Brexit, for once some facts.

[oldgroaner]

I'm not too bad on basic geology. But thank you for the info.

I was just asking when the last volcano 'popped up'. You said they happen all the time so I assumed you would know when the last one was and maybe the one before that even?

One this century would be a start.

Here is the answer

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai, South Pacific

In 2014 a new island sprung into existence in the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific. The land mass emerged after a submarine volcano erupted, sending ash 30,000 feet into the sky and disrupting flights in the region.

Prior to 1974, the small Japanese island of Nishinoshima had seen no eruptions for 10,000 years. In November 2013, an eruption which would go on to last for two years created a new island called Niijimi off the southeast shore of the land mass.

 

[Wicky]

since I'm not aware of any attempts by them to stop any of the world's trade shipping in those seas.

They have the potential for blocking free passage of South China Sea in a way that they'll be difficult to remove - They're already interfering with over flights and fishermen.

"Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which was ratified by China, it cannot claim reefs and other structures below the sea’s surface as sovereign territory, nor anything built on top of them.

A border of 12 nautical miles can be claimed at sea and in the air around natural islands but as many of China’s reefs in the Spratly Island do not meet that definition, they are not its territory and borders cannot be enforced.

But the international laws seemed to be ignored when the BBC’s plane approached, with the first warning coming near Nanxun Reef, accusing the tiny propeller plane of being a “military aircraft”.

“Unidentified military aircraft in west of Nanxun Reef, this is the Chinese Navy. You are threatening the security of our station! In order to prevent miscalculation leave this area immediately,” it reportedly said.

The plane moved away but further threats came in within 20 nautical miles of Yongshu Island, when another message said it was “threatening security”.

Eventually the aircraft managed to close in on Mischief (Meiji) Reef, which has been transformed by construction since 2012, but further warnings came in over the radio and reportedly continued after pilots stated the plane was a Philippine civilian aircraft en route to Palawan.

Images taken by the BBC showed a huge new runway, ships, military vehicles, troops and continuing land reclamation and building work.

China has threatened a BBC reporter for flying in international airspace

The BBC hired a plane to observe construction on disputed islands in the South China Sea

www.independent.co.uk

South China Sea: Fishing on the front line of Beijing’s ambitions - Vietnam’s fishermen fear becoming collateral damage in a bigger conflict

 

[Fingers]

They have the potential for blocking free passage of South China Sea in a way that they'll be difficult to remove - They're already interfering with over flights and fishermen.

"Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which was ratified by China, it cannot claim reefs and other structures below the sea’s surface as sovereign territory, nor anything built on top of them.

A border of 12 nautical miles can be claimed at sea and in the air around natural islands but as many of China’s reefs in the Spratly Island do not meet that definition, they are not its territory and borders cannot be enforced.

But the international laws seemed to be ignored when the BBC’s plane approached, with the first warning coming near Nanxun Reef, accusing the tiny propeller plane of being a “military aircraft”.

“Unidentified military aircraft in west of Nanxun Reef, this is the Chinese Navy. You are threatening the security of our station! In order to prevent miscalculation leave this area immediately,” it reportedly said.

The plane moved away but further threats came in within 20 nautical miles of Yongshu Island, when another message said it was “threatening security”.

Eventually the aircraft managed to close in on Mischief (Meiji) Reef, which has been transformed by construction since 2012, but further warnings came in over the radio and reportedly continued after pilots stated the plane was a Philippine civilian aircraft en route to Palawan.

Images taken by the BBC showed a huge new runway, ships, military vehicles, troops and continuing land reclamation and building work.

China has threatened a BBC reporter for flying in international airspace

The BBC hired a plane to observe construction on disputed islands in the South China Sea

www.independent.co.uk

South China Sea: Fishing on the front line of Beijing’s ambitions - Vietnam’s fishermen fear becoming collateral damage in a bigger conflict

Flecc is never wrong. You are wrong.

 

[50Hertz]

Why is it that this Oakeshott woman hasn't been invited to "help the police with their enquiries" over the leaked Ambassadorial cables?

I’m sure they’d appreciate a hand with a bit of file sorting, typing, indexing, photocopying and general office work.

