This is the Message Centre for Bx4
142.5
rg Posted Mar 21, 2014
Hi Bx4
De-clutter - Sometimes I wish I was more of a declutterer. Then again I have found over time that de-cluttering frees space for new clutter to move in. Keep clutter out by denying it space with blocking clutter? Nature abhors a vacuum? I've still got LPs and a conventional record deck (for which I recently bought a replacement drive belt) to play them on.
The keenest pro-independence poster is called Fuller; you'd like him "...Cameron enlisted Putin to shaft the people of Scotland..." is their current post. I gather that Hoddles is away just now. I've actually not long been back myself.
Line of Duty - It got rather silly by episode six with a flashback and 'where are they now' sequence. The series created a 'universe' rather well I thought; though plot wise by episode 2 the writing was on the wall for plucky Lindsey by way of her phone call to the hospital. There was no escape after that; as a little digging by AC12 would have revealed whether other hospitals were called (as she had claimed). Also in episode 6 our main character needed their head read when they took the dirty money 'so they had the same amount to lose' ; corrupt police, a wedge, this was never going to end well. Also I'd watched enough police drama to realise that when a character appears innocent at twenty minutes in they are guilty by fifty.
"...an earlier Russian statement that [the interim government in The Ukraine was illegal]...'
That gives Russia the right to act as judge, jury and confiscator of territory?
"...a toothless West would do nothing serious about it..."
These days fights are picked...Iraq, Afghanistan? Russia has nukes.
Air Passenger Duty: I see it's been causing more Green bother for The Coalition http://www.thelocal.de/20131122/coalition-plans-to-scrap-flying-tax
[quoting link] “one of the few measures for more climate protection in the transport industry.”
In response to plans to abolish the tax, the organization issued a statement urging the coalition to maintain and increase the duty.
“The air passenger duty does not lead to the exodus of passengers to foreign airports or to the loss of jobs in airlines as the Federal Association of the Air Travel Industry (BDL) claims," it said.
“In order to develop a guiding impact and generate additional income for the financing of environmental protection in developing countries, air passenger duty must be increased further,” [quote ends]
[Quoting wikipedia] 'The United Kingdom is split into constituencies representing Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and each of the regions of England. ' [quote ends]
However the horses mouth http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/RSI/#?vis=economy paints a somewhat different picture (literally). Welcome to the Highlands and islands, United Kingdom. Note that the map shows national boundaries though not, for example, England/Wales which the OS used to mark until 1974 on the *Western* edge of Monmouthshire before that county was gifted to Wales to be divided and slashed. At least (unlike Heath) Putin made sure a referendum was held in the territory to me relocated (even if this was held under the barrel of a gun).
[Czechoslovakia dissolution] '...Tricky that - votewise...'
There wasn't a vote of the electorate in one region of the country and not the whole. The dissolution was agreed by representatives of all.
'...Miliband is not competing against Brown but Cameron...'
Cameron will (at the time of writing) be the same opponent as Brown faced in 2010 and Miliband will have to do better than Brown if he is to prevail. In this sense Miliband's performance will be measured against what Brown achieved at the UK polls. It won't be hard to win this race. Actually I suspect Cameron will have resigned before the GE. Well he aught too when Scotland votes Yes. Cameron - The PM who lost Scotland.
'...Vaguely thinking of the baltic states this summer...'
You and Putin?
'...BB is a GS ideal for [smashed road] conditions?..'
Indeed though the point I was trying to make was that the cruiser doesn't give the rider an option to stand on the pegs to dampen out the bumps.
Autobahn - I know the number and have the video!
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142.5
Bx4 Posted Mar 28, 2014
hi rg
>>De-clutter - Sometimes I wish I was more of a declutterer. Then again I have found over time that de-cluttering frees space for new clutter to move in. Keep clutter out by denying it space with blocking clutter? Nature abhors a vacuum? I've still got LPs and a conventional record deck (for which I recently bought a replacement drive belt) to play them on.<<
Have now transferred some 500+ CD/LPs to my Brennan. Lp transfer is a bit tedious since it has to be accomplished by an initial tranfer to a USB memory stick, the editing files on PC before transfer to Brennan. So only managing about three a day. Will take some time as still own 150+ 'relic' LPs. Quite enjoyable though as I can listen to them while converting to MP. CDs much easier since Brennan has a internal database against which CD is checked, so insert and go.
Sometimes decluttering is space reduction. Recently transferred 300+ VHS tapes to DVD. Books on Kindle/'Cloud' rather than hard copy .
>>The keenest pro-independence poster is called Fuller; you'd like him "...Cameron enlisted Putin to shaft the people of Scotland..." is their current post. I gather that Hoddles is away just now. I've actually not long been back myself.<<
Yes I've noticed him though he may be fairly new though I have had a fairly long absence fom the Bull. The 'independence' thread seems sometimes to veer towards farce. Currently more engage in mild windups of 'Anglo Welsh' (who may or may not be the same as the Cymric-Saxons). Primarily organleptic icon (an devotee in another mode of Clive Dorkins) and Shropshire Lad who purveys an interesting line of factoids and red herrings.
Must confess that I'm still completely unclear as to why the anti-independence clique are so opposed to Scotland seceding.
