So I had our dog's anal glands expressed last night. The procedure literally takes two, maybe three minutes, and if you don't watch them, they try to use Hibiscrub as a lubricant! I wonder how they'd feel with soap up their backside?
£27.00 Pets at Home charges, and that's not even a vet; it's a nurse! Twenty-seven pounds to stick a finger in and waggle it about a bit. I phoned our local White Cross Vets; they want an eye-watering £47.00
It's no wonder dogs and cats are dumped everywhere. Nobody can afford them, what with the price of food, groomers and extortionate vet bills for the most simple of procedures.
CORRUPT likes this.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm244z…
Met Police to cut 1,700 officers and staff amid shock funding fears
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan confirms Royal Parks unit will be disbanded - despite fierce opposition from councils and victimsAnthony France (Evening Standard)
Be very careful what the #BBCNEWS shows you with these PIP claimants being interviewed and saying how they don't know how they'll manage. 𝗡𝗢𝗕𝗢𝗗𝗬 has been assessed yet! So nobody knows who will lose what.
#MediaManipulation
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5drv…
Newspaper headlines: 'Balancing the books on backs of poor' and 'tax rise fears'
Reaction to the chancellor announcing billions in cuts and gloomy economic forecasts dominate the front pages.BBC News
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyd9e…
Trump's national security team's chat app leak stuns Washington
The Signal messages show the inner workings of the president's team and how his Vice-President JD Vance disagreed with him.Anthony Zurcher (BBC News)
Dear Sir Kier Starmer
Please stop doing things that makes me want to vote for you at the next General Election!
NHS Shakeup
Welfare & Benefits Shakeup
Potholes
#Labour #Politics
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0eg39…
Publish pothole progress or lose cash, PM Starmer tells England councils
Councils in England will be asked to publish reports on their repairs or miss out on funding, but critics say long-term thinking is needed.Mitchell Labiak & Michael Race (BBC News)
Politics Feed reshared this.
theguardian.com/education/2025…
Scottish voters split over free tuition as university financial crisis deepens
Poll finds up to 48% of voters believe Scottish students who can afford it should pay, with 29% opposedSeverin Carrell (The Guardian)
#politics #Labour
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jglw…
Government borrowing higher than expected in February
The latest figures for the UK economy add pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her Spring Statement next week.Tom Espiner (BBC News)
Politics Feed reshared this.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyd2p…
At-a-glance: Key changes to benefits in welfare shake-up
How Personal Independence Payments (Pip) and other health-related benefits could change under government plans.Brian Wheeler (BBC News)
Admittedly, these are Tory think tank suggestions, but it's got to happen. Getting rid of tiers of management isn't the ultimate answer.
telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/1…
Three fee-paying models that could save the NHS
From fines for missed appointments to a French-style insurance system, here’s how Wes Streeting could take his reforms furtherRosie Taylor (The Telegraph)
#politics
telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/1…
Queen Nicola's ignominious career is finally over
The former First Minister of Scotland didn’t improve the lives of the people she claimed to representTom Harris (The Telegraph)
Politics Feed reshared this.
You can't make this stuff up!
#Labour has spent the last fourteen years telling you that the #NHS is underfunded and understaffed. Screaming that there are not enough doctors and nurses, what do they plan to do now that they are in power? Take a scalpel to the NHS. 🤦♂️
theguardian.com/society/2025/m…
NHS England to cut workforce by half as Streeting restructures
The health secretary will shrink NHS England’s workforce to save money and avoid ‘duplication’Denis Campbell (The Guardian)
dick_turpin reshared this.
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘧𝘧 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘤𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴."
#Politics #Labour
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly2l6…
Keir Starmer vows to unleash 'shackled' civil servants
The PM writes to officials, telling them they "must be enabled to re-focus on your core purpose".Henry Zeffman (BBC News)
Remember children, you voted for em'.
#politics #Labour
news.sky.com/story/minister-pa…
Minister Pat McFadden says welfare cuts are 'coming soon'
Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has confirmed that cuts are on the way for the welfare bill. It comes as the chancellor is looking to save money for the public purse.Sky News
It is good! It shifts the norm from the socialist idea that people don't have to care about anything, to the capitalist idea that people need to take responsibility for their own lives.
