silverfox

There's something not quite right about this post.

Well argued Huguenot - but wrong. The EU and Euro are responsible in the sense that the political aim of an expanded Europe allowed countries such as Cyprus (and Greece) into the Euro when they weren't ready and their institutions weren't in order. The European elite knew this at the time but turned a blind eye for reasons of ideology and naked ambition. The beneficiary of this fiasco will be Germany, as people withdraw their funds and place them in German banks.

Fair point El Pibe. I note however those Somali pirates are too crafty to put their ill-gotten gains into Eurozone banks

Good link Huguenot. Like the Troika, those Somali pirates know a thing or two about fleecing you of your money

Sticking my neck out here a bit but as nobody else has mentioned it I may as well. If the Cyprus Parliament ratifies the bail-in proposals whereby the EU/IMF can plunder ordinary people's bank accounts then bye bye EU experiment. Any half-wit can tell you you do not mess around with people's hard earned money. The idea that Brussels Eurocrats can entertain such an idea is beyond my comprehension. Tuesday will bring a run on banks that will shake all Eurozone members. The straw that broke the camel's back?

There is much merit in what you say James. It could be argued that if Alan Turing is pardoned now he loses the 'gay martyr' status which could weaken the cause of how unjust such a law was historically. Further, a distinction has to be made with your example of WW1 cowardice pardons. All those pardoned are now dead. If Turing is pardoned then everyone convicted under laws against homosexuality logically need to be pardoned. While this may be just, those living who were prosecuted will require compensation for the suffering caused. This brings us back full circle - where do you stop with such pardons? As mentioned previously, many people were transported for what are now seen as trivial offences

VaniJ, I have a certain admiration for your get up and go spirit posting at 5.38 am. But really, using this thread as a blatant ad for Payday money loans with a link supplied is not on. You should hang your head in shame and make a substantial donation to the forum for such abuse of this service

WorkingMummy I loved your 'Where God went wrong' contribution. So, just to recap: On the negative side - One of the most evil empires in history is reponsible for the murder of homosexuals in Africa, murder of Brazilian street children, kidnapping and trading of Spanish Children. Paedophilia is a unique Catholic problem. Talk of electing a black Pope is racist. The Church is theologically in error because of Summerian legends. And Catholics who worry about the family unit and family values coming under threat are hypocrites. On the positive side - In order for the Church to reclaim a degree of moral authority, the new Pope should adopt secular ideas such as gay marriage, easier abortion and euthanasia. Condoms and the pill should be distributed globally like sugared almonds handed out as wedding favours and this will solve the problem of Aids and Global poverty. And, only if it grasps this will the 2,000 year old Catholic Church manage to last another hundred years. Ummmm ... I'm not sure you've grasped the nature of this thread.

I'm surprised at you Huguenot - you missed out plague and pestilence in your imagined list of crimes. Now, back on topic ...

Personally I'm divided between the first black Pope in modern times and a South American Pope. Perhaps Cardinal Peter Turkson (aged 64, Ghana) may be too conservative and not what the church needs at this point, although he could provide an 'Obama' factor. Alternatively, the South American Candidates Cardinal Odilo Scherer, (63, Brazil) and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, (69, Argentina) may be seen as too liberal. Given the moral bankruptcy of the West, perhaps it's time to turn to the developing world.

Have to say that far from Sophiescarlett89 being demented her post made perfect sense and was well argued. I'm not necessarily pro-fox - they (urban foxes) are mangy critters scavaging on our discarded kebabs and chips and they would happily eat a plump young baby given half a chance, in the same way a rural fox will decimate a hen house, no matter what deluded RSPCA officials tell you. However, the likelihood is small and objectively speaking we'd be better off getting rid of all dogs and cats which are responsible for consuming much needed food for humans and (particularly cats) killing our wildlife in the millions. The real cull needs to start in your own homes

Spoliation As in: "... it is not impossible that one or two of these objects may, as research goes on, prove to have come from collections which were the subject of spoliation during the Nazi period ..." (Cited by curator Tim Wilson, 'Oxford's Ashmolean Museum unveils silver treasure trove' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21274496 ) spo?li?a?tion [spoh-lee-ey-shuhn] noun 1. the act or an instance of plundering or despoiling. 2. authorized plundering of neutrals at sea in time of war. 3. Law. the destruction or material alteration of a bill of exchange, will, or the like. 4. the act of spoiling or damaging something. Verb - to spoliate Origin: 1350?1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French spoliacion, < Latin spoliātiōn- (stem of spoliātiō ), equivalent to spoliāt(us) (past participle of spoliāre to spoil/plunder; see -ate ) + -iōn- -ion

Ungleglen, You have done your best to defend your teacher friend. What is/are your view/views?

