The Off Topic Topic

[Sheilbh]

Obviously we should be trying to get Brits detained in Afghanistan by the Taliban released when that happens. But fucking hell Miles - to need to be rescued from Afghanistan once is a misfortune... Genuinely wondering if we can take away either his passport or his social media account to stop this nonsense:

Four British men freed after Afghanistan detention
By Jemma Crew
BBC News

A UN aid worker is among four British nationals to have been released from detention in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office said "we welcome and appreciate" the release of the men, held over allegedly breaking the country's laws.

Two of the group were named online as Kevin Cornwell, a 54-year-old UN aid worker, and Miles Routledge.

The Presidium Network, which has been supporting some of the group, said two men would likely need medical help.

The Foreign Office said the UK government "regrets this episode".

It said: "On behalf of families of the British nationals, we express their apologies to the current administration of Afghanistan for any violations of the laws of the country."

It is understood the men travelled to the country for personal or professional reasons.

The Foreign Office did not provide any detail on the identities of those released, what specifically they were detained for, their whereabouts, or their health.

The Presidium Network, a UK non profit organisation that supports people in crisis, said one of those freed was Mr Cornwell - a paramedic from Middlesbrough who had been working for UNHCR in Kabul when he was detained in January.

The second person it named as being freed - Mr Routledge - is a former Loughborough University student from Birmingham, known for travelling to dangerous countries and posting about it on social media.

In August 2021, he was evacuated from Afghanistan by the British armed forces in the month that the Taliban swept back into power in the country. He said at the time he was "exhausted but relieved" and thankful to those who had helped get him out.

He chose to travel to Afghanistan because he enjoys "dark" and "extreme" tourism, he said.


Miles Routledge previously said he had travelled to Afghanistan because he enjoyed "extreme" tourism

The organisation is representing Mr Cornwell and his family, along with a second unnamed man.

They have "started their journey back to the UK" and efforts to reunite them with their families have begun, it said.

A week ago, the Presidium Network posted on X that Mr Cornwell remained "seriously ill" and the health of a second Briton had also deteriorated.

Its co-founder, Scott Richards, told BBC News Mr Cornwell had contracted sepsis multiple times and the fear the two men may not come home was "very real".

He said: "The relief we feel, and the relief of the families is indescribable, just knowing the men are on a plane home.

"We are all deeply thankful for the efforts of the Foreign Office as well, and we are pleased the Taliban finally permitted these men their liberty, and for their families to be reunited."

Mr Cornwell's detention was understood to be over a weapon that had been in a safe in his room.

Mr Richards told the BBC earlier this year the weapon was being stored with a licence issued by the Afghan interior ministry but that the license was missing.

Mr Richards posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday: "Mr Cornwell and the three other British nationals which includes Miles Routledge have been released and have left Afghanistan. They are coming home!

"Thank you to everyone for their support of these men during this difficult period. We are all relieved."

He added their families "will likely need some time together before speaking with the media, and two of the men will likely need medical assistance".

[Sheilbh]

Take his passport away FFS

Lord Miles
@real_lord_miles
8 months in Taliban Intelligence "custody", best adventure I've had yet! All the previous tweets are true. Best mates with many top commanders after numerous picnics, lovely lads treated me as a guest! I will be returning to Kabul next month.

Or he's Britain's worst/best spy - who can say.

[Josquius]

Ahh the Taliban, lovely bunch of lads.


I haven't seen Limmy for a while but youtube randomly threw this at me. Made me smile.

[Sheilbh]

State elections in Bavaria and Hesse: Fascists with around 16% second strongest after Conservatives with around 36% in each state. 

Interesting that Germany seems to be another country where the far-right do better with the young than the old:



In part there's obviously an opposition and protest vote effect going. But it's interesting as there's the US and the UK where age is clearly a big factor (although - as I've mentioned before - I wonder if that's actually just education), while in a few European countries (France, Italy and maybe Germany) the establishment, traditional parties (or in France, Macron) do better with older voters while the radical parties (in France also the radical left) do better with young voters. I think for the RN, for example, their best age group is people in their 30s.

As I say it makes me think more that there's not some general age divide and more and more that it is primarily reflecting education differences in the UK and US where older people are far less likely to be college educated than young people.

Not radical right but I think I read that in polls in Canada the Conservatives are leading which I can't help but feel is because of their focus on housing (and there is, especially now, perhaps something similar in the UK with Labour) which perhaps suggests that younger people who are, perhaps, at the sharper edge of an increasingly insecure world will respond to a mainstream party if it talks about the big issues that affect them?

