david_carnell

Jah Lush Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Doesn't make it right though. Didn't you used to work for a red-top? At any point did you get wind that the paper would go to illegal efforts to get stories? Phone-hacking or anything else? Because anyone I've spoken reckons it's rife and you'd have to live under a rock to not be aware of dodgy goings on. Yet people still work there and people still buy it. People suck. *Bob* is spot on with the hypocrisy on the part of most of the public - they want to devour endless celeb-driven drivel yet cry foul when they find out about poor Hugh Grant's phone being hacked. It's as much push from consumers for this dirge that drives the media to ever desperate lengths. Anyone complaining about this looks at that Daily Mail website sidebar of shame? You're partly to blame for all this. Stop looking at pictures of Kardashians and read a book.

Second the English overseas issue. Week-in, week-out experience of playing different football, in different climates and in a different culture cannot be overvalued. And yet not a single player in the squad does. I would think we are unique in that.

Exactly - Erikson, Capello, Hodgson All have a pedigree of winning stuff with big teams and small. All failed with England. It's beginning to look like the problem might not be with the players. So either sort that out or just accept we are a second/third rate team.

Ah, this is way more complex than the Ivory Coast, sorry, Cote d'Ivoire. This explains it more amusingly than I could. http://www.cgpgrey.com/blog/the-difference-between-holland-the-netherlands

Jeremy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > tfwsoll Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Cote D'Ivoire were robbed.... > > Why are they down as "Cote D'Ivoire" rather than > "Ivory Cost"? > > We don't call Germany Deutschland. The originial "Ivory Coast" included Ghana and Liberia in the colonial era. So in the 1980s the government declared C?te d'Ivoire (or, more fully, R?publique de C?te d'Ivoire) to be its formal name for the purposes of diplomatic protocol, and officially refuses to recognize or accept any translation from French to another language in its international dealings. Whereas Germany recognises "Germany" as the official English name for Deutschland. I doubt they'd be as happy if we continued to refer to them as Prussia.

MrBen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > St Kilda is by all accounts a marvellous place > with an amazing history. Did you know the > inhabitants developed extra long toes after > hundreds of years as they used to climb the cliffs > for gull eggs? > Perhaps I have ancestors from there. Would explain a lot.

It would seem she is simply the most incompetent newspaper editor in history to be utterly unaware of what was taking place under her nose.

Colombia look a handful. Agree about Chile. None of the Euro teams seems up to the task except the Dutch.

Well quite Loz. Hence my initial, natural reaction. I can see some merit in it but as others have pointed out not only is it financially inconsequential it just seems to smack of desperation. Floated as a sole idea instead of part of a wider, wholesale reform of welfare I fear it will just be derided, or worse, ignored

Yes, I'm beginning to think you're right SJ. My initial optimism for EdM has wained. While all opposition leaders want to play cards close to their chest in the run up to an election he has not been effective enough often enough for my liking. And I voted for him in the leadership race. While on occassions there have been both conviction (taking on media/phone hacking) and populist (energy prices) moves that have impressed he has failed to capitalise on these and be radical enough. Those two things were radical and were btoh popular with the electorate and set him apart from Cameron. This move smacks of tired desperation. If it was part of a wider package of moves (see my idea of linking benefit levels to wages) to completely reform the benefits system then I'd give it more credit. The IPPR (which used to be Blair's favourite think tank) gave a list of radical policy measures, agreed by Labour policy guru Jon Cruddas, that would propel Labour back into the reckoning for the 2015 election. Sadly they seem to have sunk without trace. The other measures are here: http://www.ippr.org/assets/media/publications/pdf/CoB-recommendations_June2014.pdf

