What an awesome setting for the Triathlon - Brighton beach is no match for the Copacabana.
Gold and Silver for the Brownlee Brothers - Awesome.
Brighton Beach benefits from an excellent branch of WHSmith nearby that I suspect the Copacabana cannot match. Swings and roundabouts.
Good point, well made Sir – and who wants golden sand when you can have pebbles…
Interesting Factiod – With Brownlee’s Gold, that's 13th 0f 19 Team GB athletes to retain their London titles. – And two more events yet to come in Taekwondo and Boxing
That's hugely impressive - and shows the spread of sports we excel in. No silos in swimming et al like a nation or two...
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Have to be honest - badminton can't get me the teeniest bit engaged. It's so SLOW - like action replay golf. But a medal is a medal and well done to the chappies!
Luckily no need to like badminton...
@JohnyHelzapopin: @JohnyHelzapopin Badminton, essentially tennis for pensioners, who are mostly Tories, playing with each other's cocks at school is also Tory
With regard to May, who at the moment is riding high despite (or because) she hasn't really done anything, I'm reminded of Churchill's comment about Anthony Eden - 'the greatness of the office will find him out'.
Have to be honest - badminton can't get me the teeniest bit engaged. It's so SLOW - like action replay golf. But a medal is a medal and well done to the chappies!
Luckily no need to like badminton...
@JohnyHelzapopin: @JohnyHelzapopin Badminton, essentially tennis for pensioners, who are mostly Tories, playing with each other's cocks at school is also Tory
What's happening in the badminton? We've won a medal or two?!
Bronze in the men's doubles.
Have to be honest - badminton can't get me the teeniest bit engaged. It's so SLOW - like action replay golf. But a medal is a medal and well done to the chappies!
Can we agree it's better than horse dancing? But yes, they all count!
Pah! Dressage is great if you watch their legs/feet/bum. All the little mistakes are plain - Badminton is just a yawnfest
However, I'm entirely sympathetic to the European view that the Conservative party has committed an act of pan-European economic vandalism simply because it was unable to stiffen its sinews and reform the UK health and welfare systems.
I'm not convinced that the health and benefits factors make much difference to the total numbers. Sure, at the margin they might, but essentially EU migration is driven by students (whose dosh we want), and young workers attracted to our vibrant economy, flexible labour market, language, and culture, and of course driven out by unemployment in their home countries. I was never convinced by Cameron's hope that benefits changes would have a big impact on the totals, even though the changes he was proposing were sensible in themselves.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
However, I'm entirely sympathetic to the European view that the Conservative party has committed an act of pan-European economic vandalism simply because it was unable to stiffen its sinews and reform the UK health and welfare systems.
I'm not convinced that the health and benefits factors make much difference to the total numbers. Sure, at the margin they might, but essentially EU migration is driven by students (whose dosh we want), and young workers attracted to our vibrant economy, flexible labour market, language, and culture. I was never convinced by Cameron's hope that benefits changes would have a big impact on the totals, even though the changes he was proposing were sensible in themselves.
I think our overly generous in working benefits (tax credits, housing benefit) make lower paid jobs viable for EU migrants. If they had to pay an annual fixed fee for health cover and no access to the benefits system then there would be fewer low paid migrants. I'm absolutely certain of that. The EU being completely obstinate about background checks and criminal deportation is a different but very real issue that needs to be addressed.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
On topic, an interesting contribution for which, as always, many thanks. I'm not sure I wholly agree with the analysis of the EU Referendum.
For me, REMAIN's two mistakes were:
1) Failing completely to articulate a positive case for the EU or a positive case for remaining in the EU with the opt-outs and renegotiation.
2) Treating the whole argument in terms of numbers and economics. The British population were in effect reduced to the status of subservient economic drones whose sole purpose was to ensure we achieved positive GDP growth every quarter. "Don't Think. Consume and Spend" as it were.
I've probably drifted to the "harder" end of the LEAVE spectrum - I see the failures of the immigration system up close and personal every day and I blame the Single Market for much of it. I realise a lot of people want and need the Single Market but I believe it has consequences far beyond the economic which make it profoundly unsatisfactory.
As to the future, given we are already seeing people on here daily seeing the US election through the prism of the EU Referendum (there are millions of Trump supporters out there apparently who will come out on Polling Day apparently - yes, I know.)
I suspect Labour COULD get its act very quickly under the right conditions even if the influx of Corbyn supporters were replaced by a group of "new" Labour members but that's down the road.
