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  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,406
    It does strike me that both the UKIP (Controlled immigration to/from everywhere) and the RCS (Completely open immigration to/from everywhere) are vastly more internally consistent than the position of the 'Westminster consensus'.

    They both apply the same standards to the man from Paris as the man from Rio De Janeiro.
  • SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322



    As usual, you seem to be mistaking me for a Europhile.

    Unless I'm very much mistaken, you've consistently voiced support for EU membership.

    The problem with your line of argument is that it makes UKIP look just like all the other parties: do as we say, not as we do.

    If they can't even manage to make a poster and a PPB without using labour that would probably be disallowed if they came into power, how can they expect people to run businesses under those rules?

    Again, you must know that this is an incredibly weak argument. It is obviously possible to make a PPB with only people with four white British grandparents if that's what you want to do. But they weren't trying to demonstrate their immigration system - they were trying to communicate a message and thus didn't worry about it.

    And that's before we even get to the issue of whether those people wouldn't be allowed here. There has been freedom of movement between Ireland and the UK for long before the EU was ever thought of, and the Zimbabwean almost certainly qualified for a British passport via ancestry.

    And it is far from a trivial matter - if tackling mass immigration is done incorrectly, then the economy will be harmed. It may well be possible to tackle it in a good way, but I see nothing that shows UKIP have any idea about how to do it.

    You seem to be deliberately missing the point. Certainly the appropriate immigration policy to have is not a trivial matter. But let's have that debate rather than who was or wasn't in a particular two minute slot, which is certainly trivial.
  • NinoinozNinoinoz Posts: 1,312

    Socrates said:

    isam said:

    Next said:

    UKIP embroiled in row over use of Irish actor in poster campaign

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27154700

    On Wednesday, UKIP leader Nigel Farage suggested his party did not use actors in its campaign literature.

    But on Friday, UKIP said the use of actors was "totally standard practice".

    Good comeback from O'Flynn

    "I would suggest that the only substantive difference between our poster campaign and Mr Hague's is that ours is proving popular and successful while his was followed by a landslide defeat."
    Will Irish jobbing actors be judged 'skilled' and able to immigrate and work in the UK under UKIP's brave new world?

    If you say you are going to allow 'skilled' immigration but not mass immigration, then you need to define what 'skilled' means. It seems - from Zimbabwean decorators to Irish actors through German secretaries - the definition of 'skilled' is currently rather wide.
    This is an absurd argument. UKIP are working with the system as it is currently constituted. You are suggesting that they should unilaterally operate under their proposed system. That makes about as much sense as saying that a socialist who wants higher tax rates should unilaretally pay more into the Treasury, or that a conservative who wants to cut spending should return a chunk of their state pension.
    I'd welcome socialists who want higher tax rates to pay more into the treasury, and for a conservative who wants spending cut to return a chunk of their state pension.

    And it's not an absurd argument.
    Anyone can make voluntary payments to HMRC by agreement.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    edited April 2014
    Pulpstar said:

    It does strike me that both the UKIP (Controlled immigration to/from everywhere) and the RCS (Completely open immigration to/from everywhere) are vastly more internally consistent than the position of the 'Westminster consensus'.

    They both apply the same standards to the man from Paris as the man from Rio De Janeiro.

    Of course.

    Why discriminate between an Italian and a Ugandan? Let the best from anywhere in, as well as our share of refugees

    If the BNP suggested free movement of Europeans but restrictions on Africans and Asians that would be very similar to what Cameroons, Labour and Lib Dems want now... maybe we should lobby for them to suggest it! They'd all want to distance themselves from this racist idea!
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457
    Socrates said:



    As usual, you seem to be mistaking me for a Europhile.

    Unless I'm very much mistaken, you've consistently voiced support for EU membership.
    You are very much mistaken.

    I have said many times passim that I am on the fence about EU membership: I want persuading either way. I'm pi**ed off with some of the things going on with the EU, but am also nervous about leaving. If we were to have a referendum tomorrow, my vote would very much depend on the question in the absence of reasoned, sane arguments (with one or two honourable exceptions) from both the pro- and anti- side.

    Now, perhaps that is not Europhobe enough for you. But it's my position. I'm exactly the sort of person you should be persuading with reasoned argument. That's why I'm trying to get to the bottom of what UKIP would mean for my little segment of industry and myself personally.

    I have occasionally praised certain things about being in Europe - for instance standardisation. But I have also criticised many other things - the Euro, the waste, and others.

    So yes, you are very much mistaken.
  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 4,042

    General election betting.
    If I wanted to bet on UKIP doing well in 2015, are there markets other than vote share to bet on? (Labrokes have a UKIP vote share offer.)

    Depending on just how well, you can get some pretty monstrous odds on some of their nominal target seats #10 onwards.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,534

    "EXCLUSIVE / A group of pro-Europe British Conservatives has decided to launch a new party to stand in the upcoming European elections as an alternative to David Cameron’s Conservatives … 4 FREEDOMs Party (UK EPP)"

    http://www.euractiv.com/sections/uk-europe/new-uk-epp-party-vows-be-alternative-tories-ukip-301715

    These "British Conservatives" are led by Dirk Hazell, the Lib Dem candidate for Fulham & Chelsea at the last election

  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    Good evening, everyone.

    Rather enjoyed Supermodels of SHIELD. Definitely deserves a second series.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457
    isam said:

    @JosiasJessop

    "If they can't even manage to make a poster and a PPB without using labour that would probably be disallowed if they came into power, how can they expect people to run businesses under those rules?"

    Why would the Irish actor or the Zimbabwean with a British passport be disallowed if they came into power? Rather, doesn't it show that UKIP aren't as anti immigrant as people like to portray them?

    There were Asians in the PEB too. I am surprised you're not trying to infer that they'd be disallowed as well, so little do you understand the issue

    Would they meet the points requirements, or any other system UKIP put in place? And it appears you don't understand the issue either, which is why you were floundering earlier.

    It's particularly self-defeating as (for instance) I came on here and gave a positive view of Farage in his first debate with Clegg, early on before most other posters. And I've criticised Clegg in the past over the stupid three million jobs claim.

    Yet in UKIP-world, any criticism automatically makes you a Europhile.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    Quincel said:

    General election betting.
    If I wanted to bet on UKIP doing well in 2015, are there markets other than vote share to bet on? (Labrokes have a UKIP vote share offer.)

