Current Affairs 2025

[Stephen]

A crafty move by Biden in minutes left of his presidency.

Biden issues pre-emptive pardons for siblings, Fauci and Jan 6 riot panel https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r5g5dezk4o

[Onelife]

Whilst Trump has some concerning traits

Blimey, that's putting it mildly. His speech was utterly embarrassing as he slagged off the Democrats - remember almost half the USA voted for them. He talked about putting the USA first, when actually he means putting himself first. He's a classic narcissistic bully. Every third sentence his choreographed supporters gave him a standing ovation, in classic Kremlin style. And much of what he said was so right wing that is made Nigel Farage look like a Marxist. And he promised to do so much, most of which he won't be able to deliver. The first thing he actually does is pardon his thug criminal mates who stormed the Capitol on his command last time.

On the plus side, based on his campaign promises, the war in Ukraine will be over by teatime today.

You know me Sir Merv, always one to air on the side of diplomacy …you are of course right, the man epitomises all the inadequacies that you wouldn’t expect to see in the leader of most powerful country in the world. That being said the people of America voted for change and most I suspect did so knowing the things you have highlighted about his personality traits. My personal opinion very much aligns with yours but on that score, we’ll have to wait and see.

If some of the members on this forum are right about the labour party then there’s a good chance we will be voting for change ….there are striking similarities between Nigel and Trump…don’t you think?

[Ray B]

At least he cleared any confusion, in America you are either a man or a woman.

[Onelife]

At least he cleared any confusion, in America you are either a man or a woman.

Where does that leave the wannabees?

[david63]

Where does that leave the wannabees?

In Mexico?

[Mervyn and Trish]

At least he cleared any confusion, in America you are either a man or a woman.

Yes agreed with two things he said. That was one. The other was the end to social engineering with all appointments made on merit not inclusivity/equality targets.

[Ray B]

Agree Merv , to many worry that not enough ethnic /gender types of people are in certain jobs, where as most likely they are there at the expense of someone more capable .

[Mervyn and Trish]

BBC News - Trump pardons Silk Road dark web market creator Ross Ulbricht
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7e0jve875o

Bizarre!

[david63]

BBC News - Trump pardons Silk Road dark web market creator Ross Ulbricht
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7e0jve875o

Bizarre!

No more bizarre that most of the other things that he has done/trying to do.

It says it all when the first comment from Jacob Chansley - the self-styled QAnon Shaman, was that he plans to exercise his right to buy guns again.

[Ray B]

Another child only 12ys stabbed to death by another 15 year old child. Madness.
They just do not listen to what is being said, carrying a knife is inviting trouble that may not end well.
Another two families devastated, trying to understand what has happened.

[Onelife]

It is madness Ray; it seems a day doesn’t go by without hearing about another young life taken away by an equally young murderer.
Putting your finger on why this is happening is imo multifaceted with no one solution going solve this epidemic.

The question as to why we now find ourselves in this position revolves around several things but primarily our neglect of social and governmental responsibility. The solution is easy, however, the willingness to put in place the solution is far more difficult. It, imo revolves around the underspending in youth activities and affordable recreational opportunities.

There was a time when every town had youth clubs that catered for children aged 10 to 15 many of which were attached to the schools from that of which the children attended. Many of these were staffed by a teacher from the same school. Kids got to enjoy many activities, both within the facility and outside the facility. To my mind these clubs were a great grounding for all ages, mixing together, learning from each other, accepting and respecting the differences that each child brought to the club…this was the general ethos of youth clubs and a return to this would imo be the first step in tackling youth crime.

So, the solution is easy… but if we want it then we all must be prepared to pay for it with an increase in our taxes. The responsibility of this comes with the government which must see where all this is going… but are still only prepared to put sticky plasters over the wounds that has allowed this infection to take hold.

We all need to be a little poorer in order that we can live within a society that thinks about the future in order that we can feel safe about today.

[Ray B]

I don't know about being more poorer will solve the problem,this country is becoming more violent.
Reports of car drivers giving a toot to being cut up, only to find the culprit getting out of his car and assaulting the driver, emergency services personnel going to assist a person only to be attacked,shop keepers attacked, ordinary people going about their business randomly set upon.
When I was younger I can never remember going someplace on my own day or night and being in fear of attack, you hardly ever heard of such things.

