Popular Post laurenceb Posted May 21, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, southern42 said: ' morning all from red dragon land. RAF training going on outside. We originally thought it was some private plane out for a noisy joy ride fly around but later found out otherwise. I am a lot happier it being someone from Valley zooming around. These guys have my full admiration for the job they do. "But the RAF is equipping the Texan aircraft with new safety harnesses which will conform to British safety standards and which allows for over sea flying, resulting in a reduction in flights over land, minimising noise pollution." Best wishes Polly In the days when we were under the flight path of the Tri-national Training Establishment at Cottesmore somebody complained about the noise to our parrish council and was told to start complaining when the plains had red stars on the wings Oooops!! Happy anniversary to Mrs & Andrew C Edited May 21, 2020 by laurenceb 6 1 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Happy Hippo Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, iL Dottore said: Which clown came up with that? Surely any reduction of sentencing (or increase for that matter) should be at the discretion of the presiding judge after a review of all the evidence. No wonder much of the public have little faith in the police, judiciary and legal profession. A vast tract of the public are ignorant to the fact that the police are not responsible for putting people into prison and making sure they stay there. They get the crap for doing their job when they are just as let down as the majority of the general public are, by the feeble sentences passed down by courts. One has to remember that apart from fixed penalties issued by the police, any criminal case that goes to court is dealt with by the CPS. The police are only there to provide a defendant(s) and a file of evidence. Judges and Magistrates are also castigated because they have to stick to the sentencing guidelines. The judge starts with a maximum and then has to allow for any mitigating circumstances which may account for there being a lesser sentence awarded. It's a very large and complex situation with quite a few agencies having input into the system, but it boils down to judges and magistrates being bound by the minimum and maximum sentences laid down in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.................... Which was an Act of Parliament. Now you asked about the clowns........................? These days, Justice appears to be more about rehabilitating the offender than supporting any victims of crime. What we are left with is the culmination of many years of a liberal attitude to crime and punishment. Of course, if ERs were in charge, minor offences such as parking on a double yellow line would probably be a flogging offence! Edited May 21, 2020 by Happy Hippo 17 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post roundhouse Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 7 hours ago, grandadbob said: Just seen on TV the queues yesterday for the drive through McDonald's on the A217 Sutton By Pass. Unbelievable. If they're that desperate for a burger can't they make their own? It's not difficult, even I can do it and mine are quite popular amongst family and friends. I do njoy a Big mac but there is no way that i would queue even a fraction of what people are now doing. I will just wait a few more weeks for it all to calm down after ours eventually reopens. waited long enough as it is so a few more weeks wont make much difference. A really pleasant day but I do wonder that despite quieter roads and M25 that some have forgotten how to drive with people wandering over the centre of the roads. A good 40 minutes spent at Kings Sutton station with just one other car in the car park and no passengers on many of the trains that passed or the only one that stopped. two freights seen then off on our travels. Plenty of more supplies obtained form Hook Norton. how did such a wonderful brewery building get built in the back end of the village down a still single track road and survive. Always great to return to this place and superb ales aswell. Next stop was XT brewery in Long Crendon but the road was signposted closed with a 6 mile or so diversion only to find that the road was no longer closed as we just drove past the signs after visiting the brewery which is not allowed to put any signs up hence he said that we did better than many locals do to find it. Final stop was Rebellion brewery of Marlow which has set up a proper drive thru covered area where you have your order taken by a suitably PPE outfitted person with a tablet then a number of girls load the order into your car boot and hand you a credit card machine on a stick to make payment. All very efficient although after us a queue started to build up not helped by people driving down the centre of the road so no one could pass the other direction. They even have waiting times marked out as you approach in your vehicle but luckily we didnt have to wait at all. Back home and draught Rebellion Smuggler is going down very nicely. 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 9 minutes ago, roundhouse said: Hook Norton. I was always very taken by the loop and siding arrangement behind the down platform at Hook Norton. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said: I was always very taken by the loop and siding arrangement behind the down platform at Hook Norton. The station site was the other end of the village to the brewery so not even close to it which amazed me the first time we tried to find the brewery pre internet days. The station site is now a housing estate. 10 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post grandadbob Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 On the way back from the garage at about 3.30 went past the McDonald's at North Cheam and again a long queue blocking all the side roads, seemed to be mainly young Mums. A bit of "discussion" with cabbie Jason about the reward I left on the back seat which he didn't want but I told him my senior years meant that he had to respect my wishes! Beer supplies here are getting low but have just heard from DHL that they are delivering a selection of bottled Hens and Abbott tomorrow from Greene King. Need to contact another brewery or two though just to be safe. Tribute now, pizza shortly with the rest of yesterday's Chilean plonk and who knows what later. 