    Depending on just how well, you can get some pretty monstrous odds on some of their nominal target seats #10 onwards.
    These are my possible bets!
    3 categories
    Chance of winning/should get 2nd/Long shot worth a fiver

    Hopefully bookies will price up w/o fav in most of them

    Barking
    Boston & Skegness
    Bromsgrove
    Dag & Rain Lads
    Dudley North
    Halesown & Rowley Regis
    Morley & Outwood Lads
    Newcastle Under Lyme
    Plymouth Moor View
    S Bas & E Thurrock
    Staffordshire Moorlands
    Stoke on Trent South
    Telford
    Thanet North
    Thanet South
    Thurrock
    Walsall North
    Walsall South
    West Bromwich West
    Wolverhampton

    Bexhill & Battle
    Birmingham Yardley
    Bournemouth East
    Bridgewater & W Somerset
    Brirmingham Northfield
    Broadland
    Burton
    Cannock Chase
    Christchurch
    Dartford
    Dover
    East Devon
    Erith & Thamesmead
    Folkestone & Hythe
    Great Yarmouth
    Hastings & Rye
    Hx & Upm
    Kingswood
    Ludlow
    N Devon
    N Warks
    Newton Abbot
    Peterborough
    Poole
    SE Cornwall
    Solihull
    Spelthorne
    Stoke on Trent Central
    Stoke on Trent North
    Stourbridge
    Torridge & W Devon
    Totnes
    Wells
    West Brom East
    West Suffolk

    Aldershot
    Bognor & Littlehampton
    Bournemouth West
    Cambourne & Redruth
    Chatham & Aylseford
    Coventry NW
    East Surrey
    Eltham
    Gill & Rain
    Harlow
    Hereford & S Herefordshire
    Horsham
    IoW
    Luton North
    N Swindon
    Norwich N
    NW Cambs
    Redditch
    Reigate
    S Cambs
    Sittingbourne & Sheppey
    Stratford on Avon
    Wolverhampton SE
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    edited April 2014

    isam said:

    @JosiasJessop

    "If they can't even manage to make a poster and a PPB without using labour that would probably be disallowed if they came into power, how can they expect people to run businesses under those rules?"

    Why would the Irish actor or the Zimbabwean with a British passport be disallowed if they came into power? Rather, doesn't it show that UKIP aren't as anti immigrant as people like to portray them?

    There were Asians in the PEB too. I am surprised you're not trying to infer that they'd be disallowed as well, so little do you understand the issue

    Would they meet the points requirements, or any other system UKIP put in place? And it appears you don't understand the issue either, which is why you were floundering earlier.

    It's particularly self-defeating as (for instance) I came on here and gave a positive view of Farage in his first debate with Clegg, early on before most other posters. And I've criticised Clegg in the past over the stupid three million jobs claim.

    Yet in UKIP-world, any criticism automatically makes you a Europhile.
    I wasn't floundering, I have been completely consistent throughout.

    Vote however you see fit. I don't want to persuade you to do anything, haven't accused you of being anything, and don't really care at all. I just tried to answer a question you asked.

    I am off to the rub a dub dub... I will return half pissed and with far less patience!
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    Mr. Isam, I'd be surprised if UKIP won here (Morley & Outwood). Balls has a notional 1,000 vote majority but I expect this to be increased significantly. The blues are close behind and the yellows in a distinct third (no hope of winning but plenty of votes to squeeze). UKIP had an ok showing last time and there are a fair number of BNP votes to go somewhere as well.

    I'd be unsurprised if UKIP leapfrogged the Lib Dems to third, surprised if they came second and greatly surprised if they won.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457

    Good evening, everyone.

    Rather enjoyed Supermodels of SHIELD. Definitely deserves a second series.

    It was rather good. More twists and turns than a corkscrew.

    Joss Whedon is a brilliant writer. He's higher in my regard now than Michael Straczynski.

    BTW, I have you seen Whedon's excellent "Cabin in the Woods"?
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457
    isam said:

    isam said:

    @JosiasJessop

    "If they can't even manage to make a poster and a PPB without using labour that would probably be disallowed if they came into power, how can they expect people to run businesses under those rules?"

    Why would the Irish actor or the Zimbabwean with a British passport be disallowed if they came into power? Rather, doesn't it show that UKIP aren't as anti immigrant as people like to portray them?

    There were Asians in the PEB too. I am surprised you're not trying to infer that they'd be disallowed as well, so little do you understand the issue

    Would they meet the points requirements, or any other system UKIP put in place? And it appears you don't understand the issue either, which is why you were floundering earlier.

    It's particularly self-defeating as (for instance) I came on here and gave a positive view of Farage in his first debate with Clegg, early on before most other posters. And I've criticised Clegg in the past over the stupid three million jobs claim.

    Yet in UKIP-world, any criticism automatically makes you a Europhile.
    I wasn't floundering, I have been completely consistent throughout.

    Vote however you see fit. I don't want to persuade you to do anything, haven't accused you of being anything, and don't really care at all. I just tried to answer a question you asked.

    I am off to the rub a dub dub... I will return half pissed and with far less patience!
    Enjoy yourself!
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    Mr. Jessop, I have not.

    Incidentally, have you seen The Winter Soldier?
  • NinoinozNinoinoz Posts: 1,312
    edited April 2014
    I've noticed something peculiar about the attacks on UKIP; they seem to miss genuine points of interest, almost deliberately.

    1. Nigel Farage employs a German secretary.

    Real issue: politician employs close relative with parliamentary funds.

    2. UKIP use non-UK EU citizen in advert.

    Real issue: how will the UK maintain its open border with the Irish Republic if it remains part of the EU and the UK does not. The UK has a land border with Eire, it should be remembered.

    3. Nigel Farage uses parliamentary funds for political campaigning.

    Real issue: It is hilariously common for Tory MPs to hire offices from their constituency associations. This is backdoor public funding of political parties which the public is against.
    When a man concludes that any stick is good enough to beat his foe with, that is when he picks up a boomerang.

    GK Chesterton
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    I'm shocked I tell you! Shocked!

    Nigel Farage changes position on audit of his MEP allowance spending
    Ukip leader denies saying he would allow audit after allegations of misuse, claiming it would be wrong for him to be singled out


    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/apr/25/nigel-farage-ukip-changes-tune-audit-mep-allowance-spending
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ukraine:

    Edit: Reportedly the seized officials are not OSCE declared monitors but monitors sent under Vienna Document provisions.

    Any comment on Seymour Hersch's article in the London Book Review that Turkey and their Al Qaeda allies carried out the Sarin attack?

    How about the snipers in Kiev?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDPJ-ucnyPU
    You tell me this then. How exactly did the lab coats in Porton Down work out that the Sarin sample they had didn't match that held by the Syrian military. Answer me that and I'll listen.

    As for the snipers in Kiev, no idea. Heard the rumour, personally consider it irrelevant. It didn't change anything whatsoever that wasn't going to happen anyway, tide was set. Living in the real world as I do it therefore, its a waste of time, bigger issues down there at hand.

    It wasn't exactly the Gulf of Tonkin incident in its significance overall was it.

    I'll leave it to the Internet conspiracy theorists who can't write 4 paragraphs without saying 'capitalist' or 'Rothschild'
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,406
    Coventry NW is a nailed on Labour hold.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457

    Mr. Jessop, I have not.

    Incidentally, have you seen The Winter Soldier?

    Twice. It's reasonably good, but flawed.

    Warning: mild plot spoilers

    The bad guy is obvious the moment he comes on screen: he might as well have been stroking a white cat and going mwuhahaha. And the winter soldier was again obvious the moment the back story was unveiled.

    But it was good enough for me to see twice. And it connected really well with tonight's episode of Shield.

    Can anyone think of another TV series that fits in so well with a film franchise, yet are separate entities? Not films made from TV series like Star Trek, or TV series made from films. But a TV series released at the same time as a film, referencing the same events?

