Things Noticeable this week

[Puhbear69]

Originally Posted by Devius

[i]Big Brother faces axe over "encouraging extreme violence'' and poor viewing figures
[...]

We have those so called "reality shows" here too at the private stations. Those shows are near to 100% fakes, directed to low human instincts. The production company is "Endemol Group" , Duivendrecht (NL) , a Dutch company for those "high quality" private stations. They are making 1,1 billion EUR with such and similar shows in Europe & Australia. .

I'm wondering always, who is watching such a bullshit ...

[CARLTON BROWN]

Originally Posted by otokonomidori

"Democracy" has always been about cash for votes - this is nothing new.

Absolutely. But it doesn't make things right!

[gordian_knot]

Originally Posted by CARLTON BROWN

Cash for votes folks.

Roll on the next election, I think I'm going to offer my vote to the highest bidder on eBay.

That's not to say anyone didn't know that a deal with the DUP was coming, but there's something very wrong and rather unethical about a badly run political party in serious trouble making financial arrangements with a bunch of creationist nutters just to hold on to what little they have. And all this with taxpayers money!

If the situation had been reversed and Corbyn had pulled a stunt like this, all Hell would have broken loose.

And I'd just add that I'm not exactly a Corbyn supporter, or in tune with all their proposals or ideas. I just wonder what the point of voting for anyone is most of the time.

Oh come on! What do you think scrapping tuition fees was, if not a bribe? Or increasing benefits, or raising public sector pay? You may agree with all those things but they were all bribes. It was because the Tories didn't offer enough bribes that they failed to get a majority.

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by gordian_knot

Oh come on! What do you think scrapping tuition fees was, if not a bribe? Or increasing benefits, or raising public sector pay? You may agree with all those things but they were all bribes. It was because the Tories didn't offer enough bribes that they failed to get a majority.

But giving bribes to extremist religious bigots with terrorist links and putting the peace process at risk wasn't in the Tory manifesto was it?

[Puhbear69]

Originally Posted by CARLTON BROWN

Cash for votes folks.

[...]

For this reason it would be badly required, that the voters must/have to reflect about the party-funding.

Where does it go to, we all could watch at the last US votes.

[gordian_knot]

Originally Posted by vinceprince

But giving bribes to extremist religious bigots with terrorist links and putting the peace process at risk wasn't in the Tory manifesto was it?

It's not going to the DUP. It's going to the NI executive if it ever starts up again. Otherwise I assume it'll be spent directly by the British Government. And it won't put the peace process at risk. Gerry Adams has to warn against that but even he (along with many other non-DUP supporters from NI) has welcomed the extra money. It may even help the peace process if it encourages Sinn Fein to join a new executive.

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by gordian_knot

It's not going to the DUP. It's going to the NI executive if it ever starts up again. Otherwise I assume it'll be spent directly by the British Government. And it won't put the peace process at risk. Gerry Adams has to warn against that but even he (along with many other non-DUP supporters from NI) has welcomed the extra money. It may even help the peace process if it encourages Sinn Fein to join a new executive.

The peace is always at risk in NI. And there are still lots of 'hard men' even outside of Gerry Adams control.

It's as much about perception, how can the UK Gov't be seen as 'rigorously impartial' in any dispute resolution if it's very existence is solely dependent on the support of one side. Like having a referee that is employed by one of the clubs. The hooligans on the other one side will see bias even if there isn't any, and they don't need much of an excuse to kick off.

[CARLTON BROWN]

Originally Posted by gordian_knot

Oh come on! What do you think scrapping tuition fees was, if not a bribe? Or increasing benefits, or raising public sector pay? You may agree with all those things but they were all bribes. It was because the Tories didn't offer enough bribes that they failed to get a majority.

Of course it was a form of unfulfilled bribe. Some of Corbyn's promises are not so bad, some are absolutely crazy. Many of the Tory ideas are small minded and very mean like bedroom tax and the rip-off probate death tax. Personally, I would like to see a big reduction in overseas aid, a restrictions on some big business practices and scrapping rubbish like HS2. There is money out there, but its mostly in the wrong place. Anyway, as you might recall, I didn't say I had much time for politicans and with a few exceptions, I find the majority are a real waste of space.

[tamsmith]

Originally Posted by Puhbear69

I'm wondering always, who is watching such a bullshit ...

Until this year mrstamsmith.
Even she has given up on it this year.
She calls it porn.
Maybe I should start watching!!!

[tamsmith]

Originally Posted by vinceprince

But giving bribes to extremist religious bigots with terrorist links and putting the peace process at risk wasn't in the Tory manifesto was it?

It wasn't in the Labour manifesto either but Tony Blair was very happy to give "bribes to extremist religious bigots with terrorist links". Mr Corbyn has a lot to thank Mr Blair for.