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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » And on the day that the Saudi King died here’s Marf

SystemSystem Posts: 11,701
edited January 2015 in General

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » And on the day that the Saudi King died here’s Marf

Marf on the day the Saudi King died pic.twitter.com/pgv0Smh1bu

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  • Options
    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,290
    first.
  • Options
    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,291
    edited January 2015
    IMO, the mistake Cameron is now making is not just coming out and saying yes they now look fair, as long as we get the format of how a 7 way debate to be such that isn't a bun fight....his silence allows him to painted as still ducking them, when we all know he has probably got a better deal than having to have just 3 other parties and that ultimately he has to do them.

    It is really hard to lose a 7 way debate, and if he really is frightened of Ed Miliband head to head, well he doesn't really deserve a second term.

    I know the Tories think that they hindered their campaign last time, but that was because it wasn't him vs Brown, it was him vs Clegg and Brown, and Clegg was able to stand in the middle and say hey I'm normal and sound reasonable.
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    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,131
    (last thread) kle4 Indeed, but a NI debate between the DUP, SDLP, SF and Alliance would seem sensible and maybe the UUP

    Surbiton The Tories stood on a joint ticket with the UUP last time but elected no MPs and have now split
  • Options
    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,556
    edited January 2015
    FPT @ foxinsox.

    Nah. You snidely insinuated another poster was homophobic. It's your false baseless supposition that's offensive. In today's day and age, that is both harmful to the individual's reputation, and deeply corrosive to future free expression. Just in case you, or someone like you, does it again.

    Most accused won't take the risk again. But the accuser generally gets away it, but with a meaty sense of self-importance and a warm hearty glow.

    You owe Cyclefree an apology.
  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222
    edited January 2015

    FPT @ foxinsox.

    Nah. You snidely insinuated another poster was homophobic. It's your false baseless supposition that's offensive. In today's age, that can be deeply harmful to the individual's reputation, and corrosive to free expression.

    The accuser generally gets away it, but with meaty sense of self-importance and a warm hearty glow.

    You owe Cyclefree an apology.

    Please guys. Nice as it is to have you fight over me or my honour, it's OK. I didn't take offence at what Foxinsox said. He's entitled to his view. He agreed with the thrust (OK this is getting silly now) of what I said and was kind enough to suggest me for PM.

    And all I can say on that is this: Imagine what the debates would be like if I were to speak as I have written today!!?!

    (Edit) And thank you Casino Royale. I appreciate it.

  • Options
    RogerRoger Posts: 18,894
    edited January 2015
    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.
  • Options
    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited January 2015
  • Options
    PongPong Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2015
    Btw, if anyone wants to back a labour majority/minority/coalition government headed by EdM, betfair's "Prime minister after the general election" market seems to offer slightly better odds than available elsewhere for some reason.

    http://www.betfair.com/exchange/politics/market?id=1.116758783
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    “He was loved by his people and will be deeply missed.”
  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222
    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    Roger: I agree with you.

    I shall repeat what I put on the previous post. WARNING: it contains an analogy which may or may not refer to prohibited activities or sharia punishments or indeed anything else which your imagination may dream up.

    "Can I just say that the general brown-nosing today towards the dead king of Saudi Arabia is really quite sickening. A short statement expressing sympathy with the people of SA would have been more than sufficient.

    But all this guff is quite revolting. And for Westminster Abbey to have a flag at half mast in honour of the leader of a country where being a Christian is punishable by death is beyond disgraceful.

    With apologies for the image - but the West's approach to this sordid country is to bend over and hold its ankles. And it's long past the time for this to stop.


  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    Pong said:

    Btw, if anyone wants to back a labour majority/minority/coalition government headed by EdM, betfair's "Prime minister after the general election" market seems to offer slightly better odds than available elsewhere for some reason.

    http://www.betfair.com/exchange/politics/market?id=1.116758783

    Given Scotland, and the likely left wing nature of parties other than the big two in the HoC post GE, this is a far better bet than Lab most seats
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    AndyJS said:
    I echo these sentiments entirely.
  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222
    Pulpstar said:

    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    “He was loved by his people and will be deeply missed.”
    Don't you think that Blair rather wishes that is what we'll all write when he's gone?

