On the other hand it is incredibly hard to disagree with their assessment!
I recall "Not the 9 o'clock news" having a skit where Reagan was enthusiastically repeating what was being said in his ear without thinking. It finished "Cup cakes and candy bars, isn't it incredible that a man this stupid could become President of the United States."
Completely unfair on Reagan but for Bush, oh so appropriate.
Responding to the statement, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said the NHS needed to learn from the "darkest hours of its past", but said the government's response "fell short" of what was needed.
I cannot measure the loathing I have for Burnham and his labour "24 hours to save the NHS" party. It happened on your watch. You did nothing and yet you dare criticise others.
I do think that the chances of North Korea launching some form of military strike in any direction are being seriously underrated right now (the general tenor of the news reports is "they don't really mean it"). The regime seems highly unstable and shows no sign of going quietly.
Don't normally make personal remarks so I hope this one doesn't come across as snide or politically motivated: is it just my imagination or is Mr Cameron wearing very well for a Prime Minister? Normally the responsibilities of the post seem to age people very quickly.
Er! I do hope that you are not accusing David Cameron of acting like a Prime Minister.
Anne, I think you have to admit that you rather walked into that one!
But yes, he does seem to wear his responsibilities lightly and bounce back well from the odd disaster.
Anyone remember Silly Putty, a silicon based gloop that when shaped into a ball, could be thrown around only you were never quite sure where it would end up? However, when you hit the ball with a hammer, it would crack up.
I do think that the chances of North Korea launching some form of military strike in any direction are being seriously underrated right now (the general tenor of the news reports is "they don't really mean it"). The regime seems highly unstable and shows no sign of going quietly.
What are your thoughts on this Paddy Power market?
How many more North Korean nuclear tests in 2013?
Must be confirmed that a nuclear bomb signature has been detected by USGS and must be reported in a national UK broadsheet daily print newspaper.
@TheScreamingEagles Without having given the matter much thought, all options above None look good value to me. North Korea are in their "going off the rails" phase, and launching a nuclear test, or two, or three is a good way of emphasising their bad boy credentials. It's the equivalent of Justin Bieber getting tattoos.
the Republican primary for President were being held today, and the candidates were: Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, and Bob McDonnell for whom would you vote? •Marco Rubio 19% •Paul Ryan 17% •Rand Paul 15% •Chris Christie 14% •Jeb Bush 10% •Bobby Jindal 3% •Scott Walker 2% •Bob McDonnell 1% •Don’t know 18%
Agreed. I think Cameron and Gove had the right instinctive reaction to the Leveson embarrassment and will regret chickening out under luvvie pressure. Even if there was a risk that Labour and the Lib Dems were going to bring in something worse some things are worth standing up for.
A sad day for what is supposed to be a mature democracy.
@TheScreamingEagles Without having given the matter much thought, all options above None look good value to me. North Korea are in their "going off the rails" phase, and launching a nuclear test, or two, or three is a good way of emphasising their bad boy credentials. It's the equivalent of Justin Bieber getting tattoos.
Can you refrain from mentioning the name of J*stin B*eber.
Having been once forced to attend one of his concerts, the mere mention of his name, makes my ears bleed.
Off topic, The Signal And The Noise by Nate Silver is a very good read. I'm probably the last person on here to read it, but in case I'm second last, I can firmly recommend it.
It has some very wise words to say relevant to political betting, particularly about methods of prediction.
Don't normally make personal remarks so I hope this one doesn't come across as snide or politically motivated: is it just my imagination or is Mr Cameron wearing very well for a Prime Minister? Normally the responsibilities of the post seem to age people very quickly.
Er! I do hope that you are not accusing David Cameron of acting like a Prime Minister.
Anne, I think you have to admit that you rather walked into that one!
But yes, he does seem to wear his responsibilities lightly and bounce back well from the odd disaster.
With my eyes open, DavidL, that's one reason why I was a bit hesitant about making the remark. I did wonder whether it's just not a long enough period yet - normally one gauges that at the end of a premiership - but (to my eyes at least) Mr Clegg's responsibilities have aged him visibly already.
