If you're not in the U.S., what's up in your part of the world? Showing 1,751-1,800 of 3,266

[[deleted user]]

Ian, I've heard that a similar Aussie policy stopped illegal immigration over night but the English Channel is obviously not the same as The Indian Ocean or South China Sea.

Our immigration policies have always been worlds apart from yours and the Aussies. Only a fool gets worked up about immigration over here. The Conservatives, despite large-scale opposition from their core support, are pro immigration because it is a source of cheap labour for their businesses. Labour and their supporters, on the other hand, can't get enough of it because it makes them feel all warm inside.

There is no point thinking about it because there is no alternative to the above.

Add to that, with the exception of an element of Eastern European criminal riff raff, who came here under EU freedom of movement rules, I've never met an immigrant who hasn't been charming and a very hard worker too, so, with the exception of wanting the best for low paid workers whose wages are under pressure, I've no reason to take a hard line on this subject. Just my experience and opinion, of course.

All in all, as history men like you, J and others will know, the current influx of Asians and Africans into Europe is just one of many such similar migrations over the years. No point emotionally investing in this issue and getting worked up over it. I'll take them all as I find them (the same as native Brits). Just hope our island doesn't sink under the weight of its expanding population.

[J.]

Beau wrote: "All in all, as history men like you, J and others will know, the current influx of Asians and Africans into Europe is just one of many such similar migrations over the years."

Something about a northern European immigrant named William comes to mind. But how much of an impact could he have had?

[Nik]

Swedes might’ve inspired some during corona, but looks like not all are happy there:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe...

[Ian]

According to our newspaper, Denmark is also negotiating with Rwanda :-)

[Ian]

We have cause for concern, and I feel I can express concern without hypocrisy. Following those Rules of Acquisition we noted in another thread, China has acquired the rights to a naval base in the Solomons, and it will presumably send warships to be based there. I see this as "not a good thing", but then again I have been seeing all the other comments that the Ukraine has the right to form whatever military agreements it likes, so why shouldn't the Solomons?

And no - NZ is not going to launch a military operation against the CCP. We would lose, and very quickly.

[[deleted user]]

Nik wrote: "Swedes might’ve inspired some during corona, but looks like not all are happy there:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe..."

This is something that worries me about France. There's part of me that wants to see Macron get a bloody nose and Le Pen get elected, but her proposed policy on banning the burqa is not only morally wrong, it's a clear provocation to France's large Muslim community. If she's elected, I worry that if she proceeds with this stupid idea, France might be plunged into turmoil.

[[deleted user]]

Ian wrote: "We have cause for concern, and I feel I can express concern without hypocrisy. Following those Rules of Acquisition we noted in another thread, China has acquired the rights to a naval base in the ..."

I can see this becoming a bit of a pattern. Most small countries (and some not so small) still fall under either US or former colonial European influence but if China, India, Russia and others come with exciting new propositions for them, I don't see many of these countries staying loyal to their former 'masters'. This could quickly and seamlessly lead to a huge transfer of global power from the West to the East. Goodbye Commonwealth and goodbye US sole global superpower status.

[[deleted user]]

The big French presidential debate happened last night:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-euro...

Unlike 2017, there was no clear winner. Despite being behind in the polls, Marine Le Pen has an excellent chance of winning. In fact, just like Brexit, this has establishment defeat written all over it.

However, all elections/ votes are unique and this could well be the deciding factor in Le Pen's favour:

Leftist party consultation shows majority will abstain, vote blank in Macron-Le Pen run-off

https://www.france24.com/en/france/20...

[Ian]

The odd thing about this election from my point of view is you would not expect either to win, but one must. I gather in the debate Le Pen looked reasonable, and that might be enough. A lot of Macron's policies have been rather unpopular, and that is usually a sign of trouble.

[[deleted user]]

Ian, I completely oppose her hostility to Islam, particularly Islamic female dress codes. She's fighting a pointless but dangerous battle, which she cannot win and from which everybody will lose. If only she'd drop this stupid policy, I'd want her to win without reservation.

