legalbeagle

So no one wants my free prosecco then?

I'm really glad that some of you "old timers" are hanging on in there are not deciding to give up contributing, even when you don't like what it going on. If the likes of *Bob*, Keef, Quids and others left this would be a sorry place to come and play. If we don't like what this is turning into, let's change it for the better. Let's not just give up and leave. Come on Huguenot. Take part and make a difference. It's like voting. You get the high street, the government and the forum you deserve.

Green & Blue are not showing the footie. PeckhamRose, I understand you aren't a wine bar person, but we do have some beers/cider/soft drinks/coffee if you are desperate for a footie free venue!

Sean - I see what you mean, thanks for the clarification. Perhaps Huguenot will take it that way, perhaps he's stopped reading altogether. But I do hope he will stay, and I hope any dilution of his point is taken in that spirit.

Sean - Not sure what is meant by "4th generation copy of the drawing room"? In case that was a comment aimed at me, and just to be clear, my offer of Prosecco (which still stands) is a lighthearted but genuine attempt to get these two to make up and to both stay on the forum. I have no allegience to either, I just don't like it when people feel they can't speak out, whatever the reason.

I second that proposal Ladymuck. Come on boys. This place is big enough for both of you. Respect each others wildly different opinions, shake hands, and as you were. Free bottle of delicious organic Prosecco each if you do.

Bump - whilst trying to work out how to rouse admin on the "about this forum" section. Don't often stray in there!

Huguenot, don't leave. I haven't read all of the threads that have lead you to this point, so I can't say if I agree with you about HAL or not, but to me that isn't the important thing. What matters is that you feel you should no longer speak up, and it always always makes me sad when I hear that. Please stay and contribute. You can't know what impact you have on a debate - lots of people read and don't post. You also can't change the forum for the better (if that's what you think needs doing) if you don't take part. The forum is interesting because of the different views expressed. If everyone who is a bit different stays away it would be a bland mish mash of middle ground views, and it would die a death. Please stay and contribute. People won't always agree with you, I haven't always, but you clearly want to participate and you should.

Piece of string walks into the bar and asks for a drink. Barman: "Are you a piece of string?" String: "Indeed I am" Barman: "Sorry we don't serve pieces of string in this bar" String leaves crossly, stops outside, twists himself around a few times and ruffles his hair. String walks back into the bar and ask the barman for a drink. Barman: "Are you a piece of string?" String. "No. I'm afraid not."

Bump - and second appeal to admin for a pin to keep this at the top of the page?

Horse walks into a bar. Barman says: "why the long face?"

Dear JackieMoos Thank you thank you thank you. I have taken on board your advice. I have put a pretty ribbon in my hair, and have spent the day smiling demurely (I have ignored some of my mates who think I am grinning inanely and/or am drunk. They won't get taken home to meet Mother with that attitue.) Couldn't find any lace handwear but I've popped on a pair of luminous yellow fingerless gloves I found from my 80's wardrobe. I'm sure that'll do the trick. Clever shading of extra blusher and a side parting are working wonders on my schnozz too. Phew! Should I worry about my secret craving for spag bol? Or supress it along with most of my ambition and personality? Please advise!

woofmarkthedog Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- What... ...a load of "pony & trap" Really.... w**F ---------------------- I protest! Del Boy said it so it must be true! [or is a "monkey" ?50 then? I'm getting confused......]

Dear Jackie I have a huge nose and my hands are bigger than those of most men I know. Should I be worried?

I thought a "pony" was slang for fifty quid? You know, like: I've got a pony in my pocket I'll get the suitcase from the [van?] Cos if you want the best, but you don't ask questions Then brother, I'm your man No?

Cry

Admin - is this something worth sticking at the top of the page? Just for a while?

Was anyone really watching Phillip just then? *Pops eyes back into skull* Phew. I've come over all funny.

Discovering that when you really really need just one good friend, you actually have several.

What giggirl said!

Well here's a few things a good business needs - not exhaustive though! 1. Unique selling point 2. Good understanding of dull things like accounting 3. Very dedicated and hard working owners 4. Proper financial backing 5. Good relationships with suppliers/customers/shareholders and others 6. A slightly insane streak that causes you to just keep going in the face of near conclusive evidence that you are doomed! Good luck!

Take a look at the Wikipedia entry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospital_emergency_codes I suspect that's all HAL did ;-)

Well I take your point HAL but there are varying beliefs about the cause of death on the cross, (and indeed whether he died at all) and the gospels are far from historically accurate! But I fear we stray from the point......

RosieH - you are right, usually people who were crucufied were tied to a cross, perched on a small seat. That meant the weight of their body was taken mostly on their arms/chest muscles, so that they eventually had a heart attack. The point of the small seat was that not all of the weight was taken that way so that the heart attack took longer to happen. But because it wasn't a very scientific method, some people would probably die of heat exhaustion/dehydration instead. Jesus was crucified on a Friday and Saturday was the traditional day of rest. So he had his legs broken after he had been on the cross for a while to bring the death about more quickly, and then he was speared through the side to make sure he was dead before sun down on Friday night. So, bizarre though this sounds, he suffered less, or perhaps differently, than others who were crucified, in that he probably died more quickly.

True. But the Koran makes it clear that church and state are indivisible. A common interpretation of it (though there are others) is that it is a Muslem's duty to ensure that the country in which he lives obeys the rules of Islam. He must use all reasonable efforts to convert the country to that way of life, and if he has tried everything else, and there is no other way, and subject to very strict rules of conduct, he may conduct a war to achieve that end. So that deals with the issue of how to motivate an entire population other than by the dramatic actions of a god - you give the ability to take dramatic action to the population instead. So not all calm serenity. Also don't forget that whilst the Koran is the definitive holy text for Muslems, in common with Jews and Christians, they actually believe in the same "historical" religious past. In short, the Jews believe in the first five books of the Old Testament, which is their holy script (the Torah) as do Christians and Muslems. Then Christians also believe in the rest of the bible, as do Muslems, apart from the bit about Jesus, who they believe to have been a prophet, rather than the son of God. And then Mulems alone believe the final prophet was Mohammed, who wrote down the Koran as dictated to him by the Angel Gabriel. so although those three faiths seem in constant conflict, they in fact have a very close history. Given this, and that the Old Testament God is pretty vengeful to say the least, I'm not sure that Muslem history is without the dramatic. That said HAL, I agree that the Koran is a beautifully written text.