May has to govern and as I always say, it's the small things that hurt - the scandal here, the gaffe there, the black swan event, the small issue that becomes a crisis. I think she's a Heseltine-style interventionist - she believes in Government not the State so the new Government will have a response for everything - whether it's the right response will of course be open to question.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
What's happening in the badminton? We've won a medal or two?!
Bronze in the men's doubles.
Have to be honest - badminton can't get me the teeniest bit engaged. It's so SLOW - like action replay golf. But a medal is a medal and well done to the chappies!
Forget badminton; the Olympics should have Fives. And extra kudos if they replicate conditions at my school - the athletes who turn up last get the worn-out gloves and the balls that have aged into concrete.
I think it might freak people out (Eton fives that is; Rugby fives is obvs v simple to follow..)
There's only one Fives, and that's Rugby fives. None of this posho Eton and Winchester rubbish.
''The statistic about the 100m times the other day was shocking, but then again most of us can remember back to the days of Ben Johnson and Flo-Jo in 1988. ''
Talking of the 100, am I alone in thinking the Beeb have gone overboard a bit on Bolt? Its become a North Korea type dictator cult with them. He's become the Dear Sprinter.
I mean the guy's a complete phenomenon, don't get me wrong. But at times its embarrassing.
Frankly, I've no idea why 100m gets so much attention. I really couldn't care less. I don't find it more impressive than dozens of others.
I enjoy it as much as any other, but I also don't know why it gets so much more attention than any others. Of course its an impressive athletic display, but visually there are much more satisfying and lengthy athletic displays. It's not just because Bolt is a charismatic start either, since 100m has always to my knowledge been seen as the big draw. Shouldn't decathletes get more love?
So good to see us doing so well at the Brexit Games!
Equal on total medals with China!
It's 21 21 13 now just looked
Permission to swoon (again!)
We're pulling away from China on silvers too. They need to get several golds ahead to take second.
Heh.
All we need now is for Britain's Captain's of Industry to stop being so bloody namby-pamby and take a leaf out of British Sport's playbook. Then file the UK under "Worldbeaters"...
''The statistic about the 100m times the other day was shocking, but then again most of us can remember back to the days of Ben Johnson and Flo-Jo in 1988. ''
Talking of the 100, am I alone in thinking the Beeb have gone overboard a bit on Bolt? Its become a North Korea type dictator cult with them. He's become the Dear Sprinter.
I mean the guy's a complete phenomenon, don't get me wrong. But at times its embarrassing.
I've been watching the international coverage rather than the Beeb, but the guy is a phenomenon completely unbeaten in eight years and competing in his last Games. He's the only athlete to have got the stadium close to full and the crowd close to excited.
The media can go a bit overboard on coverage of individuals though, I felt a little sorry for Jess Emmis in London for the same reason but luckily she lived up to the massive expectations.
Who's staying up to watch Bolt's attempt on the 200m world record tonight? 02:30 UK time.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
I've never quite grokked why people so willfully misunderstand this point. We might very well be perfectly happy with 500k p.a. net migration or even higher, as long as it is the UK government who determines who comes in, and kicks out undesirables. It's not hard to grasp, surely?
''The statistic about the 100m times the other day was shocking, but then again most of us can remember back to the days of Ben Johnson and Flo-Jo in 1988. ''
Talking of the 100, am I alone in thinking the Beeb have gone overboard a bit on Bolt? Its become a North Korea type dictator cult with them. He's become the Dear Sprinter.
I mean the guy's a complete phenomenon, don't get me wrong. But at times its embarrassing.
Frankly, I've no idea why 100m gets so much attention. I really couldn't care less. I don't find it more impressive than dozens of others.
I enjoy it as much as any other, but I also don't know why it gets so much more attention than any others. Of course its an impressive athletic display, but visually there are much more satisfying and lengthy athletic displays. It's not just because Bolt is a charismatic start either, since 100m has always to my knowledge been seen as the big draw. Shouldn't decathletes get more love?
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Hmm. Immigration is out of control in the UK - 300 000 a year. Now let's double it to 600 000. But we will be in control.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Yes.
Remain had nothing at all to combat free movement and if they tried to counter that eg. Australia has more immigration than us, the easy and killing answer was that so what, Australia had chosen to have that amount of immigration.
When Jezza agreed he would like uncontrolled immigration it was the icing on the cake.
