Gloucester Saint Posted January 22 Posted January 22 On 22/01/2025 at 19:24, Scally42 said: You do know he's a Democrat? Expand He is, and much prefer his policies, but weird nevertheless turning up to that formal event looking like he was gone for a light jog around the block https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fetterman
badgerx16 Posted January 22 Posted January 22 (edited) What Trump was referring to was the first sustainable nuclear chain reaction, which indeed took place in Chicago. The team that acheived this was led by the Italian Enrico Fermi, and included Leo Szilard ( Hungarian ), Walter Zinn ( Canadian ), alongside American scientists, and built on work by Nils Bohr, a Dane who had been smuggled out of Europe in the bomb bay of an RAF Mosquito. Presumably Trump was reading from a speech prepared and written by somebody else, and after all it is just 'alternative' facts. Edited January 22 by badgerx16 1
hypochondriac Posted January 22 Posted January 22 On 22/01/2025 at 19:28, Gloucester Saint said: He is, and much prefer his policies, but weird nevertheless turning up to that formal event looking like he was gone for a light jog around the block https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fetterman Expand I think he has a brain injury.
Tamesaint Posted January 22 Posted January 22 Why did the people who want to take over Greenland find Washington DC too cold for an outdoor inauguration ? 3
badgerx16 Posted January 25 Posted January 25 Despite the Republican majority in the Senate, Pete Hegseth only passes the vote for appointment as Secretary of Defence on Vice-President Vance's tie breaking vote. 2
badgerx16 Posted January 26 Posted January 26 Those neo-Liberal fucktards at the Wall Street Journal really don't understand what they are talking about; 1
badgerx16 Posted January 27 Posted January 27 (edited) Donnie has just said he is deciding between sacking, or sending to police the Mexican border, the 88 thousand new IRS agents the Biden administration hired. The major problem with this is they don't exist. In a 2021 report the Treasury said it was likely to need up to 87 thousand new staff, across the board, by the end of the decade, so as to clamp down on tax evasion, or simply backfill existing staffing shortfalls. Most of these posts have not yet been defined, let alone advertised or filled, because the Republicans blocked much of the proposed funding. Edited January 27 by badgerx16 1
benjii Posted January 27 Posted January 27 On 27/01/2025 at 15:14, badgerx16 said: Donnie has just said he is deciding between sacking, or sending to police the Mexican border, the 88 thousand new IRS agents the Biden administration hired. The major problem with this is they don't exist. In a 2021 report the Treasury said it was likely to need up to 87 thousand new staff, across the board, by the end of the decade, so as to clamp down on tax evasion, or simply backfill existing staffing shortfalls. Most of these posts have not yet been defined, let alone advertised or filled, because the Republicans blocked much of the proposed funding. Expand You mean he's talking shite? No way!?!?! 2
badgerx16 Posted January 28 Posted January 28 (edited) "We fired our guns, the British kept a'comin, There wasn't as many as there was a while ago, We fired once more and they began a'runnin, Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of America". An entire generation of US kids are going to go on holiday to Acapulco and Cancun and wonder where on Earth the Gulf of Mexico might be. Edited January 28 by badgerx16 1
rallyboy Posted January 28 Posted January 28 A generation of Americans is going to grow up ignorant of geography and world affairs? Just the one? 1 2
whelk Posted January 30 Posted January 30 Wouldn’t surprise me if Republican nuts and Trump tried to put this plane crash on diversity in the armed forces 2
badgerx16 Posted January 30 Posted January 30 (edited) Trump's nominee for Head of the IRS is not an accountant, has no experience of administration of tax, and no experience of running a large organisation, ( the IRS has over 80 thousand employees and a budget of several billion dollars ). He is, however, an auctioneer and former estate agent, who is also a part time professional poker player. On 3 occasions he has supported a Bill to abolish the IRS and replace it, and the entire tax structure, with an across the board 30% sales tax, ( an idea originally proposed by the Church of Scientology ). He is also alleged to have actively promoted making "dodgy" claims for COVID tax credits as a way of getting tax back from the IRS. Trump's new nominee for Attorney-General, after the last one was rejected by the Senate, is a former AG for the state of Florida. Back in 2013 she was invited to join her state in investigations supporting a multi-state class action fraud case against Trump University. Purely coincidentally, she received a personal donation to her re-election campaign of 25 thousand dollars in the form of a cheque signed by DT. Within a couple of days she decided that Florida would not join the complaint. ( For clarity, Trump also donated to Kamala Harris, AG for California at the time, and she also declined to investigate further ). Edited January 30 by badgerx16 1 1