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    FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,291
    edited January 2015
    AndyJS said:
    Compare and contrast with Leon Brittan statement from Cameron....
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    edited January 2015
    Cyclefree said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    “He was loved by his people and will be deeply missed.”
    Don't you think that Blair rather wishes that is what we'll all write when he's gone?

    That sentence just sums up everything about St Tony.

    No wonder Miliband is distancing himself from it all lol.
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,894
    Pulpstar said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    “He was loved by his people and will be deeply missed.”
    Don't you think that Blair rather wishes that is what we'll all write when he's gone?

    That sentence just sums up everything about St Tony.

    No wonder Miliband is distancing himself from it all lol.
    In a straight choice of voting for Dave or Blair i would have to spoil my ballot paper
  • Options
    AndyJS said:
    And the rest, 100 per week I think? Postponed again this week 'cos he hasn't sufficiently recovered from the first dose.
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    RogerRoger Posts: 18,894
    edited January 2015
    In 2006 I was shooting a Pantene commercial for the Middle East. My American client who worked in an office on the third floor of what was known as 'chop chop square' in Riyadh told me about something he had witnessed the previous Friday.

    After prayers hundreds of men women and children assembled in the square. A coach arrived carrying twelve men and one woman who were assembled in a line. They were then made to kneel down and were blindfolded........

    A man with a large curved sword prodded each in turn which made them involuntarily lift their head which was then chopped off in one swipe. This was repeated thirteen times. Each time the crowd cheered wildly and the heads rolled down into a custom made gutter......

    When our Prime Minister chooses to genuflect in front of this crowd is it any wonder that there are those in our midst who are struggling to know what 'British values' are.....
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    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,403
    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    which was the more indefatigable?
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    TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 40,253
    edited January 2015

    AndyJS said:
    And the rest, 100 per week I think? Postponed again this week 'cos he hasn't sufficiently recovered from the first dose.
    50 lashes per week apparently.

    Some decent folk putting their backs where their mouths are.

    'Princeton professor joins group of US intellectuals offering to take 100 lashes each for Saudi blogger punished over criticism of country’s clerics'

    http://tinyurl.com/kesulwl

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    SimonStClareSimonStClare Posts: 7,976
    @Cyclefree - "Can I just say that the general brown-nosing today towards the dead king of Saudi Arabia is really quite sickening. A short statement expressing sympathy with the people of SA would have been more than sufficient.

    But all this guff is quite revolting. And for Westminster Abbey to have a flag at half mast in honour of the leader of a country where being a Christian is punishable by death is beyond disgraceful.

    per procurationem for Mrs SSC who agrees 100%.
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    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    Roger said:

    In 2006 I was shooting a Pantene commercial for the Middle East. My American client who worked in an office on the third floor of what was known as 'chop chop square' in Riyadh told me about something he had witnessed the previous Friday.

    After prayers hundreds of men women and children assembled in the square. A coach arrived carrying twelve men and one woman who were assembled in a line. They were then made to kneel down and were blindfolded........

    A man with a large curved sword prodded each in turn which made them involuntarily lift their head which was then chopped off in one swipe. This was repeated thirteen times. Each time the crowd cheered wildly and the heads rolled down into a custom made gutter......

    When our Prime Minister chooses to genuflect in front of this crowd is it any wonder that there are those in our midst who are struggling to know what 'British values' are.....

    Public executions used to draw large crowds at Tyburn, and in Paris too.
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,060
    What! Is no one going to stand up for a medieval theocracy?

    Surely Socrates is at least going to point out that they have sensibly harsh punishments for criminals.
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    welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,460
    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.
  • Options
    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    A statement along the lines of the one made about Leon Brittain would have sufficed, and let Tony rush over there to pay his respects.
  • Options

    Roger said:

    In 2006 I was shooting a Pantene commercial for the Middle East. My American client who worked in an office on the third floor of what was known as 'chop chop square' in Riyadh told me about something he had witnessed the previous Friday.