If this norm can become dominant, entrepreneurs will flourish in a generation and the UK will become an innovation center!
- said the slave.
Jokes aside... that is complete nonsense. Governments and states exist for the needs of their inhabitants. If they fulfill no need, they should be abolished.
Therefore any services or initiatives is entirely upon the maffia gang called "the state" and no shadow rests on the individual.
Personally, I moved from sweden, due to the revolting and highly unethical society it is (when it comes to taxation).
Now I pay about 9%-14% tax total. I am much hapier and
≠ likes this.
wealthier! I believe more people should vote with their feet.
That would lead to less polarized societies, more homogeneous societies and happier individuals.
High tax societies would attract people who enjoy paying high taxes, and low tax societies would attract people who do not want government services, and who enjoy paying low taxes.
Everyone happy in the end and no conflict! =)
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗜 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲?
TBH, I could kick myself because I was already thinking yesterday morning, "I bet Trump stops sending weapons." If I had posted that thought on social media, I'd have beaten all the journalists to the scoop.
"𝘗𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯!"
telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…
Trump suspends all US military aid to Ukraine - latest updates
Donald Trump paused all military aid to Ukraine to pressure Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire with Russia.The Telegraph
"𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧......"
🤔 So, if it can defend itself, why does it need America's help?
Europe is fooling only the gullible if people think they stand a chance without US help. I wonder how brave Starmer would be if Trump announced a withdrawal from Europe.
British Army: Approximately 83,010 personnel
Royal Navy and Royal Marines: Approximately 32,610 personnel
Royal Air Force (RAF): Approximately 32,610 personnel
Just under 150,000 in total. Russia has just under 3 million personnel on active duty.
France has 290 Nukes, while the UK has 225, with a plan to reduce that to 180 by 2030
Russia has 5,580
france24.com/en/europe/2025030…
Starmer says 'coalition of the willing' to present Ukraine peace plan to Trump
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that European leaders had agreed to draft a peace plan for Ukraine to present to the US.NEWS WIRES (FRANCE 24)
Ahaha
Given that Ukraine has only been independent of Russia for 34 years, I'm reasonably confident that most Russians feel it is still part of their country. I didn't say that Putin was right to invade what I am saying is if you poke a dog with a stick, you should expect to be bitten.
The EU is just as guilty as Zelenskyy IMO. They should have known the shitstorm they were causing. It's incredible how:
Albania: Applied in 2009
Montenegro: Applied in 2008
North Macedonia: Applied in 2004
Serbia: Applied in 2009
Turkey: Applied in 1987
And the EU has dragged its feet, and yet when Ukraine applied, it was almost fast-tracked.
I don't really care if people hate Putin, or think he's a dictator or evil incarnate. Folk need to take a moment and look at it from the Russian point of view. This is an expansion towards Moscow as far as they are concerned.
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 #Labour 𝗠𝗣 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲!
Where did I put my surprised face?
news.sky.com/story/mike-amesbu…
Mike Amesbury: MP jailed for punching constituent in street walks free after appealing prison sentence
The 55-year-old punched his constituent several times and was heard shouting: "You won't threaten your MP again will you, you f****** soft lad?"Alix Culbertson (Sky News)
This proves that leaders are indeed a bunch of feckless kids.
European politicians, including Friedrich Merz of Germany, said that Europe needs to work towards independence from America politico.eu/article/friedrich-… and then next thing the UK's Kier Starmer says that Donald Trump, i.e. America needs to play a firm role in Europe. bbc.co.uk/news/live/c625ex282z…
What a bunch of headless chickens! 🐔 🇪🇺 🇺🇲
Starmer says US needs security role in Ukraine to deter Putin as he prepares to meet Trump - follow live
Meanwhile the US president says Europe should provide the security guarantees after any ceasefire deal with Russia.BBC News
This is literally Brexit delivering on its promises
At least, it's Keir delivering on Brexiter's promises.
The problem with the UK, and I don't think it is 'Party' specific, is that we still think we have the standing and the strength to influence other countries like the Americans can, which means we are shocked when Europeans don't take any notice of what we say or do for that matter hence the reason we are bending over backwards for Ukraine in the vein hope someone in Europe says "Good old Briton, you can always rely on them." It's also amazing that we have been running our military into the ground for the last ninety years. Starmer's announcement has probably been the first increase in funding for decades.
