Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » And not the Thursday PB NightHawks – THE place for late evenin

SystemSystem Posts: 11,002
edited April 2020 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » And not the Thursday PB NightHawks – THE place for late evening political conversation

The big thing politically in the UK this week has been Starmer’s first time out at PMQs and this has got me pondering. We saw how Johnson’s deputy visibly relaxed yesterday after Starmer had ended his allocated six questions suggesting that this was quite an ordeal for the Foreign Secretary.

Read the full story here


«1

Comments

  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,165
    First
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,919
    second
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,620

    Endillion said:

    Andy_JS said:
    Help. I can no longer tell what's satire and what's real.
    Three hundred years later and critics are still divided about whether Daniel Defoe's The Shortest Way with the Dissenters; Or, Proposals for the Establishment of the Church was intended as satire!

    Defoe was prompted to write the pamphlet by the increased hostility towards Dissenters in the wake of the accession of Queen Anne to the throne.

    It is written in the same style as the Tory publications that attacked Dissenters, and was assumed by some people to be a genuine vindication of their view. The pamphlet raised embarrassing questions about the handling of the issue by the Tory ministry, and led to Defoe's arrest for seditious libel. His imprisonment, during which he fell into bankruptcy, was to have a lasting influence on his subsequent writings. . ...

    The Shortest Way has traditionally been classified as a satire, although this has been disputed by scholars. Miriam Laurenbaum has suggested that it is instead a form of hoax or "banter", and that Defoe does not use many of the features necessary for it to be considered a true satire. Paul Alkon describes the critical tradition surrounding the work as "asking mainly whether it is inadequate irony, deficient satire, or misused impersonation." Ashley Marshall suggests that "The Shortest-Way is best understood not as insufficiently ironic but as a counterfeit, an intentional fake not meant to be decoded."

    The difficulty for Defoe's contemporaries in assessing whether the work was ironic was the proximity of the speaker's voice to that of the High Anglicans whose views are being ridiculed. The pamphlet mixes both real observation and fabrication, and assumes the rhetorical style of his target. Defoe uses and imitates the language and metaphor of fanatical churchman, particularly Sacheverell's sermons; the speaker's comparison of the Dissenters to vipers is one that Sacheverell often made. ...
    An Irish Republican of my acquaintance* believed that -

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Modest_Proposal

    was a literal, heartfelt plan and showed the true evil of the British. They planned to *eat* the Irish!!!!

    *He brought to mind the comment about the Miners Union leaders from the General Strike.
    Hahaha!! Well if your satire-meter can't detect that, what can it pick up?

    By the way, what was the Miners Union comment, I'm sure I am aware but am having a blank moment!
    I am trying to remember the chap - he negotiated on behalf of the government and remarked (something like) - "The leaders of the Miners Union are the stupidest men alive, except that I have met the owners".
  • dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,279
    edited April 2020
    By the way, what was the Miners Union comment, I'm sure I am aware but am having a blank moment!

    I am trying to remember the chap - he negotiated on behalf of the government and remarked (something like) - "The leaders of the Miners Union are the stupidest men alive, except that I have met the owners".

    F E Smith or Lord Birkenhead.
  • dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,279
    It would be possible to say without exaggeration that the miners' leaders were the stupidest men in England if we had not frequent occasion to meet the owners. (F. E. Smith )
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,620
    dr_spyn said:

    It would be possible to say without exaggeration that the miners' leaders were the stupidest men in England if we had not frequent occasion to meet the owners. (F. E. Smith )

    Thank you - but I think it was Lord Birkenhead? Or am I wrong?
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,287
    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    edited April 2020
    Germany...very comfortable with private companies developing and administering testing...

    UK...phone the Guardian, a bloody private company is somewhere involved.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/23/hospitals-sound-alarm-over-privately-run-test-centre-in-surrey
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,287

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    It will be good to have Boris back, glad he's getting better.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,279
    I'll post this again.

