miked10270

Wait a minute!!! Canada: Cold. Boring. Inept (Imagine cutting a hole in the bottom of a submarine to go fishing!!!). France: Warmish, Socialist, fat cheeses and slim prostitutes... But; rather full of "Johnny Frog" and not washing if there's an "I" in the day (which sounds fine, but... "Lundi. Mardi. Mercredi. Jeudi. Vendredi. Samedi. Dimanche.) Also, Last presidential election You had a choice between a crook or a faschist. Mexico: The perfect blend of Spanish efficiency and American hospitality. Smog that'll make friends of the earth vote Haliburton. No mate. There's only one place for a good Socialist to go.... Cuba: Tropical weather. Good (and I mean GOOD!!!) cigars. The most politically stable country in the western hemisphere with the longest serving president and government in the world. All the bananas and sugar you can eat. Socialised medicine (which contrary to horror stories is really quite good). Also there's "Jineteras" (but we won't go into detail there). Of course, there's a few things that'll seem strange at first: Like... Government Ministers getting sacked for incompetence. Government probed into corruption that actually end in arrests. Stuff like that. But I'm sure you'll adapt

"Something in this process has to change." What has to change? Bush wins by popular vote. Surely that's a Big Full Stop. More people wanted Bush than wanted Kerry. END! I must admit that I find the "Electoral College" strange, but on this occasion they have followed the popular vote (I think this is something of a first in modern times). The "vox populi" has spoken. Bush has a mandate for the next 4 years (and NOT the somewhat "iffy" mandate he had before). If you follow Bush, then get behind him. If you follow Kerry, then he as said he'll support Bush as President. This is now something of a no-choicer. All the bitching and backbiting and campaigning and democratic process has finally produced the next US President. surely now is te time for the "United" states to live up to it's name. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Unfortunately... " A period of peace is usually the result of a bloody war. The bloodier and longer the war, the quieter and longer the peace." - some old git who's dead. The point is that you don't achieve peace by being nice , you gain peace by being hard and nasty. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

"I thought you were asking about, what do we do as a country now that we have the right president." Not neccessarily the right president (Badnarik?), but a president with the mandate NOT only of the electoral colleges, but ALSO of the popular vote and the tacit endorsement of his ex rival! Incidentally, when was the last time this happened? Yes. Bush has been endorsed like no other president in modern times. In an election which focussed on his foreign policy performance. Since America is a democracy, it has to be admitted that Bush must be doing something right! So... We'll expect more of the same "homespun" presidency that we've had for the last 4 years, and that'll pave the way for the next Republican President (Jeb Bush, anyone?). Mike. PS. AS for Frenchy68 lurking just around the corner... Isn't that what the French usually do? Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

I'll predict Jeb Bush & Hillary Clinton in 2008. Possibly on the same ticket given Hillary's proven moral elasticity! Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

The re-election of President Bush may have answered one question, BUT..... What will Michael Moore do now? He can hardly report on a stolen election any more. He can't bang on about Bush being unwanted, unpopular, unworthy & under the White House Roof can he. Can he? And what about John Kerry? As he returns to Senatorial obscurity, we have to come to terms with the probability that we'll never know what that thing on his head really was. And what about the French. They issued a statement saying they'd work closely with whoever is elected to repair the bad relationships recently. Is this a bid for a conditional surrender? Anyone with answers (or further questions)? Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Check it out guys... All is not necessarily what it seems. The clue is in the name of the gateway! Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Can't get into the GWB website? Click here! http://www.satiresearch.com/georgewbush.asp Enjoy. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Before the elections..... The Vote for Heaven or Hell A powerful senator dies after a prolonged illness. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. "Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you." "No problem, just let me in," says the senator. "Well, I'd like to but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity." "Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven." "I'm sorry but we have our rules," replies St. Peter. And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. Nearby are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is in evening attire and very happy to see him. They run to greet him, hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy and who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that the time flies, before he realizes it, the senator has to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. "Now it's time to visit Heaven." The next 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. "Well then, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity." The senator reflects for a minute, then answers, "Well, I would never have said it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell." So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags. The Devil comes over to him and lays his arm on his neck. "I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a beautiful club and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now there is only a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Last time we were campaigning. Since then you voted for us!" Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Slightly off topic... But... From a recent UK satire show..: "Since voter cards were issued, apparently 40,000 Americans voters have died! So, the future of America could be decided by someone who's no longer on this planet!..... No change there then." Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hmmm... "Best" sniper rifle is such a personal choice and must change with each individual shots priorities. The BIG sniper rifles like the Barrett .50, 14.2mm & 20mm rifles may have it on absolute range and stopping power, but who wants to spend a day in wet heather and streams carrying one? Perhaps the purest definition of "best" for sniper rifles really should be most accurate over longest range. Let's also assume a "Skull" or "Brain" shot being the required degree of accuracy. Let's also assume that the rifle is fixed and completely steady. Let's also assume for the sake of consistency that the shot is taken through still air of a standard temperature & pressure, with the barrel & bolt of the weapon also at a standard temperature. In effect, let's remove ALL variables other than the range at which the weapon will deliver the required 5" brain shot. At this point, the fundamental thing is the range at which the bullet enters the transonic region since that's where bullet instability will occur and accuracy ends. This is a feature of initial bullet energy, aerodynamic drag, and bullet weight. The weapon that delivers the heaviest most aerodynamic bullet with the greatest bullet energy is the most accurate. Leaving aside small matters such as cost, I remember that between the wars, Mannlicher actually produced some hunting rifles that were taper bore, with rifling which increased in rate toward the muzzle! The idea was to produce a bullet with increased velocity and spin, but it was at extreme high cost. Never mind "match loading", imagine having to employ a Watchmaker / Jeweller to manufacture your multi-component bullets!!! So... Cost no object? I'll start with that South African rifle chambered for 20mm. I'll have the barrel 110cm long with the bore tapered down to 14mm at the muzzle and the rifling starting 1cm down the barrel with no twist at the chamber end increasing to 1 turn in 300mm at the muzzle. The cartridge is match loaded for consistency and the tungsten "spindle" is waisted 60% back from the nose and is carried in a 7 part alloy sabot (base and 6 sides). Hopefully the spindle (bullet) is gonna stay well supersonic for 3,000 - 4,000m (!!!) And with the weight is gonna keep a lot of it's energy. Anyway... There's MY dream!

