Election Year or Fear!

[ramAnag]

As leader of the LP? It?’s out of his hands, I think he?’s lost some of the dressing room and to some extent hasn?’t had it since the GE

As PM? If he lasts as leader of LP I hope but don?’t expect that the current administration go full term and with him in charge, as you may have missed amongst all the acrimony I?’ve always hoped that - he seems to understand the challenges of the job, he?’s just not doing very well at it in the view of the plebs. Of course all that opinion may be irrelevant come the next revelation or crisis, whatever it may be

That’s a fair response. Thankyou.

May be worth remembering that while Mandelson is being rightly castigated over his relationship with Epstein, the current POTUS is just as culpable. In 2002 - coincidentally at the height of Mandelson’s power - Trump said of Epstein, ‘I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy…he’s a lot of fun to be with, he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.’

Two years later they fell out, allegedly over a property purchase.

[Andy_Faber]

That’s a fair response. Thankyou.

May be worth remembering that while Mandelson is being rightly castigated over his relationship with Epstein, the current POTUS is just as culpable. In 2002 - coincidentally at the height of Mandelson’s power - Trump said of Epstein, ‘I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy…he’s a lot of fun to be with, he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.’

Two years later they fell out, allegedly over a property purchase.

Again within all the noise you may have noticed my sticking up for female rights /equality (not that everyone shouldn’t but it’s a mad world) so my view on anyone embroiled in this by involvement or acceptance is hang em high. Many will unfairly escape by their wealth/status which is more RP’s hobby horse than mine

[swaledale]

My take on all this is, that I believe that at heart Starmer is a decent bloke who is actually doing reasonably well at the job of governing, but is absolutely cr@p at politics and has zero charisma or it seems the ability to manage the presentation such that the good that has been done cuts through to the public.

Everybody knew what an oily disreputable person Mandelson is, he was sacked from two cabinet posts due to his shady dealings FFS! Starmer must have known but took a gamble that appointing him as US Ambassador was a way to at least maintain relations with Trump, but it was IMO a very risky move and has now back fired, Starmer has too take the falck and he should sack Morgan McSweeny his Chief of Staff now, he has to to survive I think and even then his position is much weakened.

Its ironic, that Starmer had the chance and indeed portrayed himself as the "grown up" face of politics, no more pyschodramas, no more sleaze straight forward government, but has almost from the start, ****ed things up, first with the freebies - no they weren't illegal and were declared, but the optics weren't good, then through a series of misteps through introducing policies that hadn't been thought through, resulting in u turns that could and should have been avoided.

Its a shambles on the face of it, that obscures much of the good work that the government has done since being elected. I don't see how Starmer can survive this and frankly perhaps the best course of action would be for him to manage a dignified exit but people rarely put the party and country before their own personal ambition, so we will see.

What the whole Epstein affair demonstrates is how rich and poweeful people simply assume the normal rules of life and respect for others doesn't apply to them. I'd echo AF to th epoint of give them a fair trail then hang them.

[Ram Pant]

Again within all the noise you may have noticed my sticking up for female rights /equality (not that everyone shouldn’t but it’s a mad world) so my view on anyone embroiled in this by involvement or acceptance is hang em high. Many will unfairly escape by their wealth/status which is more RP’s hobby horse than mine

Indeed, I'm one of those who believe that there is but one Law and it applies to everybody in full. Position and wealth shouldn't shield folk. Even more so when the crime is as horrendous as the seks trafficking involved in the Epstein circus.

A US Court ordered full and unredacted release by last December. Roughly half released and heavily redacted. Contempt od Court charges for all responsible. That's the Law, even in Trump's America. Although they do seem to be moving rapidly to Trump's Law aka his mood of the day. He has broken the Constitution, the Law, as have many of his fellow MAGA rulers. Only a handful of people seem to have the guts to stand up to him. Tech companies, Law firms, Universities, broadcasters have all bowed down to the bullying. The sooner he's gone or the midterms take away his power, the better. Better for the USA and better for the world.

