Westministenders: The Beginning of Negotiations

[RedToothBrush]

Transition has a few hours left.

Then negotiations start and trade stops.

Far from being over, there are huge numbers of issues that lay unresolved.

And businesses both now in the UK and EU will cease to trade with each other just because the red tape is such a pain.

So whilst people will celebrate and think things are 'done' that just shows how much people are paying attention.

It will be interesting to see people gradually realising what has been lost...

@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore

Yes HMG never defeated the IRA but how could they? Have you any idea how Catholics and young Catholic men especially were treated here? My first boyfriend was beaten up by British soldiers every other weekend.

Yes I do. I live in Ireland and travelled up north very frequently during the troubles. I also have relatives still living up there. I've had a couple of scary experiences with british soldiers at the border.

However, the problem with terrorists is that they are very difficult to identify and defeat if they are living in, and protected by, their community.

Ton If you read the link it put forward the evidence and debate from all sides. Science is like that, debate in the face of uncertainty but it remains this is using the U.K. as a massive experiment, and without the safeguards of the context of trials. It is a political decision and if it indeed results in immunocompromised people (as the elderly effectively are) being Petrie dishes for vaccine resistant mutations you can be sure that will be dealt with politically too.

Oh and someone said - JRM wouldn't understand the Latin service- I would almost guarantee he can. Latin as a subject is alive and well at Eton - and I think maybe compulsory first year at least (at which point they will have already studied it at prep school)

That's true Ochon. But those communities are being threatened- they would love to be free but they can't be seen to give info on anyone. BUT they're in a minority.

I live in the North and I have travelled all throughout the world and there is nowhere on earth as beautiful as the North of Ireland. We have mountains, beaches, lakes (loughs). The people as well are soooo nice!! Always so caring!! I love it here and no matter about Brexit or what, I would live nowhere else.

I'm not just saying that either!!😊

Very worrying developments in Washington DC, ongoing right now.

The Capitol has been stormed by Trump supporters following an address by Trump earlier today.

The Mayor of DC has requested 200 National Guard troops to be deployed.

The Chamber has been locked down. The normally formulaic session to rubber stamp the election result went into recess. Lawmakers were evacuated, including Mike Pence. They have been issued with gas masks.

Police in riot gear have been spotted.

www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/dc-protests-trump-supporters-clash-washington-capitol-police-live-updates/

Ironically, this could be the breaking point for the moderates in the Republican party, with Trump. It's full-on white nationalism of the worst kind. On the very day Georgia has elected it's first Black senator and looks set to elect its first Judaic one, as well.

However...unless the military get involved, I don't think it will be a coup. You need organisation and manpower to fully replace or intimidate every branch of Government and I don't think the protestors have that. Biden will be certified and will take power.

Kevin McCarthy refusing to 'call a spade a spade' in that interview...

Interviewer doing stellar work.

@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore

That's true Ochon. But those communities are being threatened- they would love to be free but they can't be seen to give info on anyone. BUT they're in a minority.

I live in the North and I have travelled all throughout the world and there is nowhere on earth as beautiful as the North of Ireland. We have mountains, beaches, lakes (loughs). The people as well are soooo nice!! Always so caring!! I love it here and no matter about Brexit or what, I would live nowhere else.

I'm not just saying that either!!😊

I'm in full agreement with you on what a fantastic place the north is. Same with the (majority of the) people.

Yes, Biden will be certified.

But mob action in cities and the threat of it will interfere greatly with the exercise of power.

There is a penalty for treason, and it should be considered for the outgoing president.

WHEN Biden gets the 50th Senate seat
he will be in a position to Rebuild American Democracy
and call out every Republican who forgot that they pledge allegiance to the Flag
not to a failed president

Thanks Ochon. I just hate the way people talk about this gorgeous place like it is nothing. An unwanted child I think we were called once ffs.🙄 And people from the South actually DEBATING if we should have the same independence ALL our ancestors fought and died for. Forgive me for my sharpness...I hate it and don't mean it.💕

And we WANT to work. We work hard. We want investment and jobs. We are so distraught at the DUP right now. My dear Protestant farmer neighbours can't even look at me right now they are so let down by voting DUP and getting poverty, when some years ago they told me they were just placing their faith in the DUP.😭

What a shitshow.

Nice to see Boris' favourite reporter taking it so seriously...

Robert Buckland @RobertBuckland (UK Justice Secretary)
Terrible scenes at the US Congress today. To our great friends in the US, we have always admired your peaceful transfers of power and the graceful acceptance by candidates of both electoral victory and defeat. Those who seek to undermine this must never prevail.

First member of the cabinet to say anything

Beautiful country Ireland. I didn't visit until I was in my 40s and then wondered, why didn't I visit this delightful country before? Beautiful scenery, warm friendly people. The only disadvantage was the gentle soft but very wetting rain.

@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore - I will be voting for unity in any referendum. However, I want a gradual, considered unity that is embraced by all sides. I do recognise we will have to make concessions to the unionists to ensure it is a united Ireland for all and don't repeat the mistakes in NI wrt treatment of "the others".

Jens Stoltenberg @jensstoltenberg
Shocking scenes in Washington, D.C. The outcome of this democratic election must be respected.

NATO Secretary General

Peregrinations I take my springer for hikes along the Sperrins and I stand there looking across at Slemish and the Mournes and honestly believe this is God's Country,

A wee word for the South...my auld mate used to be a teacher at the school at Kylemore Abbey in Galway and I went to visit her. Honest to God...the scenery!!! I climbed a couple of the Twelve Bens mountains and swam in the mountain lakes and just could not believe how one little island had EVERYTHING.

And that one visit made me think we are better together. Ireland is just the best.

100% with you Ochon! I want unionists to be with us. Hell, I married one! Of course I do!!😂

Doh Peregrina....sorry!!! Autocorrect is a PITA!!

@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore - my auld mate used to be a teacher at the school at Kylemore Abbey in Galway and I went to visit her.

Kylemore is absolutely stunning. A school friend of mine was sent there for leaving cert to put a halt to her gallop. You wouldn't get up to much out there

Jeremy Hunt @Jeremy_Hunt
America is the world's biggest, most important democracy, a shining light on the hill for freedom. Pres Trump told a crowd to march on Capitol Hill & turned on his VP for upholding the law. He shames American democracy tonight & causes its friends anguish but he is not America

For the second time in a week Jeremy Hunt is on the ball...

@Peregrina - The only disadvantage was the gentle soft but very wetting rain.

We have many, many words for different types of rain

[quote OchonAgusOchonO]**@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore* - my auld mate used to be a teacher at the school at Kylemore Abbey in Galway and I went to visit her.*

Kylemore is absolutely stunning. A school friend of mine was sent there for leaving cert to put a halt to her gallop. You wouldn't get up to much out there [/quote]
😂🤣Any money I knew them!! Ask your friend if Sr Rosario rings a bell!! Sister Clare was the Head. I used to be mates with a novice called Madeleine. I always thought she was wasting her life there, beautiful as it was.

Trump will be loving every single act of violence perpetuated in his name. It will be the ultimate narcissistic thrill for him and one he won't want to give up. The only hope is that finally the wider Republican Party has realised the insanity of what they've enabled. I like LQ's optimism, but I also really fear for Biden and Kamala Harriss. Or even for that matter, any remaining Republican moderates.

But gosh yes Ochon...I've lived all over the world, Utah, California, China, Vietnam, France, Dubai, Wales, Scotland, Australia....and Ireland has beauty to beat everything. There is really nothing like our wee island.