't the NHS/Cost of Living/Housing etc..etc.. ad infinitum crisis which affect all of us much more. I reckon it's backfiring on them.
And then there's this:
On 1/18/2024 at 12:59 PM, Brew said:Immigration is a major plank in the Tory election campaign and I suspect has a lot of support among the voters so he has to do something. But I don't think they have enough time now to turn things around.
Only illegal immigration. Because of their almost complete lack of positive action on education, employment and training, exacerbated by their Brexit lunacy, we have massively increased legal immigration, mostly from countries where skin colour tends to be darker, and thus the new workers rather more obvious. Two own goals in one.
On 1/18/2024 at 12:59 PM, Brew said:Starmer is as usual doing little and saying less.
Starmer really doesn't need to do much but avoid a 'Kinnock style' cock up.
That said, neither he nor his minions seem capable of presenting much real vision,.. so they're currently winning by default.
For e.g, on QT the other night Emily Thornberry admitting that Labour would need to borrow to fund NHS etc, but utterly failing to highlight huge Tory borrowing, Truss advocating borrowing to fund tax cuts for the rfich etc., the fact that borrowing is an investment opportunity for the rich repaid by the poor, but not if it is repaid by properly taxing the rich.
And they should be using this:
Also on Question Time Fiona Bruce seems genuinely shocked to learn that people are struggling to get NHS Dentistry.
Where has she been for the last 20 years? It may not affect her and her Tory Activist husband, but the fact she didn't know, just further demonstrates her complete inadequacy in the role. -
On 1/8/2024 at 1:18 PM, LizzieM said:
When I get old I’ll no doubt be wearing tracksuit bottoms all day, every day as I sit all day watching the telly.
I'm already doing that Lizzie.. Not trackies exactly, but M&S cotton loungers with elasticated waist. Comfy, easy wash etc. Otherwise mostly jeans type stuff, but not blue denim. Dunno why.. nothing against denim.
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On 1/16/2024 at 4:18 PM, IAN FINN said:
I think the song was sung then by Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders.
Yes, the Wayne Fontana was a typical UK cover. Major Lance did the original. Lance also had it at No. 40 in the UK and had several other 'underground' hits, some of which I used to play at the 360 etc.. when I was a Fab DJ.
.. including The Matador, The Monkey Time, The Beat etc.. Many of his songs were written by Curtis Mayfield, of Impressions fame.
I was reminded yesterday that it was 50 years to the day since Joni Mitchell released her gorgeous 1974 album 'Court and Spark', so I gave my original vinyl a spin today. This is my fave song from it:
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On 1/14/2024 at 1:06 AM, Oztalgian said:
Is this the way to Amarillo? I don't know I've never Amarillo'd before
Reminds me of the old literary gag..
"Do you like Kipling?" "I don't know..I've never Kippled...."
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On 1/19/2024 at 9:55 AM, MelissaJKelly said:
I am officially redundant at the moment. First time for me and not a pleasant experience at all. Its weird being a lady of leisure! Not sure what to do with myself!
Melissa, you have my sympathies, as someone who suffered more redundancies than I can properly recall, but I can't disagree with anything said by others so far..... problems often point to opportunities. One of my many redundancies caused me to 'go rogue' and decide not to look for work, but to take a month to think and explore options. That led to me taking my 15 year old 'O' levels..talking my way onto a degree course and post grad diploma and swapping from 'last in first out' factory fodder, to a fully qualified (and employed!!) Career Adviser.
Unless it is desperately urgent to do so, I wouldn't rush into anything. Or just accept something temporary to tide you over while planning. Take your time to think about your future and what you want from it. Seek advice if need be, especially about any education or training options which might be relevant. I spent 30 years as a Careers Adviser, when we still actually had a Careers Service... I've been retired for 10 years and things change, so I'm a bit rusty, but feel free to p.m. me if I can help in any way.
What is your degree?
Time to re-work your CV too. If it helps, I can send you my CV/Cover Letter preparation guide when I can find it on my old P.C....
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Great news!
