Some of those probably are no more than conspiracy theories. I personally doubt the lab leak story that you've casually stated as a matter of fact, there. This notion of fear used as an instrument of control is also nonsense, really. Obviously any warning or advice is going to involve an element of fear, unavoidably. You can't help but fear the consequences of drink driving if you're over the limit, for example. But that's not to say that the law is there to control you, except in the sense that it controls your behaviour in a perfectly legitimate way.

Nor has it been established as a matter of fact that the Nord Stream pipeline was destroyed by the US and again, I doubt it. It's right down there with the WTC being destroyed by the US government, although I suppose you believe that as well.

Quote from: Slim on August 10, 2023, 10:11:03 AMSome of those probably are no more than conspiracy theories. I personally doubt the lab leak story that you've casually stated as a matter of fact, there.

No credible alternative exists and emails prove that scientists considered it plausible, initially, until Fauci twisted their arms to put their names to the proximal origin paper.

Quote from: Slim on August 10, 2023, 10:11:03 AMThis notion of fear used as an instrument of control is also nonsense, really.

Did you use "really" in order to moderate that assertion?
Proven by Matt Hancock's Whatsapp messages. Irrefutable

Nordstream will probably never be proven but, again, until evidence to the contrary is found the most likely scenario (motive, capability etc) is that Sleepy carried out his threat

So, only two there that, on the balance of evidence are probable but still to be proven conclusively

Did the US government threaten to destroy the WTC?

Quote from: David L on August 10, 2023, 10:47:31 AMNo credible alternative exists and emails prove that scientists considered it plausible, initially, until Fauci twisted their arms to put their names to the proximal origin paper.

Why do you find the usual explanation, that the virus migrated from another species to humans, to be less than credible? I'm mindful that this explanation has been posited by a few experts, including Chris Smith who is a bona-fide academic virologist as well as being a physician. When was his arm twisted by Fauci? Since you apparently have a bit more expertise than Chris Smith, could you share your research with us?

Otherwise I'm tempted to conclude that this is just more abject bollocks stated as fact.

QuoteDid you use "really" in order to moderate that assertion?
Proven by Matt Hancock's Whatsapp messages. Irrefutable

You obviously missed the caveat in my earlier email. A more reasonable and accurate way to describe Matt Hancock's position is that he wanted to ensure that the general public was aware of the danger of non-complaince with the lockdown restrictions. I'm completely sure that Churchill's government wanted to "frighten the pants" out of the British public into following blackout restrictions, being careful to use bomb shelters and so on. All only right and proper.

I don't agree that the most likely scenario is that the Americans destroyed the Nord Stream pipeline and without bothering to check your other little tin foil conspiracies I'd guess that less than half of them have some sort of basis in truth.

Quote from: Slim on August 10, 2023, 12:52:12 PM

Quote from: David L on August 10, 2023, 10:47:31 AMNo credible alternative exists and emails prove that scientists considered it plausible, initially, until Fauci twisted their arms to put their names to the proximal origin paper.

Why do you find the usual explanation, that the virus migrated from another species to humans, to be less than credible? I'm mindful that this explanation has been posited by a few experts, including Chris Smith who is a bona-fide academic virologist as well as being a physician. When was his arm twisted by Fauci? Since you apparently have a bit more expertise than Chris Smith, could you share your research with us?

Otherwise I'm tempted to conclude that this is just more abject bollocks stated as fact.

QuoteDid you use "really" in order to moderate that assertion?
Proven by Matt Hancock's Whatsapp messages. Irrefutable

You obviously missed the caveat in my earlier email. A more reasonable and accurate way to describe Matt Hancock's position is that he wanted to ensure that the general public was aware of the danger of non-complaince with the lockdown restrictions. I'm completely sure that Churchill's government wanted to "frighten the pants" out of the British public into following blackout restrictions, being careful to use bomb shelters and so on. All only right and proper.

I don't agree that the most likely scenario is that the Americans destroyed the Nord Stream pipeline and without bothering to check your other little tin foil conspiracies I'd guess that less than half of them have some sort of basis in truth.

Matt Hancock and Churchill in the same paragraph
😂

Those contemplating may find this useful:

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/09/health/covid-variant-eg5/index.html

Get masked up, get your jab. Sage says so

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-covid-variant-eris-masks-rules-b2394433.html

There are no signs that Eris is more dangerous than other variants.

..wonder if this is the variant me and the mrs had back in July.

Quote from: Fishy on August 17, 2023, 08:40:06 AMThere are no signs that Eris is more dangerous than other variants.

You have to look a bit further than the headline for that.

I've noticed a lot of persistent coughing in the shops recently. Especially amongst the children. I suppose kids pick up all kinds of bugs all the time but it's still the school holidays.

Most Scottish schools back next week..

We've certainly been trying to gel hands while on holiday and at home... never know  wtf  ur touching any more

Quote from: Fishy on August 17, 2023, 10:56:33 AMMost Scottish schools back next week..

Spike just around the corner then.😷

Quote from: David L on August 17, 2023, 08:26:45 AMGet masked up, get your jab. Sage says so

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-covid-variant-eris-masks-rules-b2394433.html

It's actually "Independent Sage", led by the pretty-much-always-wrong-about-everything fear-porn merchant Christina Pagel, who has zero qualifications in virology, immunology etc etc.  She's a finger-wagging mathematical modeller with a weird obsession in splurging out worst case scenarios and catastrophist narratives to every media platform available.  Think the female Neil Ferguson but with even less credibility.

Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 17, 2023, 10:53:41 AMI've noticed a lot of persistent coughing in the shops recently. Especially amongst the children. I suppose kids pick up all kinds of bugs all the time but it's still the school holidays.

Pollution. Universal ULEZ required

Quote from: Matt2112 on August 17, 2023, 11:54:28 AM

Quote from: David L on August 17, 2023, 08:26:45 AMGet masked up, get your jab. Sage says so

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-covid-variant-eris-masks-rules-b2394433.html

It's actually "Independent Sage", led by the pretty-much-always-wrong-about-everything fear-porn merchant Christina Pagel, who has zero qualifications in virology, immunology etc etc.  She's a finger-wagging mathematical modeller with a weird obsession in splurging out worst case scenarios and catastrophist narratives to every media platform available.  Think the female Neil Ferguson but with even less credibility.

Were the 'other' SAGE not independent?
Or did they exist solely to justify government policy?

Quote from: David L on August 17, 2023, 12:26:50 PM

Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 17, 2023, 10:53:41 AMI've noticed a lot of persistent coughing in the shops recently. Especially amongst the children. I suppose kids pick up all kinds of bugs all the time but it's still the school holidays.

Pollution. Universal ULEZ required

Doubt it. Lots of lichen on the trees around these parts.