A number of major forces (e.g longer lifespan and that Russian twat waging war) will continue to increase pressure on public finances like an ever tightening screw. Pretending that economic growth will solve the problem is wishful thinking, to put it mildly. Either one substantially cuts some publics service or increases taxes to a whole new level. Quite possibly both at the same time.

I’m deeply disappointed that the UK political parties wishing to have power seem only able to obfuscate things. “Let me be very clear, yadi-yadi-ya” - bullshit! It is tiring to hear only media optimised, content void word salad.

I’ve been a sceptical old git for quite some time, but perhaps I’ve still held a glimmer of optimism somewhere deep down. This election campaign has only pushed me deeper into cynicism.

The rivers have already been turned into streams of shit, so all we need is a bit of pipework and we have arrived at the Tory dream, known as nightmare for the rest of us.

The said stone may smell of piss. If it does not, I’ll be quite happy to oblige.

Now now, Boris got brexit done. It ended up being a complete pig’s ear, quite possibly from the same pig Cameron was acquainted with, but it did get done.

I would recommend focusing on pink drinks, ideally with a tiny umbrella. The locals will be delighted if you buy a round of pink ones. The more deprived the area, the more a round of pink ones will brighten up their day, especially so if there are bikers around.

The rate at which Rich-i keeps showing his foot deep into his mouth makes me admire his dexterity and flexibility.

I think the idea is quite a bit more than fact checking. It is how you could package real-time fact checking as a service.

I’m sure Sunak is a very intelligent person. You simply don’t get to be a PM by being an imbecile in the low IQ sense of the term. There is abundant evidence that he is a totally useless politician and an incompetent leader. His moral compass, I’m not even going to comment.

Wast majority of cases are perfectly explained by the fuck-up theory, and it’s hard for me to see how this is any different. That doesn’t make things any better, though. I would absolutely expect the PM and the team around the PM being much, much better. This is a devastating verdict on Sunak’s leadership, as if yet another one was needed.

I thought the picture of Biden, Schroeder, Macron and … the chap from Chipping Norton spoke volumes.

I’d say that in itself is more of an achievement than anything else he’s managed as the PM.

Naively I was hoping for something a bit more civilised. All I got was a notch up in blood pressure.

Just to be clear, I did not want to make any points about politics, just rant about the quality of the debate of the people who want to lead.

I’m really conflicted with this one. He will definitely help further sink the Tory ship, and I’m all for that. But the announcement probably means he’ll be even more in the news, and let me tell you, I do not want to hear a single word from his nicotine stained, ale fumes breathing, frothing mouth.

This could be useful: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast Also, if you ever get the opportunity, go see the northern lights inside the arctic circle. Full colours across the sky is something else. It’ll be winter time for obvious reasons, and therefore typically cold as fuck, but definitely worth it.

I think you are underestimating the ability of the Tories to dig deeper.

I give the Tories this: they leave nobody under false impressions about what they stand for. Keep the ground rent racket going, homelessness must be a crime, being sick is no reason to skip work, mental health issues are just life’s normal ups and downs, ad infinitum. Quite charming, aren’t they.

Radio 1/2/3/4/5/6/whatever, nah, Planet Rock every time!

Happy birthday! Our dog has been vomiting since Friday evening. Food just won’t stay in. Surprisingly he’s seemed alert and relatively lively even though he must feel terrible. My wife took him to the vets earlier and apart from the upset tummy all seems fine. They gave him an injection to reduce the tummy upset. He already ate a little bit and that has not come out so far. Fingers crossed.

The story of Nokia the company is long and meandering. Its roots go back to late 1860’s in the town of Nokia in Southern Finland, near the city of Tampere, from where they’ve gone through all sorts of businesses, including rubber boots and industrial capacitors to name just two. You might even find an old Nokia TV knocking about. The mobile handsets phase was in some sense but a blip in the story, although a spectacular one. I’m sure they’ll keep going in one way or another for a fair while still.