What a load of mumbo jumbo nonsense. Leaglebeagle, I'm surprised at you.

alice Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > go to the science museum - huge section dedicated > to turing and his achievements Nobody is disputing this Alice. Turing was one of the most brilliant minds of his generation. The fact is the law was the law and Turing fell foul of the law. Okay, we all question that law now, some 70 odd years later, because ideas have changed. My problem with the idea of a retrospective pardon is where do you stop? I'm sure many galley slaves are due a pardon.

uncleglen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A friend who teaches in a faith school told me > that she has been disturbed by recent comments > made by older teenagers in the sixth form who > believe that being religious is 'good' and not > being religious is 'bad'. One student asked her if > she believed in 'god' and she would not say... Why wouldn't she say? The answer is yes, no, maybe Unless she's a heathen frightened she may lose her job In a faith school. How can sixth formers have any respect for a teacher Who is too timid to express her views? Sixth formers are on the cusp - wrestling with ideas. It sounds as if the individuals concerned were a bit fundamentalist. Here was the teacher's chance to stretch them with different ideas/interpretation. Far from her being 'disturbed' by such comments, she failed in her duty to question and offer alternative views here. In short, she appears to be Michael Gove fodder and probably isn't up to the job.

I am genuinely sorry that Green & Blue is closing. It was a venture that the less brave of us would have liked to try and was truly what I would call an independent (can't understand why they didn't have branded plastic carrier bags though). However, reality check, ED is not really that cool. Yes, shops like Moxons, William Rose, Cheese Shop, ED deli, do well - people have to eat and let's face it, it's a tried and tested formula - butcher, baker, candlestick maker. Fair play to Celestial as well, (referenced above) even though I've never darkened their door and was dubious as to how long they'd last. Facts are we have a very poor selection of restaurants. Franklins is in a league of its own and there are decent Indian (Indian for Brits) restaurants. Where are the Japanese, Lebanese, Vietnamese and so on. Not in Ed. Where are the designer clothes shops? Jewellers? Art supplies/stationers, art house cinema? So really, hot and hip ED is not. What it is is a great place to live with lots of nice people, off the beaten track, unknown by most other people in London and long may it stay like that. Edited to say I've just noticed this thread has certainly struck a chord with 6,297 posts which implies a number of people are wondering whether it's time to sell up and get out.

DaveR Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "Would it be too Machiavellian to surmise that > there was a deliberate EU policy to keep rates > down so that people would get into such hock that > they became totally dependent (enslaved) by the EU > apparatus?" > > Yes. Would you agree that if you dangle a carrot in front of a donkey it will follow you? Well, in my opinion, the EU has certainly made asses of its 500 million citizens. (edited due to predictive text typo)

"...Either way, as I said before, your arguments come to naught in the face to an increasingly positive outlook for the political determination to succeed. You can talk about your theoretical 'proof' that it isn't working in much the same breath as you can deny gravity - the reality is that all evidence is to the contrary..." One certainly can't deny gravity, as the desperate Spaniards about to be repossessed jumping off balconies demonstrate. Not sure they'd agree that the evidence shows a positive outlook though no matter how many letters the fancy economists have after their names.

"...The extent of Greek indebtedness is a direct result of euro membership..." Just to add DaveR that that is also the case with Ireland, Spain etc. Would it be too Machiavellian to surmise that there was a deliberate EU policy to keep rates down so that people would get into such hock that they became totally dependent (enslaved) by the EU apparatus? A conspiracy step too far perhaps but there's a certain beauty in the simplicity of such a trap and the present reality is the impoverished citizens and states are now beholden to the EU machine and in danger of being starved into submission. A desperate person/state will sign their freedom/sovereignty away for a loaf of bread.

Strange thread. Not sure if this is a private spat between Huguenot and ???? or whether Huguenot is wearing his EU health & safety approved Rose tinted spectacles causing the self-deluded belief that the EU experiment is still on track.

Of course not - foolish idea. You cannot re-write history to suit modern norms and sensibilities. We wouldn't sentence petty thieves to transportation to Australia these days. Should they all be pardoned?

Interesting data. More Poles living in England and Wales now than there were at the time of the Domesday survey.

Where did I put that kidney bean?

Street party anyone?