Preparedness for when

maryb

We do need unbiased logical analysis and that is in short supply, sadly, from politicians and the media. All we can do in those circumstances is consider as wide a range of views as possible and decide which are credible.

I understand how you came to your view Mrs L and respect it. But it may reassure you to bear in mind that security services work together quite routinely and it is in no-one's interest for that to change. In fact the British and French work bilaterally rather than using the EU structures which are cumbersome (and I'm not sure they trust their security). And cooperation between GCHQ and the US intelligence services does not need us to be part of the EU

Karmacat

The Oxford Book of Clinical Medicine is currently free on kindle. Hope you get there in time if you want it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handbook-Clinical-Medicine-Medical-Handbooks-ebook/dp/B00MELH1T6?ie=UTF8&keywords=oxford%20handbook%20of%20clinical%20medicine&qid=1458739726&ref_=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2&sr=8-1

ivyleaf

Thank you for the explanations about shortening odds :A

Lyn I'd be interested to know Nell's views on the all-too-real possibility of Turkey eventually joining the EU. Their society seems to be becoming less and less secular.

Surely Turkey isn't even in Europe anyway, for goodness' sake - we were taught that it was in Asia Minor, though I don't know if that still exists as an entity.

ETA found it in the older of my atlases, the words are printed across part of Turkey.

I know Cyprus is in the EU, but assumed that was because of its historical connection with Greece.

nuatha

ivyleaf wrote: »

Thank you for the explanations about shortening odds :A

Lyn I'd be interested to know Nell's views on the all-too-real possibility of Turkey eventually joining the EU. Their society seems to be becoming less and less secular.

Surely Turkey isn't even in Europe anyway, for goodness' sake - we were taught that it was in Asia Minor, though I don't know if that still exists as an entity.

Asia minor is another name for the Anatolian Penisular, so its still there though fashions about what to call it change.
The USA has been one of the main driving forces behind the pressure for the EU to take Turkey in as a member, partly to reinforce its membership of NATO, partly to try to keep the country secular.
There's also the drive to become bigger, the EU wants to be the dominant trade bloc, to do so it needs the largest internal market it can achieve. Historically generally successful trade blocs have had a similar GDP/capita, the EU has a widely divergent GDP/capita and attempts to level up the structure have resulted in the problems we've seen in Ireland, Spain, Portugal and especially Greece. Turkey (and the Balkan states) are far more about political gain - including depriving Russia of markets - than they are about economic sense.

The removal of visa requirements and the rest of the ecent refugee agreements make it more likely that Turkey will become an EU member in the medium term (assuming the EU survives another 5-10 years).

[Deleted User]

I'll ask her IVYLEAF and let you know what her take on it is. We touched on Turkey during the debate and if I remember correctly she felt it would inevitably happen in the fullness of time but I'll get her to confirm that. I seem to think that there was a few years ago some talk of Israel wanting to be part of the EU but I might have imagined that!

nuatha

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

I seem to think that there was a few years ago some talk of Israel wanting to be part of the EU but I might have imagined that!

You didn't imagine it, though I haven't heard anything particularly recently, there's been a lot of EU leaders promoting the idea of Israel becoming a full member - since 2000 they've been an Associated State of the EU. They aren't currently on the membership roadmap.

[Deleted User]

Thank you yet again my friend! you're always coming up with the correct information from my ramblings, amazing!!!

GreyQueen

maryb wrote: »

I remember when most bins were removed from town centres after the IRA bombs in Warrington but after a few years they replaced them with plastic bins which were supposed to contain the blast better. If they are taking them away again that suggests a different type of bomb is worrying them.

These aren't plastic, they're steel.

I have no idea as to the relative strengths of the different materials against blasts. We have bins made of all sorts of different materials, with the fancier bins being in the more historic, touristy and major retail areas, and other areas having rather more prosaic receptacles. I think the major issue was the potential for hiding bombs in them.

We've had some fun and games in recent weeks across the city with bomb scares and various armed responses to various perceived threats, and we're just a small city in nowheresville, ingerland. The police copter has been overflying the city centre at night, which is never a happy sign. Goodness knows what it's like in Lunnon Town or major connurbations.

I watched that video which NewShadow linked to upthread. Sound stuff. I have had to read and sign off on a wodge of info about safety in our building, including that certain surfaces are 'mostly bullet proof'. I'd love to find the author of that document and query 'mostly' - against air rifles, handguns, assault rifles on full auto, RPGs?

Seems that thick masonry or solid steel are your friends if you can't escape from a firefight. I wouldn't like to bet the farm on a 'mostly' but these situations arise very very quickly, and you'd just have to do your best.

Some takeaways from various pictures and various consequences of the Brussels assaults;

1. If you have slip-on shoes, like loafers, courts or ballet flats, you are likely to lose one or both of them. You will then be barefoot or in your stocking feet amid debris. I have given first aid to a lady we got out of a burning car (mercifully unhurt) and getting her out parted her from her slip-on footwear, too. And her handbag.

2. If you are shod flimsily, which would mean most womens' footwear esp business-appropriate shoes/ summer sandals, and you end up either in an incident, or stranded miles from home due to a metro shutdown/ buses being taken away/ road closures forcing long walking detours, you will be lamed by the time you get home. Perhaps wear something sturdy and suitable for running if necessary, like trainers for the journey and keep the dressy shoes in the bag or at work? This would also apply to air journeys as any crash will see you with debris and likely burning fuel to pick your way through.

3. Don't wander around in a daze listening to your headphones or playing with your i(diot) phone wherever you are. Traffic alone is a menace if you're not looking where you're going.

jk0

That reminds me, I have suggested GF takes a pair of overalls in the car for wheel changing. She already carries trainers. She is pleased with the spare wheel, and I have ordered her a bag for it from these guys: http://smartmadness.com/

Next week I'm teaching her how to change the wheel...

ivyleaf

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Thank you yet again my friend! you're always coming up with the correct information from my ramblings, amazing!!!

nuatha is amazing, isn't he :T