OK - so post No.980 was a little silly - THIS one isn't ! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-34283133 Firstly - I want to express my sadness at the senseless deaths and carnage that occurred on the bridge. Just how over 100 vehicles can be involved in an incident ( I will not call it an 'accident' ), is beyond me - they were all going too bloody fast in thick fog. Now - I hate speed cameras. They seem to be placed in places that have no real history of traffic 'incidents' - and nearly always strategically positioned to 'trap' motorists into driving at a higher speed ( you know what I mean ) -- but -- if the average speed on the bridge is still over the maximum permitted 'National' rate - let alone 20 mph below it, then clearly the drivers have no regard for the consequences of a likely repetition of an 'incident' - and it will be an 'incident' that will be dictated by the 'unique' weather conditions that is likely to prevail on the bridge several times each autumn and winter. Put the cameras on the bridge - that will greatly reduce the average speed - and quick !
alwaysright - A couple of views to this, firstly on the 1st Oct the government bring in yet another of its rules regarding smoking, in addition to the many other health & safety endless rules that already apply. And yet still in this country we see no legal pursuits against motorists who use their vehicles as lethal weapons. Carry a knife and you will get banged up for a few years. Drive a car like an idiot and well that's just fine; Secondly, the bridge mentioned is of poor design, I believe it only just meets European standards for safety. There is no safety route once on the bridge, there is no lighting, basically there is nothing other than a piece of tarmac spread on a concrete structure. If you break down on it in the dark or Fog as in this incident, you are F....oops... erm unfortunate lol. The County authority were warned about the risk BEFORE this design was built. It was not a surprise to some when one of the worse UK pile ups occurred. I must admit even i did not know the speed limit had been reduced to 50mph on this stretch, I assume it must be adequately signed But the easy answer to this is instead of the mobile speed camera hiding on the A249 Stockbury end, on the side of the carriage way where lesser accidents occur in comparison to the other side, they need to get their butts down to the crossing....oh hang on....there is no where for them to park... and we circle back therefore to the beginning of the conversation!
brb I sympathise with those who smoke - I choose to waste my money by watching The Gills ! As you know motorists are heavily taxed in several forms - so, perhaps the Government needs to be wary of not alienating them even further - with more punitive measures. ( I appreciate the amount you have to pay in tax on tobacco ). I accept that the bridge was / is of poor design. ( I understand that consideration is being given to create a 'hard shoulder' - but will that be at the expense of lane width ?) - not ideal ! I suspect that the users of the bridge are not 'passing' traffic - but mainly confined to local people commuting to and from the 'mainland' - for work, school etc. They should be more aware of the 'peculiar' weather conditions that frequently exist - and was a big factor ( other than speed ), in the unfortunate 'incident.' These are the same people who are driving well over 50 mph - and, in fact, over the National 70mph limit. This is Madness ! Speed Kills. It doesn't matter what the weather conditions are -'Nobody should be driving at a speed faster than they are capable of stopping their vehicle in the space in front of them that they can see to be clear.' If you take the trouble to re read that highlighted statement, you will understand that Speed Kills - regardless of how fast or slow you are travelling (THIS is the point of my posts). If weather conditions compounds other road conditions, everyone needs to slow down - and certainly not drive over 70 in a 50 limit. In a review of my recommendation, I would go a little further and suggest 'average speed ' cameras should be installed. If self destruction won't stop people driving safely, then - YES - hit them in their pockets - because it seems to me that people regard their money more valuable than their lives ( or that of others ).
I think it comes back to my question alwaysright, why is ok to use a vehicle as basically a lethal weapon/killing machine, where you never see court appearances for just being a basic idiot, etc. But you get nicked for carrying a knife or banned from smoking in a vehicle.
brb, I have found stats for 2010 that show 232 deaths from sharp instruments (knife) so of course it's only right to ban them. I should also mention the 1,850 people who died in road traffic accidents in the same year.