    "I Teach At Oxford, But I Don’t Want It To Win The Coronavirus Vaccine Race
    The story will be clear: China, once again, has unleashed a threat to civilisation. But the best brains of the UK have saved the world, Dr Emily Cousens writes."

    https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/coronavirus-vaccine_uk_5ea067f2c5b6b2e5b83ba372
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,287

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    Ty that IS significant... and meets neatly with how i feel about the media.
    The BBC is being particilulatly unfair to the Govt.. pulling heart strings everywhere. ..NEWS AT 10 v similar
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    Be interesting to see what tone Boris takes. Has Bants Boris been buried?
  • tysontyson Posts: 6,049
    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    Boris's integrity and his instinct to always place the welfare of others above his own needs make him singularly unique to lead our country...
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,019

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,019
    Andy_JS said:

    I'll post this again.

    "I Teach At Oxford, But I Don’t Want It To Win The Coronavirus Vaccine Race
    The story will be clear: China, once again, has unleashed a threat to civilisation. But the best brains of the UK have saved the world, Dr Emily Cousens writes."

    https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/coronavirus-vaccine_uk_5ea067f2c5b6b2e5b83ba372

    Like I said: these people need help.

    She shouldn't be "teaching" anyone anything.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 116,709
    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,398

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    Just like on election night.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    I added some extra mustard powder to my cheese scones recipe.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,067
    tyson said:

    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    Boris's integrity and his instinct to always place the welfare of others above his own needs make him singularly unique to lead our country...
    He is Risen!
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 24,585
    Out of lockdown Tuesday? It would certainly be popular.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 47,787
    Nigelb said:
    So if you triple what NYC has seen so far, they’ll be getting on for herd immunity...
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038
    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20

    Go Joe!

    JBIDIP
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,623
    Was that poll just referring to trusting "the general concept of the NHS" on coronavirus, or a specific spokesperson? It feels a bit non-sequitur-y.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 24,585
    Foxy said:

    tyson said:

    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    Boris's integrity and his instinct to always place the welfare of others above his own needs make him singularly unique to lead our country...
    He is Risen!
    ...miraculously on Easter Sunday, this absolute coincidence wasn't lost on me.

    Hallelujah!
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,398
    Foxy said:

    tyson said:

    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    Boris's integrity and his instinct to always place the welfare of others above his own needs make him singularly unique to lead our country...
    He is Risen!
    That was Easter Sunday. On Ascension Day he will be carried on a cloud to the Downing Street flat.

    Somewhere in between that he has to offer Doubting Thomas a feel of his holes.

    (It has been a while since I read the Acts of the Apostles)
  • tysontyson Posts: 6,049

    Foxy said:

    tyson said:

    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    Boris's integrity and his instinct to always place the welfare of others above his own needs make him singularly unique to lead our country...
    He is Risen!
    ...miraculously on Easter Sunday, this absolute coincidence wasn't lost on me.

    Hallelujah!
    Hallelujah brother.....Boris is back. I can sleep again.

  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 61,574

    Nigelb said:
    So if you triple what NYC has seen so far, they’ll be getting on for herd immunity...
    Not sure they’d take you up on that suggestion....
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 24,585

    Foxy said:

    tyson said:

    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    Boris's integrity and his instinct to always place the welfare of others above his own needs make him singularly unique to lead our country...
    He is Risen!
    That was Easter Sunday. On Ascension Day he will be carried on a cloud to the Downing Street flat.

    Somewhere in between that he has to offer Doubting Thomas a feel of his holes.

    (It has been a while since I read the Acts of the Apostles)
    Very fewer Doubting Thomas's on PB from what I have seen.
  • tysontyson Posts: 6,049
    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
  • TGOHF666TGOHF666 Posts: 2,052
    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 116,709
    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    TGOHF666 said:

    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .

    You mean barber shops? :D
  • tysontyson Posts: 6,049
    TGOHF666 said:

    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .

    My wife has sheered me with the dog grooming clippers....