>>Line of Duty - It got rather silly by episode six with a flashback and 'where are they now' sequence. The series created a 'universe' rather well I thought; though plot wise by episode 2 the writing was on the wall for plucky Lindsey by way of her phone call to the hospital. There was no escape after that; as a little digging by AC12 would have revealed whether other hospitals were called (as she had claimed). Also in episode 6 our main character needed their head read when they took the dirty money 'so they had the same amount to lose' ; corrupt police, a wedge, this was never going to end well. Also I'd watched enough police drama to realise that when a character appears innocent at twenty minutes in they are guilty by fifty.<<
An excellent summary. I have been watcching 'Shetland', Longmire and Inspector Luca (a one-off) which I quite enjoyed.
>>That gives Russia the right to act as judge, jury and confiscator of territory?<<
Neither said nor implied.
>>These days fights are picked...Iraq, Afghanistan? Russia has nukes.<<
As it had during the Cold War. I suspect a more robust response by the West would have called Putin's bluff. Appeasement of land grabs by dictators rarely works.
>>
Air Passenger Duty: I see it's been causing more Green bother for The Coalition<<
Though the the CDU/CSU/SPD coalition rather than the Conservative/LD one. The political parties in the coalition in Germany do notseem to regard it as a 'green' tax. (from your link
'The tax was introduced in Germany two years ago but the parties believe that it is costing the country more money than it brings in as passengers are put off flying from German airports by the high cost of travel.'
Though from your link Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and the BDL (an odd alliance) seem to believe it is. My take is that the levy would have to be hypothecated to fund 'green' initiatives to be considered a 'green' tax.
>>However the horses mouth http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/RSI/#?vis=economy paints a somewhat different picture (literally). Welcome to the Highlands and islands...<<
However the map is of economic regions not constituencies which are:
http://www.bcomm-scotland.independent.gov.uk/maps/european/1999/
However as the link correctly points out:
'Scotland has formed a single electoral region for European Parliament elections returning a number of Members of the European Parliament using a regional list system.'
>>Monmouthshire before that county was gifted to Wales to be divided and slashed.<<
Historical Monmouthshire was identified as part of Wales in the 1535 Lawes in Wales Act until it was abolished in 1574 becoming part of Gwent and re-emerging as Monmouthshire (albeit with lightly different borders) in 1996.
>>There wasn't a vote of the electorate in one region of the country and not the whole. The dissolution was agreed by representatives of all.<<
My comment was a response to your:
'>...Now if we were all to have a vote then I'd go along with the Czechoslovakia dissolution model'
If you are going to argue that a decision made by the representative of the voters rather than the voters themselves then the decision to hold a referendum only in Scotland was made in the HoC by the representatives of all the voters.
>>Cameron will (at the time of writing) be the same opponent as Brown faced in 2010 and Miliband will have to do better than Brown if he is to prevail. In this sense Miliband's performance will be measured against what Brown achieved at the UK polls. It won't be hard to win this race. <<
Assuming Miliband survives, presumably:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ed-miliband/10245701/Ed-Miliband-is-the-least-popular-party-leader-poll-finds.html
>>Actually I suspect Cameron will have resigned before the GE. Well he aught too when Scotland votes Yes. Cameron - The PM who lost Scotland.<<
Scotland will opt to secede? - less certain than you seem to think. Tories I suspect would be happy covertly for Scotland to secede. 50+ LMPs gone from Hoc as against 1 Tory. Will the English electorate be upset if Scotland secedes. If so, why so?
>>You and Putin?<<
A long way from Sevastopol to Tallin.
>>Indeed though the point I was trying to make was that the cruiser doesn't give the rider an option to stand on the pegs to dampen out the bumps.<<
I see not. Not something I have had to do. Better roads, obviously.
I have the vinyl but not the video.
bs
142.5
rg Posted Mar 28, 2014
Hi Bx4
I think I'll change the running order?
Monmouthshire - An old chestnut.
'...Historical Monmouthshire was identified as part of Wales in the 1535 [Laws] in Wales Act...'
Yet in 1940s when this map (OS sheet 154) was published visionofbritain.org.uk/maps/sheet/new_pop/264_154 it was in England (note where the national border is shown - it's easiest to see at the top of the map 310210). It's the same designation of line as shown skirting around North of Berwick on Tweed on the OS sheet 64 of the same series (1947) depicting the England/Scotland border.
The 1972 LGA includes "(12)In this section “England” does not include the administrative county of Monmouthshire or the county borough of Newport." which begs the question - why bother when "... Historical Monmouthshire was identified as part of Wales in the 1535 [Laws] in Wales Act..."?
Onwards to Scotland.
"...Scotland will opt to secede? - less certain than you seem to think. Tories I suspect would be happy covertly for Scotland to secede. 50+ LMPs gone from Hoc as against 1 Tory. Will the English electorate be upset if Scotland secedes. If so, why so?.."
I seem to recall seeing the results an opinion poll that suggested most English would prefer that Scotland to remain in the UK. As to why I don't know. I take the view that it's up to the Scots to decide on their future (though not ours). I'm not in the least convinced that our Unionist politicians are looking after the interests of the post Scottish secession UK. As for the wicked Tories they only 'won' power because The Real Opposition let them. What Scotland voted for was irrelevant as Brown wouldn't go rainbow.
