Search found 9325 matches

by Tangled Metal
23 Dec 2023, 9:23pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Graffiti artist or person removing Graffiti, which one is the criminal?
Replies: 12
Views: 786

Graffiti artist or person removing Graffiti, which one is the criminal?

Southwark Council have reported the removal of a recognised Banksy graffiti art piece to the police. They want the artwork back not the road sign it was on but the artwork.

So what is it that makes graffiti acceptable? If you do it with the permission of the building owner and it doesn't breach regulations it's legal but Banksy I believe doesn't ask for permission. However he has never been arrested despite publicly acknowledging his work and having been identified this past year. I'm not saying he should be but you'd be a bit annoyed if you're prosecuted for graffiti art but others don't.

BTW I'm distinguishing graffiti art from tagging form of graffiti.

If the artwork thieves removed the art without taking the sign would that be illegal?
by Tangled Metal
3 Dec 2023, 5:14pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Compulsory hi-viz before work
Replies: 26
Views: 2678

Re: Compulsory hi-viz before work

mjr wrote: 2 Dec 2023, 10:22pm
Tangled Metal wrote: 2 Dec 2023, 9:51pmFree hi-viz, what's not to like?
It puts microfibers into the water every wash 🙁

It enables bad drivers to keep not looking properly.
I'll not wash it and whilst work free issues for cycle commuting I'll use it as emergency hi-viz in the van. Considering it's advised to carry hi-viz in cars I'm not going to complain of my employer gives me a free vest, they won't know or care whether I'm cycling in or got another use for it afterall.

So with that in mind, what's not to like?
by Tangled Metal
2 Dec 2023, 9:51pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Compulsory hi-viz before work
Replies: 26
Views: 2678

Re: Compulsory hi-viz before work

Our company has been running winter safety roadshows around the site and other group sites. If you're a cyclist they'll give you some free hi-viz. Personally I'd have gone if I was on site that day. Free hi-viz, what's not to like? I'll put it in the back of the car in case we break down and have to wait by the side of the road or change a tyre b by the roadside or something like that.
by Tangled Metal
2 Dec 2023, 4:47pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: What did Von der Leyen actually say?
Replies: 42
Views: 3567

Re: What did Von der Leyen actually say?

So have we found out what vdL actually said and the chimney it was said in yet? Context is very important and might be language altered.
by Tangled Metal
2 Dec 2023, 4:46pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: What did Von der Leyen actually say?
Replies: 42
Views: 3567

Re: What did Von der Leyen actually say?

I once saw a current affairs programme that looked at the euro and rules for new countries joining the eurozone on joining the EU IIRC. Anyway the 5 conditions to joining the eurozone, apparently the economist on the programme explained that even Germany only met 3 out of the 5 rules.

I also saw figures on state subsidies. It was from when at were still in the EU. I think it was after talk of uk support of British steel or car industry breaking EU subsidy rules, not completely certain they would but I believe an EU commissioner gave a warning so the current affairs programme collated state subsidies, rule breaching subsidies, from EU own figures. Iirc Italy was one of the highest, France too was high but even Germany was high. The UK had the lowest level of state subsidies in the whole EU.

My point is really that no state is strictly obedient to the rules, but across the EU rules are obeyed a lot less than the common perception. This means that if the EU want to be pragmatic they will, even if that means they break their own rules. Or at least turn a blind eye. I do wonder if that is a form of corruption though.
by Tangled Metal
2 Dec 2023, 2:43pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Compulsory hi-viz before work
Replies: 26
Views: 2678

Re: Compulsory hi-viz before work

Our very large site has bike sheds just outside the security gates to the sites. Car parking is also outside the security site gates. This means everyone walks through the site except for vehicles that have site access.

The controls in place are walkways that you have to use, although some do cut corners or go off track by mistake. There's zebra crossings where needed. Hi-viz is commonly worn but for other areas / reasons than site access by foot. A lot only put hi-viz on when at their workplace using changing rooms to put on their hi-viz overalls. So the idea is physical separation using marked pedestrian routes not hi-viz. The idea being making you visible isn't a reliable action as drivers can still miss seeing you. Better to have the road they're driving on being separate from where people walk.

