MicroB

Its interesting to reflect on the subject of this story, the funding for the International Rescue Committee. The IRC was founded in 1933, in New York, by Albert Einstein as the International Relief Association, to "provide emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution, or natural disaster". It provides support to about 30 million people including people living in 26 American cities. Its an American headquartered organisation. Initially, they provided help to people fleeting Nazi Germany, and then people trying to get out of Vichy France. They also provided support to Allied servicemen who escaped POW camps. The IRC was really formed when the US entered the war, and it became funded by the National War Fund. Postwar, it supported Berliners during the Communist blockade By the 50s, it became essentially an integral arm of the CIA, and hence once of the ways the US extended power around the globe. To do otherwise was to surrender America to the forces of Communism and Darkness. The IRC continued to provide relief to people affected by the Communists, such as Hungary, North Vietnam, Cuba. They facilitated refugees fleeing Mao's China to British Hong Kong. This continued as they supported Afghans displaced by the murderous Soviet invasion of their country. They supported Chechens fleeing Putins murderous army, and people trying to escape the genocidal Mladic in Yugoslavia. The Committee supported Kurdish and Iraqi diaspora who had fled Saddam Hussein's Iraq, following the failed uprising, that the US encouraged but didn't in the end, support. Its notable that the aid provided to Myanmar refugees is to support those fleeting a murderous pro-Communist Chinese military dictatorship which is an enemy of America. Those blocking their valuable work are, by de facto, Enenmies of America and the Free World. Broadly, the IRC are on the Side of the Angels. Those opposed to the IRC are essentially Stalinist and Maoist stooges, or Useful Idiots. While it started as a US government funded effort, these days it draws funding from governmental sources, corporations and individual donors. Twitter gave support in Kind. Musk, Apartheid Boy, last of the big spenders. It is not contentious to put control of International Aid under the control of a Foreign Ministry. This is exactly what the last UK Conservative government did. But Trump is Stupid, and he is so Stupid, he is easily manuipulated by people with malevolant aims. Some of these people might be long term sleepers to disrupt our societies. Certainly there were people exposed as Russian agents who went to prison for offences commited between 2016 and 2020, and from time to time, Russian sleeper cells are uncovered. There are more out there. These peope might be posing as native born Americans, but in many cases, they are naturalised citizens who have an unhealthy influence at the core of government. Trump is Stupid because rather than smoothly moving the control of USAID to the State Department, with a more considered review of existing and planned projects, he was suckered by these Communist Stooges to drop the nuclear option of dropping funding cold turkey. This is not to save America money; they have no interest in benefiting the United States, only in hurting it. Their policy is not America First. its not Make America Great Again. Its Surrender American First. Its Make America Poor Again. They want to create chaos among the United States friend and allies, in order to present to countries an alternative view of the US, and thus cement their Communist vision, because the US brings Chaos, Communism brings Order. Putin and Xi did their utmost to disrupt Western elections, not to fix elections, but to present a view of Western society and people as being rotten and corrupt to the core. This ultimately supports Alexandr Dugin's Eurasian thesis ((Putin is an acolyte of Dugin) that the Atlanticist States (UK, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand) are to blame for all the trouble in the world. Dugin has called for Anglo-Saxons to be wiped off the face of the planet.

Suspect a previously banned member reregistering hence the "Elvis" username, coz there there's a guy works down the chip shop who swears he's Elvis.

I doubt it. The public will get confused about what the government thinks needs improving and what they think needs improving. Depending how it plays out, what will have some resonance in the UK, is how the US government is cutting costs. Labour will not cut the costs of its Ministries. Take for example Education; it actually has a huge budget, and it will get bigger under Labour, and that will be spent not on things people think are important in education, but on things Labour thinks is important. SO my local MP believes its the most important thing ever, in the histriy of schools that more mental health counsellors are appointed and free breakfast clubs set up. A majortiy of teachers surveyed by TES indicated the expectation is that attendance will not be improved, neither would child health. Healthcare is complex, Brutally, the only way to get post COVID waiting times down is for patients to die. They will be distracted by vain attempts to address that, while ignoring the bigger issue of social care funding and underfunded (actually not funded) Discharge-to-Assess, which is truely Orwellian for patients, but its a process that appeals to Labour's instincts (basiically, if you are in hospital for a period, when you are discharged, you are now discharged to a Care Home, and the State gets to decide if you can ever go home again). The economy won't recover. Staglation is setting in, a result of a mixture of Labour ineptness; Racheal Reeves is no Gordon Brown, but also handicapped by the UK;s reduced position in the world (we are less of an influence on global economic trends now, and will be largely powerless to respnd to Trumpian tariffs.).

