Comments by "irresistablejewel" (@irresistablejewel) on "Daily Record" channel.

Leaves Scotland without an oil refinery; nearly lets the UK steel industry go to the wall; billions for war; now fishing rights. He's doing nothing for this country...just giving it all away.
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Lets start with the House of Lords.
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Yeah! The globobots...
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@300ShadesofGreen Ukraine was just a base for Soviet nuclear weapons; it couldn't use them. Both Russia and America were keen that they were decommissioned, because they were poorly maintained and frankly dangerous. Mainly American corporations tried to buy Ukraine, that didn't just upset Russia (EU farmers objected) so while I agree with you that this is America's war; without a profit margin America is no interested in what they started. Trying to blame Europe is just an excuse.
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He's responding to what Macron of France said (possibly American inspired) that NATO should send in troops. Other EU countries don't support Macron's demands and the Russian position is that this course of action will start WW3. NATO already has military in Ukraine (unofficially), operating weapons systems; so we are getting close to the West being a legitimate target. (I suspect Macron is upset after the French mercenaries got killed)
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More like America and the era of the "robber barons"; the Russian oligarchs were warned not to "invest" in politics (they jailed and asset stripped the one that tried), most left Russia in the 90's to live in their London and NYC penthouses; it's these transnational corporations that lobby to avoid tax, they're a real problem; not just here in the UK (as you say).
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No; UK has £3,000 billion national debt; Russia $300 billion; America $33,000 billion. I agree with the rest of what you say. Let's hope the Russians don't use small boats to invade.
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@Henry Kitcher Actually the Scottish seats rarely count in the final result, perhaps twice in 100 years. Since it's Tory v Tory light (again) it seems to be a closed shop.
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This all looks rather "political" and I don't see what this really has to do with former owner (Scotland's richest man) Jim McColl, probably something to do with money, but: this is the last shipyard on lower Clyde; these ferries will help 45,000 people on the Scottish Islands (once in service) and claims of government squandering £200 million, it's fairly modest compared to the estimated cost over-run of HS2 (The first phase of the rail project, from Euston to Curzon Street. currently has a budget of £40.3bn, with a built-in contingency taking the total cost to £44.6bn); then there's £56 million for a garden bridge (that never happened); well over £100 million for IT write-off for U.C. (plus court costs trying to block inquiry). I'm not saying any of that is a good thing: it just seems that the media keeps offering us false comparisons; ferry services to the islands are a vital part of Scottish infrastructure; a degree of "protectionism" over Scottish shipbuilding (about time) and I still don't understand the former owner's complaints: he's not the owner; I'm sure he could find £200 million if he was charitable (he's not that charitable) and his former company was posting losses of £70 million so it looks like it had to be nationalized (and now he comes back to complain?!). Very odd! Cost over-runs on government projects; see Westminster they're giving it away with both hands (often to themselves and their sponsors); hopefully the nationalized rail-network can turn a profit; I believe this is all about the term "nationalization"... McColl's complaints when he couldn't run the company profitably, what's that about? Is there money in that?
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Yes. It looks like the old guard are pouring gasoline on the fire; the UK should stay away from American politics and let them launch the "first strike" (not us!!).
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Good man! With the UK court ruling against the concept of a sovereign country holding a referendum; a UK Prime Minister (third in one year) who can't (or won't) answer legitimate questions and the blatant cronyism, this system isn't fit for purpose. I'm sure the current PM (a millionaire whose wife doesn't live here, for tax reasons); who talks in billions and millions (with a £3 Trillion national debt); another banker, I'm sure he hasn't the faintest idea about the people of the UK. As Blackford steps down, perhaps Sunak would tell us all, how in an energy rich country such as Scotland, we see "fuel poverty"... before he throws another peasant on the fire?! Same old, same old, gross mismanagement isn't it? "We are giving billions..." (Save your breath) ... looks like as rewards for failure. Fuel poverty isn't just about "the money"; it looks more and more like corruption every day; if the government can't meet the needs of the people, it's time for a new government (not a new people). It's time we rid ourselves of the "money-changers". Well done Ian Blackford for putting up with this for 5 years!
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No they didn't; between the Tories and New Labour the UK national debt has certainly been growing: public money is still being exported; tax avoided; while this PM grandstands.
