Off Topic Politics Thread

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Everything is on the move, always. The earth’s magnetic field reverses polarity every 100,000 years or so, but so long as we are still protected from solar radiation, that shouldn’t worry us unduly.

Best estimates give earth a couple of billion years in stable orbit round the sun. Whether humanity will last that long is another matter.
This. I have a keen interest in astronomy (I actually took 4 or 5 years ago a University diploma in Cosmology) and this is exactly what the science says.
 
Did I hear right yesterday? It is said the the Earths molten core is on the move, shifting the magnetic poles, Perhaps this is the cause of all of this "Climate Change" and the increase in volcanic eruptions, or is it just another conspiracy theory put about by so called experts? The truth being that planet is simply cracking up and we haven't got very long to go.
Seems something the climate change denierloons will latch onto.
 
Surprised to not see any mention if the current political storm brewing due to some alleged comnents by the Irish Rap group Kneecap ? I am normally not a fan of artistic expression being suppressed but have been quite surprised by this group. Biting the hand that feeds them ?

I dislike Rap although i recognise it has a political and social clout akin to rhe Blues which i do like. It made me wonder about good and bad art as a method of political expression. I love the social commentary of Blues which has 'celebrated ' issues such as the sinking of The Titanic where the infallability of white people resonnated with the impoverised black community. (Thinking of Blind Willie Johnson in 1920s) it still seems unacceptable 100 years later but possible to understand Johnson in context. Great art can and sometimes should shock. Not sure about Kneecap in this instance , though even if i am not comfortable with courts pursuing people in the arts. I feel they are more louts than artists. The art does not transcend their voice of protest. Art should challenge but this is not Abdullah Ibrahim railing against apartheid through his unique and majestic take on jazz.

They are really well liked at home. Mainly for bringing the Irish language to the masses which is fantastic. A lot of the stuff they say and do is to get a rise out of the Unionists. I have seen them live and they are good despite not being a fan of rap. I'm an Irish speaker which probably helps.

Fully support their take on Palestine and we need more famous people to call it out. Their comments about MPs was poor stuff though. No surprise that that all this has blown up because of what they put up on screen in America. They've been doing this for years but Americas and Israel are so linked that it seems an offense to criticize either. Saying **** Israel is more upsetting than killing 50k men women and children sadly
 
They are really well liked at home. Mainly for bringing the Irish language to the masses which is fantastic. A lot of the stuff they say and do is to get a rise out of the Unionists. I have seen them live and they are good despite not being a fan of rap. I'm an Irish speaker which probably helps.

Fully support their take on Palestine and we need more famous people to call it out. Their comments about MPs was poor stuff though. No surprise that that all this has blown up because of what they put up on screen in America. They've been doing this for years but Americas and Israel are so linked that it seems an offense to criticize either. Saying **** Israel is more upsetting than killing 50k men women and children sadly


They'll have sold a lot of records on the back of this controversy, so they're probably loving it.


That's if people still buy records? Old git right here...
 
They'll have sold a lot of records on the back of this controversy, so they're probably loving it.


That's if people still buy records? Old git right here...

Ah yeah all this publicity is great for them...It's more the ticket sales that are the money makers for them. The film is definitely worth a watch. A bit ridiculous but pretty funny nonetheless
 
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They may get extra publicity and make a few quid extra but presumably they'll be imprisoned for at least a year or two for publicly supporting terrorist organisations and encouraging people to kill MPs.
 
They may get extra publicity and make a few quid extra but presumably they'll be imprisoned for at least a year or two for publicly supporting terrorist organisations and encouraging people to kill MPs.
I highly doubt that. England's future captain would have to go to jail then for posting Up the Ra when he was younger:emoticon-0102-bigsm
 
I highly doubt that. England's future captain would have to go to jail then for posting Up the Ra when he was younger:emoticon-0102-bigsm

I think that the general public (excluding Reform nutters ) probably have a more informed and balanced view these days. Not sure that the English aren't sympathetic to Irish Republicanism these days. The perspective has certainly changed massively since 1980s and many English will be sympathetic to some of Kneecap's comments especially regarding Palestine. What will not be tolerated is calls to kill denocratically ekected MPs. Most English people feel guilty and ashamed about our government's policies in Ireland whilst condemning the violence on all sides. People will feel the same about how we have let down Palestine in 2024 and 2025 in about 20 years time.
 
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Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo generate 100% renewable energy

Do they have regular power cuts in...........

Albania? Yes, Albania does experience regular power outages, with some reports indicating they can occur weekly, and even multiple times a day in some areas.

Bhutan? Bhutan struggles with providing reliable electricity to its citizens. Power Outages and voltage fluctuations are frequent occurrences.

Nepal? Despite its vast hydropower potential, Nepal suffers from a severe and long-lasting electricity supply crisis.

Paraguay? Yes, while Paraguay's electricity grid is largely based on hydropower, which is renewable and inexpensive, power outages are still a relatively frequent occurrence, especially during peak demand in the summer months.

Iceland? While Iceland's electricity grid is generally very reliable, power outages do occur, and they are not entirely rare.

Ethiopia? Yes, Ethiopia experiences frequent power outages.

