revolution saint

Don't suppose you could stop calling people who want stay in the EU as Remainians? Wasn't really funny the first time and, well, it's a bit school playground isn't it? Detracts from your argument if anything. Ta.

Think you're putting too much store in that quiz - does Trump actually have any policies besides building a big f**k off wall and getting Mexico to pay for it? Sorry, forgot - he wants to ban Muslims and keep Gitmo open for business. Besides that it's all slogans. Not surprising then that he doesn't poll right at the bottom of the list for most people as first he needs to have policies to disagree with. As for why he gets so much publicity? That's obvious - he's good for the media. You'd struggle to much click bait about any of the other politicians because they're all fairly dull but with Trump he'll virtually write the article for you. He was a celebrity anyway and now he's front-runner so hardly surprising he's going to get more coverage. Once you add in the fact that he's totally barking mad then it's no wonder this has become the Trump show. You're obviously right that not many people 'love' the other candidates but why should they? Clinton is offering a pragmatic and (for the US) left-of-centre manifesto - it's hard to get worked up over those kind of 'more of the same' policies although hopefully she'll get in. They're sensible but dull - precisely what the US needs (IMO). Course it doesn't play well against a background of angry chants of "this country needs fixing' but personally I don't think anyone should even be competing on that level. The rest of the candidates are also struggling for the same reasons but even JFK would. Although to be fair if he was resurrected then that would be a hell of a publicity stunt so maybe not.......

Just finished 'American Rust' by Philip Meyer and liked it a lot. It's based around two 21yr olds in Pennsylvania, in a town called Buell that's dying because the local steel mill has closed so there are no jobs, no opportunities and no hope. Essentially we're talking about the flipside of the 'American Dream'. Without giving too much away something happens that sets off a chain of events which becomes almost painful to read - most of the decisions made are with the best intentions but are going down a road that you know won't end well. If you like misery in your books then this has it in spades and positively drips with it. The characterisations of the novel are good and that's really the point of the book - there's not a whole lot of fast paced action going on. The book has been compared to 'Grapes of Wrath' and that's a fair one; it's not quite as good but then it would have to be a terrific book to do that. Chances are though that if you like 'Grapes' then you'll like this one.

Saw 'The Force Awakens' yesterday at Harbour Lights and enjoyed it. It is very similar to 'A New Hope' but that's not such a bad thing and was different enough to merit the praise it has received. Overall I liked the fact that it didn't drown in CGI and end up looking like a computer game, and I especially liked that it didn't disappear up its own arse with a complicated back-story and become too interested in its own mythology. Neither is it too moody and mysterious. Compare it to what Dr Who has become now and it's a breath of fresh air - a lot could have gone wrong with this film but they've done a good job (I think). Only downside for me was the Kylo Ren character who I thought was pretty poor. Nowhere near scary enough - I'd rather they'd got some old actor capable of hamming it up to do the job (I know it wouldn't work with the plot but would have made a better baddie). The rest of the new characters were decent, the action and special effects were all good and it was great seeing some brilliant tie fighter and x-wing aerial duels again. Ultimately a very good kids film that'll work well with adults. A million times better than the prequels anyway.

Yes, go for the u**** version - well worth it. I've read everything by Stephen King except the dark tower series and have enjoyed all of his books. Personally I would add Christine and IT into the recommended list but they're all good. Enjoy them!

The democratic process isn't really for me anymore so I think I'll just sell my vote to whoever is the most desperate. It's up for grabs lads - make me an offer.

There's a shop in Rumbridge Street, Totton that could help you - they do a fairly wide range and would fit it as well. I didn't think they were that cheap though and specifically wanted an outset fire so ordered mine on the net and got someone local to install it.

Just finished 'Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter' by Tom Franklin and it was excellent. It's won crime novel of the year and had lots of critical praise. It's set in backwater Mississippi flitting between the early 1980's and current day. There's a couple of murders, racism and lots of secrets in a deadbeat and dying small town. Won't give any more away but well worth a read. Starts off a little slow but worth persevering with - definitely one of my favourite novels this year and I'd be surprised if it's not made into a film.

Won't be doing too much different - probably a BBQ with some Tory chums although they don't taste as nice as they used to. Bit bland really. Thanks for asking though.

At least it would give legitimacy, and, of course, it wouldn't be a monarchy anymore but an elected head of state. So provided there were regular elections to re-affirm that mandate then I wouldn't have a problem - it's what republicans are asking for. Personally I see no need for a head of state apart from the prime minister but I wouldn't argue with an elected one who is accountable, not above the law and can be removed by common consensus.

