Morning Andy, yes, it was most unexpected and the team we put out only had Brady from the win ove Forest and ten changes!
Morning all from an overcast Jersey. Apologies for starting the day on a downer, but today is 12 years since I lost my Dad due to skin cancer at the age of 57. I often wonder why decent, hard-working people like him die relatively young while people who have families they can't afford and are living on benefits are walking around - maybe that's one for the politics thread.
Sorry to hear that - especially as I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for a check on possible skin cancer - I am expecting to be sent for tests.
I'd tread carefully with that Barry. Whilst I'm not aware that any such stats exist, I'd hazard a guess that the vast majority of those you mention actually had their families before becoming unemployed and reliant on welfare. I know that was the case when it happened to me, and I never felt guilty about walking around. In fact I had to... My dad died from cancer too, albeit a different type, and I've regularly donated to Cancer Research & McMillan Nurses since then - but I often wonder how those charities will get on when/if the NHS is replaced by an American style privatised health system. I for one would feel less inclined to donate for research which, if successful, would require me to give drug companies a small fortune should I ever need their drugs.
No, w_y had his own agenda, he found it acceptable to be disrespectful of the views/opinions of certain posters, the constant 'Comrade Corbyn' digs and various other personal attacks. He also passionately defended superhorns' wumming, and tried to paint anyone he disagreed with as the oppressors. Let alone the borderline racist/sexist jokes on the Some Fun thread. I honestly don't miss him.
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sp...e_resulted_in_departure_of_Richard_Collinge/? Mystery explained...
View attachment 58239 The loss of each person reduces the scope on here for debate which is regretful - I miss him. Also he was one of very few giving real arguments against the pervading views on here - I miss that too. He and you clearly clashed but the reason he gave for leaving was as I stated - whether or not you agree. Comrade Corbyn / Porky Cameron - you take your pick which you find disrespectful depending on your stance. My point though was that it was not politics per se that caused him to leave but his perception of how the board has developed.
I must admit Leo that I was not overkeen on the constant Comrade Corbyn references, any more than using expressions such as porky, or anything else, for Cameron - I also wasn't keen on the constant use of expressions like Trotskyist for describing anyone who people didn't like, especially as it was often done by people who don't have the faintest idea what Trotsky himself actually believed in. I think that my political position here is probably the furthest left (if you like to describe it in those terms) yet I would have no problem in having to argue permanently with people at the other,far end, of the scale. Partly because I think that the political ideas which a person has are often coincidental, depending on their own life experiences. There is always going to be a lot of rough and tumble on political threads, it is to be expected, and if people are too sensitive then they should stay away from them. Personal insults are a no go, just as is bringing our political differences onto other threads, and I think both these have happened, which is a shame, but leaving the board altogether as a result is not necessary, and a bit childish, as long as you have some friends on there.
I agree that the use of Comrade Corbyn seemed to be a deliberate wind-up. However the amount of insults to Tory politicians - not least Cameron seemed far greater so I took it as a bit of tit for tat. Use of left wing and right wing are disliked by some on here yet they are common ways of trying to describe a general political stance. Nobody should take offense at those terms - but can by all means state if they do not think they are in the spectrum referred to. Loony left is just an insult and Trotskyist or Marxist should not be considered insults but are generally totally inaccurate. Also agree re rough and tumble - if you do not want that then you are on the wrong thread on politics. What is unacceptable to me is personal insults and insinuations. I responded to one such explosively. I think for the most part politics have been kept on this board to political threads and those who partake enjoy them. I do wish religion would not be a taboo are too - it is a fascinating subject and there is room for a vast array of opinion -again so long as the debate stays non personal. All this is fine though - however W_Y clearly stated he believed there were double standards and hypocrisy. He stated exactly that. I think he believed that those who objected to comments about Corbyn or use of terms like Trotskyist and Marxist were more than happy to slag off people like Cameron and Osborne freely. I think those were the double standards and hypocrisy he objected to but he is not here to speak for himself. Whether he engaged in that himself is for others to decide. Personally I think most of us have a degree of "double standards" but I do not see why that should prevent us having a debate. Leaving the board is the logical position when you no longer enjoy it - it is not childish but sensible. Why go to a club where you feel uncomfortable - there are plenty of other clubs. The shame is that too many of our previous posters have left for a variety of reasons and those if us still here are well known in their views to all.
Leo, I also find religion an interesting subject - the only problem with it is that it operates on different levels. You have the scriptures (old dead books), you have the cultural and ceremonial aspects of it, and also the laws or norms which give the believer a framework through which to deal with the rest of the World. But you also have the act of belief itself - namely the personal relationship to God or whatever, the strength of which is different for every believer. The last involves a symbolic leap in the dark to believe in the unbelievable - not reached through logic, or through study. It is this step which is incomprehensible to most non believers, and makes debate difficult.
I am very tempted to resurrect a religion (poor pun I know) thread if only for you and me to exchange thoughts.
Evening all from rural Dorset. Some splendid pubs and real ale discovered, and a nice walk with a pair of dogs across some hills and valleys. Weather has been kind and sitting in a pub garden looking at old stone buildings while supping a pint of real ale is very good. Politics are off line in this house, yet we get on well despite knowing that we have fundamentally different views. If some people get a bit too sensitive when they find they are in a minority, and feel that their views are being called into question, then they are not that prepared to consider if others just might have a point worth thinking about. You can have a belief, but to not have a mind open to other points of view is rather sad from my standing.
I am sure Fez would contribute as well As Oscar Wilde once said that he could resist everything other than temptation, if it was ok. for him then........... I think we need a broad spread of interesting threads on the board, to cover all tastes. So if anyone feels that there is little on offer, then they should simply start their own threads - sometimes it works well, sometimes not. So if someone wants to start a thread on say - the best white wine to accompany dogfish then they should feel emboldened to risk it - although as an expert on German and Belgian beer I would have little to say.
Went to docs this morning as I said I was. Good news is that it apparently looks benign but as expected they will send me for tests but probably remove it anyway to be on the safe side.
