For those following the awesome predictive power of foxinsox jr with his form and subbutteo based simulation, may I remind you that he has Spain Netherlands as a 1:1 draw. Chile will beat Australia 2:0.
Both his 3:1 Brazil and 1:0 Mexico predictions were documented 24 hours in advance on PB.
you heard it here first...
What's his view on 2015 LibDem seats?
FWIW, Stephen Fisher is currently projecting a range of 22 - 34 seats for the LibDems.
For those following the awesome predictive power of foxinsox jr with his form and subbutteo based simulation, may I remind you that he has Spain Netherlands as a 1:1 draw. Chile will beat Australia 2:0.
Both his 3:1 Brazil and 1:0 Mexico predictions were documented 24 hours in advance on PB.
you heard it here first...
What's his view on 2015 LibDem seats?
FWIW, Stephen Fisher is currently projecting a range of 22 - 34 seats for the LibDems.
Come to think on it, I just counted the potential flashpoints around the world. I am in need of a smallish whisky for my nerves.
To remind you of the Scottish flashpoint?
I agree though it is a huge mess. Without wishing to offend anyone it strikes me that the Islamic peoples are going through a similar period to the Christians of 16th century Europe. These nations and peoples are becoming world players. I hope they do a lot better at dealing with these growing pains than Europe did.
I'm sort of hopeful (no doubt wishful thinking) that Iran might become a little more open to the west (and Israel), and vice-versa. A wise and respected Iranian state could really help stabilise the region.
For those following the awesome predictive power of foxinsox jr with his form and subbutteo based simulation, may I remind you that he has Spain Netherlands as a 1:1 draw. Chile will beat Australia 2:0.
Both his 3:1 Brazil and 1:0 Mexico predictions were documented 24 hours in advance on PB.
you heard it here first...
What is foxinsox jr forecasting for tomorrow's England vs Italy encounter?
We should keep on reminding Kippers of that Hannan article, for only this part
....Plus, obviously, he [Cameron] represents our one chance of a referendum on leaving the EU.
Well, quite. Hannan is that rare thing: a rational BOOer.
And I wonder at what point Hannan will realise that Cameron will keep us in the EU no matter what. His position within the Tory party will become untenable before we reach referendum day.
Richard, you don't know the way that Cameron thinks.
The one thing that he will not sacrifice is the Tory Party: he doesn't want to go down in history as the man who split it.
If he can't carry 2/3 of his party with him (i.e. supporting staying in on renegotiated terms) he will support 'out'.
For those following the awesome predictive power of foxinsox jr with his form and subbutteo based simulation, may I remind you that he has Spain Netherlands as a 1:1 draw. Chile will beat Australia 2:0.
Both his 3:1 Brazil and 1:0 Mexico predictions were documented 24 hours in advance on PB.
you heard it here first...
What is foxinsox jr forecasting for tomorrow's England vs Italy encounter?
Why on earth is Ed apologising for being photographed with a copy of the Sun? I suspect almost everyone in the country has purchased a copy at one time or another. (Even I have - once I think).
If Ed does become PM he'll need to be a little less sensitive to this sort of thing. Perhaps it makes him more human and likeable to be pussy-footing about, but it also substantially damages the confidence that one might choose to place in him.
I'm sure it's an aberration, but it really has struck me as one of the oddest things he's done. (And as he is a bit odd, mostly in good ways, then that's quite an achievement)
We should keep on reminding Kippers of that Hannan article, for only this part
....Plus, obviously, he [Cameron] represents our one chance of a referendum on leaving the EU.
Well, quite. Hannan is that rare thing: a rational BOOer.
And I wonder at what point Hannan will realise that Cameron will keep us in the EU no matter what. His position within the Tory party will become untenable before we reach referendum day.
Richard, you don't know the way that Cameron thinks.
The one thing that he will not sacrifice is the Tory Party: he doesn't want to go down in history as the man who split it.
If he can't carry 2/3 of his party with him (i.e. supporting staying in on renegotiated terms) he will support 'out'.
That is an interesting thought Charles. Until now I had been with Richard on this (i.e. Cameron will never accept leaving the EU) but you are right he has consistently prioritized party unity over his preferred EU policy in the past (i.e. when he was forced to concede the referendum) and he might well do so again.
Take your Kalashnikovs and beat them into ploughshares?
It's those same Kalashnikovs now being appealed to in the form of their owners' militias - except of course now they're wholly outside the control of the state.
I think the Sun did pictures with all the leaders and Bojo to promote their coverage. It would have appeared unpatriotic to refuse so Ed M was stuck with a tricky one.