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"The money" equates to roughly the cost of one mile of HS2 (which like a lot of other things has been cut-back); while I believe the Scottish judiciary were correct in objecting to the legal system being used for political purposes (such as: legal objections to a UK referendum; smear campaigns and trying to crimp free speech or religious or gender matters). Meanwhile literally billions seem to just go missing in Westminster politics; UKplc being asset stripped by real corporations; towering national debt (plus interest) and the main reason for high inflation is private sector: energy and food distribution companies (and state-subsidized rail) hiking prices and squeezing large profits, just because they can. (This has to stop). At least Scotland has: state-funded heath and education; a nationalized rail network (lowering transport costs) and despite savage cuts to UK social services at least some provision. That's not all down to the SNP; but I think we need to realize that unless these debt mountains (that attract "interest") are resolved; things will not improve.
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@maxthemagition I agree; there's a lot of peculiar things happening: "insiders" in the financial sector; companies that view fines as the cost of doing business and vast sums being exported. It's difficult to listen to UK politicians try to lecture other's on economics or bad behavior; I regard their wage rises as a better indicator of inflation and object to the ones that have second jobs that pay more, or get a seat on the board later. I'm not saying the Russian oligarchs are nice people; just that they've every reason to stay out of politics. They had a good ten year run, then Russia re-nationalized a lot of industry; kicked out the hedge funds (banned casinos) and let their oligarchs leave with billions. I don't think the Russian government wanted all those billions inflating the economy; or state sector industry in private hands; they don't need political donations and don't want money influencing politics. Their oligarchs have had years to legitimize the cash; the biggest danger to them are likely other oligarchs with old scores to settle. I think it's a really good idea to keep money out of politics; but our politicians probably don't agree and may not even see any problem. Company profits make a poor national objective; UKplc got asset stripped by real companies; self serving individuals rewarding themselves for failure is v bad for morale. Time to throw the money changers out of the temple...
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@GregHTID79 Most of the national debt we "owe to ourselves" (plus interest); the annual interest on American debt is around $1,500 billion, yes it's pretty crazy.
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With two Trident missiles misfiring I doubt Grant Shapps has much to say (but try stopping him). If the America far-right want nuclear war they should just come out and say it.
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How next UK prime minister will be chosen? Pin the tail on the donkey... blindfolds on!
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No it hasn't...lol Courts trying to tell countries they can't hold a referendum (that's going to cause a few problems); new New Labour not backing workers, or the unions, (who founded the party) and three Prime Ministers (in one year)... Westminster politics is one big embarrassment; the Tory party has no answers and they've run the UK into the ground. You can tell your pals at Tory head office that the writing is on the wall; they don't even try to hide their corruption, Blackford at least provided some opposition to the class war.
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There's already inflation and MP's wage rises are a better reflection of the actual rate (than 2% to state sector workers). Giving money to the rich and they keep it; giving money to the poor and they spend it (the latter improving the velocity of money going around the economy). Inflation is mainly caused by energy distributors and supermarkets hiking prices, while displaying billions in profit; that's the main cause (and all that tax companies avoid using creative accounting, we have to pay). We need better government!
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@vtechead1 Things were done; Jim Ratcliffe was given $134 million bailout by the UK government; later he wanted £500 million more (claiming less petrol sales during covid); meanwhile he buys fracking permits for Forth Valley (stopped under moratorium) and invests in a football club. Currently worth somewhere between £18 to 29 Billion. Pays tax in Switzerland. When is the UK government going to understand that these "venture capitalist" don't act in the national interest (just their own)?
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@vtechead1 Things were done; Jim Ratcliffe was given $134 million bailout by the UK government; later he wanted £500 million more (claiming less petrol sales during covid); meanwhile he buys fracking permits for Forth Valley (stopped under moratorium) and invests in a football club. Currently worth somewhere between £18 to 29 Billion. Pays tax in Switzerland. When is the UK government going to understand that these "venture capitalist" don't act in the national interest (just their own)?
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@vtechead1 Things were done; Jim Ratcliffe was given $134 million bailout by the UK government; later he wanted £500 million more (claiming less petrol sales during covid); meanwhile he buys fracking permits for Forth Valley (stopped under moratorium) and invests in a football club. Currently worth somewhere between £18 to 29 Billion. Pays tax in Switzerland. When is the UK government going to understand that these "venture capitalist" don't act in the national interest (just their own)?
