trousers

President's family costs US 20 times what royal family costs UK U.K. newspapers are having a little chuckle about a new book reporting that Obama's family cost U.S. taxpayers $1.4 billion last year alone, whereas the royal family cost the U.K. a measly $57.8 million – more than 20 times less than the First Family. Obama's expenditures include the salaries of his staff and Secret Service, as well as the maintenance of Air Force One, which he's required to take (and has been using increasingly in this election year). The comparison is being emphasized to advertise "non-partisan" author Robert Gray's book "Presidential Perks Gone Royal." Still, before you get too hot under the collar, if you estimate the current number of taxpayers in the U.S. at around 216 million, that's roughly $6.48 per taxpayer. [Source] http://now.msn.com/president-obamas-family-costs-the-us-20-times-what-royal-family-costs-the-uk

Indeed....ergo it's premature to declare they've "got away with it" (or indeed visa versa) at this stage...

You'll only see that if they get to the accounts publishing date before they reach the next 'sweep the previous finances under the rug' administration event....

They're filming a remake of this 1961 classic....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19809717 Looks like a bit of a shambles to me. Perhaps the government should privatise the bidding process...?

[video=youtube_share;1BKiNwz0EU0]

Indeed....Nick is suggesting that a prosecuted burgler who gets community service has "got away with" the crime over a burgler who gets 5 years in prison. Ok, so one punishment is tougher than the other but you couldn't legitimately say that either burgler "got away with it". They were both caught and both punished. I guess in Nick's view of life the only way either burgler wouldn't have "got away with it" is if they were executed

At the moment, if you look at things out of context, yep, there is an element of that this season - i.e. they are fielding players that others in the same league can't afford. But, looking at the bigger picture, they are not in a desireable position whatever the outcome. As many of us have suggested previously, the "not getting away with it" scenario (i.e. liquidation) would actually be better for them longer term. As such, the "getting away with it" scenario offers much more false hope (for them) and entertainment (for us) going forward. In summary, my vote goes for them "getting away with it" every time...

Yep, that too. Any other legacies of 13 years of Labour government we can think of?

Current job - proffesional (sic) Internet spaz board user and criminal psychologist Desired job - Chris de Burgh's fluffer

I suppose I'd better take the honour on this one... Can he play left back?

The trouble is that it's quite often a public service department holding the private companies to account...all of which adds up to one vicious circle because (in my experience) the public sector aren't very good at controlling and monitoring their private sector suppliers...catch 22! It's all very well blaming the private sector companies for not delivering a good service but the root cause of this often lies at the door of those that commissioned them in the first place...

The first game that Markus attended at St Mary's - the pre-season friendly vs Ajax - when he was introduced to the crowd. The Saints video montage they played while he looked on was both goosebump and lump in throat inducing. My son also caught one of the 'Welcome Markus' t-shirts that the team wore coming onto the pitch which they then took off and threw into the crowd. The realisation of what we'd been through and what the future might hold suddenly hit me right there and then.

Why would we be after a 4th (5th including Cody) goalkeeper? Unless KD is about to announce his retirement? Odd one.

Has there been any precidences (spelling?) for investigating alleged crimes posthumously? High profile cases in particular? None spring to mind but I'm guessing there must be some examples (probably war crimes being an obvious example?) Reason for pondering this is if Savile was to be investigated posthumously then does this open the floodgates for investigating other historical allegations and, if it does, how far back in time do you go? Just thinking out loud (for a change)

http://m.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/gyepes-winner-sees-pompey-triumph-again-1-4325814

@ExpressFM: #Pompey Supporters Trust Chairman Ashley Brown talking to Express FM after Yeovil match http://t.co/rbcNjxjw via @audioboo @ExpressFM: Proposed #Pompey Supporters Trust club chairman Iain McInnes talking to Express FM after Yeovil match http://t.co/UxXgBk5K via @audioboo

@pn_neil_allen: What a 'super' win for #Pompey. Witnessed by staggering 1,297 travelling fans among Huish Park crowd of 4,769.

@officialpompey: GOAL!!! Yeovil 1 #Pompey 2 (Gyepes 78) No Hungarian internationals in Yeovil's side I take it...?

The abject team equalises... @solentsport: GOAL - Yeovil 1 (Reuben Reid Pen 69) #Pompey 1

Pompey can do what they like.

Indeed. If only plucky Yeovil had had the presence of mind to sign a premier league standard player this week....trouble is they all want to play for League One giants Pompey for next to nothing.... #andmymumisbobbydavro

I've just spoken to granny in the spirit world and she says:

http://www.bne.eu/story4048/Antonov_threatens_to_sue_Lithuania_for_lost_assets There's a tatty old football ground down the road they could seize to claw some of it back...