[Zanza]

The AfD in Hesse got 18.4% overall, so both age brackets you show do vote less for them then the 25-69 population. Fits my previous understanding that they do best with middle-aged people.

Edit: In age group 35-44 about 24% voted AfD.

[Sheilbh]

The AfD in Hesse got 18.4% overall, so both age brackets you show do vote less for them then the 25-69 population. Fits my previous understanding that they do best with middle-aged people.

That sounds similar to the RN in France, and I believe Italian parties. Decent with the youngest voters - best with middle age, but the stalwarts of the traditional parties of left and right (or Macron as the replacement for both) are the over 60s (I think - basically older).

[Grey Fox]

Outside of elections campaigns, Canadian national polling is not useful. The Conservatives support is inefficient and is bigger in places where they already capture 60%+ of the votes.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah - I mean how many years is it now that Canada's government has been led by the party that came second in votes. But are clearly more efficient.

Does that ever swing? In the UK the Tory vote was very inefficient 1997-2010, then Labour's vote was very inefficient post-2015 - and the most efficient of all is the SNP.

[Grey Fox]

It hasn't since the reform party took over the Conservatives but I'll have to research if it has happened since 1867.

[Josquius]

This bit of random local news from down south really depresses me. Really shows what absolute entitled selfish cunts people can be.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/the-worst-jumble-sale-ever-mix-up-over-charity-sale-at-yorkshire-library-sees-people-steal-hundreds-of-books-from-the-shelves-4368705

"The worst jumble sale ever": Mix-up over charity sale at Yorkshire library sees people 'steal' hundreds of books from the shelves
The stock of a Yorkshire library has been 'decimated' after large numbers of people apparently misunderstood instructions about a charity book sale.



The Friends of Batley Library organised a tabletop sale of second-hand volumes last Friday and Saturday, but a volunteer said the fundraising event was 'sabotaged' by people 'filling their bags' from the library shelves.

Many of the books taken – which included graphic novels and cookery guides – had not been donated for the sale and are the property of Kirklees Council's libraries service.
Lego used by the library for children's play sessions was also removed by parents. The council has confirmed the loss of stock

Friends member Steve McGrath, who was managing the event, said: "Friday's sale went well but Saturday's was sabotaged by misinformed Facebookers. Far too many people filled their bags with actual library books from the library shelves, not from the sale tables, even though I stood on the balcony, ringing a bell and constantly telling people that it was only the books on the tables that were for sale.

"The people who decimated the children's library, adult fiction, graphic novels and cookery section have actively stolen Kirklees Libraries' stock.

"This was atrocious behaviour by some who, through social media, decided that all stock was available to take regardless of my continued announcements. Even arguing and quoting the internet posts saying fill a bag for a pound.

This wasn't a purge of books from a closing down library, as some used it as. It was a regular fundraiser, to provide Batley Library events for our children and customers.

"People were even seen putting Lego from our Lego Club in their bags to take. It was like the worst of all jumble sales. I am shocked, saddened and disappointed that this has happened.

"People were still turning up at 4:30pm onwards with bags to fill on the understanding that all books including library books were for sale. The Friends of Batley Library, not Kirklees Libraries never said that this was the case but people took it upon themselves to help themselves.

"This is the negative power of sharing and adding your own comments on social media, acting like Chinese whispers.

BREAKING
UK airport suspends flights after huge blaze rips through car park
Rain to batter UK as cold snap arrives - including first frost
UK citizen missing after Hamas attacks in Israel confirmed dead
Beloved Sycamore Gap tree to be cut up and removed from site
Children among 17 British citizens feared dead or missing in Israel
Labour Party vows to turn NHS "on its head" with fundamental reform
People
"The worst jumble sale ever": Mix-up over charity sale at Yorkshire library sees people 'steal' hundreds of books from the shelves
The stock of a Yorkshire library has been 'decimated' after large numbers of people apparently misunderstood instructions about a charity book sale.
Grace Newton
By Grace Newton
Published 11th Oct 2023, 16:49 BST
Updated 11th Oct 2023, 16:49 BST


The Friends of Batley Library organised a tabletop sale of second-hand volumes last Friday and Saturday, but a volunteer said the fundraising event was 'sabotaged' by people 'filling their bags' from the library shelves.

Many of the books taken – which included graphic novels and cookery guides – had not been donated for the sale and are the property of Kirklees Council's libraries service.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

Sign up to our daily newsletter
Enter your email
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice and Terms of Service apply.
Lego used by the library for children's play sessions was also removed by parents. The council has confirmed the loss of stock.

