Posts by codejunky 7126 publicly visible posts • joined 24 Oct 2011
For some strange reason I seem to see a few comments crying about removing a rule telling us what units of measurement we should be using. This is in a country which uses a mix of imperial and metric and people dont fall over having a brain aneurysm for doing so. Its almost sounding like a fear of thinking for yourself or the ghastly effort to go look something up (or just ask) if you dont know the answer.
It reminds me of the kid who returned my car from its MOT and when I handed him cash he struggled at the simple task of counting notes because everyone just pays by card. I am not knocking the kid, he took his time with the unfamiliar task and achieved it which seems almost scary to some people today (the effort not the problem).
As for GDPR, I notice one or two comments about it reigning in the big tech companies. Dont forget that one of the great laments of the EU is that for some unknown reason beyond their comprehension, all these big tech companies come from outside of the EU and the EU was considering trying to make one themselves. Although I expect it would be closer to the Chinese idea of a platform.
@Jamie Jones
"As you know, we didn't have to join in the EU vaccine scheme."
Its amazing isnt it. Not one member decided to go their own way, not a single member of the EU went their own way and were instead coerced into the EU 'in it together' vaccine procurement. With people boasting the UK would be left behind for not joining it. Even after it went tits up ROI being told by the EU they cannot go get some from the UK. The stomping of feet by the EU when finally countries turned to Russia and China. The EU twerp tweeting the EU doesnt need any from the Russians and the Russians replying that they want to know if thats the official line and they wont ramp up for EU production.
That scheme?
"The EU rules are not new, they aren't a surprise"
If you mean the rules on medicine it will be a surprise. NI will be left behind as UK approved drugs wont be allowed without EU approval. We saw how fast that is during a pandemic (EU president comparing their supertanker to the UK speedboat)!
"We left the club - we can't expect to be treated as if we are still members."
Eh what has this to do with my comment?
"Don't make it seem like the EU is applying petty rules to us"
They do but they are petty however what has that to do with what I posted?
@Spanners
"Who would have guessed that the people in Northern Ireland would be the first to get really stroppy because they can't get their Walls sausages?"
Pretty much anyone looking at the 'deal' which was as dumb as can be. The good news is the UK is unilaterally delaying implementing the border because the EU wants empty shelves in NI. Basically just scum.
Just wait until the EU rules on medicine kick in. I cant imagine NI being happy about that since not being under those rules is why they got vaccinated while ROI could only watch.
"The results of the predictions (not propaganda) have been slow in occurring for several reasons"
FUD and bull being a big part of it. Thankfully we left just in time otherwise the EU covid stupidity would have hit the UK too!
@AC
"No surprise you lack compassion, but you also haven't thought it through."
I dont want people drowning in the Channel trying to reach Britain. As far as I am aware that is compassionate.
"What was the alternative?"
Illegals out in the water, French waters, it is the job of the French (the UK pay them to do this) to collect them and take them back.
"Wait and watch until they reach British waters, or capsize?"
There wasnt any difficulty, it was just slow moving. By making it easier to cross and even helping them cross makes it more enticing to try and cross which causes more people to drown. Idiots are buying swimming gear and being found washed up. Remove the safety net and less people want to risk the extremely dangerous crossing.
"What exactly do you think "their job" is?"
Considering they actually stated to the French that what they were doing was illegal and needed their permission I doubt the action is part of their job description.
"Anyway, you won't have to worry. Once brexit starts to bite, the immigrants will not want to come here."
I hear this occasionally (less and less as the propaganda doom fails to occur) but see no evidence of it.
@Howard Sway
"home secretary who, looking for a "solution" to migrant boats"
To be fair she is dealing with a border force that asked the French for permission to send a boat into French waters to help a slow moving migrant boat that was in no trouble nor distress. When you cant even trust your own border agency to do their job an automated solution might sound better.