18 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iL Dottore Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 40 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said: Of course, if ERs were in charge, minor offences such as parking on a double yellow line would probably be a flogging offence! Only flogging? Typical, sentimental ERs -soft on crime! But you have illustrated a major problem in today’s Western Democracies: how ideology has replaced informed pragmatism when formulating the law. Leading to absurdities such as criminals being regarded as “victims” and the victims of crime being sidelined or worse (it’s not just a UK phenomenon, Switzerland too is plagued by such absurdities, albeit to a lesser degree). Why someone should get a custodial sentence for looting some trainers during a riot, whilst someone who “glasses” someone, leaving permanent scars gets a non custodial sentence (at least according to newspaper reports), is beyond me. In my view, there are two very good reasons for not portraying criminals as “victims of the system“: firstly, there are plenty of people who have had the same disadvantageous backgrounds and unfortunate circumstances of the criminals, yet have turned out to be law abiding citizens. So claiming that it’s all down to background and circumstances is a bit disingenuous to say the least; secondly, whilst in Georgian and Victorian Britain criminality (petty and not so petty) was a way of surviving being at the bottom of the social heap - if not the only way of surviving in some instances - that is not the cas today. For as imperfect and as flawed as it is, the British social safety net is certainly there for the unfortunate of society unlike in Georgian and Victorian times. Making crime a choice rather than survival necessity. The sad truth is that some people are just “bad”. And we have to recognise that. Unfortunately, to frame laws that protect the public and punishes criminal behaviour whilst offering an effective helping hand to those who truly want to rehabilitate themselves, requires a level of wisdom and pragmatism mostly absent from today’s “lawmakers”. Somebody once opined (I forget who) that “it is better to let 10 guilty men go free than unjustly imprison one innocent man” But is this, given modern forensics, still a philosophy we should adhere to, even if we do so imperfectly? 7 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Chris116 Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 21, 2020 1 hour ago, grandadbob said: Soon be time for a beer. Very soon! Like now! It's five o'clock somewhere means you can drink all day and night if you want to. At least that is what I take the song to mean! 6 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Joseph_Pestell Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 18 minutes ago, iL Dottore said: Only flogging? Typical, sentimental ERs -soft on crime! But you have illustrated a major problem in today’s Western Democracies: how ideology has replaced informed pragmatism when formulating the law. Leading to absurdities such as criminals being regarded as “victims” and the victims of crime being sidelined or worse (it’s not just a UK phenomenon, Switzerland too is plagued by such absurdities, albeit to a lesser degree). Why someone should get a custodial sentence for looting some trainers during a riot, whilst someone who “glasses” someone, leaving permanent scars gets a non custodial sentence (at least according to newspaper reports), is beyond me. In my view, there are two very good reasons for not portraying criminals as “victims of the system“: firstly, there are plenty of people who have had the same disadvantageous backgrounds and unfortunate circumstances of the criminals, yet have turned out to be law abiding citizens. So claiming that it’s all down to background and circumstances is a bit disingenuous to say the least; secondly, whilst in Georgian and Victorian Britain criminality (petty and not so petty) was a way of surviving being at the bottom of the social heap - if not the only way of surviving in some instances - that is not the cas today. For as imperfect and as flawed as it is, the British social safety net is certainly there for the unfortunate of society unlike in Georgian and Victorian times. Making crime a choice rather than survival necessity. The sad truth is that some people are just “bad”. And we have to recognise that. Unfortunately, to frame laws that protect the public and punishes criminal behaviour whilst offering an effective helping hand to those who truly want to rehabilitate themselves, requires a level of wisdom and pragmatism mostly absent from today’s “lawmakers”. Somebody once opined (I forget who) that “it is better to let 10 guilty men go free than unjustly imprison one innocent man” But is this, given modern forensics, still a philosophy we should adhere to, even if we do so imperfectly? WS Gilbert had it sussed nearly 150 years ago. The punishment should fit the crime. Modern forensics could virtually eliminate all crime (other than fraud) if we were willing to accept the idea of fingerprinting and DNA recording the whole population. I accept that infringes some of my "liberties" but it seems a small price to pay to be spared all the costs, financial and emotional, of crime. 