pap

Always a hot-topic on SaintsWeb, and in the wider world. Tomorrow marks seven years since the accession of Romania and Bulgaria into the European Union. After seven years, barring exceptional labour market conditions (a lever some 80 Conservatives wanted Cameron to pull last week), an EU citizen can live or work wherever he or she chooses. This means that in the coming weeks and months, we can expect many economic migrants looking to benefit from the huge disparities in our economy. I don't think this is an issue that splits left or right anymore. Speaking as partial second generation immigration stock and someone who traditionally leans left, I have some concerns about the breadth of this political union. Romanians and Bulgarians will come here because they can earn six times what they'd earn back home. Forget the notion of national states for a moment and lets just look at the EU as a de facto country. How many other nations have regional variations where one can do the same job in one area and earn six times more in another? If, in some bizarro version of the UK, it was possible to get 6x more in Skegness than anywhere else, Skeggy would get one hell of a population bump. That's really what's going on here. We're trying to treat a series of very diverse economies as if they all belong to the same country. The Daily Mail, predictably, is running a story today indicating that all flights and buses from Romania and Bulgaria are booked up until the 9th Jan at least. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531440/Sold-Flights-buses-Romanians-Bulgarians-head-UK.html Nowt against Romanians or Bulgarians, but this may be the straw that breaks the camel's back, both in the UK's ability to cope and the general attitudes of the public. I suppose the only question is whether the EU is the sort of subject SaintsWeb likes to discuss

I must say Barry, when I choose a biographer to represent my story, you'll be fairly far down my list. I don't know any people from the places you've just mentioned, nor have I said I have. Just said that someone was shot in a pub very close to my house and it led to other killings. Completely true. You keep making it up, I'll keep nonchalantly dismissing whatever tired fiction you've just Googled.

Do you not think there is a chance that with stuff like Sherlock, arguably a more critically respected show, is pulling Moffat's attentions in too many directions?

That's actually an impressive post from you in terms of breaking the brevity barrier. That aside, the rest is a worst-case scenario dreamt up in your special little mind. You even had to rip off my multiple choice device to make a comeback. Frankly, I'm a little disappointed with the repetition, which could have been used for descriptive detail. Your Tolkien inspired tropes were much more fruitful. Just an opinion. Constructive criticism and all that, but this is mostly a rant, and I should know. I don't have to scream to be noticed. I've got winnets like you clinging to my posts like turds, and in your case, shouting my name repeatedly. I hope you're not expecting a cheque for the advertising.

Yeah, I can see how you might think that way, primarily because you're not really thinking. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to you, but to help you in the learning process, let's try a bit of role play. Hypothetically, you know people who have made, or are making their living through crime of some sort. Do you:- a) mention the specifics of such on a public internet forum to placate a vacant moron called Barry Sanchez. b) keep calm, and sit and laugh at the vacant moron called Barry Sanchez Tonight, I have chosen b).

Just another example in the chasm in funding between science and dairy projects. It's a shame.

That's very creative Barry. Please continue to post nonsense at a rate where you'll be tired by 9pm. Appreciate it.

Anything else? Let it all out, nipper.

All I'll say is that the relevant people already know what I'm talking about. Keep cracking lads. I know you think you're on a winner here, but you look more idiotic with each post.

Sorry to disappoint, dear boy. Not a gangster. Just know some people that do crime for a living.

I'm in West Derby, just about. Other side of Muirhead is Norris Green. Croxteth is about 1.2 miles to the North East.

On reflection, this is exemplary work. I particularly appreciate the update on the moon situation. I take it there has been no resolution on the cheese composition question? The sheep I've dealt with so far have been unattractive specimens, so I retract my previous concerns in light of your unyielding search for woolly quality. It remains a worthy aim.

I read today that Alain Soral founded an organisation called Egalité et Réconciliation, which apparently has the broad aim of fusing left wing labour practices with right-wing morality. Was a Communist and now flirts with the far-right. This is all fair game in French politics, apparently. Looks like the Weimar Republic compared to our setup.

