• Dear Guest, Please note that adult content is not permitted on this forum. We have had our Google ads disabled at times due to some posts that were found from some time ago. Please do not post adult content and if you see any already on the forum, please report the post so that we can deal with it. Adult content is allowed in the glory hole - you will have to request permission to access it. Thanks, scara

Politics, politics, politics (so long and thanks for all the fish)

Jeez...that's so impactful for the kids and parents.

I think that's a good example of the increase in the police knife figures.
Others start carrying because they feel threatened or because it's 'cool' or the 'tough guy' routine or such like.

Yep, a year or so later one of the kids in my school was stabbed to death aged 16 presumably because that particular undercurrent of fear and violence persisted for a while.
It was a bit like being in a war zone which I am sure is the experience of lots of teenagers in Croydon and the like.

On the plus side it went away in time.
 
BBC News - Far-right extremists jailed for terror plots
That’s excellent. I do wonder where these loons get ideas from or material. Find it, ban it, burn it. Make it illegal to be in possession of it.

I started reading on the government reports and found the following interesting;

By far the biggest terrorist threat comes from Islamist terrorism. It accounts for 67% of attacks since 2018, and about three quarters of MI5’s caseload. The remainder of the UK terrorist threat is largely driven by extreme right-wing terrorism, which accounts for approximately 22% of attacks since 2018 and about a quarter of the MI5 caseload.
 
Last edited:
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Look at this, energy bosses confirm that if gas prices halved our bills would still go up yet all we hear is that it's the price of gas causing our bills to increase. The government really need to sort this, we have the world highest energy prices - it's killing industry and the cost of living.
 
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Look at this, energy bosses confirm that if gas prices halved our bills would still go up yet all we hear is that it's the price of gas causing our bills to increase. The government really need to sort this, we have the world highest energy prices - it's killing industry and the cost of living.
Most of the fat is in the high standing charges every customer has to be
 
That’s excellent. I do wonder where these loons get ideas from or material. Find it, ban it, burn it. Make it illegal to be in possession of it.

I started reading on the government reports and found the following interesting;

By far the biggest terrorist threat comes from Islamist terrorism. It accounts for 67% of attacks since 2018, and about three quarters of MI5’s caseload. The remainder of the UK terrorist threat is largely driven by extreme right-wing terrorism, which accounts for approximately 22% of attacks since 2018 and about a quarter of the MI5 caseload.

Where they get it from? That bits the simple bit. It even refers to it in the article, it’s the echo chamber that so many people live in now.

Reform and the like paint a picture of people who don’t look like you being the root cause of all problems. To add to this, as you say the largest source of terrorism we have faced in recent years is from extremists who are using the Islamic religion as a reason for terror attacks. The people who are actually then far right, paint an image that rather than viewing these people as using a religion for extreme acts as in the wrong, we should actually paint the entire religion as dangerous and wholly unacceptable. (This is why talk shows are full of ‘we’re letting these paedophiles and murderers in” as if every migrant in the world is a criminal).

In truth, I know, have worked with, and seen so many people who follow the religion of Islam in a peaceful, kind, loving, genuinely community led way, yet we’re being told that ALL Islam is dangerous, that this isn’t a case of bad individuals, but a case of an entire religion and everyone who follows it being dangerous. There’s a lot of people who listen to that, and buy it wholeheartedly without ever actually applying critical thinking, they go out and paint flags on roundabouts and traffic signs and say it’s patriotism because actual far right people have told them it’s patriotic. There aren’t a lot of those people who flew flags before, they weren’t acting “patriotically” a year ago, but suddenly they will do so because people use language like “invaded” to convince them they’re in a fight. In truth, going out and marking a roundabout with your flag isn’t because you’re patriotic, it’s because you’re marking what you deem to be your territory. It’s the right wing version of a dog tinkling up a tree and they hope it makes people who they deem as ‘not us’ feel threatened.

