Walsingham

I'll buy 2.5 million displaced. But 1 million dead? Would that be from the Lancet report which assumed that some 70% of people killed never turned up in either a hospital or morgue? See the criticism expanded on at: critique of the Lancet figure of 650,000 http://www.iraqbodycount.org/ I suggest that given your eveident partisan hostility you restrain your use of figures to those which can be backed up by evidence. I refer you to the same site to observe the falling off of civilian deaths, even in this fiercely independent source. The action in Basra the last few days is probably misguided, but if nothing else it proves the Iraqi government are not mere pawns of the Coalition, since it contradicts the line taken by the USA of attempting peaceful integration of the Mehdi army, and reconciliation with the Shia. I could quote economic indiactors at you, to show improvemnt, but it would be a total waste of time since the sources are governmental and will no doubt be ignored.

I suppose you chaps noticed that a lot of US equipment and munitions are made in Norway? Damned fishy, if you ask me.

Ah. Hence your name.

I am that rare beast: a man who can resist the urge to be curious. Although I must say I mastered the art only after reading the NYPD crime investigation handbook. I challenge anyone who believes the death penalty is always wrong to read it.

I'm not 100% behind this statement, but can anyone explain to me what on Earth is so bad about viewing China from a selfish patriotic standpoint?

I became intoxicated with the exuberance of my own verbosity yesterday and dragged my assistant out of home by cab to attend on some projects I'd make a breakthrough with. We charged around like a pair of freaks for several hours, gathering information, surprising people with meetings, buying pencils etc. To compensate for the inconvenience to him I bought a lot of very good food and beer along the way, ending in the evening very much the worse for wear, and stuffed with a huge quantity of too hot curry. The curry was a vast mistake, being both expensive and not very good. By contrast I had some excellent Spanish food at lunch, consisting of spiced cubed pork, chunks of potato, olives, and chillis all fried up 'in a bucket'. Hugely filling and delicious. I intend to make it at home soon.

I blame Canada!

I absolutely love the fact that opponents of the war resolutely refuse to admit that there's any improvement in Iraq, despite a massive dropoff in violence and increasing reconciliation between the power players. Of course, it would be too scientific to ask Sand to base his opinions on observable data rather than isolated principles of faith.

Fething lone snipers. Read "How to Kill" by Kris Hollington. Awesome insight into the phenomenon, along with groovy debunking of famous assassinations.

I concur.

Pfah. "Get Tough" is a much better guide. Plus there are Nazis.

What?

ROFL

Thanks for asking. I'm signing the deal tomorrow. Then the awesome might of me shall begin the Herculean task of transporting my library across.

I'm not sure being against China is very helpful. China's not a moth to be shoved out a window. It's not going away. Sooner or later we have to get along.

I'm not sending any more hookers until FedEx explain what happened to the last lot.

Walsingham: "Ooooh! A post by julianw!" I was wondering when you'd weigh in. Good to see you. I buy your latter argument about a different culture up to a point. However: 1) My reading of them is that they also deeply resent and fear US global hegemony. If for no other reason than it directly threatens things like Taiwan, and the offshore oil they want their mitts on. 2) I don't think you are giving China nearly enough credit for the astounding leaps forward it has made in the last thirty years. This is partly in industry, but far more importantly in academia, and military science. 30 years ago the Chinese military was still thinking Korea. Today they're drawing level and even forging ahead of the West in many areas.

Freudian at all?

It will not be dead. It will LIIIIIVE! AH AH AHAHAHAHAHAHA! *zoom*

Sand: an opponent of, and living argument against, intelligent design.

Sorry, Steve. Hey! Let's support the Steve by sending him Irn Bru!

Isn't there a webpage for generating character names somewhere? Surely that would also work for places? Also, would anyone else agree this might be more comfortable in PnP?

Do you get Irn Bru where you are? I was obliged to open a bottle yesterday for work after a long day, and it's bloody rocket fuel.

I don't care what you killjoys say. If you thank a guy for being in your film IN THE FILM, and then call the cops to stop him attending a screening then YOU LOSE! Irony points all round, and a gin gimlet for me.

What about your faith in squint eyed skepticism?