Recent posts

#21

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Josquius - Today at 01:45:00 AM

Just imagine if the discoverer of this place had been operating a century or two earlier when there was more to discover.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scratch_My_Arse_Rock

#22

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Razgovory - Today at 12:24:46 AM

We used them in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Ukrainians use them as well.  I'm surprised that the Israeli weren't using them.  They are legal after all.

#23

Off the Record / Re: Fitness 2025 And Onwards t...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 12:13:54 AM

Not necessarily, they changed the guidance for the police a few years ago, my understanding is you're allowed to use pavements for cycling if the road is dangerous/busy and only when there are now pedestrians you'll inconvience. It's basically asking the police to show some common sense taking into account the cyclists and other road user's safety.

An example, there's a marked shared use cycle path out of my town, which then stops and continue as a footpath, I then use this for 70-80 metres before I turn into a small road that then takes me anywhere I'm going north or East of the town.

Otherwise, to avoid that I'd have to cross a very busy narrow A-road, cycle along it for 80 metres, then stop and right turn into the small road I need.
That would be carnage for me, because hardly any of the A-road traffic would be stopping behind me as I try and right turn.

And Tamas you really want to drastically limit your cycling amongst vehicles in the UK nowadays, it's just too dangerous; I'd recommend looking at online maps, but don't rely on the route planning, use your own judgment and then cross referencing that with the online road safety traffic density maps for guidance.


Edit:
This might be one of the goverment pages I mention, though I can't check it as am on an antiquated pc a the moment:
https://roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk/#6/55.254/-5.295/basemap-regions-countpoints

Thanks Mongers I was going to (and probably will) ask you for tips like that. Yeah, I want to take up cycling because I really need some cardio that's relatively easy on my knees (and doesn't involve a pool), but I am not at ALL keen on cycling in traffic. My neighbourhood has some marked cycle lanes which I can use to loiter around on but I recon they'll get dull quick.

#24

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Zoupa - Today at 12:09:20 AM

The IDF has started using thermobaric weapons. Russians have used those to clear trenches in Ukraine and they cause horrific injuries.

Considering Gaza is one of the densest places on the planet, that's certainly .... a choice.

#25

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by viper37 - July 13, 2025, 10:47:37 PM

From what I'm seeing they are claiming Biden destroyed the Epstein files.  I'm surprised that Trump isn't running with that theory, instead he's claiming that Obama, Clinton, and Biden made them up.

One GOP Congressman pushed that narr a tive.

But Pam Bondi said she had the list on her desk a few months ago.  And they made s big show giving binders with something irrelevant to some conspiracy nuts, promising more later.

I was always expecting some kind of cover up, but I thought there'd be competent people handling this.  Oh well.

#26

Off the Record / Re: Grand unified books thread

Last post by mongers - July 13, 2025, 10:36:16 PM

To answer my own question... it looks like George Macdonald Fraser passed away in 2008, so as I understand it Flashman won't be fair game until 2078.

Yep, 70 years after death, that's been the UK author copyright duration for some time.

Though you might be interested in Tolkien as that enters the public domain in the not too distant future. 

#27

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by Razgovory - July 13, 2025, 10:03:01 PM

From what I'm seeing they are claiming Biden destroyed the Epstein files.  I'm surprised that Trump isn't running with that theory, instead he's claiming that Obama, Clinton, and Biden made them up.

#28

Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...

Last post by fromtia - July 13, 2025, 08:57:26 PM

Mishandling the MAGA base expectations concerning Epstein seems to be genuinely hurting his popularity with them. It's kind of odd, I'm not MAGA and Im not a conspiracy person, so I just sort of never paid that much attention to it. The True believers really care about it though, and they are mad. So far they are mad at Bondi, Patel and Bongino but some of them are starting to drift in a heretical direction and get mad at Trump.

#29

Off the Record / Re: Grand unified books thread

Last post by Jacob - July 13, 2025, 08:54:13 PM

To answer my own question... it looks like George Macdonald Fraser passed away in 2008, so as I understand it Flashman won't be fair game until 2078.

#30

Off the Record / Re: Climate Change/Mass Extinc...

Last post by HisMajestyBOB - July 13, 2025, 08:52:33 PM

They'll be able to pinpoint my house every Burrito Night.