benjii

Saints website perhaps? Just a wild stab in the dark.

Well that is a question of political "science" or political movement, Realpolitik, if you will. But the substantive point I made is quite true. Getting spongers off the sponge is as valid in a downturn as it is in an upturn. Now, you may call a focus on that issue to be maneouvering or whetever but as far as the two major parties are concerned there is no debate to be had about capitalism at large. No one, apart from some raving loonies, accepts that there is a debate to be had on this point in the Western World. As far as the Western World is concerned, there is no battle of ideas any more. It's over. Capitalism won. Well done for summing up a complex problem with the extremely illuminating and pithy, "greed and arrogance" as well, by the way. Clearly greed and arrogance could never flourish in Cuba or Russia and is only the preserve of uber-capitalist bankers. No?

I like Tesco. Sainsbury's carrier bags are rubbish - you have to double bag everything. Asda is full of fat mothers and their brats. If I had some good local shops selling lovely "The Good Life" produce on my doorstep I would use them. But I don't and I care more about my own personal convenience than a farmer in a far off land.

I commend your stance in support of academic elitism.

Same here, but that's because I know the rate of interest is determined by reference to inflation such that in theory the "cost" of the loan is £0. If that was not the case and the loan provider started getting all commercial on my ass, I would be most displeased!

Indeed. This is why I have not gone to work this week. I could haul myself in, breaking out in the sweats, dribbling from my nostrils and red in the face. I could then sit there for 8 or 9 hours and probably manage the equivalent of about 3 hours' slightly sub-standard work. I could repeat this all week until everyone in my vicinity has been exposed to my putrid filth and those with families/children can export it back to their houses, and so it goes on... OR I could realise that people do get ill from time to time and that when you work with mature adults they will understand that in those situations it is better for everyone if you take some time to chill-out and recover before you come in.

Good question!

My considered opinion on union bosses - and this is based on their public pronouncements and activities, not on any political or social dogmas - is that they are mostly morons.

Does anyone know when the draw for the Area quarter final takes place?

It's a separate issue though. I disapprove of state-spongers whether we are in a recession or a period of prosperity. Nothing to do with the merits or otherwise of global financial institutions or capitalism.

How utterly irresponsible.

Yes, I imagine that is quite annoying. As an interesting aside... did you all know that if you get ill whilst you are off work on holiday then this can be regarded as sickness absence and your holiday entitlement should not be dimished? In other words you can call in sick whilst on holiday. 'Tis the law.

What was his first name?

Would love to go to a match there. That reminds me.... need to line up a European match for this season!

I know this is a serious subject but: Lyons lived with her bus driver husband Davy and six of her children, aged three to 14, in a run-down four-bedroom council house in the Fratton area of Portsmouth. Yesterday the front garden was strewn with rubbish, abandoned children's toys, black rubbish sacks and overturned flower pots. lol. On the other hand, I do despair at these sort of people.

Thank you, that is interesting. I have therefore been to the lowest ground in English league football. Excellent.

Please shop them.

What's the lowest ground?

You will all be pleased to hear that I am still quite ropey and so have decided to take tomorrow off work as well so you will have the pleasure of my company.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5olZeZlRbCc

Well that's not a "Student Loan" is it? "Student Loans" in the sense of The Student Loan Company (ie government adminstered) loans are pegged at inlfation so are real-terms neutral. Although we have had deflation this doesn't mean that negative interest charges are applied in repayment but rather that the interest charged is 0%.

Well indeed. It just seems such a bizarre choice of activities in the current climate. To effectively securitise the book but without the incentive of real-terms interest bearing securities.

The Student Loan Company is based in Glasgow. I presume that's who you mean? They are still the administrators of the scheme but I think they are effectively government owned.

"Would you like to buy a debt with a negative return?" "Er.... no thanks."

The current interest rate is 0% which is one of the reasons why I can see no commercial sense behind this!