spyinthesky Posted January 30 Posted January 30 It was dispiriting to watch the Senate meeting on the Robert Kennedy Jnr hearing We have many challenges in this country and a bit of a divide of political views but, fortunately, nothing as wide as our friends in the USA. 2
Picard Posted January 30 Posted January 30 On 30/01/2025 at 15:07, badgerx16 said: Trump's nominee for Head of the IRS is not an accountant, has no experience of administration of tax, and no experience of running a large organisation, ( the IRS has over 80 thousand employees and a budget of several billion dollars ). He is, however, an auctioneer and former estate agent, who is also a part time professional poker player. On 3 occasions he has supported a Bill to abolish the IRS and replace it, and the entire tax structure, with an across the board 30% sales tax, ( an idea originally proposed by the Church of Scientology ). He is also alleged to have actively promoted making "dodgy" claims for COVID tax credits as a way of getting tax back from the IRS. Trump's new nominee for Attorney-General, after the last one was rejected by the Senate, is a former AG for the state of Florida. Back in 2013 she was invited to join her state in investigations supporting a multi-state class action fraud case against Trump University. Purely coincidentally, she received a personal donation to her re-election campaign of 25 thousand dollars in the form of a cheque signed by DT. Within a couple of days she decided that Florida would not join the complaint. ( For clarity, Trump also donated to Kamala Harris, AG for California at the time, and she also declined to investigate further ). Expand Any info on Tulsi Gabbard?
badgerx16 Posted January 30 Posted January 30 On 30/01/2025 at 17:02, Picard said: Any info on Tulsi Gabbard? Expand This is the channel I'm watching; 1
badgerx16 Posted January 30 Posted January 30 (edited) On 30/01/2025 at 07:43, whelk said: Wouldn’t surprise me if Republican nuts and Trump tried to put this plane crash on diversity in the armed forces Expand Close, Trump says it was diversity in the recruitment of Air Traffic Controllers, specifically people with disabilities and psychological problems. Edited January 30 by badgerx16 2
Gloucester Saint Posted January 30 Posted January 30 (edited) On 30/01/2025 at 17:10, badgerx16 said: Close, Trump says it was diversity in the recruitment of Air Traffic Controllers, specifically people with disabilities and psychological problems. Expand Pure hate on another group with no justification, no evidence and no investigation and pure bullying against people with disabilities, to wind up all of the far right lunatics, Proud Boys and such like, with machine guns he just let out from 6 January. That’s what they have the FAA to investigate properly, scientifically for - or did have until DOGE cuts the core funding out of it and far more civilian planes starting falling out of the sky. https://news.sky.com/story/donald-trump-links-diversity-hiring-at-government-agency-to-deadly-washington-plane-crash-13299661 Good luck being disabled and American, however academically bright and capable you are. Crimes against disabled people will go through the roof over there. Someone should remind the thick cunt that most of the great scientists of the 20th century including Hawking were disabled and/or neurodiverse. We have to ensure that the UK and Europe maintain our standards towards each other and in the law. Edited January 30 by Gloucester Saint 2
Gloucester Saint Posted January 30 Posted January 30 (edited) On 30/01/2025 at 07:43, whelk said: Wouldn’t surprise me if Republican nuts and Trump tried to put this plane crash on diversity in the armed forces Expand It’s depressing but you were spot on. Even I didn’t think they’d stoop that low but they really are the dregs of western humanity. Should’ve known really given previous incidents: Edited January 30 by Gloucester Saint 3
whelk Posted January 30 Posted January 30 On 30/01/2025 at 18:01, Gloucester Saint said: It’s depressing but you were spot on. Even I didn’t think they’d stoop that low but they really are the dregs of western humanity. Expand You have got to feel for Americans. Well not the 70 million fucking morons that want someone with such despicable character traits to lead them. Will be a great day when this cunt dies and let’s hope it is soon. 6
Gloucester Saint Posted January 30 Posted January 30 (edited) On 30/01/2025 at 18:17, whelk said: You have got to feel for Americans. Well not the 70 million fucking morons that want someone with such despicable character traits to lead them. Will be a great day when this cunt dies and let’s hope it is soon. Expand Today’s outburst wasn’t spur of the moment either https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/01/faa-employees-disabilities-targeted-trumps-anti-dei-push/402444/ it was very much planned as a strategy of division and hate. It’s what Conservatives of the 2020s are all about in the Trump era. Badenoch had a totally unfounded and out of order pop at neurodiversities during the autumn. Forget the genuine merit of the 1980s under Reagan and Thatcher, where there was a belief you could make it whoever you were, hatred now rules and shits on aspiration, which used to be a Conservative cornerstone. The assessment centres for those role are extremely demanding and few pass with the necessary high marks, but why let the facts get in the way of hating people with disabilities? Edited January 30 by Gloucester Saint 2
