Forum Topics

Trump interference abroad

I'm not going to discuss the merits of this case of the US citizen detained in Sweden. However, it does seem to highlight Trump's lack of understanding of judicial independence from government, and how he perhaps seems himself as a dictatorial ruler who doesn't understand the principles of governance: he believes he should be free of constraint by any checks and balances? Alternatively, taking a more cynical view, perhaps given his recent outbursts of a racist nature he sees it as a way to mitigate that by supporting a popular, well known US citizen from the black community? (I think Trump even offered to stand bail but perhaps the Swedish prosecuter has heard about the allegations of Trump's failure to pay his debts ...) Wouldn't it be better to wait for the facts to emerge and Swedish justice to take its course; after all, it's not like North Korea! Still, I suppose facts, evidence and truth aren't strong priorities in the current  US administration ...https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49122557

Michael Ixer ● 2665d2 Comments ● 2665d

Tesco/plastic bags

Have just received notification from Tesco that after 19th August they are no longer supplying single use plastic bags.Or paper ones. They will continue to use for veg and raw meat.  Can some scientific bod give me a reason as to  why no paper bags?

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2666d1 Comments ● 2666d

knitting wool

Does anyone know if you can still buy knitting wool in Putney?  Does Wilko?  It does in some branches.  Don't really want to resort to Ely's or John Lewis

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2666d2 Comments ● 2666d

Fun to imagine

Fun to imagine the wording. I do need a laugh currently."BORIS Johnson's first job as PM today will be to decide what will happen if Britain is wiped out in a nuclear strike.Within minutes of taking over from Theresa May, the new Prime Minister must write a letter to Britain's nuclear submarine chiefs - known as the "letter of last resort".It will tell them what they should do in the event of a nuclear strike which destroys the country's leadership.The note will be copied to each of the four subs, and stashed in a secret spot, only to be opened in the event of an attack.Before writing the letter, Boris will be briefed by the chief of the defence staff on the precise implications of a nuclear war.Every Prime Minister is said to have been daunted by the immense responsibility of drawing up the instructions.This time around, the stakes are even higher with tensions being sky-high in the Gulf." (The Sun)Hopefully his notes will be so full of classical language and allusions, and strange burbling, that the commanders will deep-six the notes and make their own courses towards somewhere that is not glowing.

David Ainsworth ● 2666d4 Comments ● 2666d

Putney Pool

Recently opened at the V&A in its top floor architectural section is "Into the Blue: The Origin and Revival of Pools, Swimming Baths and Lidos.  Dryburgh Road pool has pride of place. Built in 1962 it is "the best example of modernist style, municipal public baths from the post war era. Located within a residential area, it has carefully preserved a number of mature plane trees."

Hugh Thompson ● 2667d7 Comments ● 2666d

Our new PMs first speech

Very rousing, good luck Boris!!

Bunny Payne ● 2667d8 Comments ● 2666d

Mark Spencer.

Well. I guess I was vindicated.  Boris chose a remainer for a critical post.  I'm afraid I had to Google him, but on the face of it, voting record and topics he's interested in, give no cause for undue concern. Wonder if he'll use Jeremy Hunt?

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2668d7 Comments ● 2666d

Electric Cars

Did you know? Electric cars are Automatic. Also taking lessons in an Electric car will mean they won't have a full driving License. Just for your information, but I'm sure you all know this already.

Barbara Stevens ● 2667d6 Comments ● 2666d

Perfidious remainers

No wonder Brexit couldn't be delivered when a Remainer PM surrounded herself with so many remainer people in important positionsGo for it Boris

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2666d1 Comments ● 2666d

What the US makes of the new British leader

Boris Johnson:  What the US makes of the new British leaderWhat's an American to make of Boris Johnson? Not the person-on-the-street American, who may look at a photograph of the new British conservative leader and think they're being asked to identify an aging 1970s glam rocker. I'm talking about the US media analysts and commentators who get paid to think about politics and, occasionally, cast their eyes across the oceans to see what the rest of the world is up to.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49050937Very interesting indeed!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2667d3 Comments ● 2667d

help 

Can someone please tell me why my post shows ERROR timed out by user after only a couple of  lines written

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2667d1 Comments ● 2667d

Is a no deal Brexit really a viable option?

