Politics!
I live in America and we don't have proper news here. I've heard rumblings of an election in Europe tomorrow and that the BNP may take some seats. Is this actually possible?
( EvS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:09, archived)

Yes it is

( SuperMatt, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:10, archived)

I hope this helps

( SuperMatt, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:11, archived)

Are people upset about that?
I thought they were basically skinhead nazi types.
( EvS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:11, archived)

They are similarities to the National Socialist party, yes

( SuperMatt, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:13, archived)

The Nazis were a lot more competent, though.
And more coherent.
( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:14, archived)

That's because they had a midget for their leader

( SuperMatt, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:15, archived)

we don't fuck about.

( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:16, archived)

Imagine what we could achieve if we put our heads together

( SuperMatt, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:17, archived)

world domination, I'd bet.
of anything not on a high shelf. Tall people might be our undoing.
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:19, archived)

*puts hand on your forehead*
Go on, annex my Sudetenland, go on, in your own time.
( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:20, archived)

bastard irish
you come down here and say that *swings little fists*
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:21, archived)

If I crouch down behind him, you push him over
He'll never see THAT coming.
( SuperMatt, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:46, archived)

I read that as Sunderland. I'm all for that!

(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:38, archived)

Instead of a Welsh.

( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:16, archived)

Yep
but recent events have shown a few MPs to be self-serving bastards.
So angry stupid people are voting, probably against their own interest, for UKIP and the BNP as protest votes.
( ArthurTheRat, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:14, archived)

self-serving?
they just took what was offered
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:15, archived)

And quite right too.
If it annoys the plebs or makes their lives more difficult, I'm in favour of it.

I'm disgusted by all those idiots who complain about it. They should be grateful their money was spent to fund the lifestyles of such wonderful, upstanding individuals.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:15, archived)

that's why i don't like carverys

( mongychops, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:16, archived)

all the duck houses you can eat?

(Mehitabel_Itrang, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:20, archived)

They knew it was against the rules, and some took it anyway.
Admittedly they may have had the agreement of the regulatory body, who are apparently a bunch of retards.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:17, archived)

there are very few examples where anyone broke the rules
and most of them seem to be error rather than malice
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:19, archived)

There are rules saying the expenses have to be wholly and exclusively related to their political duty and staying somewhere other than their main address.
I think there are plenty of examples of things which are certainly not necessary for that purpose. Such as the usual moats, swimming pools etc, or mortgage payments on a flat for someone who already outright owns properties in that area.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:24, archived)

then why were the claims approved if they were against the rules?

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:25, archived)

As I said above,
'Admittedly they may have had the agreement of the regulatory body, who are apparently a bunch of retards.'
There's been some mention of MPs correspondence with the body, where the MPs basically bully and whine until their claims are accepted.
They didn't think anyone else would look at what was going on, so there was no reason to have any restraint.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:29, archived)

but, they didn't break any rules (most of them)
it's just a media witch hunt
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:38, archived)

Certainly it's a media witch hunt.
But I'm fairly confident a number have broken rules and hopefully they'll be dealt with criminally.
The witch hunt may have the benefit of provoking the formation of a better system that's less ambiguous and less open to abuse.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:42, archived)

dream on
all it did was get the fringe parties more of the vote
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:47, archived)

Depends how long it goes on for really.
I expect we'll all forget about it during the 'consultancy' type phase, so that whoever's in power when it boils over can reinstate much the same system.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:50, archived)

exactly, there's not much you can do differently while running the country
react to events and try not to fuck up too badly, what difference does it make who's in power?
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:51, archived)

Other countries manage to be open and fair about their expenses, I'm sure we could manage if we put our minds to it.
If it's all published, there's a serious incentive to behave well, because they've now seen what happens when the media finds a story like this.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:53, archived)

of course,
instate this new system by all means, just don't make the prosecutions retroactive
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:56, archived)

i feel sorry for the ones that acted within the rules yet are being made into pariahs
just because they claimed for curtains or some other bollocks like that
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:40, archived)

Some of them are very strange.
I don't feel the need to get outraged about a claim for a bathplug.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:43, archived)

I was listening to Richard Herring today
and he was saying, "if it seems like a trivial thing...then it is trivial to investigate it"
What's the point in spending thousands investigating someone who might have spent £1200 on a new telly when it was entirely within the expenses and allowances rules and regulations?
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:45, archived)