    After prayers hundreds of men women and children assembled in the square. A coach arrived carrying twelve men and one woman who were assembled in a line. They were then made to kneel down and were blindfolded........

    A man with a large curved sword prodded each in turn which made them involuntarily lift their head which was then chopped off in one swipe. This was repeated thirteen times. Each time the crowd cheered wildly and the heads rolled down into a custom made gutter......

    When our Prime Minister chooses to genuflect in front of this crowd is it any wonder that there are those in our midst who are struggling to know what 'British values' are.....

    Public executions used to draw large crowds at Tyburn, and in Paris too.
    And those large crowds would attract pick-pockets, even if it was a pick-pocket being executed.
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    MP_SEMP_SE Posts: 3,642
    edited January 2015

    @Cyclefree - "Can I just say that the general brown-nosing today towards the dead king of Saudi Arabia is really quite sickening. A short statement expressing sympathy with the people of SA would have been more than sufficient.

    But all this guff is quite revolting. And for Westminster Abbey to have a flag at half mast in honour of the leader of a country where being a Christian is punishable by death is beyond disgraceful.

    per procurationem for Mrs SSC who agrees 100%.

    Chamberlain has more backbone than Dave. Incapable of calling a spade a spade. Saudi Arabia are a vile country with an appalling human rights records.

    To think that this is the man which some are trusting to renegotiate our relationship with the EU. Wouldn't be suprised if his renegotiation consisted of ceding further powers to the EU and adopting the Euro.
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    john_zimsjohn_zims Posts: 3,399
    @Roger

    'In 2006 I was shooting a Pantene commercial for the Middle East. My American client who worked in an office on the third floor of what was known as 'chop chop square' in Riyadh told me about something he had witnessed the previous Friday.

    After prayers hundreds of men women and children assembled in the square.'

    That's strange Friday is the Saudi weekend and offices are empty,did the men rush back home after prayers to pick up their families or did the women defy Saudi law and drive to the event?

    Your American client must have been pissed off at losing so many customers.
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    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    rcs1000 said:

    What! Is no one going to stand up for a medieval theocracy?

    Surely Socrates is at least going to point out that they have sensibly harsh punishments for criminals.

    What I think you did there was: you thought you'd indulge in a bit of what you probably term islamophobia on the grounds that you want to, and that it's ok in this context because the Saudis are, by definition, not immigrants. But in case it's not OK, you would propitiate the gods of multiculti PC tossery by crowbarring a far-fetched sneer at - of all people - Socrates. Just to show that detecting faults in Islamic societies is tickety-boo when it's the bien-pensant doing the detecting, but not when Socrates does it, even if he's right.

    Could you confirm or correct my understanding?

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    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    Well said. Cameron and Blair are a couple of rotten peas in the pod. I'm reminded of the disgust I felt when Cameron led a standing ovation for Blair at the latter's final PMQs. A pair of shits.
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    RogerRoger Posts: 18,894
    Cyclefree. A good post. We seem to agree on this though I must say I know quite a few Christians living in Saudi and they all seem in reasonably good health!
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    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    Roger said:

    Cyclefree. A good post. We seem to agree on this though I must say I know quite a few Christians living in Saudi and they all seem in reasonably good health!

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivorship_bias
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,004
    Good evening, everyone.

    Haven't seen much news, but flags at half-mast is ridiculous.
  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893
    edited January 2015
    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.

    Edit: UK Gmt buildings in Scotland may have the things at halfmast, I haven't had a peek at Edinburgh Castle or any barracks to check.
  • Options
    FensterFenster Posts: 2,115
    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,
  • Options
    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893

    Roger said:

    In 2006 I was shooting a Pantene commercial for the Middle East. My American client who worked in an office on the third floor of what was known as 'chop chop square' in Riyadh told me about something he had witnessed the previous Friday.

    After prayers hundreds of men women and children assembled in the square. A coach arrived carrying twelve men and one woman who were assembled in a line. They were then made to kneel down and were blindfolded........

    A man with a large curved sword prodded each in turn which made them involuntarily lift their head which was then chopped off in one swipe. This was repeated thirteen times. Each time the crowd cheered wildly and the heads rolled down into a custom made gutter......