    It looks bad...very bad....I mean very fucking bad....but she said I was a much better behaved specimen than my dog, Trotsky, throughout the ordeal.....
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 61,574
    Structural Basis for Potent Neutralization of Betacoronaviruses by Single-domain Camelid Antibodies
    https://www.cell.com/pb-assets/products/coronavirus/CELL_CELL-D-20-00891.pdf
    ... Coronaviruses make use of a large envelope protein called spike (S) to engage host cell receptors and catalyze membrane fusion. Because of the vital role that these S proteins play, they represent a vulnerable target for the development of therapeutics. Here, we describe the isolation of single- domain antibodies (VHHs) from a llama immunized with prefusion-stabilized coronavirus spikes. These VHHs neutralize MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1 S pseudotyped viruses, respectively. Crystal structures of these VHHs bound to their respective viral targets reveal two distinct epitopes, but both VHHs interfere with receptor binding. We also show cross-reactivity between the SARS-CoV-1 S-directed VHH and SARS-CoV-2 S, and demonstrate that this cross- reactive VHH neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped viruses as a bivalent human IgG Fc- fusion. These data provide a molecular basis for the neutralization of pathogenic betacoronaviruses by VHHs and suggest that these molecules may serve as useful therapeutics...

    This is interesting, but I don’t think Sanofi, which is probably the leader in therapeutic camelid antibodies, has a Covid program involving their use.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 61,574
    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    It did so long since.
    Diminishing returns....
  • tysontyson Posts: 6,049
    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    I also am corrected....it was 1988 of course.....and Dukakis faded badly against Bush in the campaign proper

    Your knowledge of US politics H is the best I think on this site.....
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,279
    TGOHF666 said:

    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .

    True, I had a home haircut about a week ago. Bought a clippers from Lidl for £15.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038
    Thank God. Military to run 90 mobile test centres say Newsnight.
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,092

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    I added some extra mustard powder to my cheese scones recipe.
    You too! I've been honing my oatcake recipe for weeks, and have settled on a reliable moreish version. Incremental innovation or something!

  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 49,958

    Thank God. Military to run 90 mobile test centres say Newsnight.

    Trouble is, they will be camouflaged. No-one will ever find them....
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274

    Thank God. Military to run 90 mobile test centres say Newsnight.

    Its does beg the question, why the bloody hell weren't they doing this a month or more ago?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 61,574
    Newsnight rightly pointing out the massive gap between government rhetoric, and the reality on the ground in care homes.

    On this at least, Hancock is either ignorant, or a complete bullshitter.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 24,585
    edited April 2020
    Here in the Western Vale of Glamorgan, a Coronovirus lockdown side effect has been a peculiar crime wave. The theft of Eglu chicken houses complete with chickens.

    On a more serious note. Feargal Keane's report on fatalities from Covid-19 on NHS staff, particularly younger BAME Doctors and Nurses was heartbreaking on BBC's 10 o clock news. No partisan point intended, just an observation.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 11,059
    Nigelb said:

    Structural Basis for Potent Neutralization of Betacoronaviruses by Single-domain Camelid Antibodies
    https://www.cell.com/pb-assets/products/coronavirus/CELL_CELL-D-20-00891.pdf
    ... Coronaviruses make use of a large envelope protein called spike (S) to engage host cell receptors and catalyze membrane fusion. Because of the vital role that these S proteins play, they represent a vulnerable target for the development of therapeutics. Here, we describe the isolation of single- domain antibodies (VHHs) from a llama immunized with prefusion-stabilized coronavirus spikes. These VHHs neutralize MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1 S pseudotyped viruses, respectively. Crystal structures of these VHHs bound to their respective viral targets reveal two distinct epitopes, but both VHHs interfere with receptor binding. We also show cross-reactivity between the SARS-CoV-1 S-directed VHH and SARS-CoV-2 S, and demonstrate that this cross- reactive VHH neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped viruses as a bivalent human IgG Fc- fusion. These data provide a molecular basis for the neutralization of pathogenic betacoronaviruses by VHHs and suggest that these molecules may serve as useful therapeutics...

    This is interesting, but I don’t think Sanofi, which is probably the leader in therapeutic camelid antibodies, has a Covid program involving their use.


  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941

    Thank God. Military to run 90 mobile test centres say Newsnight.

    Its does beg the question, why the bloody hell weren't they doing this a month or more ago?
    Capacity?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038
    geoffw said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    I added some extra mustard powder to my cheese scones recipe.
    You too! I've been honing my oatcake recipe for weeks, and have settled on a reliable moreish version. Incremental innovation or something!

    Fills the time before the daily Hancock Half Hour. :smiley:
  • EPGEPG Posts: 5,996

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,281
    Is the BBC trying to up the pressure on the Govt re the TV Licence Fee (TVL)?