Yeah, what's the point in convicting burglars who only stole a small car, or the contents of someone's house.
The court and prison costs will outweigh the value of the theft.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:47, archived)

good point,
why not spend that money convicting rapists and the like instead?
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:54, archived)

But all they've stolen is innocence,
and people give that away willingly all the time.
Seriously though, I don't think it's an either/or. You have to convict for a crime even if it's a net loss for that particular case.
Otherwise, there's be no deterrant and the costs from other people committing the same crime will soon outweigh the savings.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:57, archived)

theft is hardly up there with assault
if there's no threat of physical harm why even bother to prosecute?
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 21:01, archived)

Because if someone stole my stuff, I'd say it's deserving of punishment.
Are you happy to have your things taken?
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 21:03, archived)

did you miss the bit that said "when it was entirely within the expenses and allowances rules and regulations"?
i.e. no criminal offence or breach of regulations
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:56, archived)

I think the point of investigation is to find out whether it's within the rules or not.
Noone's going to investigate something that's clearly fine, except possibly David Cameron because it makes him look good.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:58, archived)

but surely noone will know whether it is fine or not without investigating it?
I'm all for dismissing trivial things based on face value, clearly!
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 21:07, archived)

I'm not saying they should investigate every last claim,
I'm saying they should investigate the non-trivial ones that appear dodgy. I think some of the most clear cut ones are MPs who own properties in London but decide to move onto a new one and get the mortgage interest paid for.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 21:12, archived)

quite right!
i'm glad we agree! *shakes hands over the internet*
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 21:24, archived)

Splendid

( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 21:27, archived)

On their salaries
They shouldn't NEED to claim for curtains!
( Methylene Blue - electrohead, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:45, archived)

they don't earn that much

( rosalicious i fucking love youve been framed, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:46, archived)

Over £60,000 a year isn't much?
That's just the basic starting salary, for a job that requires no qualifications other than popularity.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:48, archived)

yeah, and being constantly in the media firing line

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:49, archived)

I'd take that for roughly 3x the average salary.
Especially if I also get a second home paid for.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:51, archived)

then why don't you?
get out there and make a difference!
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:53, archived)

I think I fall down at the 'popularity' qualification.
Also, I'm happy doing what I do now.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:54, archived)

The fact is that they were entitled to claim for it.
It is the system that needs reforming. There is no point closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

I'm guessing here that you wouldn't therefore claim for something that you were entitled to claim for because it might be unpopular?
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 21:00, archived)

What they took was what they felt to be their earnings
when Maggie "readjusted" salaries in the last recession so that they got less actual cash and more expenses, rather than just actual cash that they'd got before. It's just semantics, but most MPs felt that that 24k was just their salary called under a different name (as that's what it was pre-1990), so no ethical crime was commited.
( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:18, archived)

Voting through anger is going to cause more problems :(

( SuperMatt, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:15, archived)

just look at Susan Boyle
( vladimir, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:17, archived)

do i have to? :(
she looks like someone has set fire to her face and put it out with a golf shoe
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:40, archived)

as is wanking in anger

( Derek Monte subthread killer: qu'est-ce que c'est, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:29, archived)

nah, they are a fine bunch of folks with a bad reputation

( mongychops, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:17, archived)

do they have the BNP down south then?

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:22, archived)

oh yes, used to be a bnp bookshop that was their headquaters for years just up the road from me in welling, very racist round that area
www.dkrenton.co.uk/welling.html
( mongychops, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:24, archived)

More like fatarse racists.
They lack the motivation to get swastika tattoos.
( Willwillwritehiswill An arse like a slapped face., Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:51, archived)

No.
Except in backward shitholes like Burnley or South Elmsall.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:11, archived)

I don't think it matters where they're elected, they all toddle off to Europe and represent us.
Apparently they're going for it here in Sheffield. I got a leaflet, it was very exciting.
( my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:13, archived)

Burnley is about 49% asian and 49% thick white racists
I hate Burnley. It's a hateful hateful place.
(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:42, archived)

Anything is possible

( Pickle Fairy is clumsily dancing away this fear, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:11, archived)

it doesn't make any difference anyway
i wouldn't worry about it
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:11, archived)

what sort of news do you have then?

