herfiehandbag

1 hour ago, swissie said:

the preacher raises a person from his wheelchair, declairing "you are healed". (After having given the wheelchair guy 50 bucks before "the show").

 

Any explanations to this phenomenum?    

Donkeys years ago I went to one of those faith healing services.

The preacher called up two sufferers, David, who had a very severe speech impediment, and Tony who was crippled and walked with crutches.

The two were sent behind a screen. The minister ordered:" Tony, throw away your crutches!" 

A pair of crutches flew over the screen.

"David, speak to us!"

" TTTTony has ffffallen over!"

 I can see problems with a curfew - I have long experience of cats and have never ever known one which can tell the time!

Enforcing it would require significant resources, a special Scottish Government Agency would be required - can I suggest a suitable "up to date title" - "Pussy Scotland"!

I do hope that the Scottish Government will be left alone to get it's claws into the problem, hopefully Westminster will resist the temptation to play cat and mouse with such tomfoolery!

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

Mexico paid for the wall with Trump's remain in Mexico policy during his first term. 

Blimey oh Reilly, such flexible interpretation!

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Network Rail has instructed its staff to phase out the use of the word "passengers" in favor of the more direct and neutral term "you." This shift is part of a broader initiative to make language used in public announcements and communications more relatable, informal, and inclusive. 

 

A small example of the Cancelled phrases:

 

 

The organization, responsible for maintaining Britain's railway infrastructure, has issued new guidelines urging employees to use everyday language to enhance clarity and reduce frustration among customers affected by train delays and cancellations. The document advises against using words like "purchase," "obtain," and "rest assured," recommending simpler alternatives to improve engagement.

 

 

The changes extend beyond terminology relating to train travel. Gender-neutral language is emphasized, with "pregnant people" replacing "pregnant women" and "parent" being used instead of "mother" or "father." Similarly, words with gendered connotations, such as "workmanship" and "mankind," are to be replaced with "quality of work" and "humankind," respectively. Traditional greetings like "ladies and gentlemen" are now replaced with "friends and colleagues" to foster inclusivity.

 

The new approach is detailed in a 134-page document titled "Speaking Passenger," which, despite its name, actively discourages the use of the word "passenger." Network Rail’s chief executive, Andrew Haines, explains the motivation behind these changes, stating: "To put passengers first, we have to speak their language. That goes for all of us. Whoever we’re talking to, whatever the situation."

 

With approximately 370,000 train services canceled or partially canceled in 2024—equivalent to one every 90 seconds—communicating effectively with the public has become a critical issue. The guidance encourages staff to empathize with those waiting for delayed trains, acknowledging the frustration of standing in the cold after a long day, watching cancellation after cancellation.

 

The document contrasts a formal announcement—"All services are currently cancelled due to recent storm events. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to your journey."—with a more conversational alternative: "I’m really sorry everyone but we’ve had to cancel all the trains this evening. A tree’s fallen across the tracks just outside the station and it’s going to take a few hours to clear." The aim is to make messages sound warmer and more human, with the belief that a more natural tone will reduce the frustration experienced by those affected.

 

Network Rail emphasizes that these guidelines are not about adopting a corporate branding style similar to companies like Virgin or Innocent but rather about sounding approachable and friendly. Staff are encouraged to refer to people by age-neutral terms such as "younger people" or "older people" rather than "senior citizens" and to use "first name" instead of "Christian name" to avoid assumptions about religious beliefs.

 

The guidance also touches on seasonal greetings, advising staff not to assume all customers celebrate Christmas. Instead of saying, "Merry Christmas everyone," they are encouraged to say, "Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating" or opt for neutral alternatives like "Season’s greetings" or "Happy holidays."

 

Under a section titled "writing inclusively," the document highlights Network Rail’s obligation, as a Department for Transport-owned entity, to "eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people." Employees are warned that failing to use inclusive language can reinforce biases and stereotypes, potentially leading to a work environment that is "humiliating, unpleasant, and alienating." It also cautions that exclusionary language could marginalize significant portions of their audience.

