Notices by Fitheach (fitheach@mstdn.io)

@Shufei
The problem with having anachronisms is that by the time you come across a real problem with one, it is too late to fix it. It is then better to fix them ahead of time. The UK has been discovering quite a few anachronisms in recent times.

Of the people I know who actively take an interest in politics, not one supports the monarchy. Apathy is the monarchy's biggest asset.

To me, a Red Tory is a Blairite in the UK Labour party. Although, I do see some parallels between your JT and TB.

@Shufei
Yeah, but when are you going to get rid of the role of the queen and her privy councillors? It seems a strange anachronisim for Canada to maintain into the 21st century.

To my mind the US system replaced the monarch with a president, but forgot to remove many of the powers. Presidents should be limited to handshaking at airports, and not much more.

The Scottish Parliament is a devolved institution and, as such, is missing many crucial powers, e.g. holding an independence referendum.

@Shufei
You're absolutely right, of course. Funny, I've always thought of the Senate as the Senate, and the House of Representatives as Congress. Obviously picked up the wrong end of the stick at some point, and then stuck with it for years. As you said it might have been because House members are referred to as congressmembers.

The system seems logical to me, much more so than the UK parliament. Whether the theory of the system works in practice, is a different question.

@edavies
Your neighbour has probably known this secret for years.

@vfrmedia

@edavies
It is probably better that way. I'm quite glad I don't have any motorways or dual carriageways on my doorstep. Perhaps, we should do things to encourage people to travel less, and to use better means when they really need to.

@vfrmedia

@Shufei
Correction:
I just read the WP plot summary, and it states that the building is the ruined Senate, not Congress. Huh, what did I say about forgetting details. ;-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan's_Run_%28film%29

@vfrmedia
<<<

The new bridge is accessed via the M90, from both sides. However, there are, I think, 50mph sections either side of the bridge. So, no reason they couldn't be classified as dual carriageway.

One other thought: learner motorcyclists wouldn't be able to use the new bridge either.

@vfrmedia
I don't know. 🤷♂️
The A90 still exists and crosses the Forth Bridge, as always. However, the section across the Forth Bridge can only be accessed by public transport, taxis, cycles and pedestrians.

Many years ago, prior to me getting my driving licence, I drove down to Edinburgh for a concert. That trip included crossing the Forth Bridge. I was accompanied by someone with a licence.

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@Shufei
From memory (he he): my reading was his extreme age meant that he had forgotten some details, but his reasoning was still sound. They, Logan & Jessica and the "Old Man" are investigating each other, learning from their different perspectives.

Forgetting the names of presidents was a pointed remark, as the building is a future ruined Congress.

@vfrmedia
Yes, but that rule change is about training learners on motorways, and then only in dual control vehicles with an official instructor.

I'm not arguing against the rule change. but rather the classification of the bridge as a motorway. I don't see why the bridge couldn't be a dual carriageway.

Previously, a learner driver could cross the Firth of Forth as long as they were accompanied by someone with a licence. To do that now requires a 40 mile detour.

@alex
I guess the advantage of this arrangement is you can view, and photograph, the new bridge from the old one. The new bridge does look impressive, particularly when lit at night.

@Shufei
Why did the character frustrate you?

To me, I understood Ustinov's character to be struggling physically, but retaining his mental capabilities. Thus disproving the theme of the film that only youth was worthwhile. It has been a while since I've seen the film, so I may be misremembering this part of the plot.

@mpjgregoire
Phrases like "a Downing Street source" or "someone close to the PM" always means it is precisely the PM, but he doesn't want to be quoted on it.

BoJo is currently playing the blame game. When the no-deal exit happens (as it is 99% likely to now) he can blame Juncker/Merkel/Varadkar/whoever, anyone but himself and his predecessor.

@espectalll @bob

Before anyone jumps down my throat 😃 I haven't forgotten about the Kincardine Bridge. However, although it crosses the Firth of Forth, it is in a quite different location to the Forth Road and Queensferry bridges.

I drove across the Queensferry bridge, yesterday. It occurred to me that there is no pedestrian access on that bridge. On checking to-day, I note that the road on that bridge is designated as a motorway, and hence no foot/cyclepath. The old Forth Road Bridge is now allocated for use with busses, cycles and pedestrians.

However, this means that there is no means for a learner driver to cross the Firth of Forth (unless with an instructor & dual controls vehicle).

#ShowerThoughts #Edinburgh #Fife

@mpjgregoire @espectalll

<<<

The Spectator is a right-wing (Conservative supporting) publication, which is "quoting" an unnamed source. Not exactly a reliable source.

@mpjgregoire
In the EU Referendum 62% in Scotland voted to Remain in the EU. That view hasn't been respected in any way over the last 3 years. The UK as a whole voted 52% Leave. A narrow victory for Leave wouldn't ordinarily result in a hard Brexit, which a no-deal departure would be. Plus, many on the Leave side specifically ruled-out a no-deal or even leaving the EU Single Market prior to the referendum.

On balance, polling currently shows a slight majority for Remain.

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@espectalll

Push or Pull?

An exploration of my ignorance of all things nautical, while on the daily #DogWalk.

https://fitheach.co.uk/life/push-or-pull/

@sohkamyung
I live in the Great Glen in Scotland, and we often get small earthquakes because the glen is part of a fault line. If you continue the angle down the Great Glen it would pass near to Donegal. I wonder if they are part of this fault line. I should research this question.