[ramAnag]

Again within all the noise you may have noticed my sticking up for female rights /equality (not that everyone shouldn?’t but it?’s a mad world) so my view on anyone embroiled in this by involvement or acceptance is hang em high. Many will unfairly escape by their wealth/status which is more RP?’s hobby horse than mine

Tbh I hadn’t noticed you ‘sticking up for female rights/equality’ any more than the majority on here and I don’t think the ‘wealth/status’ escape route is any more RP’s hobby horse than it is also an issue for the majority who still contribute regular posts on here.

I’m certain you’re right in your description of your own attitudes, but then all you’re really describing is human decency.
We should all be in favour of female rights/equality and we should all stand against those with wealth and relative power - from crooked coppers, head teachers and local politicians to ambassadors and presidents - using their positions to exploit the vulnerable as I’m sure the six (?) remaining regular posters on here would all agree.

[Ram Pant]

PS - I don't think that it's a given that the midterms will actually take place...

[swaledale]

Indeed, I'm one of those who believe that there is but one Law and it applies to everybody in full. Position and wealth shouldn't shield folk. Even more so when the crime is as horrendous as the seks trafficking involved in the Epstein circus.

A US Court ordered full and unredacted release by last December. Roughly half released and heavily redacted. Contempt od Court charges for all responsible. That's the Law, even in Trump's America. Although they do seem to be moving rapidly to Trump's Law aka his mood of the day. He has broken the Constitution, the Law, as have many of his fellow MAGA rulers. Only a handful of people seem to have the guts to stand up to him. Tech companies, Law firms, Universities, broadcasters have all bowed down to the bullying. The sooner he's gone or the midterms take away his power, the better. Better for the USA and better for the world.

Absolutely and is a prime example of what "good germans" means. Its those people who don't raise objection, who in some cases actively enable or at the very least don't offer any resistance, the businesses that consider the bottom line rather than any moral stance, the politicians who sit back and allow illegal and immoral actions, the people that keep their heads down, think well Trump isn't after me, isn't affecting me, who ignore whats happening to the other guys, the officials that participate rather than objecting. An illicit regime can only prosper with its enablers.

Fortunately there are numerous examples in the US of people who are taking a stand, from officials who ahve resigned thie rposts rather than carry out the Trump regime's orders, the people of Minesota who have organised ICE watch and protested, the media that have not bowed down to Trumps bullying and pressure and indeed media figures like Jimmy Kimmel who have taken a robust stance even when their livelihood is at risk.

[Trickytreesreds]

I don?t resent your role at all, although, by your own admission, it seems to be confined to what warrants a ?stickie? these days.

What I object to is your hypocrisy and lack of evenhandedness. If you?re a moderator then act like one and moderate?we all know that you and Swale don?t get on but you, imo, instigate at least as much - probably more - in the way of ?fall out? as he does and yet others, who?s views you seem to share, appear to cause offence with impunity.

You can?t have it both ways, Andy. Your ?cloak of moderation? as you call it resembles only the ?Emperor?s new clothes?. You?re either a moderator or Tricky in disguise.

**** me, I?ve had a sabbatical with my very busy timetable here and only a few posts in, the old bile and irritation still grinds doesn?t it?
I?ve been reading only a few posts and come to the conclusion, that Swale is Starmer in disguise trying to turn DCM into the CCCP, of comply and submit, or else.

BTW, I gave your hero 12 months didn?t I? Circumstances saved him, . He?s a complete ****, spineless, compulsive liar and about as patriotic as a cockroach.

Still, to know I live rent free in your head , amuses me no end.

https://youtu.be/6Ejga4kJUts?si=HzuarAHs-9YOYySJ

[ramAnag]

**** me, I?ve had a sabbatical with my very busy timetable here and only a few posts in, the old bile and irritation still grinds doesn?t it?
I?ve been reading only a few posts and come to the conclusion, that Swale is Starmer in disguise trying to turn DCM into the CCCP, of comply and submit, or else.

BTW, I gave your hero 12 months didn?t I? Circumstances saved him, . He?s a complete ****, spineless, compulsive liar and about as patriotic as a cockroach.

Still, to know I live rent free in your head , amuses me no end.

https://youtu.be/6Ejga4kJUts?si=HzuarAHs-9YOYySJ

We’ve all moved on. Please feel free to do the same.

[SithHappens]

Trump posting openly racist content involving the Obamas.

How does he get away with it.

Should be out of a job tomorrow.