Baerboxer

1 minute ago, Rookiescot said:

 

So your only hope of keeping the union together is to refuse Scotland a referendum.

No very democratic that is it?

Here I was think those plucky Brexiteers were the very paragon of supporters of democracy.

They have assured me on many occasions they were. 

The UK is not an absolute democracy it's a constitutional monarchy with an elected lower house and appointed upper house. 

AFAIK, Switzerland is the only European country that regularly uses binding referendums to determine key issues.

Btw, I didn't vote for Brexit, so assume your sarcasm it meant for others.

8% of the UK's population live in Scotland. To allow those 8% to determine whether the country breaks up or not, based on a simple majority of 51% or just over 4% of the population, doesn't seem very democratic. 

1 minute ago, Rookiescot said:

 

So you are claiming the statement "Once in a generation" is legally binding? Yes or no?

If its a yes does the statement "Dead in a ditch" also become legally binding?

I don't want to answer for another poster. But if this helps.

Once in a generation, in this case, clearly is not legally binding. Politicians no longer have ethics and regard hypocrisy and lying as tools of the trade, as we see time and time again. So nothing they say has any real meaning and can be reversed as soon as necessary to them.

Also worth remembering, the results of advisory referendums are not legally binding on governments and politicians either. They are an expression of the electorates wishes only. 

12 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

 

Well thanks for sharing the views of an English nationalist. Us Scots will take on board your views and give them careful consideration when we are voting on independence. 

You won't be voting for independence. Not unless Westminster call for an advisory referendum.

Remember referendums, under the UK's constitution can only be advisory. So even if a referendum was held, in Scotland or the whole UK, the result would be subject to parliamentary debate and vote. 

A minority cannot make the law up to suit themselves in the UK, or most any civilized country.

On 11/27/2020 at 3:27 PM, vogie said:

Anything to divert attention from the mess she is making with the Scottish economy, education and covid. Only the UK can split the UK up, not a one horse party.

Very true. Only the Westminster Government can establish an advisory referendum. It is not within her, or the Scottish Parliament's powers. 

But she's always like pretending she's more powerful than she actually is. After she met May for the first time after Brexit referendum, she claimed (according to The Scotsman which reported it) that she could veto Brexit. Then she ran off to the EU where Juncker refused, quite rightly so, to meet her. But she came back and claimed they'd all tipped her the wink that an independent Scotland would be granted immediate membership, which the EU hotly denied saying Scotland could apply and be treated like any other aspiring member; again reported in the media. Then we have the treatment of Alex Salmond. He testified at his trial he was approached and told the sex accusations against him might go away if he didn't challenge Sturgeon. The SNP and Parliament have not concluded this, much too busy with Covid. It's all gone quiet and seemingly being swept under the carpet. She's done next to nothing for the poor constituency she represents. Much to grand trying to play on the world stage. 

She just loves being the tail wagging the dog and trying to be the center of attention.

The reality is, that legally, she and the Scottish Parliament, are governed by Westminster; and that any attempt to hold a referendum and bypass the law isn't likely to end well.

I doubt Johnson, with his large majority will grant another referendum, so soon after the previous "once in a generation one". That means, whether she likes it or not, she has to wait until the next election and hope for a change in government that might be more accommodating to her.

But her "demands", speaking like she's the one who can lay the law down to everyone else, and trying to say how it will all be, simply rubs the majority of British people up the wrong way. 

Well done Blair and Brown for creating this mess. Rivalling Cameron. 

Outrageous racism. Film must be boycotted. All producers "cancelled". Mass protests must be called which will include rioting, attacking police, looting, and vandalism.

Oh, hang on a minute............................................................... ????

On 11/28/2020 at 10:39 AM, polpott said:

My son started Taekwondo at the age of 5. Now 8 and loves it. Difference between Taekwondo and Muay Thai is that Taekwondo is formally taught as a form of self defence which is drilled into the students. Not so much with Muay Thai. 

That's very different to the UK then. Taekwodo has gone almost totally sports sparring/competition in the UK with far too little emphasis on the self defence and art side.

Having said that, I wouldn't recommend anyone younger than 10/11 starting any martial art personally. At some clubs in the UK parents used it just like a creche so they could go shopping! If you are happy, then fair enough. But the instructor must know what he/she is doing both with the martial art and understanding how children's muscles and bones develop. 

Police brutality is unacceptable. Police officers are not above the law and must act within it.

Resisting arrest is an offense in some (most?) countries and officers risk being physically assaulted by some who violently resist.