It is interesting that all those in government claiming to be experienced business people insist that it is essential no deal must be an option. Surely, as such experienced business people, they must have experienced or observed the following scenario? Company A is entering into agreements with a larger company B for customer contracts to deliver solutions based on combining their products but company A makes some bad commercial decisions in negotiating these contracts. Company A cannot fulfil the contracts because of it's bad decisions. In order to protect its own and the customers' interests company B puts forward a deal to company A to allow it to continue trading as a subsidiary of company B. CEO of company A doesn't like company B's proposal so takes the no deal option. Company A goes bust - its shareholders lose their investments, its employees lose their jobs, company B loses its partner and the customers lose because their contacts either aren't fulfilled or are delayed while company B spends time and money - so company B loses financially as well - looking for alternative ways to deliver: everyone loses but the biggest loser is company A. Substitute Brexit for a bad decision (which a number of us have already given our reasons for believing), the UK for company A and the EU for company B, and no deal is a disastrous option for the UK and its citizens and disruptive for the EU. My understanding is Johnson is a journalist who has never worked as a business person ... Just saying?

Michael Ixer ● 2668d15 Comments ● 2667d

Minister resigns in protest against Johnson

Sir Alan Duncan has quit as a foreign office minister in protest against a possible Boris Johnson victory in the Conservative leadership race.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49069880Quite an article!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2669d41 Comments ● 2667d

The EU ~ A Failing Project

The EU ~ A Failing ProjectWith Italy already in recession and Germany teetering on the brink it won't be long before the whole federal state collapses. Won't be too long after the U.K. it's 3rd largest cash cow leaves. Bring on Brexit! 🇬🇧Here's another article the Guardianistas on here chose to ignore:https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/24/the-europe-union-has-bigger-problems-to-deal-with-than-brexitHere's a  report from the BBC:https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47236841There are loads more but I won't post them because I know how boring multiple links can be.💤 Google is our friend.😁

Sue Hammond ● 2668d11 Comments ● 2667d

Paddle Boarding on the Thames

Paddle Boarding on the Thames in September, are you sure? Nothing to do with the time of the year. My other half rowed in the Great river race for many a year up to Poplar from Twickenham. They rowed in an old life boat that was really heavy. Woman in small rowing boats have even turned over. I don't think they realise how strong the current  is, even we have been to ATYC at North Dock, Canary Wharf. You go up in the air and slam down again, and our boat is a 34ft. You only need a speed boat going pass being clever and that is it, over you go. The Thames isn't as nice as you think ask the RNLI.

Barbara Stevens ● 2669d9 Comments ● 2667d

Why was I not informed?

Marmite Peanut Butter was released in late March, and I didn't know!Just found it in Sainsburys.I invented it for me 40 years ago. Should have got a patent!

David Ainsworth ● 2680d31 Comments ● 2668d

Who you gonna call?

Guardian today on the tanker crisis:-"Critics point to irony of UK calling on EU support while heading for Brexit""Nathalie Loiseau, the former leader of Macron’s party in the European parliament, said the two priorities were de-escalation and monitoring in the strait of Hormuz. Speaking on BBC World Tonight, she said: “What I find extremely interesting when a British ship has been seized – and it’s a question of high concern in the UK and rightly – there is this reflex to call the Europeans. At the very moment when you are talking about Brexit you can see we have common threats and have common ways of assessing threats.“I listened carefully to the foreign secretary saying the initiative he has in mind is very different from the American initiative of a policy of maximum pressure.”"--------------------------"If there's something strange in your neighborhoodWho you gonna call? (The EU, naturally)If there's something weirdAnd it don't look goodWho you gonna call? (Like I said, the EU. Safer for all concerned than the US, I feel.)"

David Ainsworth ● 2668d2 Comments ● 2668d

Boris Johnson as PM

Well, what can I say.  Being excruciatingly rude, the buffoon won.  God help us!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2668d18 Comments ● 2668d

Heathrow

Wow, now that Boris is PM will he really support Heathrow expansion?  I support him and think he has far more to him than the media silly gossipy rubbish will say.  Let's wait and see.They do talk a load of rubbish though "being PM, his lifelong ambition".  I think he said something about being king of the world, when he was about 7 years old, utter rubbish.

Bunny Payne ● 2668d0 Comments ● 2668d

Transport Select Committee report on need for action on walking and cycling

The Transport Select Committee published today a report concerning the lack of commitment to promote active travel due to failures to implement walking and cycling strategies.Evidence in favour of active travel is still overwhelming.  To date, our governments local and national have chosen to do nothing. Let’s hope this time is different.For those of you unable or unwilling to reduce your car use, send to a friend or family member and encourage them to walk. Link here https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmtrans/1487/148706.htm

Ruth Pates ● 2668d0 Comments ● 2668d