Martin

I used to understand this stuff

[Martin @padsdad]

@Se_Railway Yesterday was a nightmare on the trains to and from London, made worse with nothing at all running to LBG. Funnelling all London stations into Victoria is just not workable and I really hope you take this on board when planning engineering works in the future.

[Martin @padsdad]

@British_Airways @ACraftyOne I don’t get that impression. Same message for me on tracking app since Thursday, actually spoke to a human in a call centre last night who assured me my bag were at that very moment on a flight (they weren’t) and the air tag is still showing the bag in T5C. Silence is deafening.

[Martin @padsdad]

@j0ker937 "Taking a running fuck at a rolling doughnut"

[John Nichol ✈ @JohnNicholRAF]

Long ramble:
I have been mulling if I should comment on President Trump's inane comments about NATO involvement in Afghanistan. Although 35 years ago, during the US-led first Gulf War, I was lying, handcuffed & blindfolded - literally 'shoulder to shoulder' - with a US colleague on a concrete floor in an Iraqi interrogation bunker, I rather feel it should be the current generation who express any anger at the President's ludicrous, demonstrably false utterings. Which is why I earlier shared some posts from others.
But perhaps I will reflect like this - I watched Trump's press conference in the wake of the terrible tragedy when a US helicopter collided with a civilian airliner last January in disbelief. 64 people lost their lives but it seemed to be about him - his expertise, his knowledge, what he thought had happened. Much of what he said was incorrect.
So I realised back then that it was going to be pointless trying to analyse any upcoming word-salads. Everything is clearly about him; his expertise in every subject, his grasp of all situations. His need to say something, anything, to show he is the best, the cleverest, the smartest, the most knowledgeable kid on the block.
The pub-bore, the braggart, the know-it-all, pontificates on anything and everything in the hope of bolstering their own, clearly very low, self-esteem.
I wonder that, in the President's mind, that it doesn't matter if what he says is factually correct? I wonder if he knows, understands, even cares, what is true? He is saying some words, which in his mind, seems to suggest that he's important and people will admire him, laud him. The fact that everyone around him then applauds this character trait, thanking him for his 'leadership' at every turn, just amplifies his desire, his need to continue. He's got want he wants - in his mind - attention, praise, admiration.
So to sum up, trying to analyse Trump's ramblings is like trying to play chess with a pigeon. Somewhat interesting at first, but ultimately, truly pointless and rather frustrating.
To those he has hurt, insulted, vilified, I send you my deepest condolences for your loss, and gratitude for your service.

[Martin @padsdad]

@RestPoliticsUS The Rest is Proctology

[Martin @padsdad]

@Ecapener That's a great idea !

[Martin @padsdad]

@RachelReevesMP Pointless words

[Martin @padsdad]

@BBCkatyaadler Superb series by one of the best journalists in the business, imo. Hugely complex subject, of course, but very well structured and presented.

[Martin @padsdad]

@AngelaRayner When ? Time to start actually doing something rather than committing to doing things.

[Martin @padsdad]

@PeterStefanovi2 @RachelReevesMP To quote an eminent social media commentator very familiar with your work, "Bollocks"

[Martin @padsdad]

@RachelReevesMP Words

[Martin @padsdad]

@punt_rd You can always hear the King's call

[Martin @padsdad]

@NoContextBrits A point

[Martin @padsdad]

@OctopusEnergy @g__j @bbcquestiontime What market reform could look like and the principles that govern current electricity pricing need to be explained more widely imo. Elephant in the room.

[Martin @padsdad]

@GrandPrixDiary

[Martin @padsdad]

@Sherbetlondon Total respect !

[Martin @padsdad]

@shitbritishpics Then she made it to the Olympics as an Australian

[Martin @padsdad]

@Ecapener Mama Said Knock You Out

[Martin @padsdad]

@punt_rd Sun goes down

[Martin @padsdad]

@grantshapps And you wonder why...