    It's awesome.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,406
    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    Ok if I ask you a question or two via Vanilla? Not seen the film and just want to ask some specific but very spoiler-ish points (so I don't want to ask them here)?
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457

    Ok if I ask you a question or two via Vanilla? Not seen the film and just want to ask some specific but very spoiler-ish points (so I don't want to ask them here)?

    Feel free.
  • Ok if I ask you a question or two via Vanilla? Not seen the film and just want to ask some specific but very spoiler-ish points (so I don't want to ask them here)?

    You can ask me.

    Glad you enjoyed SHIELD.

    Having read the episode description of next week's episode, I've had a Geekgasm
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    Mr. Eagles, I had planned on asking you, but you weren't on... anyway, I've sent Mr. Jessop my query. It's not overly complicated, but asking and answering it here would be obnoxious.

    I'm much happier going into the next episode blind.
  • Mr. Eagles, I had planned on asking you, but you weren't on... anyway, I've sent Mr. Jessop my query. It's not overly complicated, but asking and answering it here would be obnoxious.

    I'm much happier going into the next episode blind.

    As PB's resident Geek and general Marvel expert, I can give a very comprehensive answer.

    Plus I've seen The Winter Soldier about 9 times.
  • HurstLlamaHurstLlama Posts: 9,098
    Pulpstar said:

    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !

    NMR from Nick! That's twice now and has unbalanced the game. Shame.
  • NinoinozNinoinoz Posts: 1,312

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,406

    Pulpstar said:

    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !

    NMR from Nick! That's twice now and has unbalanced the game. Shame.
    I have no idea why people just don't stick in support holds if they know they are going to not be able to get to a PC...
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    Mr. Eagles, I hope your knowledge of Marvel is better than your grasp of the Second Punic War.

    Mr. Ninoinoz, people are free to determine their destiny, whether it's in the Falklands, Scotland or Northern Ireland. We can't just toss the province to the Scots. It would be fundamentally undemocratic.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,959
    edited April 2014

    Mr. Eagles, I hope your knowledge of Marvel is better than your grasp of the Second Punic War.

    Mr. Ninoinoz, people are free to determine their destiny, whether it's in the Falklands, Scotland or Northern Ireland. We can't just toss the province to the Scots. It would be fundamentally undemocratic.

    The second Punic war? That's the war the Carthiginians lost under the command of Hannibal? right?

    My knowledge on Marvel is unparalleled.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    Ukraine:

    Will be interesting to see if this rumoured statement is true. The European observers swept up by separatists are apparently legitimate prisoners of war in a quote attributed to a separatist official...
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,950
    edited April 2014
    Mr. Pulpstar, it's not always an option. If playdiplomacy.com were not the only website my PS3 browser seems to like enough not to crash on I wouldn't've been able to enter any moves from very early on.

    Edited extra bit: anyway, I must be off.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578

    Mr. Eagles, I hope your knowledge of Marvel is better than your grasp of the Second Punic War.

    Mr. Ninoinoz, people are free to determine their destiny, whether it's in the Falklands, Scotland or Northern Ireland. We can't just toss the province to the Scots. It would be fundamentally undemocratic.


    My knowledge on Marvel is unparalleled.
    Is that so? You may find yourself called upon to assist when Guardians of the Galaxy comes out in that case.
  • kle4 said:

    Mr. Eagles, I hope your knowledge of Marvel is better than your grasp of the Second Punic War.

    Mr. Ninoinoz, people are free to determine their destiny, whether it's in the Falklands, Scotland or Northern Ireland. We can't just toss the province to the Scots. It would be fundamentally undemocratic.


    My knowledge on Marvel is unparalleled.
    Is that so? You may find yourself called upon to assist when Guardians of the Galaxy comes out in that case.
    No probs.

    Have you seen Thor: The Dark World, the first post credit scene helps explain a bit.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    Give? Nice to see democracy is still at the forefront of political thinking in the UK.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578

    Mr. Jessop, I have not.

    Incidentally, have you seen The Winter Soldier?

    Twice. It's reasonably good, but flawed.

    Warning: mild plot spoilers

    The bad guy is obvious the moment he comes on screen: he might as well have been stroking a white cat and going mwuhahaha. And the winter soldier was again obvious the moment the back story was unveiled.

    But it was good enough for me to see twice. And it connected really well with tonight's episode of Shield.

    Can anyone think of another TV series that fits in so well with a film franchise, yet are separate entities? Not films made from TV series like Star Trek, or TV series made from films. But a TV series released at the same time as a film, referencing the same events?

    It's awesome.
    Is it indeed? I have to confess, having seen (and this is no spoiler) how massive and far reaching SHIELD is as an organization in the movies, I have had trouble envisaging how a group of like five people, not even operating at the top of the organization, could possibly make itself seem important and relevant without being hugely contrived, but if they can pull that off, more power to them.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578
    Re Ukraine, is it true the proposed presidential elections are likely off?
  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    James I deported a lot of border scots/english to Ireland to pacify the border.
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549

    Pulpstar said:

    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !

    NMR from Nick! That's twice now and has unbalanced the game. Shame.
    Not twice in a row. A shame, and unlike him, but he was toast anyway. Even if he had supported himself it would have just meant England taking St P in the autumn instead of the spring. He would be ground out soon anyway.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    kle4 said:

    Re Ukraine, is it true the proposed presidential elections are likely off?

    I don't think so officially at the moment but its a key Russian aim to kill them off and at the current rate they might get their wish.

  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578
    edited April 2014

    kle4 said:

    Mr. Eagles, I hope your knowledge of Marvel is better than your grasp of the Second Punic War.

    Mr. Ninoinoz, people are free to determine their destiny, whether it's in the Falklands, Scotland or Northern Ireland. We can't just toss the province to the Scots. It would be fundamentally undemocratic.


    My knowledge on Marvel is unparalleled.
    Is that so? You may find yourself called upon to assist when Guardians of the Galaxy comes out in that case.
    No probs.

    Have you seen Thor: The Dark World, the first post credit scene helps explain a bit.
    I guess, although I only really understood it after I read an explanation about it. You have to appreciate their ambition though. I loved Man of Steel to be quite honest, but DC just seem to have started their amitious plans a bit too late to catch up.

    Speaking of Tv shows, has anyone seen Person of Interest? I find it and its premise legitimately terrifying, as it very slowly and cleverly morphs from what seems like a slightly original procedural into something wholly other, almost an entirely different genre.
  • kle4 said:

    kle4 said:

    Mr. Eagles, I hope your knowledge of Marvel is better than your grasp of the Second Punic War.

    Mr. Ninoinoz, people are free to determine their destiny, whether it's in the Falklands, Scotland or Northern Ireland. We can't just toss the province to the Scots. It would be fundamentally undemocratic.


    My knowledge on Marvel is unparalleled.
    Is that so? You may find yourself called upon to assist when Guardians of the Galaxy comes out in that case.
    No probs.

    Have you seen Thor: The Dark World, the first post credit scene helps explain a bit.
    I guess, although I only really understood it after I read an explanation about it. You have to appreciate their ambition though. I loved Man of Steel to be quite honest, but DC just seem to have started their amitious plans a bit too late to catch up.