[Ian]

Does she oppose the hijab? I can see a case for banning the burqua because it could be a basic disguise for terrorists or general criminals, but banning the hijab, in my view, is just plain stupid.

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "We have cause for concern, and I feel I can express concern without hypocrisy. Following those Rules of Acquisition we noted in another thread, China has acquired the rights to a naval base in the ..."

Why are you concerned? they have no navy to speak. It is a publicity ploy.

[Papaphilly]

Beau wrote: "Ian wrote: "We have cause for concern, and I feel I can express concern without hypocrisy. Following those Rules of Acquisition we noted in another thread, China has acquired the rights to a naval ..."

Sure and the moon is made of green cheese. How many actual allies does China have, do you know?

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "Does she oppose the hijab? I can see a case for banning the burqua because it could be a basic disguise for terrorists or general criminals, but banning the hijab, in my view, is just plain stupid."

I do not know her stance either. I am not so sure this is a vote for Le Pen or a vote against Macron. It may be a throw the bums out election. As for the Burqua, it can be seen as either pro or anti woman depending on the view.

[J.]

I thought that this whole hijab ban thing was a reaction to Muslim immigrants trying to impose Sharia law in Europe.

[Ian]

Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "We have cause for concern, and I feel I can express concern without hypocrisy. Following those Rules of Acquisition we noted in another thread, China has acquired the rights to a naval ..."

Actually, they do have a navy, and quite a sizeable one. As a further aside, they recently tested a ship to ship hypersonic missile. If it works, it makes the carrier a redundant asset.

[[deleted user]]

Papaphilly wrote: "I am not so sure this is a vote for Le Pen or a vote against Macron..."

That's what I've been thinking, Papaphilly. I think Le Pen would like the voters to think that it's a vote against Macron too because it would increase her chances of winning.

Looks like I'm a bit behind the times here. Apparently, France has already banned the burqa and Le Pen is now going after the hijab (headscarf). IMO, this is a very silly move.

Events over the last few years have shown that there is a small Muslim extremist element in France but alienating the vast majority of peaceful, law abiding Muslims over something that many indigenous old grannies wear on trips to the seaside is not a smart move. In fact, it's morally wrong, cruel and the policy of a bully.

I don't like Macron (he sits somewhere between Dan Andrews and Zelensky on my list of political enemies lol - Trudeau is public enemy no.1 and Biden no. 2), but I'm concerned for the future of France if Marine Le Pen is victorious and follows through with this policy.

[[deleted user]]

Papaphilly, China doesn't need military might. Its power is growing through its economy and there isn't a great deal we can do about it unless our politicians change course dramatically.

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "We have cause for concern, and I feel I can express concern without hypocrisy. Following those Rules of Acquisition we noted in another thread, China has acquired the..."

Having ships and having a Navy are very different things. It is never about the toys, but about the commanders.

[Papaphilly]

Beau wrote: "Papaphilly, China doesn't need military might. Its power is growing through its economy and there isn't a great deal we can do about it unless our politicians change course dramatically."

China is nothing more than manufacturing. They have no middle class to speak of and are still a very poor country. It will be interesting to see how the world changes an the global economy when the Pandemic is over. China will be in for rough times.

[Papaphilly]

Beau wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "I am not so sure this is a vote for Le Pen or a vote against Macron..."

That's what I've been thinking, Papaphilly. I think Le Pen would like the voters to think that it's a vot..."

I do not know enough about what is happening in France to comment. I do not know if it is going after Muslims or it is something else. France handles these types of things differently than England or the United States and always have. The fact that a right winger in France can actually win says lots about the state fo French thought right now.

[Ian]

Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "We have cause for concern, and I feel I can express concern without hypocrisy. Following those Rules of Acquisition we noted in another thread, China has ..."

It is about both. Carriers made the battleship irrelevant because ships were attacked by aircraft from other ships out of range of the battleship. Anything that can take out a carrier before the carrier can get it makes the carrier irrelevant.