Those found guilty of committing police brutality should be punished under law; as should those resisting arrest, more so if they do so violently.

Having watched the video when first shown on French TV, one wonders why M. Zecler didn't simply comply with the officers requests; and why the officers then went way over the top. 

9 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

 

It seems that the main criteria to be the army chief in Thailand is, you have to be an outright liar, and, when caught out, just blatantly deny everything ! 

If this latest fella is not a prime example, previous chiefs, coming out with sayings like "there will not be a coup" certainly are !

And it seems oh so easy to believe Twitter and other social media sights, especially when they say something you want to hear.

And of course, those sites are so honest, ethical with absolutely no agendas of their own.

Same rhetoric over and over again - like 2 demented parrots!

Britain and the EU even use the same phrase " a deal can be done but not at any cost".

Case book negotiation failure. 

8 hours ago, Bruntoid said:

 and a 2% drop in GDP - I mean what country doesn’t want that in the midst of COVID ?! 
 

Brexiteer economics, got to love it ! 

Interestingly it was the EU who suggested. more than once and rather strongly, delaying Brexit due to Covid.

But of course, they're totally prepared and not the slightest bit worried about a No Deal Brexit!

2 hours ago, Brewster67 said:

I think the USD will have totally collapsed by then. many leading economists are predicting 2021 as the crash of the USD along with the US economy... The REAL US economy that is, not the fake one presented by the fed and Wall St.

 

I tend to follow Peter Schiff on this, he totally predicted the housing bubble bursting in 2008 and he is calling a total collapse on the USD and US economy ve3ry soon.

 

Biden will probably be the straw to break the camel's back.

Interesting comments. 

Voice TV  - says it all really.

2 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Whatever swamp existed 4 years ago before Trump, he indisputably made it deeper, more toxic and more contrary to the rule of law than anyone who preceded him in modern times.

 

Biden and Co. are going to need a HUGE pump... Hopefully they're up to the odious job.

 

You have more faith in politicians than me if you believe they're all pristine and squeaky clean!

Just look at how many flaunt the rules they impose on others regarding Covid!

2 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

Would like to see how many people would still use it when more expensive than taxi. Go ahead and try.

You reckon? How?

68 km by taxi in from congested Kukot to Bangkok is less than ThB 158?? No way!

This extension will save me money and considerable time travelling. 

Wish it had been completed several years ago.

20 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

The only thing disgracing Thai schools are the hundreds upon hundreds of records of sexual harassment. 

Yep, and the admission that many are to afraid to report them together with the fact that so little often happens to those carrying them out.

1 hour ago, Susco said:

 

I don't thing that applies to Thai hospitals.

 

Recently I was in need of seeing a urologist, so I called the nearby government hospital to inquire, and was told they had one Monday to Friday from 9am to midday.

 

So on Monday I went and was told I needed an appointment, and was told the next available was 7 weeks in the future.

 

When I objected that this was ridiculous, I was given one for next Friday.

 

I was there at 8.30am, a doctor who supposed to work from 9am till midday, arrived at 10am and left at 11.30am

 

Waiting room was empty by the time he left.

 

 

 

 

That's a qualified experienced doctor NOT a medical student. Here doctors often seem to work at several hospitals holding clinics on various days and times. People can see the doctor at which hospital/clinic is convenient.

My daughter wants to be a doctor and two doctors are advising her. Both recommend medical schools with overseas placements. One was very candied about the teaching regimes in Thai medical schools being too authoritarian and formal. 

Medical students in the UK are worked hard, very hard. I know from friends' experiences. As are junior doctors. But one of my doctor friends here tells me the Thai system is much much worse, and unnecessarily so. 

If you want a very good urologist recommendation, PM me.

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

Interesting:  This cannot be the fault of, I can do no wrong, cha cha.   A military government mixed with unaccountably,  non debate is not to blame for an "authoritarianism under the rigid staff hierarchy in hospitals."   These people are mistaken.

 

Gosh this bad student movement may be good for the country but bad for army and the elites.  Guessing the families that run Thailand may want the generalissimo to retire if this keeps up.   He is the perfect escape goat now for those who wish to remain accountable .

Nice try but total nonsense. 

The current government, whilst doing nothing to improve or change these things, isn't responsible for their implementation. 

How many years were the Shins in power in total? What changes, reforms or interest did they show in this? Zero, too busy lining their own pockets.

Let's see if these brave young people want real change and not get suckered by just changing the faces back to the Shin team. To secure the changes they want, they need all the old dinosaurs getting replaced and not by younger ones in their control. No more puppets.