I think any risk assessment and guidance from the HSE should have a hierarchy of controls.hi-viz, AIUI, is low down that list. However it is a viable option if other controls are not possible. Small gaps between building that FLTs and other vehicles might not have enough space for marked out separation. In that case you move to another control option which ultimately might be hi-viz. The only way to find out is to look at the risk assessment.
by Tangled Metal
27 Nov 2023, 8:24pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Waterproofs For 3 Mile Commute On Hybrib
Replies: 47
Views: 4711

Re: Waterproofs For 3 Mile Commute On Hybrib

Get yourself cheap waterproof overshoes. Neoprene for cooler climes but you can get thin ones for warmer but wet. They will keep your feet drier than waterproof shoes.

You don't need cycling waterproofs to get drop tails and freedom of movement needed for cycling. I have dedicated cycling waterproofs but my mountaineering jacket by berghaus was my favoured cycling jacket. I could move my arms any which way they cam move without that jacket hem riding up.. i've a polaris waterproof and it's flappier than my mountaineering one. It's often down to how well they.

You can get cheap cags but they can be boil in the bags even with cycling fit. Best to wear them only when really wet with a windproof layer when not.

Try to stay dry going into work but it's less important going home. Mind you, if it's absolutely raining hard then you tend to find a little bit more speed. Real dreich tends to bring the racer out in you. My old 7 mile commute got it's fastest time when it way heavy rain and strong, sideways wind. As in 90 degrees to my motion so no aid or hindrance. I have never got close to that time.
by Tangled Metal
27 Nov 2023, 7:46pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Shoot dogs, help me?
Replies: 118
Views: 25915

Re: Shoot dogs, help me?

In the neighbouring village there was a big RSPCA rescue. Over 100 dogs and cats looked after, or not in the end, by one woman with what was described as mental health condition. Seems she just wanted to rescue any animals she encountered that needed help. She had some form of compulsion that overrode her understanding that she was actually harming them. Something like ghost ppl who harm a vulnerable person so they can help them if that makes sense.

She had been banned and got a lifetime ban after this I think.

AIUI you can get bans for cruelty, neglect or because you were negligent in how you handied your dangerous dog. I think that is the potential reasons for a ban but no expert som it could be slightly wrong.
by Tangled Metal
26 Nov 2023, 6:55pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: relocation conundrum
Replies: 14
Views: 1840

Re: relocation conundrum

In the 90s I travelled to Swindon from Preston via a change at new street, with a very, very last minute change of platform to the other side of the station. Both trains had guards vans. More recently about 8 years ago my partner used to get a train that originated in Leeds that had a carriage with half of it being a guards van or RM / luggage van. Not had that rolling stock for years though.
by Tangled Metal
26 Nov 2023, 12:08pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Abandoned bike locks
Replies: 21
Views: 2384

Re: Abandoned bike locks

On one of my earliest days at my new job I made a lame joke about hoping I still had my lock key. She said it doesn't matter, they'll have several ways to open it for you. A heavy engineering site, I sure they'd have no issues removing any lock. In fact they'd probably make it a learning experience for the apprentices. It made me smile anyway, not least because losing my bike lock key when it's locked up is one of my very minor stresses.
by Tangled Metal
5 Nov 2023, 10:26pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Monster vehicles
Replies: 67
Views: 6698

Re: Monster vehicles

We gave up our mpv but kept the vivaro partially converted for us. 6.5k miles per year with the 13,5k miles per year we reduced trajan by trains, bikes and just not choosing to drive to so many places. The fact we've got such a big vehicle is offset by the fact we don't want to use it as much as a smaller car.

Being a SWB, low roof van it fits in a standard height carpark within the same space as the t4 vw vans but being more boxy it has enough room for 3 ppl to sit up front. We chose it over similar priced but older vw vans was because it drives as well as the vw but has more internal space. Vw vans taper in a surprising amount making the internal space for my 6'5" frame very cramped. I can only fit in the drivers seat since we share driving the VW was ruled out.

The other interesting thing about our van. There are a few SUVs that are longer, wider and higher up. The 7 seater range rover, possibly the sport version and the larger BMW /AUDI ones I think too. One time I looked across at the car next to me at lights, it was pretty much at the same height I thought. When it drive off I found out it had the mini badge on it. Might have been the countryman version. Also, I once had to look up to a mini when in my old seat altea xl mpv which was higher than a lot of standard cars when it was new.