Lighthouse Posted January 30 Posted January 30 On 30/01/2025 at 18:22, Gloucester Saint said: Today’s outburst wasn’t spur of the moment either https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/01/faa-employees-disabilities-targeted-trumps-anti-dei-push/402444/ it was very much planned as a strategy of division and hate. It’s what Conservatives of the 2020s are all about in the Trump era. Badenoch had a totally unfounded and out of order pop at neurodiversities during the autumn. Forget the genuine merit of the 1980s under Reagan and Thatcher, where there was a belief you could make it whoever you were, hatred now rules and shits on aspiration, which used to be a Conservative cornerstone. The assessment centres for those role are extremely demanding and few pass with the necessary high marks, but why let the facts get in the way of hating people with disabilities? Expand Both pilots and air traffic controllers have to pass a fairly stringent medical exam, which would usually be done before a new trainee even begins simulator training. Blind people with psychiatric disorders are quite simply never going to pass and even be allowed to begin training. 2
Gloucester Saint Posted January 30 Posted January 30 On 30/01/2025 at 19:14, Lighthouse said: Both pilots and air traffic controllers have to pass a fairly stringent medical exam, which would usually be done before a new trainee even begins simulator training. Blind people with psychiatric disorders are quite simply never going to pass and even be allowed to begin training. Expand Well, quite. It’s insane that basically something like the above has to be potentially put on screen as a fact/reality check when the so-called leader of the free world opens his mouth at a press conference about a disaster where 70-odd people have lost their lives. 5
sadoldgit Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 30/01/2025 at 19:26, Gloucester Saint said: Well, quite. It’s insane that basically something like the above has to be potentially put on screen as a fact/reality check when the so-called leader of the free world opens his mouth at a press conference about a disaster where 70-odd people have lost their lives. Expand His comments didn’t surprise me in the least given that this is who he is and that is what he does. What did surprise me is the way that he used the Presidential address about the accident to spread his poisonous rhetoric whilst the bodies were still being recovered and those affected were still reeling from the news. A new low from a man who constantly redefines what it is to be subhuman. Also I understand that one of his many initial much trumpeted Executive Orders cuts the number of people looking into airline safety. https://apnews.com/article/coast-guard-homeland-security-priorities-committees-trump-tsa-d3e4398c8871ada8d0590859442e092c# Edited January 31 by sadoldgit 4
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 30/01/2025 at 19:14, Lighthouse said: Both pilots and air traffic controllers have to pass a fairly stringent medical exam, which would usually be done before a new trainee even begins simulator training. Blind people with psychiatric disorders are quite simply never going to pass and even be allowed to begin training. Expand I understand that and it also doesn't seem appropriate to start bringing this up in the immediate aftermath of a disaster but the idea that standards have been lowered in order to cater to DEI initiatives isn't such an outlandish proposition. I haven't seen a suggestion yet that the air traffic controller was at fault but I would certainly disagree with DEI initiatives favouring individuals based on immutable characteristics. Edited January 31 by hypochondriac 2
Gloucester Saint Posted January 31 Posted January 31 I can only comment on UK ED&I policies and programmes, as I don’t have experience of US ones (didn’t stop Trump obviously even in the wake of a disaster). They have never been about hiring less able or qualified people to positions firstly. Secondly, it’s giving people from a different backgrounds an opportunity to interview and assess and mitigating access where that access has been less. Be that through less social networks, the assessment process being made more transparent (eg clear on salaries and questions). We’re talking small reasonable adjustments. For example, there are some very bright neurodiverse people out there but only 3 in 10 are in stable employment. Talk about putting a spike in economic productivity. Also means the goods and service sold or provided to diverse customers are not reflected in the workforce and social mix. That’s trouble, we know that from history.
