Walsingham

Stratfor analysis suggests the Russians simply don't care that much. They're focussed on Ukraine and Georgia.

Kind of inevitable now.

For some reason I have an image of you boxing like Sherlock Holmes.

There is a very simple answer to that: the good people of Great Britain don't need to be upset at breakfast by pictures of an overly hairy barrel shaped monstrosity.

Had time and beer to consider now. I think it's rather unfiar to highlight folks from poor backgrounds as being equally courageous. I never said they weren't! But I do think it takes a special form of courage when you have quite literally every possible excuse NOT to go. Indeed, where whole sections of the government, media, and the people are trying to stop you. I know that when I was volunteering the fact that my girlfriend was very much against it, along with my parents, made quitting seem almost the only sane thing to do. I also think Brdavs has a bang on point, about you yanks. But I shan't crow about it, because it would quickly derail the thread.

I just realised Im standing far too close. Now I have brain goo on my nose.

He's not. It goes Charles William Harry But he's pretty close.

But what we're recognising is not how sensible it is. What we're recognising is the fact that they held a vote and chose their own course. Since we already brought up the subvject of other secessionist regions, I feel it's worth pointing out to 'certain' persons that Northern Ireland repeatedly votes freely to remain part of Great Britain. A fact which may have escaped trendy foreigners.

It's certainly increased my morale. I think it will have had a comparable effect on my mates. At the end of the day if someone from the top of the system mucks in with the rest of you then it's all to the good. Gorgon, Harry's armoured recce, not infantry, and while I take your point being a hlicopter pilot etc can be bloody dangerous also. Gromnir, I haven't forgotten your point. I'm just pondering how best to reply.

Ride a horse while inside a tank? I'll grant you that could only be more impressive.

I'm actually listening on the BBC iplayer, which has far better sound quality, but since I know you chaps are resistant to using realplayer I think it's fair enough to link via youtube.

*takes a moment to admire the size of brains on this forum*

In fact I think both descriptions of eugenics support my original point: science can be made to serve either good or evil, in the same way as faith.

Nothing's really going to make what happened good, as you say, but at least you... erm... actually, bugger, I can't think of anything reassuring to say. On which note I'm off to the pub.

I wasn't complaining about the speling mate. I was mocking myself for the way I get all overheated whenever the subject comes up.

As you chaps know I'm something of a Monarchist in a quiet way.* You have to ask, whatever the undemocratic flavours a monarchy has, how often do you see the sons of Presidents and Prime Ministers on the front line? *Something to do with a framed oath of allegiance I have on my wall.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7269743.stm It seems Prince Harry, who we discussed before, has actually been fighting in Afghanistan on the front lines for some weeks. This news, and the news that he's OK please me on a personal and political level. It's nice to see that being an heir to the throne means you can still have guts. What is perhaps still more amazing is that the UK's media have up until now not run the story in oerder to allow him to go ahead, and not risk anyone's life unduly. What is less pleasing is that this US website the Drudge Report, seems to have leaked the info. Coming on the back of the bogus Barack Obama pictures it reinforces my feeling that one should have nothing to do with the wretched thing. Who the hell is frequenting thsi site, and do they have no concept whatever of operational security or basic integrity?

Man, that's sterrible. Sorry to hear it. It's got to be bad when people are young and it's sudden. I had a girlfriend get into some trouble, and I damn near burst with worry until it turned out she was OK.

Iraq? IRAQ! *Begins running around in little circles*

Immensely pleased to discover one of the upcoming tests will be a six mile run carrying 15 kilos, rather than 50 kilos as I thought.

Aha. Yes, your counter makes sense. I'd hazard a guess that every nation that ever was or ever will be will have some region which wants to be 'free'. Freedom for Tooting!

You're thinking of Castle milk stout.

Staropramen

As Sand has been at great pains to point out, his arguments are boneheaded for teh simple purpose of provoking debate. I hesitate to call that trolling, because that sort odecision is better left to moderators and their misbegotten ilk.

Whatever the justification I must say it comes across as pretty childish name-calling.