This of course leads to people out there who will never think for a moment and will immediately go to the “fight” option and plan attacks like these… what does that lead to? Retaliation, and the cycle continues. So people who aren’t very bright get roped in by people like Farage who know the only way they can seize power is to drive division, to tell people anyone foreign is the reason they can’t live the life they want to, and whilst those people are looking at immigrants, Nigel and his mates carry on being multi millionaires and breaking promises. That’s how these people end up in this situation.

For what it’s worth, I’ve seen your other posts, and so forgive me, whilst I won’t spend as long on this because this post is already lengthy, I’ll just clarify by saying that I also don’t agree at all with the extreme end of things like Sharia law, and I certainly don’t support using ANY religion as an excuse to cause terror, violence or death. I myself am not religious. There are awful, awful, people on both sides of “this”. I will also say, that not everyone flying a flag is a racist, but I do hold the opinion that a vast majority of the people doing these things currently in the name of patriotism are doing so because they have fallen for the grift - be that because actually they’ve always been a bit right wing or a bit racist and this makes it feel like they have been ‘legitimised’, or, because actually our country has been so poorly governed for years now that they are desperately clinging to anything that looks like change, even though the current option of change is actually taking them even further down a very dark path.

Extremism either way is abhorrent, and we REALLY need a genuine political party to do something we haven’t seen in a VERY long time, and that is have the best interests of the nation at heart.

(Sorry terribly long post, TLDR - We’re fudged).
 
Where they get it from? That bits the simple bit. It even refers to it in the article, it’s the echo chamber that so many people live in now.

Reform and the like paint a picture of people who don’t look like you being the root cause of all problems. To add to this, as you say the largest source of terrorism we have faced in recent years is from extremists who are using the Islamic religion as a reason for terror attacks. The people who are actually then far right, paint an image that rather than viewing these people as using a religion for extreme acts as in the wrong, we should actually paint the entire religion as dangerous and wholly unacceptable. (This is why talk shows are full of ‘we’re letting these paedophiles and murderers in” as if every migrant in the world is a criminal).

In truth, I know, have worked with, and seen so many people who follow the religion of Islam in a peaceful, kind, loving, genuinely community led way, yet we’re being told that ALL Islam is dangerous, that this isn’t a case of bad individuals, but a case of an entire religion and everyone who follows it being dangerous. There’s a lot of people who listen to that, and buy it wholeheartedly without ever actually applying critical thinking, they go out and paint flags on roundabouts and traffic signs and say it’s patriotism because actual far right people have told them it’s patriotic. There aren’t a lot of those people who flew flags before, they weren’t acting “patriotically” a year ago, but suddenly they will do so because people use language like “invaded” to convince them they’re in a fight. In truth, going out and marking a roundabout with your flag isn’t because you’re patriotic, it’s because you’re marking what you deem to be your territory. It’s the right wing version of a dog tinkling up a tree and they hope it makes people who they deem as ‘not us’ feel threatened.

This of course leads to people out there who will never think for a moment and will immediately go to the “fight” option and plan attacks like these… what does that lead to? Retaliation, and the cycle continues. So people who aren’t very bright get roped in by people like Farage who know the only way they can seize power is to drive division, to tell people anyone foreign is the reason they can’t live the life they want to, and whilst those people are looking at immigrants, Nigel and his mates carry on being multi millionaires and breaking promises. That’s how these people end up in this situation.

For what it’s worth, I’ve seen your other posts, and so forgive me, whilst I won’t spend as long on this because this post is already lengthy, I’ll just clarify by saying that I also don’t agree at all with the extreme end of things like Sharia law, and I certainly don’t support using ANY religion as an excuse to cause terror, violence or death. I myself am not religious. There are awful, awful, people on both sides of “this”. I will also say, that not everyone flying a flag is a racist, but I do hold the opinion that a vast majority of the people doing these things currently in the name of patriotism are doing so because they have fallen for the grift - be that because actually they’ve always been a bit right wing or a bit racist and this makes it feel like they have been ‘legitimised’, or, because actually our country has been so poorly governed for years now that they are desperately clinging to anything that looks like change, even though the current option of change is actually taking them even further down a very dark path.