5 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerburnie Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 3 hours ago, iL Dottore said: Tommy by Rudyard Kipling I WENT into a public 'ouse to get a pint o' beer, The publican 'e up an' sez, " We serve no red-coats here." The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die, I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I: O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' " Tommy, go away " ; But it's " Thank you, Mister Atkins," when the band begins to play The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play, O it's " Thank you, Mister Atkins," when the band begins to play. I went into a theatre as sober as could be, They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me; They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls, But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls! For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' " Tommy, wait outside "; But it's " Special train for Atkins " when the trooper's on the tide The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide, O it's " Special train for Atkins " when the trooper's on the tide. Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap. An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit. Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an` Tommy, 'ow's yer soul? " But it's " Thin red line of 'eroes " when the drums begin to roll The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll, O it's " Thin red line of 'eroes, " when the drums begin to roll. We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you; An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints, Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints; While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an` Tommy, fall be'ind," But it's " Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind, O it's " Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind. You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all: We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational. Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace. For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an` Chuck him out, the brute! " But it's " Saviour of 'is country " when the guns begin to shoot; An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please; An 'Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees! Snap Which clown came up with that? Surely any reduction of sentencing (or increase for that matter) should be at the discretion of the presiding judge after a review of all the evidence. No wonder much of the public have little faith in the police, judiciary and legal profession. and it looks like he's "grumpy with it" as well. But he's a handsome looking lad! (and has similar markings to my Schotty). I have now sold off 4 guitars and made payment to the Swiss HIWATT importer, so in a few days I'll take delivery of this little toy: Mrs iD was most scathing (even though the purchase was cost negative after the guitar sale), but former colleague of mine, a friend and a semi-professional guitarist said I got a real bargain! The only downside being how little I got for the guitars I sold off. Anyway, off to kill things on the PlayStation. Enjoy the rest of the day! iD I guess dear old Charlie Watkins is gone now, had the pleasure of visiting his workshop on the odd occasion, a really nice and helpful bloke. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post leopardml2341 Posted May 21, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 Evenin'all. Missed check in this morning as again it was straight back to the coal face. Today's biggest c*ckwomble was yours truly, glass of diluted fruit juice all over the (company) laptop keyboard. Explanations duly given and device has now failed. Whilst I shouldn't be overly concerned, as accidents do happen, I just feel pretty stupid. That on top of a distinctly below average week so far has not done my mental health and feelings about myself much good at all. Sorry to be a burden, I might be away for a short while as I seem to be making posts which are a bit of a depressing read of late. I've read and rated, hopefully correctly. Now time to force some food into me, but I really CBA. Have a good evening and night all. See you tomorrow, hopefully. 30 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Popular Post Chris116 Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Premium Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 2 minutes ago, leopardml2341 said: Evenin'all. Missed check in this morning as again it was straight back to the coal face. Today's biggest c*ckwomble was yours truly, glass of diluted fruit juice all over the (company) laptop keyboard. Explanations duly given and device has now failed. Whilst I shouldn't be overly concerned, as accidents do happen, I just feel pretty stupid. That on top of a distinctly below average week so far has not done my mental health and feelings about myself much good at all. Sorry to be a burden, I might be away for a short while as I seem to be making posts which are a bit of a depressing read of late. I've read and rated, hopefully correctly. Now time to force some food into me, but I really CBA. Have a good evening and night all. See you tomorrow, hopefully. I think I speak for most of us on here. We can all feel down at times but that NEVER makes you a burden. Keep coming here and posting, it may help get the negative feelings out and that will help you. We are here to listen and never forget that. See you tomorrow and hope you have a better day than you seem to have had today. 4 20 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 2 hours ago, tetsudofan said: OK, that's possible, we did change around equipment. What I do remember is that I was most accurate with the AK47 Keith My limited knowledge of weapons is only due to painting tiny tiny ones on the tabletop wargaming figures Matthew used to collect and recreate battles with. 14 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozexpatriate Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Tony_S said: Last night it was ... a ballet .... with music by Philip Glass. I ... haven’t heard anything by Philip Glass before. Did you enjoy it? Philip Glass is a bit of an acquired taste. South Park parody. (Full clips are copyrighted. In the original context this was hilarious.) 