That makes you 28 years old.

Reading the same room and closer to the action than you. Next election; ~340 Tory Seats, ~206 Labour, Reform, 45, nearly all Northern seats, Libs; 20ish, SNP; 20 ish, 19 for rest. Tory government with a majority of 15, not including the NI Unionist parties. In the run up, one Reform MP defects to the Tories but loses his seat. Reform mostly win at the expense of the Labour Party. Farage doesn't run for Clacton, as he can't stand the town, and instead switches to Bradford and wins there after a narrow contest with George Galloway. By 2029, Trump will no longer be President, either an ex-President or dead. People will be sick of Farage name droppeing an 80 year old, who spent most of the previous years making an enemy of the UK. There will be a new raft of US politicians, Republican or Democrat, who will treat Farage with contempt. He will have spent the last few years trying to justify to the British people why Trump spent years screwing over the UK, first through tariffs, then when Trump abandons Estonia after Russian tanks briefly seize the capital. Farage is simply too much of a reminder of the MAGA madness. The British people don't like bullies, and we always back the underdog. We generally don't like God Botherers, Holy Joes, whether real or pretend. Whether true or not, Trump will become the laughing stock in the UK, thanks to how the Sun, Mirror, Mail report on him, as they draw the UK-First wagons. We will be reminded why we call Americans the "Septics". Like a Septic Tank, full of it. While there is a close relationship between the two countries, there has always been a certain tension. The next election will be based on the economy and taxes. Labour will tax us, the economy won't be doing well, because of basic ideological differences. The Tories will have spent the previous 5 years, with a fully stocked front bench, picking apart Labour policy after policy in a way that Reform with 4-5 MPs cannot talk about. Reform is still basically a 1 person party. They won't get the airtime, except for 1 issue only, When the reason people don't have money in their pocket and can't afford their mortgage, its easier to vocalise that its Labour's taxation policies and incompetance than to pretend all its down to immigrants. The Tories will point to a past, pre-2019, and running the economy well. While still a Brexit party, they will do a more convincing job of steering that middle line between the US and Europe. The country is noticeably more hostile to the US, particularly after President Trump dismisses the Royal Marines as ineffectual and backs the Argentinian claims to the Falklands as he continues to pursue Greenland, but it is now talking about Jamaica as well, The British people feel a closer affection for the Commonwealth, and don't like how kith and kin in Canada are being bullied by the German from New York. Reform, being the third largest party in parliament, get to ask more questions, which raises their profile, but its a highwater market for the protest party. With more voices, the lack of Party Discipline becomes apparent and no one actually knews what they stand for, as the party tries to beat the electorial reform issue again, in a wierd alliance withn the new PETA-Green Party, which no one understands. The incoming Conservative government is largely unrecognisable from 2024, but people are sick of Farage's gurning, but can't recall the name of a single other Reform MP. When quizzed, the public are convinced that Anne Widdecombe must be a Reform MP as she's on telly a lot. They don't like her screechy voice. Liz Truss loses her deposit while standing as the Real Reform UK Party (slogan; MEGA) candidate in Boston, a sad end for not a particularly rosey political career. Simple analysis of 2019 Tory voters and how they voted in 2024 25% of Tories in 2019 didn't bother voting in 2024. They will vote tory again with the right leader, and that leader ain't Farage 50% of the 2019 Tories who voted in 2024 stuck with the Tories and Rishi Sunak. If Farage couldn't win Tories who voted for an Indian in 2024, he have no chance in 2029. Get the right leader, and they will come back over Even without the right leader, they will. So thats 37% of the 2019 voters in the bag. 25% voted Farage. Some might come back. 20% voted Labour or Liberal Dems. They will also come back, and no way will they vote Farage. In 2024, Reform came second in 98 seats., 60 of those Labour, all in the North of England. They won't grow their share in the natural Tory seats. They will pick up Labour seats. 40 gains for them will be a very good night for them. With greater exposure in parliament, their candidates will be found wanting as the 2029-34 parliament becomes very concerned about the economic recovery. The 83 election shows Labour floating voters are more likely to switch to Tory and vice versa, rather than a disruptor party. Hence, Reform will be like a blue version of the SDP, but with less nous.