    When our Prime Minister chooses to genuflect in front of this crowd is it any wonder that there are those in our midst who are struggling to know what 'British values' are.....

    Public executions used to draw large crowds at Tyburn, and in Paris too.
    And those large crowds would attract pick-pockets, even if it was a pick-pocket being executed.
    One also thinks of 'flogging round the fleet' or even just on one ship -with periodic halts and treatment by the ship's surgeon till the next tranche. One of the old traditions of the RN, as WSC put it rather unfairly (by the 1910s anyway or whenever it was).

  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    ... and all great friends of your favourite Unionists. Remember that.

    It's not the SNP or its allies who like to grovel before the peers and the lords, either.

  • Options
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

    Murdoch's knighthood was strictly in Salmond's toady imagination.

  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
  • Options
    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,060
    edited January 2015
    Ishmael_X said:

    rcs1000 said:

    What! Is no one going to stand up for a medieval theocracy?

    Surely Socrates is at least going to point out that they have sensibly harsh punishments for criminals.

    What I think you did there was: you thought you'd indulge in a bit of what you probably term islamophobia on the grounds that you want to, and that it's ok in this context because the Saudis are, by definition, not immigrants. But in case it's not OK, you would propitiate the gods of multiculti PC tossery by crowbarring a far-fetched sneer at - of all people - Socrates. Just to show that detecting faults in Islamic societies is tickety-boo when it's the bien-pensant doing the detecting, but not when Socrates does it, even if he's right.

    Could you confirm or correct my understanding?

    I was making a joke.

  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893
    edited January 2015

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

    Murdoch's knighthood was strictly in Salmond's toady imagination.

    If you can construct such a confabulation about a secretary's silly error, in just one letter (that was all the DT could find, I've checked), then you can equally construct a confabulation in which Donald Trump and Alex Salmond are best friends. You really need to stop reading the DT and try the National for a change (or at least read both of them).

    When I was a boy scout (no relation to Bobajob), if we swore, we had a pint mug of [edit] cold water poured down our shirt sleeves. I recommend that remedy for you.
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    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

    Murdoch's knighthood was strictly in Salmond's toady imagination.

    If you can construct such a confabulation about a secretary's silly error, in just one letter (that was all the DT could find, I've checked), then you can equally construct a confabulation in which Donald Trump and Alex Salmond are best friends. You really need to stop reading the DT and try the National for a change (or at least read both of them).

    When I was a boy scout (no relation to Bobajob), if we swore, we had a pint mug of [edit] cold water poured down our shirt sleeves. I recommend that remedy for you.
    God, did Salmond blame some poor secretary for his sycophantic ignorance ? No class slob.
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    RodCrosbyRodCrosby Posts: 7,737
    Drifting out of sight...

    BF Labour majority 9.0
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    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.

    Edit: UK Gmt buildings in Scotland may have the things at halfmast, I haven't had a peek at Edinburgh Castle or any barracks to check.
    Quiet, you'll bring the trolls out.

    And they'll probably ask awkward questions about whether Gaddafi wasn't de facto royalty, or whether grovelling to him was ok cos he was still alive.

  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

    Murdoch's knighthood was strictly in Salmond's toady imagination.

    If you can construct such a confabulation about a secretary's silly error, in just one letter (that was all the DT could find, I've checked), then you can equally construct a confabulation in which Donald Trump and Alex Salmond are best friends. You really need to stop reading the DT and try the National for a change (or at least read both of them).

    When I was a boy scout (no relation to Bobajob), if we swore, we had a pint mug of [edit] cold water poured down our shirt sleeves. I recommend that remedy for you.
    God, did Salmond blame some poor secretary for his sycophantic ignorance ? No class slob.
    No idea, you're confabulating again.
  • Options
    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    rcs1000 said:

    Ishmael_X said:

    rcs1000 said:

    What! Is no one going to stand up for a medieval theocracy?

    Surely Socrates is at least going to point out that they have sensibly harsh punishments for criminals.