@tip pc
"I'd jump to an amazon competitor in heart beat but there needs to be a credible alternative."
Is it not more of a supermarket/independents thing? I can get stuff off amazon (or near to) elsewhere, but in amazon it puts them in one place, I can easily buy second hand if its not important and the delivery options might cost more/not be as fast.
But the more such issues moving away from amazon only serve to highlight what amazon brings to the table and how good they are at providing.
@John Robson
"So basically you don't think poor people should be able to eat."
Not sure where you manage to come to such a stupid conclusion. That has no relation to what I said.
"The difference in getting ten grand on just another ten grand is huge."
the % symbol means percentage. I think you may have misread my comment. Might explain the above confusion too.
"I am all for making a simpler tax system, but it must remain progressive."
I get the feeling we are closer in agreement than you think. Double check my comment, I am guessing there is a little confusion/misreading.
@John Robson
"So you're advocating for flat taxation?"
I would go for a flatter % tax but since the article was about wealth growth vs income tax (apples and oranges) I decided to point out the difference in absolute numbers paid in tax. A flax tax excluding minimum wage (so no deductions) would probably bring more and lower the overall rate as there are less loopholes and costs of calculating but as it hits the majority of people they dont want to pay too much.
"And your claim that you could spend the money better is rather laughable"
Now isnt that just an advocate for theft. You dont think I can spend my money better than some jobsworth paper pusher creating a fifedom? The soviet union did not work, government is not thrifty with other peoples money. Given 100% taxation they would still manage to spend more.
"Noone is proposing a wealth tax that would require people to liquidate their primary residence - but when your wealth increase is measured in millions of pounds a year then some proportion of that really ought to be recognised as taxable."
Nope, hell no, god no, and proposing a wealth tax is about liquidating their assets. Assuming you own a house, it went up in value for no effort on your part. So your wealth went up. Your income might have fallen as you lost your job or took a pay cut on furlough, yet your wealth goes up. And bad news for you bud, if you are in the developed world you are the rich!
@John Robson
"I suspect that the 19% was less than the secretary paid, not the absolute value."
Of course it was, but this is where the question of how much needs to be taken must be asked. Instead of 'he has more so rob him' surely we should look at how much is being taken off us to be squandered by people who think they can spend it better than us.
But I am sure if they measure your wealth, say you own a house, and the value has gone up even though its not cashed in you would be surely miffed to be robbed for it. For those complaining about wealth needing taxing surely they would then be all for giving these people money when their wealth reduces? Of course not.
So these people paid lower federal income tax than their wealth increase would cost them had it been income.
Seems almost like if you take oranges and compare them to apples and get the result of banana that you still dont say what this has to do with the price of fish.
Good on the reg for saying-
These tax rates are less than the 37 to 39 per cent top income tax rate normal people pay in America, though they are not unexpected: much of the super-rich's wealth is tied up in stocks, property, and other securities that are only taxed when sold, and so when it comes to declaring actual annual income, there isn't much to show, relatively speaking, hence the sub-30-per-cent figures. Some years, these zillionaires thus declare no income at all.
"Buffett paid total taxes of $23.7m on income of $125m, or a 19 per cent tax rate. He once said he probably pays less tax than his secretary."
I am sure if the secretary had to pay $23.7m (s)he wouldnt consider it less (I am guessing). But this is probably why he hired a secretary, has (s)he?
@Filippo
"The bad planning here was made by the market actors. This is a spectacular failure of market freedom."
How do you work that out? After 4 major hits to this very specific resource there is a loss of supply, AND the market has already been addressing where supply goes.
"This is a spectacular failure of market freedom."
But as pointed out in the article the lack of supply is due to only a few big players where in the past there would have been a load of others (which also sucked profit from the big ones aka made things cheaper for you and me).
I honestly hope he enjoys it. Good on him for working hard, taking the risk, making a success of himself and enjoying the fruits he has earned. After providing so much good to so many on this globe he hopefully has pride in what he has achieved. There will always be the envious and green eyed but they dont provide much good to the rest of us.