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@vtechead1 Not my plant; but it produced a whole range of oil based products and even when the chemical division was making a profit; some "Hollywood accounting" portrayed this as a loss. The UK has been riding on the coattail's of the Victorians for a long time; it's not just this refinery that's falling to bits; a sheer lack of investment in key infrastructure and let's not expect foreign owners to do much other than: wring profit; load up debt and leave the taxpayer to pay, it keeps happening. The Scottish government isn't just the SNP; but even Scottish Labour doesn't hold the purse strings here; it's the UK government that the venture capitalists and hedge funds go to when they want money. An oil producing country with no refinery? Some "New" Labour master-plan to keep Scotland dependent, no doubt; the man who keeps asking for bailouts could likely build a new one from his personal wealth (but that's not coming back).
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@Lilquan2004 ... but shouldn't America resolve what Biden started, first?
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@ScottishRoss27 What France today? Zut Alors!? Swanning about with his foreign pals again, different fish to fry; money to burn. Our money.
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Yes, he and his gang are what may be described as "the mob". That's who and what we are funding.
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@napalmhotdog4365 54% wit
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You can't do that; remember Ukraine gets to determine it's own direction; you don't speak for most other English and maybe the English might mind their own business; before truss gets us all into WW3. Blackford's party don't stand in England; countries get to determine their own future (Johnson says...) so perhaps you'd like to tell America what to do instead?
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Time to go New Labour... (real anti-socialists); they should form their own party.
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@thomasgow9475 People who spread misinformation for material gain are probably best described as evil and while it's not just Johnson that does this (the American corporate media, particularly the ones who give political donations; are not just "unreliable narrators, their "fake news" (it might have been funny for a while) is fraud; manipulation or some form of "con-game". The Tories (and the Republican party, of America) are honest in one respect; they represent the rich; particularly their "sponsors"; however if corporation and money interests get to write the rules then it's the short road to fascism (and it all makes perfect sense, on paper, I'm sure; profit first and last) which isn't good. Boris lies for money: the rich donors have become (very) rich; the poor are going to food banks while Boris easily finds money for "lethal aid" (where's ours?); it's not good. Lord Starmer of the worker's party; I think he's in the wrong party and a return to "New" Labour (Tory light) is likely to have (mainly socialist) Scotland left with nothing to vote for; a Labour party that won't support those in strike for a pay rise that at least equals inflation. That's Starmer's choice but from a party founded by the unions to give (blue collar) workers political representation, well it seems the political donors have politics all bought and paid for, but "globalism, like trickle down economics is a failure and since the politicians have sold off most of our infrastructure I doubt we need 650 politicians, what we need is a national objective (through which we can judge the worth of government. So I agree with the OP, but lets not forget the corporate media who have run smear campaigns against: Corbyn; Trump, even Scotland; long on opinion, short on facts; the whole thing stinks of corruption. I'm not saying Starmer is corrupt; just the wrong man for the job; Johnston is a squatter; I haven't a good word to say about the next; one is a tax "avoider", the other apparently wants the UK to go to war with Russia; meanwhile the UK is increasingly likely to fall apart.
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The Kursk nuclear power station appears to have been the objective; could be used as a bargaining chip; however multiple sources report that Russia has stopped the Ukrainian advance and is deploying reserves. Without the element of surprise; this may keep Ukraine in the news, but it seems Kursk and the power-station there are out of reach now. I'm told PM Starmer as well as being "charitable" to Ukraine and Israel, now wants to clamp down on those stirring up trouble on and off-line; may I suggest he starts with some of the network news outlets?
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Turn your hearing aid up... he thanked the queen; offered condolences to three deceased parliamentarians and then ridiculed Johnson for the way he treats a member of his own party... turn your hearing aid up!
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@jamier7785 It's no surprise that the SNP want independence for Scotland; that's why the party was formed. While Labour were originally formed to give workers political representation, Blair and his cronies hijacked the party so now we see Tory v Tory light (again); they are both all about the money; rarely differ on key issues and largely socialist Scotland rejects them and their "gravy train". So do a lot of English, by the way, but at least in Scotland there's an alternative. With: interest on student debt rising to 12%; asset stripping the UK (to prop up bust banks) and now gifting money to a corrupt Eastern European country, Westminster is a rich person's club; "lobbied" to the hilt and that's no laughing matter. Ironically the SNP have won election after election using (old) Labour policies; why should Scots be driven into fuel poverty while Westminster squanders N Sea oil; or put up with Boris Johnson (who can't even follow his own rules; meanwhile the Tory "magic money tree" is being used to try and get us into WW3? No reason I can see. At least the SNP are consistent.
