NJS

As I understand the principle was to ensure the economies of all the states were broadly in line - a supposed requirement for joining in the first place. Unfortunately as was perhaps inevitible, the gap between France and Germany (and the UK if we had joined in) and countries like Greece has become over-stretched.

There are a lot of aspects of Islam I despise (I presume that's where you're going) but its very simplistic to say they are uncaring - the respect for the family and the way they look after older relatives is one aspect a lot of western countries could learn from. he's stated his case and he is correct. People like you spout on about those among us in the west not being prepared to encompass Islam and say it is "racist" yet you turn a total blind eye to the fact that they do not and will not adapt to any other culture anywhere. I just don't get why you defend these racists and continue to do so at every opportunity. You're right LM, over a billion people are hereby judged as backward, racist scum who hate the west and have no redeeming features whatsoever. the use of "these racists" is fucking breathtaking.

I can understand the boards position and wouldn't like the task of dealing with a bunch or reprobates on a dailiy basis but banning anyone still doesn't sit easily with me. I hope there's a way back from this because I've seen this kind of thing happen elsewhere and it can be a complete pisser for everybody.

There are a lot of aspects of Islam I despise (I presume that's where you're going) but its very simplistic to say they are uncaring - the respect for the family and the way they look after older relatives is one aspect a lot of western countries could learn from.

Possibly the UN is hopeless - but that's mainly down to a lack of will from the US (and others) who'd rather go their own way. If you trust the US to only ever act in our interests that;s fine but there's no guarantee they will - imagine if Palin is elected and starts invading countries just for the hell of it. Again the first Kuwait war was picking on one side of a dispute because of politics rather than principle - the US only cared about Kuwait because Saudi felt threatened - they didn't care when he invaded Iran. How about we don't sell weapons to obvious cunts? Then again I wouldn't bother with it - if the coal or shipbuilding industries were subidised as much as BAE, the NE would have full employment.

Aside of the usual anti-west comments again [what is the problem here, why do you always take this stance] are you suggesting such decisions should be left to the UN and that decision abided by. Iraq invaded Kuwait in the first instance by the way, and Saddam Hussein had oppressed and used chemical weapons on his own people. Why do you think we should sit back and wait for him to do it again, stockpike more weapons, and develop them ? The last war wasm't about Kuwait but you do know that Kuwait is a historical part of Iraq sort of like Northern Ireland is part of the UK (to some people)? That aside - yes that's the whole point of the UN - there was a process in progress which would have led to resolutions but the UN appointed inspectors could not find evidence of WMD - that's what the US/UK jumped the gun on. The sanctions from the first war (which incidently killed thousands of children) meant that Saddam was incapable of developing weapons - this has been comprehensively proven by not one being found or any evidence of any development processes. As for gassing the Kurds, it was terrible but the Yanks, Israelis and the Russians have done worse since WWII with no comebacks. If you want an honest world police force that stops shit like that then I'm all for it - but beware what it will uncover - especially who sold the weapons and chemicals.

I have to say my lack of sympathy relates to charging £30 for seats bolted on to an open terrace with no plans for a new ground for years until recently. Also got a minor kicking/chasing in 84.

There's a couple of Bavarians I work with who don't call themselves German.

They'll just do a Boro so it won't make any difference. Another Hall lie was that NUFC would have ended in 1991 - especially since the two-headed vermin had shown the way forward in 86.

Hastings was Saxons against Normans - not many native English sons there.

I've worked with Germans for 6 years and have added precisely 2 words to my single figure existing vocab - Choos - equivalent to ciao or au revoir and genau which is liberally sprinkled into many conversations and means "exactly/you're right/I hear you".

I'd also add that LM ignored HF's point that Iraq had done nothing to threaten the UK and was invaded which begged the question what were the people supposed to do? - lay down and take it? Okay many saw the invasion as liberation (more fool them) but many didn't.

Yes we fucking do - how fucking stupid are you? Look up "shock and awe" - the deliberate bombing of Baghdad and other cities whith the only purpose of killing civilians. Utter rubbish The purpose was to remove government, infrastructure and military targets, now undoubtedly civilians died, but to say the purpose was to solely target civilians is garbage. If they'd carpet bombed as per WW2 you may have had a point. Propaganda. Also the use of White Phosphurus in Fallijah (against all intetnational conventions) with no regard to casualties.

Yes we fucking do - how fucking stupid are you? Look up "shock and awe" - the deliberate bombing of Baghdad and other cities whith the only purpose of killing civilians.

Rob Hulse is definitely on my "players who if they score means nobody gets paid" list - the modern Steve Claridge.

Irony abounds, Peaspudd'n didn't have that formation in his list yet you must consider that most of our glory days were won with a 2-3-5 line-up in olden times. Inccidently NJS, the centre-half was a defined defender, don't think I ever heard Frank Brennan referred to as a mid-field general, more often as a 'stopper'. I was thinking more of Andy Aitken from the Edwardian days - it was him I read referred to as more of a playmaker - possibly much later personified by Charlton or Beckenbauer in a different formation.

No he didn't.

No he did - claimed he was being assaulted - there's a recording of it available somewhere.

Dalglish's team Versus Monaco away?

Historically there was a 2-3-5 - full backs, half backs with a centre-half who wasn't a defender but the original "midfield general" and then a traditional forward line.

Theres a standard Atheist debating point that says that the Egyptians were extensive record keepers and theres absolutely no mention of a mass of Hebrew slaves let alone any exodus/plague etc etc. Similar one re: the Romans and any census any time around the supposed birth of Jesus as well iirc. There definitely wasn't a census like. Theres also a conflict about Querenius being governor of Syria in one gospel but that was after Herod reigned - the supposed get out is that he was acting governor before getting the job but that's not something the Romans did generally.

Theres a standard Atheist debating point that says that the Egyptians were extensive record keepers and theres absolutely no mention of a mass of Hebrew slaves let alone any exodus/plague etc etc.

I wonder how many times other coppers get away with "solving" altercations they get involved in by nicking people? Looks like he fucked up by dialling 999 before he could get his story right and just assumed he could blag it - though I wouldn't be surprised if he was prosecuted maliciously because he'd made enemies.

I wish they didn't - I was forced to suffer it though in fairness out of the 3 things we did for 'O' level it was the least shit behind Chaucer and fucking Dickens.

Fucking hell I think my brain had conveniently wiped the memory of him until you mentioned it. I have to admit to actively disliking Reilly which isn't the case with many Newcastle players and is even stranger considering I think it was just that he was so shit - a not uncommon "quality" in players over the years.