steve
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Post by steve on Jul 1, 2024 9:01:32 GMT
neiljClassic Davey! Here he is. Ed Davey bungee jumping while yelling, “Do something you’ve never done before - vote Liberal Democrat!”
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Post by robbiealive on Jul 1, 2024 9:05:50 GMT
It would be remiss of me not to keep my fan club on here, of which, until last night I'd always counted the charming and genial Old Nat as a lifelong member, happy with a treatise about the fortunes of the England football team. My last essay was probably somewhat of a curate's egg in so much as it was true (good) in parts. This applies to many of my posts on a range of subjects, as you know. The good bits applied to my prediction that England would progress further in the tournament, and they duly have. 24 teams entered and we're now amongst the last 8 of those left in. To get into the quarter finals of this astonishingly competitive and high standard tournament is no mean achievement. No trophies are won on premature flights home, and England are still in, Destination Berlin . The other thing that amazes me about football fans is their unwavering optimism allied to an overwhelming pessimism. Destination Berlin! Sounds like a '50s Yank war movie, as imtended. |
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Post by johntel on Jul 1, 2024 9:12:55 GMT
I wonder who they'll vote for on Thursday?
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steve
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Post by steve on Jul 1, 2024 9:17:34 GMT
And Jimmy Dimly at his best.
"UK general election live: Starmer will try to set up ‘permanent Labour government’ if he wins, James Cleverly claims"
Isn't that what every government try to do!
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Post by hireton on Jul 1, 2024 9:21:09 GMT
mark61 "I have never been a fan of Nationalism in any guise and don't welcome Nationalists trying to take the moral high ground." So you are opposed to Irish re-unification? Well that is a slightly different question as partition was imposed, and before you ask I'm in favour of the dismantling of Colonial empires. I guess my objection to the concept is that I don't like the idea of the Nation as an entity which gives shape to the allegiances and obligations of those that live within it's borders. Added to which within democracies at least Nationalist movements are typically of the right and usually involve the othering of some part of the community. ( I accept that does not apply to the SNP) The partition and the establishment of the Irish Free State as a dominion outside the UK and subsequently the establishment of Ireland as a fully independent state in 1937 were all the result of Imnationalism, a force which you said you could not stand in any form. |
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steve
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Post by steve on Jul 1, 2024 9:22:24 GMT
6 Bob Knob.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2024 9:26:03 GMT
The Sky commentator quipped something like "Quite a short bungee rope, possibly disappointing some." |
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Post by crossbat11 on Jul 1, 2024 9:28:03 GMT
And Jimmy Dimly at his best. "UK general election live: Starmer will try to set up ‘permanent Labour government’ if he wins, James Cleverly claims" Isn't that what every government try to do! The chutzpah is extraordinary too. This from a party that has been in power for 14 years, over which time it has embarked on various voter suppressant escapades and regularly delegitimises any political opposition. Their client press suggests that Labour Governments are somehow un-British. Which is really what this current Tory line of attack is. Labour as an alien force. Trying to deny the chapters that Labour Governments have written in our national story over the last 100 years. Don't let them in, you'll never get rid of them. The irony is that this message probably applies far more should this Tory Government be re-elected. |
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Post by crossbat11 on Jul 1, 2024 9:29:58 GMT
It would be remiss of me not to keep my fan club on here, of which, until last night I'd always counted the charming and genial Old Nat as a lifelong member, happy with a treatise about the fortunes of the England football team. My last essay was probably somewhat of a curate's egg in so much as it was true (good) in parts. This applies to many of my posts on a range of subjects, as you know. The good bits applied to my prediction that England would progress further in the tournament, and they duly have. 24 teams entered and we're now amongst the last 8 of those left in. To get into the quarter finals of this astonishingly competitive and high standard tournament is no mean achievement. No trophies are won on premature flights home, and England are still in, Destination Berlin . The other thing that amazes me about football fans is their unwavering optimism allied to an overwhelming pessimism. Destination Berlin! Sounds like a '50s Yank war movie, as imtended. More Red Army 1944-45. maybe. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2024 9:52:24 GMT
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Post by alec on Jul 1, 2024 9:56:28 GMT
