My random question has once again proven the rule that no subject is beyond the wit of PBers.
I know more now about hats, lice, hair powder, Pitt taxation than I could ever have expected. Am still searching for a hatter online to sell me the appropriate head gear, but that's now almost incidental to my desire to look up millinery books.
Have not worn a hat since school cap - complete with bi-coloured tassel - or a boater for summer uniform.
Notice from Hogarth that hats were often worn indoors - was that due to lack of heating? In fact probably most of us wear fewer layers of clothes than was worn 60-70 years ago - influence of central heating and traveling in cars with efficient heaters.?
Boo! I love brollies. I have a Smith's solid stick that's served me well for years. Talking of old-fashioned, their shop is great fun to poke around in too.
Random factoid: the Japanese don't "carry" umbrellas; they "point" or "stab" umbrellas (kasa o sasu rather than kasa o ageru). I think that's right, anyway, I'm only learning.
I always carry a Brolly when travelling in the tropics. Excellent for sudden downpours, but also a good sunshade and even good for fending off pariah dogs and touts!
It is not the politicians telling the voters to go away and keep voting till they come up with something to the politicians taste. NOM means that the voters have said to the parties "your manifesto's are crap. Listen to us then go away and come up with something we can get behind then we will give you a mandate"
As to other countries? What do we care that is never how we have done things and I presume that is the will of the populace on the whole as we usually don't get coalitions.
The lib dems for example lost about half their voters almost immediately, I can only assume that was because they didn't like the way their votes had been used.
True enough, they did not. It would appear they did not believe statements that the party would consider working with anyone. Those people have learned their lessons and will react accordingly next time, perhaps not voting for anyone unless they promise not to do certain things, as well as the things they want them to promise they will do.
If people can stomach the idea of coalition they will vote however they want even if that risks creating a hung parliament and politicking. If someone cannot stomach that, they cannot stomach the horsetrading and sense of betrayal they get as a result, they can vote in a manner best designed to prevent such a scenario, that's a fair choice for them to make.
But if the parliament we just chose is able to come up with some kind of majority, that does not strike me as anti-democratic. If people have a problem with representatives doing that, vote for someone who promises they will never support a coalition agreement. If they don't promise that, they have left the door open to making the best choice for us they feel they can, as we just told them they have the right to do by choosing them as our representative, even if nationally no majority is to be found.
On another topic entirely, I was amused that in the Moldova elections the pro-western parties were apparently the Liberals, the Democrats, and the Liberal Democrats. I'm sure there are some significant differences between them, but I like the wafer thin divisions between the names.
To keep it short as I already replied in more detail. Frankly no I don't trust our representatives. They are on the whole clueless about most issues ( as would most people be in their situation, that is not meant as an insult). To take an example Nick Palmer. He is wonderfully erudite on some issues such as animal experimentation, however should it come to a different issue (just an example Nick and I have no idea if you are expert in this area) such as energy generation he may well have absolutely no clue whatsoever...who is he representing therefore and is he doing it well? I would say the answer is probably no.
What a nasty article by the Spectator. A man is forced to reveal his private texts to combat the media's nasty rush to judgment before the facts are released, and they then critique his romance skills. What a disgrace to journalism.
It is not the politicians telling the voters to go away and keep voting till they come up with something to the politicians taste. NOM means that the voters have said to the parties "your manifesto's are crap. Listen to us then go away and come up with something we can get behind then we will give you a mandate" snip
The lib dems for example lost about half their voters almost immediately, I can only assume that was because they didn't like the way their votes had been used.
True enough, they did not. It would appear they did not believe statements that the party would consider working with anyone. Those people have learned their lessons and will react accordingly next time, perhaps not voting for anyone unless they promise not to do certain things, as well as the things they want them to promise they will do.
If people can stomach the idea of coalition they will vote however they want even if that risks creating a hung parliament and politicking. If someone cannot stomach that, they cannot stomach the horsetrading and sense of betrayal they get as a result, they can vote in a manner best designed to prevent such a scenario, that's a fair choice for them to make.
But if the parliament we just chose is able to come up with some kind of majority, that does not strike me as anti-democratic. If people have a problem with representatives doing that, vote for someone who promises they will never support a coalition agreement. If they don't promise that, they have left the door open to making the best choice for us they feel they can, as we just told them they have the right to do by choosing them as our representative, even if nationally no majority is to be found.
On another topic entirely, I was amused that in the Moldova elections the pro-western parties were apparently the Liberals, the Democrats, and the Liberal Democrats. I'm sure there are some significant differences between them, but I like the wafer thin divisions between the names.
A major problem for any Coalition is that in general the electorate expect party manifesto promises to be kept (and rightly so), but do not make an allowance for unpredicted events which may make policy changes an absolute necessity.
Of course if disaster strikes due to sudden events, then the electorate shouts for an instant solution.
Perhaps party manifestos should include options about what may be needed if external future events force policy change. After all we live in a global economy and matters like EZ collapse, political aggression or energy or food shortages will require differing and rapid responses. Perhaps this would make our politicians think beyond the next two elections, as decisions or even indecision made today may not have a real and visible impact until 2050 or even later.
Ooh - will check it out - which are your favourites? I like dinkums, safari, fedora, Davy Crockett and My Fair Lady Personal Space Statements myself :^ ) I like flat caps too but they were a bit trendy for a while and I ignored them. Have an excellent topper.
That's what I assumed - but all those listed on shopping sites are all furry Davy Crocket sorts [and I've plenty of them] - I'm after the sleek haughty versions. It's a look that suits me but ruins any hair cut when I take it off!
I do love hats. Have about 40 of them. Funny how unfashionable they are generally.
EDIT
The kubanka is a tall rigid hat that originated in the Caucasus, where it was sported by men but is now worn by women. The kubanka is usually made from Persian lamb, which is also referred to as karakul.
The tabletka is shaped like a pillbox but is smaller and daintier and is generally recommended for younger women. Tabletki are made from Persian lamb.
Hell YES!!! Now that gets you an 11/10 for info! Thanxxxx
OT Apols - I know we've a few Russian visitors here and I'm after hat help. What are the ladies ones called where the base is slightly smaller than the top - tallish hats, felt and often with a broach or hatpin needle for decoration? Anna Karenina period.
I had a bunch of these in the 80s and can't find them anywhere/recall the style. Perhaps one of my odder crowd source queries.
Have not worn a hat since school cap - complete with bi-coloured tassel - or a boater for summer uniform.
Notice from Hogarth that hats were often worn indoors - was that due to lack of heating? In fact probably most of us wear fewer layers of clothes than was worn 60-70 years ago - influence of central heating and traveling in cars with efficient heaters.?
I look back on my school caps and can't help chuckling. So daft. But cute.
Central heating/climate controlled environments surely must have had an impact. Not just fewer layers, but the layers we do still wear are a lot lighter each. For example average men's suiting was traditionally around 12-14oz and up. Now it's about 10oz, at least in most ready to wear.
Thankfully, the slightly heavier fabrics are still being made. For city fabrics, especially in a worsted fabric, 10/11oz can still look and feel nice if it's from a good mill. But for tweeds and the like, you really need the heavier fabrics. Next time you're in the tailor's, take a look at the heavier books, at least for more casual items. There is some really nice stuff being produced. And on a cold day like today it's nice to wear a heavier suit under the overcoat and not feel cold when outside.
Boo! I love brollies. I have a Smith's solid stick that's served me well for years. Talking of old-fashioned, their shop is great fun to poke around in too.
Random factoid: the Japanese don't "carry" umbrellas; they "point" or "stab" umbrellas (kasa o sasu rather than kasa o ageru). I think that's right, anyway, I'm only learning.
lol, I'm not sure a ninja would want to be lugging around a Markov-esque poisoned brolly! But it would make for an entertaining fight in a Jackie Chan film!
It is not the politicians telling the voters to go away and keep voting till they come up with something to the politicians taste. NOM means that the voters have said to the parties "your manifesto's are crap. Listen to us then go away and come up with something we can get behind then we will give you a mandate"
As to other countries? What do we care that is never how we have done things and I presume that is the will of the populace on the whole as we usually don't get coalitions.
The lib dems for example lost about half their voters almost immediately, I can only assume that was because they didn't like the way their votes had been used.
True enough,
To keep it short as I already replied in more detail. Frankly no I don't trust our representatives. They are on the whole clueless about most issues ( as would most people be in their situation, that is not meant as an insult). To take an example Nick Palmer. He is wonderfully erudite on some issues such as animal experimentation, however should it come to a different issue (just an example Nick and I have no idea if you are expert in this area) such as energy generation he may well have absolutely no clue whatsoever...who is he representing therefore and is he doing it well? I would say the answer is probably no.