My pov is that there should be a certain size and / or weight of car / suv or other type of private vehicle above which you have to have a commercial goods vehicle driving licence and have to adhere to similar requirements for trucks. Such as a lower maximum national speed limit, with a tamperproof speed limiter set at it. Basically make it so they're no longer in demand. 60mph on dual carriageways for example, even not allowed in the outside overtaking lane on motorways.

Mind you I'm a hypocrite considering my swb van is bigger than a car should be. Although my family can't really camp in a car which was why we got it and converted it.
by Tangled Metal
3 Nov 2023, 3:53pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Violent conflicts.
Replies: 459
Views: 79203

Re: Violent conflicts.

Pebble wrote: 3 Nov 2023, 8:47am not sure it can be compared to Ukraine, Russia clearly invaded their country - for a comparison we would need protests about the Ukrainians fighting back.
Israel invaded when it took Golan heights and AFAIK at least part of the west Bank.

The difference between Israel and the other Arab on Arab conflicts is that those places were undemocratic basket cases at the time and were in state of war. Israel had periods of peace and democracy until Netanyahu joining up with the only groups who'd join with him such as extremist zionist and right wing parties. Corruption isn't an issue if it will support your illegal zionist /settler pov. If I was Israelis I'd hope we'd not be compared to Yemen and Syria personally. Says how bad Israel is that it's compared against Yemen!
by Tangled Metal
2 Nov 2023, 7:53pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Violent conflicts.
Replies: 459
Views: 79203

Re: Violent conflicts.

The Jews were expunged from what is now Israel 2000 years ago by the Romans. To claim that it's your God-given home based on a 2000 year old claim is pretty tenuous.
Is this actually true? As I understand it there's been Jewish peoples in the current territory of Israel over the last 2000 years. Jewish population in the Levant has existed since before roman occupation right up to modern day. They were the majority during the Jewish - roman wars in 66 to 136 CE and in the 600s was about 10% after a long period of reduction of numbers. The population continued in the Levant despite this. To say the above comment is not correct in any way.

What is also right is that they cannot say that it is their land neither. It's been fought over for so long. Populations and peoples come and go. It's going to be that way for a long time based on the history and current events.

Another point, I believe Palestine as an independent and unified state or political entity such as could be recognised as a country has never existed. Just as a Jewish state had not existed for many centuries before the foundation of Israel. If the Palestinian peoples had a recognisable state before the foundation of Israel would there be an Israel now?

The only fact I know for certain is the region is a mess. It needs a good solution not external states supporting the status quo in any way. Perhaps Iran and others to stop supporting Palestinian proxies and the west supporting Israel might be a first step.
by Tangled Metal
2 Nov 2023, 4:29pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: *** The AI Thread *** Risks, Threats, Political Action
Replies: 63
Views: 4503

Re: *** The AI Thread *** Risks, Threats, Political Action

Does any political leader know what they talk about? Don't they have civil service to provide the information and advisers to advise on political side of such information? I believe the system we operate is an executive system with advice from a knowledgeable civil service.

So I think it's not right to question what he knows but what he was told by the civil service and how he used that info.
by Tangled Metal
31 Oct 2023, 9:44pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: People are right to trespass in fight for right to roam in England, says Green MP
Replies: 177
Views: 24704

Re: People are right to trespass in fight for right to roam in England, says Green MP

Aren't other industries subsidised with fewer requirements than farming? Steel industries, fishing for example. I welcome your right to walk through fishing grounds due to fishing subsidies and support. How long can you hold your breath? Lol!

Seriously, farming subsidies were always paid based on official sourced objectives. Used to be efficiency of food production. Later on environmental objectives. If you don't like the subsidy objectives vote a party in that will change it. Good luck on that! I reckon any serious party will not be looking to change the system as drastically as you might want.

BTW farms so not exist because of our taxes. There would still be farms without subsidies. We have property laws which applies to farmland and residential land equally. It would be interesting to see how you'd write new property legislation to selectively apply to farms vs other land use. I'm sure that would become quite a complex thing to do if you looked at it with a clear mind.

Of course political views do colour your views on labs ownership. Not sure I'd completely put that down to the politics of envy but there is an element I reckon.