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Did Rishi Sunak just save the Union? – politicalbetting.com

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  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117
    HYUFD said:

    The Union has certainly been given a reprieve but it is no more than that. So long as about half of Scots see their future as being one of independence when the time is right and the majority of people in England appear not to really care and those that are unionists (on both sides of the border) can't make a persuasive case for a pan-British identity, the thorn remains.

    Only 39% back Yes on the latest Yougov above little more than a third, if Labour win the next UK general election that will decline further
    As usual you are counting the DKs as no ...
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 9,005

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    I wonder if Simon Case is arranging a Downing St party right now?
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715
    edited March 2023

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    The reason I’ve seen is that, first of all, the Court and Parliament was in London and happy, and second that there was no provincial centre continually important enough to want to challenge the status quo.
    The collegiate system helped, too.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
  • FarooqFarooq Posts: 10,775

    I wasn't very good at sport in school and do wonder if I missed out on a possibly stellar athletic career by turning down the opportunity to be a cox. I was so small that I was seen as the idea candidate. Yet I never understood what a cox actually did. And from I'd seen of the boat race they seemed to get thrown in the river at the end.

    The cox's job is to steer the boat, the coordinate the rowers' stroke rhythm, and to catch leptospirosis from the river water after being tossed off the quay at the end.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117
    Farooq said:

    HYUFD said:

    The Union has certainly been given a reprieve but it is no more than that. So long as about half of Scots see their future as being one of independence when the time is right and the majority of people in England appear not to really care and those that are unionists (on both sides of the border) can't make a persuasive case for a pan-British identity, the thorn remains.

    Only 39% back Yes on the latest Yougov above little more than a third, if Labour win the next UK general election that will decline further
    "Vote Labour to save the union!"
    -- HYUFD
    "Nuke the UK to save it!" - HYUFD
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601

    I wasn't very good at sport in school and do wonder if I missed out on a possibly stellar athletic career by turning down the opportunity to be a cox. I was so small that I was seen as the idea candidate. Yet I never understood what a cox actually did. And from I'd seen of the boat race they seemed to get thrown in the river at the end.

    The cox both steers the boat and coordinates the crew.

    You can win or lose a race with the steering alone. The Thames is a mess of currents and the irregular bottom and bridges means that the best line is dynamic - even before you bring in the wind and state of the tide.

    Deciding when to take the rate up or down, when to start a “push” is also critical.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117
    Farooq said:

    I wasn't very good at sport in school and do wonder if I missed out on a possibly stellar athletic career by turning down the opportunity to be a cox. I was so small that I was seen as the idea candidate. Yet I never understood what a cox actually did. And from I'd seen of the boat race they seemed to get thrown in the river at the end.

    The cox's job is to steer the boat, the coordinate the rowers' stroke rhythm, and to catch leptospirosis from the river water after being tossed off the quay at the end.
    Fair bit of tactical nous needed too, to judge the varyiung currents and what the enemy are doing.
  • Jesus! Ukraine nearly scored!

    Is Maguire playing?
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614
    Nigelb said:
    That’s funny. In the Gulf states, we don’t change the clocks at all. So I’m now an hour closer to the UK.

    The one time I really notice it, is midweek football matches - the difference between a match with a UK 8pm kickoff, finishing at 12:45 or 1:45, is significant to those who get an alarm at 6:30 in the morning.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 10,341
    Farooq said:

    Only a clueless wonder would confidently predict the outcome of Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom.

    Rising to the bait: I confidently predict Scotland will choose independence in the coming decade or so.

    And I would confidently predict that they won't. All bases covered.

    There is no problem in confident prediction. See PB passim. The problem is in being right, a different subject entirely.

  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909

    Jesus! Ukraine nearly scored!

    Is Maguire playing?
    Yes he is.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    The boat race used to be really big. When I was at school in an area where no-one went to university, the boat race was big. Today, I only realised it was on when checking the news.
  • FarooqFarooq Posts: 10,775
    algarkirk said:

    Farooq said:

    Only a clueless wonder would confidently predict the outcome of Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom.

    Rising to the bait: I confidently predict Scotland will choose independence in the coming decade or so.

    And I would confidently predict that they won't. All bases covered.

    There is no problem in confident prediction. See PB passim. The problem is in being right, a different subject entirely.

    So, in summary, we're both of us clueless wonders and yet one of us is right.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,007
    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    HYUFD said:

    The Union has certainly been given a reprieve but it is no more than that. So long as about half of Scots see their future as being one of independence when the time is right and the majority of people in England appear not to really care and those that are unionists (on both sides of the border) can't make a persuasive case for a pan-British identity, the thorn remains.