crossbat11 - "The chutzpah is extraordinary too. This from a party that has been in power for 14 years, over which time it has embarked on various voter suppressant escapades and regularly delegitimises any political opposition." It's very interesting to see how Conservatives are now in full on panic mode about this now. My mind is drawn to the sage warnings several of us posted on here about how the Conservative attempts to pack quangos with placemen and women, degrade the courts powers to curb government abuse of power, and various measures to tilt the voting system in their favour were colossal strategic errors that would one day come back to haunt them. From dumping hereditary peers to votes for 16+ and rejigging constituencies based on population, the folly of the Conservatives attempts to stack the system in their favour quite so blatantly has come full circle. They have gifted Labour license to do these things, even if they weren't good things to do, and in keeping with the general dimness of the Conservative approach to government these last 14 years, they failed to game through what this would mean. The UK is, primarily, a non-Tory country, and only a weird electoral system, using a rare first past the post system while also relying on an unbalanced level of engagement between young and old, allied to very lax funding rules, is what has handed them far greater periods in government than Labour. But in their attempts to tilt the playing field, they have left themselves wide open when the inevitable happens and the other lot get in. Never say never in politics, but with an expanded electorate and redrawn boundaries that are bound to significantly increase seats in urban areas, Tories have now lost control of the electoral process. They may never have the same level of advantage again, and I suspect this will show in terms of who gets into power over the longer term. For Labour, the risk is that their take up of such election deciding policies in a partisan manner will open the floodgates to a US style system, where both parties shamelessly try to control and distort the system for their own ends. However, I think the UK is different, in that this is not part of our political culture, and besides, these measures are quite difficult to undo.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2024 10:04:07 GMT
Re the euros I think there is sometimes disrespect shown to teams such as Slovakia Let's remember Slovakia beat Belgium (3rd placed best team in the FIFA World rankings) I never can understand the entitlement some show that we should always beat such teams. They were no pushovers. As to the game, England had a poor first half, a much improved second half, where they got better as the game progressed. On the balance of 120 minutes play, England deserved the win England do need to improve a lot more, of that there is no doubt, especially as they are playing Switzerland who are on fire at the moment That exactly sums up my view. Also England suffered a lot defensively with two regular players of the back four out. But article s saying that we were rubbish etc are hyperbole. We got close quite a few times, with Rice’s fabulous shot from an excellent Saka pass really so close to being a spectacular goal. People in the media do like to exaggerate though I don’t think Southgate is pro-active enough with substitutions. (I was ready to go on at half-time for example - pyjamas or not.) |
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Post by jimjam on Jul 1, 2024 10:07:45 GMT
Moby (and others). Re "This exchange with a couple of ITV breakfast presenters is getting a lot of attention in Wales. Apologies if you've already seen it"
I think WB touched on it in that the lack of preparedness of the presenters is not just embarrassing but downright disrespectful imo.
Just like some of the England Centric sports coverage these kind of things contribute subtly over time to a weaker attachment to the UK from the other Nations.
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Post by joeboy on Jul 1, 2024 10:07:46 GMT
Well that is a slightly different question as partition was imposed, and before you ask I'm in favour of the dismantling of Colonial empires. I guess my objection to the concept is that I don't like the idea of the Nation as an entity which gives shape to the allegiances and obligations of those that live within it's borders. Added to which within democracies at least Nationalist movements are typically of the right and usually involve the othering of some part of the community. ( I accept that does not apply to the SNP) The partition and the establishment of the Irish Free State as a dominion outside the UK and subsequently the establishment of Ireland as a fully independent state in 1937 were all the result of Imnationalism, a force which you said you could not stand in any form. To try and create an equivalence between the causes and politics that led to the creation of the Irish state, and the position of Scotland today, is frankly historical gibberish. That's just my opinion from the other side of the Irish sea. |
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Post by lululemonmustdobetter on Jul 1, 2024 10:22:36 GMT
That exactly sums up my view. Also England suffered a lot defensively with two regular players of the back four out. But article s saying that we were rubbish etc are hyperbole. We got close quite a few times, with Rice’s fabulous shot from an excellent Saka pass really so close to being a spectacular goal. People in the media do like to exaggerate though I don’t think Southgate is pro-active enough with substitutions. (I was ready to go on at half-time for example - pyjamas or not.) @fecklessmiser. So may I be permitted to make some observations on the England kickieball team performance? Observing the reactions and comments of my family, as well as having to sit through all four games, perhaps the biggest crime charged at Southgate and Co is that they aren't entertaining and playing 'real' football! Moyes at WHU, despite actually winning something, the cautious un-entertaining, some would say 'dated' style of play wasn't what the punters wanted. When they went out in the World Cup quarter-finals fans were forgiving as they were perceived to have played well against France. |