I had not initially realized the depth of your ambition for our entire system, but that being apparent, your dissatisfaction with coalitions seems entirely reasonable, though given the I suspect far more small c conservative nature of most of the electorate, if they in general opposed the idea with the same level of passion, it would be far less reasonable I think, given their acceptance of the flaws in the system that might well require such horsetrading that they do support.
Gods, that just made me more confused than ever - on almost every one, I felt like I really needed to pick and mix liberally from various policy sets.
To answer your previous assertion yes I agree it is radical. However I also advocated a gradual move to direct democracy. That would be the first move I think. Put a system in place to get more frequent "ask the nation" moments via the internet. I also think it would have a good effect on the national dialogue.
Whereas currently we have a government and an opposition and we fall into the trap of "we are not them" I feel that wouldn't work with direct democracy as much because instead of opposing you need to persuade the populace that your view is correct. This to my mind is a more positive action than merely finger pointing and blaming.
Direct democracy however does need to be firmly tied to costing else you get the silliness of California where people vote for ever more state spending but wont vote for raising taxes. Cost of a policy is a key piece of information. Couch it in understandable terms such as a person earning x will pay this towards it, a person earning y will pay that towards it and you will slowly wean people off the idea that many seem to have that things such as education, defence, the nhs cost nothing because it is the governments money
What a nasty article by the Spectator. A man is forced to reveal his private texts to combat the media's nasty rush to judgment before the facts are released, and they then critique his romance skills. What a disgrace to journalism.
Since we don't know the FACTS, its best not to speculate eh? You are just doing reverse speculation based on incomplete information... and before you accuse others of rushing to judge, there is the little matter of you rushing to judge the EU earlier this evening that proved to be totally incorrect on your part.
It is not the politicians telling the voters to go away and keep voting till they come up with something to the politicians taste. NOM means that the voters have said to the parties "your manifesto's are crap. Listen to us then go away and come up with something we can get behind then we will give you a mandate"
As to other countries? What do we care that is never how we have done things and I presume that is the will of the populace on the whole as we usually don't get coalitions.
The lib dems for example lost about half their voters almost immediately, I can only assume that was because they didn't like the way their votes had been used.
True enough,
To keep it short as I already replied in more detail. Frankly no I don't trust our representatives. They are on the whole clueless about most issues ( as would most people be in their situation, that is not meant as an insult). To take an example Nick Palmer. He is wonderfully erudite on some issues such as animal experimentation, however should it come to a different issue (just an example Nick and I have no idea if you are expert in this area) such as energy generation he may well have absolutely no clue whatsoever...who is he representing therefore and is he doing it well? I would say the answer is probably no.
I had not initially realized the depth of your ambition for our entire system, but that being apparent, your dissatisfaction with coalitions seems entirely reasonable, though given the I suspect far more small c conservative nature of most of the electorate, if they in general opposed the idea with the same level of passion, it would be far less reasonable I think, given their acceptance of the flaws in the system that might well require such horsetrading that they do support.
No worries I am sure people often think I am a trolling here however I would like to think I am merely looking at things from a far different perspective. Yes my changes are ambitious. No I do not expect them to happen in my lifetime. I would hope to see moves towards them however as I feel our current system really is no longer fit for purpose and we should be asking ourselves how to make it better in quite radical ways
Ooh - will check it out - which are your favourites? I like dinkums, safari, fedora, Davy Crockett and My Fair Lady Personal Space Statements myself :^ ) I like flat caps too but they were a bit trendy for a while and I ignored them. Have an excellent topper.
That's what I assumed - but all those listed on shopping sites are all furry Davy Crocket sorts [and I've plenty of them] - I'm after the sleek haughty versions. It's a look that suits me but ruins any hair cut when I take it off!
I do love hats. Have about 40 of them. Funny how unfashionable they are generally.
EDIT
The kubanka is a tall rigid hat that originated in the Caucasus, where it was sported by men but is now worn by women. The kubanka is usually made from Persian lamb, which is also referred to as karakul.
The tabletka is shaped like a pillbox but is smaller and daintier and is generally recommended for younger women. Tabletki are made from Persian lamb.
Hell YES!!! Now that gets you an 11/10 for info! Thanxxxx
OT Apols - I know we've a few Russian visitors here and I'm after hat help. What are the ladies ones called where the base is slightly smaller than the top - tallish hats, felt and often with a broach or hatpin needle for decoration? Anna Karenina period.
I had a bunch of these in the 80s and can't find them anywhere/recall the style. Perhaps one of my odder crowd source queries.
I get my hats from www.villagehats.co.uk.....not sure what they have for women but may be worth a look
Currently only have the three hats...all leather, top hat, stetson and tricorn though the latter gets me some funny looks at work
Whats wrong with a tricorn...it is a wonderful hat in the rain. If you get the tilt just right all the rain water gushes out the back two corners in little spouts clearing your shoulders nicely. Though that property I have to say doesn't make you popular at bus queues
How interesting. IIRC, waltzes started out as country folk dances and were appropriated by the upper classes and then became de rigure as a proxy for sex/endorphins but in a *proper* context. Anyone who's danced one with a beau knows how sexy it is.
My understanding is that Bowlers and Derbies are the same, but an American is more likely to call it a Derby. Analogous to how we call closed quarter laced shoes Oxfords but the Americans would call them Balmorals.
Also - and this paragraph to totally from hazy memory, so very open to correction - bowlers, despite their City associations, started off as country hats. I think gameskeepers on some estate or other. They became city hats after people stopped wearing morning dress to work and so needed a more casual hat than a topper.
What a nasty article by the Spectator. A man is forced to reveal his private texts to combat the media's nasty rush to judgment before the facts are released, and they then critique his romance skills. What a disgrace to journalism.
Since we don't know the FACTS, its best not to speculate eh? You are just doing reverse speculation based on incomplete information... and before you accuse others of rushing to judge, there is the little matter of you rushing to judge the EU earlier this evening that proved to be totally incorrect on your part.
How interesting. IIRC, waltzes started out as country folk dances and were appropriated by the upper classes and then became de rigure as a proxy for sex/endorphins but in a *proper* context. Anyone who's danced one with a beau knows how sexy it is.
My understanding is that Bowlers and Derbies are the same, but an American is more likely to call it a Derby. Analogous to how we call closed quarter laced shoes Oxfords but the Americans would call them Balmorals.
Also - and this paragraph to totally from hazy memory, so very open to correction - bowlers, despite their City associations, started off as country hats. I think gameskeepers on some estate or other. They became city hats after people stopped wearing morning dress to work and so needed a more casual hat than a topper.
The King and I - written by Kate about meeting King James? :-)
Have not worn a hat since school cap - complete with bi-coloured tassel - or a boater for summer uniform.
Notice from Hogarth that hats were often worn indoors - was that due to lack of heating? In fact probably most of us wear fewer layers of clothes than was worn 60-70 years ago - influence of central heating and traveling in cars with efficient heaters.?
I look back on my school caps and can't help chuckling. So daft. But cute.
Central heating/climate controlled environments surely must have had an impact. Not just fewer layers, but the layers we do still wear are a lot lighter each. For example average men's suiting was traditionally around 12-14oz and up. Now it's about 10oz, at least in most ready to wear.
Thankfully, the slightly heavier fabrics are still being made. For city fabrics, especially in a worsted fabric, 10/11oz can still look and feel nice if it's from a good mill. But for tweeds and the like, you really need the heavier fabrics. Next time you're in the tailor's, take a look at the heavier books, at least for more casual items. There is some really nice stuff being produced. And on a cold day like today it's nice to wear a heavier suit under the overcoat and not feel cold when outside.
Boo! I love brollies. I have a Smith's solid stick that's served me well for years. Talking of old-fashioned, their shop is great fun to poke around in too.
Random factoid: the Japanese don't "carry" umbrellas; they "point" or "stab" umbrellas (kasa o sasu rather than kasa o ageru). I think that's right, anyway, I'm only learning.
lol, I'm not sure a ninja would want to be lugging around a Markov-esque poisoned brolly! But it would make for an entertaining fight in a Jackie Chan film!
How interesting. IIRC, waltzes started out as country folk dances and were appropriated by the upper classes and then became de rigure as a proxy for sex/endorphins but in a *proper* context. Anyone who's danced one with a beau knows how sexy it is.