Aintree cards look tasty! Bloody hard to pick from, mind.
Pricewise Aintree Day 1 »2.00 L'Unique »4.15 Anquetta
Damn Pricewise!
I had L'Unique marked out. It was 12/1 earlier. Had to scramble to get tens just now.
Btw, I have backed Countrywide Flame in the Aintree Hurdle (3.05). I got on at fives but it is generally fours now. Even so, I reckon it's value. It is a very consistent horse, and it is hard to think it will be out of the frame. (The New One hasn't entirely convinced me yet.)
@TheScreamingEagles Without having given the matter much thought, all options above None look good value to me. North Korea are in their "going off the rails" phase, and launching a nuclear test, or two, or three is a good way of emphasising their bad boy credentials. It's the equivalent of Justin Bieber getting tattoos.
On the subject of North Korea, what are the "Stop The War Coalition" doing about it, or are they in favour of North Korea starting one?
Peter the Punter - Until Iowa, but he will almost certainly be a presence thereafter nonetheless, the Paul brand now represents close to 1/4 of the GOP!
@TheScreamingEagles Without having given the matter much thought, all options above None look good value to me. North Korea are in their "going off the rails" phase, and launching a nuclear test, or two, or three is a good way of emphasising their bad boy credentials. It's the equivalent of Justin Bieber getting tattoos.
On the subject of North Korea, what are the "Stop The War Coalition" doing about it, or are they in favour of North Korea starting one?
Well CND are blaming Obama/America
North Korea's nuclear test: a product of US policy
@TheScreamingEagles Without having given the matter much thought, all options above None look good value to me. North Korea are in their "going off the rails" phase, and launching a nuclear test, or two, or three is a good way of emphasising their bad boy credentials. It's the equivalent of Justin Bieber getting tattoos.
On the subject of North Korea, what are the "Stop The War Coalition" doing about it, or are they in favour of North Korea starting one?
And here's Stop the War's take
The escalating tension over North Korea, which has led to nuclear tests by the regime, is a product of a long term increase in sanctions and other measures against the North Korea, and a recent surge of US and South Korean military activity in the area. Under Operation Foal Eagle, 40,000 US and South Korean troops have been deployed in the region in the last few weeks, backed up by US submarines, battleships and bombers.....
....We call on the US to stop stoking the tension, end its provocative military exercises, drop the sanctions and seek dialogue rather than confrontation in the region.
@TheScreamingEagles The bottom of the Championship table is incredibly tight. Derby, who are 10th, are not completely safe.
Ipswich are at 9/1 on Betfair to be relegated, which given that they are only 3 points above the drop zone is generous, though it should be noted their defence is holding up well at present.
Blackburn (and Ipswich) might make good trading bets. Ipswich are away to Derby then home to Hull, who are second, so they are quite likely to see their relegation odds shorten over the next two games. Blackburn are away to Sheffield Wednesday next, so if you think their form is continue to languish, they would make a good trading bet.
Peter the Punter - Until Iowa, but he will almost certainly be a presence thereafter nonetheless, the Paul brand now represents close to 1/4 of the GOP!
Yes, I am sure you are right, HUYFD.
The funny thing is that Paul's brand of so-called libetarianism appeals in some respects to democrat types.
@TheScreamingEagles The bottom of the Championship table is incredibly tight. Derby, who are 10th, are not completely safe.
Ipswich are at 9/1 on Betfair to be relegated, which given that they are only 3 points above the drop zone is generous, though it should be noted their defence is holding up well at present.
Blackburn (and Ipswich) might make good trading bets. Ipswich are away to Derby then home to Hull, who are second, so they are quite likely to see their relegation odds shorten over the next two games. Blackburn are away to Sheffield Wednesday next, so if you think their form is continue to languish, they would make a good trading bet.
Those are very good points and tips.
Blackburn getting relegated last year was very profitable.
It is conceivable Blackburn could have more managers than points before the end of the season.