    BBC has already delayed introduction of TVL for over 75s from 1st June to 1st August.

    But they must now be fearing a much longer delay - if over 75s have to self-isolate for a year then enforcement officers won't be able to visit over 75s for all that time - so going to be very hard to implement. And I think BBC had offered to send people to homes of over 75s to help them with pension credit applications (if get pension credit then still exempt from TVL).

    So what do BBC do? Are they trying to cut a deal with Govt - maybe everyone over 75 keeps TVL and Govt funds 50%? Or something similar.

    Separate but also important issue is BBC will be facing greater TVL evasion from under 75s with enforcement officers unable to visit any homes at the moment. Plus more homes legitimately cancelling their TVL and just using streaming services which don't require a TVL (other than BBC iPlayer).

    All in all it's a potentially very interesting situation about to play out as far as BBC is concerned.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    Literally every? I mean there's a link a few posts above you which is from a non-media source.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,836
    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    Trouble is coronavirus can't be bullied, bribes, insulted or intimidated. It cares not about Tweets, Fox News, billionaire propaganda, rallies or a bunch of Yahoo's with semi-automatics.
    Unfortunately for Trump only good governance will contain it.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,067
    TGOHF666 said:

    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .

    Sold out at present...
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,046
    DougSeal said:

    Nigelb said:

    Structural Basis for Potent Neutralization of Betacoronaviruses by Single-domain Camelid Antibodies
    https://www.cell.com/pb-assets/products/coronavirus/CELL_CELL-D-20-00891.pdf
    ... Coronaviruses make use of a large envelope protein called spike (S) to engage host cell receptors and catalyze membrane fusion. Because of the vital role that these S proteins play, they represent a vulnerable target for the development of therapeutics. Here, we describe the isolation of single- domain antibodies (VHHs) from a llama immunized with prefusion-stabilized coronavirus spikes. These VHHs neutralize MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1 S pseudotyped viruses, respectively. Crystal structures of these VHHs bound to their respective viral targets reveal two distinct epitopes, but both VHHs interfere with receptor binding. We also show cross-reactivity between the SARS-CoV-1 S-directed VHH and SARS-CoV-2 S, and demonstrate that this cross- reactive VHH neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped viruses as a bivalent human IgG Fc- fusion. These data provide a molecular basis for the neutralization of pathogenic betacoronaviruses by VHHs and suggest that these molecules may serve as useful therapeutics...

    This is interesting, but I don’t think Sanofi, which is probably the leader in therapeutic camelid antibodies, has a Covid program involving their use.


    I understood that they tested on a llama. Which was brave. I imagine it was the animal variety, not the Buddhist variety.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    tyson said:

    TGOHF666 said:

    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .

    My wife has sheered me with the dog grooming clippers....

    It looks bad...very bad....I mean very fucking bad....but she said I was a much better behaved specimen than my dog, Trotsky, throughout the ordeal.....
    Your horse should be called Trotsky.

    The dog should be called Chompsky.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 24,585
    edited April 2020
    dixiedean said:

    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    Trouble is coronavirus can't be bullied, bribes, insulted or intimidated. It cares not about Tweets, Fox News, billionaire propaganda, rallies or a bunch of Yahoo's with semi-automatics.
    Unfortunately for Trump only good governance will contain it.
    ...and with friends like Governor Brian Kemp that doesn't bode well.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038
    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    I also am corrected....it was 1988 of course.....and Dukakis faded badly against Bush in the campaign proper

    Your knowledge of US politics H is the best I think on this site.....

    " [Trump's] not even bothering with a dog whistle. He’s lunged straight for the brass horn.

    Trump is so dominant on social media that these briefings get over 1 million views per evening on his Facebook page alone. Those numbers show no sign of declining. According to Axios, Trump has drummed up 15 times as many followers on social media as Joe Biden; he draws six times as much web traffic; and he gets three times as many cable news mentions. Trump also has a far larger war chest, and he’s already spending it, lavishly."

