Recent posts

#21

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Richard Hakluyt - Today at 04:46:00 AM

I certainly agree thst people should always claim what they are entitled too and should also arrange their tax affairs with reasonable efficiency. It is up to government to work out the rules though, the system needs to be fair and affordable. I think it is fair to say that our tax and benefits system has become ever more baroque and dysfunctional; which is one of the reasons I'm so disappointed with Labour's timid tinkering (not that anyone else is offering anything better).

#22

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Syt - Today at 04:45:43 AM

Or the violent boyfriend of Jackie on Roseanne.

#23

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by celedhring - Today at 04:14:00 AM

Damn, I still remember when Clooney was that spirited young lad from Return of the Killer Tomatoes.

#24

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Josquius - Today at 04:06:12 AM

Understandable.  Double elimination until they get down to 16 would still be an interesting alternative.

Let's not mistake FIFA for an organisation that actually gives a damn about quality and competitiveness. While I personally think it is a good thing for exposure that more national teams get a chance in a World Cup, it does make the WC a bit more bland.
Denmark arguably has a strong national team, but is staying at home next summer. The camel through the eye of a needle is quite harsh in UEFA qualifiers. Even the Euros competition is a bit bland because almost anyone qualifies with a whopping 32 teams competing. But most know that it will come down to Germany, the Iberian countries or Croatia at some point. Or France, if they can be bothered. Soccer really isn't that competitive, because there's been dominance from a few countries since 1930. Could Mexico win the World Cup? No. Norway? Definitely not. Sweden had a very strong 1994 tournament. 

I see Norway's mostly playing on the east coast (Boston). We did that in 1994 too, and the summer heat almost knocked our players out.

Knocking out qualifiers would be a big help for everyone bar the minor teams like San Marino who live for their day every 5 years when Marco the baker gets to do a two legged tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo.
As far as England goes the international breaks in the domestic calendar are a huge PITA.

Lets let everyone be at the actual Euros finals. Just do it FA Cup style where the lower ranked teams have to play each other first.

#25

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Josquius - Today at 04:02:51 AM

Yeah, really can't blame the individuals for taking whats on offer.
If there was a deal out there I could clearly qualify for without committing any fraud then I'd be mad not to take it.
That the system might need tightening up so people with a spot of ADHD can't get it though....that's fair enough.
I do like the idea of mandating British vehicles too.

I also have concerns in the way it enforces motor-normativity. Meanwhile the cycle to work scheme is pretty shit and is under ever more pressure.

[None of these people were "disabled" by their own lights. Whereas, nowadays, a spot of ADHD or autism and people want to claim extraordinary privileges.]

#26

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by garbon - Today at 03:54:07 AM

I think the principal problem is that the rules were generated by a more robust generation than the ones living now. I have known many people, older than me (so mostly dead now), with debilitating conditions of one sort or another (mainly related to a lifetime wroking in coal mines) who would not have dreamed of categorising themselves as disabled. I also had several teachers who were quite mad/peculiar having served the full 6 years or more in the forces during WW2.

None of these people were "disabled" by their own lights. Whereas, nowadays, a spot of ADHD or autism and people want to claim extraordinary privileges. The problem with that is there are so few normal people; I met one once, back in the 80s, no physical or mental problems or peculiarities....she was so relaxing to hang out with 

...and I do know that I'm a grumpy old man now 

Why should a person not claim what they are entitled to?

#27

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Richard Hakluyt - Today at 03:40:44 AM

I think the principal problem is that the rules were generated by a more robust generation than the ones living now. I have known many people, older than me (so mostly dead now), with debilitating conditions of one sort or another (mainly related to a lifetime wroking in coal mines) who would not have dreamed of categorising themselves as disabled. I also had several teachers who were quite mad/peculiar having served the full 6 years or more in the forces during WW2.

None of these people were "disabled" by their own lights. Whereas, nowadays, a spot of ADHD or autism and people want to claim extraordinary privileges. The problem with that is there are so few normal people; I met one once, back in the 80s, no physical or mental problems or peculiarities....she was so relaxing to hang out with 

...and I do know that I'm a grumpy old man now 

#28

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by garbon - Today at 02:48:25 AM

That's fair enough as I think totally true that the US and UK have different relationships to inequality.

If we focus on the UK and look at top 10%, I don't think I'd say things have stabilised but gotten worse since 1990.


This suggests that for top 1%, while property is important, pensions are a bigger factor:


Back on income, I saw it shows while income distribution has for the most part remained fairly the same that still puts the UK in a position worse than most of Europe.

#29

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 02:34:01 AM

Ok so then probably the high PIP payment rules are too loose. I am from Eastern Europe I know a widespread scam when I see one. There is no way we are such an unhealthy society.

#30

Off the Record / Re: Football (Soccer) Thread

Last post by Norgy - Today at 12:20:04 AM

Understandable.  Double elimination until they get down to 16 would still be an interesting alternative.

Let's not mistake FIFA for an organisation that actually gives a damn about quality and competitiveness. While I personally think it is a good thing for exposure that more national teams get a chance in a World Cup, it does make the WC a bit more bland.
Denmark arguably has a strong national team, but is staying at home next summer. The camel through the eye of a needle is quite harsh in UEFA qualifiers. Even the Euros competition is a bit bland because almost anyone qualifies with a whopping 32 teams competing. But most know that it will come down to Germany, the Iberian countries or Croatia at some point. Or France, if they can be bothered. Soccer really isn't that competitive, because there's been dominance from a few countries since 1930. Could Mexico win the World Cup? No. Norway? Definitely not. Sweden had a very strong 1994 tournament. 

I see Norway's mostly playing on the east coast (Boston). We did that in 1994 too, and the summer heat almost knocked our players out.