Why do so many people who hate their own countries (for being too liberal), insist on calling themselves patriots?
Ironic that Rishi is now thinking about raising Corporation Tax, when you remember the response the suggestion received when Labour suggested it in their manifesto. Businesses are in a worse position now than when Labour suggested it, so I expect the Express will be predicting carnage.
Indeed, and he has been charged with being illegally in possession of the gun on top of the murder charges.
I was talking more broadly about how guns can be openly carried. It’s not right, but in this instance I’m not surprised the police were not checking IDs, but that’s where the craziness of the state laws come in. Illinois it’s over 21 to own a gun and you can’t open carry, he took a twenty minute drive down the road and he can play Rambo.
It also, frankly, doesn't matter what the laws are because the police aren't enforcing them concerning those that they feel are on their side. In Portland, the Trump-supporting convoy was running red lights at high speed, shooting people with paintball guns and firing off clouds of mace. Protesters were throwing objects in return, and one of those confrontations escalated to a militia member being shot and killed. These yahoos view themselves as a sort of police auxiliary, and the police have not really done much to disabuse them of that notion. And they see the police acting with impunity and seem to believe that extends to them, too. And they might not be wrong.
I thought it was a bit of hyperbole when I heard predictions of a civil war in the states, but there is no doubt the violence keeps escalating and no sign of a unifying figure in US politics. And still to come.... Trump looks likely to win again and the two highest profile Black Lives Matter Deaths probably won’t result in a murder conviction.
I'll disagree with you regarding Trump's chances to win again. He's polling poorly, and Biden's regularly above 50% which makes it harder for Trump to pick up votes. He can win, but part of the reason he's flailing so dangerously is that he is not winning.
German tv showing a sense of humour. Not sure how old it is, but Buffoon Johnson was Foreign Secretary.
I used SNCF a lot in the past and have to say that since I have used their services in the early 1990s, I was been hugely impressed. I think that the fairs you have quoted need to be taken into consideration because the rates in UK fluctuate between peak and off-peak with their being no certainty or consistency with what price you are charged. I think that this is the main problem with rail travel insofar that the fluctuations can be over such a wide range that this kind of comparison is a misrepresentation. My impression of SNCF is fast, modern and efficient. I would also add reliable. I understand that the service is heavily subsidized by the French government and would also add that there are fewer larger cities which are generally more spread out. Those friends I have in France generally consider the SNCF in a negative light which has always comes as a surprise as it is totally different from my perception. No one in France shares our enthusiasm for the SNCF. Some of the regional trains which cover towns and villages can be extremely slow and a marked contrast to the TGVs which we perceive as being typically French. Touring Burgundy and the Yvonne region in the late 1990s, I was staggered that it was possible for such a train to go slow although the fact that the publicity for the line showing a snail pulling carriages along a track should have given me a clue! I would also argue that the SNCF is more prone to industrial action. The experience in UK depends upon which rail company you use. South West Trains are generally ok except when there are issues such as leaves on the line when any pretext of them being a modern, 21st century company seems to fly out of the window. Train travel in the UK is expensive whilst at the same time far more practical when it comes to visiting places like London by car which I would rarely do. Over-crowding has always been a problem in the commuter trains and, to be fair, there are instances where I have experienced this in France too
I don't know about France but fifteen years ago I stayed in Tunisia ( actually the very hotel that the terrorists shootings took place) One day I took the train to Tunis, a similar distance to the illustrations. The train was comfortable, air conditioned and £8.
As you say in the first paragraph, it’s the inconsistency of the prices that offends, as much as the high cost. I used to rely on trains quite regularly, and the only way I could get cheaper prices was to book for a train leaving my station of choice at a specified time. If I missed that train the ticket became invalid and another ticket would be required. But, highlighting the inconsistency in the price, this is the carrier exploiting the public for their own gains. When it is cheaper to buy 2 single tickets to your destination- ie Southampton to Waterloo then Waterloo to wherever - instead of buying one ticket to include changes, this again is the carrier taking the proverbial. Knowing, also, that foreign governments are making money out of owning parts of our railway system just adds insult to injury.