Democratic Republic of the Congo? Yes, the Democratic Republic of Congo experiences frequent power outages, often described as regular power cuts.
 
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Iceland? While Iceland's electricity grid is generally very reliable, power outages do occur, and they are not entirely rare.

So, ‘very reliable’ but outages are not ‘entirely rare’. Logic being stretched here.

And that is the only first world country on the list.
 
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HIGNFY
As Labour, the Tories and Reform fight it out at local elections across England, here's an important impartiality post to remind voters that the Lib Dems and Greens are just as unimpressive.
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Not strictly political but because it involves Elon Musk, Tesla and the claim of fraudulent business practices, I’m putting this here.


Tesla has been accused in a lawsuit of manipulating its cars’ mileage readings so that the warranties run out earlier.

If true, the move would save the company millions in repair costs.

Tesla driver Nyree Hinton alleges in the lawsuit that Tesla odometer readings are based on energy consumption, driver behaviour and “predictive algorithms” rather than actual miles the car has driven.

Based on his other vehicles and driving history, he says the odometer on the 2020 Model Y he bought in December 2022 with 36,772 miles on the clock ran at least 15% fast.

For a while, he says, the car recorded 72 miles a day when he drove at most 20.

Mr Hinton, a financial analyst based in Los Angeles, said this caused his 50,000-mile basic warranty to expire well ahead of schedule, leaving him with a £7,500 suspension repair bill that he thought Tesla should cover.

His lawsuit adds: “These systemic inaccuracies and fraudulent business practices undermine the value of Tesla vehicles and their warranties, erode consumer trust and suggest intentional practices designed to financially benefit Tesla Inc. at the expense of its customers.”
 
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Not strictly political but because it involves Elon Musk, Tesla and the claim of fraudulent business practices, I’m putting this here.


Tesla has been accused in a lawsuit of manipulating its cars’ mileage readings so that the warranties run out earlier.

If true, the move would save the company millions in repair costs.

Tesla driver Nyree Hinton alleges in the lawsuit that Tesla odometer readings are based on energy consumption, driver behaviour and “predictive algorithms” rather than actual miles the car has driven.

Based on his other vehicles and driving history, he says the odometer on the 2020 Model Y he bought in December 2022 with 36,772 miles on the clock ran at least 15% fast.

For a while, he says, the car recorded 72 miles a day when he drove at most 20.

Mr Hinton, a financial analyst based in Los Angeles, said this caused his 50,000-mile basic warranty to expire well ahead of schedule, leaving him with a £7,500 suspension repair bill that he thought Tesla should cover.

His lawsuit adds: “These systemic inaccuracies and fraudulent business practices undermine the value of Tesla vehicles and their warranties, erode consumer trust and suggest intentional practices designed to financially benefit Tesla Inc. at the expense of its customers.”
LOCK HIM UP!
 
Do they have regular power cuts in...........

Albania? Yes, Albania does experience regular power outages, with some reports indicating they can occur weekly, and even multiple times a day in some areas.

Bhutan? Bhutan struggles with providing reliable electricity to its citizens. Power Outages and voltage fluctuations are frequent occurrences.

Nepal? Despite its vast hydropower potential, Nepal suffers from a severe and long-lasting electricity supply crisis.

Paraguay? Yes, while Paraguay's electricity grid is largely based on hydropower, which is renewable and inexpensive, power outages are still a relatively frequent occurrence, especially during peak demand in the summer months.

Iceland? While Iceland's electricity grid is generally very reliable, power outages do occur, and they are not entirely rare.

Ethiopia? Yes, Ethiopia experiences frequent power outages.

Democratic Republic of the Congo? Yes, the Democratic Republic of Congo experiences frequent power outages, often described as regular power cuts.
Countries with the most frequent blackouts - Papua New Guinea, Yemen, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Benin, Bangladesh, Pakistan, DRC, Niger, The Gambia

Clearly the key factor isn’t 100% Renewables
 
Countries with the most frequent blackouts - Papua New Guinea, Yemen, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Benin, Bangladesh, Pakistan, DRC, Niger, The Gambia

Clearly the key factor isn’t 100% Renewables
Yep not saying IOAG is wrong, but there may be more to the story than a first glance looks at.

I am very much in the 100% renewable energy camp, but know there are issues.

The main one IMO is that those in charge try to offer financial incentives to go renewable, that penalises fossil fuel to the extent that it gets people’s backs up. They then look for an ulterior motive that maybe is there. ie grab more money from the populace in the name of ‘it’s greener’.
 
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Yep not saying IOAG is wrong, but there may be more to the story than a first glance looks at.

I am very much in the 100% renewable energy camp, but know there are issues.

The main one IMO is that those in charge try to offer financial incentives to go renewable, that penalises fossil fuel to the extent that it gets people’s backs up. They then look for an ulterior motive that maybe is there. ie grab more ones from the populace in the name of ‘it’s greener’.
And you don’t think that those in charge of fossil fuels offer incentives to counter those made by the renewable camp? :emoticon-0105-wink:
 
Disappointed that the RAF assisted the Americans in vimbing the Houthis last night. Don't recall this being debated in parliament.

America first means we do not assist the Yanks. They are in their own. We need to remain neutral at best.