Did not know that about the origin of waltzes! I love little bits of trivia like that.
I do know that another reason the waltz became so popular in the 19th century was because of the Congress of Vienna held to settle the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars. I can't remember who said it but IIRC one of the participants suggested that more was settled through the dancing than the official negotiations!
P.S. re: your other question - no, not a tailor. But I've given a tailor far too much money over the years. Does that count? I'm generally interested in clothes & their history too esp. men's clothes. At one point I had a little clothes microbusiness too but it got to be too much hassle when it grew, and the margins became smaller, plus I got busy doing other things so...
Have not worn a hat since school cap - complete with bi-coloured tassel - or a boater for summer uniform.
Notice from Hogarth that hats were often worn indoors - was that due to lack of heating? In fact probably most of us wear fewer layers of clothes than was worn 60-70 years ago - influence of central heating and traveling in cars with efficient heaters.?
I look back on my school caps and can't help chuckling. So daft. But cute.
Central heating/climate controlled environments surely must have had an impact. Not just fewer layers, but the layers we do still wear are a lot lighter each. For example average men's suiting was traditionally around 12-14oz and up. Now it's about 10oz, at least in most ready to wear.
Thankfully, the slightly heavier fabrics are still being made. For city fabrics, especially in a worsted fabric, 10/11oz can still look and feel nice if it's from a good mill. But for tweeds and the like, you really need the heavier fabrics. Next time you're in the tailor's, take a look at the heavier books, at least for more casual items. There is some really nice stuff being produced. And on a cold day like today it's nice to wear a heavier suit under the overcoat and not feel cold when outside.
Boo! I love brollies. I have a Smith's solid stick that's served me well for years. Talking of old-fashioned, their shop is great fun to poke around in too.
Random factoid: the Japanese don't "carry" umbrellas; they "point" or "stab" umbrellas (kasa o sasu rather than kasa o ageru). I think that's right, anyway, I'm only learning.
lol, I'm not sure a ninja would want to be lugging around a Markov-esque poisoned brolly! But it would make for an entertaining fight in a Jackie Chan film!
Walking the dog requires that I wear a hat! In summer to keep the sun off my head, in winter, to keep my head warm. My latest winter warmer is from Tilley and boy! (or girl) with the wind, sleet, snow etc. of the past few days it is pure woolen luxury.
Ooh - will check it out - which are your favourites? I like dinkums, safari, fedora, Davy Crockett and My Fair Lady Personal Space Statements myself :^ ) I like flat caps too but they were a bit trendy for a while and I ignored them. Have an excellent topper.
That's what I assumed - but all those listed on shopping sites are all furry Davy Crocket sorts [and I've plenty of them] - I'm after the sleek haughty versions. It's a look that suits me but ruins any hair cut when I take it off!
I do love hats. Have about 40 of them. Funny how unfashionable they are generally.
EDIT
The kubanka is a tall rigid hat that originated in the Caucasus, where it was sported by men but is now worn by women. The kubanka is usually made from Persian lamb, which is also referred to as karakul.
The tabletka is shaped like a pillbox but is smaller and daintier and is generally recommended for younger women. Tabletki are made from Persian lamb.
Hell YES!!! Now that gets you an 11/10 for info! Thanxxxx
OT Apols - I know we've a few Russian visitors here and I'm after hat help. What are the ladies ones called where the base is slightly smaller than the top - tallish hats, felt and often with a broach or hatpin needle for decoration? Anna Karenina period.
I had a bunch of these in the 80s and can't find them anywhere/recall the style. Perhaps one of my odder crowd source queries.
I get my hats from www.villagehats.co.uk.....not sure what they have for women but may be worth a look
Currently only have the three hats...all leather, top hat, stetson and tricorn though the latter gets me some funny looks at work
Whats wrong with a tricorn...it is a wonderful hat in the rain. If you get the tilt just right all the rain water gushes out the back two corners in little spouts clearing your shoulders nicely. Though that property I have to say doesn't make you popular at bus queues
Take a lesson from Inspector Jaques Clouseau, and wear an inflatable parrot on your shoulder. That should deflect any criticism!
I'd love to see a pix - I've a rather nice odd-sided fedora in the Jenny Pitman style that just shouts Notice Me, but in the most uber conservative way. I find it harder to wear than my most OTT head gear as it's such a subversive statement that throws others off balance - and they can't work out why.
Ooh - will check it out - which are your favourites? I like dinkums, safari, fedora, Davy Crockett and My Fair Lady Personal Space Statements myself :^ ) I like flat caps too but they were a bit trendy for a while and I ignored them. Have an excellent topper.
That's what I assumed - but all those listed on shopping sites are all furry Davy Crocket sorts [and I've plenty of them] - I'm after the sleek haughty versions. It's a look that suits me but ruins any hair cut when I take it off!
I do love hats. Have about 40 of them. Funny how unfashionable they are generally.
EDIT
The kubanka is a tall rigid hat that originated in the Caucasus, where it was sported by men but is now worn by women. The kubanka is usually made from Persian lamb, which is also referred to as karakul.
The tabletka is shaped like a pillbox but is smaller and daintier and is generally recommended for younger women. Tabletki are made from Persian lamb.
Hell YES!!! Now that gets you an 11/10 for info! Thanxxxx
OT Apols - I know we've a few Russian visitors here and I'm after hat help. What are the ladies ones called where the base is slightly smaller than the top - tallish hats, felt and often with a broach or hatpin needle for decoration? Anna Karenina period.
I had a bunch of these in the 80s and can't find them anywhere/recall the style. Perhaps one of my odder crowd source queries.
I get my hats from www.villagehats.co.uk.....not sure what they have for women but may be worth a look
Currently only have the three hats...all leather, top hat, stetson and tricorn though the latter gets me some funny looks at work
Whats wrong with a tricorn...it is a wonderful hat in the rain. If you get the tilt just right all the rain water gushes out the back two corners in little spouts clearing your shoulders nicely. Though that property I have to say doesn't make you popular at bus queues
The two of them are similar enough in age to have been at secondary school at the same time — 35 and 41. It's not as if he was 30 years older, taking advantage of her youthful inexperience.
Have not worn a hat since school cap - complete with bi-coloured tassel - or a boater for summer uniform.
Notice from Hogarth that hats were often worn indoors - was that due to lack of heating? In fact probably most of us wear fewer layers of clothes than was worn 60-70 years ago - influence of central heating and traveling in cars with efficient heaters.?
I look back on my school caps and can't help chuckling. So daft. But cute.
Central heating/climate controlled environments surely must have had an impact. Not just fewer layers, but the layers we do still wear are a lot lighter each. For example average men's suiting was traditionally around 12-14oz and up. Now it's about 10oz, at least in most ready to wear.
Thankfully, the slightly heavier fabrics are still being made. For city fabrics, especially in a worsted fabric, 10/11oz can still look and feel nice if it's from a good mill. But for tweeds and the like, you really need the heavier fabrics. Next time you're in the tailor's, take a look at the heavier books, at least for more casual items. There is some really nice stuff being produced. And on a cold day like today it's nice to wear a heavier suit under the overcoat and not feel cold when outside.
Boo! I love brollies. I have a Smith's solid stick that's served me well for years. Talking of old-fashioned, their shop is great fun to poke around in too.
Random factoid: the Japanese don't "carry" umbrellas; they "point" or "stab" umbrellas (kasa o sasu rather than kasa o ageru). I think that's right, anyway, I'm only learning.
lol, I'm not sure a ninja would want to be lugging around a Markov-esque poisoned brolly! But it would make for an entertaining fight in a Jackie Chan film!
One of the more introguing aspects of visiting a shopping mall is the way people dress for the weather - in summer it's shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt, but in winter it's all bundled up. Mall temperatures - certainly in the US - are constant year round.
Last night Kevin Klein of the New York Rangers had part of his left ear sliced off by a hockey stick. He picked the piece up and had it re-attached by stitches by the team doctor on the bench, (how sterile is that?).
He came back off the bench to score the winning goal.
How interesting. IIRC, waltzes started out as country folk dances and were appropriated by the upper classes and then became de rigure as a proxy for sex/endorphins but in a *proper* context. Anyone who's danced one with a beau knows how sexy it is.
Did not know that about the origin of waltzes! I love little bits of trivia like that.
I do know that another reason the waltze became so popular in the 19th century was because of the Congress of Vienna held to settle the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars. I can't remember who said it but IIRC one of the participants suggested that more was settled through the dancing than the official negotiations!
