pap

Excellent points, dinger and wurzel. The loss of the local pub, either through over-taxation, over-corporatisation and/or the smoking ban has been one of the biggest pieces of cultural vandalism this country has ever seen. I'd echo your points about the mixed age groups once providing a positive influence. Not so sure now. The problem with widespread closures is that the hard core drinkers all tend to concentrate in the few locals that remain, changing what a local is and deterring more people from going.

That is just a gateway to a European Super League, imo. Far too many clubs have outgrown their countries. Celtic and Rangers to name two. Real and Barca or ally miles ahead of most others in Spain. With independence on the agenda in places like Scotland and Catalonia, a super league is going to be very attractive for a lot of big teams in small countries. Baby steps right here.

Oh bless you Barry. You're adorable! Moan about people taking things too seriously; then take things seriously. You call me precious, and then talk about accusation without merit! What's next? Hunger strike? Dirty protest? Free the Cressington One!

The other factor to consider is the black market. Counterfeit alcohol poses a health risk with prices set as they are. I'd expect to see more of that once this legislation comes in. More unlicensed distilleries too.

See, that is incredibly dune-like.

I may well do soon. I don't go out nearly as much as I used to. But yesterday was not that day!

Link please.

Barry Sanchez - the bletch has spoken. For now, I retract my accusations and additionally, you are welcome to use my recycling bin if your binman gives you any jip about green bottles, etc. As saintbletch says, this is a conditional status which may be called into question if you exhibit any more dune-like behaviour ( for reference, please check SaintsWeb 2006-2012 archives ). I think you'll find we run a fair board; but at the same time - we must be ever vigilant.

Nope, I'm saying that I see you and others engage in a lot of political debate. I've already said that minimum price alcohol probably isn't the political touchstone to campaign on. But then, we've had other issues you care about a lot go in one ear of Parliament and out the other. The Conservative Party as constituted is finished. The only thing that'll get Cameron into office in 2015 is keeping Scotland in the Union. Whatever, the next time the Tories have to gain power, they would be mental to stack the front bench with toffs. That only leaves people like you as remotely electable. I am a member of a political party; I've only joined recently and I haven't really done any campaigning; mostly on account of a pretty busy sales pipeline with the business. I have been to a couple of meetings though, and the sort of conviction you find at the grass roots seems a lot more genuine than the soundbites generated by the media machines that run the respective parties.

Of course, the real solution to any substance abuse problem generally lies in making life less sh!t. Though TSW fails to agree on much, I think there will be some consensus for the following statement; pretty much any recreational chemical we whack into our bodies is a form of escapism.

They say people get the Government they deserve, I suppose.

Chaps; no specific disrespect intended to trousers and hypo but isn't it the case that close to two entire generations have abrogated any sense of political responsibility? If you're Conservative supporters, go join the Conservative party. Become part of that movement; add your voice to the mix. I know that minimum price drinking isn't necessarily the political touchstone to use as a jumping on point, but still Political commentary without activism is a bit like commentary at football matches. It adds to the understanding but is negligible in the outcome.

I'm not much of a drinker, so this won't affect me massively. Even when I do drink, it ain't White Lightning.

So. After having a night to think about it, are we still resolved to hanging Barry? The one thing you can say about capital punishment is that you get a result.

I watched a load of season one and lapsed for some reason. What I saw was quality though; definitely on my to-watch list. On a completely different note, I took a look at Arrow tonight. I have to admit - it didn't really interest me. A CW show based on a DC character? After watching Smallville take ten years to accomplish what Superman: The Movie did within 90 minutes, was fully prepared to abandon it immediately if it wasn't much cop. Just through the pilot episode, and am impressed enough to continue. Forget doey eyed teenagers and twenty-somethings staring at each without ever getting it on, this is more kinetic revenge fantasy. You see Arrow doing his thing in the very first episode; they weave the origin story in through flashback. So far, so good. Not the Wire obviously, but certainly well above expectations.

What else floats in water?

I'm going to defer to bletch's ruling on this one.

I'm leaning away from the short-lived Barry Sanchez = dune conundrum, but consider dune's position after his last outing in his snack-monikered form. You boys were such effective investigators that you sniffed him out immediately. Cheese on Toast was toast, as one poster so succinctly put. Now this isn't the Matrix. If you get banned for too many infractions, you don't die in the real world. It just doesn't work like that, which means that dune is still out there. Now, I am impressed with Barry's local knowledge. That really pushes the lever in the "not dune" direction. That said, I know that at some point; dune will want back into the forum and if he's smart, he'll change tack to avoid the keen scent of the Muppet Show sniffer dogs. What better disguise than a cosmopolitan Sotonian married to a scouser living in Liverpool? It's the perfect disguise.

Very nice use of cultural references. However, thou doth protest too much I reckon. Why is it so important for you to convince me of your relative proximity? bletch - is the tape still running? Do we have enough yet? What do you reckon? The Mystery is a local term; not really on any maps.

Also; how does a scouser-marrying Kiwi end up supporting the Saints?

Barry, all I can say is that flags have been raised. You may well be legit; you may be dune. And please, you can find anything out on the Internet; including which areas are dodgy. I will keep an open mind for now, but I think it's premature to discount you as dune at this stage. As a new poster to this site, you may not quite how much time our dearly departed dune devoted to winding people up. It was really quite endearing in a way; this is not beyond him

I have my doubts; he seems to know a lot about Liverpool, but nothing that isn't easily Google'd or picked up from a scouser you might know. As for dune's principles getting in the way of a potential "enter under the cover of living in Liverpool" plan; totally within his capabilities. As I said before; he'd almost adopt any position if it suited his purposes.

I don't really know if this covers it; wasn't one of the hallmarks of dune's tenure here the ability to completely change its mind, political beliefs and convictions, especially if it led to more opportunities for argument? What happens if Bazza pulls out an EDL leaflet instead? Will Tokes have the appropriate level of operational autonomy to cope if sh!t goes south?

Sorry Bazza. Not going out of my way,mate; you could still be dune trying to get me to travel needlessly for perverse kicks. FWIW, I hope you're not dune.

Sheil Park Tavern. I'm off to Kenny in a bit anyway, so I'll be there regardless.