Safe travels.
@AC
"When you say "The EU is trying to impose GDPR on the world" you mean that corporations with servers outside the EU dealing with data belonging to citizens inside the EU must follow the EU's privacy rules."
That would be imposing its rules on the world.
"The EU had the power to do this due to its "clout", its place in global trade."
And that is where we will see if the EU has such clout as it struggles to be taken seriously.
"The EU came up with a world first"
That would explain the line "based on GDPR" from your previous paragraph.
"Japan, Brazil, and South Korea's privacy laws are based very much on GDPR"
Some countries have gone along with it.
"US and China are drafting their own privacy laws"
China "followed up with a draft Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), a privacy framework broadly inspired by GDPR" (from source). How broad? Apparently its very China oriented in excluding government etc.
And the US has yet to meet the GDPR adequacy rules over how many iterations of privacy shield? Which of course comes back to if they are pushing their own initiatives will they bow to GDPR, which is where I am not convinced.
"Smaller countries copied it and the other two big blocs are also in the process of copying it."
Except it seems they are not copying it.
"But on Planet Codejunky this is somehow a point against the EU."
Are you just Dr.N trolling but as AC now or some other troll who doesnt want to put their name to tripe?
@AC
"So it is on-topic in this thread"
Again I dont know why you are posting AC (assuming the same one) as it was a fairly reasonable comment.
"It was, of course, a reply to your previous post about "overestimating the EU's clout"."
What you posted doesnt really say much about the EU's clout in the world. The EU is trying to impose GDPR (right or wrong) on the world but to do so requires being taken seriously, and that seriously, by the world. A tough push for the EU.
Also China and the US (under Trump) started work on their own initiatives-
https://www.euractiv.com/section/data-protection/news/global-data-transfer-uncertainty-undermines-eu-digital-ambitions/
@Loyal Commenter
"Note how Churchill, very explicitly, and repeatedly, uses the word we."
Yes he does use the word we. It seems he was of the belief that we needed to support the development of them forming a United States of Europe, to which we are not part of. From his own writings-
‘We are bound to further every honest and practical step to which the nations of Europe may make to reduce barriers which divide them and to nourish their common interests and their common welfare.
‘We rejoice at every diminution of the internal tariffs and the martial armaments of Europe. We see nothing but good and hope in a richer, freer, more contented European commonality.
‘But we have our own dream and our own task. We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked, but not comprised. We are interested and associated, but not absorbed.’
So yes he wanted the UK to help them build a structure that stopped them buggering up Europe regularly. But recognised the UK was different enough to not fit in with that idea.
"but you are engaging in male bovine excrement projection once again if you think his opinions on this matter coincide with yours."
Sorry to smack the idiot so publicly but you are the one who mentioned Churchill as you were trying to claim his opinions coincide with yours.
@Roland6
"Which is an order of magnitude bigger than the UK..."
So what?
"And the trouble is that there are many who think that 'etc' includes the UK..."
Some people might think that and in some respects we punch above our weight, but there are also people who overestimate the EU's clout in the world.
@Loyal Commenter
"I love the way, that, in your mind"
I get the feeling you might have read what you wanted to read instead of what is written. The point of the EU was to be a 'big fish' in the world like the US, China, etc but there isnt much success with that. Bowing to Russia, Turkey holds them ransom and the US is still the de-facto western power.
And back to GDPR which they struggle to enforce in their own borders never mind trying to convince the outside world to bow to it.
"We would do well to remember that the modern world"
Is still much bigger than the EU.
@Julz
I am not sure this is particularly an anti-UK thing, its more to do with the EU wanting to be a big fish while not having the relevance to enforce its will in the big pond (or even its own members).
Also not an EU only problem but the lack of funding to enforce ever expanding rules is a government problem everywhere even with infinite money.