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@Andrew-rc3vh Yeah, but he: thanked the Queen; paid respect to politicians no longer with us (from other parties) and tore into Johnson... all in one minute. If you want to describe that as twaddle; it seems you lack respect. While on the main point: it is a serious issue that the UK government is not fit for purpose; it's not Blackford answering the questions, it should be Johnson (but he just waffles; lies and we really don't need a poodle). The issue is quite clear; Westminster is a closed shop; it's out of touch and New Labour is a poor alternative. At least Johnston has cleared one matter up; if countries (like Ukraine) are free to choose their own direction, then so is Scotland...
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@Andrew-rc3vh I don't think it was irrelevant; it looks like the Queen is nearing the end of her reign; it's correct to at least acknowledge members of other parties that have died (even if it was the wrong ones!?) and Blackford took a shot at Johnson (who's getting so big it's hard to miss) regarding how he treats his own MPs. The rest is basically a rejection of the current Tory government; which must be considered a challenge, now that Johnson insists other countries (Ukraine) should be free to choose their own path; then the same must apply to: Scotland; N Ireland and even Wales (who share the same legal system); that is of some relevance. Why the UK is gifting money and "lethal aid" to Ukraine; while the UK has it's own economic crisis is beyond belief. I'm all for humanitarian aid, but I hold the belief that charity begins at home and Scots (in particular) experiencing "fuel poverty" while N Sea oil revenue is squandered, it requires some explanation. Johnson and Truss seem to want to lead the charge into WW3; seem to want us to forget all these American led oil wars and the cost to the UK in not just money. From my experience of working in Russia; they are not bluffing; while the Western media howl in disapproval, we know what happens when superpowers attack. The crony capitalists are wasting our resources; the media will have us in a World war soon; I also reject this UK government. It doesn't represent the people of the UK, the cutting edge is that Scotland diverges ideologically. Tory v Tory light... no thx. I thought Blackford's opening minute was well spent; the rest independence... blah blah; Krankie; oil; substantial new powers what were they? Usual stuff.
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@Andrew-rc3vh I agree: it's a sad state of affairs and the tax payer doesn't talk in millions and billions, or get a say in all this "magic money" and on matters of "geopolitics" it would seem "the globalists" have every reason to be upset if the CRIBS back their own currency with Gold and trade oil in it. I suspect that's the real reason, for all this "wealth of misinformation"; the corruption of language "lethal aid" (indeed?!) and the concept of "negative interest" is bizarre. I do agree; there's a lot of ritual; for political games see the satirical "Yes, Minister", but I think we should stay out of other people's business. I did like his pop at Johnson and with 90,000 jobs to go in the civil service; that might be war too. This is a troubling time; robots are stepping off the pages of Sci-fi and these drone weapons are not risk free, we could be starring in our video game with a points total. It's misappropriation of funds that bugs me; I'm not trying to take that out on you, just wondering where's our lethal aid?
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@Andrew-rc3vh Yes: born in America; named Boris; dropped off the: Eton, Oxbridge, SPAD, safe seat, "conveyor belt" (highlighted by Andrew Neil, who is usually pro right wing; the "system" is sewn up). Even being an unpaid SPecial ADvisor in London, for a couple of years, is a barrier to entry... the term fees at Eton (with charitable status) are eye-watering; it does look like a rich persons club. The Tories are at least honest in one respect; they represent the rich at every turn; view the world in terms of money and profit, their usual question, how much will it cost? That's used to bring any subject back to money, which is a bit of a shame since we don't seem to have any. Sir Starmer, leader of the worker's party; that sounds rather odd as well and I think the unions are starting to question what their members are paying for as New Labour takes the "corporate shilling". As Hislop (Private Eye) demonstrated all the MP's on the select committee were being "lobbied" and I have to question the ones who are making more from their "second jobs" as their main interest is elsewhere. Starmer is pro-EU and has repeatedly tried to block "Brexit"; his "block no deal" bill made Labour pretty much unelectable so it's odd he gets promoted while Corbyn (known to be anti-EU) is attacked from inside and outside the party; then ejected from party and even if Labour is traditionally pro-EU; they look anti-democratic and the Tories (somehow) get a large majority?! I don't like