That nice Mr Hunt said only the other day that he 'has a plan' and has made 'difficult decisions'
And now, as I speak Sunak is congratulating himself on the success of his 'plan' to partly repair the damage his party has caused to the economy, and his pointless Rwanda plan, which half of his own party don't support.
Such a relief!!
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Maybe not the correct thread for an extended discussion on the politics behind our health system, so I'll just make one point. Somewhere else you made a comment about 'when they Privatise the NHS'. In my view they've already largely done so.
Interestingly, I spoke to my heart nurse yesterday concerning my tale above and she clearly said that she wasn't able to comment because she didn't know the protocols of the company concerned. Whole sectors of seemingly NHS primary care are now sub contracted to assorted 'trusts', 'agencies', 'projects' etc.
For e.g.
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Absolutely At HP they'd have been given a tin of 'Briz' ( A cheap imitation of Ajax ) and a couple of hours cleaning graffiti from desks. The problem isn't just confined to the BBC though. Friend of mine taught for years and reports having to frequently challenge young 'English Teachers' over grammar and usage.
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On 1/14/2024 at 3:41 PM, Brew said:
I may get a little shouty soon...
And I wouldn't blame you at all Jim. Firstly, I hope your brother comes through all this OK.
As for getting a bit shouty.. I've just fired this off after spending yesterday suffering at the hands of the NHS...
QuoteTargeted Lung Health Check-Spirometry.
to XXXXXXXXXXRe: DJ360. D.O.B. 03.02.1949. NHS No. 123456789Dear Ms XXXXXXXXXX,I have been given your name as an appropriate person to whom I may express my concerns regarding the above.Background: As I am sure your records will show, I underwent a telephone assessment on 03.01.2024. During the assessment I explained that I have Moderate Left Ventricular Failure and other Cardio Vascular issues, including previous right ventricular damage from an MI, a totally blocked and inoperable right ventricular artery and a slightly distended Aorta. I am in the care of the St Helens Heart Failure Team.I attended as recommended for a Targeted Lung Health Check with Spirometry, at Tesco Haydock, yesterday, 13.01.2024, at 12:30. I should say here that whilst I found all staff in the unit to be polite and friendly, the overall impression was somewhat 'shambolic and disorganised'.I underwent the CT Scan without issue and was then asked to undergo the Spirometry Test.Spirometry:I found the Spirometry Test challenging, but did my best.The gentleman performing the test informed me that I was 'blowing' below defined parameters. I explained that. 1. I have Heart Failure. 2. I was out of condition due to being recently unable to walk or swim as normal due to Total Knee Replacement Surgery in mid October of 2023 and that 3. I have just recommenced swimming, the effort of which, along with the chlorine from the swimming pool can cause me to develop slight congestion in my upper airways, which tends to resolve as I become fitter.I was not questioned further about my heart condition, or my medications.However the gentleman asked me to inhale 4 doses of Ventolin and await a re-test. I did so, and was informed that I was now 'blowing' better. I have never taken Ventolin before.It was explained that I will hear results within 2-3 weeks etc.. after which I left.Upon arriving home approximately one hour later I felt unwell and by checking online soon established that this was likely to be side effects from Ventolin. Shakiness, slight headache etc., but mostly a significant rise in heart rate. I checked using my heart monitor, which showed a pulse rate in excess of 90 BPM at rest, which is very high for me. My normal resting rate is around 60 BPM. More worrying, my monitor was also reporting 'irregular' heart rhythm.I found online information contradictory, as it was generally stated that Ventolin side effects resolve quickly, whereas it was clear that the 'half life' of Ventolin is around 5 hours.I considered calling 111, but my symptoms stayed the same for around 6-7 hours and then showed slight signs of resolving. Nevertheless, I was reluctant to go to bed and when I finally did so, at after 4:00 a.m., my heart rate was still above 80 BPM.I rose at around 9:00 a.m., feeling somewhat better but still not entirely so. Mercifully my heart rate returned to normal this a.m., but I am left feeling somewhat 'battered' by the experience.Concerns:1. My comments re: Heart Failure etc., did not elicit a response. I was not questioned further about my heart condition or medications, neither was I reassured before administration