Is right and wrong relative or fixed (absolute)?

AnneWimsey comments on Oct 3, 2019:

Depends on what you are talking about. Child abuse? Wrong! Telling Aunt Fanny you love her gift? (Ugliest thing you ever saw!) Fine. And etc.

273kelvin replies on Oct 3, 2019:

We can all agree that child abuse is wrong but what constitutes child abuse is variable. For example, a delve into my family tree that showed my grandmother was married at 12. Now I do not say that child marriage is ok but what I do say is that it was thought to be moral in my grandmother's time. I understand that some US states the age of consent varies from 14 - 16 - 18. So even now the issue is not as clear as you might think

I just got into a debate with someone about Jesus' crucifixion being God's Will, hypothetically.

Fernapple comments on Oct 3, 2019:

The Judas paradox, is Judas really a hero. It was an issue that the early church nearly strangled itself with, for a good laugh it is well worth looking it up. But only if you have a lot of time to spare.

273kelvin replies on Oct 3, 2019:

@blahblah https://youtu.be/DQdDmL9SgQs

Dating religious people

273kelvin comments on Oct 2, 2019:

Firstly, you did exactly the right thing by calling him out. I don`t know precisely what happened to turn him. Either he expected some kind of divine light to fall on you after his statement about god bringing you two together or his church cronies went to work on him. Possibly a combination of ...

273kelvin replies on Oct 3, 2019:

@kristi0889 Christianity is pretty much unworkable as a philosophy. Everyone falls short of the impossible standards that are imposed. "The thought is father to the deed" therefore just fancying someone else is as much of a sin as adulatory etc. So if you miss the target all the time, you dont really consider all of your actions. Then there is the partisan nature of religious sects. My favorite new testament parable is the good Samaritan. I had the occasion to recall the story to my Jewish gf on the very road in Israel where it is set. (She had never heard the story before) After that I did a little research and found out who the Samaritans were. They still live in the area and although they celebrate the passover, do not attend temple. This means that at some time they were Jews that fell out with the established church. Consequently the Jews looked upon them as a whole tribe of Benedict Arnold's. Yet JC choose a Samaritan to be the hero of the tale. That part of it is never put over in any church teaching that I know of.

Gracie Fields Thing-Ummy-Bob(Thats Going To Win The War) from WW2 My ear-worm atm It is being used ...

FrayedBear comments on Oct 1, 2019:

How opportune. Someone has just made a posting concerning this. Thanks Kelvin I'll go back and share it for you. I vaguely remember that "Our Gracie" retired to Blackpool or its suburb Cleveleys. Vague indeed - I may be mixing her up with Ena Sharples!

273kelvin replies on Oct 2, 2019:

@FrayedBear You`re right

Neil Innes - Name drop alert The guy (Neil Innes) showed up in my local this Saturday afternoon.

KKGator comments on Oct 2, 2019:

It was Eric Idle, and the Rutles. ;)

273kelvin replies on Oct 2, 2019:

Yes a and Neil Innes

Gracie Fields Thing-Ummy-Bob(Thats Going To Win The War) from WW2 My ear-worm atm It is being used ...

FrayedBear comments on Oct 1, 2019:

How opportune. Someone has just made a posting concerning this. Thanks Kelvin I'll go back and share it for you. I vaguely remember that "Our Gracie" retired to Blackpool or its suburb Cleveleys. Vague indeed - I may be mixing her up with Ena Sharples!

273kelvin replies on Oct 2, 2019:

She got a lot of flack in the war because she had married an Italian. Even though she did a lot of entertaining for the troops and this song etc. I think that she retired to Naples.

People ask just how much respect we should give to others views like religion.

mordant comments on Oct 1, 2019:

I respect the right of others to believe and practice as they wish, so long as they afford me the same rights and they harm no others in the process. I do not think that religious ideation is entitled to be uncritically accepted by one and all on pain of the accusation of blasphemy, or that there...

273kelvin replies on Oct 1, 2019:

And I knew an otherwise quite intelligent guy, great chess player who was convinced that pro-wrestling was real. In the end I had to say to him "Okay go down to the bookmakers (betting is legal here) and try and bet on it". I get what you say about the benign ones that say "Its just what I believe" and I respect them (not their beliefs). Others that claim some divine right to maintain there really is a tooth fairy deserve all that I can be arsed giving them.

I am curious to know how many of you maintain friendships with religious people (particularly those ...

Cutiebeauty comments on Oct 1, 2019:

My bf is Catholic and so is his whole family

273kelvin replies on Oct 1, 2019:

@DenoPenno Wrong religion

Amazing how there are still people out there that think banning books is a good thing.

PolyComrade comments on Sep 29, 2019:

I worked in a bookstore for over 10 years that specializes in queer, feminist, anarchist, anticolonial books. Every so often a discussion would arise about whether to carry a certain book or author, often do to things they had done (e.g.. Marion Zimmer Bradley accused of child abuse by her kid, or...

273kelvin replies on Oct 1, 2019:

@PolyComrade I just did a little research and it was the Johnson/Nixon administration that blacklisted her. So I suppose that it must have faded out by that time.

People ask just how much respect we should give to others views like religion.

Gwendolyn2018 comments on Sep 30, 2019:

A similar question was posed some time ago. I responded that while I respect the right of others to believe as they like, no, I do not respect the views of religious people. I respect people, not views, but their views reflect the kind of people who they are. I know liberal Xtians whom I respect ...

273kelvin replies on Oct 1, 2019:

I hear that the Amish are using power tools now and just finishing their goods for sale off by hand

Well.

RiverRick comments on Sep 30, 2019:

You guys are young and still learning stuff. Stuff about the world and stuff about each other. I wouldn't be so quick to leave unless he has gone cultish on you and you far for your safety. My (ex)wife was a catholic and was fine with me being atheist/agnostic.... Well... perhaps "not fine" but she ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 30, 2019:

@RiverRick I suggest that you read the ladies previous post on this. When they married he agreed to keep religion out of it. Now he says "She has to get good with god". This is not a case of agreeing to differ. This is tantamount to abuse (and I never use that word lightly). It has been him not her that is saying "my way or highway". Just because you and your ex managed to live with your differences for while, does not mean that she has to subjugate herself and beliefs to fit in with his new-found delusions.

Well.

RiverRick comments on Sep 30, 2019:

You guys are young and still learning stuff. Stuff about the world and stuff about each other. I wouldn't be so quick to leave unless he has gone cultish on you and you far for your safety. My (ex)wife was a catholic and was fine with me being atheist/agnostic.... Well... perhaps "not fine" but she ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 30, 2019:

Are you serious? The guy has banned all secular music. If it was me, then I would be looking for a fucking hitman not a lawyer. Just how much christian rock could you put up with?