New Labour; it's full of Libdems who are in the wrong party (imo), or worse people like "Tory Blair" who advocate "trickle down" economics; war and selling England by the pound. Seems to me that the CRIBS (China; Russia; India; Brazil and South Africa) have already begun "divorce proceedings" against America/NATO/UK and "the globalists". They have been buying Gold (there's about 1000 times more "paper Gold" than physical; that's why Brown took $ instead of waiting for America to find physical; it's possible Fort Knox doesn't have any, it's an ugly rumour). When America printed $; China printed more Yuan, which clearly annoyed those around Wall Street. If China has tied the Yuan to Gold, then if America/UK print fiat currency, it would drop against the Yuan and if the CRIBS trade oil in Yuan, then SWIFT (oil/$) can no longer be used as an effective weapon against them; but EU countries and companies will just have to look after themselves. India signed a few Russian oil contracts; China said, "Don't involve us in American power games, we have a good working relationships with Russian and Ukraine" and the Chinese ambassador described a newscaster (when she demanded he denounce Russian action) as "naive". (Which in a Chinese context is what American's would call a "slap-down"). Naive from someone Chinese; a diplomat even; I'd have been less shocked if he'd said aw... fuck off! China and Russia have been building up militarily since that large hike in military expenditure both parties nodded through (during Trump administration). That isn't good at all; this proposed $40 Billion to Ukraine (Rand Paul) objects to is technically larger than the entire Russian military budget. I think GDP is a faulty way of estimating an economy as for a country with a GDP the size of Spain, Russia put the first space-station in orbit. I can't judge how far $40 billion goes in Russia (it's not really about "the money" there and they don't have to buy in material). I don't want to bore you, but in Moscow I had a professor of economics dealing on one table; a rocket scientist on the other. Casino's offered better money, what a waste... I guess money changes everything. Are you a Scot Andrew? I think Westminster is blocking Scotland's declared intent to move to 100% renewable energy. Of course Scotland won't get 100% until it taps into tidal (works twice a day). Westminster holds veto powers over a lot of Holyrood budget, so they can cancel things and it reflects badly on Holyrood. I don't think people will invade to steal windmills, socialists tend not to like war (so Blair was not a socialist... more an anti-socialist) and he moved the sea-border so far North some parts of Scotland nearly became England. I don't think Starmer is quite as bad; Corbyn should have proposed nationalising raid (Holyrood just did that); no chance to cancel student debt (too large) but 12% interest?? 9K a year, plus beer! That's shameful. It's a mess: using debt as currency; ideological and economic war with Ukraine as a "chew toy"; it seems to me Russia is no longer listening to America and I found they had the morality of 1950's UK. So they've fired a warning shot; it looks from the media weather maps they've got what they came for; taking out all the bridges leaves a river border. I think that's what they're doing. Anyway have a nice day. P.S. I think Guy Fox had the right idea.
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@Andrew-rc3vh Qin Gang (Chinese ambassador to USA) was making the point (on "Face the Nation") that it wasn't in China's interest to pick sides, he did get interrupted 23 times and it seems to me it's this kind of approach that is likely to affect their relationship with the UK. I do agree that the UK (France too) seem to be being used by American interests to get what they want; either militarily, or to "second" motions. It leaves us open to being tarred with the same brush; also affects relationships with other countries and all these sanctions seem to act contrary to "free market capitalism" (which seems all bent out of shape with so much money sloshing about). With the fastest computers in the World (for last 10 years); buying a lot of American debt (a concept I don't agree with) and this "belt and road" initiative (building stuff instead of blowing it up) China seems much more progressive than America. I think the UK applied to join the Shanghai bank (the CRIBS set up), not sure what happened there; but the short-term approach of moving manufacturing to Asia (because wages are lower (and less regulation) it suits corporations, but in the long term it affects our domestic economy. How to pay for all this cheaper stuff? I never had any trouble working in China; except "the Typhoon"; if America wants to sail around in the S China Sea, some of these tropical storms are so big they have names. I was often in Hainan; it's an island where the Chinese used to " maroon undesirables". In my opinion some individuals (like Blair) are too dangerous to allow to mix with polite society; it's a concept like "The Village" (in "The Prisoner) and there might be