SeanMacGabhann

errr. I never said mine wasn't a rant I used the word because it was unlike MM is all

and where would that somewhere be Brendan? You can't invent space but you can use it intelligently I've said it before - but take a road with 20 houses and allow one car each. Perfect Now split 10 of those houses into 3 flats each - oo-err running out of spaces already aren't we? Oops a generation passes and all the sprogs have cars - where to put them? Oh and the other 10 houses have been converted as well Allowing 1 or 2 parking spaces per home is ridiculous and unsustainable. Accusing people who discourage cars as being anti-21st century is head in the sand stuff

I can see and if people are stupid enough to park where they know they are "going to line the pockets of Southwark council" then keep fining 'em I say If ?60 or ?120 quid isn't enough to dissuade people then on balance, I am on Southwark Council's side I presuming by this point you think there should be no parking restrictions anywhere? If yes then at least that's a viewpoint If no then for god's sake - it doesn't matter if it's lining someone elses pockets ok??? - that's a side issue

I don't CARE what the council do with the money - organise a piss-up for all I care what I do care about is stopping traffic from clogging up every spare inch of space

eh? oh yeah... got it. Phew But you get the gist

some people might suspect they were pseudonyms even *ahem* * goes off to play his Flannery's Mounted Head cd *

ok - to tackle Boris First of all the policies you quote as being a Good Thing "Opposition to plans to extend the congestion charge zone - as punitive for small business and ineffective in terms of reducing congestion." As a bus user and pedestrian I can say the single biggest thing that has impacted my life as a force for Good is the ocngestion charge. Bus journeys definitely were much quicker and the air noticeably better. The fact that congestion has crept up is a sign that people accept the charge (similar to tube fares by the way) and are using cars more again. Increase the charge again "Plans to allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes." Not sure how this is necessarily good... Removal of road humps and timing traffic lights to favour pedestrians. fair enough - hardly revolutionary Reducing costs of the central political machine that KL is running, Absolutely bog-standard electioneering. Anyone standing is likely to say this Removing the "bendies" - a populist move and one which I as a cyclist, pedestrian and council tax payer applaud, I don't hate the bendies as much as some - I can see how disabled people might appreciate them Increasing police / CPSO's on the beat - again populist but sensible. again, standard-issue quote. Prediction: if elected it won't happen But to take the wider issues concerning the man: Here he is in the Telegraph in 2006: millions of seven- to 15-year-olds are hooked, especially boys, and it is time someone had the guts to stand up, cross the room and just say no to Nintendo. It is time to garrotte the Game Boy and paralyse the PlayStation, and it is about time, as a society, that we admitted the catastrophic effect these blasted gizmos are having on the literacy and the prospects of young males." He went on to say "We get on with our hedonistic 21st-century lives while in some other room the nippers are bleeping and zapping in speechless rapture, their passive faces washed in explosions and gore. They sit for so long that their souls seem to have been sucked down the cathode ray tube. You may agree but that's me he's talking about. I don't appreciate it As for Liverpudlians I'm not one of them - I shall let them comment on him saying: "that many Liverpudlians had a "deeply unattractive psyche"" The whole water-melon smiles and picanninies quote re: black people speaks for itself despite his protestations He also supported Section 28 and opposed the minimum wage Right wing? I'd say so