"...If you are going to argue that a decision made by the representative of the voters rather than the voters themselves then the decision to hold a referendum only in Scotland was made in the HoC by the representatives of all the voters..."
A decision to allow The Scottish Government to hold a secession referendum in Scotland is not the same as a decision to allow a referendum in the whole of the UK on the dissolution of the UK.
"...I'm still completely unclear as to why the anti-independence clique are so opposed to Scotland seceding..."
Are they though? Is it not simply a case of a duck shoot when, for example, Salmond declares that there will be a Stirling Zone (the same Salmond who wanted the Euro five years ago). Salmond can't seem to decide. On the Stirling Zone it will never be his decision.
"...My take is that the levy would have to be hypothecated to fund 'green' initiatives to be considered a 'green' tax..."
My view is that if a Green likes it then it's a Green tax. With such taxes behavioural change can be seen as the driver hence the charge on plastic bags in Wales. The money raised isn't hypothecated sfaik.
"... A long way from Sevastopol to Tallin[n]..."
"Extracts from Putin speech, August 1999
Russia has been a great power for centuries, and remains so. It has always had and still has legitimate zones of interest abroad in both the former Soviet lands and elsewhere. We should not drop our guard in this respect, neither should we allow our opinion to be ignored."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26769481
"...I suspect a more robust response by the West would have called Putin's bluff. Appeasement of land grabs by dictators rarely works..."
Maybe so though do you see the public wanting to go to war (even a cold one) over Crimea?
"... Sometimes decluttering is space reduction. Recently transferred 300+ VHS tapes to DVD. Books on Kindle/'Cloud' rather than hard copy..."
I feel I am living in a different century. I suppose I do have a DVD contraption.
"... Brennan has a internal database against which CD is checked..."
I'm impressed. This is internal without an Internet connection?
"...Not something I have had to do. Better roads, obviously..."
http://www.bmwmotohire.com/images/gallery/full/r1200gs_adventure4.jpg
bs
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Bx4 Posted Apr 2, 2014
hi rg
Sorry about delay in replying somewhat busy in the world. decamping to parts rural for a long weekend so I'll reply then.
bs
142.5
rg Posted Apr 2, 2014
Hi Bx4
No worries I'm doing some sorting out myself and have been time poor so as to abandon The Bull for now.
Have fun auf dem Land.
bs
142.5
rg Posted Apr 12, 2014
Hi Bx4
You do have my sympathy it is annoying when technology doesn't work.
The bike looks like an RT with a current water/air engine? I might just jump on my ancient oil head and check out the new blood on the showroom floor.
Politics wise I see that (according to C4 News) Labour is said to have gained from disaffected Real Opposition supporters. Meanwhile in Scotland Labour voters are being love bombed by the SNP leadership. Interesting times.
Hope that the trip to the countryside was a success?
bs
142.5
Bx4 Posted Apr 16, 2014
Hi rg
A brief dash to Scotland to see a very old friend who is ill. Interesting to talk to locals. Only anecdotal, of course, but I get the impression that the black propaganda of Project Fear sees to be having the opposite effect from that intended. Pro independence support sees to be on the increase.
Reverting to drafting in notepad to avoid pitfalls of h2g2. I'll try to recreate original reply.
>>Yet in 1940s when this map (OS sheet 154) was published visionofbritain.org.uk/maps/sheet/new_pop/264_154 it was in England (note where the national border is shown - it's easiest to see at the top of the map 310210). It's the same designation of line as shown skirting around North of Berwick on Tweed on the OS sheet 64 of the same series (1947) depicting the England/Scotland border.<<
I have seen it written that the myth of 'old' Monmouthshire being art of England was promulgated by the English 'white settlers' who migrated there duing the 19th century. I can only assume that the OS map is in error since I know of no subsequent legislation that transferred Monmothshire to England Contrariwise, unlike Monmouth shire Berwick upon Tweed changed hands several times between the 10th and 16th finally being capture by England in 1482 and established as an English 'county corporate' in 1551.
>>I seem to recall seeing the results an opinion poll that suggested most English would prefer that Scotland to remain in the UK. As to why I don't know.<<
Neither do I and the rhetoric in the Bull sees to follow the black propaganda of 'Project Fear rather than making any positive pro-Union argument as to why Scotland should stay within the UK.
>> I take the view that it's up to the Scots to decide on their future (though not ours)<<
I don't think the Scots have any interest in deciding the future of those countries who remain in the rUK.
>> I'm not in the least convinced that our Unionist politicians are looking after the interests of the post Scottish secession UK.<<
Perhaps the do not believe there will be a secession.
>> As for the wicked Tories they only 'won' power because The Real Opposition let them. What Scotland voted for was irrelevant as Brown wouldn't go rainbow.<<
Afaik, the Wingmen were unwilling to go into coalition with Nulabour so the possibility of a 'rainbow coalition' was more a media fantasy than a real possibility.
