This may go tits up, but I hope it doesn’t fall into petty finger pointing and name calling… but what the hell! In an attempt to highlight key news reports and our thoughts, fears or delight and our own personal responses to these reports… I bring you the NEWS channel. Discussion encouraged… if you are likely to easily cause offence, then consider using the more diplomatic areas of your vocabulary; if you are likely to be easily offended, put your big-boy pants on…
Ok, I’ll start with China / Taiwan … increasing number of military jets flying close to (but not in) Taiwanese air space from China. Lots of sabres being rattled… lots of concern that this will be the next arena for big physical contact… but I like the very last line of this news report… Taiwanese people are well used to China's threats and there has been no sign of panic on the island because of the stepped up military activity, nor undermining of investor confidence on the stock market. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-...-alert-chinas-military-activities-2021-10-05/
Good idea @DCS900 . I will kick off with the current coverage of the Sarah Eeverard and the lack of coverage of the Sabina Nessa case.
I think that Stephen Lawrence got his fair share of publicity..20+ yrs later, and it's still being dragged up by the media, whenever they want to mention "race". I doubt the woman killed by the policeman, will be.
While I have no time whatsoever for Cressida Dick, why should she resign because one of her workforce committed a murder ? Are all factory/office managers villified when one of their employees commits a terrible murder ? Are all hospital managers villified when a nurse murders lots of babies/patients ? Where the GMC asked to resign when Shipman was found out ?
Pretty sure the American war machine will be cranking up to meet any perceived threat.. They will be wanting to replace the $billions of equipment that they just gave to the Taliban.
Previous allegations made against Wayne Couzens prior to him joining the Met and the way they were handled seems to be the concern here. Although Cressida Dick probably had little to do with Couzens recruitment, "The book stops at the top" is obviously the thinking here but I agree she should not be forced out.
Maybe but the concern for me personally is the media, yet again, just looking for a lynching. Cnuts. Edit: While I wouldn't lose any sleep if Cressida Dick was hung, I thing Laura Kuensberg should swing at her side. Edit2: Maybe that's a bit strong on Laura but I still think she's a right twat.
It’s a real conundrum. There is no doubt China has the capabilities and the sheer numbers to invade Taiwan when it judges that the time is right, and when you look at the map and the (relatively) trivial distances involved you have to think they could do so before the US could react in any meaningful way. So unless the US is actually willing to go to war over Taiwan then it seems to me it’s just a matter of when, not if.
Everyone else with a chip on their shoulder, is screaming for reparations from hundreds of years ago, So why not ?
Culture in any organisation comes from the top. The culture in the Met, and the reports of the behaviour that's been allowed to continue, has persisted under her watch. That's why there are calls for her to go.
Well then in that case the people who appointed Dick should be held responsible. It just gets sillier and sillier doesn't it ?
If (or when) China decides to occupy Taiwan there's not a lot any other country can do about it, at least not militarily. As you say, China has the biggest army in the world just a few miles away. The US has suffered at least two embarrassing defeats over the last few decades and would be facing a third if they tried to intervene. A willingness to die for one's beliefs in the motherland, a god, a leader, the afterlife or Valhalla is always going to give that army a huge advantage.
The media frenzy over Everard is because of the police connection and the failings of the system to have prevented it. Nessa was much less “sellable” and so was sold less (in my opinion) The slightly cynical side of my character would ask… Why report this in a way that breeds massive distrust in our police? Who would benefit or desire such a weakening of that authoritarian service? That the actions of one man should comprehensively alter the service provider “landscape” seems a huge reaction… but then I think of Harold Shipman and the necessary changes to GP practice and death certification. https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...eforms#why-the-current-system-needs-to-change
Great idea, DCS! But can I put on my big-girl pants instead?? Sigh--looks like I'll have to start reading the newspapers again to be up to speed in this thread. Or not...