Quite shocked by your post Marmora Man - a normally considered take has been replaced by a rant His own racist and sexist behaviour has been documented over many years. Documented? Or reported by The Mail/Evening Standard. I used to live a few doors from Ken in Cricklewood. His comments re the Jewish reporter and the Nazis was ill-judged and probably alcohol influenced but his basic point was pro-jewish not anti - ie "how can you work for a paper that supported the Nazis?" "His kitchen cabinet has been deeply involved in at the least shoddy accounting and quite probably financial corruption." Allegedly - unless you have access to the files... "He has cynically used London funds to promote himself abroad with "London Embassies" across the globe, his carbon footprint must be a nightmare." Again - allegedly - how does this stack up? How would any other mayor differ? Isn't that part of the job? "He is a directive rather than consultative politician." Probably true. But consultive politicians are accussed of flim-flammery and not having any convictions. I like someone who has a view, says what they are going to do, stands for election and then goes and does it without being watered down by committee "His attitude to London Assembly members is arrogant and dismissive - and the language he uses when addressing them when not answering their legitimate questions is rude and bullying" examples? "He has politicised TfL - that's Peter Hendy's problem - KL has implicated him in efforts to counter BJ's arguments. Something unforgiveable in a public servant - but not in KL's world of politics." Not sure what your point is here? He has politicised? Gordon Brown using PPP with the tube was teh politicising. Ken (rightly) opposed it and was lambasted for doing so. Look where we are now He has exploited the poor of Venuzuala and Hugo Chavez to provide subsidised fuel for London Transport to fund a reduction in fares for pensioners. London transport now runs more empty buses than I can ever recall in 30+ years of London living. He got rid of the Routemaster bus after saying "only a moron would want to get rid of this iconic vehicle" whoah!! Who is politicising now? The very idea that consumers, shoppers, mainstream political parties are NOT living of the backs of the poor in other countries apart from this one stunt of Ken's?!!!! Are you serious? As for empty buses - I travel on a variety of routes and often at non-peak hours. I haven't seen a near-empty bus yet in the last 8 years. But let;'s say you are right and they are plentiful. Isn't that the very encouragement people need to get out of cars? I often hear "oh I would give up me car but the buses are full of people armpit to armpit" - well then, here you go, plenty of space! use 'em I'm inclined to think the time is right for a new mayor for London but will defend Ken's tenure and will oppose BJ in any capacity. I just wish the choice for a new mayor was different. But to take your points: "has invited hardcore Islamicists to London who call for killing of homosexuals, Jews and apostates, for the oppression of women as well as supporting terrorism against the UK." Yep he has - how does this make him different from any other leader who has to engage with people they may disagree with? Not that long ago thatcher was welcoming dictators to this country and recently defending him in the papers as well. At least Ken has spoken out against the beliefs held by the Islamicists And finally - the main point that bugs me: "Whatever is against the grain of current othodoxy - he's for it. " That is the description of most career politicians. It is the OPPOSITE of what Ken is. Say what you like about him (and you have) but he is consistent in his views and it is left to others to catch up. Back in the 80s when he was lambasted for speaking to the IRA and standing up for gay rights - he wasn't doing it to be oppositionist - he believed they were teh right things to do. The last 20 years have proved him right. And he hasn't suddenly started hating the Irish and gay communities I'm to het up to tear in to the Boris comments right now..... but I'm with BN5

it is entirely possible she is suffering from a mental disorder... so should she have custody of such a small child and so much money or another possibility; she just is as nasty as she appears

it's that beeper on the door in the newsagents that goes off every single time it moves so much as an inch that hacks them off if you ask me..

well they key question you asked is: " does she really deserved to be publicly and on such a mass level, hung drawn and quartered? I don't find it very nice at all." As with Mockney I care little for either party in this divorce but she has outrageously courted publicity and has, with no little indignity, tried to get her on her side. She has failed to do so, not because of any wooden leg but because she is, and I don't need a judge to tell me this, out of touch with reality. There are no shortage of quotes to back this up so I won't bother - but the short answer to your question is "yes"

splendid Mockney, splendid

oi - for that alone I'm boycotting you now Sandperson. And tempted to report the thread

to be fair Sandperson, since I wrote that I've not seen anything to support my claim so.... I'm going to agree with you

piers - double quick before the grammar police (Annaj and Asset) spot that last mistake

yep - went to Dulwich Paradiso last night and as spadetownboy said, "Once" was a decent show. It's a slight little thing but very heartwarming for all of that - recommended Sunday afternoon DVD watching

you and your TLA's Mockney - you're such an elitist! ;-) I had a feeling we would break the 2000 barrier soon - congrats Mark

Corkonians might disagree with that one MM. This one does... Heaven zingy fresh stir fry of some kind - pref including chicken garlic and chili (I've yet to have a really good one in this country mind) A really good roast beef dinner A proper bowl o' chili (the places that do it around here - Mon Petit C'hou rates a 6.5/10, the Plough a 5/10) Hell ready meals - I try em every so often just to see if they improve but they never do and the clag of salt, fats and shite doesn't leave me for days I can't really put fish in "hell" as it's clearly healthy and delicious. I just can't stand it. I'm trying tho... Processed cheese

I'm doing something cinema-ish tonight In ED upstairs at the EDT They are showing "Once" (but I love all the early Kevin Smith films too!)

sooner the bookies than the bleedin' slot machine place (are we in the lounge yet? yes? ok good..) not so sure we'd end up in all the same places and I'm less bothered about being seen these days funnily enough Marmora Man said almost exactly the same thing to me last week quids (re: different journey/same destination) and it may be true, I dunno. I'm always surprised by how wantonly aggressive you can be to make a simple point on some of the other threads - but you've been relatively becalmed of late. Suits you...

ah - but when I hear "the pound" I think of it against other currencies - not what you can buy now compared to whenever Besides, that house you bought in 2003 is worth a lot more weak pounds now right?

I've notice several people use the phrase "the ? is worthless" - call me an old fool, but based on what?

doh - good point Piers

I generally don't eat in the Plough, much as I like the place and go there quite a bit Unfortunately I'm not sure if management can do that much - my understanding with Mitchell & Butler pubs (which the Plough is) is that all the food and processes are centrally designed and sourced - so it's not as if a new chef can come in and decide to re-source ingredients and so forth. I could be wrong on this mind.. .

snorky how can you go from being so acute and witty to cynical and spiteful so quickly? And regardless of the how, why? I was in G&B sat night for a quiet chat and had a great time and the staff were spot on as well