    What I think you did there was: you thought you'd indulge in a bit of what you probably term islamophobia on the grounds that you want to, and that it's ok in this context because the Saudis are, by definition, not immigrants. But in case it's not OK, you would propitiate the gods of multiculti PC tossery by crowbarring a far-fetched sneer at - of all people - Socrates. Just to show that detecting faults in Islamic societies is tickety-boo when it's the bien-pensant doing the detecting, but not when Socrates does it, even if he's right.

    Could you confirm or correct my understanding?

    I was making a joke.

    OK sorry.

    I ain't got no sensayuma.

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    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893
    Ishmael_X said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.

    Edit: UK Gmt buildings in Scotland may have the things at halfmast, I haven't had a peek at Edinburgh Castle or any barracks to check.
    Quiet, you'll bring the trolls out.

    And they'll probably ask awkward questions about whether Gaddafi wasn't de facto royalty, or whether grovelling to him was ok cos he was still alive.

    Too late: it's already like the Dungeons and Dragons shop in Edinburgh.

    They do seem rattled for some reason, can't think what.

    But I won't mention Gaddafi either. Thanks for the warning.
  • Options
    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    @Neil FPT

    Those aren't bankers, they're investment bankers
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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053

    @Cyclefree - "Can I just say that the general brown-nosing today towards the dead king of Saudi Arabia is really quite sickening. A short statement expressing sympathy with the people of SA would have been more than sufficient.

    But all this guff is quite revolting. And for Westminster Abbey to have a flag at half mast in honour of the leader of a country where being a Christian is punishable by death is beyond disgraceful.

    per procurationem for Mrs SSC who agrees 100%.

    And now Cammo is flying out there to really brown-nose in the sandy wastes. Maybe he wants to protest that someone is being flogged with a 1000 lashes. My bet that he remains shtum.
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    Carnyx said:

    Ishmael_X said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.

    Edit: UK Gmt buildings in Scotland may have the things at halfmast, I haven't had a peek at Edinburgh Castle or any barracks to check.
    Quiet, you'll bring the trolls out.

    And they'll probably ask awkward questions about whether Gaddafi wasn't de facto royalty, or whether grovelling to him was ok cos he was still alive.

    Too late: it's already like the Dungeons and Dragons shop in Edinburgh.

    They do seem rattled for some reason, can't think what.

    But I won't mention Gaddafi either. Thanks for the warning.
    Tony Blair treated old Mu’ammar like royalty.

    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/23/-sp-blair-gaddafi-letter-thanks-spy-cooperation-libya-uk-dissidents
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    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222

    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
    Quite. Is it only a fortnight since Cameron and others were marching against the evil which is perpetrated by that self-same ideology?

  • Options
    Wodger may clown about the Saudi royal inbreds. What Wodger ignores is how his own, near, Edinborough inbred owes his place in Westminster thanks to a Scots-Labour arms deal to sell Tiffies to King Salman.

    But no-one has ever not recognised Wodger but for fool he is and chooses to portray....

    :clown-shoes:
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    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    Cyclefree said:

    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
    Quite. Is it only a fortnight since Cameron and others were marching against the evil which is perpetrated by that self-same ideology?

    15 out of 19 9/11 bombers Saudi citizens...

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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Don't know if this has been reported:

    TNS (New methodology):

    CON 31 (+3)
    LAB 31 (-4)
    UKIP 16 (-2)
    LD 8 (+2)
    GRN 7 (+2)

    twitter.com/NCPoliticsUK/status/558335877999775744
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    david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 17,422
    Roger said:

    Cyclefree. A good post. We seem to agree on this though I must say I know quite a few Christians living in Saudi and they all seem in reasonably good health!

    Yes, but that's only because the Saudis are hypocrites and happy to turn official blind eyes when it's in their interests to do so - which they have to given their education priorities stunting home-grown talent.
  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222
    Charles said:

    @Neil FPT

    Those aren't bankers, they're investment bankers

    Now, now: you know what they say about the narcissism of small differences.....

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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,004
    Mr. JS, that's as bouncy as an Ashcroft poll.

