keano77

I would guess elderflower but could be wrong

I realise your naivety KK but that is the problem with much of this debate. I?m sure you intended to use the phrase in a well known sense. However the word ?spade? is well known as a racist term. The following excerpt (taken at random) might help you Is It Racist To 'Call A Spade A Spade'? By Lakshmi Gandhi What happens when a perfectly innocuous phrase takes on a more sinister meaning over time? Case in point, the expression "to call a spade a spade." For almost half a millennium, the phrase has served as a demand to "tell it like it is." It is only in the past century that the phrase began to acquire a negative, racial overtone... https://text.npr.org/224183763 My point here is this whole issue is like walking on egg-shells. People can be accused of being racist without meaning to be racist. This might be because of unconscious racism/bias, white privilege etc It is indeed a minefield.

Unfortunate turn of phrase KK. ?Spade? took on racial undertones many years ago. So it could be argued your use of the word ?spade? means you are racist even if you don?t realise you are (subconsciously racist). See how difficult all this is?

Elgin marbles belong to Greece, EU tells Boris Johnson https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/03/13/elgin-marbles-belong-greece-eu-tells-boris-johnson/ Hilarious. You couldn?t make it up

DulwichBorn&Bred Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Watch it, it?s the only way to judge. > Fair point. Perhaps I ought to. But I won?t for these reasons. Firstly from what I understand Oprah does light-weight popular interviews. Nothing wrong with that. Secondly, given the teasers released before the interview was broadcast and the wall-to-wall coverage on TV, radio and in the papers since I think I?ve got the gist of it. Basically, about half the population think Harry and Meghan are victims and the other half think they are ungrateful. Now if Stephen Sackur or Zeinab Badawi from HARDtalk were to give them a grilling I would watch that. (Edited spelling)

KidKruger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ?.. et down the very people who loved and placed > their hope in them? ? > > Huh ? > People put their hope in rich toffs ? > More the fool them 🤣🤣 > Cap-doffing BS, no ? Remember when Obama became President? And the disappointment?

What?s sad about all this is when Meghan first appeared on the scene she was welcomed with open arms by most sensible people. On Harry and Meghan?s walkabouts here and overseas people of every race, creed and colour turned out in their tens of thousands to greet them, some who didn?t have two pennies to rub together, and Meghan?s bubbly, unstuffy approach allowed selfies and hugs. Here was a breath of fresh air that would make the monarchy more approachable, more relevant. She inspired hope in many. Now, most people will understand that it can?t be easy being catapulted into the A++ league of stardom with all the attention and scrutiny that brings. However, by fleeing and taking refuge in a Disney-type enclave of millionaires have they let down the very people who loved and placed their hope in them? I didn?t see the interview but I suspect it was a bit sugar-coated for American audiences and real questions such as duty and public service weren?t asked.

diable rouge Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- ..There are two > people in the H&M relationship yet from some of > the comments in this thread you'd think it was > only one. The narrative by the press and again by > some comments in this thread is that of a > scheming, manipulative woman out to get her ''15 > minutes of fame''. If the allegations and accusations have got people excited wait for the divorce. You ain?t seen nothing yet.

EDguy89 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > keano77 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Didn?t see it but I?m wondering why many are > > assuming the question of the colour of the > baby?s > > skin was racist. > > > > The concern might have been what the baby would > > look like with ginger hair against possible > shades > > of skin. > > > > 😬 > > "I haven't seen it, but let me tell you how this > black person misunderstood racism" > > Also, if the concern was actually hair colour, > then they would have said "I'm concerned about the > child's hair colour". > > You'd likely win gold at the Olympics with that > gymnastics routine. Fair enough EDguy89, but then I don?t have have an expensive PR machine behind me telling me the best buttons to press (racism, mental illness), when to get tearful, broken-voiced, when to put my hand on my baby bump etc. And when the storm reverberates around the world, release another black and white picture of the two of you with Archie set against a nature background. That should get them eating out of your hand your highness.

Didn?t see it but I?m wondering why many are assuming the question of the colour of the baby?s skin was racist. The concern might have been what the baby would look like with ginger hair against possible shades of skin. 😬

Eejitry and lack of ?sovrinty? was just me playing around as you know. And yes, it was a storm in a teacup as both sides find a middle way in our new relationship.