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Post by robbiealive on Jul 1, 2024 10:47:25 GMT
The other thing that amazes me about football fans is their unwavering optimism allied to an overwhelming pessimism. Destination Berlin! Sounds like a '50s Yank war movie, as imtended. More Red Army 1944-45. maybe. Such films not noted for factual accuracy. Errol Flynn always arrived first. |
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Jul 1, 2024 11:02:07 GMT
Re the euros I think there is sometimes disrespect shown to teams such as Slovakia Let's remember Slovakia beat Belgium (3rd placed best team in the FIFA World rankings) I never can understand the entitlement some show that we should always beat such teams. They were no pushovers. As to the game, England had a poor first half, a much improved second half, where they got better as the game progressed. On the balance of 120 minutes play, England deserved the win England do need to improve a lot more, of that there is no doubt, especially as they are playing Switzerland who are on fire at the moment That exactly sums up my view. Also England suffered a lot defensively with two regular players of the back four out. But article s saying that we were rubbish etc are hyperbole. We got close quite a few times, with Rice’s fabulous shot from an excellent Saka pass really so close to being a spectacular goal. People in the media do like to exaggerate though I don’t think Southgate is pro-active enough with substitutions. (I was ready to go on at half-time for example - pyjamas or not.) Agree, also think lululemonmustdobetter has nailed it. There is an unrealistic expectation that not only England has to win, but they have to win entertainingly and with style I believe even if England win it, Southgate will go. The pressure that the press and some fans put on England manager is horrendous. Southgate, like him or hate him, has the best record with England as any manager since Ramsey England is alternatively seen as the best team in the world or the worse, there seems no middle ground Not to say I agree with all his decisions, I don't, (controversially I wouldn't play Kane, he's a world class club player, but at the moment he's playing like he's wearing concrete football boots 😀) but overall I would take him over any other England manager in the last 50 years |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2024 11:04:39 GMT
@lululemonmustdobetter
“ Good morning The-Ever-Popular-Crofty. So may I be permitted to make some observations on the England kickieball team performance?”
No. You’re a girl.
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Post by shevii on Jul 1, 2024 11:12:29 GMT
Very disappointed with coverage of the French elections (especially from a statto point of view)- Guardian has focused almost entirely on percentages which are pretty meaningless in terms of the final result but not seen anywhere a list of first and second places. Closest I've found is here but other than already elected you have to work them out for yourself: www.leparisien.fr/resultats-elections/First round- 50% plus and elected are RN (Le Pen) 37 NFP (Melenchon) 32 ENS (Macron) 2, sundry right and far right 5. Not going to got through all the constituencies to see how many firsts and seconds for which parties but would be grateful if someone does have a link or spends 5 hours adding them up (just for shevii) :-) |
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Post by graham on Jul 1, 2024 11:17:48 GMT
Election night coverage is nothing like as good as back in the 1960s and 70s.There were no national Exit Polls in those days - though a in 1970 BBC came up with a very accurate exit poll from the then Bellweather seat of Gravesend which correctly predicted a Tory win. The 1974 and 1979 elections also had constituency polls. There was far more excitement and expectation as we waited for the first results to be declared whereas nowadays the Exit Poll fom John Curtice et al rather gives the game away. There was also a greater sense in those earlier elections of it being a much more serious and formal occassion - for the past 20 - 30 years or so it has been geared far more to various gimmicks and entertainment. I feel something has been lost, and it would be interesting to find out what younger viewers think of the election night programmes 1964 - 1979.
It was also the case until circa 2010 that circa 200 seats did not count until the follwing day - mainly the more rural - and overwhelmingly Tory - constituencies.It was far less rushed and extended the fun somewhat for a second day. It was a daft idea to pressure local authorities into all counting overnight.
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Jul 1, 2024 11:20:07 GMT
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Jul 1, 2024 11:24:00 GMT
More in Common Wales Westminster
Labour - 42% (+1)
Conservatives - 22% (-14)
Plaid Cymru - 9% (-1)
Reform UK - 14% (NEW)
Liberal Democrat - 4% (-2)
The Green Party - 5% (+4)
(+/- figures are differences from 2019 vote share results).
