Recent posts

#31

Off the Record / Re: Vote for your favorite Aus...

Last post by Valmy - May 24, 2024, 09:33:29 AM

This poll indicates that Austrians still wish they could start a World War, they just currently lack the means.

#32

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Gups - May 24, 2024, 09:08:22 AM

TBF the one genuine achevement of his administration was the Windsor Framework.

#33

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Gups - May 24, 2024, 09:06:46 AM

I suppose they can't lose any seats in Ulster

#34

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tamas - May 24, 2024, 08:55:16 AM

Maybe, Legbiter, but I don't think this is something that would be risked if the military organisation being upheaveld is managing a well-going war at the moment.

CC, I think corruption is too central to the feudal Russian regime to assume that it would be fought past as an excuse for one power bloc to attack the other.

#35

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - May 24, 2024, 08:54:13 AM

No idea.

Looks like a visit to announce funding for Casement Park - but odd. Especially with Starmer in Glasgow to launch campaign with Sarwar (interesting to see how they handle Wales given the scandals around Gething).

Edit: Again he is not good at this stuff
https://x.com/bbcjaynemcc/status/1793968165908799590?s=46&t=o9GOIj6BKKcLcHiyQTlAoA

Suspect this will be repeated with every local media he talks to as the campaign goes on.

Edit: And inevitably at the Titanic Quarter, asked if he's captaining a sinking ship going into this election. He did "the plan is working response again - which I can't help but feel is something the captain of the Titanic could have said for most of the voyage.

#36

Gaming HQ / Re: Strategy games in decline?

Last post by grumbler - May 24, 2024, 08:53:01 AM

I'd say that the key to differentiating strategy games is that they feature deferred gratification. Eschewing immediate gain in the hope of cashing in on a bigger gain in the future is what strategy is all about.  I'd be interested in seeing how chess ranks against these other games.

#37

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Gups - May 24, 2024, 08:47:10 AM

I remember when British spin doctors would do anything they could to avoid leaders being photographed near an "exit" sign, up to covering up fire exit signs.

In other news Rishi Sunak today doing an event at the Titanic Quarter.

In Belfast? What's he doing campaigning there?

#38

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Legbiter - May 24, 2024, 08:07:09 AM

Apparently Russia's Deputy Chief of the General Staff has been arrested today along with 3 more Russian generals on charges of bribery (which I have no doubt are true). Belarus' Chief of General Staff has been fired today on reaching maximum military age at 50-something.

Again, this does not strike me as things going well in Russia.

Could also just be routine lawn care in an autocratic regime. Putin has slightly shuffled his inner circle around and brought in a technocrat to increase efficiency in the MoD. New guy has to bring in his own trusted underlings if he wants to get anything done.

#39

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - May 24, 2024, 08:04:11 AM

I remember when British spin doctors would do anything they could to avoid leaders being photographed near an "exit" sign, up to covering up fire exit signs.

In other news Rishi Sunak today doing an event at the Titanic Quarter.

#40

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Gups - May 24, 2024, 07:10:53 AM

Are UK greens double probation Tories like in Canada?

What does that mean?

In Canada, the Federal Green party  is a kindred party to the Conservatives.

Ah, OK. No, the UK Green party is fairly hard left but opportunistic locally.