''The statistic about the 100m times the other day was shocking, but then again most of us can remember back to the days of Ben Johnson and Flo-Jo in 1988. ''
Talking of the 100, am I alone in thinking the Beeb have gone overboard a bit on Bolt? Its become a North Korea type dictator cult with them. He's become the Dear Sprinter.
I mean the guy's a complete phenomenon, don't get me wrong. But at times its embarrassing.
Frankly, I've no idea why 100m gets so much attention. I really couldn't care less. I don't find it more impressive than dozens of others.
I enjoy it as much as any other, but I also don't know why it gets so much more attention than any others. Of course its an impressive athletic display, but visually there are much more satisfying and lengthy athletic displays. It's not just because Bolt is a charismatic start either, since 100m has always to my knowledge been seen as the big draw. Shouldn't decathletes get more love?
Does dressage have to be done on a horse, or can you do it on a camel or a yak?
Relaxing the regulations, allowing any beast and awarding extra points for the difficulty of the animal chosen would open up some fascinating possibilities.
The Mexican bull dressage team taking the gold after the disqualification of a doped Tiger.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Yes.
Remain had nothing at all to combat free movement and if they tried to counter that eg. Australia has more immigration than us, the easy and killing answer was that so what, Australia had chosen to have that amount of immigration.
When Jezza agreed he would like uncontrolled immigration it was the icing on the cake.
I did wonder that day if Jez was a Leave deep cover agent.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
I've never quite grokked why people so willfully misunderstand this point. We might very well be perfectly happy with 500k p.a. net migration or even higher, as long as it is the UK government who determines who comes in, and kicks out undesirables. It's not hard to grasp, surely?
It would be entirely graspable if the governments and the campaigns presented the proposition honestly. But the latter don't want the public to realise what the real situation is.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Hmm. Immigration is out of control in the UK - 300 000 a year. Now let's double it to 600 000. But we will be in control.
Do you think people voted Leave for that?
If the 600,000 are all higher rate taxpayers, can't claim any benefits and the resulting tax revenues are put into schools n hospitals, roads and railways then yes, the people will be accepting of it.
Does dressage have to be done on a horse, or can you do it on a camel or a yak?
Has to be a horse, I think. But I guess you could always ask for an exception if you manage to find a camel that can do flying changes...
Does the horse have to be the one on the bottom?
Errm, how else can it work ?
Horses are round about 500 kg, the most a human has ever deadlifted is around 500kg !
Are you proposing the heavyweight lifters carry a horse around the ring or some such ? Points for Eddie Hall's piaffe whilst carrying round a blackpool donkey ?
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Hmm. Immigration is out of control in the UK - 300 000 a year. Now let's double it to 600 000. But we will be in control.
Do you think people voted Leave for that?
If the 600,000 are all higher rate taxpayers, can't claim any benefits and the resulting tax revenues are put into schools n hospitals, roads and railways then yes, the people will be accepting of it.
That's what Australia does.
Slightly on this topic. The much despised Economist had an interesting to me article about how countries like Australia are moving away from points systems because governments are so useless at working out who should come it. It's better to allow people to come in if employers are willing to pay them.
Does dressage have to be done on a horse, or can you do it on a camel or a yak?
Has to be a horse, I think. But I guess you could always ask for an exception if you manage to find a camel that can do flying changes...
Does the horse have to be the one on the bottom?
Errm, how else can it work ?
Horses are round about 500 kg, the most a human has ever deadlifted is around 500kg !
Are you proposing the heavyweight lifters carry a horse around the ring or some such ? Points for Eddie Hall's piaffe whilst carrying round a blackpool donkey ?
If we're allowed to permute from {smart, well-paid, rich}, we should take 'em all.
There's no doubt that some Leavers voted in the hope that all the Roma and Muslims would somehow magically disappear. However, we can't cater for those folk.
We have to make a working assumption that people want controlled immigration. May herself has reiterated a commitment to 100k p.a. Personally I think that's unachievable, unless you reinstate the primary purpose rule, which I never cared for.
You could spice up the greco-roman wrestling by holding it in the empty baggage car of a speeding train with a loaded pistol JUST OUT OF REACH of the combatants.
Mr. Topping, spears can be wielded on foot or horseback, retained or thrown.
You might argue whether darts count as spears (in this sense, they're slightly shorter javelins. I think peltasts used them in the ancient world).
