BBC News

[j.sabourn]

Temperatures tomorrow in Perth WA are forecast for 43 degrees, today was 39 degrees. What do you call hot.? JS

[James Curry]

19.6 degrees recorded in Scotland ,Kinlochewe in the north-west Highlands.
With higher than usual temperatures in the winter months this can lead to flooding as a rapid thaw and snow melt.
Anyway why worry anymore about climate change and screwing up the planet.
Looking like WW3 is just round the corner and the odd nuke will be lobbed in someones direction and so it begins.
Only this week the head of the British army said even with an Army of 120,000 men we could not repel a serious attack from Russia.
But thankfully I think it was Grant Shapps mentioned we do have the Nuclear deterrent.

He said Britain was spending more money in cash terms on defence than it ever had, adding the government was increasing funds for modernising its nuclear deterrent and replenishing stocks and should continue to do so, while studiously refusing to call directly for additional funds.

Grant Shapps is the current minister for defence. I think he has held 8 posts at cabinet level. Thing is he never keeps a job very long.
Oh yes we can all rest easier at night knowing he is the man at defence.
At least Ben Wallace his predescessor knew what was the business end of a gun, having served in the Army.
I suppose Grant Shapps can always seek spititual guidance from Rabbi Goldstone.

[Johnny Kieran]

I think most of the defence budget goes on the more technical stuff, like drones and fancy rocket systems, plus all the other unmanned gear they seem to use these days. Maybe there's no need for so many armed forces personnel? It only needs one person to push a button.

[vic mcclymont]

As of 2023, the MOD, had approx. 150, 000 in the armed forces. Support the MOD was approximately 60,000 Civilian staff.
Begs the question, why do they need so many civilians?
Vic

[j.sabourn]

#54. Vic if you have ever lived during a war situation you would find that civilian or soldier you are still considered the enemy and a target. During the last war the people of Great Britain showed this in their solidarity behind their armed forces . This also applies to the patriots of any country. Being a civilian does not make you exempt from bullet or bomb. The sooner the unwashed multitudes realize this maybe they won’t be so keen to sit in the back row manipulating others to do their dirty work. Goering under the instructions from Hitler deliberately bombed the populace of London and other cities targeting civilians when he failed to demolish the airfields , hoping the civilian population would force the government to sue for peace. It had the direct opposite effect. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

John
Don't know if it was luck or good t judgment; but ever since we have been in Aus we have had houses on a hill, first Seven Hills then Quakers hill, Then the Blue Mountains now on one of the highest in Cooma.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Think it was good judgement Des, you can pizz on the world below you. Do you have a flagstaff to fly the Welsh Dragon ? JS

[j.sabourn]

#53 There’s part of your answer then of why so many civilian staff. While the person who pushes the button after putting on his gloves to leave no incriminating evidence behind, and finding nothing happens, will call upon a team of civilian experts to get it fixed pronto. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

It was the second WW that saw civilians as targets the same was as soldiers were.
A number of EU countries are calling for conscription, will that work, who knows?

Wiil WW3 come about, not so sure it will too much to lose for any country, nothing to be gained.
Nuclear waste is there for all!!

So where to from here, wait for the next episode from the wonderful imaginative media.

[j.sabourn]

#59 Hope that Dr. Strangelove was no relative of yours John. He has half your name to start with. Didn’t decide to marry into the family and change it from Dr. Love did he ? JS