    Only 39% back Yes on the latest Yougov above little more than a third, if Labour win the next UK general election that will decline further
    "Vote Labour to save the union!"
    -- HYUFD
    "Nuke the UK to save it!" - HYUFD
    Only way to be sure.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614
    edited March 2023

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    The boat race used to be really big. When I was at school in an area where no-one went to university, the boat race was big. Today, I only realised it was on when checking the news.
    Because there used to be three TV channels (and no internet), and the boat race was on one of them. Grandstand used to cover a load of minor sports, most of which get little attention these days.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    An ex-colleague of mine nearly competed for Cambridge in the boat race regatta. I can't remember the full details, but he was a reserve for Goldie. An injury at the start of the year saw him out of contention for the main boat, and another niggling injury saw him out of Goldie. Or summit like that.

    It was his last year at the uni, and to his credit he kept on rowing on the Cam even after joining the Wonderful World of Work.

    An incredibly fit fella.
  • FarooqFarooq Posts: 10,775
    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    I wasn't very good at sport in school and do wonder if I missed out on a possibly stellar athletic career by turning down the opportunity to be a cox. I was so small that I was seen as the idea candidate. Yet I never understood what a cox actually did. And from I'd seen of the boat race they seemed to get thrown in the river at the end.

    The cox's job is to steer the boat, the coordinate the rowers' stroke rhythm, and to catch leptospirosis from the river water after being tossed off the quay at the end.
    Fair bit of tactical nous needed too, to judge the varyiung currents and what the enemy are doing.
    I think the boats should be bigger and the cox replaced by a fat guy with a huge drum.
    Ramming speed! Dom dum dom dom! Dom dum dom dom!
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 116,709
    edited March 2023
    Possession of laughing gas to be a criminal offence


    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65079772
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 14,874

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    The boat race used to be really big. When I was at school in an area where no-one went to university, the boat race was big. Today, I only realised it was on when checking the news.
    Agreed - I stumbled on the TV programme.

    It’s an odd thing, all the varsity matches, such as the rugby. Are they necessarily the two best sides, crews etc from Universities? Don’t know. Certainly other places have a claim for rugby. But then the varsity match doesn’t claim to be that - it’s a challenge between the two Universities. Should it be televised? Why not? I wonder how much it costs to whoever shows it.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926
    Carnyx said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
    iirc it was a Scharnhorst documentary presented by Ludovic Kennedy where he described the loss of his father's ship.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730

    Both Cambridge crews have man cox

    Both Oxford crews have lady cox

    The Oxford coxes are chicks with a lot of dicks?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    edited March 2023
    Farooq said:

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    I wasn't very good at sport in school and do wonder if I missed out on a possibly stellar athletic career by turning down the opportunity to be a cox. I was so small that I was seen as the idea candidate. Yet I never understood what a cox actually did. And from I'd seen of the boat race they seemed to get thrown in the river at the end.

    The cox's job is to steer the boat, the coordinate the rowers' stroke rhythm, and to catch leptospirosis from the river water after being tossed off the quay at the end.
    Fair bit of tactical nous needed too, to judge the varyiung currents and what the enemy are doing.
    I think the boats should be bigger and the cox replaced by a fat guy with a huge drum.
    Ramming speed! Dom dum dom dom! Dom dum dom dom!
    "We keep you alive to serve this blog! Write well, and live!"
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    Farooq said:

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    I wasn't very good at sport in school and do wonder if I missed out on a possibly stellar athletic career by turning down the opportunity to be a cox. I was so small that I was seen as the idea candidate. Yet I never understood what a cox actually did. And from I'd seen of the boat race they seemed to get thrown in the river at the end.

    The cox's job is to steer the boat, the coordinate the rowers' stroke rhythm, and to catch leptospirosis from the river water after being tossed off the quay at the end.
    Fair bit of tactical nous needed too, to judge the varyiung currents and what the enemy are doing.
    I think the boats should be bigger and the cox replaced by a fat guy with a huge drum.
    Ramming speed! Dom dum dom dom! Dom dum dom dom!
    {Charlton Heston has entered the chat}

    Fixed seat, arms only, square blade rowing? Screw that.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    HARRY KANE!
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,742
    Carnyx said:

    HYUFD said:

    The Union has certainly been given a reprieve but it is no more than that. So long as about half of Scots see their future as being one of independence when the time is right and the majority of people in England appear not to really care and those that are unionists (on both sides of the border) can't make a persuasive case for a pan-British identity, the thorn remains.

