JonnyF

49 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Sorry but sporting anecdotes don't cut it. Rivalry exists across all aspects of sport, whether it be City v United or Celtic v Rangers. What you wrote was this:

 

So what you are saying is that my desire for Scottish independence is most likely driven by a dislike for English people. Can you understand how offensive I find that, and also how laughable I find it that you think that (the collective) you are fundamental in my forming political perspective?

On your first point, I also quoted from the SNP leader who acknowledges anti English sentiment in the SNP, so why not address that instead of the sporting anecdote that followed it?

On your second point. "So what you are saying is" is generally followed by something that the person didn't actually say at all, as you just showed. You certainly love you strawman arguments don't you. I am not talking about YOUR desire for independence, I am stating that a lot of Scottish people want independence because they don't want what they perceive to be unwanted interference in Scotland from the English, who they don't particularly like and who have 532 of 650 seats in Parliament. 

49 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Where is that 'Oh good god' head in hands gif when you need it?

 

Here's a novel thought experiment for you to try. Imagine, for a minute, that the world doesn't revolve round you and England in general. Expand that thought a little to picture a scenario where people in other countries support options not based upon their country's relationship with England, but simply based upon what they think will suit their own country best.

 

You see, that is the reality of Scottish independence. It is about what is best for Scotland. If, however, it makes you feel better about yourself to actually think that the world really does revolve round you, and that you are the prime consideration in all international affairs, then keep thinking as you currently do. Ignorance is bliss, apparently.

 

To pretend there is not a deep seated dislike of the English in Scotland (particularly the SNP) is disingenuous. You only have to listen to SNP members to detect an undercurrent of anti English xenophobia. Even Sturgeon acknowledges it.

https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-no-place-for-anti-english-sentiment-in-the-snp-1-4987799

Anecdotally, I've been in Scottish pubs where England are playing other nations (not Scotland) and the Scots cheer on England's opposition with more ferocity than they cheer on Scotland when they're playing. I've also spoken to Scottish colleagues when England play in tournaments that Scotland haven't qualified for and asked them who they're supporting and they reply "Whoever England are playing". Some are joking and some aren't.

If you really think that Scotland will be better off outside the UK (either as a truly independent country or as a member of the EU) then that's fine, but be careful what you wish for. You won't get terms as good as the UK has if you do choose to join the EU as an independent nation. Plus as soon as you join you've lost your independence. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

As already stated, I have no problem whatsoever with Scotland leaving the UK if that's what they wish to do. I think it would be a huge mistake for them, but it's their choice. Frankly I wish they'd just make their minds up and stick to it, not keep asking for referendums as soon as the weather changes.

11 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

The members of the public were probably Muslims. 

As no doubt has been reported on this thread already (I haven't read it all) at least some of them were ex-cons. This happened at a conference for rehabilitating serious offenders after release from prison. One of the members of the public that tackled him was James Ford who was at the conference having been released after killing a 15 year old girl in 2004. 

Probably not the best choice of location for Usman Khan to try and murder loads of people with only a knife, when you're in the company of murderers or other violent offenders who have spent long spells in the prison system and don't take kindly to someone like Khan threatening them.

13 hours ago, owl sees all said:

Sounds as  though you would like an independent Scotland, but still be apart of the EU.

That's fine with me. But have you thought it through?

40% of Scotland is not owned by Scots (mostly by English gentlemen).
You would be saying goodbye to the English royal family (no more kilt wearing by Charles).
Scotland would have to compete as 'Scotland' in the Olympics.

Must be other stuff too, that is not so good.

 

Almost everything that Scotland hates about being part of the UK would multiply 10 fold if they were a independent country of only 5.5 million people that had just joined the EU.

I say almost everything because what this boils down to is that they would prefer to be dictated to by European bureaucrats than what they perceive to be the current situation. I have worked with quite a few Scots over the years (did a stint in Glasgow in the early noughties) and after a few pleasantries and a few beers, 9 times out of 10 it becomes pretty clear that their wish for independence is really about a deep seated dislike of the English.

I have no issue with them leaving the UK and joining the EU but they should be aware what they would be getting themselves into. They certainly wouldn't be independent as an economy class passenger on the unstoppable European Federalist train.

7 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Yes - the lies were flowing from London thick and fast then too.

 

Politicians lying? Surely not.

Maybe we should re-run General Elections as well if it's found that someone in the winning party wasn't telling the truth in the build up? That would end well. 