    NYTimes



  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    edited April 2020
    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    Really....we spend more time debunking the crap they are putting out, from Delboy Trotters of this world aren't actually PPE distributors to the very dodgy map allegedly showing a hotspot of CV in Cheltenham, but doesn't adjust for population density, has numerous spelling errors and in one area the number of cases is more than the number of people who live there.

    And don't get started on anything statistical....
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941

    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    Really....we spend more time debunking the crap they are putting out, from Delboy Trotters of this world aren't actually PPE distributors to the very dodgy map allegedly showing a hotspot of CV in Cheltenham, but doesn't adjust for population density, has numerous spelling errors and in one area the number of cases is more than the number of people who live there.
    Plus we knew about the ONS before it was cool.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    I also am corrected....it was 1988 of course.....and Dukakis faded badly against Bush in the campaign proper

    Your knowledge of US politics H is the best I think on this site.....

    " [Trump's] not even bothering with a dog whistle. He’s lunged straight for the brass horn.

    Trump is so dominant on social media that these briefings get over 1 million views per evening on his Facebook page alone. Those numbers show no sign of declining. According to Axios, Trump has drummed up 15 times as many followers on social media as Joe Biden; he draws six times as much web traffic; and he gets three times as many cable news mentions. Trump also has a far larger war chest, and he’s already spending it, lavishly."

    NYTimes



    The media hate Trump, they love talking about how bad he is.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    Be interesting to see what tone Boris takes. Has Bants Boris been buried?

    His nature will shine through in the end, for better and worse, I imagine.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 61,574

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    I also am corrected....it was 1988 of course.....and Dukakis faded badly against Bush in the campaign proper

    Your knowledge of US politics H is the best I think on this site.....

    " [Trump's] not even bothering with a dog whistle. He’s lunged straight for the brass horn.

    Trump is so dominant on social media that these briefings get over 1 million views per evening on his Facebook page alone. Those numbers show no sign of declining. According to Axios, Trump has drummed up 15 times as many followers on social media as Joe Biden; he draws six times as much web traffic; and he gets three times as many cable news mentions. Trump also has a far larger war chest, and he’s already spending it, lavishly."

    NYTimes
    ... and he’s losing.

  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    RobD said:

    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    Really....we spend more time debunking the crap they are putting out, from Delboy Trotters of this world aren't actually PPE distributors to the very dodgy map allegedly showing a hotspot of CV in Cheltenham, but doesn't adjust for population density, has numerous spelling errors and in one area the number of cases is more than the number of people who live there.
    Plus we knew about the ONS before it was cool.
    Never heard of them...do they do anything important?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,067
    tyson said:

    TGOHF666 said:

    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .

    My wife has sheered me with the dog grooming clippers....

    It looks bad...very bad....I mean very fucking bad....but she said I was a much better behaved specimen than my dog, Trotsky, throughout the ordeal.....
    Mrs Foxy is threatening me with the dog shears. I suppose I should be grateful to have that much hair. Not going to take the risk though. She can loan me an Alice band.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,046
    dixiedean said:

    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    Trouble is coronavirus can't be bullied, bribes, insulted or intimidated. It cares not about Tweets, Fox News, billionaire propaganda, rallies or a bunch of Yahoo's with semi-automatics.
    Unfortunately for Trump only good governance will contain it.
    To me it's more like something that will blow through, like a Viking attack, leaving devastation in its wake, but thankfully leaving. The trick then is to be seen to have landed some sort of blow on it that made it a bit better.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941

    RobD said:

    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    Really....we spend more time debunking the crap they are putting out, from Delboy Trotters of this world aren't actually PPE distributors to the very dodgy map allegedly showing a hotspot of CV in Cheltenham, but doesn't adjust for population density, has numerous spelling errors and in one area the number of cases is more than the number of people who live there.
    Plus we knew about the ONS before it was cool.
    Never heard of them...do they do anything important?
    Radiohead tribute band.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    Foxy said:

    tyson said:

    TGOHF666 said:

    If hairdressers are closed for 6 month then a lot of people are going to never return. Buy clipper shares .

    My wife has sheered me with the dog grooming clippers....

