The deal is not officially announced and the 450.000 members of the Social Democratic Party (for the US cousins Socialism.. - in parts of Europe, it's more than ok to have a social conscience and agenda - it does not have anything to do with communism ) have to vote for the deal within the coming 3 weeks.
If they don't accept it (and that's not granted yet - there are massive objections against another Grand Coalition) - there is no government.
That aside, according to recent polls, the Grand Coalition does not even have a majority yet.
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
There is new trouble ahead for a future German Government.
As we now see the coalition paper (It still needs to be approved by the 450.000 members of the SPD), there is a massive groan within the CDU (the bigger partner in the Grand Coalition and 33% in the 2017 election).
The SPD managed to get the Ministry of Finances - on top to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice.
Many CDU members bemoan that strengthening of the 20,5% SPD, but it turns out that the SPD position in the last night was: Take it or Leave it.
After the failed first attempt of a government and the historic losses for the CDU (-8,5%) it's obvious that Merkel is weak and almost finished. Even if she manages to stay the next 3 1/2 weeks, I am pretty sure that she won't run again 2021.
But we have now another explosive development in the SPD (20,5%), which needs some further explanation:
Early 2017, the Party leader and Minister of Commerce, Sigmar Gabriel (SPD)
stepped back and moved to the Foreign Ministry.
New Party leader and Candidate for the Chancellor became Martin Schulz (SPD)
Gabriel did a very good job, became the most popular politician within 2017 and still is and has the job yet.
Schulz made a disastrous campaign, with many mistakes and led the SPD to a historic low of 20,5% which endangers the SPD's position of a main party. After the elections, he said, that the SPD will go opposition. After the failed Government talks, he strongly opposed another Grand Coalition and said, that he will not join Merkel's cabinet.
Now after the negotiations, Schulz announces that he will step back as head of the SPD and be Foreign Minister.
Now before the usual haters come up and scream liar, liar, let's take a breath:
Right after the election it was clear that the SPD was finished. Everybody assumed, that Merkel would manage to build the 4-party coalition and that the SPD will then be the largest opposition party.
After the coalition talks failed, the SPD was called by their national duty and the duty against their and all other voters not to deny to govern. That process has been painful and difficult for the SPD and it still is, so I understand both broken promises from Mr. Schulz.
Turns out now, that Gabriel is extremely miffed, because when he stepped back, Schulz promised him that he'd remain Foreign Minister in a potential Grand Coalition in 2017/2018.
And that, guys annoys me. I have always been voting for the SPD. I liked what Schulz has done as president of the EU Parliament, his campaign sucked and it was his fault. Ok. I would also forgive him the broken promises after the election.
I understand and accept the "National Duty" and change of mind.
But the self-announced Foreign Minister is only selfish, greedy and has nothing to do with National Duty.
Mr. Schulz - Shame on you!
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Excited to see that delegations from North and South Korea are meeting during the Olympics.
But I wonder, how the South Koreans managed to turn off the heating on the right side only?
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Oxfam charity shops were in uproar last night after claims of sexual harrassment were made against the high street outlets.
It is alleged that a stack of Val Donnican vinyl LPs made improper advances towards some Easy Listening classics.
There are also allegations that a James Last LP groped a member of the Larry Paye Orchestra.
A member of the Sandhurst Military Band, playing covers of Great War Songs including Colonel Bogie from Bridge Over The River Kwai, turned whistleblower. 'However, I was rudely ignored. A meeting they had arranged was suddenly cancelled and instead I found they'd got a file out on me. They made out that in fact I was a collaborator with the Japs and had myself instigated abuse against British PoWs and had arranged sex orgies. They launched a dedicated smear campaign against me.'
The owner of the shop in question said that it took the issue of sexual harassment among its music section very seriously, had investigated all the complaints and found them not upheld.
Not that I need to be reminded but it's pictures such as Higgins has posted above that reinforce the fact that certain left wing supporters are absolute scum.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Dearest Higgins - I have no problem with left wing supporters - I do have problems with puerile minds who produce disgraceful images such as those - everyone lives within their own standards and it is clear that some are higher than others - my statement stands that "CERTAIN" left wing supporters are absolute scum - I did not associate you personally with that statement which is why I carefully phrased it - but everyone will have their own opinions on what is acceptable humour or not.
I will give your regards to Hong Kong next week I will be there -{
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Dearest Higgins - I have no problem with left wing supporters - I do have problems with puerile minds who produce disgraceful images such as those - everyone lives within their own standards and it is clear that some are higher than others - my statement stands that "CERTAIN" left wing supporters are absolute scum - I did not associate you personally with that statement which is why I carefully phrased it - but everyone will have their own opinions on what is acceptable humour or not.
I will give your regards to Hong Kong next week I will be there -{
Well, like you have said, these perceived humor on displays is very personal.
As you have put your disgust with those images into connection with the "certain left wing supporters" who are absolute scum, I don't really buy what you are saying, but whatever you say.
BTW, I found them hilarious - I guess that I fall into your "absolutely scum" category now.
And we have a very long tradition to roast present politicians that way on Karneval - and kids will see these "disgusting pieces", too.