[Ian]

Papaphilly wrote: "Beau wrote: "Papaphilly, China doesn't need military might. Its power is growing through its economy and there isn't a great deal we can do about it unless our politicians change course dramaticall..."

Sorry, but that is not true. There is now a quite substantial middle class, from which, as an aside, my daughter-in-law's family come. There are, of course, still a lot of poor, but China really is actively moving to give them a better life.

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Beau wrote: "Papaphilly, China doesn't need military might. Its power is growing through its economy and there isn't a great deal we can do about it unless our politicians change..."

I am not wrong. Their middle class is tiny. I am not trying to denigrate China. I am trying to show how their economy is not what anyone thinks it is or how strong it is either. The Chinese government is playing a game with the numbers and the rest of the world knows. They have pegged their Yuan to the Dollar so it cannot be depreciated and have to compete on equal footing. So it makes them appear strong than in actuality.

The vast majority of China is desperately poor. I have zero doubt that China would like their people to be more prosperous and they certainly are since Mao died. However, it does not make them nearly economically as strong as it suggests.

[Nik]

So, it’s Macron again and not Le Pen 🖊. I guess I should send a congrat telegram

[Ian]

Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Beau wrote: "Papaphilly, China doesn't need military might. Its power is growing through its economy and there isn't a great deal we can do about it unless our politi..."

Have you been with a middle-class Chinese family, and seen the life they live and the number of friends with equivalent standing?

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Ian wrote: "Papaphilly wrote: "Beau wrote: "Papaphilly, China doesn't need military might. Its power is growing through its economy and there isn't a great deal we can do about i..."

Actually yes.

[Papaphilly]

Nik wrote: "So, it’s Macron again and not Le Pen 🖊. I guess I should send a congrat telegram"

Not as close as I would expect.

[[deleted user]]

Nik wrote: "So, it’s Macron again and not Le Pen 🖊. I guess I should send a congrat telegram"

Those in the know no longer listen to Beau lol. Possible turmoil averted but the thought of another term of Macron is still a depressing one.

[[deleted user]]

Further to the debate about what’s happening in Florida on the Biden thread:

More than 5,000 parents go to war with Welsh government over plans to teach children as young as THREE about 'sexual attraction' and gender identity

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...

What is wrong with these woke politicians? WTF is wrong with them?! They’ve been pushing a vaccine which hasn’t completed full clinical trials on little kids, for an illness that doesn’t affect them, and now they’re trying to subject them to this rubbish.

Seriously, what is happening to Western values?

[Nik]

In 50 years from now they'll have a practical LGTB course in curriculum to open up young minds to a vast scope of wonderful possible identities and let them choose from experience. I said 50? More like 20.

[[deleted user]]

Markets Tumble as Beijing Lockdown Threatens

https://www.reuters.com/business/glob...

The million $ question is whether Xi is a genuine covid cultist or whether he knows that by shutting down significant parts of the country, he will harm China’s global competitors more than he actually harms China.

[J.]

UK women slam sexism of ‘Basic Instinct’ slur on lawmaker
https://apnews.com/article/boris-john...

[[deleted user]]

J. wrote: "UK women slam sexism of ‘Basic Instinct’ slur on lawmaker
https://apnews.com/article/boris-john..."

I saw that, J. Didn't read the Mail's story but saw the repercussions. Just goes to show how much as a society we've changed. A tongue-in-cheek, bit-of-fun story a few years ago, which nobody would've taken seriously and forgotten about an hour later, is now a reason to be horrified and use favourite words like 'misogyny' and 'abhorrent'. Mind you, when they live in a bubble, how could you expect them to know anything about the more important issues affecting the bulk of the population.

Ian said something, on one of the other threads, about not knowing what our values are any more and being ambivalent about defending them. I liked his post and agree with him.

[[deleted user]]

Is there is no end to our politicians' depravity and lack of respect for the institutions and people they serve?

Tories investigate claims MP watched pornography in Commons chamber

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politic...