    Only 39% back Yes on the latest Yougov above little more than a third, if Labour win the next UK general election that will decline further
    As usual you are counting the DKs as no ...
    And glossing over that even after Natageddon less than half of voters back No.
    Quite easy learning to speak HYUFD-ese.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    HYUFD said:

    The Union has certainly been given a reprieve but it is no more than that. So long as about half of Scots see their future as being one of independence when the time is right and the majority of people in England appear not to really care and those that are unionists (on both sides of the border) can't make a persuasive case for a pan-British identity, the thorn remains.

    Only 39% back Yes on the latest Yougov above little more than a third, if Labour win the next UK general election that will decline further
    "Vote Labour to save the union!"
    -- HYUFD
    "Nuke the UK to save it!" - HYUFD
    Only way to be sure.
    Whatever you say, Corporal Hudson.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 9,688

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    An ex-colleague of mine nearly competed for Cambridge in the boat race regatta. I can't remember the full details, but he was a reserve for Goldie. An injury at the start of the year saw him out of contention for the main boat, and another niggling injury saw him out of Goldie. Or summit like that.

    It was his last year at the uni, and to his credit he kept on rowing on the Cam even after joining the Wonderful World of Work.

    An incredibly fit fella.
    Even rowing for your College is a huge commitment. I wasn't good, but six days of early morning rowing and perhaps 2-3 other training sessions a week.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614
    edited March 2023
    The Ukranian football team’s defenders, seem to be up to the standard of their military defenders.

    Edit: just as Kane hits one!
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    Omnium said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    An ex-colleague of mine nearly competed for Cambridge in the boat race regatta. I can't remember the full details, but he was a reserve for Goldie. An injury at the start of the year saw him out of contention for the main boat, and another niggling injury saw him out of Goldie. Or summit like that.

    It was his last year at the uni, and to his credit he kept on rowing on the Cam even after joining the Wonderful World of Work.

    An incredibly fit fella.
    Even rowing for your College is a huge commitment. I wasn't good, but six days of early morning rowing and perhaps 2-3 other training sessions a week.
    Rowing at that level *is* your life.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    SAKA!

    2-0
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,517
    I love the boat race, and did before I had any remote connection with Cambridge.

    There isn't a lot of rowing on TV, outside the Olympics, and it's really great to see people training, and working, that hard. Remember, one of the Oxford crew has just been taken to hospital. It's an immense effort.

    Compare to that shitty little upper middle- and upper-class sport skiing, which gets a weekly TV program during winter.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117
    edited March 2023

    Carnyx said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
    iirc it was a Scharnhorst documentary presented by Ludovic Kennedy where he described the loss of his father's ship.
    Indeed, the AMC Rawalpindi going up against 9 x 21cm guns with a few clapped out 6" from the Great War.

    Though LK himself was on one of the destroyers in the Bismarck's final action, and wrote a book about that.

    Edit|: and, on topic, also 'In bed with an elephant', on Scotland's dilemma as he saw it.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,623

    HARRY KANE!

    He just won the boat race?
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 14,080
    Farooq said:

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    I wasn't very good at sport in school and do wonder if I missed out on a possibly stellar athletic career by turning down the opportunity to be a cox. I was so small that I was seen as the idea candidate. Yet I never understood what a cox actually did. And from I'd seen of the boat race they seemed to get thrown in the river at the end.

    The cox's job is to steer the boat, the coordinate the rowers' stroke rhythm, and to catch leptospirosis from the river water after being tossed off the quay at the end.
    Fair bit of tactical nous needed too, to judge the varyiung currents and what the enemy are doing.
    I think the boats should be bigger and the cox replaced by a fat guy with a huge drum.
    Ramming speed! Dom dum dom dom! Dom dum dom dom!
    Dom Dum? I'll have you know that I'm a strategic genius like Bismark and General Groves only better and the 🛒 would have got nowhere without me... (continued page 994)
  • DavidL said:

    Talking of heresy how can a professional journalist write a sentence like this:
    "Neither Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes or Ash Regan have a net positive rating among the Scottish public, researchers at Ipsos found in a snap poll held between March 17 and 21."

    I mean, where do you start?
    https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/ahead-of-tomorrow-s-result-all-snp-leadership-hopefuls-have-net-negative-ratings/ar-AA195OY7?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=1115e0035dc84441bb185761997b5a40&ei=20

    Because Ash Regan doesn't count?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117

    Omnium said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    An ex-colleague of mine nearly competed for Cambridge in the boat race regatta. I can't remember the full details, but he was a reserve for Goldie. An injury at the start of the year saw him out of contention for the main boat, and another niggling injury saw him out of Goldie. Or summit like that.

    It was his last year at the uni, and to his credit he kept on rowing on the Cam even after joining the Wonderful World of Work.

