Westminstenders: What the winds bring

[RedToothBrush]

The next few weeks are crucial. Eu talks, covid handling, the US election and any other unexpected events (its nearly November, lets face it will probably be the weather).

It feels a little like the car crash in slow motion is about to hit the wall of reality. I guess that just means all there is left to do is to brace for impact.

I can't help but think about how major invents turn on whims or mistakes - Gore lost because of the poorly designed ballot paper in Florida - the hanging 'chads'. Hence Bush, 9/11 - would this have happened anyway? We can't be sure.

Brexit happened because Cameron rashly promised that he would implement the result of an advisory referendum - not say that he would take it to Parliament to discuss and legislate. Who knows how it would have gone with a proper debate, in a more balanced Parliament than now?

Even Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe - if Johnson and Gove hadn't mouthed off, she might have been home years ago.

Oh I don't doubt you that he'll try, I'm sceptical he'll have any success. He'll run right up against states' rights if he tries to eliminate postal voting entirely, and that won't be looked on kindly by even a large chunk of Republican controlled state legislatures. Also keep in mind the Democrats have almost certainly kept control of the House, which would block a significant amount of shenanigans.

@FlouncingBabooshka

May I return to the thread please?

I was a regular until last year, with a different username. I had to take a break. It all got too much for me. I’d gone on all the marches, I’d written to my MP, the PM, I’d helped at local pro EU stall and I really felt like I had to take a step back from Brexit for the sake of my mental health. Trouble is, there’s nowhere to step back to.

With everything that’s happened here over the last few months, and with what’s happening right now in the US, I really feel like I need to be back here.

I’ve been up all night, DH is asleep. Sitting here alone, exhausted and so worried for the future.

Have just watched Trump’s speech with a weird mixture of horror and resignation.

I hope you can find some solace here💐

These threads have been something of a lifeline for me for the past four and a half years. As well as being very informative.

My latest bunch of flowers, picked on 1 November I think we all need them today

There are still a few more gladioli, cosmos and calendula in the cutting bed, which I'll cut today as there is a frost forecast tonight.

I don't understand how they can stop counting votes? I know here in a safe seat it feels like there is no point voting. However at least the vote is counted, but to stop counting seems to be anti democracy.

Morning all
States are calling late rather than risking court action
PA have already had a SC ruling that gives them three days to count.

Trump always planned to bounce the election
he wants to stay out of jail after all
but whether he'll cope with the next 4 years if he does win
is another matter

and in cheerier news, the pubs do not have to pour their beer down the drain
its all to play for in the HoC today

I'm off to the gym while I still can

Welcome back Babooshka

twitter.com/emporersnewc/status/1323745169292877827?s=21

Interesting points about the FTA with Kenya...... and why being in the single market is important for it....

mmmmmmm pub....

‘Spoons has been selling off beer at 99p a pint.

Good to see you return Babooshka and I hope you find you'll be able to sing again some day

@SabrinaThwaite

‘Spoons has been selling off beer at 99p a pint.

Spoons can fuck right off. Even if I were a pub going person (I'm not), they wouldn't even be on my list of pubs to go to.

Just to show that the correlation between what you would think are US "Conservatives" and "UKTory" isn't necessarily a 1:1 ...

Mississippi voters have overwhelmingly approved Amendment 65, an advocate-led ballot initiative to legalize medical cannabis.

norml.org/blog/2020/10/30/mississippi-voters-approve-medical-marijuana/

(I also like the way the voters completely swerved the "65A" attempt to water down the proposals).

67% to 32%

Things are terrible at work. Cannot describe the intensity and the fear. Cancelling surgery, streeeeeetttching ITU. A&E jammed. Hospital so full. Fitting patients into hot and cold areas is like tetris. PPE exhausting. Making beds in random places, squashed in corners of wards. 43% of our inpatients have covid. Doctors and nurses going off sick every shift. Lots of staff on edge of tears.

Trying and failing not to follow american election. feel sick.

for squid that's awful. I'm so sorry. It sounds utterly relentless.

Trying to take it one shift at a time (I'm off today)
Relentless begging messages to cover one extra evening or night every single day is really hard to ignore, if I have more than one day off I feel like I have to go back

night team went home in tears on monday.

Even if Biden wins it looks like the Senate is going Republican.

*Senate staying Republican.

It was 53 Republican, 45 Democrat and 2 Independent.

squid💐💐💐

Squid- it sounds horrific. Try and look after yourself. x

Not much to say on US atm. As a diversion, how long before M&S go bust ? On the basis the one thing they were synonymous with when I was growing up was affordable quality clothing (with a UPS you could swap trousers and jackets) and they appear to have lost even that, what more is there to say ?

oh squid wish we could do something to help. You're very much appreciated and cared about ❤

Really hope M&S food doesn't go bust - it's my go-to for treats! And God knows I need them now

@colouringindoors

oh squid wish we could do something to help. You're very much appreciated and cared about ❤

Absolutely 💐