>>A decision to allow The Scottish Government to hold a secession referendum in Scotland is not the same as a decision to allow a referendum in the whole of the UK on the dissolution of the UK.<>Are they though? Is it not simply a case of a duck shoot when, for example, Salmond declares that there will be a Stirling Zone (the same Salmond who wanted the Euro five years ago). Salmond can't seem to decide. On the Stirling Zone it will never be his decision.<<
The rUK cannot prevent an independent Scotland from pegging the Scottish currency to the rUK pound. As the Head of the BoE has pointed out the only think the rUK government can do is to oppose a currency union.
I think the GFC made the Euro option somewhat problematic which is why Salmond changed his position.
>>My view is that if a Green likes it then it's a Green tax. With such taxes behavioural change can be seen as the driver hence the charge on plastic bags in Wales. The money raised isn't hypothecated sfaik.<<
Surely the issue not whether the tax is liked by the Greens but whether it was so intended by those who introduced. The fact that the the 'air tax' is not hypothecated suggest that their intention was other.
>>'Russia has been a great power for centuries, and remains so.'<<
I think Putin's assertion is debatable.
>>Maybe so though do you see the public wanting to go to war (even a cold one) over Crimea? <<
I have never been persuaded by the notion of 'vox populi, vox dei' the view of the public typically leads to appeasement and/or isolationism which has never worked.
>>I feel I am living in a different century. I suppose I do have a DVD contraption. <<
At moment English Heritage may declare you an heritage site.
>>I'm impressed. This is internal without an Internet connection? <<
It's internal but is loaded from a CD either downloaded from the Internet or supplied by Brennan. Unfortunately the database only works for CDs but I have come up with a way of transferring vinyl LPs to it though it is quite time consuming.
>>The bike looks like an RT with a current water/air engine? I might just jump on my ancient oil head and check out the new blood on the showroom floor.<<
I'm pretty sure the picture was of a 2012 oil head though the 2014 model appears to be water cooled.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/searchresults/bike-reviews/bmw/bmw-r1200rt-2014-current/
>>Politics wise I see that (according to C4 News) Labour is said to have gained from disaffected Real Opposition supporters<<
Not everyone seems to agree.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/03/ukip-have-taken-more-votes-lib-dems-most-think
>> Meanwhile in Scotland Labour voters are being love bombed by the SNP leadership. Interesting times.<<
I get the impression that the traditional tribal Labour voter has finally realised that Nulabour has sold them down the river and that the SNP are now the party of the Left in Scotland.
>>Hope that the trip to the countryside was a success? <<
Trip to country grat but trip to Scotland depressing.
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142.5
rg Posted Apr 16, 2014
Hi Bx4
I'm glad you are back. I'm away to my pit though will leave you with a challenge;
"...I can only assume that the OS map is in error..."
Can you find any pre-1972 OS map depicting Monmouthshire as being in Wales?
I'd be surprised if you succeed because until recently (coincidentally after I started pointing it out on various forums) the oldest county map of Wales held at the National Library of Wales didn't list Monmouthshire as a Welsh county.
What a lot of errors. That's the beauty of print, on a computer one can press delete (the Wikipedia way). Instead try and find every paper copy and expunge it. Whilst you're at in better go through Hansard and burn the references to Monmouthshire; best start in the sixties. Oh and don't forget the names of hospitals and institutions of learning (now renamed) that pointed to Monmouthshire apart from Wales.
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142.5
rg Posted Apr 17, 2014
Hi Bx4
Just a little more I'm on the road today.
"...I get the impression that the black propaganda of Project Fear sees to be having the opposite effect from that intended. Pro independence support sees to be on the increase..."
If support for 'Yes' carries on increasing it will reach the level it was when the current independence thread was started in 'mustardland'. The 'No' camp has built in disadvantages;
'No' is negative.
'No' when put on the spot can't guarantee work in a foreign country (e.g. defence jobs; eyes up Portsmouth).
'No' (rightly in my view) refuses to countenance a 'Stirling Zone' with a foreign country who's leader has been inconsistent on currency.
Every time 'No' points out that a part of Salmond's plan depends on our agreement this is portrayed as a bully boy tactic.
It is far easier to sell a dream than the status quo.
More later.
bs
142.5
rg Posted Apr 17, 2014
Hi Bx4
"...I'm pretty sure the picture was of a 2012 oil head though the 2014 model appears to be water cooled.,,"
http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/720/2014-bmw-r1200rt-looks-sharp-photo-gallery-720p-1.jpg?1383664133
OK I'm going to show myself up as an anorak by pointing to the exhaust pipe on the right hand side of the bike - a sure sign that this is a water head.
I'll organise myself into producing a joined up post soon...
bs
142.5
rg Posted Apr 17, 2014
Hi Bx4
I hope the ill friend is better?
"...rather than making any positive pro-Union argument as to why Scotland should stay within the UK..."
There are no doubt positives and negatives for both choices before the Scottish people. They have had - what is it? - Three centuries of union so will know what a unionist future can hold. Salmond has presented an independent alternative. My concern is that our politicians quickly adapt to looking after ourselves first and quickly forget about Scotland's needs. These will be in the SNP's domain come September.
"...I don't think the Scots have any interest in deciding the future of those countries who remain in the rUK..."
Your Deputy Dawg seems to have strong views that we should have a currency union with Scotland. Sorry could we decide for ourselves without interference? Similarly we'll decide what to call our county thank you.