@TheScreamingEagles Without having given the matter much thought, all options above None look good value to me. North Korea are in their "going off the rails" phase, and launching a nuclear test, or two, or three is a good way of emphasising their bad boy credentials. It's the equivalent of Justin Bieber getting tattoos.
On the subject of North Korea, what are the "Stop The War Coalition" doing about it, or are they in favour of North Korea starting one?
And here's Stop the War's take
The escalating tension over North Korea, which has led to nuclear tests by the regime, is a product of a long term increase in sanctions and other measures against the North Korea, and a recent surge of US and South Korean military activity in the area. Under Operation Foal Eagle, 40,000 US and South Korean troops have been deployed in the region in the last few weeks, backed up by US submarines, battleships and bombers.....
....We call on the US to stop stoking the tension, end its provocative military exercises, drop the sanctions and seek dialogue rather than confrontation in the region.
Goodman's idea is all about the fantasy that if the Tories talk like UKIP for 6 months ( because they can't act like UKIP with no majority) they'll romp home. This ignores many things not least that since they've recently talked like UKIP UKIP have continued to climb.
1. Why give the LD's 7 ,months to pretend the government was nothing to do with them.
2. Why try and pass a painful budget with no majority ?
3. Why establish your self as a poor coalition partner unless you are sure another coalition won't be needed.
On the other hand it is incredibly hard to disagree with their assessment!
I recall "Not the 9 o'clock news" having a skit where Reagan was enthusiastically repeating what was being said in his ear without thinking. It finished "Cup cakes and candy bars, isn't it incredible that a man this stupid could become President of the United States."
Completely unfair on Reagan but for Bush, oh so appropriate.
Reagan wasn't a great a president as some like to make out, but it is still hugely unfair to compare him in the same bracket as George W. Bush.
I'm not sure North Korea can necessarily be considered a nation of peaceful restraint.
I'm pretty sure if Stop the War had been about in the 1940s, they would blame the Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe on US aggression. (In fact, I bet some of their members were and did.)
The question for someone considering whether or not to support Clinton in 2016 is, will a Clinton 2016 campaign pass the Mark Penn Test? The Mark Penn Test, which I just invented, determines whether or not a person should be trusted with the presidency, based solely on one criterion: Whether or not they pay Mark Penn to do anything for their campaign. Paying Mark Penn means you’ve failed the Mark Penn Test.
The North Korean army says it has "ratified" a merciless attack against the United States, potentially involving a "cutting-edge" nuclear strike.
"The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the North Korean military said in a statement on state news agency KCNA.
War could break out "today or tomorrow," the statement said, quoting a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.
"The merciless operation of (our) revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified.
"The US had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation."
I don't claim to be a great expert in military strategy, but isn't the general consensus that it's not a bad idea to attempt to achieve both tactical and strategic surprise if you're planning to launch an unprovoked attack, especially on an adversary which is about four orders of magnitude more powerful than you are?
The North Korean army says it has "ratified" a merciless attack against the United States, potentially involving a "cutting-edge" nuclear strike.
"The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the North Korean military said in a statement on state news agency KCNA.
War could break out "today or tomorrow," the statement said, quoting a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.
"The merciless operation of (our) revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified.
"The US had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation."
I don't claim to be a great expert in military strategy, but isn't the general consensus that it's not a bad idea to attempt to achieve both tactical and strategic surprise if you're planning to launch an unprovoked attack, especially on an adversary which is about four orders of magnitude more powerful than you are?
Worked well for Japan - until about 6 months after Pearl Harbor...
I don't claim to be a great expert in military strategy, but isn't the general consensus that it's not a bad idea to attempt to achieve both tactical and strategic surprise if you're planning to launch an unprovoked attack, especially on an adversary which is about four orders of magnitude more powerful than you are?
Guess they never taught that in kindergarten. Next announcement is going to be well the Chinese talked us out of it and the USA etc should consider themselves very lucky on this occasion.
George Osborne is coming under mounting pressure from the Tory Right to restrict child benefit to two children per family.
Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, floated the idea last October and rightwingers insisted last night that he was still behind the plan to limit payments. The move followed the disclosure that Michael Philpott had received more than £8,000 a year in child benefits for his 11 children.
David Davis, a former Tory leadership challenger, said: “I don’t think it is a good idea to make policy on the back of one story. But there is a strong argument to restrict child benefit whether it is to two, three, or four children.”
Well, quite so. On any objective assessment, there's nothing to disagree with in that article in terms of the ambition and reach of the government, even if you don't actually support what it is trying to do.
The North Korean army says it has "ratified" a merciless attack against the United States, potentially involving a "cutting-edge" nuclear strike.
"The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the North Korean military said in a statement on state news agency KCNA.
War could break out "today or tomorrow," the statement said, quoting a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.
"The merciless operation of (our) revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified.
"The US had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation."
I don't claim to be a great expert in military strategy, but isn't the general consensus that it's not a bad idea to attempt to achieve both tactical and strategic surprise if you're planning to launch an unprovoked attack, especially on an adversary which is about four orders of magnitude more powerful than you are?
Clearly the North Koreans are following the inept strategies and tactics of the pisspoor General, Hannibal.
Lucky for us they aren't following the strategies and tactics of Gaius Julius Caesar, or we'd be buggered.
Mr Morris I was in Seoul late last year like you say not the place to be just now. The problem has always been as I was told out there the N.Koreans will believe their own rhetoric in the end and then what? They are all quite calm about it but that seems to be what makes some nervous
On Korea, perhaps the North Korean government is planning to show its population entirely fictitious TV pictures of how they've successfully zapped New York, Washington and Los Angeles. They could do this very cheaply by re-working bits of Independence Day
There have been plenty of people writing the obituary of the Coalition since Day One and, to be fair, it's less than 60% through its supposed life and still hanging in there.
The denouement or endgame seems far from clear. I can't see the advantage in either Cameron or Clegg wanting to walk away before the 2015 GE campaign though the question remains whether either or both leader is able or willing to persuade their parties to consider the option of Coalition 2 post-2015.
In the current climate, that seems a tall order. By the spring of 2015, things might look different though it's hard to see how at this time. The best hope the Coalition parties seem to have is the sheer lack of confidence in Labour - that in itself does not guarantee either victory or even the status quo.
Mr. Eagles, I'll consider it, but it sounds shockingly modern.
At the moment I'm revisiting the first volume of TA Dodge's four part account of Napoleon. Oh, and I'm also revisiting a biography of Septimius Severus that I got ages ago.
@moses I once asked a South Korean contact whether the North and the South would ever unite. Yes, he said, and the first thing to do would be to attack Japan. A lot of simmering resentment against Japan for its behaviour during colonisation of Korea.
"If he'd copied Hannibal he would have launched a surprise attack into South Korea and won a series of dazzling victories."
HA! An admission at last that Hannibal had the strategic genius of a mentally retarded gerbil. Winning dazzling victories but losing the war is not the sign of a great leader.
" I need to read some more history"
Correct, and you could start with how Hannibal ended up as some Levantine's bitch, before he topped himself, probably out of shame.
"If he'd copied Hannibal he would have launched a surprise attack into South Korea and won a series of dazzling victories."
HA! An admission at last that Hannibal had the strategic genius of a mentally retarded gerbil. Winning dazzling victories but losing the war is not the sign of a great leader.
" I need to read some more history"
Correct, and you could start with how Hannibal ended up as some Levantine's bitch, before he topped himself, probably out of shame.
The best hope the Coalition parties seem to have is the sheer lack of confidence in Labour
What "sheer lack of confidence"are you referring to?
And when you say "Coalition Parties", do you actually mean "The Tories"? Because the Lib Dems will be sure as heck hoping that their tactical voters are willing to see Labour in power.
Mr. Moses, I would guess they simply have to hope that mutually assured destruction dissuades the North from launching a serious assault.