Fancy subdivisions of weapons can be a bit unnecessary. In the Germanic cities of Holy Roman times only nobles could wear swords. So the Messer [knife] developed. Which was a sword-sized knife, and therefore technically legal.
You could spice up the greco-roman wrestling by holding it in the empty baggage car of a speeding train with a loaded pistol JUST OUT OF REACH of the combatants.
Or perhaps on a small island surrounded by crocodiles?
Mr. Topping, a lance is just a spear wielded on horseback.
There might be specialised versions used or not, but that's all it is, the same as a sarissa and a dory are both just spears.
Hmm Lances are meant to be wielded on horseback. Aren't spears meant to be thrown?
Need a bit of google-fu.
Mr. Topping, I think you might be thinking of javelins. Spears come in, or at least used to come, in many shapes and sizes but mostly as long thrusting weapons not for throwing.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Hmm. Immigration is out of control in the UK - 300 000 a year. Now let's double it to 600 000. But we will be in control.
Do you think people voted Leave for that?
If the 600,000 are all higher rate taxpayers, can't claim any benefits and the resulting tax revenues are put into schools n hospitals, roads and railways then yes, the people will be accepting of it.
That's what Australia does.
Slightly on this topic. The much despised Economist had an interesting to me article about how countries like Australia are moving away from points systems because governments are so useless at working out who should come it. It's better to allow people to come in if employers are willing to pay them.
That would make sense, and reduce the bureaucracy. You could put a salary limit of say £30k for singles and £50k for families, if they've a job offer over that level they get a visa. It's the job offer that's the important bit, only net contributors should be allowed to come in.
I'd like to see an innovative combination of Dressage and Diving.
I'd still love to see a horse in the back seat of a kayak....
Horsey Hurdling... and High/Long Jump.
I'd watch that
Horses and humans high jump world records are actually remarkably similiar,
2.47 metres (Horse, Huaso ex-Faithful in Chile in 1949) 2.45 metres (Human, Javier Sotomayor 1993)
The late Terry Pratchett maintained in several of his books that from a standing start and over a short distance a man is faster than a horse (less legs to sort out or something). I have no idea if he was correct.
I'd like to see an innovative combination of Dressage and Diving.
I'd still love to see a horse in the back seat of a kayak....
Horsey Hurdling... and High/Long Jump.
I'd watch that
Horses and humans high jump world records are actually remarkably similiar,
2.47 metres (Horse, Huaso ex-Faithful in Chile in 1949) 2.45 metres (Human, Javier Sotomayor 1993)
The late Terry Pratchett maintained in several of his books that from a standing start and over a short distance a man is faster than a horse (less legs to sort out or something). I have no idea if he was correct.
We surely smash them at long distance as well, as long as we get to carry water with us too?
Don;t bother. I once had a frog in my kitchen. As I shooed it out it must have jumped two feet high. Maybe more.
There's a frog in me kitchen what am I gonna do? There's a frog in me kitchen what am I gonna go? I'm gonna fix that frog that's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna fix that frog.
The late Terry Pratchett maintained in several of his books that from a standing start and over a short distance a man is faster than a horse (less legs to sort out or something). I have no idea if he was correct.
They've run human vs horse races over both distances and sprint trips. Over 220 yards or one furlong, there wouldn't be much in it and Usain Bolt would just beat a thoroughbred - the horse goes about 20 seconds from a starting stall. In full gallop, a horse covers 220 yards in 12-13 seconds comfortably outpacing a human.
Good old Scottish Labour, they are useless. They were all over the newspapers complaining about the SNP council, so they got their wish and they are still complaining , bunch of idiots.
North Ayrshire Labour blast SNP councillors for resigning while leader holidays in Italy
Labour Group leader Peter McNamara said: “On Tuesday we issued a statement which made it clear that following our by-election victory it was our duty to enter negotiations with other groups on the council but our primary aim was to maintain stability. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/north-ayrshire-labour-blast-snp-8657339
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Yes.
Remain had nothing at all to combat free movement and if they tried to counter that eg. Australia has more immigration than us, the easy and killing answer was that so what, Australia had chosen to have that amount of immigration.
When Jezza agreed he would like uncontrolled immigration it was the icing on the cake.
I did wonder that day if Jez was a Leave deep cover agent.
Didn't Blunkett say the same thing many years earlier? Something along the lines of not really seeing any upper limit to the number of immigrants, I seem to recall.