    It looks bad...very bad....I mean very fucking bad....but she said I was a much better behaved specimen than my dog, Trotsky, throughout the ordeal.....
    Mrs Foxy is threatening me with the dog shears. I suppose I should be grateful to have that much hair. Not going to take the risk though. She can loan me an Alice band.
    I heard at some hospitals they have set up temporary hair salons to give NHS workers free hair cuts.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 8,629
    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    If all you know about the crisis is what the press has told you then you have the distinction of being at the same time the most ill informed person here and the most misinformed
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    We have been assured, implicitly, by people who hate him, that he is a titanic presence and that the government is incapable of deciding anything even with a clear instruction of who is deputising for him without his firm hand on the tilller. So you jest, but people who dislike him the most seem to be clear we have missed him.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    edited April 2020
    RobD said:

    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    Really....we spend more time debunking the crap they are putting out, from Delboy Trotters of this world aren't actually PPE distributors to the very dodgy map allegedly showing a hotspot of CV in Cheltenham, but doesn't adjust for population density, has numerous spelling errors and in one area the number of cases is more than the number of people who live there.
    Plus we knew about the ONS before it was cool.
    A three letter acronym organisation? Presumably some kind of foreign spy organisation, probably something like the Office of National Security.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 61,574

    DougSeal said:

    Nigelb said:

    Structural Basis for Potent Neutralization of Betacoronaviruses by Single-domain Camelid Antibodies
    https://www.cell.com/pb-assets/products/coronavirus/CELL_CELL-D-20-00891.pdf
    ... Coronaviruses make use of a large envelope protein called spike (S) to engage host cell receptors and catalyze membrane fusion. Because of the vital role that these S proteins play, they represent a vulnerable target for the development of therapeutics. Here, we describe the isolation of single- domain antibodies (VHHs) from a llama immunized with prefusion-stabilized coronavirus spikes. These VHHs neutralize MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1 S pseudotyped viruses, respectively. Crystal structures of these VHHs bound to their respective viral targets reveal two distinct epitopes, but both VHHs interfere with receptor binding. We also show cross-reactivity between the SARS-CoV-1 S-directed VHH and SARS-CoV-2 S, and demonstrate that this cross- reactive VHH neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped viruses as a bivalent human IgG Fc- fusion. These data provide a molecular basis for the neutralization of pathogenic betacoronaviruses by VHHs and suggest that these molecules may serve as useful therapeutics...

    This is interesting, but I don’t think Sanofi, which is probably the leader in therapeutic camelid antibodies, has a Covid program involving their use.


    I understood that they tested on a llama. Which was brave. I imagine it was the animal variety, not the Buddhist variety.
    Camelid antibodies are surprisingly effective in humans, and have significant advantages over human therapeutic antibodies in terms of cost of production, and ease of delivery.

    Sanofi have one in development for RSV.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,279
    edited April 2020
    MikeL said:

    Is the BBC trying to up the pressure on the Govt re the TV Licence Fee (TVL)?

    BBC has already delayed introduction of TVL for over 75s from 1st June to 1st August.

    But they must now be fearing a much longer delay - if over 75s have to self-isolate for a year then enforcement officers won't be able to visit over 75s for all that time - so going to be very hard to implement. And I think BBC had offered to send people to homes of over 75s to help them with pension credit applications (if get pension credit then still exempt from TVL).

    So what do BBC do? Are they trying to cut a deal with Govt - maybe everyone over 75 keeps TVL and Govt funds 50%? Or something similar.

    Separate but also important issue is BBC will be facing greater TVL evasion from under 75s with enforcement officers unable to visit any homes at the moment. Plus more homes legitimately cancelling their TVL and just using streaming services which don't require a TVL (other than BBC iPlayer).

    All in all it's a potentially very interesting situation about to play out as far as BBC is concerned.

    They won't have to pay Gary Lineker's fee for presenting Match of the Day. That should help their finances.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038
    Meanwhile the delusion bug is still rampant...

    https://twitter.com/Standup4Labour/status/1253412854285266945
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    Its not just here that the media appear to be a bunch of total ignoramuses when it comes to statistical analysis...

    https://twitter.com/wgeary/status/1252636419111165953?s=20
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,279
    Newsnight report on Sweden just about to start.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    kle4 said:

    RobD said:

    EPG said:

    Evening all anything SIGNIFICANT happen today?

    The media got buried in the polls.
    Which polls?
    https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1253363043980972036?s=20
    This is unsurprising.