I'd love to see a pix - I've a rather nice odd-sided fedora in the Jenny Pitman style that just shouts Notice Me, but in the most uber conservative way. I find it harder to wear than my most OTT head gear as it's such a subversive statement that throws others off balance - and they can't work out why.
I don't do pictures generally being quite a shy person and my hats aren't particularly a notice me statement merely what I feel comfortable wearing. If others have a problem with it then its their problem not mine. My work colleagues fortunately I get on with well and don't take their ribbing seriously and since I joined the company in April I have noticed the hat wearers have increased from 1 (me) to 5 so perhaps I am starting a fashion trend
How interesting. IIRC, waltzes started out as country folk dances and were appropriated by the upper classes and then became de rigure as a proxy for sex/endorphins but in a *proper* context. Anyone who's danced one with a beau knows how sexy it is.
My understanding is that Bowlers and Derbies are the same, but an American is more likely to call it a Derby. Analogous to how we call closed quarter laced shoes Oxfords but the Americans would call them Balmorals.
Also - and this paragraph to totally from hazy memory, so very open to correction - bowlers, despite their City associations, started off as country hats. I think gameskeepers on some estate or other. They became city hats after people stopped wearing morning dress to work and so needed a more casual hat than a topper.
The King and I - written by Kate about meeting King James? :-)
What possessed UKIP to put her on the PPC list and podium at the party conference. Surely it couldn't be positive discrimination and political correctness?!?
Many papers leading with the CIA report, it seems. Is it really that much of a surprise to anyone that occasionally they strayed over the boundaries? The very nature of the secrecy surrounding their work pretty much guarantees they'll do dodgy stuff occasionally. I really don't know how adequate oversight can be built into these systems. In a way, it's reassuring it wasn't more widespread...
I also note that the Times' second story is about low rates of applications to medical school from the vast majority of schools. Again, not exactly a surprise. The application process for medicine has become so filled with bureaucratic extra hurdles for, and unrealistic expectations on, students that it's a miracle anyone still wants to apply at all. Without specialised support & advice guiding them from about age 16 (if not earlier), even most good students won't have a chance of getting in. It's like an assault course of unnecessary obstacles. And that's leaving aside the increase in mindless bureaucracy they'll have to face once they actually qualify...
Probably explains why most of the presenters on the BBC's Midlands Today news programme speak RP.
It might also be on account of the fact that 45% of the region's population live in the East Midlands, compared with 55% in the West Midlands.
There's a separate East Midlands Today programme based in Nottingham. Midlands Today is just for the West Midlands. Until the late 1980s the programme covered the entire Midlands, which apparently annoyed people in the East Midlands.
Useless fact: for a lot of the 1990s the former FA executive David Davies was the main presenter on Midlands Today.
Many papers leading with the CIA report, it seems. Is it really that much of a surprise to anyone that occasionally they strayed over the boundaries? The very nature of the secrecy surrounding their work pretty much guarantees they'll do dodgy stuff occasionally. I really don't know how adequate oversight can be built into these systems. In a way, it's reassuring it wasn't more widespread...
I also note that the Times' second story is about low rates of applications to medical school from the vast majority of schools. Again, not exactly a surprise. The application process for medicine has become so filled with bureaucratic extra hurdles for, and unrealistic expectations on, students that it's a miracle anyone still wants to apply at all. Without specialised support & advice guiding them from about age 16 (if not earlier), even most good students won't have a chance of getting in. It's like an assault course of unnecessary obstacles. And that's leaving aside the increase in mindless bureaucracy they'll have to face once they actually qualify...
Applications for medical school are down 10% this year. Th hurdles are lower than ever and the fees the same as last year. The reason is unclear, though the end of shortened courses for graduate entry may explain some of the drop.
Mostly it is a sign of declining prestige of the profession, IMHO.
Many papers leading with the CIA report, it seems. Is it really that much of a surprise to anyone that occasionally they strayed over the boundaries? T
Well, no, but it is a surprise to see it so comprehensively spoken about. We like to think we and our allies are not only at least better than the enemy, which is obvious, but above reproach, which of course is rarely the case as much as we might wish it to be, so the darker things are not looked into.
No doubt any reflection will pass in time, it's probably a cyclical thing.
No we don't do that sort of thing. Ok, maybe we do sometimes, but it is always legal. Well, maybe it's illegal, but it was necessary. Actually it wasn't necessary, but no significant lessons need to be learned from this. We have learned our lesson. We became complacent and suffered, and are now we should be doing that sort of thing but are not. Ok now we are doing it again
Re: the final item on your Nighthawks list, if you want a really interesting and surprising book to read over Christmas try "Dancing With the Devil: The Windsors and Jimmy Donahue", available from amazon.co.uk from 1p +P&P.
Unless we use a hell of a lot more energy that isn't in the form of electricity to make up the difference, I can only assume the datasets the two sites use is different somehow?
Probably explains why most of the presenters on the BBC's Midlands Today news programme speak RP.
It might also be on account of the fact that 45% of the region's population live in the East Midlands, compared with 55% in the West Midlands.
There's a separate East Midlands Today programme based in Nottingham. Midlands Today is just for the West Midlands. Until the late 1980s the programme covered the entire Midlands, which apparently annoyed people in the East Midlands.
Useless fact: for a lot of the 1990s the former FA executive David Davies was the main presenter on Midlands Today.
In Leicester it is much easier to get the West Mids version!
Brum is only a small part of the West Midlands, the accent in Shropshire, Worcs, Stratford and other parts of Warks are not exactly Peaky Blinders!
I do love a chap who knows the cut of his gib. Big fan of Strauss here. There's nothing like a waltz or polka to raise one's spirits.
I'm not much of a fashionista, but do love to peacock styles that appeal - I was Goth before Goth and made it look sexy rather than sad oddball! Adore texture, fabric weights and top quality cuts. I always notice a poorly fitted jacket. Martin Lewis knew tailoring to a tee even as a newsreader. He had his suits made to look superb specifically when he was sitting down. Now that's attention to detail one can appreciate.
How interesting. IIRC, waltzes started out as country folk dances and were appropriated by the upper classes and then became de rigure as a proxy for sex/endorphins but in a *proper* context. Anyone who's danced one with a beau knows how sexy it is.
Did not know that about the origin of waltzes! I love little bits of trivia like that.
I do know that another reason the waltz became so popular in the 19th century was because of the Congress of Vienna held to settle the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars. I can't remember who said it but IIRC one of the participants suggested that more was settled through the dancing than the official negotiations!
P.S. re: your other question - no, not a tailor. But I've given a tailor far too much money over the years. Does that count? I'm generally interested in clothes & their history too esp. men's clothes. At one point I had a little clothes microbusiness too but it got to be too much hassle when it grew, and the margins became smaller, plus I got busy doing other things so...
Probably explains why most of the presenters on the BBC's Midlands Today news programme speak RP.
It might also be on account of the fact that 45% of the region's population live in the East Midlands, compared with 55% in the West Midlands.
There's a separate East Midlands Today programme based in Nottingham. Midlands Today is just for the West Midlands. Until the late 1980s the programme covered the entire Midlands, which apparently annoyed people in the East Midlands.
Thanks for putting me right on that Andy - as you'll appreciate it's a fair while since I lived in that neck!
Probably explains why most of the presenters on the BBC's Midlands Today news programme speak RP.
It might also be on account of the fact that 45% of the region's population live in the East Midlands, compared with 55% in the West Midlands.
There's a separate East Midlands Today programme based in Nottingham. Midlands Today is just for the West Midlands. Until the late 1980s the programme covered the entire Midlands, which apparently annoyed people in the East Midlands.
Thanks for putting me right on that Andy - as you'll appreciate it's a fair while since I lived in that neck!
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the famous PB joke involving the Brummie accent.
I also note that the Times' second story is about low rates of applications to medical school from the vast majority of schools. Again, not exactly a surprise. The application process for medicine has become so filled with bureaucratic extra hurdles for, and unrealistic expectations on, students that it's a miracle anyone still wants to apply at all. Without specialised support & advice guiding them from about age 16 (if not earlier), even most good students won't have a chance of getting in. It's like an assault course of unnecessary obstacles. And that's leaving aside the increase in mindless bureaucracy they'll have to face once they actually qualify...
Applications for medical school are down 10% this year. Th hurdles are lower than ever and the fees the same as last year. The reason is unclear, though the end of shortened courses for graduate entry may explain some of the drop.
Mostly it is a sign of declining prestige of the profession, IMHO.
