revolution saint

Could someone explain exactly what it is? Seems like we're about to enshrine in law that members of the armed forces and their families should receive fair and decent treatment - isn't that what everyone is entitled to anyway? Not knocking the armed forces at all but this seems to be some kind of publicity stunt without any substance.

TBF I don't think they've been given a chance and so we can't really judge them. The OP is needlessly picking on them IMO

This goes down as one of those books that I just didn't get on with - I wanted to like it but the style of it made it unreadable for me.

I've just finished it and I pretty much agree with you - it just doesn't ring true in it's depiction of how society would react in the face of imminent death. It's full of stoical repression and a decency that seems unrealistic; almost an idealised apocalypse with manners. When you think that it was published 6 years after Dylan Thomas "Do not go gently into that good night" which was full of rage against death and On the Beach is more "Keep calm and carry on". That said I'm glad I read it - not a bad book by any means but, as you say, unconvincing.

I'd agree with the OP but then in an ideal world I think we all would. My hope is that we have already identified the players we want and are now just waiting for the season to be over so that we can "take care of business". To be fair last season we did get Dickson, Richardson and Butterfield in fairly early so the only players signed late were the loan players. If we follow that pattern again then anyone we plan to bring in on a free should get signed up relatively quickly.

Does anyone know if there is anything else besides the game going on? Stupid question I know but aiming to take the niece and nephew for their first ever game and while I hope they don't get bored I can't guarantee it. Can't believe I'm saying this but face painting down in the concourse would be nice....

Trump has been a total breath of fresh air - looks as if we've found the next in the line of Higgins, White and O'Sullivan. I hope he wins but I've a feeling over the long distance that Higgins will end up on top.

This is exactly why I like threads like this - I'll confess I would probably disagree with almost every other opinion you hold but at least we've shown we can think about issues and debate them. I'm not sure the old tags of "left" and "right" really apply anymore - certainly doesn't seem to be much "left" anymore but that's a debate for another time...

Personally I don't believe we actually need a replacement for a monarchy (ie a president) as many defenders of the Royal Family have suggested they don't actually use their powers so if we replaced them with nothing then it wouldn't really make much difference would it? However if we did go down the presidential route then it would have two redeeming features - we could vote them in and we could get rid of them.

Peter Reid never managed us but did pretty well in his six or so games with us IIRC.

I was 4 at the time so I have about as many memories of the day as you. I don't get sick of people talking about it though. Funnily enough I only watched the whole match a few years ago and was surprised - my perception was that it had been a smash and grab robbery with Saints getting a goal against the run of play and generally being defensive but that wasn't the case. We played well that game and matched Man United and even though it's too long ago for me, I still feel that joy when Bobby slides the ball home. So, no, I don't struggle to give a toss - I just wish I was old enough to have either appreciated it at the time or been there.

Tom Paine is a huge hero of mine. You have to give credit to anyone who helps incite two revolutions.....although he was rubbish at building bridges.

Absolutely agree with this. Personally I didn't notice any "coming together of the nation", it was just a good excuse to have a day off and next year's golden jubilee day off will be the same.

Or a woman if there is a direct male heir....

Ironic you should bring up independence day as an expression of patriotism....

Money isn't the issue for me so I'm not getting in to that - it's about whether it's fair and right for our head of state to be unaccountable, unelected, undemocratic and there by birth alone. It's an outdated and absurd institution and the fact it's been around for centuries doesn't give it any legitimacy.

It's possible to be patriotic without a monarchy isn't it? I'm sure every republican country will be rushing up to find themselves a monarchy now though.....yes, of course, you're right.

Of course I'm using that as an argument - it's perfectly sensible. There are no prime ministers or MPs preordained at birth. Whilst some people have advantages there is no guarantee of a position of power. The other thing of course is that elected politicians are accountable and if they screw up then we can get rid of them.

I'm oft amused by Monarchists confusing Republicans with being left wing - it's possible to be right wing and republican too. Anyway the only reason money ever gets brought into the argument is because it seems to be the only Monarchist defence against abolition; they bring in money. The whole basis of the Monarchy though is divine right to rule and that's pretty indefensible and stupid isn't it? That's why money is used as an argument - because Monarchists don't want to talk about the fact that this great institution is built upon an absurdity.

Relying on the bewildered herd to come up with a decent argument then Sergie? In any case I believe in democracy but I don't always like it's results - I never said anything to the contrary.

I never said public opinion was the decider in what was right and wrong - reason is. Since you agree with me, or unable to form an argument against me I have to assume I win again.

And you've lost your argument game, set and match

F*ck! If we've all agreed that divine right is wrong but that they've never used those powers and then found out that they have......wow.

Cool, so you agree that hereditary power is wrong, nice one. Welcome to the revolution brother.

Didn't answer the question, try again