Hi all, Firstly this "reply" is an unashamed bump to get the ASBO thread "back up the ladder" in SC. Second, I'd like to clarify my previous post, and the reason I believe that ASBOs are the way forward in law and will ultimately be adopted in other countries: We all believe in personal freedom. we all want the right to say and behave as we wish at any given time. With reasonable people of moderate indulgence in their personal tastes, this behaviour does not impinge on others. The problem arises with that element of society whose indulgence in personal tastes and behaviour DOES impinge on the life quality of others. The solution to this has been the passing of laws prohibiting ALL from "inappropriate" behaviour. While most of these laws are sensible, there have been some exceptions; EG the blanket ban on anything which looks like a firearm on school premises and the draconian punishments inflicted for even a minor transgression (as discussed in another thread). Another (local) example was the problem of a small segment of society drinking and being drunk in public where the "solution in law" was to issue a blanket prohibition on drinking andpossessing open alcohol containers in public. Yes, it did help solve the problem, but it also made "criminals" of otherwise law abiding people who, in summer wanted to have their drink outside the pub! They aren't impinging on anyone else's life, but suddenly they are criminals! This is where the ASBO comes in. It is a means of curtailing the behaviour of an individual or specific group while NOT curtailing the similar or identical behaviour of the population as a whole. Thus, instead of "Banning Drinking in Public" for all, you can "Ban possession of alcohol in public for all minors" AND issue an ASBO prohibiting the few habitual local public drunks from all licensed premises and from possessing any alcohol in public - with draconian punishments for breaching the ASBO. In this way, me and the folk who don't cause a problem CAN enjoy say, a bottle of beer and a sandwich outside the pub, or in the park without breaking the law.... WHile the person who's abused that freedom in the past is denied it. Therefore, the net result of ASBOs is greater personal freedom for the population as a whole, with specific removal of certain freedoms for those who have abused such freedoms. I'd like to add a hypothetical american example for an ASBO: You have an absolute right to bear arms; you can own guns and ammunition. I'll bet that at new year, quite a few of these are discharged into the air. That can be considered reasonable. Now imagine the person who decides to celebrate his birth-time (say 3.30am) every day by firing a gun into the air. This would wear thin pretty soon with the neighbours. WITHOUT affecting the overwhelming right to bear arms, he could be served an ASBO prohibiting him from discharging a firearm in the hours of darkness / prohibiting him from possessing firearms or ammunition, or face confiscation of his firearms and eviction from his home. Thus the problem WILL be solved one way or the other, without impinging on the rights of the people as a whole. Finally, PJ has repeatedly claimed to want to discuss ASBOs, and I await his response to MY posts. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Yeah... As a new and fast reading convert I know all about Chanukah... The kids don't! Tscheuss, Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Good post. I was surprised: Reform Judaism - 100% Liberal Quaker - 91% Neo-Pagan - 83% Unitarian Universalism - 83% I always thought of myself as a Unitarian Universalist... But on thinking about this, and with the kids manically watching the Christmas Expensive toy adverts... ANY form of Judaism has a particular appeal (especially to my bank manager) Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Now that I've seen the tape and read Al-Jazeera's transcript... Who would Osama vote for? Himself of course. It's interesting that the "reasons" for 9/11 have now shifted to Palestine and Lebanon. ANd by a STRANGE coincidence, it's being issued just as Yasser Arafat is suffering serious ill health. This was for Mid-East, and particularly Palestinian / Lebanese / Syrian consumption. So yeah... Osama is trying on Yasser Arafat's shoes with the intention of stepping into them!! It's debateable whether he's making a bid for the PLO leadership in an attempt to legitimise himself and turn politician, or if he intends returning the PLO to the "Bad old Days". Remember he's a megalomaniac and "legitimate" power as the leader of a political organisation will feed his vanity more that leader of a terrorist organisation. This leads on to his endorsement of Kerry. Again this raises a fundamental question: Is OBL, as a sworn enemy of the US, deliberately endorsing the candidate he hopes will lose? OR... Is OBL, as part of his attempt to legitimise himself and emerge as the leader of a political force, endorsing the candidate he feels more likely to be able to "do business" with? This question is further complicated by the fact that (like it or not) there is a "Muslim" voting block in the US! Like the old Chinese curse says... We're living in interesting times. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

