RuamRudy

Silver Jews - I'm Getting Back Into Getting Into You

William Onyeabor - Fantastic Man

Further teeth baring from Putin?

An old school friend of mine (we both grew up in the Scottish Highlands so we were not the most sophisticated of people), upon graduating university in the early 90s got a job in banking in London. He told me that in his first week there he realised that all his colleagues wore shirts with french cuffs so he bought some but then he realised that he didn't have any cufflinks to go with them so he went out to buy those too. He went to a jewelry shop near his office and the assistant showed him a couple of pairs that he liked. The assistant said that the first pair were 'fifteen ninety nine' and the other were 'twenty four ninety nine'. Thinking that he would get two smart pairs of cufflinks for about £41, he happily said that he would take both. When they gave him a bill for £4098, he quickly realised his error, but he was so mortified that he meekly handed over his credit card and bought both pairs.

Guided by Voices - Awful Bliss

No, I mean like empirical data which proves that 90% of anti-semitic posters on social media are affiliated with left wing causes.

It wasn't an article, it was research undertaken by the World Jewish Congress, who's aim is to act as "the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people". I posted this to respond to your ludicrous suggestion that anti-semitism was solely a left-wing phenomena. As I replied to BKK Brian, there is most probably an increase in the level of anti-semitism originating from hard left organisations, but those 90% of hard right bigots in 2016 haven't gone away; they haven't stopped recruiting; they haven't stopped their hatred. The BNP, EDL, UKIP still exists, and where the far right has a home, as is shown time and again, racists are welcome.

The post that I responded too stated that anti-semitism was a left-wing disease. However I provided documented evidence which showed that, only a handful of years ago, 90% of anti-semitic posts in the UK were from people with hard right affiliations. Now I am very willing to accept that there has been a rise in anti-semitism from factions of the left but it would be dangerous and naïve to assume that the hard right has had some Damascene conversion.

So you can provide evidence that the majority of anti-semitic posts in the UK originate from people associated with left wing causes?

But what does a Jewish person in Toronto have to do with the actions of the Israeli government? Unless they are actively supporting it, they are no more responsible for what is happening in Gaza than I am.

This excerpt from a report from the World Jewish Congress suggests that you may be talking out of your hat, I am afraid (emphasis mine). And let's be honest, the BNP, the National Front etc - hardly darlings of the left. "All anti-Semitic discourse in the UK was in English. According to an analysis of user profiles, 90% of posts were made by young white males under the age of 40 with affiliations to extreme right-wing groups." The Rise of Anti Semitism on Social Media - The World Jewish Congress

Ok so now we are getting somewhere... I also share your suspicions that Mr Barry had no specific knowledge of the birth of ER2, let alone her demise. Ergo, the plinth was never designated for her, and any suggestion that Khan is going against some prior agreement is a lie and this whole issue is a fabrication designed to rile the perma-angry Daily Express readers, and to damage the mayor of London.

In 1841 was it cast in preparation for the demise of Elizabeth 2?

Anti monarchist is fine by me - you can be supportive of your country whilst objecting to some of its more archaic institutions.

Then explain to me, please, why you consider not erecting another statue to a dead person to be anti British. In your book, is anyone who is not fervently supportive of the monarchy anti British?

The labels you throw around with such gay abandon are totally without any adhesive, old chap. I know that your primary goal is to get your comment count to record levels but, seriously, could you not put even a little effort into the quality of those comments?

So nothing to do with Betty then? Good, case closed.

How is he ignoring her? There is a long standing agreement to use the 4th plinth for a rotating series of art works. He is simply allowing that agreement to stand. Why don't you commission a statue of Betty for your front garden? Surely any and every square inch of land should be festooned with her likeness less we all forget her very existence?

Let's stick to the topic - how did my post read as anti British?

How can you possibly interpret my post as being anti British? I presume you are more than simply a bot spewing out meaningless ad-hominems? Is there actual substance to your post?

No doubt, people the length and breadth of the UK will be filled with Rishi fever as they see their bank accounts swell in front of their eyes. The third choice for PM has single handedly dragged us from the economic ruins he inherited from Labour's disastrous tenure, and assured the Nasty Party of another record majority at the next election.

Do we really need another lump of marble to remember her? If the original agreement to continue to use the plinth as a rotating art exhibition is not ditched, are we in danger of the general population forgetting her any time soon?

He had him killed because he wanted to show that he is still all powerful. That it wasn't subtle or secret is not a sign of events out of his control. Much like his global novichok rampages, he is more than happy to let the world, and his foes, see how ruthless and fearless he is from behind his 30ft long table.

While I am not aligned with his politics I enjoyed Clarkson's Farm. He came across as a fractious but generally good natured and self deprecating sort. But that just doesn't sit with the type of behaviour for which he is more notorious. Punching his assistant in the face because he was served a cold steak in a pub is neither quirky nor humorous - it's the actions of a weak narcissist. But then again, none of us are the fully rounded product. So on the balance of things he is not the worst in my eyes. Certainly I would sooner have a pint when him than I would Piers Morgan, who I have never seen demonstrate any redeeming features.

I think that the rot started more than 30 years ago, and was not homegrown. The Italians, the Brits, the US and Russia all had more than a few meddling fingers in the pie.