Exactly my point grumpygit...I wonder what the percentage of prosecutions resulting in prison were applied in both of those scenarios
I'll try to lighten the mood - if only for brb ! The stewards at Colchester, were up to the usual standard ! The ground is obvious from the A12 -- it doesn't need a moron in a hi viz blocking the road to stop the coaches - just to point at the ground a few yards away and telling the driver " You need to go in that direction." You then travel those few yards and encounter a ridiculous state of affairs - where more stewards invite the coaches to drive across the face of the concourse outside the 'home end', to then reverse across the face of the concourse and into the coach parking places. I think fans in the area would have been safer on the Sheppey bridge in thick fog ! Why didn't the club create a safe route - to the left side and behind the other cars in the car park - thus allowing all coaches to divert away from the fans, and facing forward - without the dangerous manoeuvre that each coach had to perform ? The stewards obviously 'like' trouble - and went looking for it during the game ! What I mean is that they decided that they just couldn't 'allow' a handful of Gills fans, at the back of the stand to be stood ( without causing any problem or trouble for anyone else ). You'll not be surprised to know that when the stewards moved in to prevent such crimes, the atmosphere became hostile. Now, I can accept rules are rules - and that the stewards would quote Health and Safety - BUT - where was that when the chap in the 'home' end went tumbling down the steps of their stand - he took quite a fall ! The stewards could point to this 'accident' to justify their actions, to demand that the Gills fans sit. So , why didn't any stewards perform the same 'duty' in the 'home end' stand - where there were considerably more Colchester fans on their feet compared to the few Gills fans. I don't normally make any fuss when I see stewards moving in amongst our fans when I am on my travels - but I had to point out their discrimination to them yesterday - and asked them to dish out the same treatment in the home end - of course, they just stood there looking like stuffed monkeys - NO steward bothered to provoke a fight in the home end. I'm thinking of complaining to Colchester about the situation - because I'm getting fed up with it happening at every ground I visit. The situation only serves to incite a breach of the peace - where none existed.......... mind you - if we carry on playing hoofball I won't have to worry about stewards - because I'm not sure how long I will tolerate wasting a whole day for such delights.
alwaysright - shame you didn't give this a thread on its own. You know my thoughts on stewards and football culture and i believe any steward issues need to be highlighted, loud and clear in a thread on there own, as long has factual and witnessed as in your case then i see no reason why freedom of speech should be hindered to be vocal about the yellow jacket peril.
There's a lot to be said for the benefits of goal line technology http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/34304543 If they play until the ball hits the 'back of the net' , then this nonsense wouldn't happen! - none of this rubbish of conceding defeat. OK - I realise that most of you couldn't care less ( I don't either ), but I was looking for something where there was more misery than probably exists after 'our' first defeat in the league. enjoy the rugby everyone - especially all the stop-start bits. I'm actually surprised that ITV don't use these occasions to have a split screen and show some commercials.
brb The 'problem' for me, has much to do with politics- and the way the the greater majority of us are having decisions made, on our behalf, to appease the minority - you'll understand what I mean if I say that there is too much political correctness -- in a country where there is supposed to be freedom of speech. I'm sure that by now ( beginning of line 3 ), that most members will have clicked refresh - so I wont chance it by adding as much detail as I'd like - because too many of us are apathetic to care when we are being downtrodden. We have a Government who are either hypocritical ( do as I say - not as I do ), or will only gratify those who will guarantee them enough votes to be re-elected. Rules in society seem to be targeted at those who can pay a fine for any transgression - but if you've got nothing to lose, then you become untouchable. We used to say that 'crime doesn't pay' - well that's a load of testicles ! - because it is exactly the people with nothing to lose who are getting away with their crimes -without any real deterrent / punishment ( in real value terms ) -- and talking about crime and hypocrisy -- whatever happened to all those MPs who fiddled their expenses ( I nearly wrote 'fiddle' -- or is the 'present tense' correct ? ) - that subject seems to have disappeared. Anyway - before I get carried away with a story that would make one of my 'camel trip' write-ups seem brief - sometimes I just have to make a statement. Not because I expect any change of policy - but because I want to point out that I know when I am being treated as if I was a 'clot'. I know that I can't change that situation - but I have to let the 'establishment' know that I might be old, grey, fat and ugly - but I am not stupid - I am capable of understanding a reasonable, fair and proportionate response to my protest -- of course, ( as you know ), all I ever seem to get from the hi viz brigade, is a look that a monkey can provide.