Tommy Robinson, to use his fake name (adopted after he assaulted a police officer, losing his job), is an Irish man. That's what he told the Canadians. Irish Citizens need to understand they have no place in British politics, after they voted to go their own way over 100 years ago. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon of course was born in England (though he has claimed he is Ireland born and bred, and he wouldn't lie about that would he?), and only claims British citizenship because he has an English stepdad. As the child of an immigrant, he should think about his place in Britain. Farage obviously is a supporter of polygamy, having had 3 wives or partners and multiple kids by more than one women, hence his sympathy for the Muhammedan.

Do you do a Tommy Cooper impersonation act. Truely a comedy account. I make observations as a fully paid up member of the Conservative and Unionist Party. I can't wait for someone to explain Farage's morality as an adulterer. He's shacked up with a French Bird while still being married to a German. Who replaced the Irish nurse who is the mother of his two oldest children. Some would say someone who doesn't believe in the sanctity of marriage is somewhat depraved. Certainly not behaving to any Christian standard of morality. More like a muslim who believes in polygamy. I have no idea of your nationality; I assume you are an Uzbek. The British, the English in particular, can be slectively prudish. We didn't think much of a minister shagging his secretary (Cecil Parkinson). Even John Major suffered when he was found to be having it off with Edwina Currie. We need to talk more about why Farage can't keep his pecker in his trousers, and would you want such a character anywhere near your kids.