    Speaking of Tv shows, has anyone seen Person of Interest? I find it and it's premise legitimately terrifying, as it very slowly and cleverly morphs from what seems like a slightly original procedural into something wholly other, almost an entirely different genre.
    Without wanting to give away spoilers, I suspect and expect Guardians of the Galaxy will set up Avengers 3.

    I adore Person of Interest.
  • FluffyThoughtsFluffyThoughts Posts: 2,420
    Those wishing to disparage Farage's secretary should follow a cultured mans approach (and go for the groin):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wveW9Tw2JKE

    Grown-ups can otherwise ignore....
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578
    Had a leaflet from UKIP today. Very efficient front cover, with a grinning Farage in one corner just below Clegg, Cameron and Miliband standing in a line together in identical suits while looking away from the photographer, almost turning their backs on the watcher. Message received.

    Question: the leaflet advises me to put the poster it contains in the window to say I am voting UKIP and no other leaflets please - would that onlys top UKIP activists or would any other party activists see it and think it'snot worth the bother of putting on in my mail slot? Personally i don't mind receiving several from all of them, but I'd be curious how other party activists react to such a show of support, as I can envisage a situation where I might want to stop them doing so, and I'd be prepared to say I intend to vote for anyone to prevent them from stuffing more info through the slot.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457
    kle4 said:

    Mr. Jessop, I have not.

    Incidentally, have you seen The Winter Soldier?

    Twice. It's reasonably good, but flawed.

    Warning: mild plot spoilers

    The bad guy is obvious the moment he comes on screen: he might as well have been stroking a white cat and going mwuhahaha. And the winter soldier was again obvious the moment the back story was unveiled.

    But it was good enough for me to see twice. And it connected really well with tonight's episode of Shield.

    Can anyone think of another TV series that fits in so well with a film franchise, yet are separate entities? Not films made from TV series like Star Trek, or TV series made from films. But a TV series released at the same time as a film, referencing the same events?

    It's awesome.
    Is it indeed? I have to confess, having seen (and this is no spoiler) how massive and far reaching SHIELD is as an organization in the movies, I have had trouble envisaging how a group of like five people, not even operating at the top of the organization, could possibly make itself seem important and relevant without being hugely contrived, but if they can pull that off, more power to them.
    I defer to TSE regarding any part of the Marvel universe, but it would be a bit like 'Saving Private Ryan' giving you the detailed events and richness of interpersonal relations amongst the grunts, whilst 'The Longest Day' gives you the top-level view amongst the commanders.

    The TV series has more time to develop interpersonal relations and detailed minutiae about the universe, whilst the films are more top-level. The fact you care for Fitz, Simmons, Coulson, Ward and the others in the series means it doesn't matter that the events are (seemingly) less important than those in the films. The TV series is more intimate and personal. Heck, if Skye stubbed her toe I'd feel sorry for her.

    That analogy will probably make people cringe...
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578

    kle4 said:

    Mr. Jessop, I have not.

    Incidentally, have you seen The Winter Soldier?

    Twice. It's reasonably good, but flawed.

    Warning: mild plot spoilers

    The bad guy is obvious the moment he comes on screen: he might as well have been stroking a white cat and going mwuhahaha. And the winter soldier was again obvious the moment the back story was unveiled.

    But it was good enough for me to see twice. And it connected really well with tonight's episode of Shield.

    Can anyone think of another TV series that fits in so well with a film franchise, yet are separate entities? Not films made from TV series like Star Trek, or TV series made from films. But a TV series released at the same time as a film, referencing the same events?

    It's awesome.
    Is it indeed? I have to confess, having seen (and this is no spoiler) how massive and far reaching SHIELD is as an organization in the movies, I have had trouble envisaging how a group of like five people, not even operating at the top of the organization, could possibly make itself seem important and relevant without being hugely contrived, but if they can pull that off, more power to them.
    I defer to TSE regarding any part of the Marvel universe, but it would be a bit like 'Saving Private Ryan' giving you the detailed events and richness of interpersonal relations amongst the grunts, whilst 'The Longest Day' gives you the top-level view amongst the commanders.

    The TV series has more time to develop interpersonal relations and detailed minutiae about the universe, whilst the films are more top-level. The fact you care for Fitz, Simmons, Coulson, Ward and the others in the series means it doesn't matter that the events are (seemingly) less important than those in the films. The TV series is more intimate and personal. Heck, if Skye stubbed her toe I'd feel sorry for her.

    I can respect that. Nothing wrong with focusing on the grunts, grunts who have important stories of their own and interactions with the upper echelons but grunts nonetheless, I was just worried about potentially being told these guys are the most super duper important team evar, when SHIELD has tens of thousands of agents at its command. I'll give it a go though, Marvel have proven they can translate this stuff to big screen after all.
  • MarkSeniorMarkSenior Posts: 4,699
    Missing just 6 councils now , number of local election candidates for May 22nd by party

    Lab 3,768
    Con 3,721
    LD.. 2,591
    UKIP 2,037
    Green 1,654
    TUSC 495
    BNP 99
    Liberal 38
    Eng Dem 31
    Respect 13
    Minor parties 364
    Ind.. 336
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395

    Missing just 6 councils now , number of local election candidates for May 22nd by party

    Lab 3,768
    Con 3,721
    LD.. 2,591
    UKIP 2,037
    Green 1,654
    TUSC 495
    BNP 99
    Liberal 38
    Eng Dem 31
    Respect 13
    Minor parties 364
    Ind.. 336

    Do you have a spreadsheet?
  • MarkSeniorMarkSenior Posts: 4,699
    AndyJS said:

    Missing just 6 councils now , number of local election candidates for May 22nd by party

    Lab 3,768
    Con 3,721
    LD.. 2,591
    UKIP 2,037
    Green 1,654
    TUSC 495
    BNP 99
    Liberal 38
    Eng Dem 31
    Respect 13
    Minor parties 364
    Ind.. 336

    Do you have a spreadsheet?
    Sorry Andy , No .
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    kle4 said:

    Had a leaflet from UKIP today. Very efficient front cover, with a grinning Farage in one corner just below Clegg, Cameron and Miliband standing in a line together in identical suits while looking away from the photographer, almost turning their backs on the watcher. Message received.

    Question: the leaflet advises me to put the poster it contains in the window to say I am voting UKIP and no other leaflets please - would that onlys top UKIP activists or would any other party activists see it and think it'snot worth the bother of putting on in my mail slot? Personally i don't mind receiving several from all of them, but I'd be curious how other party activists react to such a show of support, as I can envisage a situation where I might want to stop them doing so, and I'd be prepared to say I intend to vote for anyone to prevent them from stuffing more info through the slot.

    Tbh the best option is to put up a non-branded notice in plain view specifically asking for no political leaflets or canvassing. (These cropped up a fair bit in Eastleigh I understand).
  • corporeal said:

    kle4 said:

    Had a leaflet from UKIP today. Very efficient front cover, with a grinning Farage in one corner just below Clegg, Cameron and Miliband standing in a line together in identical suits while looking away from the photographer, almost turning their backs on the watcher. Message received.