The EU has had plenty hissy-fits against the UK for brexit (which has kept us entertained) but this is just the EU bureaucracy demanding people dance to their tune and bewildered at people inside and out ignoring them.
@AC
I dunno thats why I put 5. If you wish to find a more specific length of time go for it. Could probably do the same for Biden too if you like. He was also getting plenty name calling during campaigning.
Btw are you the AC following me around on other threads? Sorry if not but my pet troll recently claimed he wouldnt post and suddenly I seem to have AC's following me around.
@tfewster
"S'funny, but it sounds rational when anyone other than Trump says it."
Thats the pleasure of the tribal bias aka selective blindness/hearing
"But then, even a broken clock is right twice a day"
Is that a comment on Trump or Biden. It really could be for either.
"Trump got one thing right regarding China"
And possibly the virus origins. Maybe 2 things depending on your opinions.
"S'also funny how many Biden detractors have to come up with childish nicknames to try to tarnish the current President"
Almost a continuation of the previous 5 years where Trump detractors used childish nicknames. And even some for Obama (my favourite being Obambi).
"It's almost like they can't come up with a coherent argument either."
If you are a defender of Biden I really dont suggest you go that route. Trump got called out for his public gaffs but already Joe has made some corkers.
@Jellied Eel
Careful, depending how the fact checkers are feeling this day/week/month you could be flagged or banned on various platforms for saying such.
Whatever the facts turn out to be this should be one hell of a warning against social media companies deciding what is 'truth'.
@Chris G
"Biden is much lower profile by comparison and slides his deals out from under the table, no better than the orange one as he just seems to be a lacklustre follow on act and not as much fun to heckle."
This is the difference between a polished politician and not a politician. Trump was very public and his detractors of course pushed things further, Biden is kept filtered and protected but even then when he publicly makes a fool of himself only the detractors push the failings.
@AC
"The article you referenced clearly demonstrates otherwise. Thanks for clarifying that you posted a false statement."
Nice leap into a stupid statement. The claimed problem with the work was "poor quality and its politicized, premature and selective use" which unfortunately seems to be a poor excuse which caused Biden to do a U turn and call for the same investigation later on.
Those poor excuses to cancel the investigation seem to no longer apply as Biden is calling for the same investigation.
Btw just shouting 'false statement' is no better than 'fake news', do you really want to go down that path? Although FB effectively did shout fake news when they tried to tell people what is and isnt truth. Can I also assume you are not following the ongoing news on the subject? And again whats with the AC? Cmon post as your username.
@AC
"You stated in your post above that the investigation, by the Arms Control & International Security branch at the DoD, was brought to an end because it had been initiated under the Trump administration"
Yes. I dont think there is really any doubt over that. Trump pointed the finger and Fauci and Biden/dems were quick to rubbish the idea. Fauci is particularly in the firing line here (I believe the politicians have even proposed the FIRED (Fauci Incompetence Requires Early Dismissal) act) because he had prior knowledge and played dumb. The investigation into a lab that does work on this type of virus for a living and may have had prior 'accidents'.
After rubbishing the idea that it came from a (the) lab and trying to make it seem like such a stupid fringe idea that facebook labelled it a lie. Now the problem of FB telling people truth from lie has been demonstrated as not a good idea since it could have come from the lab, possibly even modified.
"The investigation was ended because it appeared to have been an off-book op with the goal of cooking up evidence"
Which is an amusing statement of bull since the investigation has now been restarted by Biden. The Chinese are already to blame, that is established fact as they covered it up. By allowing it to become a global pandemic due to their deliberate cover up. Again I dont think there is any question on this?
"Furthermore Biden has already ordered a proper, full, all-agency official investigation into any potential lab leak as the source of the outbreak. Which should report initial findings within the next 90 days."
Which is a very public U-turn which has now resulted in them (Fauci/Biden) being lampooned for trashing Trump for this and now doing the same investigation.