Trumpf read about a version of this plan before, attempted by his people. Its was called Madagaskarplan. Following pogroms in Russia, Zionist groups seriously debated the plan to resettle Russian Jews in Africa, but they rejected this as unworkable; I suppose some of Trumpf acolytes/apologists would applaud this and call it out of the box thinking. By the 30s, British fascists picked up on this. At the time, there was a march of fascism across Europe, and various governments developed plans to resettle Jewish people in Africa. The Nazis developed a policy of increasing violence and discrmination to encourage Jews to self-deport. In 1940, the Nazis cooked up an idea to deport all Jews to Madagascar. With the fall of France and the United Kingdom, the Germans would "persuade" France to give up Madagascar. They would then requisition the entire British Merchant Navy to conduct deportations. The whole operation would be financed through seized Jewish assets. At one point, the plans were so well advanced, that Hans Frank paused work on creating a Warsaw Ghetto. But as said, it wasn't just the Germans thinking like this. World Jewish Relife has provided excerpts from Hansard, about debate in the British Partliament, between mainstream polititicians about resettlemen t of German Jews https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/blog/2018/11/21/speeches-from-parliament-that-led-to-the-kindertransport/ The language used is fascinating. Its all about long term resettlement of Jews, as if that was the solution to Nazis going around beating them up, with one MP even asking if Germany had been asked if they could help out in the resettlement to various desolate parts of Africa and South America. Obviously there are many many flaws in Trumpf's obnoxious and stupid plan. A major problem is Hamas and all the other armed groups/militias/terrorists. I can't see them willingly marching out to take their spots in some tented city in Sinai. Even if they did, I suspect Egypt would not let them retain their side arms. And in the last few days, they have resumed their displays of armed force. So what to do with them. 2.5 years of aerial bombardments has not diminished their numbers, nor their resolve. Field Marshall Wavell observed that "all battles and all wars are won in the end by the infantryman". Someone will have to occupy the ground, and will need to clear probably a fanatical resistance that has little lose. Estimates vary, but most give Hamas; strength as being about 25,000 left, I suppose best described as light infantrymen. While they may lack access to heavy munitions, they have the advantage of knowing the lay of the land. The IDF reports the area is extensively mined with communication tunnels and reinforced C&C bunkers. The IDF has about 170,000 activated troops, and about 300,000 reservists. Currently the IDF has 3 divisions in Gaza, and 4 divisions in Lebonan/Golan Heights. They have ongoing operations againt Hezbollah remnants still, there is uncertaintly about the stability and intentions of the new Syrian government. The Syrian Army, constituting the former regime army that has pledged loyalty to the incoming government, plus the numerous previously anti-government militias, remain a formidable fighting force. The Lebanese Army is largely US equipped, and is of significance. Israel cannot afford to weaken its Northern Command, and it has to allow for troop rotations. Without mobilising the Reserve, the IDF has a float of about 3 divisions, based on Israeli concepts of a reinforced division. Conventional doctrine says a 3:1 ration, at least, is needed to take land. Defenders facing a 6:1 disadvantage can likely succeed in a holding action. Israel would need to commit at least 2 extra divisions to Gaza if it expects to clear the ground for Trumps stupid idea. Leaving 1 division as a roving reserve. Unless it mobilises the reserves, it doesn't have enough troops. I don't sense there is much enthusiasm for more Israeli blood to be expended to support what would be essentially an American Protectorate. There isn't enough IDF troops, without jeopardizing the safety of Israel. Israel still faces nominally unfriendly forces in Egypt and Jordan, that its obligated to defend against. And this is based on a conservative estimate; if there was an evacuation of Gazans, expect Hamas could swell its ranks by 2x, through bringing other groups under a unified command, and through increased recruitment. Edward De Bono, in his lateral thinking, proposed hsi solution, which Israeli partially tried. He said give Hamas $3 billion a year, which is reduced based on every rocket hitting Israel. For at least 5 years, Israel channeled about $15m of Qatari money a year for at least 5 years, probably more. This was supposedly to pay Hamas's wages., with no provision for reduction in the case of attack. The reason De Bono suggested a much larger amount was not based on any calculation what Gaza needed, but what sort of number is needed to transcend nationalistic urges; everyone can be brought.. Hamas really did need money to support public services. It needed a modicum of support on the street to claim legitimacy compared to the PLO and the numerous new militias emerging. The Qatari money probably covered that. $3bn into the pockets of some ex-jailbirds might have motivated them. Of course, some consider De Bono to be a charlatan.

I suspect those who constantly express a fear of transgenders in the ladies toilet are the sort when, in the public gents, when faced with a female toilet attendant, either flee in terror, or consider it an excuse to masturbate. She's in a skirt, right, so therefore its a sexual situation whenever an man and a woman are near each other. This is the Mike Penceway of thinking (he would not be in the presence of a woman unless his wife was present, presumably because he felt he could not suppress his lust). They think when the ladies go to the bathroom in groups, they end up staring at each other's vulvas in the same way this mob associate a trip to the gents with a willy waving spectacle. I'd go with the theory that they are displaying suppressed homosexuality, in the same way a young JD Vance was told by his grandmother to go have sex with a man. They are probably intrigued by that transgender-female porn, when the transgender bloke with tits tries to have sex with a female. Its comedic, because usually his todger ain't working, on account of the hormones etc.

Comedy account.

The irony is the Trumpf felt it was perfectly ok for a middle aged man to walk into a changing room of semi-naked beauty contestants. This wasn't some wicked allegaton going aroun d to besmirch him, but he bragged about it on the Howard Stern show.

Well, its not exactly new. Like the F16, its basically a 1980s airframe. Probably good enough.

And you are a fool for believing the Putin cares one iota for the Russian people. So when are you volunteering?

Communist Apologist.

Its the very opposite of "think". What comes to mind is impulsiveness, reactionary. "Thinking out of the Box" is frequently something panic'd companies do when they turn in desperation to consultants to no avail. Thinking out of the box, creative thinking, lateral thinking is much more than spit balling. Take Greenland. Trump wants Greenland. He doesn't want China to have Greenland (even supposing that is actually possible). His thinking "out of the box" is either bombing the hell out of Denmark (it will cost money), or sanctions (a trade war with an EU member state, sparking a trade war with the EU; even Trump acknowledges a small trade war withn a country of less than 50 million (Canada) will hit Americans in the pocket). Neither approach smacks of "thinking out of the box". They seem straight out of the Expansionist Dictator/Imperialist playbook. So he's following utter convention, albeit with a stupid idea. So he selectively thinks out of the box?