of Ventolin.Online information points to potential interactions between Ventolin and other medications, including Beta Blockers, which I take along with several other standard medications for Heart Failure.I have reviewed the published Protocols for Targeted Lung Health Checks at:The above protocols make little mention of Spirometry, so I also reviewed the general Protocols for Spirometry at:Whilst I don't pretend to understand all of the above, I was struck by P.7 Step One, concerning contra-indications to Spirometry, which, though they may not apply to me.. might have, given the information I provided but was not further questioned on.2. I was not warned of any likely side effects of Ventolin, how to cope with them, or under what circumstance I might need to seek help. I find this, to say the least, incomprehensible.3. I am left feeling that the treatment I received as outlined above, was all rather careless and presumptuous.I would ask you to imagine how I felt under these circumstances. I am well informed about my own health conditions and I am aware that those with Heart Failure run a much higher than 'average' risk of experiencing problems from assorted Arrhythmias, to Cardiac Arrest. I therefore experienced over 14 hours of discomfort, worry and frankly, anger, resulting from the administration of Ventolin without proper discussion.I would appreciate it if you could investigate this matter and reply to me with your views.Sincerely,DJ360
That should sort 'Em. -
On 1/9/2024 at 3:39 PM, Brew said:
First and foremost I was not making a statement against nationalisation (for utilities I actually support it), but making the point that the idea held by some some that the ‘national assets/treasures’ belonged to the people by divine right or were somehow sacrosanct is wrong, they weren’t
We agree over utilities. Water in particular seems to me to be a gift of nature.. It's the storage, processing and distribution of water (both clean and waste) which incurs a cost, but in my view should not generate a profit beyond reasonable recompense for industry employees and contractors. The current situation, where the new 'owners' are not only incompetent, but being allowed to charge their customers to rectify their incompetence, is ludicrous, by any standards.
The thing with Rail is that the 'boom years' of the 19th C were well over by the end of WW1 and it's well known that the 'Golden Age' of the 30's, the romance of which I like as much as the next man, largely represented a triumph of marketing over fact, as average speeds/journey times even for the Gresley 'Pacific' hauled East coast expresses and the Stanier 'Pacific' hauled West Coast expresses weren't that special. WW2 left Rail in a run down mess and that, plus the economically essential nature of a national rail network made Nationalisation inevitable and preferable my view. I would have loved the days of beautiful steam locos, especially the 'big stuff', to have continued, but once the decision to stick with steam was made, the British Railways approach of developing a range of 'Standard' locomotive types probably made sense, even if it was less romantic.
Beeching OTOH, got loads wrong, especially the complete closure of the Great Central.. but I digress...
I'll come back on the rest later.
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Some 'interesting' prejudices coming out here...
I've said many times on here that I decided to grow a beard when I first landed a job which required 'collar and tie'. That also required shaving daily, which I'd never done when in factory work etc. However, I found that daily shaving caused a rash. I'd be clean shaven in the morning, and 'zit city' by lunchtime. Docs prescribed allsorts but nothing cured it, so I grew a beard, but kept it short. I still do.
Beards on young man had something of a resurgence at the height of the recent 'Hipster' phase, but seem to be going away again. Just fashion.
A few times, some 'smartass' in the pub has asked me. "Do you have a beard to try to look intelligent?", to which I reply, "Do you shave your face to look thick?" Usually shuts them up.
I'm surprised, but not especially offended by the number of people seen about in midwinter in shorts. Their choice.. Also, I've recently attended physio for my knee in shorts, so that the therapist can actually see what's happening. Makes sense to me.
Again..there are shorts and shorts. I have shorts for day wear on holiday. I'll also use them for nipping out to the bin..cutting the front grass in summer etc. I really don't care what others think.. But if seriously hot weather meant shorts were more suitable for more extended time out..say shopping, meeting appointments, visiting etc.. I'd wear more tailored shorts.
In the back garden, depending on weather..all bets are off.
