Renton

Completely agree, this is the true damage caused by the US's descent into Trumpism. The rules based order wasn't always effective and I can complete accept to many it was a sham. But now it's gone it's going to be survival of the fittest out there is we can't dial it in. I think for most people this is by far the most dangerous age we've lived in post ww2. You knew where you were with the soviet union and MAD back in the day. We're in a much more unstable place now with Putin, Trump, the rise of China, Taiwan, carnage in the Middle.Eat, India, Pakistan etc. And at the same time our own stature has been degraded.

Iran was an enlightened place before the islamic revolution. Now, not so much. Is that our fault or the Ayatollahs? I dunno. You can go there with all the correct visas and paper work but good chance you're not coming back. Yes, the US are to some extent following the play book. I don't want to chance visiting there again any time soon. Honestly don't know anywhere near enough about Israeli politics to explain Netanyahu, I know Glooms the board expert on that. Doubt I'll ever go there either. I still think European values are aspirational though and I include the UK in that, for now.

A person who in theory can be removed in an election. A country which in principle is a democracy and part of the international rules based order. Now, these are under massive stress at the moment because elected officials like Trump and Netanyahu are in actual fact autocratic trying to break the system. But there is a chance of reversal here through democratic mechanisms. What's happening with the US and Israel is very disturbing. But it doesn't change what Iran is. Hive me the option, I'd much rather live in Washington DC or Tel Aviv than Tehran. I suspect you would too.

I lost count. Okay, I'll go back 6. John Mayor looks positively statesman like compared to what's on offer nowadays.

I have a massive issue with him on what he said about immigration which was frankly disgusting and maybe unforgiveable. I hope this was an aberration caused by an errant speech writer cos its actually quite out of character. But some of the other criticism of him is not justified. He's 100 times preferable to the previous 3 tory leaders l, for starters. People should remember that.

Iran are more dangerous to us, as in UK, EU, than Israel. Of course they are. They're allied with Russia, close to China and frankly our number2 enemy. Israel are our ally. That doesn't detract or excuse their atrocities, but it's true nonetheless. I agree.

This ancient tweet has resurfaced.

Well, you certainly can't go there and decide for yourself. As far as authoritarian hell holes go, there aren't many worse countries imo.

For all it's faults Israel is a democracy. Why don't you trust them with nuclear weapons, they literally have them and don't use them. I think you're being a bit naive on the Iranian government here. They haven't destroyed Israel because they are impotent. I don't want that to change. They will never be allies of the west as they are fundamentally opposed to western liberal democracy as a concept.

Howay, Iran has been fighting proxy wars and supporting terrorist groups for decades. They are a brutal authoritarian state that oppress their own people mercilessly. They also supply Russia with drones to kill Ukrainian civilians. Israel has never used nuclear weapons when they probably could have. Iran might be responsible custodians of a nuclear arsenal but erm, no thanks, I'd rather not have that risk. Not to say what has happened is right. It's not, and as you say is counterproductive.

Well, there's only 2 instances of their use of course, both morally and ethically debatable and both from the US when they were "the good guys". I don't think any theocracy has successfully developed nukes before so your point is moot. None of Pakistan, India or Israel are outright theocracies, although the influence of religion is still a concern with these countries. But I know enough about Iran's government of Ayatollahs and Karmenai that I'd be very concerned were they to have the power to preemptively use fission bombs on Israel. Their stated unambiguous aim is the destruction of the zion state. Their Houthi allies which the mackems think are great lads literally have this written on their flag.

Erm, no. A nuclear armed Iran would be an existential threat for all of us with their connections with the Houthi, Hezbollah, and Hamas etc. WMD and religious zealotry are a bad combination. And yes, I am certainly including the US rapture crew in this, but we're a bit late there. The answer surprisingly was diplomacy. But now that has well and truly been shown to be a sham where Trump and the US are concerned, not to mention Israel who are now brazen liars not to be trusted. So Iran will be hell bent on getting nukes now regardless of the consequences.

I do find the Iranian theocratic government abhorrent but I don't disagree with what you say here. Iran is not at fault here. Definitely getting shades of this.

Uh oh, Wykiki is riled again.... "So I decided to treat t'missus, Brenda, to a fancy night away. You know, break the routine. So I booked us into this swanky hotel, cost me a princely £360 for one night! Three hundred and sixty quid! I nearly had a heart attack just typing in me card details. Brenda, mind, she was buzzing, all excited about the 'luxury experience,' as she called it. I was just hoping they had decent tea bags, not them flimsy ones that tear as soon as you look at 'em. T'room was grand, I'll give 'em that. Plush carpets, a bed you could get lost in, and even tiny bottles of shampoo that smelled like a French perfume shop. We had a decent enough evening, even if I felt a bit out of place even in me best trousers. Come morning, we head down for breakfast. Now, I'm a full English man, me. Bacon, sausages, black pudding, the lot. You can keep your English tapas muck Fish. Brenda, though, she gets all high and mighty. "Oh, I'll just have a latte, darling," she says, all prim and proper to the waitress. I just grunted, thinking, 'it's just a coffee, Brenda, not a royal decree.' We finished up, and I was just about to head off to find me car when the waitress comes over with a little slip of paper. "Your invoice, sir," she says, all smiles. I took it, thinking it was just a confirmation of the room, you know. Then I saw it. Right there, staring me in the face, plain as day: "Latte: £4.50." Four pounds fifty pence! For a bleeding cup of milky coffee! I tell you what, me blood pressure shot up faster than Wiggins on steroids. My feathers were properly spiraling, I can tell you. I felt like I'd been mugged in broad daylight, but with a silver spoon and a polite smile. I paid it, of course, because Brenda was giving me the 'don't make a scene' look. But as soon as we were in the car, I let rip. "Four pounds fifty! For a latte! I could buy a whole sack of t'Yorkshire Tea for that! It's an absolute disgrace, Brenda, a robbery in plain sight!" Four pounds fifty though. I'll never get over it. Never. CUNTS.

Good luck mate whatever you do. Moving house is a massive upheaval. Done it 5 times myself, fucked myself financially in the process through fees, moving costs and taxes. Could have all been avoided if I had pushed myself and bought the right house first or second time!

Some people really believe religion has no role in wars. All of this middle Eastern shit is intrinsically tied with religion. The irony being they all believe in the same OT God of Jehovah, but then like a tree it all branches out and even the religions are split into sects who inevitably hate each other. Christians, Muslims, Jews, protestants, catholics, Shia, Sunni, orthodox.... You can all get fucked.

Why aye.

Their main problem is the contracts new players are expected to sign. 1) will you sign a disclaimer for ignoring racist abuse in person and online? 2) will you agree to playing in a steydium with more crisp packets blowing in the wind than supporters? 3) Do you hate the mags n'arl? Gerrin. FTM

I agree with this economics Prof.

Israel furious that a missile hitting a hospital is a war crime? Hello? How the fuck can they say this with a straight face?

Absolutely bizarre the amount of threads on " Mag tops" that appear on there. As soon as on is locked another one pops up whackamole style. This one is 120 posts since starting this afternoon, same old shit on repeat. And yet. They swell with pride when they see MLFs wearing deck chair tops. Strange bunch.

Fucking County Durham Mackems man. Lowest of the low

I was gonna but couldn't be arsed. What is it?

Maybe the person on the phone just didn't start applauding him? I mean that's surely a hate crime right there.

Talking of mental gymnastics, well, just mental really.....