Not crazy. Someone needs to start an indice or tracker for policy backtracking/reversal (not following an election), for any country. Its a good measure of political stupidity. Putin invades Ukraine, Putin pulls out of Ukraine, proof the invasion was stupid. Chagos Islands to Mauritius; UK (likely) policy reversal; proof the policy was stupid. Tariffs on Canada/Mexico (and questioning who was the idiot who signed USMCA....), reversal, proof the policy was stupid. Blindly firing civil servants, then scrambling to bring them back when the bits of government that need people stop working. Stupid policy. Rzenaming the Gulf Mexico. Stupid. Firing 5000 FBI agents for doing their jobs. Stupid when it blindsides you to the next 911. Giving the logins for every US employee, past and present, to someone 12 months out of high school. Stupid when they find out [a] He hits delete by mistake [b] he flogs the details. Allowing a Billionaire who wants to be a Trillionaire, largely because of sucking off the teat of government, by further sucking off the teat of government. Stupid. etc etc But after 4 years, nothing will actually get done that is truely constructive. Sure, there will be smoking ruins of institutions of government (education, healthcare, social security, foreign service, crime prevention, immigration, defence), and some people might cheer that. But Trump is a lazy barsteward. He was lazy last time, and second time around, he will be even lazier, because with age, comes the need for that afternoon siesta.

Its always interesting looking at the map of signatures (these petitions never get anywhere; the petition against VAT on school fees went well past 100,000, to elicit just a standard government reply about no money, tax breaks for schools, breakfsst clubs, 1 more teacher per school etc. This one will likely get more of the same; £22 billion (allegedly) black hole, Tories, no money, broken public services etc. Looks like most of Northern Ireland doesn't really care. Not surprisingly, again, Northern Ireland didn't really care. 3 million plus signatures obviously did not elicit a General Election.

I believe the walkback has been walked back. I suspect Rubio will be the first to leave the cabinet. First with the tarrifs, he was saying it was just a business tactic, nothing to worry about. Then Trump looked bad by appearing to cave in to mighty Canada and Mexico. Trump doubled down today on Gaza, after Rubio appeared to back off on claims. As one commentator noted, when Trump announced this lunatic plan, he was reading from a prepared speech. Some other lunatic, or room of lunatics, cooked up this idea. The next issue for Rubio will be US development aid. USAID hasn't exactly been shut down; its moved under the Department of State. Rubio believes in international aid, to further the aims of the American government, which is not the same as "no aid". Therein is the conflict. When will he flounce, given he might be eyeing up 2028. A Gaza evacuation won't actually happen. The IDF can't make it happen. What are they going to do? Burn the Gazans out? There is nothing left to burn. There will be a lot of churn in the next few years. Chaos. Plenty of things will get undone, because its easy to undo. Gettng constructive things done? Nah. Trump 1.0 never commissioned a single construction project, not a single road, bridge. Allies, either current, former, soon to former, erstwhile, will be looking at this, and think, he'll be dead any day, and none of this will count. But its an opportunity to take advantage of America. If you are going to take advantage of America, counter intuitively, now is the time, with the kids running it. Stupidity will be a running theme

His goose is cooked in Thailand. Elsewhere, its made clear he had "retired" 2 years ago. But 12 months ago, the BBC World Service doorstepped him leaving work. Thailand revoked his visa, he then failed to file an appeal.

Some background in a documentary The combination of no identification and that the body had been moved changed it from unexplained death to suspicious death.

Communist Apologist, It was his apparent concern for the hostages that made him authorise the recent transfer of arms to Israel, using someone else's money.

Why not Good Hearted Americans?

Well, what is notable is there are still hostages missing, live and dead. Trump is already talking about redevelopment of the land. Wonder why that is. He doesn't care about the hostages.

Why not New York?

What you state is demonstrably a fib. It only exists in your head. As a Briton, I think about the London Blitz. But I still feel sorry for the people that perished in the Hamberg Firestorm and others.