    An incredibly fit fella.
    Even rowing for your College is a huge commitment. I wasn't good, but six days of early morning rowing and perhaps 2-3 other training sessions a week.
    Rowing at that level *is* your life.
    An Oxford pub which I adored - now long gone - had draught (well, on tap, not on udder) milk for the rowers. Quite a signt to see a whole eight necking pints of the white stuff while I went for the cider in the wood.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601

    DavidL said:

    Talking of heresy how can a professional journalist write a sentence like this:
    "Neither Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes or Ash Regan have a net positive rating among the Scottish public, researchers at Ipsos found in a snap poll held between March 17 and 21."

    I mean, where do you start?
    https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/ahead-of-tomorrow-s-result-all-snp-leadership-hopefuls-have-net-negative-ratings/ar-AA195OY7?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=1115e0035dc84441bb185761997b5a40&ei=20

    Because Ash Regan doesn't count?
    They reused the spreadsheet the SNP use for counting the money.

    3 = 2, there.
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 9,688

    Omnium said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    An ex-colleague of mine nearly competed for Cambridge in the boat race regatta. I can't remember the full details, but he was a reserve for Goldie. An injury at the start of the year saw him out of contention for the main boat, and another niggling injury saw him out of Goldie. Or summit like that.

    It was his last year at the uni, and to his credit he kept on rowing on the Cam even after joining the Wonderful World of Work.

    An incredibly fit fella.
    Even rowing for your College is a huge commitment. I wasn't good, but six days of early morning rowing and perhaps 2-3 other training sessions a week.
    Rowing at that level *is* your life.
    It may seem that way, but somehow you fit it all in. When I left Uni and came back to London I briefly joined a rowing club. but it became entirely clear that a 'job in the city' (which then did own you) and anything like a decent rowing commitment wouldn't work together.

    (I do rather wish I'd done more studying rather than rowing in my final uni year)
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
    iirc it was a Scharnhorst documentary presented by Ludovic Kennedy where he described the loss of his father's ship.
    Indeed, the AMC Rawalpindi going up against 9 x 21cm guns with a few clapped out 6" from the Great War.

    Though LK himself was on one of the destroyers in the Bismarck's final action, and wrote a book about that.

    Edit|: and, on topic, also 'In bed with an elephant', on Scotland's dilemma as he saw it.
    Not as epic as the destroyer Glowworm going up against the Admiral Hipper.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
    iirc it was a Scharnhorst documentary presented by Ludovic Kennedy where he described the loss of his father's ship.
    Indeed, the AMC Rawalpindi going up against 9 x 21cm guns with a few clapped out 6" from the Great War.

    Though LK himself was on one of the destroyers in the Bismarck's final action, and wrote a book about that.

    Edit|: and, on topic, also 'In bed with an elephant', on Scotland's dilemma as he saw it.
    Not as epic as the destroyer Glowworm going up against the Admiral Hipper.
    Not sure I agree, given the relative disparities - Glowworm had torpedoes as well as directed 4.5 or 4.7 inch guns, and Hipper only 20.3 cm guns.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    Sandpit said:

    The Ukranian football team’s defenders, seem to be up to the standard of their military defenders.

    Edit: just as Kane hits one!

    I hope you haven't put the 'fluence on the Ukrainian Army with that remark...
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
    iirc it was a Scharnhorst documentary presented by Ludovic Kennedy where he described the loss of his father's ship.
    Indeed, the AMC Rawalpindi going up against 9 x 21cm guns with a few clapped out 6" from the Great War.

    Though LK himself was on one of the destroyers in the Bismarck's final action, and wrote a book about that.

    Edit|: and, on topic, also 'In bed with an elephant', on Scotland's dilemma as he saw it.
    Not as epic as the destroyer Glowworm going up against the Admiral Hipper.
    Not sure I agree, given the relative disparities - Glowworm had torpedoes as well as directed 4.5 or 4.7 inch guns, and Hipper only 20.3 cm guns.
    RAMMING SPEED, Carnyx!
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614
    Carnyx said:

    Omnium said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    An ex-colleague of mine nearly competed for Cambridge in the boat race regatta. I can't remember the full details, but he was a reserve for Goldie. An injury at the start of the year saw him out of contention for the main boat, and another niggling injury saw him out of Goldie. Or summit like that.

    It was his last year at the uni, and to his credit he kept on rowing on the Cam even after joining the Wonderful World of Work.