They make the patricians of the decaying Roman Empire look like puritans lol!

Go, in the name of God, why can't they all just go? Do we need to pick up our pitchforks?!

[[deleted user]]

Gene wrote: "There are accidents that somehow make the world move on and institutions "work"..."

Quality post, Gene, and I love the bit I highlighted above. All very true.

Do you know, when I went onto the BBC's website earlier (in the top section headlines alone) there were reports of MPs 'behaving like animals', watching porn in Parliament, being suspended because of bullying, and being arrested for dangerous driving.

These people make our laws lol! Let's bring back corporal punishment - not for schools but for parliamentarians.

[J.]

Beau wrote: "These people make our laws lol! Let's bring back corporal punishment - not for schools but for parliamentarians."

Be careful. That might have been the type of porn they were watching.

[[deleted user]]

J. wrote: "Be careful. That might have been the type of porn they were watching."

Ha ha, I'd put money on it :)

[Ian]

I suppose it is too much to ask that people who want perhaps the most important of jobs - running a country - that they show some sort of ability to do the job before they are selected to stand?

The idea of flogging them when they misbehave is unlikely to pass because they probably have enough sense not to risk it for themselves, but why not at least have an immediate firing?

[[deleted user]]

Gene wrote: "Speaking of immediate firing - the Metropolitan Teodosie stated recently that Putin is perfectly clean, since his troops did not open fire on churches.

Following this brilliant statement, the spok..."

I hadn't heard this before but it doesn't surprise me. History is littered with these sorts of bizarre comments from religious leaders, who sometimes seem to interpret God's law in very strange ways.

Personally, I think religion is a very good thing, but the religions themselves are sometimes let down by their earthly leaders.

[[deleted user]]

Labour's lockdown lies: Angela Rayner WAS at Keir Starmer's 'beergate' event despite Party denying it... as MPs tell how she joked about using Sharon Stone ploy at PMQs and leader apparently flouted guidance at his own birthday bash... with cake

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...

Yes, it’s The Mail but somehow you just know it’s true.

[Nik]

Gene wrote: ".....Speaking of immediate firing - the Metropolitan Teodosie stated recently that Putin is perfectly clean, since his troops did not open fire on churches...."

Morally appalling, factually wrong
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe...

[Ian]

We might have some sort of a record here. The government has been trying to introduce some controversial legislation called "Three waters" whereby it will take over from local government the control of the water supplies, the sewage treatment and stormwater over the entire country. There were howls of protests (and I am strongly against it) and local governments put in 47 objections. The record is, the government has said it has accepted 44 of them, which makes me wonder what the other three were.

I have this horrible feeling of the levels of bureaucracy that will emerge when you want to get a leaky pipe fixed. At least with City government you can ring up and something usually gets done fairly quickly, subject to everyone not being too busy somewhere else.

[J.]

Ian wrote: "We might have some sort of a record here. The government has been trying to introduce some controversial legislation called "Three waters" whereby it will take over from local government the contro..."

Would this be the same government which dragged its feet over opening a road that had already been built?

[Ian]

It is indeed, and will stay there until, at a minimum, the election next year

[Papaphilly]

Gene wrote: "Based on the current practices of politicians in Romania, I tend to view most politicians as people who have politics as main job...

...and people who made politics their main job as vicious piles..."

Please tell us how you really feel....8^)

[Papaphilly]

J. wrote: "Beau wrote: "These people make our laws lol! Let's bring back corporal punishment - not for schools but for parliamentarians."

Be careful. That might have been the type of porn they were watching."

Did you really have to put THAT picture in my head????

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "I suppose it is too much to ask that people who want perhaps the most important of jobs - running a country - that they show some sort of ability to do the job before they are selected to stand?

T..."

There is a process and it should be followed. In the United States, unless they break given laws, the process is called an election.

[Papaphilly]

Ian wrote: "It is indeed, and will stay there until, at a minimum, the election next year"

It is still not opened?

[Ian]

Yes, it is open now.