Amazing how there are still people out there that think banning books is a good thing.

PolyComrade comments on Sep 29, 2019:

I worked in a bookstore for over 10 years that specializes in queer, feminist, anarchist, anticolonial books. Every so often a discussion would arise about whether to carry a certain book or author, often do to things they had done (e.g.. Marion Zimmer Bradley accused of child abuse by her kid, or...

273kelvin replies on Sep 30, 2019:

I did not know that Buffy Sainte Marie was blacklisted. Does that include the movie "Officer and a gentleman" As she co-wrote the theme song?

Democrats Predict Speedy Impeachment Inquiry Lasting Weeks, Not 'Months'

Trajan61 comments on Sep 29, 2019:

Why not let the voters decide instead of the looney democrats in the house? I hope this idiotic impeachment attempt blows up and the democrats lose the house.

273kelvin replies on Sep 29, 2019:

The thing you have to ask yourself is this. Was I so adamant about letting the voters decide when Bill Clinton was under impeachment investigations? Or when certain GOP spokesmen were questioning Obama's place of birth? I recently had a long conversation with my brother. Unlike me, he leans heavily to the right and is very no-deal Brexit. He questioned the right of the UK supreme court to rule on the PMs proroguing of parliament. So I asked the same. "Would you feel the same way if Boris`s predecessor May had used similar tactics to force her deal through?" The courts are one way to keep the executive within the law. Considering how many of Trump associates and former staff members have been convicted. I cannot as an outsider think that this is just fishing. If you cant do the time...

To our UK members. Marianne and Leonard tonight on BBC2 9 pm [youtu.be]

FrayedBear comments on Sep 28, 2019:

I used to think of Cohen songs as being fit for listening to by those contemplating commigting suicide - listen to 30 minutes of them and you will make your mind up (one way or the other). The above comment used to not include the part in (_) but then I was upraided by a Canadian with lovely legs ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 28, 2019:

@FrayedBear Cohen line "I have all these ghosts of culture that are tattoed on my wrist" There are lots of Jewish references like that. Some more than others. Songs like "Who by fire" and "You want it darker" are taken directly from religious ceremonies. Others from the Torah or the holocaust but there is "Joan of Arc" and some references to Scientology. Mostly though he writes about women. The UK comic Arther Smith put it best "Cohen is Barry White for sensitive birds"

Hi, I'm new.

DenoPenno comments on Sep 27, 2019:

Good luck as you face a nearly impossible task. Sounds to me like he got in with an Evangelical group who claims to have all the answers. His next steps will be to convince you that some invisible part of you will go to a non-existent place when you die if you do not change your ways and wake up to ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 28, 2019:

@DenoPenno It is a little known fact that the old testament was written after the new. It is made up from the collected works of the Torah. These were scattered around the various tribes of Israel and only when the Romans were ethnically cleansing Judea did it become a single book. With the usual editing that goes into a collection. Early Christians had their own version of it but that was ditched in favour of the definitive work

I have a real hatred for blanket statement.

MissKathleen comments on Sep 27, 2019:

What gets ME, is anybody saying anything disparaging about anyone. And, I am so sick of gossip...even if it is true.

273kelvin replies on Sep 28, 2019:

@ToolGuy Yeah that`s what you say here but... ;-)

To our UK members. Marianne and Leonard tonight on BBC2 9 pm [youtu.be]

FrayedBear comments on Sep 28, 2019:

I used to think of Cohen songs as being fit for listening to by those contemplating commigting suicide - listen to 30 minutes of them and you will make your mind up (one way or the other). The above comment used to not include the part in (_) but then I was upraided by a Canadian with lovely legs ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 28, 2019:

@FrayedBear He did give it up. (Not a habit that you can have in a Zen Buddhist monastery) But took it back up when the race was lost. His last album "You want it darker" is an acceptance of his imminent demise. This track sounds like an anthem for abuse survivors https://youtu.be/5Bxbw0wfDOI

To our UK members. Marianne and Leonard tonight on BBC2 9 pm [youtu.be]

FrayedBear comments on Sep 28, 2019:

I used to think of Cohen songs as being fit for listening to by those contemplating commigting suicide - listen to 30 minutes of them and you will make your mind up (one way or the other). The above comment used to not include the part in (_) but then I was upraided by a Canadian with lovely legs ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 28, 2019:

What most non-Cohen fans don't get is that he was at heart a comedian. Lines like "Even damnation is poisoned with rainbows". I remember him saying that he studied religion for years but humour kept sneaking in. Yes, he went to dark places but if you happened to find yourself there too and nobody had talked about them before. You might feel very alone. The most depressing music most likely to send you over the edge can be x-mas songs

To our UK members. Marianne and Leonard tonight on BBC2 9 pm [youtu.be]

FrayedBear comments on Sep 28, 2019:

I used to think of Cohen songs as being fit for listening to by those contemplating commigting suicide - listen to 30 minutes of them and you will make your mind up (one way or the other). The above comment used to not include the part in (_) but then I was upraided by a Canadian with lovely legs ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 28, 2019:

The big C

Hi, I'm new.

273kelvin comments on Sep 27, 2019:

Ask for equal time. Be respectful of his beliefs and open to whatever teachings etc. that he tries but with the proviso that he does the same. So if he wants you to watch a video for 20 mins then he has to watch 20 mins of Richard Dawkins or similar. He will soon get tired of quid pro quo or see ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 27, 2019:

I thought about this again and realized that it may not come in the shape of "Watch/read this". More like"Look at God's beauty" or "It was a judgment from on high" kind of thing. I suppose that you already have a lot of stock answers to his bs but there is a well of many more on here and we are here for you

Hi, I'm new.

DenoPenno comments on Sep 27, 2019:

Good luck as you face a nearly impossible task. Sounds to me like he got in with an Evangelical group who claims to have all the answers. His next steps will be to convince you that some invisible part of you will go to a non-existent place when you die if you do not change your ways and wake up to ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 27, 2019:

I remember seeing somewhere that the earliest edition of the bible that we have, has about 30,000 alterations in it. So much for the immutable word of god.

Hi, I'm new.