    An incredibly fit fella.
    Even rowing for your College is a huge commitment. I wasn't good, but six days of early morning rowing and perhaps 2-3 other training sessions a week.
    Rowing at that level *is* your life.
    An Oxford pub which I adored - now long gone - had draught (well, on tap, not on udder) milk for the rowers. Quite a signt to see a whole eight necking pints of the white stuff while I went for the cider in the wood.
    You get those in hotels, 20 litre containers of milk, in a small fridge with a tap at the bottom. Usually kept back of house though!
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    Omnium said:

    Omnium said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    An ex-colleague of mine nearly competed for Cambridge in the boat race regatta. I can't remember the full details, but he was a reserve for Goldie. An injury at the start of the year saw him out of contention for the main boat, and another niggling injury saw him out of Goldie. Or summit like that.

    It was his last year at the uni, and to his credit he kept on rowing on the Cam even after joining the Wonderful World of Work.

    An incredibly fit fella.
    Even rowing for your College is a huge commitment. I wasn't good, but six days of early morning rowing and perhaps 2-3 other training sessions a week.
    Rowing at that level *is* your life.
    It may seem that way, but somehow you fit it all in. When I left Uni and came back to London I briefly joined a rowing club. but it became entirely clear that a 'job in the city' (which then did own you) and anything like a decent rowing commitment wouldn't work together.

    (I do rather wish I'd done more studying rather than rowing in my final uni year)
    It’s never too late. There are a couple of clubs, now that cater for casual rowing - if you just want row you can. No previous skill required. I’m a idiot on the water, but they let me out…
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    What if they had a third Plebs boat?
    No, that'd kill it. Its rarified air is key to its appeal.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    Half time

    England 2-0 Ukraine
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    edited March 2023
    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
    iirc it was a Scharnhorst documentary presented by Ludovic Kennedy where he described the loss of his father's ship.
    Indeed, the AMC Rawalpindi going up against 9 x 21cm guns with a few clapped out 6" from the Great War.

    Though LK himself was on one of the destroyers in the Bismarck's final action, and wrote a book about that.

    Edit|: and, on topic, also 'In bed with an elephant', on Scotland's dilemma as he saw it.
    Not as epic as the destroyer Glowworm going up against the Admiral Hipper.
    Not sure I agree, given the relative disparities - Glowworm had torpedoes as well as directed 4.5 or 4.7 inch guns, and Hipper only 20.3 cm guns.
    And both were not in vain. In the end the RN chased the German heavy surface fleet into harbour and Hitler actually tried to abolish it. Only Admiral Doughnuts stopped him…
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    It's a shame we now think of it as privilege. I think of it as a folkloric ritual that I don't partake in but like to know it is still going. One of the strange things about England is that for so long it only had two universities. A failing I have never seen a good explanation for.
    Yes I like it too - and for that reason. But I'd just be more comfortable watching it on Eurosport.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    Poor aren't they. Lost all 4 heats.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1639599213280387072?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg

    According to Russian state TV talking heads, BREXIT was actually about the U.K. preparing for war with Russia.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840
    Sandpit said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Absolutely. Privilege and elitism is everything the BBC stands for.
    Indeed! And normally they try to mitigate. I give this another 5 years max, doing the BR.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840
    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    Carnyx said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    Depends if they sink or not
    With Ludovic Kennedy doing the commenting, given his previous experience (Bismarck, etc.).
    iirc it was a Scharnhorst documentary presented by Ludovic Kennedy where he described the loss of his father's ship.
    Indeed, the AMC Rawalpindi going up against 9 x 21cm guns with a few clapped out 6" from the Great War.

    Though LK himself was on one of the destroyers in the Bismarck's final action, and wrote a book about that.

    Edit|: and, on topic, also 'In bed with an elephant', on Scotland's dilemma as he saw it.
    Not as epic as the destroyer Glowworm going up against the Admiral Hipper.
    Not sure I agree, given the relative disparities - Glowworm had torpedoes as well as directed 4.5 or 4.7 inch guns, and Hipper only 20.3 cm guns.
    And both were not in vain. In the end the RN chased the German heavy surface fleet into harbour and Hitler actually tried to abolish it. Only Admiral Doughnuts stopped him…
    This chunk of the Kriegsmarine definitely on my bucket list ...

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrått_Fort
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614

    https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1639599213280387072?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg

    According to Russian state TV talking heads, BREXIT was actually about the U.K. preparing for war with Russia.

    LOL, do the Russians have any idea about what war with the UK might actually look like? Have they not noticed, that NATO are not actually fighting them at the moment, they’re merely arming and training the Ukranians? Does Putin understand what his country ends up being, if NATO invades from the West, and China from the East??
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    I love the boat race, and did before I had any remote connection with Cambridge.

