BrandNewGuy

Chippy Minton Wrote: > Shame someone else feels they have to leave the > forum because they had the temerity to say > something someone else didn't like. Yeah, amazingly thin skin...

Miracle Man - Declan McManus

James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi BrandNewGuy, > Goose Green School arranged some numeracy events > at their school earlier this year in the early > evenings - my kids and I were enthralled. Fine, but that's an educational event, not a community event. Wrong budget, isn't it?

James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The remiander ask schools to host/run a literacy > and numeracy festival open to the public. I didn't see a winky emoticon here, so I assume this depressing idea was serious. Dear God, a festival should involve people enjoying themselves without the nicey-nicey covertly-finger-wagging 'learning can be fun' brigade spoiling it. If Southwark's schools can't ensure that children leave ther tender care with the basics of literacy and numeracy, please do something about it and don't ask the rest of us to pick up the tab when the money should rightly be spent on a big bash involving live music, something to smile about and a gigantic beer tent...

One Too Many Mornings - Bob Dylan

------------------------------------------------------- > When You Are A King - White Plains I Was In The House When The House Burned Down - Warren Zevon

Bullets For The Newborn King - Elvis Costello

This was the story about bullying. I'm not suggesting he's unique in the world of politics for being involved in a certain amount of abuse or taking sexual advantage, but I don't think it makes him a better person than the "smarmy" politicos. In fact, you could argue that he spent most of the latter part of his career being the chief Old Labour figleaf for New Labour - "Look, we're OK because we have one of yours! And he's near the top!" Not very edifying in terms of sucessfully representing the views and interests of Old Labour.

Yeah, he did the cuddly old Labour bit well, but not so sure how much of a "good man" he was/is - abusing his position when having an affair, the punch-up incident and those departmental bullying allegations that were never quite shaken off suggest some not-so-good "isues".

One of my favourite responses to talkers - from Jeff Tweedy of Wilco...

I always liked this sign at the late-lamented Luminaire up in Kilburn http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sKnB-1TR__s/TPE3oMD_r7I/AAAAAAAAAEI/leuzrD0gY7k/s1600/luminaire_shutup.jpg

According to wikipedia, the Estate distributed ?5.49m from its income and ?20m in capital in 2005-6, so it's not surprising that they have someone earning more than ?120,000 if they handle those sorts of sums. Always tickled that Alleyn's wealth came not just from the theatre, but also bear-pits and brothels. I see him as an entrepreneurial hybrid of Bill Kenwright, Paul Raymond and Edmund Blackadder...

@Jeremy - even more annoying than phone calls are people who reply to a text by phoning you. Aaargh! I texted them because I don't want a conversation. If I'd wanted a conversation, I'd have bloody phoned them!

If it's upsetting you that much, you could call the police or Southwark's Environment team on 020 7525 2000. Maybe you could warn your children not to go near them. And why worry whether or not others find it harmless amusement?

But there haven't been any fatal accidents in this area... And how many "more safe crossing points" do you want? And who's paying?

wonderwoman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hope they do put a crossing in that area > though, relying on data on reported incidents as > an incentive to do something doesn't sound right. It does to me :-) Injuries and deaths due to road traffic accidents simply don't go unreported. The money needs to be prioritised, so it should be used where most needed. Four incidents in ten years is not, in this sense, a priority.

I feel very sorry for the poor lad who was knocked down, but we really need to think hard before paying for another crossing. How far is Locale from the crossing at the lights at Crystal Palace Road? 60 or 70 yards? It seems a bit much to put in another crossing that close. Having said that, the brow of the road at that point is very deceptive and even careful drivers need to be extra vigilant. Unfortunately, so do pedestrians. But the UK road casualties map for 2000-2010 shows just four pedestrian incidents involving slight injury (no serious injuries or fatalities) on that stretch between Tesco and the lights at Crystal Palace Road, so the statistics would appear not to justify extra measures.

... with clowns as waiters to scare off the Bugaboo brigade. By Jove, I think we're onto something...

Someone told me it was going to be a Happy Shopper... or maybe a Wavy Line.

This chap?

BB100 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BrandNewGuy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > BB100 Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > They are pests. I have seen them in flocks > > hound > > > some of our local birds by constantly > following > > > them and pecking at them if they land. > > > > As I've mentioned before, there's scant > evidence > > of parakeets 'bullying' other birds or winning > out > > in food competition with indigenous species. > The > > London Wildlife Trust opposes any 'cull', by > > saying that the parakeets are as 'British as > > curry' :-) > > Open season on parakeets > > > > There is evidence that they can cause damage to > > orchards and vineyards (as do a number of > > indigenous species), but existing arrangements > for > > farmers and landowners can allow them to take > > action already. > > > > Unfortunately, people often jump to conclusions > > about 'invader' species which aren't borne out > by > > the evidence. > > > The 'evidence' I was referring to was witnessed by > my own eyes. It obviously needs more official > research. Video would be much appreciated. The "official" reserach takes in years of observation and has no axe to grind.

rahrahrah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BrandNewGuy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > As I've mentioned before, there's scant > evidence > > of parakeets 'bullying' other birds... > > How about flying off with 'status' dogs? Yeah, that is a negative, I guess. But on the positive side, I'm glad some locals having been putting out orange liquid in bottles for them to sip from hummingbird-style ;-)

BB100 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > They are pests. I have seen them in flocks hound > some of our local birds by constantly following > them and pecking at them if they land. As I've mentioned before, there's scant evidence of parakeets 'bullying' other birds or winning out in food competition with indigenous species. The London Wildlife Trust opposes any 'cull', by saying that the parakeets are as 'British as curry' :-) Open season on parakeets There is evidence that they can cause damage to orchards and vineyards (as do a number of indigenous species), but existing arrangements for farmers and landowners can allow them to take action already. Unfortunately, people often jump to conclusions about 'invader' species which aren't borne out by the evidence.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You're quite right SJ, that people could have a > prayer before the meeting if they felt the need. > Equally though, those who don't like it, could > just ignore it. Which is what the judge said, so why is the C of E up in arms?

Well, he wasn't mentioned on the story and this thread's now gone off-topic, so from that point of view bringing up Dawkins' name hasn't been helpful...