I've long since done away with the shoulder length hair I had 'back in the day', but it was only in lockdown that I started cutting my own hair. I started with 10mm all over and have now reduced to 6 mm all over. It's suprising how quickly a bit of hair growth starts to become uncomfortable and scruffy feeling. Also, as the inevitable receding hairline and thinning of the crown progress, you have the choice. You either do a 'Scargill', or you cut your hair shorter to reduce the contrast between hairy and bald bits of head. I'm not quite there yet, but my (younger) brother just shaves his head every few days. I know many men my age who do similar. It's just easy.
It seems to me that the 'bald head to look hard' idea is way outdated. Anything goes these days and those who try to look 'hard' by affecting a shaven head, also tend to conform to other 'stereotypes', by having cheap tatoos, wearing certain 'uniforms' etc., so it's not difficult to separate the wannabe hard men, from other shaven heads.
As for outside in this weather? Two layers of shirts, a fleece, gloves, a scarf and a woolly hat if I'm out walking. A flat cap if shopping, attending appointments etc. I have bigger coats if needed and of course a Crombie style overcoat for funerals, though I doubt I'll wear it to my own.
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3 minutes ago, philmayfield said:
It’s the areas of Nottingham where the ethnic minorities are in the majority that are the most run down.
Dangerous and inaccurate generalisation which also makes massive assumptions about cause and effect.
Are minorities actually in the majority? Are those areas 'run down' because of the presence of ethnic minorities, or are ethnic minorities there because they can't afford or access better?
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Well of course there are poor areas everywhere. Many traceable back to the political, social and industrial upheavals of the 19thC.
I suppose it is what Govts both local and national actually DO about them which is important. The present incumbents have done nothing to help and much to make things worse.
The 'standard' or 'received' impression of both Manchester-Salford and Liverpool-Bootle is of vast areas of terraced housing and poverty. All added to by the stereotypical images presented via 'Corry', 'Bread', 'The Royle Family' 'Open All Hours' etc... all based in 'the North'.
Comfortable 'middle class' comedy such as 'The Good Life', 'As Time Goes By', 'Butterflies', 'My Family', 'Ever Decreasing Circles' etc.. etc.. were all firmly based in the 'Home Counties'.
Deliberate stereotyping or just ignorance?
In reality, both Liverpool and Manchester, whilst maybe not having the same household incomes as 'Darn Sarf', have large areas of private housing stock which is very comparable to the typical south eastern 'Surbiton' stereotype.
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On 12/27/2023 at 2:59 PM, philmayfield said:
We diverted through Bradford one evening when the M62 was congested a few months ago. I went years ago and thought it was rough but it’s really gone down the pan. Funnily enough my daughter in law’s father was Lord Mayor of Bradford a while ago but he lived in Ilkley. He’s not from Pakistan!
Leaving aside ethnicity.. Bradford was a hole when I spent 3 weeks there on training courses in the early 1970s. A casualty of the collapsed UK textile industry... However.. Bradford was positively idyllic compared to those two other gems.. Scunthorpe, and Goole.
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On 12/23/2023 at 1:03 AM, Brew said:
The sale of out national treasures as some would have it were in many cases actually forcibly taken from their rightful owners by a Labour government when they nationalised everything they could lay their hands on.
When the blessed Margret offered them for sale we, the great unwashed along with Sid and his mates, went for it big time and many ordinary folk made a tidy profit. Politicians are like people and where there is a change to make money, they will go go for it.
Christmas etc., well over now, so time for a resumption of 'hostilities'..
I think you need to be a little more specific about what was 'forcibly taken', and the reasons why. Like most countries, we cannot function well without a decent rail and road network. It's plain to all that first the enforced 'grouping' after WW1 and the full nationalisation after WW2 were necessary to get UK rail services operating effectively after the devastation of war.
The major argument trotted out by the Right, is that nationalisation encourages endless subsidy and inefficiency, but quite apart from the fact that this is far from proven..much less balanced against the meeting of industrial, economic and social needs, it's also plain that rail cannot function without a Govt subsidy..full stop.