Are the hurdles really lower? They seem to be getting higher to me. The successful applicant has to start thinking about it from about age 15, in order to choose the right A-levels. Then they have to start building a really strong work experience portfolio, reflect on it to a high standard in their personal statement, maintain excellent A-level grades, sit at least one extra exam compared to their peers (and for many, two extra as they'll apply to some schools requiring BMAT as well as those needing UKCAT), and then face far more intense interviewing (including stressful MMIs at many schools) than most other courses.
It's a hell of lot to ask of 16-18 year olds IMO. And frankly, does it really make for significantly better doctors compared to the older way of doing things when they didn't have to do the extra exams and other things?
Combined with the lowered prestige you mention (and IMO the realisation from all that work experience they do that many doctors are fed up with the amount of banal administrative tasks they have to do), and I think the above probably goes a long way to explaining the drop. I didn't realise it was 10% though!
I also note that the Times' second story is about low rates of applications to medical school from the vast majority of schools. Again, not exactly a surprise. The application process for medicine has become so filled with bureaucratic extra hurdles for, and unrealistic expectations on, students that it's a miracle anyone still wants to apply at all. Without specialised support & advice guiding them from about age 16 (if not earlier), even most good students won't have a chance of getting in. It's like an assault course of unnecessary obstacles. And that's leaving aside the increase in mindless bureaucracy they'll have to face once they actually qualify...
Applications for medical school are down 10% this year. Th hurdles are lower than ever and the fees the same as last year. The reason is unclear, though the end of shortened courses for graduate entry may explain some of the drop.
Mostly it is a sign of declining prestige of the profession, IMHO.
Are the hurdles really lower? They seem to be getting higher to me. The successful applicant has to start thinking about it from about age 15, in order to choose the right A-levels. Then they have to start building a really strong work experience portfolio, reflect on it to a high standard in their personal statement, maintain excellent A-level grades, sit at least one extra exam compared to their peers (and for many, two extra as they'll apply to some schools requiring BMAT as well as those needing UKCAT), and then face far more intense interviewing (including stressful MMIs at many schools) than most other courses.
It's a hell of lot to ask of 16-18 year olds IMO. And frankly, does it really make for significantly better doctors compared to the older way of doing things when they didn't have to do the extra exams and other things?
Combined with the lowered prestige you mention (and IMO the realisation from all that work experience they do that many doctors are fed up with the amount of banal administrative tasks they have to do), and I think the above probably goes a long way to explaining the drop. I didn't realise it was 10% though!
Doctors are suffering just like everyone else from the tickbox culture. We are not immune to it in the private sector either as it is being rapidly imposed on us. For example our building had a fire drill scheduled the other day so our directors told us all to go to the pub for an extended lunch break so they could tick off the "all staff evacuated within x minutes" box by the simple expedient of their being no staff to evacuate. Apparently it lowers our insurance
I was Lily Munster crossed with Morticia. Almost none of my contemporaries knew who Lily was. And missed the whole seductive thing with Morticia and Gomez despite it being front and centre.
I thought they were inspired writing. Raul Julia did a great Gomez in the remake - huge shame he died shortly afterwards.
Probably explains why most of the presenters on the BBC's Midlands Today news programme speak RP.
It might also be on account of the fact that 45% of the region's population live in the East Midlands, compared with 55% in the West Midlands.
There's a separate East Midlands Today programme based in Nottingham. Midlands Today is just for the West Midlands. Until the late 1980s the programme covered the entire Midlands, which apparently annoyed people in the East Midlands.
Thanks for putting me right on that Andy - as you'll appreciate it's a fair while since I lived in that neck!
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the famous PB joke involving the Brummie accent.
Fear not TSE, the finest joke ever recited on PB.com will be given it usual annual airing on Christmas Day.
I was Lily Munster crossed with Morticia. Almost none of my contemporaries knew who Lily was. And missed the whole seductive thing with Morticia and Gomez despite it being front and centre.
I thought they were inspired writing. Raul Julia did a great Gomez in the remake - huge shame he died shortly afterwards.
I I was Goth before Goth and made it look sexy rather than sad oddball!
Much as I hate to contradict a young lady but goth has always been sexy even when coupled with oddball....or maybe thats just me
Lily was great I wasn't so taken with morticia in the latest munsters film but that may be because I don't particularly like the actress. I have often been described as being the personality of uncle fester with the hair of cousin it though
Many papers leading with the CIA report, it seems. Is it really that much of a surprise to anyone that occasionally they strayed over the boundaries? The very nature of the secrecy surrounding their work pretty much guarantees they'll do dodgy stuff occasionally. I really don't know how adequate oversight can be built into these systems. In a way, it's reassuring it wasn't more widespread...
Understand that -
1) this report was prepared by Democrats on the Senate Committee ONLY - the Republicans withdrew completely in 2009 after Diane Feinstein announced that people in the program would not be interviewed , allegedly due to a special prosecutor investigating destruction of enhanced interrogation techniques videotapes. The investigation finished almost 3 years ago, yet the Democrats have still refused to interview those in the program.
2) a couple of days after taking office Obama outlawed EITs. So this is all about the Bush administration.
3) Why is it being issued now? The Democrats are about to lose control of the intelligence committee after the mid-term elections.
4) This report is one last chance for the Democrats to bash Bush 43. It is an exercise in pure politics.
5) Remember, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the prevailing legal view was that this EIT stuff was allowed.
I can't really comment on the contents as I have not read it.
But it seems to contain not much new, according to talking heads on the networks. The only major claim is that apparently the report says EITs were not effective. The report is almost alone in making that claim.
But the timing is suspicious.
Remember - it was EIT that provided the initial intelligence on getting bin Laden.
Ja! Fester is such a wonderful character. I gather Pugsly has just died today.
Yvonne de Carlo was wonderful as Lily. I thought the chemistry between Gomez and Morticia was simply marvellous in the original series. It hasn't dated at all.
I was Lily Munster crossed with Morticia. Almost none of my contemporaries knew who Lily was. And missed the whole seductive thing with Morticia and Gomez despite it being front and centre.
I thought they were inspired writing. Raul Julia did a great Gomez in the remake - huge shame he died shortly afterwards.
I I was Goth before Goth and made it look sexy rather than sad oddball!
Much as I hate to contradict a young lady but goth has always been sexy even when coupled with oddball....or maybe thats just me
Lily was great I wasn't so taken with morticia in the latest munsters film but that may be because I don't particularly like the actress. I have often been described as being the personality of uncle fester with the hair of cousin it though
Doctors are suffering just like everyone else from the tickbox culture. We are not immune to it in the private sector either as it is being rapidly imposed on us. For example our building had a fire drill scheduled the other day so our directors told us all to go to the pub for an extended lunch break so they could tick off the "all staff evacuated within x minutes" box by the simple expedient of their being no staff to evacuate. Apparently it lowers our insurance
That's a great story. I hope your insurer never finds out!
The saddest thing is that it's not actually a bad idea to have some way of measuring and ensuring quality. The problem is that the systems used to measure & ensure it need to be near-automatic rather than dependent on extra manual data gathering and human actions. The very nature of doing your job simply but correctly should lead to the required data being uploaded to the system in a manner that can then be dynamically extracted and monitored. But you need a really well thought-out, robust and continuously mainted IT framework to enable that, rather than the piecemeal efforts that frequently exist.
Ja! Fester is such a wonderful character. I gather Pugsly has just died today.
Yvonne de Carlo was wonderful as Lily. I thought the chemistry between Gomez and Morticia was simply marvellous in the original series. It hasn't dated at all.
I was Lily Munster crossed with Morticia. Almost none of my contemporaries knew who Lily was. And missed the whole seductive thing with Morticia and Gomez despite it being front and centre.
I thought they were inspired writing. Raul Julia did a great Gomez in the remake - huge shame he died shortly afterwards.
I I was Goth before Goth and made it look sexy rather than sad oddball!
Much as I hate to contradict a young lady but goth has always been sexy even when coupled with oddball....or maybe thats just me
Lily was great I wasn't so taken with morticia in the latest munsters film but that may be because I don't particularly like the actress. I have often been described as being the personality of uncle fester with the hair of cousin it though
Fester was indeed a wonderful character. Sadly my alliance with him comes from many stupid things I did in my youth due to being far too intoxicated on recreational pharmaceutical products ( which I haven't partaken of for many years now)
French women tend to use mains powered hitachi wands rather than the battery powered vibrators more commonly used by british women
Sadly its that France supplies baseload and renewable balancing to most of Western Europe. It says so on the website.