[oldbluefox]

Growing iup in a village in Leicestershire there were no youth clubs, sports clubs or anything else. We made our own fun and although we were by no means angels we were always respectful of others and their property.
I believe that is the root of the problem. There is little or no respect for others only self and it's plain to see wherever you look. No rspect for authority, none for emergency workers, none for the older generation and it seems none for each other. Rules don't apply nowadays and you only have to listen to those on the television where somebody has broken rules and we hear 'Well, you can't blame them!' They are part of the problem. Even when it comes to cruising I hear it said 'It's your holiday so you wear what you like!'. In other words s*d what the cruise line says, do what you like!!
Many years ago it was John Major who introduced 'peoples' rights'. At the time it was correct but what he failed to include were 'peoples' responsibilities'. Hence nobody is responsible nowadays. It's the government's/school's/doctor's/police service/Tom, d**k and Harry's fault and nothing to do with me.
Back to my childhood we had little but we grew up in a loving home where we were taught respect, to cooperate and to help each other. We looked up to our elders, the policeman, our teachers and everybody else. That respect came from the home and that is where it should be coming from now.
End of rant (for now!!)

[Onelife]

Hi Foxy, I find your post depressing and frighteningly true. I wish I could reply with something constructive, something that could stop this slide into the nightmare we are creating for ourselves.

Help me out....

[Portsmouth]

There is little or no respect for others only self and it's plain to see wherever you look. No respect for authority, none for emergency workers, none for the older generation and it seems none for each other. Rules don't apply

Totally agree with you

[Stephen]

Yep Foxy, you’ve got it in one.
Unfortunately i doubt it will change, and maybe get worse due to the nanny state we now find ourselves living in.

[CaroleF]

Very depressing Foxy, but entirely right, that's just how it is.

[oldbluefox]

It's quite disturbing how young people only seem to communicate through their phone. Many seem very uncomfortable with face to face conversations. When they gather with their friends they do not particularly interact. They all have their faces in their phones.

And why do they complain there is nothing to do but when something is done they vandalise it? I don't understand. They have more in material wealth and opportunity than I ever had at that age but they don't respect it. I'm afraid I put much down to their upbringing by parents who either don't give a damn or parents who indulge, leading to unrealistic expectations once they have to start earning for themselves.

Of course it's not all young people but as a trend too many for it to be a concern.

[Stephen]

Just for you Keith.
I expect you’ll want to print it off and frame it.


New photo of kilted King released for Burns Night https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9w5ykdq7qro

[Ray B]

So who will be having Haggis along with the King tonight. I am having a free range Haggis from our butchers, as is dear old Mervyn .

[towny44]

It's quite disturbing how young people only seem to communicate through their phone. Many seem very uncomfortable with face to face conversations. When they gather with their friends they do not particularly interact. They all have their faces in their phones.

And why do they complain there is nothing to do but when something is done they vandalise it? I don't understand. They have more in material wealth and opportunity than I ever had at that age but they don't respect it. I'm afraid I put much down to their upbringing by parents who either don't give a damn or parents who indulge, leading to unrealistic expectations once they have to start earning for themselves.

Of course it's not all young people but as a trend too many for it to be a concern.

I know it will be considered old fashioned, and possibly many will want me stoned at the alter of women's rights, but up until the 70s most women retired from work when they had children, and did not consider returning to work until their youngest were will into their junior school education.
As a result most children enjoyed having their mother at home during their formative years, and as a result their children were generally well behaved and respected authority.

[Onelife]

I wouldn’t stop anyone stoning you at the alter John, but I do feel children’s formative years are best served by having a parent at home.

[Onelife]

Just for you Keith.
I expect you’ll want to print it off and frame it.


New photo of kilted King released for Burns Night https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9w5ykdq7qro

I won’t be needing a photo frame, just the darts

[david63]

I see that Labour are trying another one of their old tricks to raise some quick cash (presumably to fill the "black hole") by raiding pension funds

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g79y47qzdo

[Ray B]

Those approaching retirement, hopefully, will have a long time to enjoy it.
If you haven't seen it, the 'Doomsday clock' has moved one second forward to 89seconds. This is to world total destruction.
They have based it on all the turmoil and possible escalation of conflict going on in the world today.
Don't worry, enjoy yourselves , it may be later than you think.