Of course, nobody is saying: "Hang on a minute. I thought we had a £22 Billion black hole?
They're all a bunch of liars."
(Bottom lip quiver)
ghostdancer likes this.
It's incredible how people can change their minds when you threaten to turn off the gravy train.
"When you've got'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow."
aljazeera.com/economy/2025/2/2…
Trump says Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to sign ‘very big’ minerals deal
US president says he expects Ukrainian leader to sign agreement to jointly develop natural resources on Friday.Al Jazeera
This happens under #Labour, and nobody says a word. If it had happened under a #Conservative government, the press and TV news would be screaming, "Tories attack the NHS!" remember, children, it's not about what you like but who you like.
independent.co.uk/news/health/…
Amanda Pritchard resigns after MPs said she lacked drive to reform ailing NHS
Wes Streeting said there must now be a ‘new relationship’ between the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS EnglandMillie Cooke (The Independent)
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: My graphics card has stopped working.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: We'll reinstall the driver.
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: That didn't work.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Hang on, how are you getting a desktop?
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: The one screen works but not the other.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: So the card is working?
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: I kicked the cable, and now the one screen doesn't work.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: So reinstalling the driver was pointless, you may have damaged the port.
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: I'll buy another card from Amazon.
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Umm? OK.
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: I fitted the new card, and that doesn't work either!
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: What?
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: Only one screen works!
𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: I'm coming to you tomorrow, I'll need to physically see it.
𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: It's working now.
I bet he'd pulled the cable out of the monitor, or he hadn't pushed the cable in enough. 😠🤦🙈
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mirror.co.uk/news/politics/fre…
Free breakfast clubs launch in 750 schools within weeks - helping deprived kids
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson tells The Mirror the rollout of free breakfast clubs will soon begin to help struggling families and kids held back by scarring impact of povertyThe Mirror
People really need to understand what's going on. Zelenskyy's offer of resignation is worthless! The whole reason for Russia's invasion of #Ukraine is to stop Ukraine from joining the EU! Zelenskyy, to Putin, is probably irrelevant. His reason for invading is to ensure a buffer zone between Russia and the European allies.
Putin is the aggressor and possibly a dictator, but Zelenskyy is a trouble maker imo.
theguardian.com/world/2025/feb…
Zelenskyy says he would ‘quit for peace’ as he refuses US demand for Ukraine minerals
Ukrainian president says US military aid was a ‘grant’ rather than a debt but adds that he wants Trump to be ‘on our side’Luke Harding (The Guardian)
Ukraine Invasion Feed reshared this.
That's not a very good example. Churchill came to power eight months after the war was declared and was given the push the moment the war was won. He spent most of his time begging other countries, especially America, to join in. "Come on in, the wars lovely."
Churchill was lucky that Roosevelt agreed to defeat Germany first rather than the country that had attacked them.
There's no nobility in death, just death.
Churchill warned about Hitler for years but the Tories listened to those who said Mr. Hitler was 'a sound fellow' we could trust. He came to power when events proved he'd been right all along.
Winston made very dodgy decisions before WW2. He set the British Army on striking miners, the example Maggie followed with the police, right after giving them a big pay rise.
You mean the NUM that took money from Gadaffi? Miners who terrorised their own community, some of whom were simply trying to survive. Bussing in 5000 men at Orgreave is not a strike; it's a declaration of war.
Anyway
You and I grew up in a world where we were indoctrinated with the view that the Communists, aka the Russians, were evil and wanted to destroy us all. We were told that while the UK and France could lob a couple of ICBMs at Smolensk, it was the Americans who truly kept us safe in our beds. I'd far rather have the US and Russia friends than at each other's throats.
dick_turpin likes this.
I'm not convinced Europe will ever treat us as equals or treat us fairly, for that matter. I'm gobsmacked that people are willing to hand over their country to Brussels so that they can glide through customs for two weeks in Ibiza.
I asked many people at the time of the vote why they believed so firmly that the European Union was good for Britain. None of them gave me very good reasons; they all seemed to have pretty unimportant personal benefits, such as the ability to take Benji the dog with them or work abroad while retaining British citizenship. Until, of course, Brussels does away with that, and we all become EU citizens.