Typical tory to opt for the mundane explanation. Is there no fun in your life to let a perfectly feasible but totally incorrect explanation ride? No wonder no one wants to vote for the "no fun allowed" party sheesh
Doctors are suffering just like everyone else from the tickbox culture. We are not immune to it in the private sector either as it is being rapidly imposed on us. For example our building had a fire drill scheduled the other day so our directors told us all to go to the pub for an extended lunch break so they could tick off the "all staff evacuated within x minutes" box by the simple expedient of their being no staff to evacuate. Apparently it lowers our insurance
That's a great story. I hope your insurer never finds out!
The saddest thing is that it's not actually a bad idea to have some way of measuring and ensuring quality. The problem is that the systems used to measure & ensure it need to be near-automatic rather than dependent on extra manual data gathering and human actions. The very nature of doing your job simply but correctly should lead to the required data being uploaded to the system in a manner that can then be dynamically extracted and monitored. But you need a really well thought-out, robust and continuously mainted IT framework to enable that, rather than the piecemeal efforts that frequently exist.
This though is at the root of the check box culture....you do not collect data you collect ticks. If you have enough ticks the arses are covered. This is exactly why we get incidents such as baby P. The boxes have been checked. The moment you create a metric to assess you create holes to game the system.
Does that mean we don't have targets? Of course it shouldn't what it does mean however is that those targets have to be assessed by a human not a tick. I work currently as a software engineer. Give me one of the common tickbox targets such as Lines of code per day and I can meet it every time as can every other coder. Give me a target such a code quality as assessed by a human and it shows the men from the boys
The two of them are similar enough in age to have been at secondary school at the same time — 35 and 41. It's not as if he was 30 years older, taking advantage of her youthful inexperience.
You are lucky - at an early stage in this I took the decision not to count the excuses on behalf of UKIP. I think I was right.
What a nasty article by the Spectator. A man is forced to reveal his private texts to combat the media's nasty rush to judgment before the facts are released, and they then critique his romance skills. What a disgrace to journalism.
Since we don't know the FACTS, its best not to speculate eh? You are just doing reverse speculation based on incomplete information... and before you accuse others of rushing to judge, there is the little matter of you rushing to judge the EU earlier this evening that proved to be totally incorrect on your part.
The two of them are similar enough in age to have been at secondary school at the same time — 35 and 41. It's not as if he was 30 years older, taking advantage of her youthful inexperience.
You are lucky - at an early stage in this I took the decision not to count the excuses on behalf of UKIP. I think I was right.
I'm not a UKIP supporter, in case that was what you were thinking. But I am sympathetic to them.
There seems to be an idea that people are either 100% pro-UKIP or 100% against them. That may be true in some places but not everywhere.
The two of them are similar enough in age to have been at secondary school at the same time — 35 and 41. It's not as if he was 30 years older, taking advantage of her youthful inexperience.
You are lucky - at an early stage in this I took the decision not to count the excuses on behalf of UKIP. I think I was right.
I believe AndyJS if I am not mistaken has always voted Tory congratulations possibly another one to add to the list you are pushing out of the "I vote conservative fold". I am beginning to wonder who's side you are on because you really are not doing the tories any favours
I thought I'd stopped being squeamish about public sex lives, but really, this Bird/Bolter thing is embarrassing, regardless of who's telling fibs. She did sleep with me! No I didn't! Yes she did! Let me show you my text messages!
Doesn't he realise that - given the power relationship - if he persuaded her to sleep with him it makes it worse than her version, which has him making a tentative pass and then politely accepting rejection?
I thought I'd stopped being squeamish about public sex lives, but really, this Bird/Bolter thing is embarrassing, regardless of who's telling fibs. She did sleep with me! No I didn't! Yes she did! Let me show you my text messages!
Doesn't he realise that - given the power relationship - if he persuaded her to sleep with him it makes it worse than her version, which has him making a tentative pass and then politely accepting rejection?
I thought I'd stopped being squeamish about public sex lives, but really, this Bird/Bolter thing is embarrassing, regardless of who's telling fibs. She did sleep with me! No I didn't! Yes she did! Let me show you my text messages!
Doesn't he realise that - given the power relationship - if he persuaded her to sleep with him it makes it worse than her version, which has him making a tentative pass and then politely accepting rejection?
Not often I will agree with Nick but this is one time. This is a private matter that should be settled privately. If the external hr person finds him not guilty then that should be him reinstated. If the external hr person finds him guilty then he should be dismissed.
The prurient interest in this while understandable to an extent is also nauseating. It certainly shouldn't be a my party good your party bad matter because all parties will experience this at some point
I thought I'd stopped being squeamish about public sex lives, but really, this Bird/Bolter thing is embarrassing, regardless of who's telling fibs. She did sleep with me! No I didn't! Yes she did! Let me show you my text messages!
Doesn't he realise that - given the power relationship - if he persuaded her to sleep with him it makes it worse than her version, which has him making a tentative pass and then politely accepting rejection?
I don't see why a bloke who fancied a woman and slept with her should feel bad fir mentioning it when us publicly accused of making unwanted advances
The most embarrassing thing for Ukip is that this woman passed the PPC test...
I thought I'd stopped being squeamish about public sex lives, but really, this Bird/Bolter thing is embarrassing, regardless of who's telling fibs. She did sleep with me! No I didn't! Yes she did! Let me show you my text messages!
Doesn't he realise that - given the power relationship - if he persuaded her to sleep with him it makes it worse than her version, which has him making a tentative pass and then politely accepting rejection?
I don't see why a bloke who fancied a woman and slept with her should feel bad fir mentioning it when us publicly accused of making unwanted advances
The most embarrassing thing for Ukip is that this woman passed the PPC test...
And for me that I failed it! Haha
Ok going to disagree with you here ISam
The reason he shouldn't have mentioned it is because it has caused a public kerfuffle before the investigation is complete. Let him vindicate himself before the external moderator. Once he does that if people still make a fuss make his/her findings public. What goes on between two private individuals should have a reasonable expectation of remaining private. These details should be a last resort not a first one. Trial by the court of public opinion is rarely good for either side and that is what is happening now by dint of these releases.
Get your verdict, publish the findings then if you were found innocent vindicate yourself by these releases only if absolutely necessary. All people would be better following this in my opinion
I'd say it became a public matter when one public-ish figure makes an accusation of sexual harassment against another public-ish figure.
Given that Bird has had a Vat of Vitriol poured on him in the press his options are:
a Keep quiet, and have that sign hung around his neck forever, which will end his political career. b Come out fighting.
For accusations of sexual crime there is no innocent until proven guilty, as all the people who have unproven allegations on their Enhanced Disclosure records have discovers to their cost.
Thea feminist wombats will continue to argue that he is guilty, anyway, though, whatever the facts.
I'd say it became a public matter when one public-ish figure makes an accusation of sexual harassment against another public-ish figure.
Given that Bird has had a Vat of Vitriol poured on him in the press his options are:
a Keep quiet, and have that sign hung around his neck forever, which will end his political career. b Come out fighting.
For accusations of sexual crime there is no innocent until proven guilty, as all the people who have unproven allegations on their Enhanced Disclosure records have discovers to their cost.
Thea feminist wombats will continue to argue that he is guilty, anyway, though, whatever the facts.
While to a certain extent I agree with your synopis there is also the argument for being the bigger person her and following the route I suggested to ISam. Trials by media rarely work well for either side
I'd say it became a public matter when one public-ish figure makes an accusation of sexual harassment against another public-ish figure.
Given that Bird has had a Vat of Vitriol poured on him in the press his options are:
a Keep quiet, and have that sign hung around his neck forever, which will end his political career. b Come out fighting.
For accusations of sexual crime there is no innocent until proven guilty, as all the people who have unproven allegations on their Enhanced Disclosure records have discovers to their cost.
Thea feminist wombats will continue to argue that he is guilty, anyway, though, whatever the facts.
While to a certain extent I agree with your synopis there is also the argument for being the bigger person her and following the route I suggested to ISam. Trials by media rarely work well for either side
Hmm. You've got half a point, but much of media damage is done up front, and is irreparable regardless of the enquiry result.
The ideal from my point of view is that a complaint like this should have been made in the correct arena. That is to the police. but then we get tangled up in protected identities under force of criminal sanctions. I don't find half made complaints impressive, and if the claim is genuinely untrue as opposed to some sort of genuine misunderstanding, which is hard to believe, then sanctions should follow.
OTOH if Bolter has the correct account then he should properly be finished for the acts themselves and for lying about them.