So why do we continue to subsidise failing Privatised rail, when it's obvious that the subsidy is simply rewarding shareholders and 'Fat Cats' for the failure of their assets?
Govt. subsidy of Rail companies has INCREASED by 200% since privatisation.
https://fullfact.org/economy/how-much-does-government-subsidise-railways/
Similar arguments can be made around all privatisations, e.g. Water, Energy etc.. The only area where I can see marginal improvements from Privatisation is Telecomms, and that mostly because technology has changed the game.
Water:
The 'big sell off' started by Thatcher was a Red Herring simply because the few £k that most ordinary 'punters' gained was too little to seriously improve their lives and it wasn't long before the bulk of those shares were cashed in to meet immediate need and ended up in the hands of The Big Boys'. 'Twas ever thus.. money travels upwards.. you know that.
Also don't forget the general principle applied by Tories everywhere... 'Nationalise the Losses, Privatise the Profits..' It's been repeated endlessly and it is we mugs at the bottom who always pay.
On 12/23/2023 at 1:03 AM, Brew said:Inflation now in spite of the howling is not that high at under 4% and let us not forget Blair/Brown failed to hold down inflation and dumped responsibility for it, and interest rates on the Bank of England to give themselves a 'get out of jail' card.
Seeing how inflation was almost zero, or even negative, for years, 4% represents a gigantic increase, most of which was totally self -inflicted by the disaster of 'Trussonomics.' And again...it is 'Joe Soap' who is paying, while those with the wherewithall to 'play the markets', are cleaning up.. Again.
As for Blair/Brown.. whatever their faults.. they were landed with the collapse of the World Capitalist System, caused entirely by greed and 'dodgy dealing' within the World Capitalist System. Brown in particular drew praise for his handling of the immediate crisis. But of course the lying Tory Press convinced 'Joe Soap' that it was all Labour's fault and even then needed a coalition to gain power ..which they used to extend the pain and punish the poorest, for 13 years so far...
There is no reasonable defence you could mount to excuse the Tories for the last 13 years, which has featured a double whammy of deliberate, sustained 'asset stripping' of our nation, alongside monumental criminality and incompetence.
On 12/23/2023 at 1:03 AM, Brew said:True, but then again they've not been in power for awhile so have not had the opportunity to get their snouts in the trough, however harking back a few names come to mind:
Blair
Kagan
Ecclestone
Wilson
Callaghan
Kelly
Mandelson... there's many morel All Labour and all had nefarious dealings of one sort of another...
I've never claimed that all opposition Politicians are angels, and I've also pointed out that in any social group you care to identify, from Clerics, to 'Pollies' and from Labourers to Royalty, there will always be good, bad and indifferent. However, those few names you quote are a thin and chronologically extended bunch compared to the concentrated evil of the present Criminal Enterprise masquerading as a 'Government'.
Just as a 'Trailer'.. let's see what comes out of the Post Office debacle and other interesting topics....
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Today I reached the summit of mighty Billinge Hill for the first time since my second knee op. It wasn't without challenge, but the main thing.... no significant knee pain when I'd finished.
Hope this means I can get back to walking decent distances again soon.
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2 hours ago, philmayfield said:
The councils used to regularly clean the gulleys but I've not seen them doing that for years. Mind you they used to maintain the roads and fill the potholes. Even the A roads round here are in a serious state. Never mind, when Sir Starmer's in charge it'll all be sorted!
I think it's fair to say it won't be any worse.
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I saw exactly the same Stuart., on both my PC and phone. Also, the 'Reply' box was overlain on top. At that stage, I was unable to do anything to edit the post and the reply box would accept text but not create a post when I pressed 'Submit Reply' to try move the thread on. Part of the issue is the very short window allowed for editing posts... I don't understand the need for that. Other sites I go on have a time limit on post editing, but it's much longer.
What that creates is a situation where, If you're posting a complex reply, you're a bit reluctant to post it and then add by editing, because you can be locked out of editing, so I at least, try to get it all done in one.