Indeed more likely it will be a stand down but part of the nervousness relates to the fact that they might not. I think the young lad is also short of a lot of common sense as well. If they go for it it would be conventional up to the point they have lost ( US air supremacy within 24 hours even if it took that long) then thy might just lob one at the south. They may see no reason not too at that point.
@moses I once asked a South Korean contact whether the North and the South would ever unite. Yes, he said, and the first thing to do would be to attack Japan. A lot of simmering resentment against Japan for its behaviour during colonisation of Korea.
Ah yes quite .....they really do not like the Japanese.
Mr Dancer, I can give you a brief and succinct summary on Napoleon, saving you having to read the book.
Napoleon suffered from what is known as "The John Bercow Complex"
Napoleon managed to unite most of Europe against, proving everyone hates the frogs.
His only redeeming feature, he inspired ABBA's second greatest ever song.
Second? What's their greatest song?
Dancing Queen.
Third is Mamma Mia
That you can get those incessant nerve-grating melodies stuck in my head just by mentioning their titles shows how annoying a curse on music those Swedish airheads were.
Just as UKip members were excitedly slapping each other on their collective backs in excitement about their future electoral prospects, the EDL's Stephen Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, comes out and says that he supports them.
"If he'd copied Hannibal he would have launched a surprise attack into South Korea and won a series of dazzling victories."
HA! An admission at last that Hannibal had the strategic genius of a mentally retarded gerbil. Winning dazzling victories but losing the war is not the sign of a great leader.
" I need to read some more history"
Correct, and you could start with how Hannibal ended up as some Levantine's bitch, before he topped himself, probably out of shame.
Like Scipio, I lured Mr Dancer to his doom.
*Sniggers*
I saw his silly comment on All Fools Day about you and I, Mr. Eagles.
Mr Dancer, I can give you a brief and succinct summary on Napoleon, saving you having to read the book.
Napoleon suffered from what is known as "The John Bercow Complex"
Napoleon managed to unite most of Europe against, proving everyone hates the frogs.
His only redeeming feature, he inspired ABBA's second greatest ever song.
Second? What's their greatest song?
Dancing Queen.
Third is Mamma Mia
That you can get those incessant nerve-grating melodies stuck in my head just by mentioning their titles shows how annoying a curse on music those Swedish airheads were.
You really do have appallingly bad taste in music.
"If he'd copied Hannibal he would have launched a surprise attack into South Korea and won a series of dazzling victories."
HA! An admission at last that Hannibal had the strategic genius of a mentally retarded gerbil. Winning dazzling victories but losing the war is not the sign of a great leader.
" I need to read some more history"
Correct, and you could start with how Hannibal ended up as some Levantine's bitch, before he topped himself, probably out of shame.
Like Scipio, I lured Mr Dancer to his doom.
*Sniggers*
I saw his silly comment on All Fools Day about you and I, Mr. Eagles.
That comment was emailed to me by another PBer.
Like you, I assumed it was his attempt at All Fools Days humour
Next week in your Daily Telegraph Peter Oborne explains why David Cameron is a charlatam masquerading as a Tory and a man who has permanently debased British politics.
The week after that his article will focus on why David Cameron is the finest PM the UK has ever had.
Mr. Moses, I would guess they simply have to hope that mutually assured destruction dissuades the North from launching a serious assault.
Indeed more likely it will be a stand down but part of the nervousness relates to the fact that they might not. I think the young lad is also short of a lot of common sense as well. If they go for it it would be conventional up to the point they have lost ( US air supremacy within 24 hours even if it took that long) then thy might just lob one at the south. They may see no reason not too at that point.
Unpredictable leaders and hence rather worrying.
With the number of artillery pieces they have facing towards Seoul, the north shouldn't need to nuke South Korea (excepting certain surprise scenarios). The nukes are there as a bargaining counter against, well, the rest of the world. And those bargaining chips have worked really well so far.
Mr Dancer, I can give you a brief and succinct summary on Napoleon, saving you having to read the book.
Napoleon suffered from what is known as "The John Bercow Complex"
Napoleon managed to unite most of Europe against, proving everyone hates the frogs.