I did vote to remain, mainly because I hoped the referendum may have given the EU a wake-up call to the extent they changed their disrespectful attitude. I never imagined that we would actually leave. It'll be at least twenty years before they allow us back, and even if they did, I guarantee they would punish us because France, for example, is very vindictive.
theguardian.com/world/2025/feb…
‘Now is the time of monsters’: young Berliners despair at far-right surge
Alternative für Deutschland projected to finish second in federal election with about 20% of the voteAshifa Kassam (The Guardian)
I've been reading a book!
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽
Processes how the brain distinguishes between "us" and "them" in social contexts. A key brain region involved in this is the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which plays a role in social cognition, including distinguishing between in-groups and out-groups.
𝗔𝗺𝘆𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗮: Involved in emotional reactions and threat detection, often more active when perceiving out-group members.
𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘅 (𝗔𝗖𝗖): Helps regulate conflict and bias between in-groups and out-groups.
𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗧𝗣𝗝): Important for perspective-taking and understanding social differences.
dick_turpin reshared this.
Are we really going to send British troops to shoot Russians? I mean, it's a nice sabre-rattling gesture, but do we really want to risk starting a full-blown war? I wonder what Russian mothers or the Russian people will think when their sons are shot by 3 Para or whichever regiments we send?
theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/f…
Starmer ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine if peace deal reached
It is understood to be the first time the PM has been explicit about sending British peacekeepers to UkraineNadeem Badshah (The Guardian)
ghostdancer likes this.
I have no qualms about legitimate, legal entry immigration. The more taxpayers, the merrier, in my book. I have no time or patience for illegals.
I'm not sure if I can draw my line in the sand any firmer.
Amazing! Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, three years on, and suddenly, Europe can get off its arse and look like they're doing something. This has nothing to do with peace, defeating the Russians or potentially brokering a deal and everything to do with "Whose in charge!"
Europe, including the UK, is an utter joke! They all want American money, troops and support, yet when America decides it's time to stop the squabbling, everyone starts throwing a tantrum.
#ukraine #PresidentTrump
Ukraine Invasion Feed reshared this.
Anyone in favour of this idea is a moron because Europe might just as well declare war now. Happy WW III. Never mind global warming; there'll be no Western Hemisphere to worry about once the nukes start flying.
theguardian.com/world/live/202…
Zelenskyy calls for European army as Germany hits back at US over Vance tirade – as it happened
‘Our army alone is not enough, we need your support,’ Ukraine’s president tells Munich security conferenceHamish Mackay (The Guardian)
It's nice to see #Labour getting their spuds kicked for a change.
#politics
theguardian.com/politics/2025/…
Rachel Reeves accused of ‘cavalier attitude’ to expenses during banking career
Chancellor and PM insist there was no wrongdoing after claims she was investigated for alleged misuse of expensesAletha Adu (The Guardian)
telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/the-other…
The other side of cuddly comedy ‘nice guy’ Peter Kay
The publicity-shy comic’s on-stage outbursts have shocked fans of his ‘everyman’ image. But he has long been a divisive characterLiam Kelly (The Telegraph)
#Trump #Ukrain
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c04n62…
Ukraine war talks start now, Trump says after Putin call
The US and Russia leaders spoke over the phone after Trump said Nato membership for Ukraine is unlikely.Bernd Debusmann Jr, at the White House, and Mike Wendling (BBC News)
Guilty by association or just as bad?
Sadly, at the moment, the Guardian doesn't say what he's supposed to have said.
Quote: "A government source told PA News: “Oliver Ryan’s remarks were unacceptable and deeply disappointing.""
So much for #Labour cleaning up the sleaze in politics.
theguardian.com/politics/2025/…
Second Labour MP faces sanctions over offensive WhatsApp group messages
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has already apologised for his own comments in wake of Andrew Gwynne’s suspensionPeter Walker (The Guardian)
@realDonaldTrump needs to threaten to pull US troops out of Europe. That'll shit'em up. 🤣
politico.eu/article/eu-slams-d…
EU chiefs chastise Trump for sanctioning the ICC
In a first jab at the White House, Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa said the U.S. president’s move to target the International Criminal Court undermines global justice.Aitor Hernández-Morales (POLITICO)
Thomas
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