Hamilton Saint

It's not eating at me. I'm just trying to improve the quality of debate on here by highlighting errors in reasoning, and challenging vague, "off the cuff" comments!

You don't see the distinction? You can agree with some of their opinions, without agreeing with all. You can agree with some of their opinions, without being "happy" that she has died. You can even be happy that she has died (which is NOT my view), without agreeing with any of their particular opinions. As usual, things are nuanced, not black-and-white.

You'd think so, eh? Our very right-wing Prime Minister had this to say about the death of Hugo Chavez: "at this key juncture, I hope the people of Venezuela can now build for themselves a better, brighter future based on the principles of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights." No condolences to his grieving family. Subtle, one might say, but still disrespectful and politically blind.

What a silly debating tactic. The key points of the comments on here are about Thatcher as a person, and about her political legacy. It is not about whether one is happy, or not, about her passing. Because one is extremely critical of Margaret Thatcher and her leagcy does not mean one is a fellow-traveller of Gerry Adams, George Galloway, et. al. I would have thought that was quite obvious.

Agree most with this - of all the comments so far. The most common view on here, and in the wider society (if you agree that there is such a thing as society!), is that she was a tremendous leader because she stuck to her opinions ("this lady is not for turning"). Well, a "conviction politician" is fine, if you happen to agree with his or her convictions - AND if he or she is willing to listen and compromise where it is clear that other views can be accomodated. Arrogance and stubborness, however, is ultimatley a corrosive tactic. I have worked for bosses who who are arrogant, self-centred and full of themselves. They refuse to acknowledge any other point of view, regardless of peoples' wisdom and experience. Leaders like that end up completely demoralising the organisation and severly damaging team-spirit. They hire sycophants and yes-people and scare away people of substance and principle. And then they insult and disparage those with a more reasonable approach (the "wets"). You could say that she was a polarising figure - but that would suggest that, with her, there were two philosophical positions, or two competing visions. No, for her, it was her way or nothing. In the grand scheme of things, one might consider her legacy a "corrective" to the excesses of the 70s. Perhaps. But as a person and a political strategist, she was not much to be admired - unless you enjoy being bossed about and ignored. And then there was her alliance with Ronald Reagan. What a despicable pair they made as far as world issues were concerned.

No temperature? No air pressure? No wind speed?

Dark ale is my first choice: Hobgoblin and Wells' Bombardier. Some other ales I like: Old Speckled Hen, Fuller's London Pride, Fuller's ESB, Marston's Pedigree, Caledonian 20/-.

To ask which is the worst film of all time (or the worst album) is not of much interest. There are hundreds and hundreds of films to choose from. How can you discriminate meaningfully between loads and loads of films that are total crap? Much more interesting, in my opinion, is to take a master in a particular field - David Lean, Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, for example - and ask what was their worst effort. [Likewise, for music: what is the worst Beatles LP; the worst Rolling Stones LP, etc. ] The worst of the best? Or the best of the worst? Much more intriguing!

I didn't know that - thanks for the correction! By the way, which one's pink?

"still"?

Looking at that Idle Race cover, I realise that I have a different LP. Mine is a double-LP release (1974) - a Canadian release only, I think - a compilation album called Impostors of Life's Magazine. This link shows the contents: http://www.discogs.com/Idle-RaceFeaturing-Jeff-Lynne-Impostors-Of-Lifes-Magazine/release/3445331

Phil Ramone, the American record producer and engineer (based in NYC) has died (Mar 30). A few of the many artists he has produced albums for: Burt Bacharach, The Band, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, BB King, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, James Taylor, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder. Quite the list! He was nominated for 33 Grammys; and he won 14. His first was an engineering Grammy for Getz/Giberto in the mid 60s (his early work was mostly in jazz music). He won his first production Grammy for Paul Simon's Still Crazy After all These Years (1975). The guys behind the scene often get ignored. Superior engineering and production can make a huge difference.

I have the vinyl LP of that!

Agree. Good idea, though. Thanks.

I saw Richard Thompson at Massey Hall in Toronto last week. He was opening for Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell. RT played with a drummer and bassist - power trio format. He did 10 songs (five from the new CD) - just under an hour. Excellent as always, but the PA sound was very poor. First time I'd seen Emmylou Harris. I know her best for her work with Gram Parsons on his LPs Grievous Angel and GP. She was very impressive - a good partnership with Crowell. I would call it country-folk-rock.

Interesting line-up. The Move have been unjustifiably ignored over the years. Amazing band when they had Roy Wood AND Jeff Lynne in there together. There's a mistake on that poster: Amen Corner was the name of the band - not The Amen Corner. Likewise, it's Pink Floyd, not The Pink Floyd! But it was The Nice!

No, physical assault is not justified for that.

That's the spirit!

And then there's Donna Summer!

Why would you be reading in a pub? I'd rather be drinking!

Been listening to The Next Day - David Bowie's new CD - for the last couple of weeks. It's very good!

I was watching film of Jerry Lee Lewis just last night. There was always something very scary about him on stage. No wonder they called him The Killer! And then there was Little Richard - always something deranged and kinky about him on stage!

That's a coda! Or do you mean the opening guitar riff?

AC? DC? Or a bit of both?

Easier to pay directly from a chequing account - and no risk of paying interest on the purchase, if you neglect to pay off the credit card balance on time.