sadoldgit Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) The main point currently is that the President of the United States of America has stood up in front of the world and used this platform to peddle his own hate filled agenda. He even admitted that he didn’t know what caused the accident but that didn’t stop him blaming “diversity” when he should have been more respectful of the situation and those who are grieving for lost loved ones. No surprise either to see anyone who is signed up to the anti woke brigade jumping on the band wagon. It is a sad state of affairs where people who are already struggling to make a life despite disabilities also find that moves to allow them to be more inclusive in society are being weaponised against them by the most powerful man in the western world. He says it is just “common sense”. No it isn’t Donald. It is what your country (or those without bone spurs) fought against in the last century. Edited January 31 by sadoldgit
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 14:28, Gloucester Saint said: I can only comment on UK ED&I policies and programmes, as I don’t have experience of US ones (didn’t stop Trump obviously even in the wake of a disaster). They have never been about hiring less able or qualified people to positions firstly. Secondly, it’s giving people from a different backgrounds an opportunity to interview and assess and mitigating access where that access has been less. Be that through less social networks, the assessment process being made more transparent (eg clear on salaries and questions). We’re talking small reasonable adjustments. For example, there are some very bright neurodiverse people out there but only 3 in 10 are in stable employment. Talk about putting a spike in economic productivity. Also means the goods and service sold or provided to diverse customers are not reflected in the workforce and social mix. That’s trouble, we know that from history. Expand I don't think anyone should have an issue with allowing those with disabilities or disadvantages from having interviews or giving them opportunities where their disability or disadvantage has no impact on their job. That certainly hasn't been how those policies have been interpreted in some cases though. Plenty of examples of different ethnicities or sexualities being prioritised over others and some seeking equality of outcome rather than equality of opportunity.
badgerx16 Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 31/01/2025 at 16:16, hypochondriac said: I don't think anyone should have an issue with allowing those with disabilities or disadvantages from having interviews or giving them opportunities where their disability or disadvantage has no impact on their job. That certainly hasn't been how those policies have been interpreted in some cases though. Plenty of examples of different ethnicities or sexualities being prioritised over others and some seeking equality of outcome rather than equality of opportunity. Expand But it seems reasonably clear that Trump is simply crushing the entire equality program because for some obscure reason he doesn't like it, and the outburst at yesterday's press conference was disgraceful, as I am sure you would agree. Edited January 31 by badgerx16 3
rallyboy Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 12:12, hypochondriac said: I understand that and it also doesn't seem appropriate to start bringing this up in the immediate aftermath of a disaster but the idea that standards have been lowered in order to cater to DEI initiatives isn't such an outlandish proposition. I haven't seen a suggestion yet that the air traffic controller was at fault but I would certainly disagree with DEI initiatives favouring individuals based on immutable characteristics. Expand His story is from 2014 and the system he complained about was removed in 2018. Trump seems a little confused, as does Tom Harwood.... 3
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 16:33, badgerx16 said: But it seems reasonably clear that Trump is simply crushing the entire equality program because for some obscure reason he doesn't like it, and the outburst at yesterday's press conference was disgraceful, as I am sure you would agree. Expand The E in DEI stands for equity and has nothing to do with equality.
badgerx16 Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 31/01/2025 at 16:53, hypochondriac said: The E in DEI stands for equity and has nothing to do with equality. Expand "Equity refers to concepts of fairness and justice, such as fair compensation and substantive equality. More specifically, equity usually also includes a focus on societal disparities and allocating resources and "decision making authority to groups that have historically been disadvantaged", and taking "into consideration a person's unique circumstances, adjusting treatment accordingly so that the end result is equal." Do you agree that Trump was totally out of order ? Edited January 31 by badgerx16 2
rallyboy Posted January 31 Posted January 31 Out of order doesn't quite cover it. Trump has already completed his own investigation - the helicopter was too high and there was way too much diversity about. No need for black boxes or any of that nonsense. 3
egg Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 12:12, hypochondriac said: I understand that and it also doesn't seem appropriate to start bringing this up in the immediate aftermath of a disaster but the idea that standards have been lowered in order to cater to DEI initiatives isn't such an outlandish proposition. I haven't seen a suggestion yet that the air traffic controller was at fault but I would certainly disagree with DEI initiatives favouring individuals based on immutable characteristics. Expand A bitter lad complaining that he didn't get a job doesn't equate to incompetent people getting the job.