 

A Network Rail spokesperson reaffirmed the rationale behind these changes, stating: "Passengers are at the heart of our tone-of-voice guidelines, which have been in place for several years and are common practice in customer-facing organisations."

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-04

 

 

Oh for crying out loud!

When you can make a half decent fist of maintaining and running a rail system ( and to be quite honest your present efforts are pathetic) then start passing your time musing about such language!

6 hours ago, Elvis Presley said:

I am Elvis from Tupelo.

Of course you are! 

Bob.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Can you imagine changing over a  plant in Ky to start up an EV line from Oakville, Ont, or shutting down a plant in Hamilton to increase production in Tn?

If Kentucky, or Tennessee, have no factory, no plants, no networks of component suppliers, no skilled employees or managers, no engineers with the experience or knowledge, in fact no background in manufacturing electric cars, would it not be prohibitively expensive to invest in all that, and might it not take a very long time - certainly more than 4 years, by which time it is very possible that the whole political and economic climate will have changed.

Advantages, well you would be able to have a conversation with my dog: Mr Pom also answers to "canis ineptus".

1 hour ago, Tailwagsdog said:

There is a Lease contract between Britain & USA on Chagos so Rubio has every right to comment on anybody or anything that may affect that contract. ... Oh dear we are surrounded by opinionated novices on every street corner 

..

Perhaps commenting is not quite the same as confronting or challenging, but of course I am merely an opinionated novice!

Pompous Ass!

2 hours ago, PuiPuiHarry said:

The Unimited and Fabulous Genious forgets a LOT of US trade as to go via the St Lauwrence seaway. Also there is a lot off Canada between the USA states and the US state of Alaska. I can imagine the Canadian customs find a LOT of ways to frustrate US cargo and peronal transport over Canadian territory.

What do you think of: inspectiong every car wheel for drugs. So, get these tyres off at the border. Same with petroltank etc. And cargo.. inspect and investigate the real content first at a Canadian lab...  s  l   o  w  l   y ,  s  l  o  w  l  y. 

In a few weeks the Blond Idiot has to make a Canosa trip to the Parliament in Canada to explain his mistake and beg for forgiviness.

Unfortunately, he would start demanding that, as a ship canal, it should be handed to the USA.

3 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Bloke in a white EV pulled out of a Mini Big C in Chiang Rai the other day.

 

Knocked a lass off her Scoopy. Both were going slowly. No injuries. I picked her up, he didn't see her - he was hunched over his screen (trying to find a charging point?) I was right behind her, and offered to stand witness. He is supposed to be paying for repairs to her Scoopy - 

If you find that post confusing, how the hell do you manage to summon up the neurons to turn your phone on?

Bloke in a white EV pulled out of a Mini Big C in Chiang Rai the other day.

Knocked a lass off her Scoopy. Both were going slowly. No injuries. I picked her up, he didn't see her - he was hunched over his screen (trying to find a charging point?) I was right behind her, and offered to stand witness. He is supposed to be paying for repairs to her Scoopy - 

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

Are elected (I assume) officials unable to rise to a challenge? 

 

Why do you think it inappropriate for one the UK's longest and strongest allies to be able to voice their concern? 

 

Were you upset when the US came the UK and officially pushed for Brexit? 

I thought that the main political input from the US on Brexit was that we should stay in the EU, but yes, I didn't think the US should have got involved.

37 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

Well I am a 'yank' have no real; view on Lammy as a politician so can't comment, after all I am a yank with no skin in that game

 

But I do think as a 'yank' the ability the ability to at least comment on an absurd policy

Absolutely you have the right, and of course the ability on British policy (which I agree is absurd); just as I have the right and ability, which I exercise to comment on American matters.

My objection is Rubio as an American Government official assuming that somehow he has the right to confront and challenge a British Government official on a British Government policy.