Extremism either way is abhorrent, and we REALLY need a genuine political party to do something we haven’t seen in a VERY long time, and that is have the best interests of the nation at heart.

(Sorry terribly long post, TLDR - We’re fudged).

A fine post.

I wanted to zero in on the boldface above...

It is a key, key thing. I firmly believe that many people currently supporting Reform are there because of the ineptitude of major parties to not just tackle the problems and issues facing most normal people, but further because of the complete polarisation which has led to people who do support Reform all being termed 'racists' and 'facists'. I agree with you, when such lines are drawn, it makes 'grifting' in these spaces easier. That goes for extremists generally; extremists find the people who are absolutely suffering hardship, they target them, and they 'work' them so as to garner support for extremist views and grifts.

I have long said that just because someone does not explicitly come out against something, it does not mean they 'are that thing'. MOST people are simply trying to quietly get on with their lives, and have no interest in publicly signaling their thoughts. Somewhat to that point, all complaints and concerns should be heard and addressed, where they make sense and are accurate depending on the complaint being expressed. Discussions should be had.
Facts should be presented to counter the grifting (again, I must stress, this happens in all extremist camps)...I hold a (perhaps naive) hope that the vast majority of people want the same thing - peace, some security, safety, to be overall happy.
 
Where they get it from? That bits the simple bit. It even refers to it in the article, it’s the echo chamber that so many people live in now.

Reform and the like paint a picture of people who don’t look like you being the root cause of all problems. To add to this, as you say the largest source of terrorism we have faced in recent years is from extremists who are using the Islamic religion as a reason for terror attacks. The people who are actually then far right, paint an image that rather than viewing these people as using a religion for extreme acts as in the wrong, we should actually paint the entire religion as dangerous and wholly unacceptable. (This is why talk shows are full of ‘we’re letting these paedophiles and murderers in” as if every migrant in the world is a criminal).

In truth, I know, have worked with, and seen so many people who follow the religion of Islam in a peaceful, kind, loving, genuinely community led way, yet we’re being told that ALL Islam is dangerous, that this isn’t a case of bad individuals, but a case of an entire religion and everyone who follows it being dangerous. There’s a lot of people who listen to that, and buy it wholeheartedly without ever actually applying critical thinking, they go out and paint flags on roundabouts and traffic signs and say it’s patriotism because actual far right people have told them it’s patriotic. There aren’t a lot of those people who flew flags before, they weren’t acting “patriotically” a year ago, but suddenly they will do so because people use language like “invaded” to convince them they’re in a fight. In truth, going out and marking a roundabout with your flag isn’t because you’re patriotic, it’s because you’re marking what you deem to be your territory. It’s the right wing version of a dog tinkling up a tree and they hope it makes people who they deem as ‘not us’ feel threatened.

This of course leads to people out there who will never think for a moment and will immediately go to the “fight” option and plan attacks like these… what does that lead to? Retaliation, and the cycle continues. So people who aren’t very bright get roped in by people like Farage who know the only way they can seize power is to drive division, to tell people anyone foreign is the reason they can’t live the life they want to, and whilst those people are looking at immigrants, Nigel and his mates carry on being multi millionaires and breaking promises. That’s how these people end up in this situation.

For what it’s worth, I’ve seen your other posts, and so forgive me, whilst I won’t spend as long on this because this post is already lengthy, I’ll just clarify by saying that I also don’t agree at all with the extreme end of things like Sharia law, and I certainly don’t support using ANY religion as an excuse to cause terror, violence or death. I myself am not religious. There are awful, awful, people on both sides of “this”. I will also say, that not everyone flying a flag is a racist, but I do hold the opinion that a vast majority of the people doing these things currently in the name of patriotism are doing so because they have fallen for the grift - be that because actually they’ve always been a bit right wing or a bit racist and this makes it feel like they have been ‘legitimised’, or, because actually our country has been so poorly governed for years now that they are desperately clinging to anything that looks like change, even though the current option of change is actually taking them even further down a very dark path.