 

[flecc]

Flecc is never wrong. You are wrong.

Wicky isn't wrong in anything he's posted on this subject, but I don't see it as the big problem he does. That China is being bossy in their own back yard is no surprise, but why is that a special problem when the USA has long been bossy everywhere in the world and Russia is no sluggard within what it views as their domain of influence. It goes with power.

None of us, least of all the USA, is going to make the world a perfect place, so why risk a war by trying? My attitude is to accept China for the huge power that it is and even bigger power it will become. Meanwhile show them the respect due, something the Chinese greatly appreciate and customarily reward, then work towards solutions for peaceful co-existence of all concerned.
.

 

[OxygenJames]

The UN can't have it both ways. Either land claimed by possession or conquer as we've so often done is legal, or it isn't.

Right.

 

[OxygenJames]

When the messenger becomes the message , it leads to confusion. An ambassador is a messenger

I think he's supposed to be a bit more than just that! Heaven forbid.

 

[OxygenJames]

The figures you've given show only too well the USA has little justification for its present stance in that Northern Pacific area. They are just being their usual thuggish selves.

The Americans I know are not 'thuggish'. And I know a lot of Americans. Well. I've met hundreds and still converse with maybe half a dozen. But none of those are 'thuggish' and the ones I met earlier in my life could not have been more respectful to me as a Brit.

 

[Fingers]

The Americans I know are not 'thuggish'. And I know a lot of Americans. Well. I've met hundreds and still converse with maybe half a dozen. But none of those are 'thuggish' and the ones I met earlier in my life could not have been more respectful to me as a Brit.

Are you saying flecc is wrong?

 

[flecc]

The Americans I know are not 'thuggish'. And I know a lot of Americans. Well. I've met hundreds and still converse with maybe half a dozen. But none of those are 'thuggish' and the ones I met earlier in my life could not have been more respectful to me as a Brit.

I'm speaking politically of course, and US politics is not short of thugs. Nor are the Southern States.

But like you, most of the Americans I've known have been as civilised as most are in this country. Some are my relatives, including my sister now eighty years old, having lived there since she was 20 and producing with her American husband four all American kids and all their children.
.

 

[OxygenJames]

Salient:

 

[Danidl]

I think he's supposed to be a bit more than just that! Heaven forbid.

Nope!. When simplified to its essence the Ambassador is both a hostage,a spy and a mouthpiece. Their main role is to ensure that there are no accidental misunderstanding between the state they represent and their host .. Deliberate missunderstandings are another matter.

 

[oldgroaner]

Salient:

View attachment 31208

Now that is hilarious!

The Institute of Economic affairs?

“Since 1974 the IEA has played an active role in developing similar institutions across the globe. Today there exists a world-wide network of over one hundred institutions in nearly eighty countries. All are independent but share in the IEA's mission.”

More widely spread than poverty! if ever there was a foul group intent on profit at any cost this lot are the worst.
While promoting economic piracy they masquerade as a Charity to avoid Tax

A great scam! and world wide too!
Of course they oppose Socialism, it works or the people where they want to abuse them.
We are living through a phase of what this "Free Market thinking" Brings right now

Utter Chaos.
And it has spawned another unholy group
"
On March 19, 2018, IEA introduced the “FREER” program, directed by Rebecca Lowe. [23]

“FREER will be distinctive in its embrace of both social and economic liberalism: we have a packed range of upcoming events and papers on topics ranging from no-platforming to Blockchain. We also have a great group of Conservative MPs signed up as parliamentary supporters, and we have Liz Truss and James Forsyth giving speeches at the launch tonight,” Lowe wrote in an article introducing FEER at ConservativeHome.

According to its website, “FREER will refocus the political debate, shifting attention towards free enterprise and social freedom. Britain’s upcoming departure from the EU provides a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to reassess and reform our country across the whole range of policy areas. The ideas we will champion are those that coalesce around an enduring agenda of unleashing the enterprise, imagination, and inspiration of individual men and women. We are energetic and hopeful for a country that is open, dynamic, enterprising, and thriving.”
For its first year, FREER would “avoid enormous overhead costs by being run administratively through the IEA” and would “benefit from the IEA’s staff’s expertise and experience in different areas” while being separate within IEA's overall budget.