He didn't look convincing holding it though. He rarely photographs well.
Why on earth is Ed apologising for being photographed with a copy of the Sun? I suspect almost everyone in the country has purchased a copy at one time or another. (Even I have - once I think).
If Ed does become PM he'll need to be a little less sensitive to this sort of thing. Perhaps it makes him more human and likeable to be pussy-footing about, but it also substantially damages the confidence that one might choose to place in him.
I'm sure it's an aberration, but it really has struck me as one of the oddest things he's done. (And as he is a bit odd, mostly in good ways, then that's quite an achievement)
Apparently the Iraqi army is relying on Shia militias, who are in turn relying on Iran.
What a great idea it was of Gen Garner and Paul Bremer to disband the Iraqi army in 2003.
I wonder what the difference is with postwar Germany? The army was disbanded there. Huge forces of occupation, and total foreign rule. Why did the Germans (and Japanese) knuckle down, and then thrive on that basis and yet the Iraqi's have found things much harder?
Are there areas of Iraq that have followed what happened in Germany? Is the issue that Iraq isn't a united nation?
Anyway I think you're being a touch hard on the merits of that decision.
So Con would win in England and Lab would be relaint on foreign votes to pass legislation. Isn't that the nationalist ase for Scotland. The case for an English parliament and a ban on Scottish MP's voting on English only matters strenghtens by the day. If Con have any sense they would get it into place before GE 2015.
Scotland foreign? That's a very early Indy day you are advocating - but then it wouldn't be sending MPs to Westminster.
Seriously, though, I see what you really mean - but it will be difficult to define England-only issues in ways that won't get derailed sooner or later, and whch don't discriminate against MPs for non-English constituencies. Those are interesting
Your links are just Scots and lefties wanting to maintain influence in an obviously unfair system. If English MPs don't get to vote on Scottish matters, Scots MPs shouldn't get to vote on English matters. "Two classes of MP" already exist - it happened with devolution.
Alex Massie a leftie?! And you might care to reflect that the Scots had to suffer the West Hampstead Question for centuries (e.g. consider the ecclesiastical patronage legislation [edit: pressed wron button] of the 1830s and 1840s). But it's a fair point about two classes of MP.
Apparently the Iraqi army is relying on Shia militias, who are in turn relying on Iran.
What a great idea it was of Gen Garner and Paul Bremer to disband the Iraqi army in 2003.
I wonder what the difference is with postwar Germany? The army was disbanded there. Huge forces of occupation, and total foreign rule. Why did the Germans (and Japanese) knuckle down, and then thrive on that basis and yet the Iraqi's have found things much harder?
Are there areas of Iraq that have followed what happened in Germany? Is the issue that Iraq isn't a united nation?
Anyway I think you're being a touch hard on the merits of that decision.
Perhaps they should have taken a leaf out of Mountbatten's book. At the end of WW2 after the Japanese surrendered, they were still the only effective police force across large areas of south-east Asia. Mountbatten recognised this and made use of the Japanese army as (usually unarmed) police. In a number of cases in Vietnam he actually rearmed Japanese troops and used them to help regain control of towns which had rebelled against the returning French rule.
I think the Sun did pictures with all the leaders and Bojo to promote their coverage. It would have appeared unpatriotic to refuse so Ed M was stuck with a tricky one.
He didn't look convincing holding it though. He rarely photographs well.
Why on earth is Ed apologising for being photographed with a copy of the Sun? I suspect almost everyone in the country has purchased a copy at one time or another. (Even I have - once I think).
If Ed does become PM he'll need to be a little less sensitive to this sort of thing. Perhaps it makes him more human and likeable to be pussy-footing about, but it also substantially damages the confidence that one might choose to place in him.
I'm sure it's an aberration, but it really has struck me as one of the oddest things he's done. (And as he is a bit odd, mostly in good ways, then that's quite an achievement)
Yep. So he either should have refused, or not apologised - he now looks unpatriotic and daft!
The rest of the leaders should have refused anyway. They all do seem to have a significant number of pages in their left hands - it's the meaty mid-section economic commentary for them.. or are they just making sure no-one thinks it's page 3. (Both Boris and Farage seem to have turned down the top corner to make it clear that it's not)
We should keep on reminding Kippers of that Hannan article, for only this part
....Plus, obviously, he [Cameron] represents our one chance of a referendum on leaving the EU.
Well, quite. Hannan is that rare thing: a rational BOOer.
And I wonder at what point Hannan will realise that Cameron will keep us in the EU no matter what. His position within the Tory party will become untenable before we reach referendum day.