    It would see the top two are level pegging, UKIP are a distant third, and the Lib Dems are a whisker ahead of the Greens.
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    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    Ishmael_X said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
    Quite. Is it only a fortnight since Cameron and others were marching against the evil which is perpetrated by that self-same ideology?

    15 out of 19 9/11 bombers Saudi citizens...

    The House of Saud has fought against Wahabbist terrorists itself, and the fall of Saudi to IS would be quite possible. But it is a bit like supporting Mussolini as a bulwark against the Nazis.
  • Options
    david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 17,422
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

    How does a city knight someone?
  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222
    Ishmael_X said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
    Quite. Is it only a fortnight since Cameron and others were marching against the evil which is perpetrated by that self-same ideology?

    15 out of 19 9/11 bombers Saudi citizens...

    And the Trojan Horse schools were being taught Saudi values.

    Saudi Arabia is not our friend. If we have to sup with her, it should be with the longest of spoons.
  • Options
    Pulpstar said:

    Roger said:

    Watching Cameron and Blair fawning over the Saudi Royal family makes any civilized person want to retch. How could anyone criticize Galloway for his antics in front of Saddam when we are forced to watch this. Iraq was never nearly as odious as Saudi and I've worked for both.

    AndyJS said:
    I echo these sentiments entirely.
    Apart from the fact that the sentence was fifty lashes. All clowns back-slapping with custard- pies.

    :many-clowns-confused-with-eyeliner:
  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,893

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

    How does a city knight someone?
    Point taken. Westminster.

  • Options
    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    AndyJS said:
    May I ask, has this happened with a death of any other foreign leader?
  • Options
    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222

    Ishmael_X said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
    Quite. Is it only a fortnight since Cameron and others were marching against the evil which is perpetrated by that self-same ideology?

    15 out of 19 9/11 bombers Saudi citizens...

    The House of Saud has fought against Wahabbist terrorists itself, and the fall of Saudi to IS would be quite possible. But it is a bit like supporting Mussolini as a bulwark against the Nazis.
    But they have also funded those terrorists provided their activities didn't threaten the House of Saud.

    IS, Wahhabis, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram: all examples of the same revolting ideology.

  • Options
    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,290
    Speedy said:

    AndyJS said:
    May I ask, has this happened with a death of any other foreign leader?
    Perhaps not, in quite such a public way.



  • Options
    Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    Speedy said:

    AndyJS said:
    May I ask, has this happened with a death of any other foreign leader?
    If it turns out to be anything other than standard protocol I am going to vote Green in protest.

  • Options
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.
    Dear Sir Rupert
    Dear Sir Fred
    Dear Donald
    STFU Carnyx

    Charming.

    All knighted by London.

    :trollface: :info-oops:

  • Options
    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,290
    edited January 2015
    De Valera's signature in a book of condolence for Adolf Hitler was perhaps not one of his wiser moves.
  • Options
    david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 17,422
    Carnyx said:

    welshowl said:

    I have to say imo lowering flags etc and Cameron apparently going to "pay respects" seems way OTT. I've no problem with some dignified private respect for the deceased but lowering flags just sends a weird signal. No wonder many women ( in particular) are angry at this. I don't blame them.

    We can't change the world so everyone's like Denmark or Norway and we're going to have to deal with the reality as it presents itself to us in a measured manner ( trade, security etc) but pretending we approve of their ways when I've no doubt the overwhelming majority of us don't is just misreading the mood big style.

    Just to avoid confusion caused by Ms Davidson: the flags being lowered are NOT in Scotland, but in the rest of the glorious Union to which she normally wishes us to be tied (I dunno about NI and Wales).

    The Scottish position is more a general policy of not grovelling to foreign royalty than anything to do specifically with Saudi.

    Edit: UK Gmt buildings in Scotland may have the things at halfmast, I haven't had a peek at Edinburgh Castle or any barracks to check.
    Wales has gone with the Whitehall decision. Even more bizarre.

    http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-government-flies-flags-half-8505546
  • Options
    OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    Saw a sticker on the back of a car today. It read "Nervous woman driver. Please show some consideration."