    What value or insight have the media really offered into this crisis? It's just been silly baiting and gotcha type stuff, and endless inane (and totally uninformed) talking heads.

    The best analysis has been on here.
    They have told you literally everything. What would you know if not for the media, feeding Twitter and "on here" for free.
    Really....we spend more time debunking the crap they are putting out, from Delboy Trotters of this world aren't actually PPE distributors to the very dodgy map allegedly showing a hotspot of CV in Cheltenham, but doesn't adjust for population density, has numerous spelling errors and in one area the number of cases is more than the number of people who live there.
    Plus we knew about the ONS before it was cool.
    A three letter acronym organisation? Presumably some kind of foreign spy organisation.
    My favourite three letter acronym organization is the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), mainly because it's the same as the leading Ferengi financial watchdog in Star Trek Deep Space Nine. :D
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    Yeah, that was an utterly pathetic display from him.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038
    Newsnight doing Sweden
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    Meanwhile the delusion bug is still rampant...

    https://twitter.com/Standup4Labour/status/1253412854285266945

    The myth of what could have been in 2017 is going to haunt our politics for decades, isn't it? We shall never be rid of it.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,038
    Giesecke is on
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    edited April 2020

    Its not just here that the media appear to be a bunch of total ignoramuses when it comes to statistical analysis...

    https://twitter.com/wgeary/status/1252636419111165953?s=20

    Modifiable Areal Unit Problem? It's just called per capita round these parts.

    The right one is still crap... those aren't equal population hexagons.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,067
    kle4 said:

    Foxy said:

    Yep, we have missed his decisive scientific brain at these crucial times.
    We have been assured, implicitly, by people who hate him, that he is a titanic presence and that the government is incapable of deciding anything even with a clear instruction of who is deputising for him without his firm hand on the tilller. So you jest, but people who dislike him the most seem to be clear we have missed him.
    I don't hate him. He isn't worth the effort. He is just one of the over entitled, over confident, underskilled, public school bluffers that we so often get inflicted with in this country. Just a cork in a storm, tossed by the waves.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    RobD said:

    Its not just here that the media appear to be a bunch of total ignoramuses when it comes to statistical analysis...

    https://twitter.com/wgeary/status/1252636419111165953?s=20

    Modifiable Areal Unit Problem? It's just called per capita round these parts.
    Well they also believe they have just invented proning for treating ICU patients...
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,836

    dixiedean said:

    HYUFD said:

    tyson said:

    HYUFD said:

    Biden now outperforming the Democrats nationally

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1253381726786801664?s=20


    Dukakis was averaging 10% national poll leads after the 1984 Dem Convention.....

    There is a long way to go...and the GOP are going to fight dirty...
    True but Biden is tougher than Dukakis and more of a bruiser and Bush Snr was more centrist than Trump is.

    I agree it will be close though, the Trump campaign will likely go negative over the summer
    Trouble is coronavirus can't be bullied, bribes, insulted or intimidated. It cares not about Tweets, Fox News, billionaire propaganda, rallies or a bunch of Yahoo's with semi-automatics.
    Unfortunately for Trump only good governance will contain it.
    To me it's more like something that will blow through, like a Viking attack, leaving devastation in its wake, but thankfully leaving. The trick then is to be seen to have landed some sort of blow on it that made it a bit better.
    Oh I agree. My point is that the rather unusual tools Trump usually reaches for will have no effect. He's used to playing people. Hence the flailing from tactic to tactic with no hint of strategy.
    And his major card, the economy, aint anything but a car crash before election day.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    Andy_JS said:

    Newsnight report on Sweden just about to start.

    Can you give us a summary?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,279
    I wish Sweden would invade the UK so we could get rid of the lockdown.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    Andy_JS said:

    I wish Sweden would invade the UK so we could get rid of the lockdown.

    The differences in the countries should give you pause for thought. That, and they are doing 3/4 of the stuff that is happening in the UK.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,279
    edited April 2020
    RobD said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Newsnight report on Sweden just about to start.

    Can you give us a summary?
    It's still ongoing but 70% of the Swedish public support the government's approach. The chief scientist is standing by his approach.
This discussion has been closed.