The fundamental reason Osama Bin Laden is still alive is that no-one's killed him and he hasn't died of natural causes!!!! Perhaps the fundamental question should be: Why is Osama Bin Laden still at large and free to make incitive broadcasts? The simple answer to that is that he is NOT hiding where we're looking! If you are going to hide, you DON'T hide in the wilderness. That's where people are few and movement / strangers stands out. So... Is he REALLY "In those Cold Afghani Mountains capped with snow"...? Naaahhhh If you were gonna disappear, would you try to hide in Montana, or Miami? Therefore, my money is on him being in a city. Kabul, Islamabad, Hong Kong, Pyongyang, Phoenix, London, Paris etc... Where he can do the most damage by being not only close to the amenities of civilation, but where movement to supply him with life's essentials will simply not show up through the clutter! The only way to find him is to wait for someone to talk... And it ain't happened yet. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

"Kalashnikov Vodka" is simply Mikhail Kalashnikov & his descendants cashing in on what has become one of the most well known marketing "names" since Rolex in the 1920's. Having said that, apparently the marketing does them no favours: Kalashnikov Vodak has been available in the US for many years, but only in the smaller bottles that held 8 shots. We have recently made larger bottles available which hold 30 shots and, when 2 bottles are fastened together with duct tape, you can carry 60 shots of vodka around with you." Incidentally, you can get all sorts of "Kalashnikov" stuff, like penknives etc... It's a "Macho" brand name. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