Extremism either way is abhorrent, and we REALLY need a genuine political party to do something we haven’t seen in a VERY long time, and that is have the best interests of the nation at heart.

(Sorry terribly long post, TLDR - We’re fudged).

Very articulate post.
 
We live in a society where men are so dangerous women can't walk alone in the dark without fear.
Some men, stop tarring us with the same brush.
Those kids need to be identified and helped and provided with safety and care. Isolation, yes to start. No argument. But there has to be a way to re-integrate them in to law abiding society.
And if they can´t be helped what then? More cuddles?
 
And if they can´t be helped what then? More cuddles?
the point is you try

Society needs to get out the onensize fits all cynical cycle where we say to people "you are x, you are from a broken home, you have not future"

Our views on social care and mobility for people from some communities is frankly in the gutter.

I'm a huge believer in the work the likes of John Carnochan did for knife crime.
 
Last edited:
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Look at this, energy bosses confirm that if gas prices halved our bills would still go up yet all we hear is that it's the price of gas causing our bills to increase. The government really need to sort this, we have the world highest energy prices - it's killing industry and the cost of living.
Yeah the government are not being honest with people on a couple of fronts:
1) Energy costs are higher as we won't buy from one of the world's largest energy suppliers, nor from those that buy their energy from that supplier. They are not being honest about the significant and far reaching economic impacts of this as we are effectively in a "hybrid war" against Russia and to a lesser extent China and propoganda and retaining public support are a vital part of propogating any conflict.
2) Energy costs are higher because of the move to renewables. Green energy is less efficient and more expensive. Levys have been placed on fossil and nuclear to bridge the cost gap and encourage the switch.

These are huge drivers of inflation
 
Yeah the government are not being honest with people on a couple of fronts:
1) Energy costs are higher as we won't buy from one of the world's largest energy suppliers, nor from those that buy their energy from that supplier. They are not being honest about the significant and far reaching economic impacts of this as we are effectively in a "hybrid war" against Russia and to a lesser extent China and propoganda and retaining public support are a vital part of propogating any conflict.
2) Energy costs are higher because of the move to renewables. Green energy is less efficient and more expensive. Levys have been placed on fossil and nuclear to bridge the cost gap and encourage the switch.

These are huge drivers of inflation

Evolution of how we live though, we are just in the wrong period of living.

We can't continue as we are, pretending it's some conspiracy like many try and peddle.

Adapt or die
 
Last edited:
And if they can´t be helped what then? More cuddles?

It is amazing how crime decreases and integration increases when you do give 'more cuddles' - things like properly staffed and funded soical clubs and youth centres, proper funded engagement with schools and local institutions. The economic decisions of the last 50 years has led to almost all of that being lost and lo and behold .....

People want to be seen, to feel heard, to feel they are part of something and the 80s's "there is no such thing as society" neo-liberal creed portends where we are now.

So yeah more cuddles would have more effect than more prison cells.
 
It is amazing how crime decreases and integration increases when you do give 'more cuddles' - things like properly staffed and funded soical clubs and youth centres, proper funded engagement with schools and local institutions. The economic decisions of the last 50 years has led to almost all of that being lost and lo and behold .....

People want to be seen, to feel heard, to feel they are part of something and the 80s's "there is no such thing as society" neo-liberal creed portends where we are now.

So yeah more cuddles would have more effect than more prison cells.
People will scoff because they are who they are, but there was a link in Glasgow between knife crime and valentines day, where basically there was zero crime that night, so they changed how the dealt with knife crime and looked at the longer term big picture.

The whole story how they overcame being the knife crime capital of the world is inspiring. Problem is the 4 year cycle of politics and divs in Spoons shouting at clouds to say "just lock then up"

I have a close friend doing magnificent work in South London on this stuff, so I'm massively passionate about it and the impact that changing narratives can make.

Huge difference between when people commit crime and what drives them to it.
 
Last edited:
Back