    Question: the leaflet advises me to put the poster it contains in the window to say I am voting UKIP and no other leaflets please - would that onlys top UKIP activists or would any other party activists see it and think it'snot worth the bother of putting on in my mail slot? Personally i don't mind receiving several from all of them, but I'd be curious how other party activists react to such a show of support, as I can envisage a situation where I might want to stop them doing so, and I'd be prepared to say I intend to vote for anyone to prevent them from stuffing more info through the slot.

    Tbh the best option is to put up a non-branded notice in plain view specifically asking for no political leaflets or canvassing. (These cropped up a fair bit in Eastleigh I understand).
    This one

    twitter.com/mrjohnofarrell/status/306016440933289984/photo/1
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited April 2014
    Labour candidate selections:

    Bury St. Edmunds: William Edwards
    Charnwood: Sean Kelly-Walsh
    Ludlow: Simon Slater
    Worcestershire West: Daniel Walton
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    Ukraine: And it gets odder. European Observers details in the form of their photographic IDs start appearing on a Russian TV channel

    It is by any standards a curious move to hold these guys but even odder to turn it into hostage television.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578

    corporeal said:

    kle4 said:

    Had a leaflet from UKIP today. Very efficient front cover, with a grinning Farage in one corner just below Clegg, Cameron and Miliband standing in a line together in identical suits while looking away from the photographer, almost turning their backs on the watcher. Message received.

    Question: the leaflet advises me to put the poster it contains in the window to say I am voting UKIP and no other leaflets please - would that onlys top UKIP activists or would any other party activists see it and think it'snot worth the bother of putting on in my mail slot? Personally i don't mind receiving several from all of them, but I'd be curious how other party activists react to such a show of support, as I can envisage a situation where I might want to stop them doing so, and I'd be prepared to say I intend to vote for anyone to prevent them from stuffing more info through the slot.

    Tbh the best option is to put up a non-branded notice in plain view specifically asking for no political leaflets or canvassing. (These cropped up a fair bit in Eastleigh I understand).
    This one

    twitter.com/mrjohnofarrell/status/306016440933289984/photo/1
    Hmm, seems like someone should take a leaflet from their opponents and put it through that person's letter slot in hopes of provoking an anti-whoever-just-did-that vote, although perhaps that is against the rules of gentlemanly and ladylike campaigning.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,821

    Missing just 6 councils now , number of local election candidates for May 22nd by party

    Mark, do you know if National Health Action are putting up any candidates?
  • No weekly update as yet on his 2015 GE Forecast from Dr Stephen Fisher.

    I had expected to see the Tories losing ground on the back of some adverse poll news from YouGov, but that was prior to today's much more encouraging dead heat findings from Populus.
  • No weekly update as yet on his 2015 GE Forecast from Dr Stephen Fisher.

    I had expected to see the Tories losing ground on the back of some adverse poll news from YouGov, but that was prior to today's much more encouraging dead heat findings from Populus.

    He updated it this morning

    http://electionsetc.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/how-2015-general-election-forecast.html
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Pathetic from the Tories — they're not contesting some of the seats in Lewisham and Barking&Dagenham. You'd expect the party of government to contest every seat in the national capital.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,457
    Leaflets:

    A few years ago I lived in a first-floor flat that was accessed by covered external stairs. These were ill-lit, and one evening I sipped on a Lib Dem leaflet that had been left halfway up. All the other pamphleteers managed to put them through the letter box, but the Lib Dems just dropped a couple halfway up the stairs.

    When it happened a second time, I complained. They were very apologetic, but just before the election I found another couple waiting.

    Needless to say, I didn't vote Lib Dem. Or perhaps it was a subtle assassination attempt ...
  • NinoinozNinoinoz Posts: 1,312
    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    Give? Nice to see democracy is still at the forefront of political thinking in the UK.
    Didn't Britain offer N.Ireland to the Irish Free State during WWII?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,578
    AndyJS said:

    Pathetic from the Tories — they're not contesting some of the seats in Lewisham and Barking&Dagenham. You'd expect the party of government to contest every seat in the national capital.

    I have zero doubt other parties would do the same in areas they consider they have no chance, in government or not. It's unfortunate and regrettable, but no more pathetic than anyone else. It's likely only at MP level where the parties would insist on putting up candidates even in places they have no chance at all, although perhaps the LDs won't this time?
  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746

    No weekly update as yet on his 2015 GE Forecast from Dr Stephen Fisher.

    I had expected to see the Tories losing ground on the back of some adverse poll news from YouGov, but that was prior to today's much more encouraging dead heat findings from Populus.

    He updated it this morning

    http://electionsetc.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/how-2015-general-election-forecast.html
    "While Labour has lost about three points in the polls since October, the two governing parties haven't made any progress at all. Labour losses have largely been matched by a rise in the UKIP share."

    Looks like UKIP's targeting of Labour voters is getting results.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    Give? Nice to see democracy is still at the forefront of political thinking in the UK.
    Didn't Britain offer N.Ireland to the Irish Free State during WWII?
    Did they? No idea. Clearly they didnt fancy it then just as they dont much fancy having us now.
  • FalseFlagFalseFlag Posts: 1,801
    Y0kel said:

    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ukraine:

    Edit: Reportedly the seized officials are not OSCE declared monitors but monitors sent under Vienna Document provisions.

    Any comment on Seymour Hersch's article in the London Book Review that Turkey and their Al Qaeda allies carried out the Sarin attack?

    How about the snipers in Kiev?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDPJ-ucnyPU
    You tell me this then. How exactly did the lab coats in Porton Down work out that the Sarin sample they had didn't match that held by the Syrian military. Answer me that and I'll listen.

    As for the snipers in Kiev, no idea. Heard the rumour, personally consider it irrelevant. It didn't change anything whatsoever that wasn't going to happen anyway, tide was set. Living in the real world as I do it therefore, its a waste of time, bigger issues down there at hand.

    It wasn't exactly the Gulf of Tonkin incident in its significance overall was it.

    I'll leave it to the Internet conspiracy theorists who can't write 4 paragraphs without saying 'capitalist' or 'Rothschild'
    http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2014/02/17/diplomacy-is-a-four-letter-word/
    http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2014/04/24/ukraine-out-of-control/
  • FalseFlagFalseFlag Posts: 1,801
    Still interested in what evidence you have that Assad carried out the Sarin attack that was perfectly timed for when the weapons inspectors arrived when Assad was decisively winning the civil war.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ukraine:

    Edit: Reportedly the seized officials are not OSCE declared monitors but monitors sent under Vienna Document provisions.

    Any comment on Seymour Hersch's article in the London Book Review that Turkey and their Al Qaeda allies carried out the Sarin attack?

    How about the snipers in Kiev?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDPJ-ucnyPU
    You tell me this then. How exactly did the lab coats in Porton Down work out that the Sarin sample they had didn't match that held by the Syrian military. Answer me that and I'll listen.

    As for the snipers in Kiev, no idea. Heard the rumour, personally consider it irrelevant. It didn't change anything whatsoever that wasn't going to happen anyway, tide was set. Living in the real world as I do it therefore, its a waste of time, bigger issues down there at hand.

    It wasn't exactly the Gulf of Tonkin incident in its significance overall was it.