MrBeelzeebubbles comments on Sep 27, 2019:

How about raising the stakes a bit. One night, orally pleasure him. And I mean really go to town, full-on naughty girl fellatio style. If you need any advice, tips or tricks, the 'Sexual Deviants' group here would be glad to help out. The next day, tell him you'll do it again if he denies Christ. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 27, 2019:

No that would be the devil at work and it is wrong to use sex in a relationship like that. Someone's beliefs are theirs and should not be bought/sold or prostituted.

Who’s your favorite scientist and why?

glennlab comments on Sep 24, 2019:

Isaac Asimov, able to move from Teaching physics and writing textbooks to writing science fiction and back.

273kelvin replies on Sep 25, 2019:

@glennlab Here is one that I remember; Mrs Cohen dies and goes to heaven. St Peter meets her at the gate and says "Come in Mrs Cohen, you have been a pious lady all your life and you are welcome in here. Is there anyone that has passed that you would like to meet." "Em well, would it be possible to meet the Virgin Mary?" "Okay yes er I suppose so. She does like to visit the old neighborhood now and again. I will ask her to pop around" So time passes or not (it is heaven) and the Virgin Mary calls round. "Hello, come in would you like something to eat? Motza balls, gefilte fish, lokshen pudding?" "No thank you, Mrs Cohen, I`m good. May I ask why you asked for me to call?" "Well, Mary (may I call you that?) I always wanted to know how it feels to have such a wonderful son? You must be so proud. He is worshiped all over the world and venerated by so many people?" The Virgin Mary takes Mrs Cohen by the hand and looks her in the eye and says "To tell you the truth Mrs Cohen, we always hoped that he would become a doctor"

Who’s your favorite scientist and why?

glennlab comments on Sep 24, 2019:

Isaac Asimov, able to move from Teaching physics and writing textbooks to writing science fiction and back.

273kelvin replies on Sep 24, 2019:

Did you ever read his joke book?

If all religion ended tomorrow, what do you think would happen to all the churches,etc.?

WeaZ comments on Sep 23, 2019:

The evidence that I have seen, shows empty churches have been eventually used for something else. The bigger question is morality. If all religions stopped or ended over night, how many people that hide behind religion by doing morally correct things (due to fear of an afterlife universal ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 23, 2019:

Someone posted a video of Jordan Peterson espousing this idea that religion keeps society in check and that even us heathens are only good because of its residual fallout. This got me thinking and researching. So I googled the most religious counties and the ones with the highest crime rates. Not only was the no correlation between the two but some appeared high on both lists. Ethiopia and Rwanda, now they are both very poor counties and that can explain a high crime rate but not the genocide that Rwanda went though. Its atheist quotient is only 5% Which is close to the USA of 4.6% that also has one of the highest crime rates in the western world. With 1% of its population in jail.

have not been on this site for bit, had car accident and suffered a concussion, lost a month, and ...

demifeministgal comments on Sep 23, 2019:

did you mean sapio-sexial?? :s

273kelvin replies on Sep 23, 2019:

@aahouck49 Mansplian alert !! sapio-sexial N. used to describe someone who is sexually aroused by intellect more than physicality

Muslim in a yoga class.

Sofabeast comments on Sep 19, 2019:

Cheers for that. Moments like this are part of my end of year project on integration. When I was down in London back in January I was in a pub, and two coffee coloured gentlemen met each other with 'Paki Wanker' 'Bangla Bastard'! as greetings. Their accents pure Middlesex, their drinks beer. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 21, 2019:

A few years ago when I lived in Toxteth (see comment above) my gf had a craving for a kebab. So I got sent out to purchase one. I was waiting in line when half a dozen young lads came in. A mixed bag of black, half-cast, Asian and white. All about 14, all speaking scouse and all tying to look hard but not really hard. The kind of gang that could be scary under the wrong circumstances. Full of testosterone and bluster they got around to sassing the guy behind the counter. "So where are you from mate?" I still remember the look he gave them as he turned and held his 18" knife vertical. "Afganistan" was his one-word answer. After that, you could not have met such a well behaved and polite bunch of young men in your life.

I get this sick feeling inside that the only reason Trump isn't going full nuts on Iran is that he ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 20, 2019:

If being at war was enough to suspend elections? You would not have had any since 1942

273kelvin replies on Sep 20, 2019:

@Barnie2years If Lincoln did not suspend elections in the middle of a civil war? There is no way Trump can do so for one on the other side of the world.

I get this sick feeling inside that the only reason Trump isn't going full nuts on Iran is that he ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 20, 2019:

If being at war was enough to suspend elections? You would not have had any since 1942

273kelvin replies on Sep 20, 2019:

@Barnie2years Yeah he kinda makes you nostalgic for Nixon. However, I am sure that even the GOP would baulk at that type of coup.

I have been looking at Facebook and the new dating app.

RobertNappi2 comments on Sep 19, 2019:

I'm old fashioned...I still hit the BAR!!!! LOL

273kelvin replies on Sep 20, 2019:

@WonderWartHog99 I knew a guy who had extreme OCD. He was very shy and still a virgin in his late 20s. Then he met someone that could be described as a "loose". His mom complained to me about her. "How could he think about seeing a woman like that?" I had to break it to her gently that her son needed a woman that his mom would not approve of.

Dating advice.

273kelvin comments on Sep 18, 2019:

Okay, you have a guy that fancies you, thinks that you look good together and would obviously like to explore things. Yes, he has been a little forward but you`re not 18 anymore. I can understand you being careful but I think that you might be seeing flags that are not there. In which case it is ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 20, 2019:

@Stephanie99 If the sexes were reversed and she said the same type of thing to me. "All the guys are jealous of you" I am not sure that it would phase me but I can see how it might. Okay, so you think that he might be a narcissistic player? The hand thing is not something I would ever do but then again I was not there in the moment. Then again I have never been averse to early sex. All of my long term relationships (13, 3 and 15 years) started off with sex on the 1st date. When I said "not 18 anymore" I did not mean or mention dropping anything, including standards. What I meant was we are both of an age where a pass that is too forward is unlikely to shock us.

Does anyone else find the phrase "making love" too hokey?

273kelvin comments on Sep 18, 2019:

Well, what phrase would you use?

273kelvin replies on Sep 20, 2019:

@Cabsmom Yes but it can also describe two people who just met in a bar, having a quickie in the restroom. It does not even begin to describe the scented candles, soft music, shower together, kissing, massage and caresses that can be part of good lovemaking. Not to mention whatever kinky stuff that either or both might be into. On the Eskimo 26 words for snow principle. I would welcome more words and phrases for sex not less.

I have been looking at Facebook and the new dating app.