Control and numbers are two factors but I'd add two more: the ability to get rid of people who break the rules and people having to put into the system for some time before they get anything out of it.
The latter offends people's sense of fairness I think.
I'd like to see an innovative combination of Dressage and Diving.
I'd still love to see a horse in the back seat of a kayak....
Horsey Hurdling... and High/Long Jump.
I'd watch that
Horses and humans high jump world records are actually remarkably similiar,
2.47 metres (Horse, Huaso ex-Faithful in Chile in 1949) 2.45 metres (Human, Javier Sotomayor 1993)
The late Terry Pratchett maintained in several of his books that from a standing start and over a short distance a man is faster than a horse (less legs to sort out or something). I have no idea if he was correct.
We surely smash them at long distance as well, as long as we get to carry water with us too?
Well, some people can run 26 miles 385 yards without stopping and no horse ever would. What that says about the mental abilities of the respective species I am not sure.
@John_M As I've said before, if 650k in two years isn't mass immigration, please tell me what number would qualify. We should note that immigration is primarily to England. From memory Scotland has ~173k and Wales ~85k.
Nonetheless public perception is wrong in many respects. In particular ...
Public perception about immigration isn't wrong. It is what it is. The problem is that Government hasn't dared explained why immigration levels are high. The wrong perception is that Brexit will resolve anything to do with immigration. The Leave campaign has rightly pointed to Australia, New Zealand and Canada as successful, remotely located, originally Anglo-Saxon countries that can act as models for a Brexited Britain. But they never acknowledged immigration into those countries is much higher than here.
Australia and Canada have net migration rates twice as high as ours; New Zealand six times as high
Yes, but the point is that these countries are in control of their immigration systems, with strict requirements on who they allow in. It's about more than just numbers.
Hmm. Immigration is out of control in the UK - 300 000 a year. Now let's double it to 600 000. But we will be in control.
Do you think people voted Leave for that?
If the 600,000 are all higher rate taxpayers, can't claim any benefits and the resulting tax revenues are put into schools n hospitals, roads and railways then yes, the people will be accepting of it.
When you look at some of the complete pants winners of the past (Dai Rees, David Broome, Princess Anne, David Steele, Gred Rusedski to name but a few), I feel sorry for our poor modern sportsmen.
This year you could be the best Gymnast Britain has produced for a century, or won your second Wimbledon, or third Tour de France, and still not get it. FFS what a complete joke we were.
The statistic about the 100m times the other day was shocking, but then again most of us can remember back to the bad old days of Ben Johnson and Flo-Jo in 1988. Copious amounts of drugs and a dodgy and wind meter mean the women's 100m record could stand for a century.
It's been going on longer than that. Doping in the 100m has been the norm since at least the 70s. I'd be surprised if there's been a clean medallist since, it's just too much of an advantage for anyone clean to get close.
The late Terry Pratchett maintained in several of his books that from a standing start and over a short distance a man is faster than a horse (less legs to sort out or something). I have no idea if he was correct.
They've run human vs horse races over both distances and sprint trips. Over 220 yards or one furlong, there wouldn't be much in it and Usain Bolt would just beat a thoroughbred - the horse goes about 20 seconds from a starting stall. In full gallop, a horse covers 220 yards in 12-13 seconds comfortably outpacing a human.
At extreme distances, the human closes up again.
So Pratchett was correct! Well thank you, Mr. Stodge, I can re-read those Rincewind stories with a new perspective.
Comments
??? what a strange point. Too much Brett Easton Ellis
@JohnyHelzapopin: @JohnyHelzapopin Badminton, essentially tennis for pensioners, who are mostly Tories, playing with each other's cocks at school is also Tory
That's sad.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_net_migration_rate
I'd watch that
On topic, an interesting contribution for which, as always, many thanks. I'm not sure I wholly agree with the analysis of the EU Referendum.
For me, REMAIN's two mistakes were:
1) Failing completely to articulate a positive case for the EU or a positive case for remaining in the EU with the opt-outs and renegotiation.
2) Treating the whole argument in terms of numbers and economics. The British population were in effect reduced to the status of subservient economic drones whose sole purpose was to ensure we achieved positive GDP growth every quarter. "Don't Think. Consume and Spend" as it were.
I've probably drifted to the "harder" end of the LEAVE spectrum - I see the failures of the immigration system up close and personal every day and I blame the Single Market for much of it. I realise a lot of people want and need the Single Market but I believe it has consequences far beyond the economic which make it profoundly unsatisfactory.