    The other thing I saw that I'd not seen before was one of the motorway roadside signs displaying: "Don't hog the middle lane."
  • Options
    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    As I said on the previous thread, the TV debates look dead:

    http://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-01-23/farage-you-cant-debate-with-seven-on-the-podium/
  • Options
    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    edited January 2015
    dr_spyn said:

    De Valera's signature in a book of condolence for Adolf Hitler was perhaps not one of his wiser moves.

    The Irish were pro-German, until the euro crisis and the bailout of death that is.
    Though they still prefer rule from Berlin than rule from London.
  • Options
    Just wanted to add my voice to those from all sides who seem to be in agreement that the idea of flying flags at half mast - or indeed showing any honour to the late unlamented King - is a craven act deserving of nothing but scorn. Whoever made this decision should be ashamed.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    Cyclefree said:

    Ishmael_X said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
    Quite. Is it only a fortnight since Cameron and others were marching against the evil which is perpetrated by that self-same ideology?

    15 out of 19 9/11 bombers Saudi citizens...

    The House of Saud has fought against Wahabbist terrorists itself, and the fall of Saudi to IS would be quite possible. But it is a bit like supporting Mussolini as a bulwark against the Nazis.
    But they have also funded those terrorists provided their activities didn't threaten the House of Saud.

    IS, Wahhabis, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram: all examples of the same revolting ideology.

    & Bashar Al Assad the Joseph Stalin of the Middle East ?
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,004
    Mr. K, any chance of Farage refusing to participate?
  • Options
    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    UK Elections ‏@TweetUKElection 43m43 minutes ago
    We're predicting that @UKIP will take the seat of Eastleigh at the 2015 GE. @paulnuttallukip @UKIP_Eastleigh
  • Options
    OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143
    It was repeatedly said that King Abdullah had been the oldest Monarch in the world - is Lizzie now in that position, or does she have a few others to outlive before taking that honour?
  • Options
    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    MikeK said:
    Is there a possibility that only the SNP, PC and the Greens agree on the 7-party debates?
    In that case the broadcasters need to change tactics again.
  • Options
    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,004
    Mr. Me, might the Thai King be older? He has been reigning longer, I think.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    MikeK said:
    And if you are going to have seven, you have got to have the Northern Irish DUP, they are after all the fourth biggest party in Parliament.

    UKIP & DUP look more and more like they'll come together as part of any Conservative coalition package.
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    justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527

    In view of the threat of the Broadcasters to proceed with the debates even if one or more of those invited fail to attend could the Tories respond by seeking to sue them for failing to issue the same threat back in 2005, 2001 and 1997?

  • Options
    Speedy said:

    dr_spyn said:

    De Valera's signature in a book of condolence for Adolf Hitler was perhaps not one of his wiser moves.

    The Irish were pro-German, until the euro crisis and the bailout of death that is.
    Though they still prefer rule from Berlin than rule from London.
    Only the Southern backsliders, the Northerners performed heroically in the great days.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    Speedy said:

    MikeK said:
    Is there a possibility that only the SNP, PC and the Greens agree on the 7-party debates?
    In that case the broadcasters need to change tactics again.
    Labour has signed up.
  • Options
    david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 17,422
    According the DCMS statement, it's normal practice to fly government building flags at half mast following the death of a foreign monarch.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/half-masting-of-flags-following-the-death-of-king-abdullah-bin-abdulaziz-king-of-saudi-Arabia

    Presumably, this is to avoid the diplomatic sensitivities of who has the honour and who doesn't. To my mind, this sort of automaticity for foreign royals should have gone long ago, not least because it leads to the sort of nonsense we're seeing today. It has at root a pre-20th century view of the world where there's a royal club above and beyond nationality.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,987
    It'd be funny if PC, SNP and Green and ... Miliband were the only ones in the debates !
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    CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,222

    According the DCMS statement, it's normal practice to fly government building flags at half mast following the death of a foreign monarch.

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/half-masting-of-flags-following-the-death-of-king-abdullah-bin-abdulaziz-king-of-saudi-Arabia

    Presumably, this is to avoid the diplomatic sensitivities of who has the honour and who doesn't. To my mind, this sort of automaticity for foreign royals should have gone long ago, not least because it leads to the sort of nonsense we're seeing today. It has at root a pre-20th century view of the world where there's a royal club above and beyond nationality.