His only redeeming feature, he inspired ABBA's second greatest ever song.
Second? What's their greatest song?
Dancing Queen.
Third is Mamma Mia
That you can get those incessant nerve-grating melodies stuck in my head just by mentioning their titles shows how annoying a curse on music those Swedish airheads were.
You really do have appallingly bad taste in music.
Comments
Today the Onion has an excellent portrayal of the impartial, objective view that academia is taking of the GWB Presidency. It is genuinely funny: http://www.theonion.com/articles/history-licking-its-chops-to-judge-george-w-bush,31921/
On the other hand it is incredibly hard to disagree with their assessment!
I recall "Not the 9 o'clock news" having a skit where Reagan was enthusiastically repeating what was being said in his ear without thinking. It finished "Cup cakes and candy bars, isn't it incredible that a man this stupid could become President of the United States."
Completely unfair on Reagan but for Bush, oh so appropriate.
Responding to the statement, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said the NHS needed to learn from the "darkest hours of its past", but said the government's response "fell short" of what was needed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-21941152
I cannot measure the loathing I have for Burnham and his labour "24 hours to save the NHS" party.
It happened on your watch. You did nothing and yet you dare criticise others.
You.....utter utter hypocritical bash>|€¥^ard
all of which begs the question as to how "safe" UK-based Daily Mash, etc will be under our new enlightened press regime.
I foresee a "Brass Eye" scenario before too long....
How many more North Korean nuclear tests in 2013?
Must be confirmed that a nuclear bomb signature has been detected by USGS and must be reported in a national UK broadsheet daily print newspaper.
None 4/9
One 13/8
Two 8/1
Three or more 16/1
http://www.paddypower.com/bet/novelty-betting/novelty-bets/north-korea-specials?ev_oc_grp_ids=1216881
It is seriously tempting to see how far this shading, box within a box, will go isn't it?
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-ed-miliband-experiment-has-been-tried-before-remember-gordon-brown-8557032.html
the Republican primary for President were being held today, and the candidates were: Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal, Rand Paul, and Bob McDonnell for whom would you vote?
•Marco Rubio 19%
•Paul Ryan 17%
•Rand Paul 15%
•Chris Christie 14%
•Jeb Bush 10%
•Bobby Jindal 3%
•Scott Walker 2%
•Bob McDonnell 1%
•Don’t know 18%
Agreed. I think Cameron and Gove had the right instinctive reaction to the Leveson embarrassment and will regret chickening out under luvvie pressure. Even if there was a risk that Labour and the Lib Dems were going to bring in something worse some things are worth standing up for.
A sad day for what is supposed to be a mature democracy.
•Marco Rubio 21% (22%) {21%} [18%] (10%)
•Rand Paul 17% (10%) {5%} [7%] (4%)
•Chris Christie 15% (13%) {14%} [14%] (21%)
•Paul Ryan 12% (15%) {16%} [12%] (7%)
•Jeb Bush 12% (13%) {14%} [12%] (17%)
•Rick Santorum 5% [4%] (12%)
•Bobby Jindal 4% (4%) {3%} (3%)
•Rick Perry 2% (3%) {2%}
•Susana Martinez 1% (1%) {2%}
Having been once forced to attend one of his concerts, the mere mention of his name, makes my ears bleed.
What kind of pop star lives in a dam?
Justin Beaver!
(I'll get me coat... two hours late!)
It has some very wise words to say relevant to political betting, particularly about methods of prediction.
Thanks, Hyufd.
There seems to be something faddish in the GOP make-up. We saw this repeatedly in the last cycle. Now the fad seems to be for Rand Paul.
How long do you give it?
O/T Ayn Rand/Rand Paul/Paul Ryan - I get confused which is which!
I had L'Unique marked out. It was 12/1 earlier. Had to scramble to get tens just now.
Btw, I have backed Countrywide Flame in the Aintree Hurdle (3.05). I got on at fives but it is generally fours now. Even so, I reckon it's value. It is a very consistent horse, and it is hard to think it will be out of the frame. (The New One hasn't entirely convinced me yet.)