'...Perhaps they do not believe there will be a secession...'
I think Cameron should resign on September 19.
"...a 'rainbow coalition' was more a media fantasy than a real possibility..."
The idea wasn't purely a press fantasy http://www.jonathanedwards.org.uk/labour-hands-government-to-tories isn't forgiving of Labour. "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity that would not only have changed the face of politics as we know it in the UK but also allowed Welsh communities to have been protected from savage cuts. Instead, and totally against what they had promised during the election, Labour chose the easy option of going into hiding, sending David Cameron into power in the process."
"...The rUK cannot prevent an independent Scotland from pegging the Scottish currency to the rUK pound..."
Scotland could do this though what would be the point?
"...the GFC made the Euro option somewhat problematic which is why Salmond changed his position..."
When the going gets tough swap horses. I think this would be one of the sticking points in signing a deal with Salmond.
"...the issue not whether the tax is liked by the Greens but whether it was so intended by those who introduced..."
I disagree unless the Greens are suddenly in favour of encouraging us to fly more? The Greens would have changed a lot since the last time I looked.
"...I have never been persuaded by the notion of 'vox populi, vox dei' the view of the public typically leads to appeasement and/or isolationism which has never worked..."
'Not in my name' springs to mind.
"...English Heritage may declare you an heritage site..."
I don't think so as visitors would expect internet access same as McDonald's
'...The database only works for CDs..."
This is rather like the system in iTunes?
UKIP: I'm unconvinced so long as they have fewer MPs than Plaid Cymru. They remain a handy vessel for those disenchanted with the EU. Not to be trusted in the UK parliament even when this is emptied of Scottish MPs
"...the traditional tribal Labour voter has finally realised that Nulabour has sold them down the river and that the SNP are now the party of the Left in Scotland..."
They'll soon be the only party left in Scotland.
"...Trip to country great but trip to Scotland depressing..."
I'm sorry. Again I hope the friend gets better.
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142.5
Bx4 Posted Apr 22, 2014
hi rg
>>I hope the ill friend is better?<<
Terminal I'm afraid.
>>There are no doubt positives and negatives for both choices before the Scottish people. They have had - what is it? - Three centuries of union so will know what a unionist future can hold.<<
Not wholly persuaded by this. The UK is no longer an imperial power which it was for much of the last three centuries - now much diminished and part of a semi-federal Europe from which it may secede. So past history may not be much of a guide to the future.
>> My concern is that our politicians quickly adapt to looking after ourselves first and quickly forget about Scotland's needs.<<
'twas ever thus.
>>Your Deputy Dawg seems to have strong views that we should have a currency union with Scotland. Sorry could we decide for ourselves without interference?<<
Surely as the name implies a currency union implies two parties? Also:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scottish-independence-coalition-minister-breaks-ranks-on-currency-union-9223810.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593152/Whoever-said-Scots-pound-served-kebab-Osborne-Hunt-rogue-minister-gaffe.html
Liberal Democrat Michael Moore was sacked as Secretary of State for Scotland for saying much the same thing.
>>Similarly we'll decide what to call our county thank you.<<
County? UKshire?
Surely the will decide and historically a change in the sovereignty exercised by the UK has been reflected in a change of name. Of course, given the numpties who inhabit the HoC they may well attempt to retain Great Britain.
>>The idea wasn't purely a press fantasy http://www.jonathanedwards.org.uk/labour-hands-government-to-tories isn't forgiving of Labour. "<<
Johnathan Edwards may so believe but as a new member of Plaid Cymru I'm not clear that he was privy to the negotiations and from the link to Socialist Unity on his site:
' It seems that the key component for a coalition would have needed to be the Liberals, and they were never serious about negotiations with Labour, using the talks only as leverage with their preferred partners, the Tories.'
So the rainbow coalition was never a runner though suggested (but essentially dismissed) by the liberal democrat leaning grauniad.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2010/may/07/gordon-brown-rainbow-coalition
>>Scotland could do this though what would be the point?<<
The same point as when the Estonians pegged the Second Kroon to the D-mark then the Euro.
>>When the going gets tough swap horses.<<
Realpolitk.
>>I think this would be one of the sticking points in signing a deal with Salmond.<<
A currency union would require negotiation, a currency peg would not.
>>I disagree unless the Greens are suddenly in favour of encouraging us to fly more? The Greens would have changed a lot since the last time I looked.<<
Afaik, the green have never been in power so their stance on the purpose of APD may not be the same as the governments who introduced or modified it. For example:
"Air passenger duty is primarily a revenue raising duty which makes an important contribution to the public finances, whilst also giving rise to secondary environmental benefits"
(Reform of Air Passenger Duty: response to consultation". HM Treasury. 7 December 2011
>>'Not in my name' springs to mind<<
Indeed. But had the vox populi in the UK not been in favour of appeasement and in the USA in favour of isolationism the horrors of WWII might have been avoided.
>>I don't think so as visitors would expect internet access same as McDonald's<<
Not if your flaky copper was presented as 'heritage' The BBC might do a series akin to 'the Victorian Farm'.