Enjoy Hong Kong, not too long until we are back to there, too.
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Instead we should talk seriously about what's happened or not happened in the case. It's clear by now that Russia meddled in the US election, hoping Trump would win or at least cause some chaos. I think they hoped Trump would lift the economic sanctions against Russia. Now the evidence shows that a few people close to Trump and his campaign did have questionable contacts with the Russians, such as hiding talks with the Russian ambassador or showing up to meetings after being promised dirt on Hillary. As far as we know there is nothing on Trump, at least yet. I think the Russians (both the authorities and the general public) are disappointed by Trump now. Some of his statements about issues Russia cares about made them believe he would back their interests on issues such as sanctions, Crimea and Syria. He hasn't. The backlash after the meddling has also caused a lot of unwanted attention. That's my take on it.
Another school shooting. We need your thoughts and prayers... you don't have to actually DO anything to send them, and they won't really have any effects, but in that way you can be like our elected officials here in the U.S... X-(
Trying to solve this issue by looking better after mentally ill people seems the preferred line of action by the NRA party.
Problem is, that the US don‘t have more or less mentally ill people than other countries.
Problem is, that the US have significantly more firearms in circulation in comparison to other countries, you don‘t need to be a genius to see a correlation.....
Someone just said that almost everybody outside of the US sees the amount of firearms as nuts.
The US people should ask themselves, if everybody else but them could be so wrong...
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Trump repealed a law from the Obama presidency that would have given the background check system for gun purchases access to certain information about the mental health of those who were being checked. We don't know if access to this information would have stopped the tragick school shooting in Florida - as far as I know the shooter's behavior had not been picked up by any mental health workers.
How ever, it does seem likely that some of the (on average) weekly school shootings in the US could have been stopped by this law.
Trump's repeal certainly looks odd since the gun lobby often say these shootings are mental health issues and not gun control issues.
Obviously mental health is a part of the problem. It should also be obvious that guns are a part of the problem. We have pupils with mental problems in Norway too, but they hit and kick people and furniture. They don’t bring guns to school.
Obviously mental health is a part of the problem. It should also be obvious that guns are a part of the problem. We have pupils with mental problems in Norway too, but they hit and kick people and furniture. They don’t bring guns to school.
It is also obvious to anyone with half a brain that controlling the purchase of guns is far easier and quicker than trying to solve any mental health issues.
Anyway, the mental health angle is a misnomer ... the real problem is the prevalance and easy access to weapons.
.... which is then stigmatising mentally ill people because of a very small percentage that go violent
This! I was actually having this conversation the other day about when people find out I have PTSD. Suddenly I am "hight risk" or something when I was fairly normal (funny right?) in the eyes of the other person untill then. I often feel like I need to add "I am not violet, it was an accident" because I get side eye. It does lead to a stigma and people don't get help.
I love my Father in Law, but he is who we really need to be worried about. He started burying ammunition in his backyard years ago. I wish I was kidding.
.... which is then stigmatising mentally ill people because of a very small percentage that go violent
This! I was actually having this conversation the other day about when people find out I have PTSD. Suddenly I am "hight risk" or something when I was fairly normal (funny right?) in the eyes of the other person untill then. I often feel like I need to add "I am not violet, it was an accident" because I get side eye. It does lead to a stigma and people don't get help.
I love my Father in Law, but he is who we really need to be worried about. He started burying ammunition in his backyard years ago. I wish I was kidding.
Degrees of separation. And the degrees matter a LOT. Like the difference between a 101 fever and a 108 fever...
After the Florida massacre some people are demanding a ban on the AR-15 rifle. That makes no sense to me. They argue that this rifle is the most commonly used in gun massacres. But there must be dozens of copies or lookalikes produced by other companies, how would shutting one manufacturer out help? Banning bump - stocks and better background checks makes far more sense.
Those people know nothing about guns.
If the AR-15 is banned, they'd just move to single-action AK variants or a great other number of SMGs. They don't need lookalikes or replicas, 24. And if they do ban it (like the Tec-9 in the 90s in California), what's next? It's the most popular rifle out there.
That said banning bump-stocks and better background checks should be "the way of the gun" for a long time now.
I know gun massacres can happen without AR-15 type rifles, I was just trying to show how such a ban would have no effect on the number of gun deaths and is illogical. Any laws to limit the number of gun deaths must be smart, not simple symbolic. A law like that will only make gun laws less reputable.
Comments
The deal is not officially announced and the 450.000 members of the Social Democratic Party (for the US cousins Socialism..
If they don't accept it (and that's not granted yet - there are massive objections against another Grand Coalition) - there is no government.
That aside, according to recent polls, the Grand Coalition does not even have a majority yet.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
As we now see the coalition paper (It still needs to be approved by the 450.000 members of the SPD), there is a massive groan within the CDU (the bigger partner in the Grand Coalition and 33% in the 2017 election).
The SPD managed to get the Ministry of Finances - on top to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice.
Many CDU members bemoan that strengthening of the 20,5% SPD, but it turns out that the SPD position in the last night was: Take it or Leave it.