By the way, I am not against Scotland leaving the UK if that's what they wish to do, but this trend of re-running "once in a lifetime" referendums until you get the "correct" result is tedious in the extreme. The fact that without Brexit your mandate for re-running the Scottish independence referendum disappears is not without irony.

3 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

1. My country didn't.

2. My country didn't.

3. My country didn't.

4. Not in my country,

5. Not in my country.

 

 

Your country voted to remain part of the UK as opposed to becoming independent.

It's that pesky Democracy again.

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

Garbage. If it wasn't for Corbyn, Labour would be streets ahead. One man's failings does not determine what people actually want, more a question of the lesser of 2 evils.

The Tories have always condemned the Labour financial policy but they found a bottomless pit for brexit, something that has always been left out of the manifesto, on spending the Tories would certainly be ahead in the polls.

Might be time to accept the country still wants to leave. Here's a brief timeline.

1. The country voted for the party that promised the referendum on Leaving.

2. They then voted leave in that referendum.

3. Then 85% voted for parties that promised to honour the Leave result.

4. Then The Brexit Party cleaned up at the EU elections.

5. Now the party whose main policy is "Get Brexit Done" is leading in the polls.

How many more clues do you need? 

4 minutes ago, tebee said:

Jo Swinson: You think you're going to get Brexit done? "You're in episode one of a ten season box set!" 

Jo Swinson: "We're going to abolish tuition fees." 

Forms a coalition.

Jo Swinson: "Just kidding about the tuition fees, I'm voting to raise them."

And you label Johnson a liar? 

3 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

actually he has made it clear that the super rich will be paying, got proof of your pensioners being taxed a lot more, and not from the Mail or the Sun ???? 

BBC fact checker good enough?

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50567031

So yes, pensioners on 14K a year could pay 400 pounds more tax. Not exactly the super-rich.

3 hours ago, samran said:

For these blokes, anti-antisemitism is abhorrent, but muslim bashing is totally fine. You'd think they both find them equally disgusting. Go figure. 

Who said Muslim bashing is fine? Oh that's right, nobody.

41 minutes ago, essox essox said:

There is no way Indians spend over 260 quid a day. Who and where does this figure come from. It is a plain guess in my opinion, same for Chinese they will never spend 130 quid a day. Absolute bunkum are these figures. 

I really don't know where they get the figures from either. Let's say they have breakfast at a local eatery, buy a few things from 711 and then go to a bar where they have a few drinks and acquire the services of a local lady for the evening. How is any of this recorded as money being spent at all, let alone specifically by Indians?

Unless they are simply asking them at the airports which again is unreliable. Same as the arrival card, I never gave them accurate information about my salary/occupation etc. because a) it amused me pretending to be an a gynecologist on under 10,000 USD per year and b) it's none of their business. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

As Britain currently remains an EU member after several delays to its departure, it is legally required to have a commissioner in Brussels. Its refusal to name one could expose the new Commission's decisions to legal risks.

 

I believe Ursula has stated she prefers more women commissioners so the UK should send Ann Widdecombe over. That should speed up the exit talks.

I almost crashed about a month ago. Driving down an unlit dual carriageway doing about 80 kph near Korat they had some unfinished roadworks which they were thoughtful enough to mark off with old tyres (still black, completely unpainted).

So I had the pleasure of running over/through the tyres first, then through about 100 metres of half finished road before I guess a 6 inch ledge took me back up onto the normal road surface. It knocked the front bumper section out of alignment on my car but fortunately I was able to pop it back in later with only a few black rubber marks as evidence of my off road excursion. Lucky I wasn't on my motorbike.

3 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

What if it had been the Labour party which had pulled off this stunt?

Would you still not give a toss?

Correct, I would still not give a toss.

Their antisemitism bothers me though.

3 hours ago, DannyCarlton said:

I have pulled this stunt many times. If a motorcyclist drives up my backside, trying to intimidate me, I always give them flying lessons.

Hopefully the next time you do it you will do it to the son/daughter of a high ranking General.

Then we'll see who gets the flying lesson .

Hopefully Thailand introduces tax breaks on e-bikes. It would be a good start to cleaning up the air and noise pollution and getting people thinking about the issues.

Obviously most Thais would laugh at the concept to start with, so you'd need a couple of good looking celebrities to endorse it on FaceBook with a cute ad campaign to make it work. Maybe have a big cycling event like they had in Bangkok a while ago to kick off the project.