So briefly looking through this thread it seems like people like Mrs Windsor because she hasn't screwed anything up (this constitutes being a "good" monarch), even though they then say she hasn't actually any power to screw things up anyway. Seems like she can't lose then eh? Then perversely people don't want Charlie Windsor to become King because they don't like him and may abuse his apparently non-existent powers? Well that's the whole point of the system innit - you don't get to choose. It's Charlie's right to be monarch and you're just subjects. Your opinion doesn't count and doesn't matter.

The idea of birthright being the only thing you need to be head of state is barmy. I can't see anyone coming up with a decent argument for it because it's indefensible. Forget the money, forget what you'd replace it with - these are just hiding places for Monarchists. Personally I'd replace them with absolutely nothing - no need for them.

Jeremy does appear quite popular doesn't he? Especially for someone so unelectable. All this attracting people to join the party, playing to packed out houses and stuff like that - well, it's just plain silly. No one wins elections by being popular.....

I like Jeremy Corbyn and hope he wins - there's not much I've found to disagree with him over. I also think he stands a decent chance of attracting the majority of the non-tory vote, and certainly working with the non-tory MPs (except that UKIP one) so I don't think it would be electoral suicide to have him as leader although that would be a risk. Crucially though I don't see the other candidates as having any better prospects and if they do win then the malaise within the party will continue - you'd certainly see a large proportion of activists apathetic and unenthusiastic. Least with Corbyn it would be reinvigorated and more united. I also think that Corbyn is the best chance of giving Cameron a hard time and being an effective opposition leader - as a debater rather than image he's been quite effective so far. Worst comes to the worst then Corbyn would probably be replaced as leader before the next election anyway - it's a long way off and by that time maybe somebody better will have come along. Gamble worth taking and in the meantime at least we're talking policies that it seems a lot of people who joined the Labour Party actually agree with. There's also the possibility that the whole political argument could swing back a bit to the left - I'm fed up with everyone trying to appear as extreme as UKIP or tory right-wingers. Course it's all a matter of opinion. Each to their own and all that.

Virgil Hilts, the 'Cooler King', is the best Virgil ever.

To be honest you don't even need to try too hard to get SKY to reduce your subscription. Just phone them up and tell them you want to cancel. I did it three or four months ago and took the first offer they gave me which was a 50% reduction for 12 months. I've read other people have got even more. I guess your package is probably the same as mine as well. I did switch my broadband from them though and switched to BT - got the 37MB package for a tenner a month for 12 months. I'm sure I could get a cheaper TV and broadband package but I'm quite happy with what I've got at the moment.

Hack attack is pretty good. It's an account of the phone hacking scandal written by a guardian journalist. Quite an interesting piece of investigative journalism if you like that kind of thing.

Without wanting to divert the thread away from the main point this annoys me as well. The bloke who sits next to me in our office does it all the time - I'd like to kill him. The new facilities look good and thanks for writing the tour up.

Haven't really looked into this so I'm speaking from a position of relative ignorance but it looks fair on face value. I seem to recall the CBI and their ilk predicting small business closures and unemployment rises when the minimum wage was introduced and that didn't happen. At a time when wages have been hit hard and aren't increasing despite economic growth I'd say anything like this should be welcomed.

World Health Organisation? They should stick to worrying about ebola and stuff.

Typical "filler" type article. I used to think he was fairly good as a journalist but if this is what he's being asked to produce then he's fallen some way - it's the kind of article you ask the YTS kid to do in order to postpone that inevitable moment when he realises his lack of flair and imagination will form the backbone of a dull, unremarkable and pointless career. Indeed the last few times Jim White has appeared on TV he's looked more inclined to scan the floor in search of dog ends than capable of writing anything of note. Interestingly I'd make him 3rd worst journalist in my list of people I couldn't care less about.

Jeremy Clarkson may or may not be an intentional / unintentional racist but he's still a tw*t though, right?

Well, was as rubbish as I expected it to be. I deliberately engineered my answers towards a desired outcome and got it so these things really aren't that hard to manipulate at all. In the course of my research on these types of things I did come across the Forer Effect which was both interesting and relevant.

Currency union with an independent Scotland just wouldn't work, and wouldn't be in the interests of rUK. Why would we choose to saddle ourselves with a country over which we had no control? More importantly the markets would react badly and both economies would suffer because of the uncertainty and risk. There's simply no benefit for rUK in a currency union and trying to establish a working framework for it would be a nightmare. There will be some areas where working with Scotland would be mutually beneficial - there would be no point in imposing trade tariffs whilst they were waiting for EU membership. The same with work permits and many other things but a currency union isn't one of those things.

To be fair we elect politicians to represent us and politicians wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't secure the best deal for rUK - in a lot of cases that would mean hammering Scotland not out of spite but out of self-interest. Scotland and the SNP don't seem to have any problems trying to get the best deal for themselves and there's no reason rUK should feel guilty about doing the same. I'd agree it'll go down with the electorate pretty well but there's still legitimate reasons for making deals at the detriment to Scotland besides just popularity.