    There isn't a lot of rowing on TV, outside the Olympics, and it's really great to see people training, and working, that hard. Remember, one of the Oxford crew has just been taken to hospital. It's an immense effort.

    Compare to that shitty little upper middle- and upper-class sport skiing, which gets a weekly TV program during winter.

    Ski Sunday? I watch that but only the intro - terrific theme tune imo.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
    Meaning? ...
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1639599213280387072?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg

    According to Russian state TV talking heads, BREXIT was actually about the U.K. preparing for war with Russia.

    You almost have to admire their creativity. Truly some of the finest fiction writers on the planet, so long as you are mostly into conspiratorial soap operas.
  • kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
    Meaning? ...
    Without getting Mike into trouble - the whole system of player recruitment is corrupt. Given the money kicking (!) around, it’s inevitable.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    kle4 said:

    https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1639599213280387072?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg

    According to Russian state TV talking heads, BREXIT was actually about the U.K. preparing for war with Russia.

    You almost have to admire their creativity. Truly some of the finest fiction writers on the planet, so long as you are mostly into conspiratorial soap operas.
    Too much nitrous oxide?
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    The boat race used to be really big. When I was at school in an area where no-one went to university, the boat race was big. Today, I only realised it was on when checking the news.
    It's still quite big, I'd say. Along with the Grand National and the Masters it marks the start of Spring for the sports fan.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Richardr said:

    IanB2 said:

    Horse_B said:

    I think Rishi Sunak is a decent enough PM, competent and is clearly a massive step up from Truss and Johnson.

    But he's still defending 13 years of failure, in which people see their lives getting worse and not better and they see things like energy bills going up and everything getting more expensive. His wealth is an issue as people see him as out of touch.

    As a man to steady the ship he's good - but I just cannot see why anyone would come out to vote for his party in big numbers at this stage.

    The remarkable thing is that the Tories are just now discovering the merits of quiet, reasonably competent government having spent a fair few years insistent on subjecting us to precisely the opposite. Which leaves us non-Tories wondering why they ever thought it a good idea to inflict Johnson and Truss on us in the first place?
    Sunak was appointed by the MPs, the other two were appointed by the membership - a diminishing number of people unrepresentative of Conservative voters as a whole.
    It's not diminishing all that much in the last 10 years (assuming one can trust a parties reported figures), though as the population increases then as a proportion of population it's definitely going down still further.

    https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05125/SN05125.pdf
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    kle4 said:

    https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1639599213280387072?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg

    According to Russian state TV talking heads, BREXIT was actually about the U.K. preparing for war with Russia.

    You almost have to admire their creativity. Truly some of the finest fiction writers on the planet, so long as you are mostly into conspiratorial soap operas.
    Too much nitrous oxide?
    Is that the new Moscow method rather than carelessness around high windows?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    kle4 said:

    kle4 said:

    https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1639599213280387072?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg

    According to Russian state TV talking heads, BREXIT was actually about the U.K. preparing for war with Russia.

    You almost have to admire their creativity. Truly some of the finest fiction writers on the planet, so long as you are mostly into conspiratorial soap operas.
    Too much nitrous oxide?
    Is that the new Moscow method rather than carelessness around high windows?
    Putin is high on self Righteous Noxide.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    kinabalu said:

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    The boat race used to be really big. When I was at school in an area where no-one went to university, the boat race was big. Today, I only realised it was on when checking the news.
    It's still quite big, I'd say. Along with the Grand National and the Masters it marks the start of Spring for the sports fan.
    I'm not into it but I usually at least know it is happening from seemingly loads of promotion on the BBC site in the days leading up to it. This year I've somehow escaped any notice of it.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715
    kle4 said:

    kinabalu said:

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    The boat race used to be really big. When I was at school in an area where no-one went to university, the boat race was big. Today, I only realised it was on when checking the news.
    It's still quite big, I'd say. Along with the Grand National and the Masters it marks the start of Spring for the sports fan.
    I'm not into it but I usually at least know it is happening from seemingly loads of promotion on the BBC site in the days leading up to it. This year I've somehow escaped any notice of it.
    Must admit I only tuned by accident. Turned on wanting to see what was on.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 14,874
    kle4 said:

    kinabalu said:

    Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.

