dinger

I don't follow your point. Why would the fact that we used to treat homosexuals as criminals but have now changed for the better disqualify someone from this country from calling for fairer treatment of homosexuals in other countries? Would we be wrong to want to tackle slavery internationally because of our history? How far back do you have to go? Fry is asking the IOC to stand true to its stated principles. I can't see what the objection could be to that, apart from a personal objection to Stephen Fry. TBH I sometimes find him insufferable, but his character isn't the issue.

You're quite right, it is a law about the promotion of homosexuality. However the outworking of it in Russia is that gay people are being arrested, attacked in the street, barred from office, etc. It is effectually the same, at least IMO. My point is that to talk about Oscar Wilde and Tchaikovsky is only to highlight the contrasting direction of travel in two societies. We're now in a situation where Wilde would be rightly lauded for his talents while Tchaikovsky would run the risk of being arrested and/or killed for his sexuality. Fry hasn't forgetten this, as GM suggests. That's the whole bloody point! Talking about things people shouldn't have done in the past is only valuable in that it prevents us from doing them again.

Wow, talk about missing the point. You could equally argue that we had no right to complain about Hitler because England expelled the Jews in 1290. The difference is that we decriminalised homosexuality and have been moving towards a more tolerant society, whereas Russia has just criminalised homosexuality and has started persecuting gay people with tacit government approval. There's nothing self-righteous about standing up for the rights of others.

Yeah, the wind whips over those pebbles.

Was going to start a thread about podcasts, but just found this one so I'm resurrecting it. Since I now make a podcast (Winky and the Stain, find it on iTunes!) I've developed more of an appreciation for the art. It's rewarding to hear other complete amateurs getting better at what they do over a stretch of episodes. Stuff I've been listening to recently includes: Getting Better Acquainted - In which one bloke conducts hour-long (ish) interviews with everyone he knows. Really interesting project and could have gone either way, and indeed sometimes does. Most episodes offer satisfying and often unexpected insights into what it's like to be other people, what people are like generally, etc. Some episodes (a very few, but some) are awfully self-indulgent. Just depends on how forthcoming the guest is/how much the host ends up talking about himself. Very good stuff though. The History of England - Been listening to a lot of history podcasts of late. This kind of subject is where the format comes into its own, as you get passionate amateurs able to really go in depth on the subject they love over as much time as they feel they need, which is not something traditional media can offer. This one's really good as the host has developed a warm, avuncular style that's easy to listen to. Touch Radio - For fans of experimental music, the Touch label put out this series of electronics, field recordings, interviews, avant-rock gigs... all sorts And obviously the new series of RHEFP is currently being released, Richard Herring's Edinburgh Fringe equivalent to the above-mentioned Leicester Square podcasts. A new one every day!

Sikh of Tweak Takes Cheeky Leak* *I'll accept 50 quid for that, if any tabloids are reading

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siw818v7ggs

Well the good news is that if they keep bowling Starc he'll do England's job for them. Don't ask any questions of the batsmen and they won't have to give any answers.

Trott's looking skittish just at the moment. It's like he can't decide where to stand.

Even worse was his use of the review. England look distinctly nervous this morning. I'm worried that the intermittent rain might play into the Aussies hands as it'll prevent any batsman getting into a groove.

Well the umpires have used DRS correctly there and it wasn't in England's favour. So at least there's no fix in...

Well after that dodgy decision earlier, it's a relief that the Rogers dismissal was as plumb as you like. Would've been slightly embarrassed to see such a good bit of hitting brought to a close by anything other than the skill of the fielding team. Interesting play so far. 133-3, who's on top so far do we think?

http://davidcamerporn.tumblr.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySo5EoQL9_c

Precisely this. (Mainly because I've taken time off work to watch the whole series, so I don't want to be twiddling my thumbs)

No, I'm not suggesting they will

. . .

It was transparently done with a view to bolstering the tail. TBH they could probably do worse than picking Agar as a middle order bat and pick Lyon as well, maybe drop Hughes. Whatever they do with their batting order it will be shockingly poor. So many of their players have such glaring deficiencies. Do we know if Warner is expected to be welcomed back any time soon?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYjkSf4YMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzxAsO3vMLg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

He's been their best player so far IMO. Anyone know who they're bringing in? Starc really didn't look test quality at all.

01-03, just missed you...

Bresnan faces the first and last balls of the day. I wonder what price I could've got for that?

Excellent bowling performance by England today, didn't let the pressure off.

Hah, beaten to it. FWIW I wouldn't make Anderson and Broad run around any more than they need to after the shift Jimmy put in at Trent Bridge.