timb37.bsky.social
19 posts
42 followers
656 following
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I agree, Ian. We will definitely fail if we don't even try.
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It must do but will Trump care? He and the other oligarchs seem obsessed with taking the USA back to the late 19th Century: isolationist and largely self-sufficient, a business friendly/worker hostile environment and with a tax system based largely on tariffs and consumption taxes (no income tax!).
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It's such an obvious attack line and one that should resonate with small 'c' conservatives. Corbyn was unpopular for a lot of reasons of course but his pro-Putin supplication was taken as a strong evidence of his anti-Western beliefs (or 'self-hating' as a right-wing Tory might put it!).
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The UK could really do with something like shore based Aster 30 for ABM/Area defence, backed up something like CAMM-ER. Fingers crossed.
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“Are we the bad guys?” The Nazis thought they were doing good, ridding the world of Judeo-Bolshevism and saving the Ayrian race. All utter garbage of course. Just listen to the Russians, their rationale is twisted and disgusting but I am sure they think they’re in the right.
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That's true and makes complete sense. I would prefer the Continental approach and have more parties to chose from on election day!
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On the plus side, I can't believe that MOD aren't looking at the feasibility of doing this. So, many assumptions are being shaken at present. Additionally, there are calls in Europe to accessing a European nuclear deterrence shield which brings its own opportunities for change.
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There is definitely that risk. Switching to another missile would be very costly and runs the risk that the CASD is gapped (so relying on the French!). And the delays to building the Dreadnought SSBNs already mean Vanguard boats require expensive & time consuming refits to extend their life cycles.
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That’s a completely backwards reading of events: European corporate interests are being sidelined so we can support Ukraine against the from the revanchist and malevolent Russian Empire. And I would also say the same of the USA if it invaded Panama, Greenland or Canada.
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I take it feel you that not all Boomers would agree with Titchmarsh's view?
I don't think it's all Boomers but a depressingly high percentage do think that.
How best to capture that nuance in a pithy way then?
'Smug Boomers'? 'The Old Comtemptibles'? :)
I was born in 1967 btw.
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Strong WASPI vibe to this.
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At last! Privatisation is clearly not the panacea that was promised. The key, as ever, is good management not the ownership structure. Same goes for Water, Rail, Schools etc.
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Business ‘leaders’ are some of the laziest thinkers on the planet. Far too much ‘system 1’ thinking from them.
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Thanks, as ever, for these excellent write-ups. I am ex-RN (boats) so it’s nice to see articles on Sea Viper etc. I also like your practical views on procurement (e.g. considering Archer as a value option). I have got very tired of the Top Trumps brigade demanding perfection on a limited budget!
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I don’t get it - if X is so useful, why are you bothering to post on Bluesky? Just stay there until such time the HMG and media accounts you care about move across.
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Your technical summaries are great so I’m pleased you made the move onto Bluesky. Given your positive comments when Musk’s takeover of Twitter/X, I’m surprised you made the move though!
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The problem with trying to win the policy argument is that key media outlets are often owned by people who would personally benefit from leaving the ECHR. They set the agenda and the tone. We can’t have a reasonable and fair debate in this country until the media is restructured and reformed.
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Not so much inflation per se but the feeling of being poorer as a result. Lots of studies show that a loss registers twice as much as a potential. The lesson surely is, however you do it (tax cuts or direct payments) make sure your voters’ net income keeps growing.
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I recently saw figures that indicated only 0.3% of the UK pop received ADHD meds (though I can't remember where I saw it now - sorry!). If so, any growth could be simply due to better awareness of niche behaviours. As a species, we could simply be more 'wonky' than we've previously assumed!