After the failed first attempt of a government and the historic losses for the CDU (-8,5%) it's obvious that Merkel is weak and almost finished. Even if she manages to stay the next 3 1/2 weeks, I am pretty sure that she won't run again 2021.
But we have now another explosive development in the SPD (20,5%), which needs some further explanation:
Early 2017, the Party leader and Minister of Commerce, Sigmar Gabriel (SPD)
stepped back and moved to the Foreign Ministry.
New Party leader and Candidate for the Chancellor became Martin Schulz (SPD)
Gabriel did a very good job, became the most popular politician within 2017 and still is and has the job yet.
Schulz made a disastrous campaign, with many mistakes and led the SPD to a historic low of 20,5% which endangers the SPD's position of a main party. After the elections, he said, that the SPD will go opposition. After the failed Government talks, he strongly opposed another Grand Coalition and said, that he will not join Merkel's cabinet.
Now after the negotiations, Schulz announces that he will step back as head of the SPD and be Foreign Minister.
Now before the usual haters come up and scream liar, liar, let's take a breath:
Right after the election it was clear that the SPD was finished. Everybody assumed, that Merkel would manage to build the 4-party coalition and that the SPD will then be the largest opposition party.
After the coalition talks failed, the SPD was called by their national duty and the duty against their and all other voters not to deny to govern. That process has been painful and difficult for the SPD and it still is, so I understand both broken promises from Mr. Schulz.
Turns out now, that Gabriel is extremely miffed, because when he stepped back, Schulz promised him that he'd remain Foreign Minister in a potential Grand Coalition in 2017/2018.
And that, guys annoys me. I have always been voting for the SPD. I liked what Schulz has done as president of the EU Parliament, his campaign sucked and it was his fault. Ok. I would also forgive him the broken promises after the election.
I understand and accept the "National Duty" and change of mind.
But the self-announced Foreign Minister is only selfish, greedy and has nothing to do with National Duty.
Mr. Schulz - Shame on you!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Good!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
But I wonder, how the South Koreans managed to turn off the heating on the right side only?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
The Far Left ?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
It is alleged that a stack of Val Donnican vinyl LPs made improper advances towards some Easy Listening classics.
There are also allegations that a James Last LP groped a member of the Larry Paye Orchestra.
A member of the Sandhurst Military Band, playing covers of Great War Songs including Colonel Bogie from Bridge Over The River Kwai, turned whistleblower. 'However, I was rudely ignored. A meeting they had arranged was suddenly cancelled and instead I found they'd got a file out on me. They made out that in fact I was a collaborator with the Japs and had myself instigated abuse against British PoWs and had arranged sex orgies. They launched a dedicated smear campaign against me.'
The owner of the shop in question said that it took the issue of sexual harassment among its music section very seriously, had investigated all the complaints and found them not upheld.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Maybe you brighten up a bit and do your research what Karneval in Germany is like?
And this is the polite political thread, as a „certain left wing supporter“ myself I don‘t enjoy being labeled as „absolute scum“
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I will give your regards to Hong Kong next week I will be there -{
Madame Whiplash, adding how naughty I've been
All extremes are unattractive, except mine as I've received
some gasps when displaying my Extremities .... and the
odd caution
Was it not the renowned Philosopher Dr No who said .....
" East, West just as stupid as each other " ?
Well, like you have said, these perceived humor on displays is very personal.
As you have put your disgust with those images into connection with the "certain left wing supporters" who are absolute scum, I don't really buy what you are saying, but whatever you say.
BTW, I found them hilarious - I guess that I fall into your "absolutely scum" category now.
And we have a very long tradition to roast present politicians that way on Karneval - and kids will see these "disgusting pieces", too.
Enjoy Hong Kong, not too long until we are back to there, too.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Problem is, that the US don‘t have more or less mentally ill people than other countries.
Problem is, that the US have significantly more firearms in circulation in comparison to other countries, you don‘t need to be a genius to see a correlation.....
Someone just said that almost everybody outside of the US sees the amount of firearms as nuts.
The US people should ask themselves, if everybody else but them could be so wrong...
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
How ever, it does seem likely that some of the (on average) weekly school shootings in the US could have been stopped by this law.
Trump's repeal certainly looks odd since the gun lobby often say these shootings are mental health issues and not gun control issues.
Additionally, Trumps recent budget plan will cut medical aid significantly, which will also affect mentally ill people.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
It‘s a fine line to mental illness but Mr. Trump seems to be an expert diagnosing these cases X-(
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
It is also obvious to anyone with half a brain that controlling the purchase of guns is far easier and quicker than trying to solve any mental health issues.
Anyway, the mental health angle is a misnomer ... the real problem is the prevalance and easy access to weapons.
I love my Father in Law, but he is who we really need to be worried about. He started burying ammunition in his backyard years ago. I wish I was kidding.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
If the AR-15 is banned, they'd just move to single-action AK variants or a great other number of SMGs. They don't need lookalikes or replicas, 24. And if they do ban it (like the Tec-9 in the 90s in California), what's next? It's the most popular rifle out there.
That said banning bump-stocks and better background checks should be "the way of the gun" for a long time now.