FirstWorldProblems

I am wholly unqualified to comment. Far to ignorant of the facts and history to do so. I can apply some logic and suggest that with an average age in Palestine of under 20 years old (compared with ~40 for UK and Aus), that there will be an increasing number of Hammas supporters. It's all they've known, children are inherently more susceptible to untruths in their education and these folks have been living a very tough life. Look how easy it is to convince people there is a false enemy to fear in a western country despite all our education and access to information. In a place like Palestine with a very real enmity with their neighbours it would be childs play wouldn't it?

These two are not the same thing.

should I have said "think tank"?

Talk about short-termism. What a shame. The article says it’s to preserve $1bn tax revenue. But the future generation will have to pay for the healthcare costs of smoking related illness. I don’t know what that is for NZ but for the U.K. it’s almost £2bn a year. I wouldn’t be surprised is this isnt actually from successful lobbying by the smoking industry.

Oof. Stay on top of that eye. Any deterioration go right back and hassle the dr. When I had it I was apparently close to losing my sight because it was right at the optic nerve. Sorry. That sounds alarmist. I just mean don’t be too manly about it. If you are worried at all, go back and see the doc.

Bloody grim that is. What’s your treatment plan?

I’ve never seen a moon halo before certainly not this size - it’s quite something

First frost of winter today. Crisp air with blue sky made for a lovely run - bit challenging going from frozen solid mud ruts one step to melted ankle deep mud the next - but that just keeps it interesting

The EU lost one-sixth of it's economic power when the UK left the union. That's a bloody big number and must surely weaken bargaining positions in trade negotiations.

No, I don't want to do that. I hold no personal enmity towards you and it's not what this forum is intended to be. I don't entirely understand why you have elected to attack every post I ever make that is even remotely critical of policies or actions of/by a right-wing politician or party (though I could hazard a guess), but when you do, don't be surprised if I take the opportunity to remind you that you have been a very vocal supporter of what they do and thus an enabler of the very people that have caused so much damage......and continue to do so. Populism is a scourge on society. Grifters are hurting people as they line their own pockets. It is starting to pass as more people open their eyes to it and hopefully at some point you will be one of them. Hopefully we can reduce the tribalism a little and let reasoned discussion prevail because otherwise post on politics will be banned again and that is a REAL shame because this forum is all about understanding the differences between two counties and helping people make enormous life changing decision and politics, the impact of policies and political agendas play an enormous part in what it's like to live in a place - so it's a very important subject.

Well yes that’s right but of course it’s not the impact of one vs the other, we had to take the pain of both compounded. And whereas trade and gdp have recovered from the pandemic impact (though the extra debt will hurt us for decades), the Brexit drop on GDP and the pound remain, and will for longer than we will be alive.

Rational, non-emotive and balanced as always. It’s an awful situation and a war being fought physically in the region and globally through false information. Hamas are dreadful murderers and terrorists. Israel have a right to defend themselves. Palestine is not Hamas. Israeli government is doing some appalling things to innocents. Its not hard to understand but how on earth it gets resolved I can’t begin to imagine

You seem intent on trying to pick a fight today. Perhaps try some meditation or yoga. I hear they can be very calming.

Keep trying. I know it’s hard, but you’ll be right about something one of these days.

In your dreams. I’ve more than tripled the size of the business I run in the last 4 years, despite you pushing me down that hole. You keep on wrecking stuff sweetheart. People like me will find a way to undo your damage and keep people earning