( Lisette von Falcon, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:11, archived)

olds

( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:12, archived)

This is the sort of news I want to see.
- Isrealies slaughter palistinians in game of manhunt, palistinians claim to be upset, but are looking foward to the game of Kiss Chase this afternoon.
- Puppy saves kitten from small controled house fire; kitten is reported to be saying "OH NOES ! BUT I IS OK NOW, FANKYOU".
- Manchester United to give Tottenham Hotsper FA Cup in thanks of lovely dinner (you must give me the recipy to that cheesecake).
- George Bush arrives at Heathrow Airport, but accidently left his passport at home. The plane he was on crashed into an active volcaino, nobody else was hurt. Tony Blair is said to be devistated, according to his coma-readings.
- Gordon Brown gives up his home, and seat, in parliment, to Billy Connoly.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:18, archived)

Harry Connick Jr. elected as President

( Lisette von Falcon, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:23, archived)

:-)
this is the kind of news we want to hear
( vladimir, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:24, archived)

I hope they do
not as a BNP supporter, but as a massive slap in the face for UK voters to wake up and realise that by dicking around reading tabloid stories about petty scandals they're ignoring the serious crime of letting France walk off with wheelbarrows full of used notes every fucking year out of the EU budget.

Then again, my afternoon coffee and sandwich was paid for by the EU, so I don't give a fuck.
( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:12, archived)

As a half-foreigner, I have never understood this country's reverence of all things French.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:14, archived)

...apart from the actual French.

(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:43, archived)

farming subsidies aren't what's wrong with the EU

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:17, archived)

Spending 45% of the entire budget on it is.

( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:20, archived)

what else would it be spent on?

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:21, archived)

A massive fleet of platinum coated tanks an helicopters for FRONTEX
to show those shifty bordering nations whose in charge.
I'd replace the CAP with a Posturing Allowance
( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:26, archived)

i think the preservation of food production in western europe is probably more important to be honest

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:28, archived)

YOU'RE what's wrong with the EU.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:20, archived)

i try

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:21, archived)

France is a net contributor
it's the Irish you want to watch.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:21, archived)

and the eastern europeans

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:21, archived)

Fucking hell
Chancing Luxembourgers.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:22, archived)

oh the Netherlands
you get even less than we do.
Why does Luxembourg get so much, anyone know? I thought they were quite a rich country.
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:30, archived)

maybe if I read the text I'll see the answer.
Doh.
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:32, archived)

They are
Loads of international organisations have their financial headquarters there for tax reasons, so the money looks as though it's going to Luxembourg but in fact it's sent straight out to all the subsidiaries. Same with Brussels.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:33, archived)

I'm never quite sure about why other countries use Lux. and the Bahamas etc. for "tax reasons".
Is the VAT or whatever just lower there? Also, all those graphs are fucking confusing.
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:35, archived)

Those first and last sentences may be related :)
It's more usually that some taxes aren't levied at all, I think. Things like capital gains tax eat into investment profits, so if some country decides not to charge them, it makes sense to invest there.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:40, archived)

it's a good thing I don't make a lot of money.

( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:44, archived)

but that made sense at least, thanks
:)
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:47, archived)

Maybe you do
and don't realise.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:47, archived)

aw dammit
where's my gold-plated monkey butler?
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:52, archived)

Very possible.
And of course you have proper news, you've got the internet.
( LimeyTreat Bitch. Lover. Child. Mother. Sinner. Saint., Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:12, archived)

I hope you're joking

( EvS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:18, archived)

Nope. The internet's international innit.
I'd not get my news from an American source but the internet means you don't have to do that.
( LimeyTreat Bitch. Lover. Child. Mother. Sinner. Saint., Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:24, archived)

Well, I do read the BBC online, but I thought you were talking about blogs and such

( EvS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:27, archived)

do they not have blogs in America?

(starwars mcguinness is now... STARWARS McGUINNESS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:44, archived)

They do
I've got one, they're shit.
( EvS, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:46, archived)

There are Elections to the European Parliament this week, on different days in different countries.
The Brits may well return some BNP members because their mainstream politicians are massive fucking spastics who are so phenomenally corrupt that they've pissed everybody off.
I've been pointing out how bad the Brits are for two years on here and everybody thought it was a LOLIRISH meme.
( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:13, archived)

Hold on a minute
this whole "scandal corrupt ooh duckmoat" thing is a bit of a media farce, to be honest.
( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:14, archived)

That's only a wee bit of the corruption, mind.

( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:17, archived)

I voted socialist.
I thought about voting lib dem, but I don't fancy digging splinters out of my arse for the next 3 years.

/Wicca'd
( Amorous Badger NAKED BEA ARTHUR PHOTOS 4U, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:14, archived)

If I were a saxon I'd be hell for leather for the Lib Dems right now.
Your country won't be fixed without PRSTV, and they're the mob who need it most, so they're the only ones who will deliver.
( Dr Preference AjcuiVd289, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:18, archived)

Rotten Boroughs are what made our EMPIRE
I'll have you know.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:28, archived)

I looked at your site
I like the Henry Rollins transcript
"over-fed, Baby Huey, coward-bitch motherfuckers"
( vladimir, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:13, archived)

I've voted - but not for the BNP
It was family outing as the kids came along and even the cat followed us to the polling station and waited for us outside until we were done.
( Mrs Sp@m, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:19, archived)

Ohh MAN, that reminds me of a story that happened to me the other day.
I was in my house, when I saw a dog at the other end of my field, it's quite a big field. I whistled for it to come over, and it did ! I realised who's dog it was, and took it back to the owner, who was very happy to see me and the dog.

That was awesome, I came home and had some Orange Drizzle cake that I made myself.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:22, archived)

Aww I love dogs
and orange drizzle cake.
I demand you make me one for my birthday next year and post it to me.

I shall also be in THAT LONDON in two weeks but I won't be able to come and see you :(
( Mrs Sp@m, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:26, archived)

Dogs are awesome, I saw some really really cute strays out there, I'll show you some photos.
I saw one dog not much bigger than my hand, by the side of the road, it kept on following me, so I took it to the end of the harbour (the guy who owns one of the resturants looks after all the local strays and trys to home them).

My dream is to have a dog of my own one day.

The orange drizzle cake was amazing, it was supposed to be lemon, but I wanted to try orange. It's one of the first things I've baked since leaving school, and I'll deffo make it again. The recipy, if you can find it, is "Lemon Lushous Cake" by Everlin Rose.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:35, archived)

The man who owns the restaraunts looks after the strays?
Are you sure that was chicken you were eating...
( Pickle Fairy is clumsily dancing away this fear, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:37, archived)

there was a dog next door in spain
who looked just like toto in wizard of oz and he'd jump up the porch fence every time we came back or went out. i fucking loved him. i shared my bacon with him in the mornings.

i wish i had a dog :(((

edit: also, oi oi!
( rosalicious i fucking love youve been framed, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:38, archived)

that dog was evil
just like all the rest of them
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:41, archived)

shut up

( rosalicious i fucking love youve been framed, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:42, archived)

it hated you
only those huge flying bugs loved you
( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:45, archived)

i wish i'd got a photo of that now for my monsters album

( rosalicious i fucking love youve been framed, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:48, archived)

Oh we had a toto dog next door to us in spain too
he was lovely.
( Mrs Sp@m, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:44, archived)

:O
*narrows eyes*
was his name benji?
( rosalicious i fucking love youve been framed, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:47, archived)

No he was called Pabloablo
That's what is sounded like when his owner was all over him. She was lovely though, spoke very little english and my spanish isn't great but we had a few conversations.
( Mrs Sp@m, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:50, archived)

also...
might have a go at making this. one for the fb group...?
( rosalicious i fucking love youve been framed, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:58, archived)

Oi oi, savaloy !
Whicked, sounds like the best way to start the day.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:58, archived)

all the best stories

( rosalicious i fucking love youve been framed, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:41, archived)

i voted for the bnp because i'm sick to death of people coming over here getting benifits and free healthcare and then blowing me up

( mongychops, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:20, archived)

haha, you vote?

( well, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:40, archived)

I like to think of him putting a cross in each box
and writing "no offence" underneath.
( Flapjack I spay a little mare for you, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:41, archived)

Great elections.

( Undulating Tentacles of Love getting fun down to acceptable levels, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:49, archived)

I dunno, I slept most of today.

( Esme Weatherwax I swear on my tash it's daycent hash, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 20:28, archived)