Thought I'd try this in the Lounge rather than the Drawing Room in the hope of getting a wider viewpoint. I live in hope. Background Yesterday/today, Miliband announced that should Labour win the next election he will be looking at reforming unemployment benefit for under-21s. A new "youth allowance" will replace JSA [jobseeker's allowance] and will be paid at ?57 a week, which is the same as young person's JSA, but it will be means tested on parental income. It is tapered off between ?20,000 and ?42,000. So if you earn ?42k and your kid(s) are out of work, you've got to support them. If people don't have level 3 qualifications ? the equivalent of an A-level - they will need to return to training to be eligible for support. The removal of JSA for those with skills below level 3 would affect seven out of 10 of the 18-to-21-year-olds currently claiming JSA, and initially save ?65m. Further reforms will mean people would only be able to claim the higher rate JSA of ?71 a week after they have paid National Insurance for five years, instead of the current two. Thoughts I'm uncertain tbh. My initial and natural reaction was not to be in favour as it simply seems to be penalising those most in need. However, I can certainly understand the argument that those with no qualifications beyond GCSEs face pretty bleak job prospects and further training would certainly help. What form this would take remains unanswered? Apprenticeships ? in what? We don?t have the industries of old where apprentices are needed on such a large scale. More and more of our economy is built on service industries ? if that isn?t addressed then I fail to see what further training will achieve. But are there the jobs for them? Is unemployment structural or cyclical? On the contributory element I?m more in favour but I would like to see a closer link between JSA and previous earnings. If I?ve been in a well paid job (say ?30-40k) for five years and paid my NI then being given ?75 a week isn?t going to help ? your lifestyle and outgoings won?t be met. Many other countries pay a percentage of former earnings for a set period of time before gradually reducing that amount. If we are going to re-link benefits to contributions that seems like a fairer way of doing so.

If she's in it, I might consider it. *inserts awful pun about magic wands/casting spells here*

You think the Ralph Miliband issue caused a stink about British values. Watch the popular right wing press work itself into a lather if Miliband or Clegg made that proposal. Although interesting the Guardian carried a poll the other day saying the majority of people didn't want their taxes funding faith schools - though I wonder if, when answering, CofE schools weren't really what they were thinking of.

You've done it now EP. http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/wake_up_sheeple.png

Oui oui, Monsieur Jacque.

I was more thinking about trying the Killing, Borgen or Mammon. And yes, LTROI is excellent but a film, not TV. Am tempted by the Tunnel - or more accurately I'm tempted by anything with Clemence Posey in it. I once stood behind her in Victoria station at a ticket machine and got rather giddy.

*Bob* doesn't like The Bridge but would anyone else rave about any of the Nordic noir stuff? Or Bergen (nordic but not noir)? The DC house loved The Returned so are not immune to overseas stuff with subtitles if it's really worth it. Wondering what to move onto next for a box set. In a more guilty-when-I'm-on-my-own-pleasue sort of way I've very much enjoyed Friday Night Lights and Justified (esp the theme tune).

*Bob* - I loved Band of Brothers (reduced to tears on occassion) but really struggled with the semi-sequel Pacific. I don't like OITNB either but MrsDC loves it. I think it's squarely aimed at her demographic though. I've revisited the Wire with her too and have got through 1-4. It still remains the par score to beat. I'm afraid I went off Breaking Bad at around season 2 finding it hard to like anyone in it (see also Mad Men).

If your guest wants true authenticity then fish and chips really needs to be eaten by the seaside. Take-away only - none of this fancy eating-in palava. Fish and chips tastes better on your feet with your fingers. Maybe head to Whitstable or similar for a day out? Otherwise most of the places recommended here are pretty good and pretty similar in standard. Best in London is in Clerkenwell - place called Fish Central. I'm salivating now so might have to get my dinner there tonight!

So....Game of Thrones season 4 finale last night. Anyone else a fan? I've not read the books and don't normally like fantasy but this has had me gripped from season 1.

Ooh - this could be close actually. Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy is echoing around the ground as the Lancastrian is making the ball move around like it's on a string. Jaya stands between us and victory I reckon. Get him and the rest will tumble.

Yak - could I ask where your children went to nursery please? It sounds amazing.

A cracking innings. Not bad from Moeen Ali either. Prior goes some way to redeeming himself and holding of Buttler. A hilarious swipe from Broad too. Watch the highlights tonight - he's out there swinging at everything. A handy 49.

James REgarding Fusion - I understand the Southwark Labour pledged to offer free swimming and gym admission to all Southwark residents. This was to commence once contracts with Fusion were up for renewal. Do you know when this will be?

El Pibe Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > To be fair to the ref. it was no penalty last > night, but there was contact and we've seen them > given a thousand times. Mr J Redknapp? Is that you? I'm cheering for: Honduras - got them in my work sweepstake and they have the Palacios brothers... Belgium - any country that can't be bothered to have a government for a year gets my vote. And Lukaku is awesome. Colombia - skillful, sexy, a little bit dirty. How I like my women. Nigeria - Peckham goes mental when they play Booing: England - honestly, the country would be unbearable if we won. Portugal - see everyone else's reason France - ditto.