    Once again, Cambridge are magic, Oxford are tragic.
    The boat race used to be really big. When I was at school in an area where no-one went to university, the boat race was big. Today, I only realised it was on when checking the news.
    It's still quite big, I'd say. Along with the Grand National and the Masters it marks the start of Spring for the sports fan.
    I'm not into it but I usually at least know it is happening from seemingly loads of promotion on the BBC site in the days leading up to it. This year I've somehow escaped any notice of it.
    I watch a lot less BBC content now, much more other channels (5 is huge in chez Tubbs) and more on demand. But even so I’d have thought I’d see at least one advert.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    kle4 said:

    kle4 said:

    https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1639599213280387072?s=46&t=BXfRXqZ4RcCOdvlSgUjZSg

    According to Russian state TV talking heads, BREXIT was actually about the U.K. preparing for war with Russia.

    You almost have to admire their creativity. Truly some of the finest fiction writers on the planet, so long as you are mostly into conspiratorial soap operas.
    Too much nitrous oxide?
    Is that the new Moscow method rather than carelessness around high windows?
    Maybe the nitrous makes them careless with windows and cigarettes?
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
    Meaning? ...
    Without getting Mike into trouble - the whole system of player recruitment is corrupt. Given the money kicking (!) around, it’s inevitable.
    Ah ok. Agents. Kickbacks. All that. Yes it's corrupt. Money does that. But what I meant is with big ticket football you can be pretty certain that the players who make it to the top ARE the best players both actual and potential. Or rather that this is more true than in almost any other field. Why? Because it's open to all and so many have a go as kids. It's a massively wide funnel and you progress on talent plus application.

    "Hey Jurgen, can you give Hugo a game against Man U? I know his dad. He's a solid chap."

    Don't think so.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
    Meaning? ...
    Without getting Mike into trouble - the whole system of player recruitment is corrupt. Given the money kicking (!) around, it’s inevitable.
    Ah ok. Agents. Kickbacks. All that. Yes it's corrupt. Money does that. But what I meant is with big ticket football you can be pretty certain that the players who make it to the top ARE the best players both actual and potential. Or rather that this is more true than in almost any other field. Why? Because it's open to all and so many have a go as kids. It's a massively wide funnel and you progress on talent plus application.

    "Hey Jurgen, can you give Hugo a game against Man U? I know his dad. He's a solid chap."

    Don't think so.
    Well it has happened once or twice.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Dia
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614
    Ukranian goalie has had a good night. Could have been a rugby score at Wembley.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840
    kle4 said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
    Meaning? ...
    Without getting Mike into trouble - the whole system of player recruitment is corrupt. Given the money kicking (!) around, it’s inevitable.
    Ah ok. Agents. Kickbacks. All that. Yes it's corrupt. Money does that. But what I meant is with big ticket football you can be pretty certain that the players who make it to the top ARE the best players both actual and potential. Or rather that this is more true than in almost any other field. Why? Because it's open to all and so many have a go as kids. It's a massively wide funnel and you progress on talent plus application.

    "Hey Jurgen, can you give Hugo a game against Man U? I know his dad. He's a solid chap."

    Don't think so.
    Well it has happened once or twice.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Dia
    Lol yes. And lasted 20 minutes!
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 14,874
    dixiedean said:

    This Summer Time is handy.
    It's enabling me to have a perfect view of the blizzard.

    Time to trot out the old nostrum about snow being more likely at Easter than Christmas?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,601
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
    Meaning? ...
    Without getting Mike into trouble - the whole system of player recruitment is corrupt. Given the money kicking (!) around, it’s inevitable.
    Ah ok. Agents. Kickbacks. All that. Yes it's corrupt. Money does that. But what I meant is with big ticket football you can be pretty certain that the players who make it to the top ARE the best players both actual and potential. Or rather that this is more true than in almost any other field. Why? Because it's open to all and so many have a go as kids. It's a massively wide funnel and you progress on talent plus application.

    "Hey Jurgen, can you give Hugo a game against Man U? I know his dad. He's a solid chap."

    Don't think so.
    Think - two kids. Equal ability. Who gets the next step up? Yes, indeed.

    My guess it that it will explode in the next few years.
  • FarooqFarooq Posts: 10,775

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    That's 7 years in clink for offending public decency right there
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    Full time 2-0 England v Ukraine
  • FarooqFarooq Posts: 10,775
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    As opposed to sports where the players are millionaires, the owners are criminal billionaires and tickets can reach 5 figures?
    However football is the purest meritocracy. Perhaps the purest of all. Not that I'm the world's biggest fan of meritocracy (as previously discussed).
    Ha ha

    I guess you’ll have to wait until the shenanigans around players careers gets outed.
    Meaning? ...
    Without getting Mike into trouble - the whole system of player recruitment is corrupt. Given the money kicking (!) around, it’s inevitable.
    Ah ok. Agents. Kickbacks. All that. Yes it's corrupt. Money does that. But what I meant is with big ticket football you can be pretty certain that the players who make it to the top ARE the best players both actual and potential. Or rather that this is more true than in almost any other field. Why? Because it's open to all and so many have a go as kids. It's a massively wide funnel and you progress on talent plus application.