    I'll leave it to the Internet conspiracy theorists who can't write 4 paragraphs without saying 'capitalist' or 'Rothschild'
    http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2014/02/17/diplomacy-is-a-four-letter-word/
    http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2014/04/24/ukraine-out-of-control/
    Is that it? Is that how you make an argument, quoting other peoples stuff from a site called 'antiwar' rather than using your own loaf?

    That is just sh1t useless.
  • NinoinozNinoinoz Posts: 1,312
    edited April 2014
    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    Give? Nice to see democracy is still at the forefront of political thinking in the UK.
    Didn't Britain offer N.Ireland to the Irish Free State during WWII?
    Did they? No idea. Clearly they didnt fancy it then just as they dont much fancy having us now.
    Ho hum. I'll have to do the research myself.
    In June 1940, to encourage the neutral Irish state to join with the Allies, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill indicated to the Taoiseach Éamon de Valera that the United Kingdom would push for Irish unity, but believing that Churchill could not deliver, de Valera declined the offer. The British did not inform the Government of Northern Ireland that they had made the offer to the Dublin government, and De Valera's rejection was not publicised until 1970.

    The Ireland Act 1949 gave the first legal guarantee that the region would not cease to be part of the United Kingdom without the consent the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    I'm just back from the opening night of Robbie Williams' Swing Both Ways tour. 4/10 for the music, 9/10 for the stagecraft. He gives a spirited performance, which is fine when spirited is all that is needed (such as on Theme From New York) and his voice has improved with age, so he pulled off Mr Bojangles. But he hasn't the emotional range for Hit The Road Jack and his own songs did not suit the swing treatment.

    He led an astounding doowop version of Ignition (Remix) - yes, really. And he still sings Angels as if his life depended on it. He finished with a very witty song dedicated to his fans which I think must be called Go Away. He had a choir of children to duet with him on High Hopes and later duetted with his father.

    For me the highlights were in swift succession a genuinely affecting version of If I Only Had A Brain (from The Wizard Of Oz) and Go Gentle.

    And kudos to him for closing the first half with the title track, with a highly camp rendition of as explicitly a gay-friendly track as you'll find. In a country that is still far from a tease with gay rights to a middle aged middle class audience, that was probably a braver move than he realised.

    Oh and anyone wondering about the crisis in the music industry should note that I had OK seats in a crowd of something like 15,000. I paid just short of £100 a ticket. The concert looked sold out. Mr Robert Peter Williams is doing OK.
  • FalseFlagFalseFlag Posts: 1,801
    Y0kel said:

    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ukraine:

    Edit: Reportedly the seized officials are not OSCE declared monitors but monitors sent under Vienna Document provisions.

    Any comment on Seymour Hersch's article in the London Book Review that Turkey and their Al Qaeda allies carried out the Sarin attack?

    How about the snipers in Kiev?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDPJ-ucnyPU
    You tell me this then. How exactly did the lab coats in Porton Down work out that the Sarin sample they had didn't match that held by the Syrian military. Answer me that and I'll listen.

    As for the snipers in Kiev, no idea. Heard the rumour, personally consider it irrelevant. It didn't change anything whatsoever that wasn't going to happen anyway, tide was set. Living in the real world as I do it therefore, its a waste of time, bigger issues down there at hand.

    It wasn't exactly the Gulf of Tonkin incident in its significance overall was it.

    I'll leave it to the Internet conspiracy theorists who can't write 4 paragraphs without saying 'capitalist' or 'Rothschild'
    http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2014/02/17/diplomacy-is-a-four-letter-word/
    http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2014/04/24/ukraine-out-of-control/
    Is that it? Is that how you make an argument, quoting other peoples stuff from a site called 'antiwar' rather than using your own loaf?

    That is just sh1t useless.
    Fine don't answer.

    Out of interest how is the situation in the Balkans, its all good now and no Western troops are there now?

    Don't expect anyone else to go along with your nonsense, fight and pay for your own wars.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited April 2014

    No weekly update as yet on his 2015 GE Forecast from Dr Stephen Fisher.

    I had expected to see the Tories losing ground on the back of some adverse poll news from YouGov, but that was prior to today's much more encouraging dead heat findings from Populus.

    He updated it this morning

    http://electionsetc.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/how-2015-general-election-forecast.html
    "While Labour has lost about three points in the polls since October, the two governing parties haven't made any progress at all. Labour losses have largely been matched by a rise in the UKIP share."

    Looks like UKIP's targeting of Labour voters is getting results.
    Definitely. Paul Nuttall appearing on TV more frequently must help.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    Give? Nice to see democracy is still at the forefront of political thinking in the UK.
    Didn't Britain offer N.Ireland to the Irish Free State during WWII?
    Did they? No idea. Clearly they didnt fancy it then just as they dont much fancy having us now.
    Ho hum. I'll have to do the research myself.
    In June 1940, to encourage the neutral Irish state to join with the Allies, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill indicated to the Taoiseach Éamon de Valera that the United Kingdom would push for Irish unity, but believing that Churchill could not deliver, de Valera declined the offer. The British did not inform the Government of Northern Ireland that they had made the offer to the Dublin government, and De Valera's rejection was not publicised until 1970.

    The Ireland Act 1949 gave the first legal guarantee that the region would not cease to be part of the United Kingdom without the consent the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland

    DeValera was an odd merchant but wise. He would have more trouble on his hands than his still fledging state could have handled.



  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    antifrank said:

    I'm just back from the opening night of Robbie Williams' Swing Both Ways tour. 4/10 for the music, 9/10 for the stagecraft. He gives a spirited performance, which is fine when spirited is all that is needed (such as on Theme From New York) and his voice has improved with age, so he pulled off Mr Bojangles. But he hasn't the emotional range for Hit The Road Jack and his own songs did not suit the swing treatment.

    He led an astounding doowop version of Ignition (Remix) - yes, really. And he still sings Angels as if his life depended on it. He finished with a very witty song dedicated to his fans which I think must be called Go Away. He had a choir of children to duet with him on High Hopes and later duetted with his father.

    For me the highlights were in swift succession a genuinely affecting version of If I Only Had A Brain (from The Wizard Of Oz) and Go Gentle.

    And kudos to him for closing the first half with the title track, with a highly camp rendition of as explicitly a gay-friendly track as you'll find. In a country that is still far from a tease with gay rights to a middle aged middle class audience, that was probably a braver move than he realised.

    Oh and anyone wondering about the crisis in the music industry should note that I had OK seats in a crowd of something like 15,000. I paid just short of £100 a ticket. The concert looked sold out. Mr Robert Peter Williams is doing OK.

    Are tickets cheaper in Budapest compared to elsewhere?
  • corporealcorporeal Posts: 2,549
    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    Give? Nice to see democracy is still at the forefront of political thinking in the UK.
    Didn't Britain offer N.Ireland to the Irish Free State during WWII?
    Did they? No idea. Clearly they didnt fancy it then just as they dont much fancy having us now.
    Ho hum. I'll have to do the research myself.
    In June 1940, to encourage the neutral Irish state to join with the Allies, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill indicated to the Taoiseach Éamon de Valera that the United Kingdom would push for Irish unity, but believing that Churchill could not deliver, de Valera declined the offer. The British did not inform the Government of Northern Ireland that they had made the offer to the Dublin government, and De Valera's rejection was not publicised until 1970.

