The not so short lived non argumentative political thread.

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  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    This comes hot on the heels of the resignation of the last Chancellor of the Exchequer. How would Oscar Wilde have put it- to lose one senior official may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose two seems like carelessness.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    Why haven't we mentioned the Corona virus yet? It has had serious effects globally, the main effects of course people getting sick and sometimes dying. It has also slowed down the economy and postponed filming of the new MI film. I even wonder if i'll see less Chinese tourists in the nearest village next summer. How is the virus affecting your life?

    There's lot to mention about this virus. Have you noticed that Africa for once is getting away easy?
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    I don‘t think that Africa is getting away with the virus. It‘s just the lack of testing and reporting.

    How does the virus affect my life?

    My wife is working for a chinese tour operator in Hamburg and she‘s not working since 1st February because all bookings have been cancelled and there will not be many tour groups from China in the forseeable future.

    We have cancelled our annual trip to Hong Kong for trade show/family visit and I am seriously considering canceling my already booked flights to London in April for the NTTD premiere.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    Yes, it couldbe Carona is underreported in Africa, possibly just reported as victims of the common flu.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Sadly many terrible diseases all seem to begin with common Flu symptoms.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    They do. On a different medical/political issue I just saw a news report about medicine in the US. the journalist focused on the price of insulin, and I find this particularely interesting because I'm a diabetic myself. Insulin in the US costs ten times what people pay in Canada - how is this possible? There are even examples of diabetics who die because they can't afford insulin.
    I've also noticed in movies and the news how diabetes medicine in the US looks very old fashioned. They even have bottles of insulin and use ordinary needles to inject insulin. I've had the deasease for fifteen years and I've never even seen this stuff outside old photos. Why is this?
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Not being an American and obviously not fully informed about how the medical
    industry works there. I've never been able to understand the anger/ stubbornness
    In the US for a health service, like here. Where every one pays a percentage towards
    the NHS for the benefit of all citizens ?
    Once again I could be wrong here ( As if, I'm nearly always right ) :p even the rest of
    Europe don't operate a health system like here in the UK ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    I don't know the NHS, but I think all developed countries other than the USA has some kind of public health service for everyone. The USA has the highest health costs in the world (even the Norwegian system is cheap in comparison), but still a large part of the population aren't even covered. Many people without a health insurence don't call the doctor or the ambulance if it isn't a life or death issue - it's crazy :o
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    One of the most important achievements of the industrialisation in Europe is health care for everyone.

    I can only speak for Germany, but in most EU countries, the public health system does not rely on hospitals.
    Everybody here needs to have a health insurance, normal employees pay a part of their salary for the insurance, the other 50% come from the employer.

    Self employed people can get a private insurance or participate for a fee with the public insurances.

    The more you earn the more you pay until you reach a certain capped level.

    You receive an insurance card, you to the Dr. of your choice ( who accepts insured patients ) and get your treatments - EU wide!
    The insurers negotiate with Drs and pharma companies to keep the system affordable.

    There are some negatives ( well not as many as with the NHS..) but all in all it‘s working allright here.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    I don't know much about the Norwegian system, but the cost of the health system is paid through the national budget. If you want a private health insurance and use a privately owned hospital you can do it, but few even bother because usually there's no need.
    The cost of medicine is kept down and when you've spent more than 1500 kr (about !60 USD) in one year you get a "free card". You show this card and you don't have to pay. Obviously we pay via the taxes, but taxes are based on what you're able to pay ("the ones With the strongest shoulders carry the heaviest burden") , so everyone gets the care and medicine they need.
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    but taxes are based on what you're able to pay ("the ones With the strongest shoulders carry the heaviest burden") , so everyone gets the care and medicine they need.

    The basic rule of a social (not socialist) system.

    „Liberal“ and „social“ are not cursewords over here ( like in the US ) as they stand for solidarity and humanity and not egoism and survival of the richest.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    Here "liberal" in apolitical sense means limiting the reach of the state, so the American use of the word sounds strange to us.
    Speaking of things that are oposite in the states: why is the colour of the Republican party red, the colour of socialism?
  • Westward_DriftWestward_Drift Posts: 3,085MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    Here "liberal" in apolitical sense means limiting the reach of the state, so the American use of the word sounds strange to us.
    Speaking of things that are oposite in the states: why is the colour of the Republican party red, the colour of socialism?

    Re the Republicans, now that the party is owned by the ex-head of the KGB, the use of red is very appropriate. :v
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    edited March 2020
    Number24 wrote:
    Here "liberal" in apolitical sense means limiting the reach of the state, so the American use of the word sounds strange to us.
    Speaking of things that are oposite in the states: why is the colour of the Republican party red, the colour of socialism?

    Re the Republicans, now that the party is owned by the ex-head of the KGB, the use of red is very appropriate. :v

    You're incorrect. Vladimir Putin was never the head of the KGB. :v
  • Westward_DriftWestward_Drift Posts: 3,085MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    Number24 wrote:
    Here "liberal" in apolitical sense means limiting the reach of the state, so the American use of the word sounds strange to us.
    Speaking of things that are oposite in the states: why is the colour of the Republican party red, the colour of socialism?

    Re the Republicans, now that the party is owned by the ex-head of the KGB, the use of red is very appropriate. :v

    You're incorrect. Vladimir Putin was never the head of the KGB. :v

    How about ex-KGB agent...allegedly? :v
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    No-one ever leaves the KGB!