>>This is rather like the system in iTunes<<
Not really sure. The Brennan database seems to be used to match number of tracks and length of tracks on the CD. Since these may not be unique one is sometimes presented with a number of choices and occasionally the CD is not recognised at all in which case one can enter the details via a small remote with an alphanumeric keypad.
I don't have enough experience with iTunes to compare them since I only have an iPod Nano but as far I now the Brennan uses the freedb database and iTunes the Gracenote Media Database
Getting vinyl onto the Brennan is much more complicated. I have a Denon 200USB deck which has the facility to transfer one side of LP to a USB memory stick in MP3 format as it is played
Each side is stored on the USB stick As AUDIO00.MP3 and AUDIO01.MP3 I then have to edit (on a PC) these names to Side 1.MP3 and Side 2.MP3. The Brennan also has a USB slot into which the edited memory stick is inserted. The LPs name is entered using the remote keypad and the system then appends the two MP3 files to this as they are copied to the Brennan's hard drive.
>> I'm unconvinced so long as they have fewer MPs than Plaid Cymru. They remain a handy vessel for those disenchanted with the EU. Not to be trusted in the UK parliament even when this is emptied of Scottish MPs<<
You be more in touch with the mood music in England than I am so I'm relying on media reports like this:
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/26/ukip-poll-boost-thanet
Of course in Scotland UKIP is even less popular than the Tories. Not Sure about Wales and Northern Ireland
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rg Posted Apr 23, 2014
Hi Bx4
I'm sorry to read about your friend.
Catch you later; just off away.
bs
142.5
rg Posted Apr 23, 2014
Hi Bx4
"... past history may not be much of a guide to the future..."
Yes
"...Surely as the name implies a currency union implies two parties?.."
Indeed though "Mr Salmond will reiterate in his speech his belief that an independent Scotland would share the same sterling currency as the rest of the UK." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27118795 from today suggests the decision has been made - by Salmond.
"...Also:.."
[quoting link] "unidentified source"? Perhaps a masked man like in The Ukraine?
"...the numpties who inhabit the HoC they may well attempt to retain Great Britain..."
Perhaps someone would point out to any 'numpties' that it has never been 'Great Britain'? Try 'The UKofGB&NI. Though for me UKofGB&I would work equally well thanks to the magic word 'of'.
"...they were never serious about negotiations with Labour..."
Whilst I recognise that Gordon Brown (it didn't help that his sport was to deride Clegg at every opportunity) was tarnished goods in 2010; The Real Opposition would have been keen to cut a deal with Labour as they are natural socialists. That said the word at the time was that the country was in such a state it was better for Labour for someone else to take the pain of recession. Eveyone's favourite party could come back again with a virile new leader after the worst was over.
"...The same point as when the Estonians pegged the Second Kroon to the D-mark then the Euro..."
This seems redundant as Salmond today says he is to share the pound rather than peg to it.
"...Realpolitk..."
So a currency union would stand until Salmond declared Realpolitik and scarpered? How reassuring.
"...[The Greens] stance on the purpose of APD may not be the same as the governments who introduced or modified it..."
I'm not bothered about the purpose of a tax as set out at inception, rather, does it please a Green to have it in place? Would a Green nose be put out of joint if a the tax in question was canned?
"...had the vox populi in the UK not been in favour of appeasement and in the USA in favour of isolationism the horrors of WWII might have been avoided..."
As you point out we are no no longer an empire - even if Joe Public was ignored I rather doubt we could be anything but a passing nuisance to the men in masks.
"...The BBC might do a series akin to 'the Victorian Farm'..."
That was set in the past. The internet we have is now.
"...The Brennan database seems to be used to match number of tracks and length of tracks on the CD..."
Yes this seems different to the way I remember iTunes.
"...The LPs name is entered using the remote keypad and the system then appends the two MP3 files to this as they are copied to the Brennan's hard drive..."
It's a shame the system can't read this off the USB so a proper keyboard could be used?
"...Of course in Scotland UKIP is even less popular than the Tories..."
Let's be honest - even though media types like to big up UKIP - they are without an MP. Never mind the score in Scotland - they are without an MP.
bs
142.5
Bx4 Posted Apr 27, 2014
hi rg
>>Indeed though "Mr Salmond will reiterate in his speech his belief that an independent Scotland would share the same sterling currency as the rest of the UK." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27118795 from today suggests the decision has been made - by Salmond. <<
I'm not sure that a belief is the equivalent of a decision.
>>Perhaps someone would point out to any 'numpties' that it has never been 'Great Britain'? Try 'The UKofGB&NI. Though for me UKofGB&I would work equally well thanks to the magic word 'of'. <<
Since the UKofGB was set up by the treaty of Union of 1707 between Scotland and England (no mention of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Wales)the the political entity GB will cease to exists should Scotland secede.
>>Whilst I recognise that Gordon Brown (it didn't help that his sport was to deride Clegg at every opportunity) was tarnished goods in 2010; The Real Opposition would have been keen to cut a deal with Labour as they are natural socialists.<<
Not the 'Orange Book' Liberal Democrats, surely?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12310041
>>That said the word at the time was that the country was in such a state it was better for Labour for someone else to take the pain of recession. Eveyone's favourite party could come back again with a virile new leader after the worst was over.<<
Given that Nulabour are effectively clones of the Nasties should we care. Considering Millipede II as a 'virile new leader' may be something of bridge too far' charisma-wise.