I agree with your sentiments but sadly in the new reformed cloned world it's only us old boys that will stick up for ourselves. The lads have a right to stand, stuff the rules, i've spoken about Hillsborough endless times. Thatcher was on a campaign pure and simple, and i can give you countless of examples via the link i've supplied before where all seater stadiums have been death traps but people only want to believe what the media government spin tell them. Nothing has changed, there has still been examples at Premier games in the 21st century of trouble with turnstiles, but lets blame the standing minority its easier that way for the yellow peril to flex their muscle.
My brother is hammering nails into his head !! I'm not worried - He said it's to relieve 'the pressure.' -- No, he hasn't got some terminal illness, and unable to cope - although that isn't a bad description of the situation. So - what is the cause of his distress at this early hour of the day ? - and why has it caused me to laugh out loud ? - and I do mean 'out loud' - none of this abbreviated 'lol' text messaging nonsense. He's told me that he's received the latest installment from our mother about her 'paranoia.' What is it, and why are we being so heartless ? My mother receives her tv programs through a 'box' and satellite dish. One particular program is beamed, from the U.S.A, - on two channels. One of these is closing down on 30th September. For some time there has been an information bar scrolling the bottom of the screen, to advise viewers to 'move over' to the 'other' channel. My brother and I should have known our mother better. We should have immediately changed the channel - instead of telling her that there was 'no hurry' - but we didn't act instantly - partly because we couldn't find the remote control for the 'box.' We asked her to locate it, and then we'd sort out her program. She couldn't find the remote control and every time I phoned her she would mention her anxiety about losing 'her program'. On my last visit to her - 3 weeks ago - (I live a long way from her ), my mother kept on nagging me - not once in a day - not once in an hour - but 4 or 5 times each hour. I was getting very p'd off ! But - I managed to find the remote control and changed the blasted channel - but do you think that managed to placate our mother ? NO ! After changing the channel I pointed out that the 'information bar' had 'gone.' My mother was sceptical - so, to prove that the channel had changed, I put her program back onto the 'old' frequency - and the information bar reappeared. ( I then changed it again to the new frequency ). I was hoping that I would hear no more on the subject - but within a couple of minutes my mother asked " Why did the program have to change channels ? " My exact reply ( wasn't abbreviated ) "I don't f'ing know - now f'ing shut up about it." = I am ashamed with my language at my mother - I have made my apology....... but my outburst has not prevented our mother from constantly pestering both my brother and I on the subject. She will not accept that we have rectified her situation.............. I doubt that she'll give us any peace come next Thursday ( the day of the official channel change ) ............. I can only live in hope - a bit like hoping for McDonald to find his first goal of the season. I'm not sure if Cody scoring 25 before the end of the season would give me as much pleasure as seeing my mother's face on 1st October if she has a blank screen ( she won't ). My brother is more cruel than me - He is thinking of reverting the tv back to the 'old' channel - and then hiding the remote control....maybe I should d be worried - he might just use those nails on my mother's head , and putting the hammer through her tv screen.
How many bosses sack you - then reemploy you - AND pay a bonus ? We all, probably are aware of the Jeremy Clarkson saga - ( there would be plenty of people who wished that it was HE that got punched )...... anyway Clarkson hasn't done too bad out of it. He's moved onto a competitor and making a rival show. He's taken his sidekicks with him - meaning that the BBC have lost their best selling show and its' presenters - the new version will take time to get up to 'speed' (pun intended)...................AND Clarkson is then given a NEW job by the BBC on another program ( Have I got news for you ). If that hasn't made the BBC look a little stupid - they leave us in no doubt on the subject - by putting on repeats of the 'best bits of series 22' (of Top Gear), on Sunday evenings - at the same time when the 'current' series WOULD have been broadcast if Clarkson hadn't suddenly turned into a Premiership footballer, and started to use his fists instead of his feet ( at least it would have been more entertaining than hoofball) --- Nice work Jezza -- more of my TV licence fee money for nothing ---- a bit like McCammon receiving some of my season ticket fee. <ItoldyouIwouldnotletitgoaway> and - until we stop playing hoofball, it is my intention to use the 'term' in all of my posts.
