Whitey Grandad

Our boys took a hell of a beating.

I think you'll find that the awful performance will linger in the memories longer than that 'goal'. We were crap in all four games and we only scored three goals. We got what we deserved.

David James is perhaps the only one. Ashley Cole was miles off the pace and the Germans just ran straight through our defence.

I wish they would all shut up about goal-line tecnology. It wasn't given, deal with it, move on. Lampard should have aimed for the goal and not the crossbar. We are crap and no amount of technology will change that.

There's certainly something missing. Whether it's the ball, the weather, the organization I don't know.

We're still paying billions for Gordon Brown, an MP's salary is the least of our worries.

Talking of town halls: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1289702/Public-sector-inertia-council-office-employees-month-sickies.html It's in the Daily Mail so make of it what you will.

Usually attributed to Sam Goldwyn. http://www.rinkworks.com/said/samuelgoldwyn.shtml

Wash your mind out with soap and water!

What subject? Bath is good for communications.

Does that mean we could be top of the table before anybody else?

Out of interest, why do you ask DBP? Is it on behalf of a friend, or do you have something in mind? Perhaps you are thinking about a career in politics?

Mercedes are worse. I've had no problems with my BMWs with two cars and over 300,000 miles, but I do have them regularly looked at. There are a couple of good independents down near Totton. Remember that I was brought up on cars with Joe Lucas electrics so anything half-decent is an improvement.

Was that 'bought' or 'brought'? It would be illegal to transport sheep this way.

As a married man it is my duty to say... Don't! However, we have been married for very nearly 40 years and I would not have had it any other way. I signed up for the duration and we have two children and six grandchilden who make it all worthwhile. Our best wishes go to both of you. Have a great day and a wonderful life together. Just remember those three little words... ...any of these will do. Of course dear. I was wrong. You were right. You've lost weight. ...

'We have no plans to...' is not the same as 'we shall not'. It is a classic line, like 'I have no recollection'. We all knew that taxes would have to rise and VAT was the obvious target. There are plenty of manifesto promises that weren't kept, but I don't see raising VAT as breaking any of them.

Raising VAT was a cast-iron certainty whoever got elected. I ams surprised that anybody should be surprised.

They've got previous. Do they get time added on for that?

As a comparison, what does the Mayflower receive in subsidies? This money would be better spent in the regions. Too much of this country is dominated by London.

So, who do you want in the final?

Did you have money on that?

And there you have the problem.

Not quilty. Guilty. Not guilty. HTH

There was also the business about VAT on fish & chips. If you stayed in the shop and ate them you were supposed to pay VAT. I have no idea what the situation is now, and I've got a lot to do before the footie.

Lesson 1: Life's not fair. The richest might only pay 5% on Vat but that 5% is a much higher value so they make a greater contribution to society's costs and make less demands on its services. And what's fair about one person paying over 60% of their earnings in tax and somebody else paying nothing?