The ornate Batley Library is facing an uncertain future, with Kirklees Council considering relocating the service to the town hall to save refurbishment costs
The ornate Batley Library is facing an uncertain future, with Kirklees Council considering relocating the service to the town hall to save refurbishment costs
Have You Got Your Tickets To Win This £47,000 Buccaneer Bermuda Caravan Yet? Enter Now!
Have You Got Your Tickets To Win This £47,000 Buccaneer Bermuda Caravan Yet? Enter Now!
Tickets cost just £1.60 and you just have to answer a simple question correctly to enter! Start planning an adventure!
BOTB
Friends member Steve McGrath, who was managing the event, said: "Friday's sale went well but Saturday's was sabotaged by misinformed Facebookers. Far too many people filled their bags with actual library books from the library shelves, not from the sale tables, even though I stood on the balcony, ringing a bell and constantly telling people that it was only the books on the tables that were for sale.

"The people who decimated the children's library, adult fiction, graphic novels and cookery section have actively stolen Kirklees Libraries' stock.

"This was atrocious behaviour by some who, through social media, decided that all stock was available to take regardless of my continued announcements. Even arguing and quoting the internet posts saying fill a bag for a pound.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

"This wasn't a purge of books from a closing down library, as some used it as. It was a regular fundraiser, to provide Batley Library events for our children and customers.

"People were even seen putting Lego from our Lego Club in their bags to take. It was like the worst of all jumble sales. I am shocked, saddened and disappointed that this has happened.

"People were still turning up at 4:30pm onwards with bags to fill on the understanding that all books including library books were for sale. The Friends of Batley Library, not Kirklees Libraries never said that this was the case but people took it upon themselves to help themselves.

"This is the negative power of sharing and adding your own comments on social media, acting like Chinese whispers.

Advertisement

Hide Ad

"I hope the ones who so passionately abused this event, will put the equal amount of passion and effort into trying to save this beautiful building, when we begin our campaign to save the Carnegie Library."

However, some members of the Batley Matters Facebook group pointed out that the poster advertising the sale had been 'unclear' and easily misunderstood.

The Grade II-listed library opened in 1907 and was funded by the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Earlier this month, Kirklees Council said they were consulting on whether the service could be relocated to Batley Town Hall, as the building is in need of major refurbishment.

°
I expect zero consequences. Which is bloody depressing. The police should really come down on these people hard. Something strikes me as particularly horrid about stealing from shared community resources like this.

[Barrister]

Yeah - I mean how many years is it now that Canada's government has been led by the party that came second in votes. But are clearly more efficient.

Does that ever swing? In the UK the Tory vote was very inefficient 1997-2010, then Labour's vote was very inefficient post-2015 - and the most efficient of all is the SNP.

IIRC it's just the past two elections, so 2019 and 2021.  And yes a regionally-focused party will almost always "punch above their weight" when it comes to seats - the BQ elected 32 MPs based off of 7% of the vote when compared to the NDPs 24 seats based off of 17% of the vote.

But these things change over time.  The Liberals used to (and I think still do) run up enormous vote totals in a handfull of Montreal ridings, or in parts of atlantic Canada.

But yeah - the Conservatives can win 70+% of the vote in a bunch of Alberta and Sask ridings, which makes our voters very "inefficient" as Grey Fox said.

[mongers]

This bit of random local news from down south really depresses me. Really shows what absolute entitled selfish cunts people can be.

... snip ...

I expect zero consequences. Which is bloody depressing. The police should really come down on these people hard. Something strikes me as particularly horrid about stealing from shared community resources like this.

I had the reverse situation a few weeks back  at the Hampshire records office and they were giving away copies of 30-50 of their publications; for my own sake I had to ask several times, "is it OK to take there, I promise to read them" In the end I took away a dozen or more publications in my areas of interest, still felt slightly guilty, though by then 3-4pm they were going to close in half an hour anyway and plenty were left.

[Grey Fox]

Do you disagree?

[Jacob]

Re: the young vote trending fascist - the real answer is probably going to be multifaceted, but I expect that the fact that the age of internet has seen an unrelenting stream of propaganda and influence operations in favour of the radical right and fascists with little to no equivalent on behalf of anything to the left of those positions.

We are entering an era of rightwing populism because only the hard right has put any effort into stoking those fires.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

To be fair, the hard left has also put plenty of effort into this.  Unfortunately, it's been the elements that rhyme with the hard right (Horseshoe Theory and all), so it's probably done more to contribute than counteract.