I'm never impressed with post-mortem allegations or those behind the skirts of Parliamentary Privilege either - such as Margaret Hodge accusing PWC of fraud this week.
Other options are for him to take out a defamation case, or for an enquiry with access to all! The evidence.
I quite strongly disagree with Nick that these days things should be kept private. In my view publicity and transparency are one of the few tools an innocent man accused has left.
The reason I agree with nick on this occasion is simple
This is a he said she said crime
None of us are privy to the full truth amongst the public
Both parties will get harmed regardless of the truth is it is trial by media
Even when a decision is made there will be ardent supporters on both sides who will claim a stitch up/cover up
The best thing both parties can do to head this off is just respond the matter is before an independent adjudicator
failing that the person accused in my opinion only has one best option (regardless of whether natural justice (assuming he is innocent) holds sway) is to keep quiet and just respond that the matter is up for adjudication by a neutral party and that they feel confident they will come out vindicated. Unfortunately if he does come out clear those declaring his guilt currently will merely switch their song to dragging her through the mud by publishing the correspondence.
This is lose lose situation all you can do is damage control
On the other hand if he is found guilty then the vituperation will be massively increased for dragging her through the mud and in my view at least justly as he will have been shown to have been lying.
Am I saying all this is right? No of course I am not. Much better if people don't take sides till the enquiry delivers its findings. Unfortunately we live in an imperfect world
"The Opec oil cartel no longer exists in any meaningful sense and crude prices will slump to $50 a barrel over coming months as market forces shake out the weakest producers, Bank of America has warned.
Revolutionary changes sweeping the world’s energy industry will drive down the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG), creating a “multi-year” glut and a mucher cheaper source of gas for Europe."
Personally I would make it fair by hanging all murderers, but no-one would be comfortable with that level of carnage, I don't think there are even states in the US that apply a mandatory death penalty to all murders.
I believe that the Supreme Court has declared it to be unconstitutional to do so.
There was a bit of debate in the previous thread about crime and punishment. As it happens, I have just finished reading the first volume (three weeks) of Jeffrey Archer's prison diary. It is interesting to note a few examples of people he describes, such as a 17-year-old on remand for a suspected burglary, or an inadequate 21-year-old with a mental age of 11.
Archer himself was in the same block as the murderers and lifers, because they were older and more settled, they kept their heads down and got on with it, and were better qualified to protect him (as a relatively old prisoner) from the idiotic young thugs and druggies.
He was sent billions of bibles from random members of the public (he donated them to the library) and it seems clear to me that it is a good thing for prisoners to be allowed to be sent books.
FPT. Paul_Mid_Beds - "Posts lampooning UKIP as a bunch of elderly misogynist sexists seem very thin on the ground this evening - innocent face"
On the other hand, posts from female posters appear to be non-existent on PB.com this evening. - 'innocent face'!! There has never been a huge amount of female posters on this site, but over recent months, the regulars that did post here seem to have almost disappeared! Female voters will have an impact on the outcome of the next GE whether they have a voice here on PB.com or not, think on that!
FPT. Paul_Mid_Beds - "Posts lampooning UKIP as a bunch of elderly misogynist sexists seem very thin on the ground this evening - innocent face"
On the other hand, posts from female posters appear to be non-existent on PB.com this evening. - 'innocent face'!! There has never been a huge amount of female posters on this site, but over recent months, the regulars that did post here seem to have almost disappeared! Female voters will have an impact on the outcome of the next GE whether they have a voice here on PB.com or not, think on that!
Staying away from somewhere, be it PB or the polling booth was never a great way of influencing anything ;-)
Comments
CON 32%, LAB 32%, LD 8%, UKIP 15%, GRN 7%
CON 32%, LAB 32%, LD 8%, UKIP 15%, GRN 7%
wheres the yougov??i spoke too soonI know more now about hats, lice, hair powder, Pitt taxation than I could ever have expected. Am still searching for a hatter online to sell me the appropriate head gear, but that's now almost incidental to my desire to look up millinery books.
No joke, it game me this result
Conservatives 25.00%
BNP(!) 25.00%
UKIP 25.00%
Lib Dems 25.00%
Probably explains why most of the presenters on the BBC's Midlands Today news programme speak RP.
The Greens come out top, so their more radical policies are surprisingly popular.
As the Union is their sine qua non, in their moment of supreme influence they would surely try to save the UK from Sodomy.
PM Ed can implement the policy in England.
Of course if disaster strikes due to sudden events, then the electorate shouts for an instant solution.
Perhaps party manifestos should include options about what may be needed if external future events force policy change. After all we live in a global economy and matters like EZ collapse, political aggression or energy or food shortages will require differing and rapid responses. Perhaps this would make our politicians think beyond the next two elections, as decisions or even indecision made today may not have a real and visible impact until 2050 or even later.
Golly, well golly. That's left me speechless! Currently only have the three hats...all leather, top hat, stetson and tricorn though the latter gets me some funny looks at work
Central heating/climate controlled environments surely must have had an impact. Not just fewer layers, but the layers we do still wear are a lot lighter each. For example average men's suiting was traditionally around 12-14oz and up. Now it's about 10oz, at least in most ready to wear.
Thankfully, the slightly heavier fabrics are still being made. For city fabrics, especially in a worsted fabric, 10/11oz can still look and feel nice if it's from a good mill. But for tweeds and the like, you really need the heavier fabrics. Next time you're in the tailor's, take a look at the heavier books, at least for more casual items. There is some really nice stuff being produced. And on a cold day like today it's nice to wear a heavier suit under the overcoat and not feel cold when outside. lol, I'm not sure a ninja would want to be lugging around a Markov-esque poisoned brolly! But it would make for an entertaining fight in a Jackie Chan film!
Whereas currently we have a government and an opposition and we fall into the trap of "we are not them" I feel that wouldn't work with direct democracy as much because instead of opposing you need to persuade the populace that your view is correct. This to my mind is a more positive action than merely finger pointing and blaming.
Direct democracy however does need to be firmly tied to costing else you get the silliness of California where people vote for ever more state spending but wont vote for raising taxes. Cost of a policy is a key piece of information. Couch it in understandable terms such as a person earning x will pay this towards it, a person earning y will pay that towards it and you will slowly wean people off the idea that many seem to have that things such as education, defence, the nhs cost nothing because it is the governments money
Fortunately, overall I came out as much as expected: a blend of Con/UKIP/LD with the economics of the right with the more liberal social stuff.
Thx for the link!
Whats wrong with a tricorn...it is a wonderful hat in the rain. If you get the tilt just right all the rain water gushes out the back two corners in little spouts clearing your shoulders nicely. Though that property I have to say doesn't make you popular at bus queues
I love all this sort of cultural/anthropological stuff. Just look at The King & I for a pointer!
https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=natasha bolter&src=typd
I do know that another reason the waltz became so popular in the 19th century was because of the Congress of Vienna held to settle the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars. I can't remember who said it but IIRC one of the participants suggested that more was settled through the dancing than the official negotiations!
P.S. re: your other question - no, not a tailor. But I've given a tailor far too much money over the years. Does that count?
"Sarfraz Manzoor @sarfrazmanzoor 6m6 minutes ago
She sounds like she is bidding to be featured in next year's Celebrity Big Brother #newsnight #NatashaBolter
0 replies 2 retweets 3 favorites"
https://twitter.com/sarfrazmanzoor
Take a lesson from Inspector Jaques Clouseau, and wear an inflatable parrot on your shoulder. That should deflect any criticism!
I still have my school cap from when I was 8.
EICIPM
Last night Kevin Klein of the New York Rangers had part of his left ear sliced off by a hockey stick. He picked the piece up and had it re-attached by stitches by the team doctor on the bench, (how sterile is that?).
He came back off the bench to score the winning goal.
I have just asked Roger Bird whether Natasha Bolter slept with him. "For the record, yes she did," he replied."
https://twitter.com/MichaelLCrick
It's the FBI who turns off the bomb in Fort Knox to save Bond.
She doesn't seem the sharpest tool in the box!
What possessed UKIP to put her on the PPC list and podium at the party conference. Surely it couldn't be positive discrimination and political correctness?!?
http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/
http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/france/
I also note that the Times' second story is about low rates of applications to medical school from the vast majority of schools. Again, not exactly a surprise. The application process for medicine has become so filled with bureaucratic extra hurdles for, and unrealistic expectations on, students that it's a miracle anyone still wants to apply at all. Without specialised support & advice guiding them from about age 16 (if not earlier), even most good students won't have a chance of getting in. It's like an assault course of unnecessary obstacles. And that's leaving aside the increase in mindless bureaucracy they'll have to face once they actually qualify...