~Out go workers rights, the NHS and anything else that doesn't turn an instant profit, back to the 1920's

 

[oldgroaner]

Comedy in the Telegraph
"
Boris Johnson showed true leadership by refusing to back Sir Kim Darroch against Trump

Tom Harris

That is leadership? throw our man to the wolves?

 

[OxygenJames]

Now that is hilarious!

The Institute of Economic affairs?

“Since 1974 the IEA has played an active role in developing similar institutions across the globe. Today there exists a world-wide network of over one hundred institutions in nearly eighty countries. All are independent but share in the IEA's mission.”

More widely spread than poverty! if ever there was a foul group intent on profit at any cost this lot are the worst.
While promoting economic piracy they masquerade as a Charity to avoid Tax

A great scam! and world wide too!
Of course they oppose Socialism, it works or the people where they want to abuse them.
We are living through a phase of what this "Free Market thinking" Brings right now

Utter Chaos.

Every time Socialism has been tried it has failed - bit like OG's mind.

 

[OxygenJames]

Are you saying flecc is wrong?

He is stereotyping - or was.

 

[OxygenJames]

Now that is hilarious!

The Institute of Economic affairs?

“Since 1974 the IEA has played an active role in developing similar institutions across the globe. Today there exists a world-wide network of over one hundred institutions in nearly eighty countries. All are independent but share in the IEA's mission.”

More widely spread than poverty! if ever there was a foul group intent on profit at any cost this lot are the worst.
While promoting economic piracy they masquerade as a Charity to avoid Tax

A great scam! and world wide too!
Of course they oppose Socialism, it works or the people where they want to abuse them.
We are living through a phase of what this "Free Market thinking" Brings right now

Utter Chaos.

Bottom line even the Scandinavian so-called 'socialist' countries allow free markets to set prices - not central government. The moment you allow central government to set prices it all goes wrong.

 

[OxygenJames]

Comedy in the Telegraph
"
Boris Johnson showed true leadership by refusing to back Sir Kim Darroch against Trump

Tom Harris

That is leadership? throw our man to the wolves?

'Our man' was a dick.

 

[oldgroaner]

Every time Socialism has been tried it has failed - bit like OG's mind.

Really,?the last time we tried it it rebuilt the country and introduced the NHS.
How conveniently you have forgotten that.

We have been struggling to survive since with your nonsense "Free market" theology reducing the country to surviving as a Betting shop, and once we leave the EU the Betting shop will close.

 

[oyster]

Now that is hilarious!

The Institute of Economic affairs?

“Since 1974 the IEA has played an active role in developing similar institutions across the globe. Today there exists a world-wide network of over one hundred institutions in nearly eighty countries. All are independent but share in the IEA's mission.”

More widely spread than poverty! if ever there was a foul group intent on profit at any cost this lot are the worst.
While promoting economic piracy they masquerade as a Charity to avoid Tax

A great scam! and world wide too!
Of course they oppose Socialism, it works or the people where they want to abuse them.
We are living through a phase of what this "Free Market thinking" Brings right now

Utter Chaos.
And it has spawned another unholy group
"
On March 19, 2018, IEA introduced the “FREER” program, directed by Rebecca Lowe. [23]




According to its website, “FREER will refocus the political debate, shifting attention towards free enterprise and social freedom. Britain’s upcoming departure from the EU provides a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to reassess and reform our country across the whole range of policy areas. The ideas we will champion are those that coalesce around an enduring agenda of unleashing the enterprise, imagination, and inspiration of individual men and women. We are energetic and hopeful for a country that is open, dynamic, enterprising, and thriving.”
For its first year, FREER would “avoid enormous overhead costs by being run administratively through the IEA” and would “benefit from the IEA’s staff’s expertise and experience in different areas” while being separate within IEA's overall budget.

~Out go workers rights, the NHS and anything else that doesn't turn an instant profit, back to the 1920's

The typo is, umm, appropriate:

Lowe wrote in an article introducing FEER at ConservativeHome.