RobertNappi2 comments on Sep 19, 2019:

I'm old fashioned...I still hit the BAR!!!! LOL

273kelvin replies on Sep 19, 2019:

@Cast1es You say meeting someone who may be an alcoholic - smoker - expect instant sex or use drugs like its a BAD thing? ;-)

Does anyone else find the phrase "making love" too hokey?

273kelvin comments on Sep 18, 2019:

Well, what phrase would you use?

273kelvin replies on Sep 19, 2019:

@Cabsmom Fucking can mean when you pull over at the side of the road and just go for it. That's not making love. You can make love and not fuck. Shoot, you can do oral and not have sex according to Bill Clinton and his lawyer.s. You could say "making woopie" but despite Cole Porter's splendid song, it can sound like sitting on a fart cushion (Come to think of it, if I recall correctly. That's what fucking sometimes sounds like)

Dating advice.

273kelvin comments on Sep 18, 2019:

Okay, you have a guy that fancies you, thinks that you look good together and would obviously like to explore things. Yes, he has been a little forward but you`re not 18 anymore. I can understand you being careful but I think that you might be seeing flags that are not there. In which case it is ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 19, 2019:

@Stephanie99 (Some kind of a glitch. My previous comment was posted before yours) What are your flags worrying you about? That he might be a player, possibly manipulative or abusive? A lot of that can be checked out via his FB page etc. and if thats okay then a date where you meet his friends

Dating advice.

273kelvin comments on Sep 18, 2019:

Okay, you have a guy that fancies you, thinks that you look good together and would obviously like to explore things. Yes, he has been a little forward but you`re not 18 anymore. I can understand you being careful but I think that you might be seeing flags that are not there. In which case it is ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 18, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty No, I am not saying that at all. From what I read the sexual advances did not put her off as much as the "We" rather than the "She" looks good. To my mind, that is about her not being ready rather than her lowering her standards. She already said that she fancied him

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 12, 2019:

We make heroes out of high achievers and gods out of heroes. Then we are suddenly surprised when they turn out to have feet of clay. The phrase "He was no saint" is oft-quoted. If you read about the lives of saints you will find that they were not too nice either. For all their faults they leave ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 15, 2019:

@Triphid Well there was a war on. I love Spike Milligan's take on it. "The war was a great time for ugly people. You would get some guy that looked like a greek adonis lusting after a fat smelly NAFFE girl with a mustache and waxing lyrical as is she as Venus de Milo. Because she was the only woman around for miles"

Is your reality mine?

273kelvin comments on Sep 14, 2019:

My ex was from Malawi and told me about an amusing incident that proves that racism is not confined to whites. Robert Mugabe to the tobacco growers of Zimbabwe ; "I must congratulate you on an excellent harvest. This year you have grown 10% more tobacco than last year. This is good for you and ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 14, 2019:

@MrBeelzeebubbles Thank you for your input. I did not know about that one. However, I did say "hardly". Even with that in mind, if you stack up all the others like Ide Armin etc. It cannot be said that African nations have been a shining beacon of life and liberty in the years after colonial rule

Is your reality mine?

273kelvin comments on Sep 14, 2019:

My ex was from Malawi and told me about an amusing incident that proves that racism is not confined to whites. Robert Mugabe to the tobacco growers of Zimbabwe ; "I must congratulate you on an excellent harvest. This year you have grown 10% more tobacco than last year. This is good for you and ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 14, 2019:

@MrBeelzeebubbles Could that be any worse than Rwanda?

Is your reality mine?

273kelvin comments on Sep 14, 2019:

My ex was from Malawi and told me about an amusing incident that proves that racism is not confined to whites. Robert Mugabe to the tobacco growers of Zimbabwe ; "I must congratulate you on an excellent harvest. This year you have grown 10% more tobacco than last year. This is good for you and ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 14, 2019:

On a more serious point, it was her that told me in no uncertain terms that many Africans themselves look back upon colonial rule with misty-eyed nostalgia. There is hardly a country in the whole of the continent that has not suffered worse human rights abuses under their black rulers than under whites. Not to mention the massacres, famines, and constant conflicts that trouble the region. So when I read "His life and memory must not be allowed to feed a racist meme of African cruelty and incompetence." I suggest that Mr. Murray get off his liberal white horse and speak to some people on the ground.

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 12, 2019:

We make heroes out of high achievers and gods out of heroes. Then we are suddenly surprised when they turn out to have feet of clay. The phrase "He was no saint" is oft-quoted. If you read about the lives of saints you will find that they were not too nice either. For all their faults they leave ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 14, 2019:

@Triphid Although obviously not an American. My dad may have fallen into the over-sexed and over here category. Near the end of the war (post VE), it was decided that the British and US fleets would combine operations in the Indian ocean. Dad was a radio operator and the Brits banged out morse code using the old fashioned method. Whereas the yanks typed theirs out as it was faster. Consequently, he was sent to Perth along with a dozen others to learn how to type in the Australian equivalent of the Pitman school. They were billeted in an old rope works with hammocks strung up. Can you imagine a dozen jolly jack tars in a secretarial school? He said to me "Son if I said that I spent one night in that rope works? I would be lying"

Have any of our many US members watched "Peaky blinders".

2muchstupidity comments on Sep 14, 2019:

Of course. I love this show!! I just wish season 6 would have started in the US when it did in the UK. I'm still waiting for it.

273kelvin replies on Sep 14, 2019:

It's season 5 but we are hooked too. Btw much of it is filmed near me next to Ringoes birthplace Not really a spoiler but I suggest that you look up this historical character in preparation for the new series https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_Mosley

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 12, 2019:

We make heroes out of high achievers and gods out of heroes. Then we are suddenly surprised when they turn out to have feet of clay. The phrase "He was no saint" is oft-quoted. If you read about the lives of saints you will find that they were not too nice either. For all their faults they leave ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 13, 2019:

@Triphid Same here

Dear English; Why does christian have to be capitalized and atheist doesn't? Naughty, naughty!

IamNobody comments on Sep 11, 2019:

On a serious note.... Who cares?

273kelvin replies on Sep 13, 2019:

It is a useful argument against the idiots that claim that atheism is a religion

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 12, 2019:

We make heroes out of high achievers and gods out of heroes. Then we are suddenly surprised when they turn out to have feet of clay. The phrase "He was no saint" is oft-quoted. If you read about the lives of saints you will find that they were not too nice either. For all their faults they leave ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 13, 2019:

@Triphid, @OwlInASack Btw my father was a submariner in WW2 in the Indian ocean. He had nothing but praise to say about the Australians but less than enthusiastic in regard to the yanks.