As to the future, given we are already seeing people on here daily seeing the US election through the prism of the EU Referendum (there are millions of Trump supporters out there apparently who will come out on Polling Day apparently - yes, I know.)
I suspect Labour COULD get its act very quickly under the right conditions even if the influx of Corbyn supporters were replaced by a group of "new" Labour members but that's down the road.
May has to govern and as I always say, it's the small things that hurt - the scandal here, the gaffe there, the black swan event, the small issue that becomes a crisis. I think she's a Heseltine-style interventionist - she believes in Government not the State so the new Government will have a response for everything - whether it's the right response will of course be open to question.
Heh.
All we need now is for Britain's Captain's of Industry to stop being so bloody namby-pamby and take a leaf out of British Sport's playbook. Then file the UK under "Worldbeaters"...
http://www.alltime-athletics.com/m_200ok.htm
Fastest man so far in 2016, Miguel Francis didn't start his 200m r1 due to injury.
Do you think people voted Leave for that?
Remain had nothing at all to combat free movement and if they tried to counter that eg. Australia has more immigration than us, the easy and killing answer was that so what, Australia had chosen to have that amount of immigration.
When Jezza agreed he would like uncontrolled immigration it was the icing on the cake.
The Mexican bull dressage team taking the gold after the disqualification of a doped Tiger.
That's the point.
That's what Australia does.
There might be specialised versions used or not, but that's all it is, the same as a sarissa and a dory are both just spears.
"And the Kazakh lad has asked for a couple of ponies to be added to the bar...."
Horses are round about 500 kg, the most a human has ever deadlifted is around 500kg !
Are you proposing the heavyweight lifters carry a horse around the ring or some such ? Points for Eddie Hall's piaffe whilst carrying round a blackpool donkey ?
Need a bit of google-fu.
link
Actually this gives me the excuse to post this:
https://gfycat.com/ScratchyInconsequentialBoilweevil
There's no doubt that some Leavers voted in the hope that all the Roma and Muslims would somehow magically disappear. However, we can't cater for those folk.
We have to make a working assumption that people want controlled immigration. May herself has reiterated a commitment to 100k p.a. Personally I think that's unachievable, unless you reinstate the primary purpose rule, which I never cared for.
Heh....
2.47 metres (Horse, Huaso ex-Faithful in Chile in 1949)
2.45 metres (Human, Javier Sotomayor 1993)
You might argue whether darts count as spears (in this sense, they're slightly shorter javelins. I think peltasts used them in the ancient world).
Fancy subdivisions of weapons can be a bit unnecessary. In the Germanic cities of Holy Roman times only nobles could wear swords. So the Messer [knife] developed. Which was a sword-sized knife, and therefore technically legal.
Jumping that high is quite risky for a horse tbh, the stresses on the legs are immense - whereas a human highjumper lands softly on a mat.
Don;t bother. I once had a frog in my kitchen. As I shooed it out it must have jumped two feet high. Maybe more.
There's a frog in me kitchen what am I gonna go?
I'm gonna fix that frog that's what I'm gonna do,
I'm gonna fix that frog.
At extreme distances, the human closes up again.
North Ayrshire Labour blast SNP councillors for resigning while leader holidays in Italy
Labour Group leader Peter McNamara said: “On Tuesday we issued a statement which made it clear that following our by-election victory it was our duty to enter negotiations with other groups on the council but our primary aim was to maintain stability.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/north-ayrshire-labour-blast-snp-8657339
Control and numbers are two factors but I'd add two more: the ability to get rid of people who break the rules and people having to put into the system for some time before they get anything out of it.
The latter offends people's sense of fairness I think.
I do like horses though.
When you look at some of the complete pants winners of the past (Dai Rees, David Broome, Princess Anne, David Steele, Gred Rusedski to name but a few), I feel sorry for our poor modern sportsmen.
This year you could be the best Gymnast Britain has produced for a century, or won your second Wimbledon, or third Tour de France, and still not get it. FFS what a complete joke we were.
Ice Cricket and Elephant Polo
I did try to persuade him that - for cost efficiency - he should promote Ice Elephant Cricket
An Olympic bar weighs only 20kg
Or should we put that forward as a new Olympic sport as well?
Mr. Taffys, Hamilton is likely to win a third consecutive driver's title (fourth total), and is currently 40/1 for SPOTY.