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Post by robbiealive on Jul 1, 2024 11:36:28 GMT
Forget it. I'll block Steve & we won;t tangle again, if I can work out how to do it. oh. Just when I had found a purpose in life. Anyway, to block someone, click on their username, which takes you to the profile page. In the top right hand corner is a menu button with a cog on it. Click on that, and the menu drops down with a “block member” option. in the attached graphic below, you can see the menu that I have dropped down to show it. As you can see, you can also send steve a gift should you be so willing. [br I did block & once started I got carried away and blocked 12 people. The pages are now dizzying blank space which I didn't expect at all, like uncarved tombstones Unfortunately you can't block yourself buy you can send yourself a gift! I chose wisely. |
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Post by barbara on Jul 1, 2024 11:40:07 GMT
He's got some bottle I'll give him that. Full of admiration. You wouldn't get me doing tha - ever!! |
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Post by lululemonmustdobetter on Jul 1, 2024 11:45:16 GMT
@lululemonmustdobetter “ Good morning The-Ever-Popular-Crofty. So may I be permitted to make some observations on the England kickieball team performance?” No. You’re a girl.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37SNYjg8w |
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neilj
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Post by neilj on Jul 1, 2024 11:55:00 GMT
These are stunning statistics in relation to England's performance at the knock out stages at the World Cup and Euros
1968-2016: 6 knockout wins
2018-2024: 7 knockout wins (Southgate)
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Post by barbara on Jul 1, 2024 11:59:40 GMT
Re the euros I think there is sometimes disrespect shown to teams such as Slovakia Let's remember Slovakia beat Belgium (3rd placed best team in the FIFA World rankings) I never can understand the entitlement some show that we should always beat such teams. They were no pushovers. As to the game, England had a poor first half, a much improved second half, where they got better as the game progressed. On the balance of 120 minutes play, England deserved the win England do need to improve a lot more, of that there is no doubt, especially as they are playing Switzerland who are on fire at the moment That exactly sums up my view. Also England suffered a lot defensively with two regular players of the back four out. But article s saying that we were rubbish etc are hyperbole. We got close quite a few times, with Rice’s fabulous shot from an excellent Saka pass really so close to being a spectacular goal. People in the media do like to exaggerate though I don’t think Southgate is pro-active enough with substitutions. (I was ready to go on at half-time for example - pyjamas or not.) Well perhaps this board has influenced me but I have watched all England's games so far and quite a lot of others as well and although I've never played football I used to be a county hockey player and have played lots of other sports so I'm going to leap in here. So this is a non-football person's view I admit. From what I've seen England seem to do better when they pick up the pace and pass FORWARD - even if on occasion they may lose possession. When they seem to view possession alone as the main purpose of the match, the pace slows and they end up with endless passes baclwards towards their own goal while all standing still on the pitch. This might provide them with a goodish length of time in possession of the ball but achieves nothing in terms of getting them any nearer to scoring. Yesterday they got their goals when they upped the pace and entered the melee of the box. Which is why the second half was so much better than the first. Watching Spain yesterday they seemed much more urgent, with every pass focussed on the end purpose of posititioning themselves for a shot at goal. Similarly with Georgia last week in their last group match - they simply went for everything hell for leather. And it served them well. Yesterday their only goal came from a breakaway which was brilliant but for the first half they mainly settled into heavy defensive node. Towards the end of the match I noticed that their numbers in the box defending were well down on the first half and in my opinion that allowed Spain to get those late goals. This might be twaddle but it makes complete sense to me! |
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Post by jayblanc on Jul 1, 2024 12:19:22 GMT
mark61 "I have never been a fan of Nationalism in any guise and don't welcome Nationalists trying to take the moral high ground." So you are opposed to Irish re-unification? There is a distinction between "State Nationalism" and "Self-Determinative Polities" As someone opposed to the former, and in support of the latter, I would welcome Northern Ireland's populace taking an informed decision to reunify. Economically speaking, NI would be better off fully integrated with Ireland's economy rather than the UK's. And while some of that would be return to EU participation, the vast bulk would be in no longer requiring costly and inefficient transfers and coordination over a sea. |
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Post by alec on Jul 1, 2024 12:26:40 GMT
barbara - "So this is a non-football person's view I admit."
@fecklessmiser - have a word, please.
Women, talking about football? Do they think this is 2024?
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Post by johntel on Jul 1, 2024 12:28:13 GMT
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