ecuk268

That case had more holes than a swiss cheese, not least was the 2 million dollars paid to the chief prosecution witness and the fact that he failed to identify Megrahi 19 times before Megrahi was actually pointed out to him.

Well they did hear all of the evidence, which is more than any of us have.

Dean Hammond (as in Hammond Innes)

The judge seemed to think so.... "The gravity of this case is in my view of a different order from, for example, a murder committed by one individual upon another as a result of some sudden quarrel. There was a degree of general premeditation; it was a racist crime driven by hatred; it involved a gang of like-minded attackers; a lethal weapon was employed and known in advance to be carried; the victim was completely blameless and helpless. "

The Daily Mash hits the nail on the head as usual. http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/mail-becomes-cause-of-and-solution-to-racism-201201044722/

Alan Curtis

I remember getting our first one from Boots in about '81, and they'd been around for at least a couple of years.

My trusty Omega Chronostop given to me by the now Mrs ecuk268 in 1975. Still keeps excellent time. Have it cleaned and oiled every 2 years by the guy in St. James Rd.

But it's not a very good way of doing it. I used to be involved with running pheasant shoot and we had a lot problems with foxes. The hunt were allowed on this particular part but they were hopeless at actually catching anything. The fox would just move to land where the hunt didn't go. Shooting, carried out by the right people, is far more effective.

"Anything for the weekend, sir?" You don't hear that now.

Take a look at http://freeukgen.rootsweb.com/ If you have local roots, the Library at the Civic or the Hants County Records Office in Winchester are very useful and the staff are always happy to help.

According to today's Echo, his agent says he wants to come back to Southampton "with a clean slate" and "help the club to promotion". http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/9432932.Puncheon_wants_a_clean_slate_with_Saints/ But would Nigel let him on the bus?

I see that the guy who performed this public service has now been charged with assault. The world's gone mad.

I think that you've invented a new word. People that you don't know but who get on your nerves.

Roast Spuds: Use King Edwards or Maris Piper, peel and cut to about the size of an egg. Parboil for about 8 minutes, drain and give them a shake to roughen them. Pre-heat (gas mark 7) a roasting tin containing goose-fat or lard (do not use cooking oil). Pop them in the tin with a bit of thyme, baste them and cook for 40-45 minutes, giving them a turn halfway through. Serve straight away - crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside - delicious.

If you were in a country that was populated mainly by black people, you would probably feel that you were being singled out because of your colour. If we were all 20 stone, calling someone a "fat bastard" would have no insulting effect. It's the minority aspect that produces the additional insult.

Just started "11/22/63", the latest Stephen King. About a guy who goes back in time with the aim of stopping the assassination of John Kennedy. If you like King, you'll enjoy this one. A big bugger (750 pages) with numerous references to earlier books.

That's half the problem with many of today's politicians. They leave University, get a researcher's job with some MP and then after having a go at some unwinnable seat, are given a more realistic one. They've never had a "proper" job, working for a company that needs to be profitable. It leaves them lacking knowledge of the realities of everyday life for "alarm-clock Britain"

As it's on BBC, have you tried this: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2010/11/03/software-cheat-lets-people-watch-bbc-iplayer-abroad-an-update/

One of Thatchers sayings was "No matter what the disagreements, always keep a seat at the table".

Another rule of thumb is which side are the posts. They're normally on the "owners" side, but the deeds are the definitive answer.

There's a difference between who we would like and who we could actually get. No Championship side with any playoff ambitions are going to sell us one of their best players, so that probably rules out Snodgrass. Sharp may be a better proposition. Do Doncaster need the cash?

Weren't they mainly mercenaries? And didn't he say (paraphrase) "I don't know what they do to the French, but they bloody terrify me"?

I've always found the French to be OK (apart from Parisians). I like their slightly anarchic, pragmatic approach to life and, if you make a bit of effort to speak the language, they usually very helpful. One thing that I have noticed is the level of service. Shop assistants always greet you with "bonjour" and say "au revoir" when you leave. You can usually have a taste before you buy cheese or fruit, the quality is usually very high.

As us sad old gits have being saying for ages, exams are getting easier. Hearing that woman saying that her exams had so little content that she was amazed that they were accepted only reinforces that view.