    Since when was Westminster Abbey a government building?

  • Options
    RodCrosbyRodCrosby Posts: 7,737
    dr_spyn said:

    De Valera's signature in a book of condolence for Adolf Hitler was perhaps not one of his wiser moves.

    A brave one, a formality, and more a thank-you for the German Ambassador, Hempel, who had always behaved correctly.

    I thought only cowards kicked a man when he was down?
  • Options

    Mr. Me, might the Thai King be older? He has been reigning longer, I think.

    Recent history is not your strong point I guess...?

    :wink:
  • Options
    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    Pulpstar said:

    MikeK said:
    And if you are going to have seven, you have got to have the Northern Irish DUP, they are after all the fourth biggest party in Parliament.

    UKIP & DUP look more and more like they'll come together as part of any Conservative coalition package.
    The broadcasters proposal for 7 leader debates is unworkable of course because it would degenerate into 30 second monologues with people forgetting who said what by the end of it.

    Anyway the Tories, Labour, the LD and UKIP will say no, so there won't be any debates of that size.
    The final proposal should of course be a 7-4-2 debate format, with only the SNP, PC, and the Greens participating in the 7 leaders debate.
  • Options
    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    edited January 2015
    Pulpstar said:

    Speedy said:

    MikeK said:
    Is there a possibility that only the SNP, PC and the Greens agree on the 7-party debates?
    In that case the broadcasters need to change tactics again.
    Labour has signed up.
    I think with no other major party it's pretty safe that in the end it will be pointless for them to participate.
  • Options
    Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    As DeflateGate rolls on, the tabloid papers have had some dubiously great headlines -

    Brady: My balls are perfect

    Brady: I never played with my balls


    Personally I think it's blown up out of all proportion....
  • Options
    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,004
    Mr. Thoughts, modern history, as is known, is not my strong point, but I'm not sure what you're getting at.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej
  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    edited January 2015
    Cyclefree said:

    Ishmael_X said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Fenster said:

    Gotta keep the Saudis sweet.

    That way they'll keep the oil prices nice and low and ruin Putin's economy,

    I appreciate that there need to be diplomatic niceties, but we should not neglect to mention the strong links between the house of Saud and Whabbist ideology.
    Quite. Is it only a fortnight since Cameron and others were marching against the evil which is perpetrated by that self-same ideology?

    15 out of 19 9/11 bombers Saudi citizens...

    The House of Saud has fought against Wahabbist terrorists itself, and the fall of Saudi to IS would be quite possible. But it is a bit like supporting Mussolini as a bulwark against the Nazis.
    But they have also funded those terrorists provided their activities didn't threaten the House of Saud.

    IS, Wahhabis, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram: all examples of the same revolting ideology.

    The Saudis (and a few of their neighbours) should be very careful when feeding the crocodile that is the IS Caliphate. There can be only one leader in that ideology.
  • Options
    SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    Tim_B said:

    As DeflateGate rolls on, the tabloid papers have had some dubiously great headlines -

    Brady: My balls are perfect

    Brady: I never played with my balls


    Personally I think it's blown up out of all proportion....

    ?
  • Options
    OblitusSumMeOblitusSumMe Posts: 9,143

    Mr. Me, might the Thai King be older? He has been reigning longer, I think.

    As is often the case there is a Wikipedia page, and QEII is now the oldest reigning monarch, though as you say she is second to the King of Thailand in terms of length of reign.
  • Options
    dr_spyndr_spyn Posts: 11,290
    RodCrosby said:

    dr_spyn said:

    De Valera's signature in a book of condolence for Adolf Hitler was perhaps not one of his wiser moves.

    A brave one, a formality, and more a thank-you for the German Ambassador, Hempel, who had always behaved correctly.

    I thought only cowards kicked a man when he was down?
    I wonder how many other Heads of State, or Heads of Government copied De Valera's action in 1945?

This discussion has been closed.