Richard, you don't know the way that Cameron thinks.
The one thing that he will not sacrifice is the Tory Party: he doesn't want to go down in history as the man who split it.
If he can't carry 2/3 of his party with him (i.e. supporting staying in on renegotiated terms) he will support 'out'.
That is an interesting thought Charles. Until now I had been with Richard on this (i.e. Cameron will never accept leaving the EU) but you are right he has consistently prioritized party unity over his preferred EU policy in the past (i.e. when he was forced to concede the referendum) and he might well do so again.
Yep. I wrote about that at the time Cameron gave his speech:
Basically, if Cameron can't carry his party on the deal on offer, he'll be stuffed unless he walks on the negotiations. If he gets a deal, he'll have to back it - so he's got to make the call while the talks are on as to whether it's saleable or not.
Why on earth is Ed apologising for being photographed with a copy of the Sun? I suspect almost everyone in the country has purchased a copy at one time or another. (Even I have - once I think).
If Ed does become PM he'll need to be a little less sensitive to this sort of thing. Perhaps it makes him more human and likeable to be pussy-footing about, but it also substantially damages the confidence that one might choose to place in him.
I'm sure it's an aberration, but it really has struck me as one of the oddest things he's done. (And as he is a bit odd, mostly in good ways, then that's quite an achievement)
Phenomenal betting turnover on the Spain vs Netherlands game with over £21M matched so far on Betfair. Instead of betting on the football, perhaps instead we should be buying shares in the betting exchange as well as in the likes of Hills, Ladbrokes, etc.
Perhaps they should have taken a leaf out of Mountbatten's book. At the end of WW2 after the Japanese surrendered, they were still the only effective police force across large areas of south-east Asia. Mountbatten recognised this and made use of the Japanese army as (usually unarmed) police. In a number of cases in Vietnam he actually rearmed Japanese troops and used them to help regain control of towns which had rebelled against the returning French rule.
An interesting thing for Mountbatten to do. I believe he was decidedly frosty to the Japanese until he died wasn't he?
However that isn't the same thing. A thin colonial force trying to supplant another thin colonial force.
Iraq was an invasion of a sovereign nation by another (ok coalition of), and the goal was regime change. It's hard to see that this goal is dissimilar to the invasion of Germany or Japan.
Something is different. My suspicion is that it may be something to do with the value of life that the invaded people have. The Germans and the Japanese had a huge incentive to regain that value of life, but the Iraqi's (many of them anyway) have never enjoyed a life that is worth fighting for. However this is mere conjecture, and I'm sure that there are many reasons.
As I won't be onsite until tomorrow evening, my football tips for tomorrow are
Greece to beat Colombia, Costa Rica to beat Uruguay.
I've backed Italy to win tomorrow, I'll probably back England just before the start of the match, if you have the mobile apps for the bookies, they generally do a price boost an hour or so before kick off.
Also backed Gary Cahill as FGS, you can still get 40/1.
Tempted to back Gerrard too, if England get a penalty, he'll be our penalty taker.
18.21 ISIS have tweeted the decapitated head of what appears to be an Iraqi policeman with the sentence 'This is our football, it's made of skin #World Cup', followed by a boast of having slaughtered 1,700 soldiers.
They truly do fit the description of TERRORists.
But these are the people we've been turning a blind eye to in Syria, because they've been attacking a Government we want to topple. Their actions in Syria have been exactly the same.
You're getting your ad-Dawlat al-Islāmiyya fī’l-‘Irāq wa’sh-Shām and Jabhat an-Nuṣrah li-Ahl ash-Shām mixed up.
No, I'm not. I do follow the Syria situation quite closely, and I'm aware of the different designations, and who their key sponsors are (in this case Saudi Arabia). I'm not sure what you would call what we've been turning to ISIS if not a blind eye.
Comments
"It's a mess"
The real mess is if things kick off in Libya at the same time.
I am in need of a smallish whisky for my nerves.
I am on the 21-30 seats with ladbrokes.
"Scottish independence campaigner claims MI5 is leading dirty tricks campaign "
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-independence-campaigner-claims-mi5-is-leading-dirty-tricks-campaign-9535799.html
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/06/the-isis-guide-to-building-an-islamic-state/372769/
"The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Has a Consumer Protection Office"
I agree though it is a huge mess. Without wishing to offend anyone it strikes me that the Islamic peoples are going through a similar period to the Christians of 16th century Europe. These nations and peoples are becoming world players. I hope they do a lot better at dealing with these growing pains than Europe did.