    General-Gogol-A-View-to-a-Kill-Profile.png
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Kirkbride Girl's Brigade ?
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:

    Re the Republicans, now that the party is owned by the ex-head of the KGB, the use of red is very appropriate. :v

    You're incorrect. Vladimir Putin was never the head of the KGB. :v

    How about ex-KGB agent...allegedly? :v


    Yes he was. To be serious: I never belived Trump is a Russian "asset" in the sense of working under the orders of Russian Secret services. Trump just admires "strong men" like Putin and envies how they don't have to be bothered by a free press and independent Courts.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    https://youtu.be/VOyHF_OUuNE
    State of the Union 2020, bad lip reading.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    On Monday Night, the family car from AfD head Tino Chrupalla caught fire in front of his house.
    Indicators are strong that unknown criminals did that.
    Chrupalla was slightly injured by trying to fight the flames.

    A totally despicable and criminal act which should be condemned by all democrats.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    Yes. Politics should be made in elections and in the Parliament, not through violence.
    We have Avery strange case here. The house of the then Minister of Justice from the right wing populist party FrP got tagged with grafiti and someone tried to torch the car. Everyone belived left wing extremists were behind the acts, but the minister's wife got arrsted! She denies it was her, but it looks like she may have suffered some kind of breakdown.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    edited March 2020
    Michael Bloomberg spent 500 million $ to win super Tuesday and won …… Samoa :)) :))
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I read today that the political sketch puppet
    Show " Spitting Image " is returning. {[]
    Their writers will have plenty of material
    To work with.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • You Know My Name007You Know My Name007 Posts: 91MI6 Agent
    On Monday Night, the family car from AfD head Tino Chrupalla caught fire in front of his house.
    Indicators are strong that unknown criminals did that.
    Chrupalla was slightly injured by trying to fight the flames.

    A totally despicable and criminal act which should be condemned by all democrats.

    and theres still no remorse from merkel and co
    mainstream media sweeps it quickly under the carpet

    if ithad been any idiot from the greens or lefty loonies therd be candels in the streets and pop conzerts
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    Actually the incident has already been condemed by two lefties on this very thread, including me.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Yes our far left wingers have condemned it, no cause for any violence in politics.
    If you don't have the language skills to counter the oppositions points, sit down
    and let someone else carry on.

    Happy to read in several papers today that many German companies are thinking of
    relocating to Britain when Brexit is complete. Strange news as it's the complete opposite of
    all the project fear stories we had to put up with for years :D Once again I welcome
    our European friends with " Friend ship to all with favouritism to none " ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    edited March 2020
    On Monday Night, the family car from AfD head Tino Chrupalla caught fire in front of his house.
    Indicators are strong that unknown criminals did that.
    Chrupalla was slightly injured by trying to fight the flames.

    A totally despicable and criminal act which should be condemned by all democrats.

    and theres still no remorse from merkel and co
    mainstream media sweeps it quickly under the carpet

    if ithad been any idiot from the greens or lefty loonies therd be candels in the streets and pop conzerts

    As N24 said, it has been condemned already.
    And as you are demanding Merkel making a public statement about that ( it was still a f-cking car) how about your AfD folks making public statements after some racist attacks like in Hanau (8 people dead!)

    If I remember correctly, the AfD refused to speak about a racist attack, then withdrew it, and then withdrew their withdrawal!

    The outragement waves from the hard right wingers are very high and very fast, but only when they feel being victimized. Not so much when the line of attack goes the other way.

    Reminds me a bit of the State of the Union:

    There is a President of the USA, who abuses the State of the Union to tell a bunch of lies and the outragement wave is about a ripped script.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • JoshuaJoshua Posts: 1,138MI6 Agent
    edited March 2020
    On Monday Night, the family car from AfD head Tino Chrupalla caught fire in front of his house.
    Indicators are strong that unknown criminals did that.
    Chrupalla was slightly injured by trying to fight the flames.

    A totally despicable and criminal act which should be condemned by all democrats.

    and theres still no remorse from merkel and co
    mainstream media sweeps it quickly under the carpet

    if ithad been any idiot from the greens or lefty loonies therd be candels in the streets and pop conzerts

    Not having visited it for some time I have read through this thread for a couple of pages. As already stated, the attacks you spoke about have already been condemned by members here who are on 'the left'. I'm sure you will agree that these same 'on the left' people are not responsible over any statement made by 'Merkel & co'. I also condemn them and all other political violence against any one of any political persuasion.

    I must say that I feel the tone of your posting is a little uncomfortable. To me at least it does sound like something that would be more at home on a 'other' sites. I thought that you, like me, was not a native English speaker and may have mistranslated some of what has been said (as I myself have done often) but it seems this is not the case. My only advice is to try to curb your natural instinct and approach the subject you wish to speak about a little less emotionally. You will get proper counter arguments to your points that way. This is a lesson I too learned late and I now pass it on to you for free.

    BTW, you may not like this, but I am a 'refugee'. I do not live in Germany though but in England.

    EDIT: This post is not intended to inflame. Just to pass on my observations. I hope it will be taken in the spirit it was written and not as an attack.
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 21,703MI6 Agent
    After super Tuesday it looks like the Democratic party will be between Biden and Sanders. I think Biden has a better chance against Trump, but he's the obvious candidate and the Democrats usually lose when they nominate the "obvious" candidate - you know …. "my turn". Hillary Clinton, Al Gore …..
    It's the sitting presidents or surprise candidates who do well: Carter, Bill Clinton, Obama.
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Ever wondered, why the number of Corona outbreaks in the US have been almost zero in the last last weeks and now are exploding?

    $200 for a doctor visit
    $300 for a Corona test
    $500 for additional rests.

    That is something that many people have been avoiding and still do.

    Here in Europe with a social (not socialist) health system, the single patient will not be charged for a Corona test. So the official number of tests and positive results have been much higher - yet. But fighting this and spreading out the timeline has begun earlier and will hopefully more successful.

    My prophycy: The virus will horribly grind thru the US in the coming weeks and we will unfortunately be confronted with shocking numbers in the coming days.
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
This discussion has been closed.