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 12, 2019:

We make heroes out of high achievers and gods out of heroes. Then we are suddenly surprised when they turn out to have feet of clay. The phrase "He was no saint" is oft-quoted. If you read about the lives of saints you will find that they were not too nice either. For all their faults they leave ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 13, 2019:

@Triphid I apologize if I gave the impression that the whole debacle was a myth. What I obviously meant was that it could be all laid at Churchills's feet. Subsequently released archives have cast new light on the affair.

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 12, 2019:

We make heroes out of high achievers and gods out of heroes. Then we are suddenly surprised when they turn out to have feet of clay. The phrase "He was no saint" is oft-quoted. If you read about the lives of saints you will find that they were not too nice either. For all their faults they leave ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Triphid Ah yes the Gallipoli myth. If you look a little closer at the history of it without prejudice. You will discover that Churchill wanted it to be a naval campaign only. (He was 1st sea lord at the time) It was Churchills bitter rival lord Kitchener that pushed for its expansion into a land battle. However, Kitchener died at sea (strange irony there) and they could not make a scapegoat out of a dead hero so Churchill took the fall. He may have been responsible for many dreadful things but I think that that was not one of them.

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

273kelvin comments on Sep 12, 2019:

We make heroes out of high achievers and gods out of heroes. Then we are suddenly surprised when they turn out to have feet of clay. The phrase "He was no saint" is oft-quoted. If you read about the lives of saints you will find that they were not too nice either. For all their faults they leave ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Archeus_Lore You and I use words like "fiance" because nearly 1,000 years ago William of Normandy invaded England. Any moral judgments of him, his personal life or reasons would seem rather superfluous now. And no, you cannot say that the world was better off for having Hitler in it

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 Because slavery was just plain WRONG. The founding fathers acquiesced to the compromise of allowing it but it was a running sore in the side of a country calling itself "The land of the free". You can say that it would have died a natural death but that is with the gift of hindsight. Just as we can say that communism was a deeply flawed system and there was no need to get involved in Korea or Vietnam as they would have come round to our way of thinking given time.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

AnthonyAus comments on Aug 20, 2019:

And Trump cannot read anyway.

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@69ArizonaJerry To call me a liberal is not an insult it is a badge I wear with honor. As for UK politics, we are as I type, having to deal with the whole right-wing led shambles of Brexit. In regard to 45, I really don't give a toss what lies he tweets about the people stupid enough to have let into the white house. What put me dead against him was when he lied and insulted MY country. If you have a problem with that then come over and we can duke it out but be sure to use one of those airports that Washington stormed

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

Cast1es comments on Sep 12, 2019:

While you are viewing this from a national./ international point of view , things also work this way on the very personnel level . How many out there , have dated / married someone with a horrible story about their ex . , only to learn later that the half of the story you'd been given either left ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

I met a girl called Pam who told me horrible stories about her ex. About the same time or just a little later I met a guy called Paul. It took me a year to link the two people into one. PS. I now have nothing to do with Pam b/c as you may have guessed she is a lying narcissist.

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

Spongebob comments on Sep 12, 2019:

While I agree in general, I do not agree with some examples you have provided. Tesla is by no means a footnote. He was popular during his times and remains so. His fault was probably in the business end of his inventions. Edison certainly doesn't deserve being called a theif. He was an inspirational...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

The only thing we can say that Edison invented for sure by himself and not any of his team was "Hello". Before the word was coined by him Bell used "Ahoy hoy" to answer the phone (watch out for that joke when Mr Burns uses it in the Simpsons).

We so often learn far too late than the heroes of history were actually horrible people, and the ...

silverotter11 comments on Sep 12, 2019:

To the victor goes the spoils. To curry favor with who ever is in power is the bottom line. We see it play out every figging day with trump! If you have a parent that questions what you are learning in school it really helps. My Dad told me about Tesla and his contribution to so much we take for...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@LadyAlyxandrea Martin Luther Kings wife used to walk into a lot of doors

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 Let me get this straight. You're saying that by not allowing the expansion of an evil practice (and I assume that we can agree that it was evil) and merely holding to the status quo. Lincoln "forced" the southern states to secede and it was all his fault, not theirs? That is like saying that it was the US political opposition to Japanese expansion that forced them to attack Pearl Harbor

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 You could have said the same thing about the cold war

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 Yes I know. So it was not slavery as such but the expansion of slavery in the US was his case. It does not sound much like it going anywhere quickly. Even though it was a whole generation after Britain and the rest of the civilized world had already outlawed the barbaric practice. 10% of the population is lot of people but what of the % of the population that was not classed as people but as property. What about their lives?

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 A Trump supporter takes issue about Lincoln's harsh rhetoric. It is a shame that you yanks don't really get irony

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 You said AOCI, not AOC. and btw I thought that the questions she asked about vested interests and lobbying were brilliant. Any citizen who would want their representative to look after their interests and not those of some big moneyed donor would applaud that.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@69ArizonaJerry The man was elected to represent ALL of the united states of America. Not just the people who voted for him. So when for example he calls Baltimore "A shithole", he brings the office of the president into disrepute. Similarly when he slags off his political opponents by saying they should go back to their own country, even if 3/4 of them had more right to be there than his wife. It is not just him that is saying that it is the whole of the USA and it is the USA that is insulted. I well understand the short term gains that he hoped to achieve by these divisive tactics but it is a highly dangerous game. Whilst it may bring certain factions closer to him. It will alienate many more. As a president far better than him once said "A house divided upon itself, cannot stand" Say an Olympic sportsman gets involved in a drunken brawl. The officials and press quite rightly say "You have are not just representing yourself but your country as well and you have brought dishonor upon it" I can tell you that most of the world looks upon your head of state as a spoilt, petulant, bullying brat. If you think thats okay and "presidential"? Then you deserve all you get up to and including ridicule.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 Btw I looked up AOCI and all I could find was some accounting thing. Can you enlighten me, please?

