Things Noticeable this week

[Devius]

Children who were sexually abused by Jehovah's Witnesses were allegedly told by the organisation not to report it.

Victims from across the UK told the BBC they were routinely abused and that the religion's own rules protected perpetrators.

One child abuse lawyer believes there could be thousands of victims across the country who have not come forward because of a "two witness" rule.

The organisation said it did not "shield" abusers.

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42025255

Unlike other recent abuse / harrassment allegations, I'm not surprised that the Jehovah's Witnesses are now in the spotlight. I wonder why?...

[old alal]

Her Majesty Quuen Elizabeth and the Love of her life Prince Phillip celebrate 70 years of Marriage today. Congratulations to you both. 70 years, amazing.

[Puhbear69]

Originally Posted by Puhbear69

Prognosis of the German Vote of the parliament in 2017; 00:08

CDU/CSU (Angela Merkel): 32,9 %
SPD (Martin Schulz): 20,5 %
FDP : 10,7 %
AFD : 12,9 %
The Left: 9,2 %
The Green : 8,9 %
others : 4,9 %

CDU = Christian Democratic Union (Conservatives, exclusively Bavaria)
CSU = Christian Social Union (Conservatives, only in Bavaria)
SPD = Social Democratic Party (like the (New-) Labour in England)
FDP = Liberal Democratic Party
AFD = Alternative for Germany (it's a right wing nationalist party)
The Left = Left wing democratic party
The Green = Ecological Party


German parliament voting system; (who are interested in)

The blocking minority is below 5%. The parties below 5% are not represented in the parliament.
One can't vote the chancellor candidate directly! That's the due of the winning party/coalition.

Every voter is having two votes:

First voice is for the direct candidate (similar to the English system) regional. The winner-candidate is directly in the parliament.

Second voice is for the percentage, the party is represented in the parliament. The parties have lists of possible candidates for the parliament, even when they are not voted directly. The lists are appending of the German countries..

If a party is able to get more direct voices above their percentage of the seats in the parliament: than we are having "overhang seats" - which means in consequence the parliament is growing of this number of seats.

For our US friends:
Conservatives are not common with the majority of the Republicans I know. They (CDU/CSU) are more liberal in their majority.
A typical Social Democrat would be would be for example Bernie Sanders here, Obama or Hillary Clinton I would put in the FDP or CDU here.
Of course that matches the named Persons not fully -> all informations are subject to change.

---------------------------------------------------

Resume: It looks like 4 more years with Angela Merkel

Germany's Merkel suffers blow as FDP pulls out of coalition talks

Talks on forming a coalition government in Germany have collapsed, leaving Angela Merkel facing her biggest challenge in 12 years as chancellor.

The free-market liberal FDP pulled out after four weeks of talks with Mrs Merkel's CDU/CSU bloc and the Greens.

FDP leader Christian Lindner said there was "no basis of trust" between them.

What happens next is unclear, but Mrs Merkel has met President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has the power to call elections.

Mrs Merkel said she regretted the collapse, adding she would formally tell the German president that negotiations had failed.

CDU deputy chairman Armin Laschet told journalists that Mrs Merkel had held a conference call on Monday morning with the party leadership and had retained its support.

Mrs Merkel's bloc won September's poll, but many voters deserted the mainstream parties.

"As chancellor, I will do everything to ensure that this country is well managed in the difficult weeks to come," she said.

Back to the ballot box?

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42047532

-----------------------------------

It was foreseeable, this so called Jamaica 'copulation ' of four parties was overstretched !

The mainstream parties had massive losses.

Back to the ballot box ? -> return to sender !

[Wendigo]

Originally Posted by Puhbear69

Germany's Merkel suffers blow as FDP pulls out of coalition talks

Talks on forming a coalition government in Germany have collapsed, leaving Angela Merkel facing her biggest challenge in 12 years as chancellor.

The free-market liberal FDP pulled out after four weeks of talks with Mrs Merkel's CDU/CSU bloc and the Greens.

FDP leader Christian Lindner said there was "no basis of trust" between them.

What happens next is unclear, but Mrs Merkel has met President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has the power to call elections.

Mrs Merkel said she regretted the collapse, adding she would formally tell the German president that negotiations had failed.

CDU deputy chairman Armin Laschet told journalists that Mrs Merkel had held a conference call on Monday morning with the party leadership and had retained its support.

Mrs Merkel's bloc won September's poll, but many voters deserted the mainstream parties.

"As chancellor, I will do everything to ensure that this country is well managed in the difficult weeks to come," she said.

Back to the ballot box?

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42047532

-----------------------------------

It was foreseeable, this so called Jamaica 'copulation ' of four parties was overstretched !

The mainstream parties had massive losses.

Back to the ballot box ? -> return to sender !

Democracy eh!!! What a bummer

[Devius]

US talk show host Charlie Rose has been suspended by several television networks following allegations of sexual harassment.

Eight women accused the veteran TV interviewer of inappropriate behaviour in a report by the Washington Post.

"These allegations are extremely disturbing and we take them very seriously," CBS News said. PBS and Bloomberg have also suspended him.

Mr Rose has apologised, but said not all the allegations were accurate.

They span from the 1990s to 2011 and include groping, lewd telephone calls and unwanted advances.

Two women who worked for Mr Rose said he walked naked in front of them, and another said she was groped by him at a party.

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42060961

PS: Bill Clinton facing four sexual assault lawsuits after fresh allegations made against former president...
Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017...h-allegations/

[Devius]

Originally Posted by Devius

Zimbabwe to Robert Mugabe: You're fired!

President Robert Mugabe has resigned via letter, speaker of Zimbabwe's parliament says, halting impeachment debate.

Details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42071488

[old alal]

A Budget of Opportunlty ..........I hope and trust.

[CARLTON BROWN]

Originally Posted by old alal

A Budget of Opportunlty ..........I hope and trust.

Are you talking about today's UK Government budget? If so, the answer is simple. It will be nothing more than moving funds around from one place to another - as it nearly always is. Take from Peter to pay Paul and vice versa. No scope for anything significant at the moment.

This budget will be about as exciting to catch up on as a whole evening's, tedious BBC News reporting from Zimbabwe.

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by CARLTON BROWN

Are you talking about today's UK Government budget? If so, the answer is simple. It will be nothing more than moving funds around from one place to another - as it nearly always is. Take from Peter to pay Paul and vice versa. No scope for anything significant at the moment.

This budget will be about as exciting to catch up on as a whole evening's, tedious BBC News reporting from Zimbabwe.

Wot d'ya mean bruv?

Old Phil has the got the Youth Vote in the bag!

A Young Person's Railcard Until 30 now not just until 25! Man those Tories know how to get down with the kids. Chanting Hammond's name at the festivals now.

What's that in the smallprint? Only usable off peak? No good for going to school/college/work?

Get used to being screwed by the Tories kids

[seany65]

And now the unemployed who make a first claim of 'Universal Credit' will only have to wait 5 weeks instead of 6 weeks before their first payment.

Even though the original waiting time was 4 weeks, and apparently some are waiting upto 8 weeks.