This touches on a particularly sensitive aspect of my life. You see, ever since I became sexually aware, I found that I am in fact a Lesbian... Trapped in a Man's body! Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Superb! So they've finally found out about Ezeikel (Burning) Bush! Now that the documents are in the public domain, the way is clear for the Liberals to launch a class action lawsuit on behalf of The Dragons and the Unicorns. In a surprise move, Both sides of the "Abortion Issue" Campaigns Have backed this class action. In a joint press statement the unlikely allies stated: The enforced extinction for your children, their children and all descendants is the ultimate betrayal of both the "Pro-Life" AND the "Pro-Choice" parties campaigns! If course, Eziekel (Burning) Bush is not the only family member to have earned such a nickname... Who can forget WW II and the completely impartial diplomacy (in the field of weapons supply) of Herbert (Profiteering) Bush? And of course The Vietnam War, where not only did John Kerry win 3 purple hearts, but which also saw the careers of George (Spying) Bush and his son, George (Hiding in a) Bush? The world will also soon learn of the further deeds of Governor (Oily) Bush and his association with Haliburton (Voting Machine) Mfg. Co. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Yeah... At least Britain is a (reasonably) united kingdom. Particularly in our enjoyment of the "discomfiture" of our wayward former colony. The "United States" are obviously a sham! How can states claim to be united when it takes no more than 5 carefully chosen words to get half of them at the other half's throats? Mike PS: I do think it should be made cheaper for Americans to visit here... Nowadays, Fat Americans in loud check trousers, baseball caps, sunglasses (in Scotland!?), and those Pringle sweaters that ONLY americans buy (you know, the ones with the pattern that'll scare animals and small children) are becoming a bit of a rare sight in Edinburgh. I remember when we had a whole industry devoted to making a "certain type" of Tartan... MacSchwartzenburger, McGiacomo, MacPodulski, even MacDonalds, McDisney and MacBurgerKing. Yep, show us an American name and we can make their ancestral clan Tartan! Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Hi Christelsabine, It's all countries except US and Canada. However... We're all blaming you! What comments did YOU send to the Bush website!? Mike. PS: Where's my jokes dammit!!!? Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Leaving aside the jingoism (from both sides) and the petty arguments... Let's talk aboput ASBO's. Firstly, "Anti-Social Behaviour Orders" are not given out "arbitrarily by the police", they are issued by a court. So yes, there IS a court case. Admittedly, most ASBOs are sought by the police or the local council, but a Judge, Sheriff or Magistrate issues the ASBO. Second, the ASBO's mentioned in the article are, as the article says, the BIZARRE ones. Third, consider the ASBO as a "preventive offence" and as the article indicates, are commonly applied to people who have already committed numerous repeat offences - and make the person's preparatory acts in committing a crime an offence in itself: The habitual car thief who wears a hat in an effort to avoid identification on CCTV is thus banned from wearing a hat or entering any car park (it's not like he legally owns a cer in the first place). The habitual sneak thief is banned from knocking on a door in the first place. Yes he's been charged with numerous thefts - now they're making his preparations to steal an offence in itself for him. Similarly the ban on entering health premises is to prevent the habitual medical equipment thief from preparing to steal medical equipment. The person who INSISTS on playing music so loud that her neighbours furniture moves and has already had umpteen prosecutions and god knows how much equipment confiscated now commits a crime by posessing a stereo or similar. Thus she can't even prepare to commit the crime again. And so on... In effect, the ASBO creates a crime for certain individual people to do certain things which while lawful and normal for the population as a whole, are being abused by some. Fourth. One of the penalties for breach of an ASBO can be eviction form the offender's home! Even if the offender owns their home! Additionally, ASBOs can be issued against parents of unruly youths. Thus the lever "Make sure that your little angel behaves... Or look up Removals in the Yellow Pages!" Similarly, the person who's constantly played music at a volume to destroy her neighbours quality of life is going to see more than her stereo confiscated if she doesn't desist. Also, the man who habitually abuses refuse collectors isn't just going to be locked up or fined, he's heading toward being homeless (repeatedly when the refuse collectors keep stealing his cardboard box) At the moment ASBOs are fairly new and are by their nature are supposed to be VERY flexible. I have seen one ASBO go all the way to eviction and this DID completely solve the problem. The householder (and friends) were constantly playing loud music, and threatening and abusing neighbours if the police were called. She was evicted from her 3 bedroom house, and rehoused out of the area (1 bedroom flat) and the problem didn't move with her. In conclusion, ASBOs are flexible and don't impinge on law-abiding people doing lawful things. Time will tell just how effective they are, but they're looking good so far. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

Having watched (with no small amusement) the election news coming out of Florida.... I'm pretty sure of my prediction: Bush Wins (again)... By 5 votes to 4 (again).... In the Supreme Court (again). Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

"Oh apparently you have to be a born and bread "Yorker", if that's what you call a person from York." Actually no. A native of York is actually called: Ugly git with smashed in face and crossbow sticking out of his arse Up here in Scotland. They call themselves Yorkshiremen. They are also under the impression that Yorkshire is in fact a completely independent state.... Sort of like Swamp-Texans but without the nice climate. Yorkshiremen are also notoriously mean... So the Scots aren't overly worried about being shot, not while crossbow bolts and the stuff to clean them cost money!!! Incidentally, a native of Newcastle is called a "Geordie" because in the last Scottish "Day trip South" (English: Rebellion) the city of Newcastle closed and barred it's city gates and declared it's allegiance to King George! People from Birmingham are called "Brummies". People from London are called "Cockneys". But strangely, people from Goole are not called Goolies!... At least not in Goole. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

"The United Kingdom still has the death penalty they just don't use it, or ther'e no good at caching treasonist" While it's been some time since I'vbe studied the Treason Act 1315, or for that matter the Treason (Scotland) Act 1604, I'm pretty sure that the word "Treasonist" wasn't in either. But that's Americans for you. No wonder we got shot of them!! Perhaps "Treasonous" was the word he was looking for. It was Treason to offer succour to the enemies of the Monarch or his (her) ministers - Guardian readers please take note! It was also an offence punishable by death to have sexual relations with the queen or the Monarch's consort... (At the moment that means shagging either queen Liz OR Prince Philip... But we're dangerously close to "a fate worse than death" here!!!). It was also an offence punishable by death to have sex with the wife of the Prince of Wales or the queen's eldest daughter if unmarried!!! That's why James Hewitt tends to look worried nowadays! Oh yeah... You can get hanged for setting fire to Royal Dockyards as well. Here endeth the irrelevant history lesson for today... Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.