Lets say your worry about some cooked up bioweapon investigation is true. After all the suspicious activity that caused people to think it could have come from the lab in the first place. And the investigation looks into the possibility of the virus coming from the lab and finds maybe it does, and the area of study coincides with there being a new highly infectious coronavirus. And the Chinese covered up the infection as we already know causing a pandemic.
Or the same investigation doesnt find such evidence, only that China caused a global pandemic for their mishandling of the situation and cover up.
Shockingly the point of this investigation by Biden.
@AC
Yeah ok I dont think we are going to get anywhere. For some reason you seem to think it matters if the assumption was bioweapon when its an investigation into the origins of the pandemic which was rejected by the current president and Fauci only to now be the investigation.
As for you being hung up on the word bioweapon. Current interest is in the funding of the Wuhan lab which apparently investigates coronaviruses and transmission, might have been working on 'gain of function' (making it easier to transmit in humans) and Fauci might also have been covering his arse about funding toward the lab.
Simple fact is Trump called it (right or wrong or premature), set off an investigation into the lab and Biden stopped it then called for the same investigation in a huge U-turn. Which comes back to topic where Facebook tried to tell people what was fact or lie, and as a result was premature and wrong to claim lie for something we dont have the answers to.
@AC
"Are we actually reading the same article? Sorry if not so.Are we actually reading the same article? Sorry if not so."
You missed a bit. That 'KEY FACTS' quote is a bit short but yes the same article.
Seriously go back to my comment you are responding to, read it. Then read it again. Particularly reread the points I made. Look for them in the forbes article. Try to find where you believe they mismatch and come back.
I have the feeling your assuming I said something about covid being a bioweapon or something I didnt say because I dont know where you cant match my points to the source.
The simple problem which is getting lampooned currently is that Biden and Fauci made out the lab theory was rubbish, and now are increasingly considering it a possibility. The investigation which seemed shockingly on the right track was cancelled and then suddenly started up again.
And of course back to topic, the danger of some people trying to 'enforce' the truth is that they can be at best wrong such as labelling lab theories lies until the recent U-turn by the current president.
@AC
"Please point to the part in your referenced Forbes piece that supports your above opinion. Thank you."
Ok. So read the bits with these headings (too long to quote)- Topline, Key Facts, Crucial Quote, Key Background, Tangent, What To Watch For. In case you dont notice thats the entire friggin article.
>The entire frigging article which supports that Trump accused it coming from the lab (referencing a WSJ article that people were ill before the pandemic with seeming to be covid).
>That Trump set off an investigation into the origins and if it was the lab.
>Biden shut down that investigation.
>That there is now a new enquiry into the origins of Covid and if it is from the lab.
Now you have added something I didnt say which is 'Trump' allies tried to fabricate a conspiracy theory that Covid-19 was a bioweapon. This was proved to be an op instigated by Banon & Guo Wengui.' so no I didnt say anything about that even though it is an actual possible theory if unlikely.
So how dont you think the Forbes article doesnt match what I said? And again whats with the AC? Its not like your saying anything particularly stupid (so far) just disagreeing on the facts?
@AC
"You seem to be having an issue with facts."
I am not sure where you are confused (or I dont seem to be seeing the fact you believe exists), care to try and point it out?
"Including the ones stated in your own reference"
The reference that supports what I wrote?
"Please do not confuse your opinion with actual facts. It muddies the waters of debate."
Feel free to mention said facts or how I got something wrong. Also if you have confidence in your comment what is with the AC (honest question)?
@NicX
"But I want to see & compare qualifications. I want to see & compare skill sets. Show me why you think you deserve to be paid as much as the next person, male or female."
The scary thing I see with demands for the same pay for the same job is how qualifications are assumed to put you on a level peg as someone else. 2 people as you say can have the same qualifications but different skill sets.
Although sometimes it really just is someone being a dick
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