Useless fact: for a lot of the 1990s the former FA executive David Davies was the main presenter on Midlands Today.
Mostly it is a sign of declining prestige of the profession, IMHO.
No doubt any reflection will pass in time, it's probably a cyclical thing.
No we don't do that sort of thing.
Ok, maybe we do sometimes, but it is always legal.
Well, maybe it's illegal, but it was necessary.
Actually it wasn't necessary, but no significant lessons need to be learned from this.
We have learned our lesson.
We became complacent and suffered, and are now we should be doing that sort of thing but are not.
Ok now we are doing it again
and so on and so forth.
Overall, the annual energy use in France and the UK is pretty similar, according to this official-looking table: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/File:Final_energy_consumption,_1990–2012_(million_tonnes_of_oil_equivalent)_YB14.png
Unless we use a hell of a lot more energy that isn't in the form of electricity to make up the difference, I can only assume the datasets the two sites use is different somehow?
Brum is only a small part of the West Midlands, the accent in Shropshire, Worcs, Stratford and other parts of Warks are not exactly Peaky Blinders!
I'm not much of a fashionista, but do love to peacock styles that appeal - I was Goth before Goth and made it look sexy rather than sad oddball! Adore texture, fabric weights and top quality cuts. I always notice a poorly fitted jacket. Martin Lewis knew tailoring to a tee even as a newsreader. He had his suits made to look superb specifically when he was sitting down. Now that's attention to detail one can appreciate.
It's a hell of lot to ask of 16-18 year olds IMO. And frankly, does it really make for significantly better doctors compared to the older way of doing things when they didn't have to do the extra exams and other things?
Combined with the lowered prestige you mention (and IMO the realisation from all that work experience they do that many doctors are fed up with the amount of banal administrative tasks they have to do), and I think the above probably goes a long way to explaining the drop. I didn't realise it was 10% though!
PS fast-track is still around, isn't it?
I thought they were inspired writing. Raul Julia did a great Gomez in the remake - huge shame he died shortly afterwards.
1) this report was prepared by Democrats on the Senate Committee ONLY - the Republicans withdrew completely in 2009 after Diane Feinstein announced that people in the program would not be interviewed , allegedly due to a special prosecutor investigating destruction of enhanced interrogation techniques videotapes. The investigation finished almost 3 years ago, yet the Democrats have still refused to interview those in the program.
2) a couple of days after taking office Obama outlawed EITs. So this is all about the Bush administration.
3) Why is it being issued now? The Democrats are about to lose control of the intelligence committee after the mid-term elections.
4) This report is one last chance for the Democrats to bash Bush 43. It is an exercise in pure politics.
5) Remember, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the prevailing legal view was that this EIT stuff was allowed.
I can't really comment on the contents as I have not read it.
But it seems to contain not much new, according to talking heads on the networks. The only major claim is that apparently the report says EITs were not effective. The report is almost alone in making that claim.
But the timing is suspicious.
Remember - it was EIT that provided the initial intelligence on getting bin Laden.
(Damn it ...... well almost)
Yvonne de Carlo was wonderful as Lily. I thought the chemistry between Gomez and Morticia was simply marvellous in the original series. It hasn't dated at all.
Boo
(Damn it... almost!)
The saddest thing is that it's not actually a bad idea to have some way of measuring and ensuring quality. The problem is that the systems used to measure & ensure it need to be near-automatic rather than dependent on extra manual data gathering and human actions. The very nature of doing your job simply but correctly should lead to the required data being uploaded to the system in a manner that can then be dynamically extracted and monitored. But you need a really well thought-out, robust and continuously mainted IT framework to enable that, rather than the piecemeal efforts that frequently exist.
Typical tory to opt for the mundane explanation. Is there no fun in your life to let a perfectly feasible but totally incorrect explanation ride? No wonder no one wants to vote for the "no fun allowed" party sheesh
Is that because of their large number of nuclear stations providing steady supply, do you think? Or just general investment in power generation?
Does that mean we don't have targets? Of course it shouldn't what it does mean however is that those targets have to be assessed by a human not a tick. I work currently as a software engineer. Give me one of the common tickbox targets such as Lines of code per day and I can meet it every time as can every other coder. Give me a target such a code quality as assessed by a human and it shows the men from the boys
There seems to be an idea that people are either 100% pro-UKIP or 100% against them. That may be true in some places but not everywhere.
Doesn't he realise that - given the power relationship - if he persuaded her to sleep with him it makes it worse than her version, which has him making a tentative pass and then politely accepting rejection?
The prurient interest in this while understandable to an extent is also nauseating. It certainly shouldn't be a my party good your party bad matter because all parties will experience this at some point
The most embarrassing thing for Ukip is that this woman passed the PPC test...
And for me that I failed it! Haha
The reason he shouldn't have mentioned it is because it has caused a public kerfuffle before the investigation is complete. Let him vindicate himself before the external moderator. Once he does that if people still make a fuss make his/her findings public. What goes on between two private individuals should have a reasonable expectation of remaining private. These details should be a last resort not a first one. Trial by the court of public opinion is rarely good for either side and that is what is happening now by dint of these releases.
Get your verdict, publish the findings then if you were found innocent vindicate yourself by these releases only if absolutely necessary. All people would be better following this in my opinion
Given that Bird has had a Vat of Vitriol poured on him in the press his options are:
a Keep quiet, and have that sign hung around his neck forever, which will end his political career.
b Come out fighting.
For accusations of sexual crime there is no innocent until proven guilty, as all the people who have unproven allegations on their Enhanced Disclosure records have discovers to their cost.
Thea feminist wombats will continue to argue that he is guilty, anyway, though, whatever the facts.
The ideal from my point of view is that a complaint like this should have been made in the correct arena. That is to the police. but then we get tangled up in protected identities under force of criminal sanctions. I don't find half made complaints impressive, and if the claim is genuinely untrue as opposed to some sort of genuine misunderstanding, which is hard to believe, then sanctions should follow.
OTOH if Bolter has the correct account then he should properly be finished for the acts themselves and for lying about them.
I'm never impressed with post-mortem allegations or those behind the skirts of Parliamentary Privilege either - such as Margaret Hodge accusing PWC of fraud this week.
Other options are for him to take out a defamation case, or for an enquiry with access to all! The evidence.
I quite strongly disagree with Nick that these days things should be kept private. In my view publicity and transparency are one of the few tools an innocent man accused has left.
The reason I agree with nick on this occasion is simple
This is a he said she said crime
None of us are privy to the full truth amongst the public
Both parties will get harmed regardless of the truth is it is trial by media
Even when a decision is made there will be ardent supporters on both sides who will claim a stitch up/cover up
The best thing both parties can do to head this off is just respond the matter is before an independent adjudicator
failing that the person accused in my opinion only has one best option (regardless of whether natural justice (assuming he is innocent) holds sway) is to keep quiet and just respond that the matter is up for adjudication by a neutral party and that they feel confident they will come out vindicated. Unfortunately if he does come out clear those declaring his guilt currently will merely switch their song to dragging her through the mud by publishing the correspondence.
This is lose lose situation all you can do is damage control
On the other hand if he is found guilty then the vituperation will be massively increased for dragging her through the mud and in my view at least justly as he will have been shown to have been lying.
Am I saying all this is right? No of course I am not. Much better if people don't take sides till the enquiry delivers its findings. Unfortunately we live in an imperfect world
Re the discussion about targets and monitoring, there's a fascinating phenomenon: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawthorne_effect
Revolutionary changes sweeping the world’s energy industry will drive down the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG), creating a “multi-year” glut and a mucher cheaper source of gas for Europe."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/oilprices/11283875/Bank-of-America-sees-50-oil-as-Opec-dies.html
Archer himself was in the same block as the murderers and lifers, because they were older and more settled, they kept their heads down and got on with it, and were better qualified to protect him (as a relatively old prisoner) from the idiotic young thugs and druggies.
He was sent billions of bibles from random members of the public (he donated them to the library) and it seems clear to me that it is a good thing for prisoners to be allowed to be sent books.
On the other hand, posts from female posters appear to be non-existent on PB.com this evening. - 'innocent face'!!
There has never been a huge amount of female posters on this site, but over recent months, the regulars that did post here seem to have almost disappeared! Female voters will have an impact on the outcome of the next GE whether they have a voice here on PB.com or not, think on that!