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 31/01/2025 at 17:06, badgerx16 said: "Equity refers to concepts of fairness and justice, such as fair compensation and substantive equality. More specifically, equity usually also includes a focus on societal disparities and allocating resources and "decision making authority to groups that have historically been disadvantaged", and taking "into consideration a person's unique circumstances, adjusting treatment accordingly so that the end result is equal." Do you agree that Trump was totally out of order ? Expand So as I said nothing to do with equality. I'd already mentioned that I thought Trump's statement was ill judged and stupid. Happy to repeat that again if it makes you happy. Edited January 31 by hypochondriac
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 17:29, egg said: A bitter lad complaining that he didn't get a job doesn't equate to incompetent people getting the job. Expand What part of "the idea that standards have been lowered in order to cater to DEI initiatives isn't such an outlandish proposition" Made you think that's what I said?
badgerx16 Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 31/01/2025 at 17:56, hypochondriac said: So as I said nothing to do with equality. Expand "....substantive equality", seems quite clear, although we are talking about 'American english'. When it mentions 'equity' I am certain it doesn't refer to fiscal liquidity. Edited January 31 by badgerx16
badgerx16 Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) The head of the FAA resigned on inauguration day. Was this because he tried to fine SpaceX and suspend it's launches for breaches of safety regulations ?....... Edited January 31 by badgerx16 1
CB Fry Posted January 31 Posted January 31 Does anyone seriously think that before "DEI" there was some meritocratic paradise where only the best people got the jobs they totally deserve fair and square because of their own hard work and nothing else? 1
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 31/01/2025 at 18:04, badgerx16 said: "....substantive equality", seems quite clear, although we are talking about 'American english'. When it mentions 'equity' I am certain it doesn't refer to fiscal liquidity. Expand Equity means treating people unequally now to try to correct a perceived wrong which is usually undefined and normally historic. Substantive equality has the word equality in it but other than that it's a perversion of the language because it's a nonsense term with no proper definition. It's the opposite of actual equality. Edited January 31 by hypochondriac
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 31/01/2025 at 18:21, CB Fry said: Does anyone seriously think that before "DEI" there was some meritocratic paradise where only the best people got the jobs they totally deserve fair and square because of their own hard work and nothing else? Expand Of course not. There's horrendous examples of discrimination throughout history. That doesn't mean you look to discriminate in the opposite direction now to try to make up for historic injustice. No one should face discrimination due to an immutable characteristic that has no bearing on their ability to do a job. That was wrong fifty years ago as much as it is wrong today. Edited January 31 by hypochondriac
egg Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 17:57, hypochondriac said: What part of "the idea that standards have been lowered in order to cater to DEI initiatives isn't such an outlandish proposition" Made you think that's what I said? Expand Unless you're making the point that the policies have led to people getting jobs that they shouldn't get, what is your point?
CB Fry Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 19:07, hypochondriac said: Of course not. There's horrendous examples of discrimination throughout history. That doesn't mean you look to discriminate in the opposite direction now to try to make up for historic injustice. No one should face discrimination due to an immutable characteristic that has no bearing on their ability to do a job. That was wrong fifty years ago as much as it is wrong today. Expand If businesses aren't forced/encouraged/legislated against, they won't bother, which creates unfair discrimination in itself. "Don't do anything and it will all turn out fine" suits those already in the best positions and not those trying to break through. 2
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 19:09, egg said: Unless you're making the point that the policies have led to people getting jobs that they shouldn't get, what is your point? Expand My point is that DEI initiatives lead to a lowering of standards and the risk that less competent people are employed rather than the best person for the job. I never said someone incompetent got a job.
CB Fry Posted January 31 Posted January 31 (edited) On 31/01/2025 at 19:17, hypochondriac said: My point is that DEI initiatives lead to a lowering of standards and the risk that less competent people are employed rather than the best person for the job. I never said someone incompetent got a job. Expand The era of "employ my next door neighbour's son, he's a Mason like me" doesn't guarantee standards of competence either. Edited January 31 by CB Fry 1
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 19:16, CB Fry said: If businesses aren't forced/encouraged/legislated against, they won't bother, which creates unfair discrimination in itself. "Don't do anything and it will all turn out fine" suits those already in the best positions and not those trying to break through. Expand That really depends how they are forced encouraged or legislated against. I'm not talking about any case in particular but it would be completely unfair for the best qualified candidate to lose out on a job because of a characteristic they cannot change, have no control over and has no bearing on their ability to do the job. That's the case if they are disabled, black, white, fat, thin, Arab etc.
hypochondriac Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 19:19, CB Fry said: The era of "employ my next door neighbour's son, he's a Mason like me" doesn't guarantee standards of competence either. Expand Agreed but I never claimed it did, nor did I suggest that nepotism or discrimination were the only two available options here.
egg Posted January 31 Posted January 31 On 31/01/2025 at 19:17, hypochondriac said: My point is that DEI initiatives lead to a lowering of standards and the risk that less competent people are employed rather than the best person for the job. I never said someone incompetent got a job. Expand Your point is a non point if perfectly competent people have got the jobs.
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