I've probably told this story before, and at least one other person on here will know who I mean. Mate of mine lived in a shared house where one of the previous tenants, something of a rogue, had relocated to a rent-free establishment operated on behalf of Her Majesty. Clearly, a lot of his booty calls hadn't got the message, and kept turning up asking for the nipper under lock and key. My mate charmed them on the doorstep and slept with about 80% of them within a couple of hours. His secret? Almost no standards whatsoever. Morbidly overweight? Come in love. Only ten teeth in your head? Fancy a coffee? To this day, he has no shame about this period of his life at all.

The Mushroom Kingdom. I know it well.

Wotcha, ottery. I'd wish you a happy new year yourself, but frankly, I'm appalled at the lack of progress you've made on the rustling front. When you were made capo for the Devon area, I made my decision on the understanding that there would be sheep, and plenty of them. Three is a shocking return for my investment, and between me and you, our man in Shropshire is f**king leathering you on the sheep acquisition front. I've got people all over the country actually working, mate. The boys in Worthing turned over three tea shops last week, in addition to four sheep. In fact, the only person delivering less sheep than you is our man in Merthyr, who intermittently has sheep, but inexplicably ruins all the stock. This has never been explained to my satisfaction. Gotta ask. What the f**k have you been doing?

Perfect in terms of it not being detected by the OB, defo. I expect he has to take a few extra precautions when out and about though.

Interesting character. Old school; would have a lot in common with Vito Corleone on the issue of drugs. Not a fan, apparently. I live very close to a pub called The Oaks, renamed after the leader of the Crocky Crew was shot there. It was his death, and the escalation that followed, that led to the death of Rhys Jones. It's on one of those Ross Kemp gang's shows. I think you can actually see my gaff in the background. The only other thing that has been "close" was this murder (the one involving Terry Regan). http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/aigburth-pub-murder-victim-bahman-3350745 I know his missus (and all her sisters), although ms pap knows them more. I feel sorriest for the kid, really. Non-taxpayers know that if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. Kids don't really have a say in what their parents get up to.

I'm glad you're amused, gentlemen. Only really funny when quoted out of context though, eh? Or if you're me

Interesting question. As I said in the opening post, I've never even heard of it before, which suggests that it isn't an enduring symbol of anti-semitism. Reverse Nazi salute. What's that all about?

I've been reading this thread with some interest. I know some people in Southampton that like to think they're a bit of a wrong'un. There's a lot of fascination with Curtis Warren, both here and further afield. Personally, I've not really had too much involvement with the underworld up here. I know a few people, but it really is only a few. I know loads more Southampton nippers with (ahem) more varied careers.

Ah, all this sh!t was done much more amusingly in the Family Guy Star Wars episode. Besides, Darth and his boys at least tried to stop the Rebel scum.

Despite netting two goals this weekend, the main story that emerged around Nicolas Anelka was his use of the quenelle, a gesture that some have claimed is anti-semitic. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/29/nicolas-anelka-10-match-ban-quenelle-gesture Anelka is unrepentant, refusing to apologise for the gesture, insisting it was a both an anti-establishment gesture and a dedication to his friend Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, the French Cameroon comic responsible for coining the term's new meaning. Depending on which newspaper reports you read, it's either anti-establishment, anti-semitic, anti-Zionist or all of the above. Anelka could face a five match ban. Prior to this weekend, I'd never heard of it at all ( although I understand Sakho and Nasri have made the same gesture ), but apparently it has been a viral thing in France for some time. What are our thoughts on Anelka and the quenelle? Particularly interested in the opinions of those actually in France, who'll perhaps better understand the context.

This one looks familiar:- You're all f*cking mental. Probably Aspergers or something Arf.

You make some fair points with respect to the problems on PSN. A horrendous episode for company and customer. I'll add to that. Their attitude toward the consumer was extremely arrogant. Those things are easy enough to turn around. Sony would be mental if they hadn't learned from their PSN debacle. I hope for your sake that Xbox One gets a better proportion of full HD games, but right now, it doesn't cut the mustard.