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Arizonajerry comments on Aug 21, 2019:

Cutiebeauty, thank you very much for clarifying the purpose of these jokes. These cheesy jokes misled me to loosing hope in humanity and thinking that some people are disrespectful to our president....or worse. Thank you for steering me straight, it is jsut cheesy jokes. I feel much, much better. ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 It really should not be such a surprise that people who do not blindly follow the religious path would be less likely to follow the religious right of the republican party. As to respect, it has always been my opinion that it is a 2-way street. Yes, a certain amount of respect is due to someone's position. Be they an officer of the law/armed forces, a doctor/nurse, etc.and a head of state is automatically due some of that. However, 45 has abused that office on so many occasions. In his time he has insulted the disabled, war veterans, women, immigrants, the press, his predecessor in the oval office MY COUNTRY!! and basically anyone who was not a Trump supporter. To my mind, people on this site and elsewhere would have a lot more respect for the office if HE respected it more. You cannot sit on the toilet all night slagging off everyone you don't like on twitter and then expect to get respect. If he kept his foul mouth to himself and acted more like a president. People would treat him more like one.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 12, 2019:

@Trajan61 I agree that welfare is open to abuses. As someone that has been on both sides I have paid my taxes and at times received benefits until I got back on my feet. I can say that it is no picnic and from what I hear the US system is harsher. Let us look at those hard-working people who have to pay taxes. I picked a blue-collar job at random of a bus driver. Salaries vary but the USA pays on ave about $30.000 pa. Under Trump, that person is paying MORE of their hard-earned money in tax not less. His tax breaks are incremental and heavily favor the highest incomes. Now are am quite sure that those bus drivers would love to be part of the higher-end tax breaks but their republican representatives continually block any and all attempts to raise the minimum wage.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 11, 2019:

@Trajan61 Like I said I'm a pragmatist and going on his track record rather than his politics. The bankruptcies that have left contractors high and dry. Plus it seems an awful lot of his staff end up in jail. So I would count my fingers and see if I still had all my rings left after any handshake. But you make your own decisions.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@Trajan61 Lies are part of it but Trump takes the piss. I read somewhere that Obama was about 20% lies whereas 45 is around 68%. You still haven't answered me. Would you trust him enough to do business with him?

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@Trajan61 I looked up the odds after my comment and although he is favorite it is not by much. $110 to win $100. Considering my aforementioned form guide that is quite lamentable and the Dems haven't even picked a candidate yet. Okay, I believe you when you talk about honor. So can I ask you how you feel about Trump's lies, and bankruptcies? Would you do business with the man?

Have any of our many US members watched "Peaky blinders".

Cutiebeauty comments on Sep 10, 2019:

I haven't seen it..

273kelvin replies on Sep 10, 2019:

P.S. a lot of it was filmed near me next to Ringos birthplace. The houses were due for demolition/renovation so they blacked out the windows and CGI ed a lot of overhead gantries etc.

Have any of our many US members watched "Peaky blinders".

Cutiebeauty comments on Sep 10, 2019:

I haven't seen it..

273kelvin replies on Sep 10, 2019:

Give it a go, it catches you right from the Nick Cave opening credits theme

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 10, 2019:

@Trajan61 So Oklahomans did not vote for Hillary Clinton? Wow, I am shocked! I have not been this surprised since I found out that Freddie Mercury was gay. This is what you base how great 45 is? He took on the most distrusted and hated politician in America and could not even win the popular vote. That's like saying "I beat Stephen Hawking in a fight" So how will he do in 2020? Well, he has the advantage in the incumbent. This is a huge home-court advantage. Since the 2 terms only amendment, only 2 elected incumbents have lost reelection. Carter and Bush senior. The ones that won are Ike, Nixon, Regan, Clinton, G.W., and Obama. That puts the form as 6-2 on or 3-1 on. Irrespective of political stances. The US system is rather like going into a bar and challenging the toughest guy to a fight but he has to prove that he really is the toughest guy. So everyone dukes it out and then you take on the battered and bloody winner. Do you think that Trump is better than 1-3? If so I will take that bet. We could exchange funds via any online betting site but unfortunately, you are not allowed to do this in the land of the free. So let us use what may seem an alien concept to a Trump supporter, called honor. (Honesty is obviously not seen as any value). You put up what you can afford to lose (that must be quite a lot seeing as 45 has been so good to you) and I will match it by a 1/3 winner take all. Are we on?

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@Trajan61 "Oil and gas and beef are the number one source of income here..and seeing as the looney democraps want to do away with both." Okay, I'm no mathematician but I count 3 and they`re idiots????

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@Trajan61 Its in my comment read it

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@Trajan61 "Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats" or "In my books IQ doesn’t count for that much" You sound as contradictory and full of crap as him

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@Trajan61 Okay let's talk facts and not opinion. Obama inherited the worst economic crash since the 1930s. I would like to blame G. W. for this but there was one due around 2001 and after 9/11 he could not let the economy tank as well. So he kicked it down the road. Any leader would have done the same but the trouble with putting things off is they only get worse. So it really would not have mattered who you had in the west wing. You would have had it bad anyway. As did the rest of the world. At least you had a leader that was respected. That goes a long way in terms of soft power. The guy tried to get you decent health care. Not before time as from what I read your system is incredibly inefficient. Not just the $700 for a $7 vial of insulin although that is bad enough. But the waste of human resources. If I get sick I just go to the doctor and think nothing of it, other than getting better. You guys have to worry whether your insurance (if you have any) will cover it. It is (again from what I read) the biggest cause of bankruptcy in the USA. And you vilify the guy that tried to help you out, go figure. Firstly I must state that although you might think that I am a leftie. In my yard, I count as right-wing. Truth be told I am a pragmatist. Whoever is best for the job gets my vote Now let's have a look at the republicans. In my lifetime you have elected in order. A crook A B-movie star A spy An ex-alcoholic idiot son A reality TV star (4 times bankrupt) Of the 5 the spy was the best of the bunch. Now your politics is your business and I would be loth to comment. However, 45 has poked his nose into UK politics too often for me to take a back seat. His comments on how Brexit would be "great for the UK" would be enough. (What he meant was that it will give the US a chance of selling us food without all those pesky EU regs that stop rat hairs in pasta, pus in milk and chlorinated chicken. Don't your politicians do a great job of looking out for you?) What really tipped the balance was when he re-tweeted a false video from a far-right group EDL. He made a big splash on how "Muslims are taking over the UK and there are no-go areas." The vid was in fact from Holland and not a Muslim after all. Did we get an apology, a retraction or anything? did we shite as like? No, he just goes on and on spouting crap and not caring what damage it does. Well, you might think that he is good for Oklahoma (although I hear that the Chinese tariffs are hitting your farmers). But he ain't that good for the US of A as a whole and one day soon he will piss off too many people and the rest of the world might ask you to pay your debts. Do you have a spare $180.000? Because thats what each US household owes.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@Trajan61 As did I look and all I could find was in those links. Just a piece of advice, if I were you I would not ask anyone on this site to take something on faith.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 9, 2019:

@Trajan61 So you say something and instead of backing it up or back down because it is obviously nonsense. You say that it does not matter because..... Where have I heard that kind of rhetoric before? Let me think...