something in that approach. Just my opinion tho' So I do agree, we shouldn't sour diplomatic relations; but the: arms; oil and banking industries seem to have a hold over governments. Way above our paygrade; we are just expected to pay for their mess. I expect once HS2 is completed (of course way over budget); that the Tories would sell it if it makes a profit. China was supposed to be building a nuclear power-station in Moggs constituency; the French were supposed to own/run it (all very peculiar) but that seems to have fallen through. I'm not in favour of nuclear power, it's fine until it's not... I don't think Scottish independence would help Scotland in the short term; but owning our own infrastructure; making tidal real; we can't allow fracking so it seems Holyrood and Westminster differ again. If you are looking for trading links; I'd suggest Malaysia... they make components for American and Japanese computer companies; surprisingly high-tech; the latest games and the food is amazing. How we get the UK government to stop warmongering, I don't really know... it seems the money is just too good? P.S. if you get the offer to sail through a cat 5 Typhoon, turn it down!! It smashed the ship to bits; destroyed the casino; smashed armoured windows on the bridge. The weather here's an improvement ;-)
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@Andrew-rc3vh I agree the UK been more than generous towards America: jet engine; hovercraft; Concorde, even split the atom; a more balanced economy (like Germany) would have been helpful, they make cars and phones; I'd suggest power independence is an industry and useful objective (at least we know what we do). When it comes to the service sector; while some of it is no doubt necessary; I'd include power and transport; it seems the banking system is a wreck and an overbearing bureaucracy (that doesn't actually make anything). Like currency trading and the "futures market" it seems like it's fantasy economics; worse still it's in the interest of a few to keep this charade going and if we don't like it they'll make up another rule. The UK has to have some form of self sufficiency, industry; less R&D in weaponry. Jack Ma (Alibaba) and Elon Musk were discussing the future of robotics at some conference in Shanghai. There's a clip on youtube, edited like propaganda; basically Ma saw robots as a 4 hour, three day, week for humans (so workers); while Musk imagined a bleak future as they were weaponised. The editor (clearly up to no good) had Musk mugging the camera, same zoom shot repeated (supposedly at what Ma was saying) and it was published during some American trade spat with China. So I thought the editor was either mad or bad and since Ma was speaking to a home audience and as Alibaba are a global concern, he should be listened to; even if we don't quite understand his concepts. Although both spoke in English; they didn't see the future the same way, I'd file that clip under fake news. Musk sees himself primarily as a manufacturer; Ma is a master of logistics, if robot weapons become a reality, it does not end well; that's obvious. Where all the billions and trillions are going is beyond me; but I have an idea. Since Westminster won't listen to the people, or only those that give them things. A hoax. It would be a combination of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and that "War of the Worlds" radio play hoax; but with a serious point to it all "worker's rights" and that robot (in Czech) means worker. We can't afford to use them as weapons, or police or judges. It would be cheaper to have these robots manufactured in China (harhar), no doubt; but China said don't involve them and I suppose a drone swarm isolating the borough of Westminster, then threatening to come back with ground troops and level the place, would have a few repercussions. Robots demand workers rights! (or else) The Day London Stood Still ... the headlines write themselves... Making all the little robits disappear afterwards; that's the difficult part; but our leader don't seem to appreciate how vulnerable everyone is to this technology. All these central London landmarks so close together... it's just an idea; don't want to start WW3, the swarm of angry robits now demand faster internet... I do think we are lagging behind in the UK, outside interests are getting in the way. Had the UK joined the Euro the UK might well have gone the way of Greece. A Gold backed currency means money printing will show up (maybe that's what concerns the Western powers); the EU seems to have it's own problems, but I think America has become an expensive liability, one way traffic and I don't share their fears. Worse I don't even believe them. Pointing rockets at each other seems a huge and costly waste of time. If student debt is 12% I don't see who would want to gamble that much on maybe stacking shelves in a warehouse. It's not the only questionable legislation, I do like the Victorian's engineering; something went wrong somewhere (just after that era). So I propose, robots march on Westminster before people do. Interested?
