Walsingham

"One is Sunni the other Shia"? LOL. have to get into this later.

Wow. Ew. Seriously.

My mum always said I'd start a cult. Little did anyone suspect it would be one of back pain. EDIT: In case anyone's interested. I'm still stuck in my bloody chair.

Yeah. Definitely lazy comedy to pick a relatively obscure German admiral and make fun of the fact that he became fuhrer only in time to surrender. Practically Little Britain lazy...

You realise of course that there are a great many people doing precisely this around the world right now? Well, more or less.

If it makes any difference I'm up for learning Hungarian.

Sorry Zor. I just noticed my detail rejoinder last night got lost in the interwebz. Short version: beyond a lazy generalisation that both nations have a powerful autocratic elite, how EXACTLY are the Saudis and Iranians alike?

Thanks, man. The hardest part isn't the pain, but I can't focus on anything properly. I can't do anything for more than about ten minutes at a stretch, so I'm flitting from article to article and TV show to TV show. This would an interesting pehmo... phenomenon... if I was more awake.

Now that I think about it I've seen a copper just **** someone with a truncheon. But it looked like the end of a situation, rather than him just doing it. Policing has come a long way in the last twenty years. But that statement carries the recognition that it came from somewhere worse. i just think it hinders further improvement if the cops don't get any credit as a consequence.

Walsie what actually happened to your back? Was it an accident? My understanding is that it was an elaborate practical joke involving a dozen chinamen, a zeppelin and a french prostitute gone terribly wrong. I honestly don't know. All I know is that I've only had one hour's sleep. Am throwing a sickie. Or is it throwing one, if I'm actually non-functional?

Back playing up severely. Am wedged in chair with cushions, and full of pills.

So you're saying the Russian navy is reducing to trolling? <joke for Americans>

Concept: the showgirlympics.

I like the analysis, Mor. But I'm really not clear on your position regarding Iranian regional ambitions. Let's be clear on mine: they're complete bastards. Iran is a fundamentalist Shia regime, and there is every possible indication that it - more psecifically the hardline IRGC axis - oversees a range of heinous activities across the region already, from heroin smuggling to sectarian bombings and civil war. I don't think they have a 'legitimate' interest in the region in standard power terms because they want to utterly dominate it, and regard nothing as beyond the pale. Your turn.

I think we can all agree that apples are good. But yeah, didn't we have a similar, but quite distinct discussion during Katrina? Cops were leaving their duty postings. My view, then and now, is that you are in uniform to protect the public. You don't get to take personal matters into that uniform. So, you make sacrifices, and you adhere to high standards, and you should get some respect for doing so. I'm not clear that many of those who are attacking the cops for letting down the uniform have the faintest respect for that uniform whatever the circumstances.

I'm not at all an authority on what oaths they might swear, but in the UK any public servants has to *stifles giggle* sorry hang on... *snort* ...I'm sorry I'll just *bray of laughter* I was going to say all public officials swear to uphold high standards but of course that includes politicians and civil servants. *breaks down guffawing*

BASTAARD PARROTS!

I'm not saying I'd take whatever drug makes Bruce so bloody optimistic all the time. ...but I would.

I take it you've accidentally read the Grauniad in the last 24 hours? "Everyone hates us, and we can't do anything right"? Yeah plenty of people don't like us. Yeah, many of them are ignorant bastards and will never change their opinion. But many many people don't. And many of those who do are caught up in philosophies we can challenge. And many more can be usefully expected to use violence against us and be slotted.

I think you're overstating the case for ISIS, and understating the case for Iraq security. For the last few days there has been a - largely non front page - takeover of Fallujah in Iraq. By ISIS affiliated goons. But the cause seems more than just some pan Islamic statement. It's also about perceived problems with a Shia dominated government. Equally while the state forces have been pushed out, there's obviously some confidence that they can't fight their way back in. Long term I believe the correct course now is to continue largely as we have been. The emphasis has to be on Iraqi politics and Iraqi blood. I hate to be so blunt, but it's their country, their democracy, and the only real solution is going to come from them. but yes, they will benefit from assistance in training, kit, and almost certainly intelligence and selective strikes. Our policies have to be more than a toggle switch with 'bomb/don't bomb' written on it.

"Hans? I've been thinking... are we the wankers?"

because the owners of dodgy clubs will never work out how to rig PCs for the booths?

Similar. The last few days have consisted of: walking, meat, movies, great wine.

Where you from? Just interesting, where yet so brainwash children's by such fat russophobic propaganda ( Last times when i see something similar is been Goebbels cool stories ). Clearly propaganda, as Sov troops are wearing fitted uniforms.

Home made prawn curry courtesy of my adjutant. Multiple bottles of red, all varieties. Planning nonsense for the following year.