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 9, 2019:

Your silence speaks volumes

You can reason but it goes over their heads, as does subtle humour.

WonderWartHog99 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

## Just another excuse to use a common vulgarity.

273kelvin replies on Sep 7, 2019:

@WonderWartHog99 Or honest

If i could just get rid of this peeing thing that happens at like 2 in the morning thing and relieve...

Heathenman comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Okay. Ladies don't read this unless you really want to get grossed out. If you're a lady and you are still reading, thank you, your my kinda gal. Now go away. Okay dude. Sometimes I have the same problem. Never know when it is going to happen. I wake up pee and go back to bed, but ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 7, 2019:

@RavenCT More of a problem for ladies at festivals. As the default solution is a used plastic glass. You have to be careful not to reuse them

If i could just get rid of this peeing thing that happens at like 2 in the morning thing and relieve...

Heathenman comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Okay. Ladies don't read this unless you really want to get grossed out. If you're a lady and you are still reading, thank you, your my kinda gal. Now go away. Okay dude. Sometimes I have the same problem. Never know when it is going to happen. I wake up pee and go back to bed, but ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 7, 2019:

@RavenCT Its a clear milk bottle not a tissue

You can reason but it goes over their heads, as does subtle humour.

WonderWartHog99 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

## Just another excuse to use a common vulgarity.

273kelvin replies on Sep 7, 2019:

@WonderWartHog99 Firstly, I apologize for using the phrase "Trust me". I will refrain from using it in the future. The Irish backstop from what I understand has nothing to do with the Euro. Let me try and explain. Imagine if Canada was once part of the USA but fought its independence. A compromise solution was reached leaving the borders as they now stand with Alaska stuck on the end. Factions in Canada and Alaska were not happy with this and continued to mount a terrorist war both in Alaska and in the US mainland. Then both countries sign up to a North American trade pact which includes Mexico, Panama, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. This allows not only goods but a free movement of labor. A peace accord is worked out between the USA and Canada with states that the border with Alaska will remain open. This is greatly facilitated by the trade pact. Then the USA votes to leave the trade pact. (Incidentally, none of the campaigners on either side of the vote mentions the Alaska problem). Now add to this the chaotic political situation in Alaska. Unlike the USA which is mostly a 2 party system. Alaska has 4 parties broadly split between US or Canadian sympathies. Unfortunately, the state legislature has not sat for 4 years due to a dispute between the warring factions and the largest pro-Canadian party will not send any representatives to Washington as they refuse to pledge allegiance. An election is held in the US after the decision to leave the pact. But there is no clear majority in the electoral college. So an alliance is formed between the Pro US Alaskan party (Unionist) and the republican party to form a govt. However, the Unionist party will not agree to any arrangement where Alaska is subject to different rules than the US. Hence the backstop but the Unionists will not have a de-facto border between them and the US. So any arrangement will have to be binding on all of the states. Now we have a situation where the USA is committed to both leaving the pact and an open border with Alaska/Canada. So negotiations with the pact are entered into and a "backstop" solution is reached. This states the status quo will remain until such time as a full trade agreement with the pact and USA is reached. But it will be the pact that decides when that is. In the meantime, the USA will be subject to all existing and future pact regulations but will NOT have any say in the drafting of these. Now as you can imagine, the factions who wanted to leave see this as a betrayal of their trust. It is to them the equivalent of a divorce where you still pay the bills but sleep in the garage. So the idea of a no-deal is thought of as the only solution. Basically a fuck-it move, in which instead of a negotiated divorce. You shred the marriage certificate and walk away. ...

You can reason but it goes over their heads, as does subtle humour.

WonderWartHog99 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

## Just another excuse to use a common vulgarity.

273kelvin replies on Sep 7, 2019:

@WonderWartHog99 But it started with Brexit and is now exacerbated by the imminent prospect of a no-deal exit

If i could just get rid of this peeing thing that happens at like 2 in the morning thing and relieve...

Heathenman comments on Sep 7, 2019:

Okay. Ladies don't read this unless you really want to get grossed out. If you're a lady and you are still reading, thank you, your my kinda gal. Now go away. Okay dude. Sometimes I have the same problem. Never know when it is going to happen. I wake up pee and go back to bed, but ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 7, 2019:

I've done a similar thing at festivals with a plastic milk bottle

A list of Ten Classic British Films that had Incredibly bad Hollywood remakes Alfie (2004 / 1966)...

273kelvin comments on Sep 6, 2019:

I have to say that I liked the ladykiller's remake. I don't normally like second-hand films but the Coen bros did a great job. Tom Hanks filled Alister Sims' shoes very well and the jokes made me laugh. Which tbh I don't do much at films I watch on my own. All the rest I would agree are crap ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@LenHazell53 Yes you are right

You can reason but it goes over their heads, as does subtle humour.

WonderWartHog99 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

## Just another excuse to use a common vulgarity.

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@WonderWartHog99 All right don't trust me but the man is mostly responsible for the biggest constitutional catastrophe in hundreds of years. Whilst he and his upper-crust friends invest all their money overseas. The pound has plummeted from 1.6 Euros to parity. In the meantime, I see homeless people in every vacant shop doorway due to Tory austerity and welfare reform. But things are due to get worse as a no-deal Brexit will according to most experts lead to logistical log-jam of biblical proportions. Food, medicine and you name it will be in short supply. Not to mention all of the lost future investments. The guy was not even anti-EU until the referendum, he just jumped on the bandwagon to have a shot at the top job. Add to that all the racist remarks. Terms like "Bong-bongo land" "Piccaninny" and describing muslem women as "Looking like letterboxes or bankrobers". As foreign secretary, he deftly managed to get an innocent woman banged up for an extra 18 months in an Arab jail. But hey ho don't trust me when I say he`s a cunt

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

An interesting thing about IQ. They did tests on cats in Spain to measure their IQ (How you measure this is beyond me but I suppose that it is possible). They found that domestic cats have about 20% less than wild ones. With that in mind. Do you think that someone who bypassed their entrance exams to college because their dad bought them in? Would beat a student from a single mother who HAD to win scholarships in order to study. Who is on record with an IQ of 155? (Making him 8th in presidential smarty pants.) What would the Vegas odds be? If you still want to bet on 45? Then I really want you at my poker table.

Does anyone else think Boris Johnson is now out of his depth, floundering and making one blunder ...