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@Andrew-rc3vh If we consider that robot can work 24/7; don't require holidays or pensions and apart from maintenance never call in sick; also are the best bet for hazardous environments: space exploration; servicing equipment in tidal races; bombs/mines/nuclear meltdown(s) we might ask, what more do people want from such a useful technology. I totally agree robots have to be friendly or at least be perceived as friendly. Some of the stuff coming out of Boston Dynamics (see: Do You Love Me?), well it looks like "Terminator" now has a dog (Spot) and some states want to give it a gun. Also with AI attempts are being made here to police or process people (computer says no). It's a very dangerous mistake and with drone warfare we are walking into a sea of problems. How to stop this is a problem; Musk sees it as unsurmountable, while Ma welcomes a ready supply of cheap labour. I advocate (non-violent) shock tactics, a demonstration; before robots are allowed to start making (and improving) themselves. It does seem the Japanese and Chinese (from what you say) are integrating people and robotics; I did find their comic book literature to be very violent and often explicit (Tarantino says he would have made "Kill Bill" more violent but we in the West don't "get it"); I'm not saying I do, just it's an example of cultures that think of things differently. It seems unlikely, or unwise, to try and deal with America within a military context (look at their arms budget) and I think the problem with NATO is that when you only have a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail (so to speak). This proposed $40 billion to Ukraine is being called "money laundering" in some quarters; sending money to corrupt countries really doesn't seem to work; if the "belt and road" scheme provides: hospitals; roads and other infrastructure it minimises corruption. This, of course, does not suit the corrupt; I view those sending money and weapons (not as charitable) as complicit in corruption. The Scottish government also want less reliance on nuclear energy/weapons, have a moratorium on fracking and our own issues with the oil industry. I'm not convinced the SNP want to join the EU (even were told an independent Scotland would not qualify), the Boss of the EU then, didn't like the idea of parts of Spain trying for independence, confusing a region and country; now working for Goldman Sachs, it was clearly politically motivated as the EU wanted (bankrupt) Ukraine to join later. The SNP want independence; the UK voted to leave the EU, Scotland has honoured that decision (only Westminster seems full of reluctant parties) I wouldn't vote to rejoin the EU; delaying leaving the EU is a insult to the voter (if we aren't insulted enough) so I'm all for a common market (anywhere), but I believe America will have something to say as they seem to have a "with us or against us" attitude and can't seem to see past American "exceptionalism". I think Malaysia and China are good at making chips; but the infrastructure outside the main population centres (in Malaysia it's jungle) also they produce software for the Chinese market (so written in Chinese), but I recall seeing "Mulan" being lip-synched in two different dialects of Chinese, within days of release and that was on DVD. I would think if we visited Singapore or Hong Kong today we would be amazed at the technology (and the price). China is already quite involved in the rare-earth and minerals industry. They seem to offer a better deal than blowing things up then country pays for America to rebuild it. So I think we in the West are on the wrong side of history. One view of Scottish independence is power independence; but that has to be a state funded project as it's a huge investment with a slow return. Another "electric mountain" (storage); but individuals could take a lot of weight off the grid with solar. I still do think we have to kill these drones; they are not friendly (it's terrorism); think Westminster needs an attitude adjustment. (America is beyond saving).
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@Theanglosaxonwarrior "Germany, Poland and NATO have ruled out sending ground troops to Ukraine" (Al Jazeera) "Macron faces EU backlash after suggesting sending Troops to Ukraine" (The Guardian) "Nato allies reject Emmanuel Macron idea of troops to Ukraine" (BBC)
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@GregHTID79 The government sells debt (gilts); pension funds are obliged to buy them and if the interest payments aren't met, there's a deficit and national debt goes up. With annual interest of $1,500 billion it seems clear enough that it doesn't work (if you have a solution, I'm sure the America treasury would like to know).
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Seen the UK health minister? (It's perhaps the wrong time to try the usual Tory smear tactics...) At least Blackford and his party provided some opposition (sadly lacking in Westminster); while the Tories partied and diverted public funds to their pals; nearly destroyed everyone's pensions and sunk the pound... and you want to talk about pies??
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The Glasgow Apollo (126 Renfield St) was an iconic fire trap. At the Blondie New Year gig the balcony was moving up and down so much the security left the audience to it; "The Clash" gig was rather violent (with seating dismantled and thrown); then a mass sprint for Queen St Station (or be stuck in Glasgow). Saw: "DEVO"; "The Cramps"; "Gary Numan"; "The Skids"; Suzy and the Banshees (I was a bit of a Punk) also "Roxy Music" and "Genesis"... all great gigs. Something about the place seemed to bring out the best in bands playing there... I missed "The Tubes" gig although I had a ticket (I have to live with that) A truly great venue: once the largest cinema in Europe; then "Green's Playhouse" (1973-85); demolished in 1987, after a major fire (but it was falling apart). These days: O2 Academy; Barrowlands and King Tut's Wah Wah Hut: are smaller, but also excellent venues (in their own ways); well that's progress for you...
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