    The Ireland Act 1949 gave the first legal guarantee that the region would not cease to be part of the United Kingdom without the consent the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland
    DeValera was an odd merchant but wise. He would have more trouble on his hands than his still fledging state could have handled.





    Of course the British government wasn't above offering false promises. Iirc they gave groups in the middle east similar commitments without following through on them.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    AndyJS said:

    antifrank said:

    I'm just back from the opening night of Robbie Williams' Swing Both Ways tour. 4/10 for the music, 9/10 for the stagecraft. He gives a spirited performance, which is fine when spirited is all that is needed (such as on Theme From New York) and his voice has improved with age, so he pulled off Mr Bojangles. But he hasn't the emotional range for Hit The Road Jack and his own songs did not suit the swing treatment.

    He led an astounding doowop version of Ignition (Remix) - yes, really. And he still sings Angels as if his life depended on it. He finished with a very witty song dedicated to his fans which I think must be called Go Away. He had a choir of children to duet with him on High Hopes and later duetted with his father.

    For me the highlights were in swift succession a genuinely affecting version of If I Only Had A Brain (from The Wizard Of Oz) and Go Gentle.

    And kudos to him for closing the first half with the title track, with a highly camp rendition of as explicitly a gay-friendly track as you'll find. In a country that is still far from a tease with gay rights to a middle aged middle class audience, that was probably a braver move than he realised.

    Oh and anyone wondering about the crisis in the music industry should note that I had OK seats in a crowd of something like 15,000. I paid just short of £100 a ticket. The concert looked sold out. Mr Robert Peter Williams is doing OK.

    Are tickets cheaper in Budapest compared to elsewhere?
    These didn't seem so. My other half and I see quite a few concerts here. Depeche Mode were cheaper than in London, I think.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    corporeal said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ninoinoz said:

    Mr. Ninoinoz, good points, especially on Ireland.

    A friend of mine who lives in Northern Ireland is deeply worried about a Yes vote, on the basis that it'll throw the province's political destiny once more into the spotlight.

    How closely are Scotland and N.Ireland connected?

    They are geographically close.
    The Scots originally came from Ireland.
    Gaelic is Irish.
    Proportionately large Catholic population in Scotland.
    Prebyterianism is largest Protestant denomination in N.Ireland.

    Perhaps we could give N.Ireland as a province to an independent Scotland?
    Give? Nice to see democracy is still at the forefront of political thinking in the UK.
    Didn't Britain offer N.Ireland to the Irish Free State during WWII?
    Did they? No idea. Clearly they didnt fancy it then just as they dont much fancy having us now.
    Ho hum. I'll have to do the research myself.
    In June 1940, to encourage the neutral Irish state to join with the Allies, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill indicated to the Taoiseach Éamon de Valera that the United Kingdom would push for Irish unity, but believing that Churchill could not deliver, de Valera declined the offer. The British did not inform the Government of Northern Ireland that they had made the offer to the Dublin government, and De Valera's rejection was not publicised until 1970.

    The Ireland Act 1949 gave the first legal guarantee that the region would not cease to be part of the United Kingdom without the consent the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland
    DeValera was an odd merchant but wise. He would have more trouble on his hands than his still fledging state could have handled.



    Of course the British government wasn't above offering false promises. Iirc they gave groups in the middle east similar commitments without following through on them.

    Perfectly viable.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    edited April 2014
    Ukraine: Fresh sanctions on Russia from US & EU next week.

    What it doesn't hide is that the two are well divided with the US rather more forceful in its approach.

  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    edited April 2014
    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    FalseFlag said:

    Y0kel said:

    Ukraine:

    Edit: Reportedly the seized officials are not OSCE declared monitors but monitors sent under Vienna Document provisions.

    Any comment on Seymour Hersch's article in the London Book Review that Turkey and their Al Qaeda allies carried out the Sarin attack?

    How about the snipers in Kiev?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDPJ-ucnyPU
    You tell me this then. How exactly did the lab coats in Porton Down work out that the Sarin sample they had didn't match that held by the Syrian military. Answer me that and I'll listen.

    As for the snipers in Kiev, no idea. Heard the rumour, personally consider it irrelevant. It didn't change anything whatsoever that wasn't going to happen anyway, tide was set. Living in the real world as I do it therefore, its a waste of time, bigger issues down there at hand.

    It wasn't exactly the Gulf of Tonkin incident in its significance overall was it.

    I'll leave it to the Internet conspiracy theorists who can't write 4 paragraphs without saying 'capitalist' or 'Rothschild'
    http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2014/02/17/diplomacy-is-a-four-letter-word/
    http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2014/04/24/ukraine-out-of-control/
    Is that it? Is that how you make an argument, quoting other peoples stuff from a site called 'antiwar' rather than using your own loaf?

    That is just sh1t useless.
    Fine don't answer.

    Out of interest how is the situation in the Balkans, its all good now and no Western troops are there now?

    Don't expect anyone else to go along with your nonsense, fight and pay for your own wars.
    Ah so all you really wanted to do was accuse me of being a warmonger then. Cant even get to the point quickly. Sloganise all you want, it will change nothing.



  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited April 2014
    I think we can safely say Putin won't much care about sanctions unless they affect him personally. That's a bit of an exaggeration but not much.
  • Y0kelY0kel Posts: 2,307
    Ukraine: Russian military aircraft have been popping in and out of Ukrainian airspace a lot in the last 18 hours.

    Something has got to give. If Putin can reach his objectives by the appearance of proxy he most certainly will, its a low cost investment if he pulls it off.

    At this stage though, he may have to push a stronger line if he is thinking about reachng those objectives short term. There are rumours of a Russian no-fly over Eastern Ukraine being on the agenda. Whether this is via Russian airpower or creating a SAM screen the air mobility of the Ukrainian forces has posed a problem for the the insurgents on the ground.

  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,564
    corporeal said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !

    NMR from Nick! That's twice now and has unbalanced the game. Shame.
    Not twice in a row. A shame, and unlike him, but he was toast anyway. Even if he had supported himself it would have just meant England taking St P in the autumn instead of the spring. He would be ground out soon anyway.
    Pulpstar said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !

    NMR from Nick! That's twice now and has unbalanced the game. Shame.
    I have no idea why people just don't stick in support holds if they know they are going to not be able to get to a PC...
    Yes, apologies all - just swamped at the moment, and shouldn't have signed up - I thought I'd ordered, but didn't check. I've put in the obvious retreat, and will not miss another turn.

  • JohnLoonyJohnLoony Posts: 1,790
    Did someone ask about haircuts? £0. I haven't paid for one since 2002. I just cut my own hair.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    Many have been lulled into defeat by invading Russia, then regretting it!

    Bit busy what with the May 2 (sic) elections and all?

    corporeal said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !

    NMR from Nick! That's twice now and has unbalanced the game. Shame.
    Not twice in a row. A shame, and unlike him, but he was toast anyway. Even if he had supported himself it would have just meant England taking St P in the autumn instead of the spring. He would be ground out soon anyway.
    Pulpstar said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Time to see who has done what in the deathmatch !