>>This seems redundant as Salmond today says he is to share the pound rather than peg to it.<<
'Believes' not 'says'. My point was even if the rUK will not agree to a currency union they cannot block a peg.
>>So a currency union would stand until Salmond declared Realpolitik and scarpered? How reassuring.<<
If Scotland joins the EU a change of currency is from Pound to Euro is, once the convergence criteria are met is mandatory.
>>I'm not bothered about the purpose of a tax as set out at inception, rather, does it please a Green to have it in place? Would a Green nose be put out of joint if a the tax in question was canned?<<
The greens have never formed pat of any UK executive so there views are irrelevant.
>>As you point out we are no no longer an empire - even if Joe Public was ignored I rather doubt we could be anything but a passing nuisance to the men in masks. <<
Not a great believer in Illuminati type conspiracy theories and would suggest that 'the men in the masks' seemed o buy into appeasement/isolationism:
'Peace for Our Time' Chamberlain 1938
'your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.' Roosevelt, 1940.
>>That was set in the past. The internet we have is now.<<
But the internet you have now is the one that most of us had in the past.
>>It's a shame the system can't read this off the USB so a proper keyboard could be used?<<
I think the problem is that their is no equivalent for vinyl of the CD databases. Though the Brennan ha a 'Rename' facility and there are reports that a USB keyboard can be plugged into the Brennan.
>>Let's be honest - even though media types like to big up UKIP - they are without an MP. Never mind the score in Scotland - they are without an MP.<<
Indeed, though the difference is that in Scotland UKIP has no representatives at any political level which is not the case in England.
bs
142.5
rg Posted Apr 28, 2014
Hi Bx4
"...I'm not sure that a belief is the equivalent of a decision..."
"We will work in partnership with the rest of the UK to share the pound for our mutual benefit " - Salmond writing in Scotland's Future.
This seems decided to me. There's little ambiguity here; no?
"...the the political entity GB will cease to exists should Scotland secede..."
The political entity UKofGB&NI will continue. We aren't voting to dissolve it; Scotland's voting to leave. OTOH if we were all to have say - who knows?
"...Not the 'Orange Book' Liberal Democrats, surely..."
The Real Opposition are a democracy no? The essayists rule OK? - I doubt it.
"...Millipede II as a 'virile new leader' may be something of bridge too far'...
Prettier than the beaten up wreck who couldn't be elected.
"...My point was even if the rUK will not agree to a currency union they cannot block a peg..."
The UK couldn't block a peg though I'm still mystified as to why the Scottish Government would want to do this? I've not read of this as a SNP plan.
"...If Scotland joins the EU a change of currency is from Pound to Euro is, once the convergence criteria are met is mandatory..."
All for more reason for the UK to spurn Salmond's work. Yet if Scotland was to join the Euro a plan to peg to the pound would seem stranger still. If anything the peg should be to the Euro?
"...The greens have never formed pat of any UK executive so there views are irrelevant..."
They are the moral compass so far as the classification of Green taxes are concerned. A tax may be labelled 'Green' by rival politicians. That could never be authentic.
[quoting] 'Peace for Our Time' Chamberlain 1938
[quoting] 'your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.' Roosevelt, 1940.
In those days the UK had an empire. Today it musters 27 ships.
"...the internet you have now is the one that most of us had in the past..."
You never had an internet that halved in speed in the space of a year.
"...no equivalent for vinyl of the CD databases..."
Coincidentally I was talking about this today and was told of an Apple 'app' that could identify a tune simply by playing it to a phone. I don't know if it would work with vinyl. See also http://evolver.fm/2012/10/10/top-5-apps-for-identifying-songs/
"...the difference is that in Scotland UKIP has no representatives at any political level which is not the case in England..."
No argument from this quarter. I continue to believe that the press simply loves to big UKIP up. I will not be convinced that they are a threat to anyone until they start racking up an MP count - wherever in the UK
bs
142.5
Bx4 Posted May 3, 2014
hi rg
Apologies for somewhat delayed reply.
>>This seems decided to me. There's little ambiguity here; no?<<
A belief by one side that two parties can work together to achieve a desired goal is surely not the same as both parties deciding that the goal will be met.
>>The political entity UKofGB&NI will continue. We aren't voting to dissolve it; Scotland's voting to leave. OTOH if we were all to have say - who knows?<<
If Scotland secedes then the political entity, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, formed by the 1707 Treaty of Union will no longer exist in precisely the same as the political entity, the Inited Kingom of Great Britain and Ireland, formed by the Treaty of Union of 1808 ceased to exist when Eire seceded to be replaced bt the political entity the United Kingdom of Great and Northern Ireland. I don't see how all could have a say since if the English, Welsh and Northern Irish were allowed to have a say in whether Scotland could secede the this would seem to be in conflict with a peoples' or ethnic group's right of self determination as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
>>The Real Opposition are a democracy no? The essayists rule OK? - I doubt it<<
I think you will find that the majority of those in power in the Real Opposition are Orange Book Liberal Democrats and like the Nasty Party and the Clones are advocates of economic neo-liberalism.