LetzGetReal comments on Sep 6, 2019:

From the outside, I agree, he is a making of his own mess. AND I wish we had a form of Parliament in the US for obvious reasons!

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@Heidi68 You could say something like "I hear that wind farms can cause cancer" because that technically is not lying but you cannot say "I did not try and get X fired from this investigation". If it got proven that you did, you would face very severe sanctions. This only covers what you tell the house. It does not encompass outside of parliament.

Does anyone else think Boris Johnson is now out of his depth, floundering and making one blunder ...

LetzGetReal comments on Sep 6, 2019:

From the outside, I agree, he is a making of his own mess. AND I wish we had a form of Parliament in the US for obvious reasons!

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@davknight Yes, it can get a bit like two opposing football crowds. However, not only the leader but the senior ministers also have to face questions too. They do not have to answer them. They can fudge, accuse the opposition, etc. but they cannot lie. The house and de-facto country can make an assessment of their progress accordingly.

Does anyone else think Boris Johnson is now out of his depth, floundering and making one blunder ...

LetzGetReal comments on Sep 6, 2019:

From the outside, I agree, he is a making of his own mess. AND I wish we had a form of Parliament in the US for obvious reasons!

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

@davknight Just a few points. The PM can stand down or be voted out by a no-confidence vote in parliament or by there own party. as happened to Margaret Thatcher (Ok she resigned but only after it was obvious that she would lose). The main difference between the two systems is ours is much more adversarial and dialectic. The Govt sits opposite the other parties in the chamber at a distance of 2 sword lengths. Each week whilst Parl. is in session, the PM must address the house and answer questions Rather than the yearly state of the union address. Can you imagine Trump having to face Pelosi and other congress members on a weekly basis in a debate?

Does anyone else think Boris Johnson is now out of his depth, floundering and making one blunder ...

Petter comments on Sep 6, 2019:

And if the government resigns? What then? Can any other party/parties form a government. Could they even agree on who would hold what political offices, let alone be Prime Minister? The likely outcome would have to be a MANDATORY general election, after having even more time and money wasting. How...

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

If the govt resigns a temporary govt of national unity could be formed by opposition groups. This would not have to have Corbyn at the head but probably would. It may be formed on the strict understanding that it is only there to halt a no-deal exit and to call an election soon after that had been atchieved

Does anyone else think Boris Johnson is now out of his depth, floundering and making one blunder ...

MrBeelzeebubbles comments on Sep 6, 2019:

One of my pet peeves is how blatantly pro Tory the BBC has become. Boris' performance at question time was shambolic - Corbyn ran rings around him. You'd never know it if you only watched the Beeb.

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

They not pro-Tory, just anti-Corbyn, there is a difference.

Trump’s nothing like Hitler. There’s no way he could write a book

Trajan61 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Trump has a higher IQ than Obama or for that matter most of the democrats. Comparing Trump with Hitler is absurd. Hitler was a ruthless dictator who killed millions.

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

Excuse me but on what evidence do you base that statement? He certainly did say that he had a higher IQ than Obama but then he says a lot of things like "I am a stable genius" "Wind farms can cause cancer" and let us not forget "When George Washington stormed the airports". So you will forgive me if I fact-check this a little. Here is what a quick search pulled up. Rather like his tax returns, he has never published his IQ and has gone to great lengths not have it published, so we can only surmise. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/what-donald-trumps-iq-heres-7983558 https://www.politico.eu/article/stable-genius-donald-trump-iq-fixation/ One thing that does seem odd is his obsession with it. A bit like a friend constantly saying that he is straight or has a big appendage. Methinks that he doth protest too much. But hey, I might be wrong. Maybe that sad sack in the bar all day really was a navy seal.

You can reason but it goes over their heads, as does subtle humour.

KKGator comments on Sep 6, 2019:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPIdRJlzERo

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

A song that the BBC forbade being played following the demise of Margret Thatcher

You can reason but it goes over their heads, as does subtle humour.

mcgeo52 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

Since you asked: https://youtu.be/P-219jrlCiQ https://youtu.be/gKLBx7-cg_o https://youtu.be/9NVQ2aeVmXE

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

Good but not very catchy. May I suggest "Donald Trump is a racist cunt" sung to the tune of "You can't always get what you want". Which he seems to play at all his rallies. A large contingent chanting this outside might throw a wrench into the works

You can reason but it goes over their heads, as does subtle humour.

WonderWartHog99 comments on Sep 6, 2019:

## Just another excuse to use a common vulgarity.

273kelvin replies on Sep 6, 2019:

Firstly you say that like its a bad thing and we all know that swearing IS big and clever. Secondly, as I stated, it is counterproductive to aim high with people whose IQ struggles to make 3 figures. Far easier and more cost-effective to go for the jugular using plain English. Trust me, I live here and can vouchsafe that Boris really is a c...

For all those patient enough to wait for the answer to the trivia question I posted yesterday, here ...

Nightshade1313 comments on Sep 4, 2019:

No way!! 😀😳

273kelvin replies on Sep 5, 2019:

When you listen again with that knowledge, it does sound like a Jolson song.

This slim and very well proportioned woman was staring at the sea.

273kelvin comments on Sep 3, 2019:

But here are some guys looking out for her

273kelvin replies on Sep 3, 2019:

@Merseyman1 There are looking a the Mersey estuary

My mother is having a family cookout on Friday.

Triphid comments on Sep 3, 2019:

Imho, don't make up some excuse, just tell them 100% straight out the truth, you don't really need to associate with scum like that even IF he is a part of your family. Try organising an event of your own and NOT sending that piece of shit an invitation plus instruct ALL other invitees that HE is ...

273kelvin replies on Sep 3, 2019:

I agree

Are you lonesome tonight - Trivia I hosted the trivia night on Sunday.

KKGator comments on Sep 3, 2019:

Elvis. Didn't even know Lorrie Morgan covered it.

273kelvin replies on Sep 3, 2019:

It`s not Elvis, I gave you that at the start

Are you lonesome tonight - Trivia I hosted the trivia night on Sunday.

Wangobango3 comments on Sep 3, 2019:

Doris Day?

273kelvin replies on Sep 3, 2019:

No, it's not. Once you know the answer and if you listen to the song. You can hear how it sounds like one of theirs.

Are you lonesome tonight - Trivia I hosted the trivia night on Sunday.

Marionville comments on Sep 3, 2019:

I think I know ...haven’t googled, but I want to see if others know too before I say. I will PM you with my answer.

273kelvin replies on Sep 3, 2019:

OKAY