Don't say you weren't told.
Yet they are 9/2 with William Hill to get relegated.
http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/e/3171257/English-Championship---Relegation.html
One scenario is that Miliband will be PM but only for 18 months or so.
North Korea's nuclear test: a product of US policy
http://www.cnduk.org/cnd-media/item/1580-north-koreas-nuclear-test-a-product-of-us-policy
Mr. Eagles, have put on a little sum.
The escalating tension over North Korea, which has led to nuclear tests by the regime, is a product of a long term increase in sanctions and other measures against the North Korea, and a recent surge of US and South Korean military activity in the area. Under Operation Foal Eagle, 40,000 US and South Korean troops have been deployed in the region in the last few weeks, backed up by US submarines, battleships and bombers.....
....We call on the US to stop stoking the tension, end its provocative military exercises, drop the sanctions and seek dialogue rather than confrontation in the region.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-UqvixBlA8mO7h9Odg53q_ApYWH0ec7p8MYk_nQLPCE/edit
Ipswich are at 9/1 on Betfair to be relegated, which given that they are only 3 points above the drop zone is generous, though it should be noted their defence is holding up well at present.
Blackburn (and Ipswich) might make good trading bets. Ipswich are away to Derby then home to Hull, who are second, so they are quite likely to see their relegation odds shorten over the next two games. Blackburn are away to Sheffield Wednesday next, so if you think their form is continue to languish, they would make a good trading bet.
"I've not deserted Oscar Whisky."
I have. It ran a shocker at Cheltenham. There's been no explanation. Can't forgive him that.
The funny thing is that Paul's brand of so-called libetarianism appeals in some respects to democrat types.
Interesting phenomenon.
Forsa:
CDU/CSU: 40%
SPD: 24%
Greens: 15%
Linke: 8%
FDP: 5%
Pirates: 3%
Others: 5%
http://www.wahlrecht.de/umfragen/index.htm
Blackburn getting relegated last year was very profitable.
It is conceivable Blackburn could have more managers than points before the end of the season.
1. Why give the LD's 7 ,months to pretend the government was nothing to do with them.
2. Why try and pass a painful budget with no majority ?
3. Why establish your self as a poor coalition partner unless you are sure another coalition won't be needed.
I'm not sure North Korea can necessarily be considered a nation of peaceful restraint.
He's done a piece in the Telegraph saying events in Korea prove we need a replacement for Trident.
The North Korean army says it has "ratified" a merciless attack against the United States, potentially involving a "cutting-edge" nuclear strike.
"The moment of explosion is approaching fast," the North Korean military said in a statement on state news agency KCNA.
War could break out "today or tomorrow," the statement said, quoting a spokesman for the General Staff of the Korean People's Army.
"The merciless operation of (our) revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified.
"The US had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation."
Ooo errr.......
https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/319557105654837248/photo/1
You cannot come on to this site and criticise the Lib Dems at least not in such a fashion. You will be barred from the site.
Mmmm....
The question for someone considering whether or not to support Clinton in 2016 is, will a Clinton 2016 campaign pass the Mark Penn Test? The Mark Penn Test, which I just invented, determines whether or not a person should be trusted with the presidency, based solely on one criterion: Whether or not they pay Mark Penn to do anything for their campaign. Paying Mark Penn means you’ve failed the Mark Penn Test.
http://www.salon.com/2013/04/03/hillary_2016_and_the_mark_penn_test/
Benedict Brogan @benedictbrogan
Clear statement of intent from Dave on #Trident. 'Security of our nation is worth the price' - less than 1.5pc of annual benefits bill
Mr. Moses, I saw that just before logging on here. Glad I'm not in Seoul right now.
Ok 4 1/2 nukes then
(I'm a Tory who would rather see the money for a replacement for Trident spent on conventional forces and weapons)
I don't claim to be a great expert in military strategy, but isn't the general consensus that it's not a bad idea to attempt to achieve both tactical and strategic surprise if you're planning to launch an unprovoked attack, especially on an adversary which is about four orders of magnitude more powerful than you are?
