rgmwa

The Democrats are up against the determined gerrymandering that the Republicans have carried out in various swing states, Trump's never-ending voter intimidation efforts plus their own lack of focus on what they stand for and how they will improve things. They may well snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the mid-term elections if they don't get themselves a bit better organised. Just bashing Trump may not be enough, although he is giving them plenty of ammunition.

That's a worry given that newcomers seem to be keeping well away.

The forum algorithm has just promoted me to Grand Master for some reason. That means the only way forward now is downhill.

I’m basically saying don’t defend yourself by attacking the other person. Stick to defending your opinion and keep personal criticism out of it. That applies to both sides. Just stating the obvious really.

Maybe, but it's much better to defend your argument. Defending yourself usually doesn't end well for anyone.

Only as long as Trump has enough ammunition left to keep it going.

Not necessarily, but it helps if both sides can have a discussion without arguing and escalating differences of opinion or fact into personal criticism or ridicule.

The damage that could be caused by the first incursion would likely make your ultimate scenario unnecessary.

I think that would be the least threatening possibility. It's what it might do when it's turned loose deliberately or accidetally on the interconnected systems and devices that we all use these days that would be the bigger threat. Banks and other financial institutions, public facilities like hospitals, power stations and distribution networks, the military etc., and especially if nobody knows that it's there or what it's doing.

Good idea. They pay for what will ultimately benefit them and you keep your pension money.

If the payout is only payable on your death, your kids are adults now and presumably looking after themselves, and your wife has passed away, then I can't see the point of continuing to spending 25% of your pension on this product anymore. Far better to walk away, accept the loss of a payout you will never benefit from, keep the money and spend it on yourself now while you're alive.

I know a lot of tunes when I hear them but can only ever remember the odd lyric here and there. I’m always amazed how some people can remember every word of dozens or hundreds of songs.

Did you mean to say fÙ\x1d or 102, 217, 29 ?

Much more appropriate to the `atmosphere'.

I never knew they had gazelles in Scotland until now.