I'm sort of hopeful (no doubt wishful thinking) that Iran might become a little more open to the west (and Israel), and vice-versa. A wise and respected Iranian state could really help stabilise the region.
Take your Kalashnikovs and beat them into ploughshares?
The one thing that he will not sacrifice is the Tory Party: he doesn't want to go down in history as the man who split it.
If he can't carry 2/3 of his party with him (i.e. supporting staying in on renegotiated terms) he will support 'out'.
If Ed does become PM he'll need to be a little less sensitive to this sort of thing. Perhaps it makes him more human and likeable to be pussy-footing about, but it also substantially damages the confidence that one might choose to place in him.
I'm sure it's an aberration, but it really has struck me as one of the oddest things he's done. (And as he is a bit odd, mostly in good ways, then that's quite an achievement)
He didn't look convincing holding it though. He rarely photographs well.
Good finishing by the Dutch, and better goalkeeping too.
Are there areas of Iraq that have followed what happened in Germany? Is the issue that Iraq isn't a united nation?
Anyway I think you're being a touch hard on the merits of that decision.
Perhaps they should have taken a leaf out of Mountbatten's book. At the end of WW2 after the Japanese surrendered, they were still the only effective police force across large areas of south-east Asia. Mountbatten recognised this and made use of the Japanese army as (usually unarmed) police. In a number of cases in Vietnam he actually rearmed Japanese troops and used them to help regain control of towns which had rebelled against the returning French rule.
Yep. So he either should have refused, or not apologised - he now looks unpatriotic and daft!
The rest of the leaders should have refused anyway. They all do seem to have a significant number of pages in their left hands - it's the meaty mid-section economic commentary for them.. or are they just making sure no-one thinks it's page 3. (Both Boris and Farage seem to have turned down the top corner to make it clear that it's not)
All real football fans will be pleased.
http://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2013/01/26/davd-herson-cameron-must-be-clear-that-he-might-vote-no/
Basically, if Cameron can't carry his party on the deal on offer, he'll be stuffed unless he walks on the negotiations. If he gets a deal, he'll have to back it - so he's got to make the call while the talks are on as to whether it's saleable or not.
Scroll down to see Cameron, Bojo and Farage managing to look normal with a newspaper by pretending to read it.
ed's intellectual self-confidence comes to the fore again.
http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/1.598630
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/13/iran-general-assists-with-preparing-baghdad-defence-from-insurgents-isis
Instead of betting on the football, perhaps instead we should be buying shares in the betting exchange as well as in the likes of Hills, Ladbrokes, etc.
However that isn't the same thing. A thin colonial force trying to supplant another thin colonial force.
Iraq was an invasion of a sovereign nation by another (ok coalition of), and the goal was regime change. It's hard to see that this goal is dissimilar to the invasion of Germany or Japan.
Something is different. My suspicion is that it may be something to do with the value of life that the invaded people have. The Germans and the Japanese had a huge incentive to regain that value of life, but the Iraqi's (many of them anyway) have never enjoyed a life that is worth fighting for. However this is mere conjecture, and I'm sure that there are many reasons.
This is Dockside hooker when the fleet is in territory.
Never forget your neutrality 1939!
Never forget you supported Argentina 1982!
You're going down like the Belgrano glug glug glug!
Most hated team lose - party time!
Me and Ms Briskin bet on Holland
Greece to beat Colombia, Costa Rica to beat Uruguay.
I've backed Italy to win tomorrow, I'll probably back England just before the start of the match, if you have the mobile apps for the bookies, they generally do a price boost an hour or so before kick off.
Also backed Gary Cahill as FGS, you can still get 40/1.
Tempted to back Gerrard too, if England get a penalty, he'll be our penalty taker.
Cons = NED, Lab = SPN
LibDems = match officials in Brazil v Croatia.....
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/13/us-iraq-security-iran-idUSKBN0EO0QH20140613
Spain must be losing
OptaJoe @OptaJoe 2 mins
5 - Spain have conceded 5+ goals in an international for the first time since losing 6-2 to Scotland in June 1963. Gubbed.
Irvine Welsh @WelshIrvine 3 mins
The pain in Spain lies mainly in the game...
Decent trading bet, even if they finish second in the group, they will play Brazil in the next round, and I can still see Spain winning that.
And Trafalgar 1805!
and culloden 1745 (sorry got confused that's 18 September
The best team to never win the cup. They took out Brazil in 2010...
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2061793-brazil-world-cup-2014-clarifying-group-tie-break-scenarios-and-rules