Guess they never taught that in kindergarten. Next announcement is going to be well the Chinese talked us out of it and the USA etc should consider themselves very lucky on this occasion.
George Osborne is coming under mounting pressure from the Tory Right to restrict child benefit to two children per family.
Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary, floated the idea last October and rightwingers insisted last night that he was still behind the plan to limit payments. The move followed the disclosure that Michael Philpott had received more than £8,000 a year in child benefits for his 11 children.
David Davis, a former Tory leadership challenger, said: “I don’t think it is a good idea to make policy on the back of one story. But there is a strong argument to restrict child benefit whether it is to two, three, or four children.”
Lucky for us they aren't following the strategies and tactics of Gaius Julius Caesar, or we'd be buggered.
The problem has always been as I was told out there the N.Koreans will believe their own rhetoric in the end and then what? They are all quite calm about it but that seems to be what makes some nervous
If he'd copied Hannibal he would have launched a surprise attack into South Korea and won a series of dazzling victories.
That does remind me, though, that I need to read some more history.
Mr. Moses, I would guess they simply have to hope that mutually assured destruction dissuades the North from launching a serious assault.
There have been plenty of people writing the obituary of the Coalition since Day One and, to be fair, it's less than 60% through its supposed life and still hanging in there.
The denouement or endgame seems far from clear. I can't see the advantage in either Cameron or Clegg wanting to walk away before the 2015 GE campaign though the question remains whether either or both leader is able or willing to persuade their parties to consider the option of Coalition 2 post-2015.
In the current climate, that seems a tall order. By the spring of 2015, things might look different though it's hard to see how at this time. The best hope the Coalition parties seem to have is the sheer lack of confidence in Labour - that in itself does not guarantee either victory or even the status quo.
At the moment I'm revisiting the first volume of TA Dodge's four part account of Napoleon. Oh, and I'm also revisiting a biography of Septimius Severus that I got ages ago.
Caesar will always be remembered as the byword for Kings.
Caesar conquered all.
Germania, Gaul etc.
Napoleon suffered from what is known as "The John Bercow Complex"
Napoleon managed to unite most of Europe against him, proving everyone hates the frogs.
His only redeeming feature, he inspired ABBA's second greatest ever song.
"If he'd copied Hannibal he would have launched a surprise attack into South Korea and won a series of dazzling victories."
HA! An admission at last that Hannibal had the strategic genius of a mentally retarded gerbil. Winning dazzling victories but losing the war is not the sign of a great leader.
" I need to read some more history"
Correct, and you could start with how Hannibal ended up as some Levantine's bitch, before he topped himself, probably out of shame.
Increasing firepower is not the answer.
Diplomacy must replace warmongering.
Time for Clegg to be appointed our permanent representative in Pyongyang.
And when you say "Coalition Parties", do you actually mean "The Tories"? Because the Lib Dems will be sure as heck hoping that their tactical voters are willing to see Labour in power.
Indeed more likely it will be a stand down but part of the nervousness relates to the fact that they might not. I think the young lad is also short of a lot of common sense as well. If they go for it it would be conventional up to the point they have lost ( US air supremacy within 24 hours even if it took that long) then thy might just lob one at the south. They may see no reason not too at that point.
Unpredictable leaders and hence rather worrying.
Third is Mamma Mia
http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/blog/article/2581/illegal-immigrant-backs-ukip
I saw his silly comment on All Fools Day about you and I, Mr. Eagles.
Like you, I assumed it was his attempt at All Fools Days humour
The week after that his article will focus on why David Cameron is the finest PM the UK has ever had.
Then it's back to the pub.
The north could have 700,000 troops and 2,000 tanks within 100km of the DMZ - http://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-dossiers/north-korean-dossier/north-koreas-weapons-programmes-a-net-asses/the-conventional-military-balance-on-the-kore/
One for Sunil: the Pyongyang Metro - http://www.pyongyang-metro.com/index.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/neil-mccormick/3557871/Abba-no-thank-you-for-the-music.html