JAG

Internet banking is the obsolescenct service from the early years of this century. It has been (has been being) replaced by a more modern mobile banking service over the last couple of years. Personally I rue the passing of the system whereby the assistant manager would write your balance on a slip of paper and hand it over the counter to you, but that progress I suppose!

Possibly irony? However, I might suggest that it is essential to take note of the very significant groundswell of public opinion against the very large numbers of illegal economic migrants (they're manifestly not asylum seekers as they have passed through numerous sage countries to get here) who are drawn by our bizarre system which grants them a myriad of benefits and accommodation which are not available to the tax paying citizens. The way in which what is very possible a majority public opinion has been ignored, in so many ways for so long is the reason for this. Sure there are the highly visible (and vocal) characters with their cans of beer and St Georges Cross flags worn as a faux crusaders costume, but there are many many more "ordinary people" who feel strongly. We heard this week how nursing homes are being repurposed to house these migrants, whilst our own elderly, who have "paid in" for 50 or 60 years cannot get the care they need; and you wonder why there will probably be such large numbers demonstrating!

At the risk of triggering the usual suspects, and aware I am joining in what is a fairly unsubtle and obvious attempt to pick a fight: to suggest that a certain number of deaths is acceptable to allow for the Second Amendment (a statement I believe Mr Kirk made publicly on more than one occasion) is pretty hateful, particularly to those whose children have been shot dead lin their classrooms. And no, before the howling starts, I am not suggesting that he should have been shot by a sniper for saying that.

Someone remind me please - where did we hear that deranged cry somewhere before, in the context of American right wing politics?

Trump and his loyalist gang will never release the Epstein files, not until hell freezes over, no matter what Congress or Courts may order. Sure bits will dribble out (the birthday book came from private sources - Epstein's estate) but the real incriminating evidence, the very existince of which the refusal to release effectively confirms, he will never release. In fact one imagines that there are frantic efforts being made to obtain any and all other evidence and bring it under control following the release of the birthday book. The scandal, unlike those that embroiled both Nixon and Clinton, does not really relate to his time in office as President, it relates to, and the evidence, allegations and cover ups date back to, a time long before that; to his time as a wealthy New York business man, an enthusiastic player in circles which it is know known were far darker than many imagined. It is not even particularly partisan despite his attempts to make it so - he was after all then a Democrat. It also concerns activities way beyond those which can be shrugged off by a cynical take on politicians. Everyone knew Nixon lied, everyone knew Clinton thought two feet below his head, but this! His constant stream of often contradictory lies, and desperate attempts to distract have left him with no "off ramp". Nixon resigned, Clinton stood in front of Impeachment and wriggled out, but Trump won't resign, will not face it and, though he may manage to prevent release or proper examination, will if he makes it through to 2028 be always tarred by it. That is how he will be remembered. It is the scandal which will end him; the increasingly bizarre attempts to "explain", deny and distract from it bear evidence to that. So no, I don't think they will ever be released. Much may well leakout in months to come, and of course after his term has finished (perhaps the driver behind his musings on a third term, although his physical condition may scupper that) but there will be no release.

Sailed across the Atlantic ( not single handed - as "mate" on a 66' sail training yacht). Managed to find America - which let's face it is more than Christopher Columbus did!

Slow strangulation by piano wire after a brisk trial in which he is humiliated by having his trousers fall down every time he stands up to be screamed at by the judge eh Cameroni?

If you are going to pull a stroke like that then a Tee shirt with a distinctive logo is probably not a wise thing to wear. Mind you, dropping from the roof like that is probably not wise either - bit of an ankle breaker!

He is 76. Whilst I don't buy into the whole " I just want to be with my Grandchildren" bit, I will accept that at that age he wants to be at home and not living in exile. His active political life is over. If you look at it objectively, as he was faced with either spending the rest of his life in exile in Dubai or spending it at home, then perhaps serving 1 year ( probably significantly reduced by the existing rules) may have looked like a good deal. He will be comfortable enough, come on, no one really believes he is going to be sleeping on the floor with 30 others, with a bucket in the corner as a toilet. And of course there is the very real possibility of release to home arrest in the relatively near future. With the removal of the (very real) threat of long term imprisonment when the Lese Majestie case was dismissed then he may well see a few months of relatively comfortable inconvenience as a reasonable price to pay for "wiping the slate clean". His enemies save face (never underestimate that) by having him in prison, but he will be out soon enough. Of course various "political activists" with brutal haircuts (where do they get them, does the council parks and gardens do them?) will continue to press for life imprisonment because his name begins with a "T", but an end to the game is in sight; and I suspect he is tired of the game. So how long will he serve? I would be rather surprised if he is still in jail by the New Year.

Well there was a bloke who said he was Elvis who worked down our chip shop...

It is certainlythe look that says: "oh bugger, I have blown it"! An American commentator, Kinsey Schofield, who often has some fairly level headed analysis, has suggested that he was on a mission to squeeze a financial settlement out of his father, in the certain knowledge that when his brother succeeds to the throne (and let's face it, that may be sooner rather than later) he will be toast.

Some real classic pearl clutching hysteria on display there!

In a formal school yes. I think as a prison occupation, if so directed by the prison authorities, probably not.

I think that you are right, but in Thailand particularly you can't have one without the other!

Cut the bull<deleted> @thesetat, you are suggesting that Thsksin's murder in jail would be agreeable. !

Unkind. Funny but unkind!

Watch this space!

So Mandelson has been sacked. Has a familiar sort of ring to it!

Sorry, couldn't resist... At times I have the breaking strain of a wet Kit-Kat!

There you are - bingo! Being the public spirited sort of chap he is, I am sure that he will fund all the necessary resources himself.

I doubt that they have time these days - rumour has it they have been co-opted into a variety of ad hoc "federal law enforcement teams".

No doubt soon to be brought on board by "the nutter on the bus" as a valuable advisor!

Saddened? I should imagine he is chuffed to NAAFI break!

Ah, another "jail rape enthusiast"! Some sick individuals around aren't there?

Whilst we are on the subject of "rhetoric of hate"... This one is from @novacova, I'm afraid I don't know how to add "quotes" when editing my posts. "This solidifies the epitome of the left’s dirtbag filth, this murderer was pushed by the left’s filthy rhetoric and will only further their demise and thereby causing them to descend further into chaos and violence. This is what the left have become and every one of you leftist here are a part of it in your denial. "