    "Hey Jurgen, can you give Hugo a game against Man U? I know his dad. He's a solid chap."

    Don't think so.
    Think - two kids. Equal ability. Who gets the next step up? Yes, indeed.

    My guess it that it will explode in the next few years.
    Not to an extent that invalidates the point I'm making.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840
    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Loyalty can be abused, yes. And it's tough to see when it is.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,742
    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
  • SeaShantyIrish2SeaShantyIrish2 Posts: 15,227

    Cookie said:

    ydoethur said:

    I'm going to miss doing Sturgeon fish puns.

    How many years since we had a leader of the SNP we couldn't do fish puns on? Twenty odd?

    It's tragic it really is.
    Skate Forbes.
    Ash Ray-gen.
    Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻ(z)a Yusuf
    As I type this, am wearing an Aloha shirt, which features this iconic fish, the official State Fish of the great State of Hawai'i.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117
    edited March 2023

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 48,909
    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
    Vote SNP, get Sunak.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
    Vote SNP, get Sunak.
    Bit of an understatement there. Vote for anyone, get Sunak.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,840

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
    Vote SNP, get Sunak.
    Re matters SNP, I don't think I've ever seen such PB bloc sentiment as that Humza Yousaf is a plank. Does literally no-one have a kind word for him?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 116,709
    kinabalu said:

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
    Vote SNP, get Sunak.
    Re matters SNP, I don't think I've ever seen such PB bloc sentiment as that Humza Yousaf is a plank. Does literally no-one have a kind word for him?
    Sturgeon loyalists and Mrs Yousaf
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 7,458
    I've not been following today, so it's probably already been said. But criminalising yet another noxious substance is no laughing matter.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 116,709
    edited March 2023
    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
    Apart from on the Union I would actually vote for Kate Forbes over Sarwar if she became SNP leader.

    Indeed other than on the Union and Brexit Forbes could comfortably fit in with the Jacob Rees Mogg wing of the Conservative Party on social and economic matters
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 7,458
    HYUFD said:

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
    Apart from on the Union I would actually vote for Kate Forbes over Sarwar if she became SNP leader.

    Indeed other than on the Union and Brexit Forbes could comfortably fit in with the Jacob Rees Mogg wing of the Conservative Party on social and economic matters
    I though Forbes was much younger than Mogg - about 170 years?
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,042
    HYUFD said:

    Carnyx said:

    Farooq said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    HYUFD said:

    kinabalu said:

    I enjoy the Boat Race but should such a celebration of privilege and elitism be a major live broadcast on the BBC? Not sure. Think I'd rather it was on Eurosport.

    I am on Chiswick Bridge and big crowds all along the riverbank, it is a great celebration of amateur sport, many future Olympians compete, is internationally renowned and one of the few sporting events the BBC alone show live still
    Yes I think I saw you. Tweed jacket and navy blue bobble hat?
    Do not forget union jack trousers
    Tbf I sense H is not a UJ trousers type. He's big and small 'c' conservative.
    You know as well as I do that he'd wear a gimp mask and a "tail" of beads in public if the party leader required it of him
    Red, white and blue beads though, with a royal coat of arms on every other one.
    All part of his rapprochement with Slab. Vide the photo here (similar to one which for some reason the Scotsman have deleted from their report of Mr Murray's fashion sense, or else it's not working on my browser).

    https://theclarionmag.org/2019/08/11/under-the-butchers-apron-the-scottish-labour-rights-embrace-of-british-nationalism/
    Apart from on the Union I would actually vote for Kate Forbes over Sarwar if she became SNP leader.

    Indeed other than on the Union and Brexit Forbes could comfortably fit in with the Jacob Rees Mogg wing of the Conservative Party on social and economic matters
    If Forbes goes for growth, with a low tax economy, and the UK Government continues its path of Jeremy Corbyn's tax regime, it will be a serious threat to the Union.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 116,709
    Jim Murphy says if Kate Forbes wins the SNP leadership tomorrow and becomes First Minister it will be out with secular liberalism and in with Christian democracy for Scotland

    https://twitter.com/glasgowmurphy/status/1640052369583923205?s=20
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 3,054
    edited March 2023

    Both Cambridge crews have man cox

    Both Oxford crews have lady cox

    They let trans people compete already?
    Since the 1930s:

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Dillon

    Albeit not in his assumed gender.

    There was also a trans woman in the 2005 cambridge women's boat. Not sure it was publicised though.
This discussion has been closed.