Since it is now past 11 p.m., it is time to remind everyone that Howard is first. And to note that my post at the end of the last thread was technically past the witching hour.
Wow. I don't think I'd want to chance it, personally, since the eruptions are unpredictable and so are the winds. But if they fly below the ash level, or up over it, then fine. Just not in it. Wouldn't want the extra pressure as a pilot, either. It's a hard situation, for sure, with so many displaced people. But I sure wouldn't want for executives in offices to be making decisions based on how much money the airline is losing...if you know what I mean.
The runup to the UK election is starting to look VERY, VERY interesting; think HUNG PARLIAMENT, ELECTION REFORM, and both Labour and Tories getting a comeuppance:
I'm not sure I understand the concept of "hung parliament." If nt party has a majority, I would expect a coalition government. Britain has had coalition governments, and they are pretty much the norm on the continent. Is the idea that the Liberal Democrats will refuse to join with either of their rivals?
And we hear that if they do, they will insist on electoral reform. I'm afraid I don't know enough about British elections to understand in any detail what this might mean.
Incidentally, not mentioned in these blogs, but I understand that for the first time the internet is playing a major role in a British election. They say it's the Obama influence, but we all know where Obama got the ideal.
Bill--as I understand it, a "hung parliament" means no party has enough seats to form a government by itself, so it is a coalition or new elections. It was/is my understanding that a hung parliament is rare, although coalitions are less so. As for electoral reform, of course the reforms of....hmmm....the 1840's (if memory serves me) dealt with "rotten boroughs" among other things, but elections to the Commons are still not as representative as to the House of Representatives. It is possible that Labour could get more seats while coming in third in votes. Things evidently need to be tweaked a bit. I should hope they don't reform themselves into a system susceptible to gerrymandering.
In a "hung parliament", in which no party or coalition holds a majority, the monarch has an increased degree of latitude in choosing the individual likely to command most support, but it would usually be the leader of the largest party.[12][13] Since 1945, there has only been one hung parliament, following the February 1974 general election. After failed negotiations between the incumbent prime minister Edward Heath and Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe, Heath resigned and Harold Wilson was appointed Prime Minister. Although Wilson's Labour Party did not have a majority, they were the largest party.
Alan...Hubby is watching those developments too. Interesting times we're in, that's for sure.
puddle...Thanks as always for the Ally posting!!! ♡
Susan...I am banking on the pilots refusing to fly if it's truly not safe. I wouldn't trust my life to the guys behind the desks, but the pilots are right up there with the people and the planes. I hope your S-I-L gets back okay this week. ♥ A friend of mine is due to leave for England on Wednesday. We'll see.
Since it is now past 11 p.m., it is time to remind everyone that Howard is first. And to note that my post at the end of the last thread was technically past the witching hour.
ReplyDeleteSo, they're thinking of flying despite the ash clouds.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100418/ap_on_re_eu/eu_iceland_volcano_128
Wow. I don't think I'd want to chance it, personally, since the eruptions are unpredictable and so are the winds. But if they fly below the ash level, or up over it, then fine. Just not in it. Wouldn't want the extra pressure as a pilot, either. It's a hard situation, for sure, with so many displaced people. But I sure wouldn't want for executives in offices to be making decisions based on how much money the airline is losing...if you know what I mean.
Yes, I do know what you mean. Unfortunately our whole world seems to operate on satisfying the gods of profit. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteMy sister-in-law is in England this week, due back the 24th. Haven't heard anything about her travel plans, or lack of them.
The runup to the UK election is starting to look VERY, VERY interesting; think HUNG PARLIAMENT, ELECTION REFORM, and both Labour and Tories getting a comeuppance:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/04/uk_election_comments_10.php
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/04/uk_election_comment_11.php#more
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/apr/18/election-2010-nick-clegg-debate
I'm not sure I understand the concept of "hung parliament." If nt party has a majority, I would expect a coalition government. Britain has had coalition governments, and they are pretty much the norm on the continent. Is the idea that the Liberal Democrats will refuse to join with either of their rivals?
ReplyDeleteAnd we hear that if they do, they will insist on electoral reform. I'm afraid I don't know enough about British elections to understand in any detail what this might mean.
Incidentally, not mentioned in these blogs, but I understand that for the first time the internet is playing a major role in a British election. They say it's the Obama influence, but we all know where Obama got the ideal.
Bill--as I understand it, a "hung parliament" means no party has enough seats to form a government by itself, so it is a coalition or new elections. It was/is my understanding that a hung parliament is rare, although coalitions are less so. As for electoral reform, of course the reforms of....hmmm....the 1840's (if memory serves me) dealt with "rotten boroughs" among other things, but elections to the Commons are still not as representative as to the House of Representatives. It is possible that Labour could get more seats while coming in third in votes. Things evidently need to be tweaked a bit. I should hope they don't reform themselves into a system susceptible to gerrymandering.
ReplyDeleteIn a "hung parliament", in which no party or coalition holds a majority, the monarch has an increased degree of latitude in choosing the individual likely to command most support, but it would usually be the leader of the largest party.[12][13] Since 1945, there has only been one hung parliament, following the February 1974 general election. After failed negotiations between the incumbent prime minister Edward Heath and Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe, Heath resigned and Harold Wilson was appointed Prime Minister. Although Wilson's Labour Party did not have a majority, they were the largest party.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_the_United_Kingdom
Alan...Hubby is watching those developments too. Interesting times we're in, that's for sure.
ReplyDeletepuddle...Thanks as always for the Ally posting!!! ♡
Susan...I am banking on the pilots refusing to fly if it's truly not safe. I wouldn't trust my life to the guys behind the desks, but the pilots are right up there with the people and the planes. I hope your S-I-L gets back okay this week. ♥ A friend of mine is due to leave for England on Wednesday. We'll see.
As always, love, love to do it.
ReplyDeleteHad a wonderful four hour talk wit' ma honey again today. Tomorrow, in for the operation. Fingers crossed.
Toes too, puddle! ♥
ReplyDeleteWhen are we likely to hear from you about how it went?
And...WHAT TIME is the operation?
ReplyDeletelistener, you have mail. . . . It is Rick going in for the operation. Early. And *thank you*!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for setting my addled pate to rights! :)
ReplyDeleteLove and Light going where it's needed most! ♥
NASA trying to recover balloon that went down in Australia's outback
ReplyDeletehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/19/2876085.htm