Are these non-British enough for you? Ursula von der Leyen issues apology for triggering Article 16 of Northern Ireland Protocol https://www.independent.ie/news/ursula-von-der-leyen-issues-apology-for-triggering-article-16-of-northern-ireland-protocol-40073999.html EU chief Ursula von der Leyen 'deeply regrets' triggering article 16 and threatening hard border in Ireland https://www.irishpost.com/news/eu-chief-ursula-von-der-leyen-deeply-regrets-triggering-article-16-and-threatening-hard-border-in-ireland-203500 Von der Leyen: 'Mistakes were made' in triggering of Article 16 https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40223846.html

Sephiroth Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > keano has lost the plot here - it was never > triggered and was never going to be > EXPLAINER What is Article 16 and why did the EU make a U-turn after triggering it? https://news.sky.com/story/what-is-article-16-and-why-did-the-eu-make-a-u-turn-after-triggering-it-12202915 European Commission president apologises over triggering of Article 16 ... Irish MEPs in Brussels have said more clarity is needed on how the clause came to be triggered by the commission... https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/european-commission-president-apologises-over-triggering-of-article-16-40076641.html I understand your confusion Sephiroth. EU propaganda is a bit like falling down the rabbit hole, ie, transporting someone into a wonderfully (or troublingly) surreal state or situation. Definitely Stockholm Syndrome

Article 16 was triggered and then un-triggered because of an International outcry. Silly billy EU.

the EU imposed nothing ?? VDL foolishly spoke of possibly doing it .?? Your attempt to rewrite history can only be explained by Stockholm Syndrome Sephiroth.

Sephiroth Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There is a world of difference between acting in > one's own interest and breaking legal treaties Tell that to Miche?l Martin and Simon Coveney after the way the EU imposed a border between the Republic and NI recently. I?m surprised the pair of them don?t have the word ?Eejit? tattooed on their foreheads the way the EU ignored their ?sovereignty?

Sephiroth said ?... not to mention UK unilaterally breaking the agreement by extending supermarket grace period without consultation...? I don?t understand why the European commission vice-president, Maro? ?efčovič, is squealing like a stuck pig. The protocol isn?t working and he?s done bugger all to fix it. You can?t have little Hitlers going round snatching ham sandwiches out of hungry lorry drivers mouths.

snowy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Tell me who just said this Keane: > > "There's no question - none - that President Trump > is practically and morally responsible for > provoking the events of the day." One of 43 senators who voted that Trump was not guilty of incitement of insurrection

Perhaps Nancy and her gang should now consider resigning?

???? Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I still think Brexit was a mistake largely because > of the economic destruction, which was almost > entirely the reason I voted remain, with possibly > a smidgen of idealism for a grand project, but boy > has this vaccine problem highlighted the massive > issues of unaccountability (let alone competence) > at the EU. It?s no good saying oh but the > commission is appointed by elected > representatives? because all EU governments will > be washing their hands of the EUs incompetence on > this and blaming the burecrats ( probably > correctly) or obviously the UK ( an absolute > disgraceful thing to do). This is a huge > democratic defeceit at the heart of governance and > accountability. I?m beginning to think I?m glad > we?re no longer in it. I would not be so harsh on the EU over this quids. The EU comprises 27 nations of different economic strengths and political clout and after the unseemly scramble by nations worldwide to secure masks, ventilators and other ppe the intention was to secure vaccines collectively so that ?poorer? individual members would not lose out The approach is cautious, brainstormed and war-gamed by committees and sub-committees before being handed over to lawyers who cross every t and dot every i. That?s what big lumbering organisations do. Unfortunately, when crises like this pandemic arise what is required is proactive dynamism which the structure of the EU doesn?t seem to allow. The EU will learn from this. Just as an aside, one thing crossed my mind today about this fixation of the EU with getting everything signed and sealed. In the dispute with AstraZenica Ursula Von der Leyen says there are binding orders and the contract is crystal clear. But I read today AstraZenica are working on a new vaccine to address the South Africa variant. Does the current contract, where five or six EU members have decided not to give the vaccine to over 55s/65s cover a newer vaccine that might be available in September? Such questions keep well-paid lawyers in jobs for years.

? Michael Gove will demand today that Brussels take urgent action to relax post-Brexit trade rules between Britain and Northern Ireland because the situation is endangering the peace process...? https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crisis-talks-with-eu-after-loyalist-threats-at-northern-irish-ports-6fgmsstb5

You?re not arguing with me. You?re just putting a very forgiving gloss on the EU?s ?mistake?. I thought Miche?l Martin was statesmanship personified. All I?m saying is the EU is now on a steep learning curve with Northern Ireland. The likes of Arlene Foster will have Ursula for breakfast. The last thing the EU needs is to be accused of jeopardising the peace process with its silly rules.

I have also stated on more than one occasion that the EU used Ireland to try to trap the U.K. Friday showed how little Ireland matters to the EU. The EU needs to tread very carefully

Sephiroth Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > English exceptionalism strikes again > > "this is the problem. this is what it will lead > to" > > ignore/deny > > repeat over and over > > The problem happens > > Accept responsibility? Nope - just assume the > other side will bend to accommodate you > > How about Westminster accepts it has @#$%& this > one up and acts appropriately - instead of just > saying "eu will bend" You?re over-analysing things again Sephiroth. It?s quite simple. All that needs to happen is von der Leyen, Barnier et al don yellow hi-vis vests and stand on the docks turning away lorry loads of carrots because they are the wrong shape. After the mouthfuls of abuse they?ll get from our hard-working hauliers the rule books will be ripped up after a few hours and they?ll hightail it back to Brussels for a tax-payer funded five-course dinner.

My prediction - the EU will relax its rules