>>Prettier than the beaten up wreck who couldn't be elected.<<
Strange then that he is still a Member of Parliament.
>>The UK couldn't block a peg though I'm still mystified as to why the Scottish Government would want to do this? I've not read of this as a SNP plan<<
'To avoid some of the costs arising from exchange rate volatility the Scottish pound might be pegged to sterling'
(Economic Implications for the United Kingdom of Scottish Independence - House of Commons Economic Affairs Committee)
>>All for more reason for the UK to spurn Salmond's work. Yet if Scotland was to join the Euro a plan to peg to the pound would seem stranger still. If anything the peg should be to the Euro? <<
A transitional arrangement until Scotland Joins the EU.
>>They are the moral compass so far as the classification of Green taxes are concerned. A tax may be labelled 'Green' by rival politicians. That could never be authentic. <<
However, it was the 'rival politicians' who actually introduced the tax and stated (see earlier post) that the intention of the tax was to raise revenue. Since the Greens played no part in the decision to introduce the tax their 'moral compass' is, in practical terms, irrelevant.
>>In those days the UK had an empire. Today it musters 27 ships<<
The Balkans, Iraq 1, Iraq 2 and Libya albeit as a US 'poodle'.
>>You never had an internet that halved in speed in the space of a year<<
Indeed not being in an almost not spot my internet speed has progressively increased so no chance to be an heritage site.
>>Coincidentally I was talking about this today and was told of an Apple 'app' that could identify a tune simply by playing it to a phone. I don't know if it would work with vinyl.<<
From your link the various software seems designed to identify individual songs/tunes rather than albums. Might be interesting to see if it recognised tunes on some of my older vinyl, though.
>>No argument from this quarter. I continue to believe that the press simply loves to big UKIP up. I will not be convinced that they are a threat to anyone until they start racking up an MP count - wherever in the UK<<
Indeed, I was merely pointing out that the obsession with UKIP is of a concern of the English based meeja rather than that of the 'Celtic fringe'. I suppose the only effect it might have would be if UKIP support differentially eroded support for one or other of the major parties.
That being said I see that Farage has bottled out of being a candidate in the forthcoming by-election consequent on the departure of disgraced ex-Toryboy Mercer
bs
142.5
rg Posted May 4, 2014
Hi Bx4
"...A belief by one side that two parties can work together to achieve a desired goal is surely not the same as both parties deciding that the goal will be met..."
Salmond writes "We will work in partnership with the rest of the UK to share the pound" there is no ambiguity.
"...If Scotland secedes then the political entity, the United Kingdom of Great Britain, formed by the 1707 Treaty of Union will no longer exist..."
This hasn't existed for a long time. Scotland (dependant on poll result) is leaving the UKofGB&NI which continues whatever Scotland decides. As said before if we were all voting on dissolution of the said UKofGB&NI then in that case this could result.
"... I don't see how all could have a say since if the English, Welsh and Northern Irish were allowed to have a say in whether Scotland could secede..."
We don't. We won't all have the opportunity to vote on the dissolution of the UK; the only vote taking place on September 18 is in Scotland. From memory the ballot paper will say "Scotland should be an independent country" no effect to dissolution is stated nor implied.
"...majority of those in power in the Real Opposition are Orange Book Liberal Democrats..."
The Real Opposition aren't just those in power today. The Real Opposition claims to be a democracy no? I recall that at the time of the coalition I thought it an unnatural marriage and wouldn't last. Even the leader of the Evil party says he wouldn't go to bed with them again.
"...Strange then that he is still a Member of Parliament..."
1997, 2001 & 2005: Labour win GE under Blair who becomes PM.
2007: Brown stabs Blair in the back and becomes PM after a poll of Labour MPs (Miliband et al not on the ballot)
2010: Brown looses GE
The way Brown become PM was though his Labour Cabinet colleges standing aside. In the normal populist route to becoming PM Brown was a failure.
[quoting in answer to " I've not read of this as a SNP plan"] 'To avoid some of the costs arising from exchange rate volatility the Scottish pound might be pegged to sterling' (Economic Implications for the United Kingdom of Scottish Independence - House of Commons Economic Affairs Committee)'
I've still not read of 'pegging' as an SNP plan nor their reasoning.
"...A transitional arrangement until Scotland Joins the EU..."
I understand this; though still think it would make more sense to peg to the Euro if that's where Scotland believes it is going.
"...Since the Greens played no part in the decision to introduce the tax their 'moral compass' is, in practical terms, irrelevant..."
In my view it is key. Sticking a 'post-it' note on a policy labelling it 'Green' is of no value unless it is Green. If it doesn't pass muster with the Greens then is it even Green?
"...albeit as a US 'poodle'..."
(The Ukraine) I'm not clear what you want the UK to do?
"...identify individual songs/tunes rather than albums..."
Good point.
"...I see that Farage has bottled out of being a candidate in the forthcoming by-election..."
True. That day at six-o'clock in the morning (on Today) I heard Farage being accused of opportunism, by six in the evening (by which time he'd said that he wouldn't stand) the BBC were reporting the sound of Evil MPs making chicken noises (with no mention of opportunism).
It won't be long before the European parliamentary election and we'll see if UKIP peaked in 2009.
bs
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