    NMR from Nick! That's twice now and has unbalanced the game. Shame.
    I have no idea why people just don't stick in support holds if they know they are going to not be able to get to a PC...
    Yes, apologies all - just swamped at the moment, and shouldn't have signed up - I thought I'd ordered, but didn't check. I've put in the obvious retreat, and will not miss another turn.

  • JohnLoonyJohnLoony Posts: 1,790
    Talking of haircuts, I trim my eyelashes. I have to, because otherwise they keep crashing into my glasses and making streaks of gunge on the lenses. I first noticed it when I was in the optician's and I was trying on various frames for fitting. It never seemed to be a problem with my old pair of glasses, which I had since I was 18. I only went to get a fresh pair because, having not had my eyes tested for 26 years, I thought I ought to. I didn't realise it was going to play havoc with my eyelashes.

    As I comment to myself occasionally, Shouldn't Have Gone to Specsavers.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,376
    edited April 2014
    Anybody know if we've had a projection from Rallings and Thrasher Re. local elections yet?

    I always look forward to the Rallings and Thrasher local elections projections because it helps cut through all the bullsh*t we get from the spinners at election time and in the last few local election campaigns has provided plenty of angst for lefties, LOL!
  • anotherDaveanotherDave Posts: 6,746
    JohnLoony said:

    Talking of haircuts, I trim my eyelashes. I have to, because otherwise they keep crashing into my glasses and making streaks of gunge on the lenses. I first noticed it when I was in the optician's and I was trying on various frames for fitting. It never seemed to be a problem with my old pair of glasses, which I had since I was 18. I only went to get a fresh pair because, having not had my eyes tested for 26 years, I thought I ought to. I didn't realise it was going to play havoc with my eyelashes.

    As I comment to myself occasionally, Shouldn't Have Gone to Specsavers.

    Surprised to see you commenting Mr Loony. I thought you were rampaging around Croydon Town Hall with a pitchfork.

    "There should be the death penalty for Returning Officers who publish their Statement of Persons Nominated in separate links for each ward."

    Did you get the fiend?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    GIN1138 said:

    Anybody know if we've had a projection from Rallings and Thrasher Re. local elections yet?

    I always look forward to the Rallings and Thrasher local elections projections because it helps cut through all the bullsh*t we get from the spinners at election time and in the last few local election campaigns has provided plenty of angst for lefties, LOL!

    What do you mean? We usually get them after the votes have been counted.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,376
    edited April 2014
    AndyJS said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Anybody know if we've had a projection from Rallings and Thrasher Re. local elections yet?

    I always look forward to the Rallings and Thrasher local elections projections because it helps cut through all the bullsh*t we get from the spinners at election time and in the last few local election campaigns has provided plenty of angst for lefties, LOL!

    What do you mean? We usually get them after the votes have been counted.
    They always do a pre-local election projection based in council by election results through the year. It sort of set's the scene for what we should expect from the main parties before the results come in - And it's useful for showing whether, for instance, the opposition is performing as it should be in this point in the cycle or under-performing. (NOTE: Ed Milliband has consistently underperformed throughout his time as Labour leader. ;) )

    I think it typically appears in the Guardian or Observer.
  • JohnLoonyJohnLoony Posts: 1,790
    slade said:

    There is a Patriotic Socialist Party candidate in the Kirkburton Ward of Kirklees. I had not heard of them before. Apparently they formally launched on Jan 1st 2014. Anybody know who or what they are?

    A gormless po-faced self-important 20-something and a small group (about half a dozen of them) of his friends. They (i.e. he) have (has) been discussed (i.e. ridiculed and laughed at) at some length on the Vote 2012 forum:

    http://www.vote-2012.proboards.com/thread/3788/patriotic-socialist-party?page=1
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    GIN1138 said:

    AndyJS said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Anybody know if we've had a projection from Rallings and Thrasher Re. local elections yet?

    I always look forward to the Rallings and Thrasher local elections projections because it helps cut through all the bullsh*t we get from the spinners at election time and in the last few local election campaigns has provided plenty of angst for lefties, LOL!

    What do you mean? We usually get them after the votes have been counted.
    They always do a pre-local election projection based in council by election results through the year. It sort of set's the scene for what we should expect from the main parties before the results come in - And it's useful for showing whether, for instance, the opposition is performing as it should be in this point in the cycle or under-performing. (NOTE: Ed Milliband has consistently underperformed throughout his time as Labour leader. ;) )

    I think it typically appears in the Guardian or Observer.
    IIRC Harry Hayfield added up all the local election votes for the year so far a few weeks ago.
  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 4,042
    AndyJS said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Anybody know if we've had a projection from Rallings and Thrasher Re. local elections yet?

    I always look forward to the Rallings and Thrasher local elections projections because it helps cut through all the bullsh*t we get from the spinners at election time and in the last few local election campaigns has provided plenty of angst for lefties, LOL!

    What do you mean? We usually get them after the votes have been counted.
    Don't they usually give a press briefing about the expected results and NEV a week or two prior?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    JohnLoony said:

    slade said:

    There is a Patriotic Socialist Party candidate in the Kirkburton Ward of Kirklees. I had not heard of them before. Apparently they formally launched on Jan 1st 2014. Anybody know who or what they are?

    A gormless po-faced self-important 20-something and a small group (about half a dozen of them) of his friends. They (i.e. he) have (has) been discussed (i.e. ridiculed and laughed at) at some length on the Vote 2012 forum:

    http://www.vote-2012.proboards.com/thread/3788/patriotic-socialist-party?page=1
    20 pages? Goodness me. Pleased I didn't waste any time reading them.
  • SocratesSocrates Posts: 10,322
    Interesting comment thread of students and university workers saying how much fraud there is in English proficiency tests for student visas:

    http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/23y0e0/two_of_the_most_popular_englishlanguage/
  • JohnLoonyJohnLoony Posts: 1,790


    Surprised to see you commenting Mr Loony. I thought you were rampaging around Croydon Town Hall with a pitchfork.

    "There should be the death penalty for Returning Officers who publish their Statement of Persons Nominated in separate links for each ward."

    Did you get the fiend?

    I was referring in general terms to the incompetent Returning Officers in locations elsewhere who commit such crimes. Luckily the R.O. in Croydon is not one of them (the Croydon nominations are all in one link) albeit that he is a booliak for completely different reasons anyway.
  • FluffyThoughtsFluffyThoughts Posts: 2,420
    Y0kel said:

    ...There are rumours of a Russian no-fly over Eastern Ukraine being on the agenda. Whether this is via Russian airpower or creating a SAM screen the air mobility of the Ukrainian forces has posed a problem for the the insurgents on the ground.

    Yummie ELINT/SIGINT for AirSeeker (as I expect the Ukrainians' will less particular than the ['UK'] MAA. Do we have a spare [of seven] dwarf (or did Labour scrap one for spare-parts)...?

    No doubt a spare SkyNet is available; at a price to Turkey. Add in a new role for Sentinel and blushes-all-around....

This discussion has been closed.