Hurry whilst stocks last ! - today is 24th September isn't it ? I was listening to a commercial radio station this morning - when an advert for Talktalk was 'aired.' It was inviting the listener to take advantage of the 'BIGGEST' broadband deal - ever ! It boasted that you would save over £200 against any deal from BT. It promised 'free' broadband for 18 months. For a moment I was tempted to get more details - until the advert told me to hurry because the offer ends '20th September'.................. ........admittedly, the advert didn't say 2015 or 2016 yesterday ( 26th Sep ) the advert had changed - to say the offer finished on Monday - but, again, it didn't say WHICH Monday !
alwaysright - I find all the internet deals a rip off, talk talk will tie you to an 18 month contract and don't forget you still have to pay for the line at £17+ per month, then £17+ after whatever the free deal might be. Personally I think it's something that needs to be looked at like it is with mobile costings. I don't need a phone line but i have to have one to get the broadband, so technically we are costed twice but it's half hidden in deals. Why not just charge us for the broadband and give us a free line. Obviously I would expect calls to be paid for but if you don't make them you only pay for the broadband costs. These companies know majority of people use mobiles these days so why are package costings done as such! Tell you why, BT Openreach or whatever they are called, complete monopoly that can even hold Sky customers to ransom. I'd switch completely to mobile data (tethering) if i could but until they allow mask sharing signal can drop in and out. Whether it be BT, Talk Talk, Sky, Virgin none of them offer anything better when you dig into the costings and conditions. I know the States is expensive but cabling in completely different over there compared to our tiny island.
This could easily qualify for the 'morons' list I had to look TWICE - but today I went past a house where there was 'full on' Christmas decorations - including a good external display - AND the lights were illuminated - not like REAL morons who allow their house to be adorned with 'dormant' decorations ALL year round, which only come alive for the 'festive season' ( but I didn't really think that it lasted for 3 and a bit months ). Happy Easter everyone ! (Sunday 27th March 2016 - if anyone wanted to know - the eggs will be in the shops on Boxing day - if not before - or if you go to your local shop / garage, you should be able to find some with a 'best before date' written in Roman numerals ! )
I once new someone who did this because a member of the family wouldn't live long enough to see Christmas, not saying this is the same but you never know.
co-incidence that you should mention this - because the same thought went through me - but I couldn't resist being mischievous - I needed to take my mind off hoofball edit - you didn't need to try to make me feel bad - the foot[hoof]ball is doing that enough for me.
Shouldn't this be 'ROBBING' Hood ? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34375702 You go to work. You get paid peanuts. You pay income tax and National Insurance. YOU pay tax on tobacco ( I don't smoke ). You pay tax on petrol ( oh yes ! ). You pay tax on Insurance premiums. You pay tax on luxuries like gas and electricity, water and a phone. You pay Council tax. You pay Capital Gains tax if you sell your home ( after paying Stamp duty in the first place ). You pay 20% VAT if you dare to buy anything. You pay Corporation tax. You don't pay tax on food (unless 'eating in.' ) - but that's no good - because you haven't got any money left to eat - so you starve and die - but even then there is Inheritance tax ! If you dare to have any money left - to provide for any indulgence, or to provide a pension pot ( which the Government encourages ), all your hard work and thrift - not to mention risks in the stock market, is now going to be rewarded with blatant day light robbery. As someone who has 'suffered' from stock market 'trends', I find it appalling that - in lieu of all the other taxes to which we are subjected, that the Government thinks it's OK for you and me to -- pay all of the above taxes, then take all of the risks involved in investing in the stock market, and then they come along and steal even more. I'm sure that even Robin Hood had the decency to wear a mask whilst taking your money - we know the identity of those who are robbing us. edit - please feel free to add to the list of taxation if I have missed any.
A good question. - it probably needs a 'why.' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-china-blog-34377611 On the occasion of post No.1000 in this thread, I have decided to pose a question that may spark a bit more audience participation.