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 4 hours ago, tetsudofan said: Keith, that rifle is a rather mangled M14. It appears to be missing it's stock, which makes it next to useless for anything other than hitting a large wall at close range, as you have no way of holding it in the aim other than pointing it in the general direction of the target. That's an AK 47 on the floor. 8 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post grandadbob Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 Andy Leopard, I totally agree with what Chris said. Keep posting, have a rant if you need to and eat! There's quite a few of us on here who have felt like that at times and the dark animal escapes but I can't think of a better place to have a chat and get things off your chest. Never met a more supportive bunch of lads and lasses as there are on here. 3 19 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JohnDMJ Posted May 21, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted May 21, 2020 Good evening, Tetsudofan: your comments have been conveyed and well received; thanks! 4 hours ago, Happy Hippo said: I blame ignorance and the press in particular because if we really get into the technicalities of rank etiquette for retired military officers, then Tom Moore should not be referred to by his rank at all, because that is a privilege granted to officers of field rank and above. (Lt Cdr/Maj/Sqn Ldr). You will note the seniority of the services, Navy/Army/Air Force. Any tri-service establishment being known as a Sh!t sandwich due to the brown job always being in the middle! I believe the habit of calling all retired officers by their former rank started when the then husband of the Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips, left the army. The press took it upon themselves to continue to call him by his former rank, despite mutterings from the likes of Debrett's. Please, don't get I wish you hadn't gotten me started on ranks vs qualifications! In the military , medical and other professions, there are ranks which relate to the hierarchy within the profession. A general practitioner of medicine only needs a BSc degree qualification to rank as a doctor. If they are fortunate enough to migrate to surgeon, their rank is now Mister. Why, then, do dental surgeons (who are de facto Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons) now insisting on calling themselves doctors? When they retire, they are out of the profession and lose their rank therein. Academia, too, has ranks. 'Doctor' (PhD, DD, DM, DSc, etc.) refers to anyone who has, by their own achievement, furthered their education qualifiedly beyond the 'basic' Bachelor level. This is for life! However, if, whilst remaining in academia, one becomes promoted to 'Professor', this is a rank and not a qualification. Thus, on leaving the profession, they revert to Doctor or Emeritus Professor, the latter indicating that they are still actively involved with academia. 1 hour ago, roundhouse said: A really pleasant day but I do wonder that despite quieter roads and M25 that some have forgotten how to drive with people wandering over the centre of the roads. My poor car doesn't know what's hit it! Since the end of March, it's now on its second tank of petrol and galloping towards 45000 miles on the clock. Not bad for a 57 reg bought brand new!!!! The rust is even falling off my driving skills as I am recalling how I passed the Institute of Advanced Motorists test 33 years ago! 26 minutes ago, Chris116 said: It's five o'clock somewhere means you can drink all day and night if you want to. At least that is what I take the song to mean! Forget 5 O'Clock, It's ALWAYS Beer O'Clock anywhere in the World! 19 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Tony_S said: The police helicopter was flying about near our house yesterday. I think they may have called in reinforcements as an Apache helicopter just flew over heading north. That would be my preferred method of dealing with those that try to outrun the police in car chases. Weapons free. Five rounds thirty mike mike. Bring a shovel and a couple of stout plastic bags. 5 1 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, JohnDMJ said: Forget 5 O'Clock, It's ALWAYS Beer O'Clock anywhere in the World! Personally one prefers Cider time as it rhymes with Any time. 12 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, JohnDMJ said: My poor car doesn't know what's hit it! Since the end of March, it's now on its second tank of petrol and galloping towards 45000 miles on the clock. Not bad for a 57 reg bought brand new!!!! The rust is even falling off my driving skills as I am recalling how I passed the Institute of Advanced Motorists test 33 years ago! Forget 5 O'Clock, It's ALWAYS Beer O'Clock anywhere in the World! Our newest car is a 58 plate and has only recently gone over 22,500 miles. Today it got its second tank fill this year as it was cheap and we are filling up as few times as possible and then using hand sanitizer before getting back behind the wheel. Tomorrow the big car gets a run to the coast to drop off supplies to her Mum (all socially distanced of course) - will be the most expensive saving she has made to save a few quid but other half will be paying to fill that tank. I will be paying for the take out at Kissingate brewery on the way back though. 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 4 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said: Personally one prefers Cider time as it rhymes with Any time. After a few pints I can make anything rhyme with beer As to whether any one else will understand, I wont be in a position to take notice. 2 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 8 minutes ago, JohnDMJ said: Why, then, do dental surgeons (who are de facto Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons) now insisting on calling themselves doctors? When they retire, they are out of the profession and lose their rank therein. Possibly because they are also qualified in Medicine as well as Dentistry? My next door neighbour is such a creature. He works as both a dental surgeon and also works part time as a pathologist. Quite handy as most dental practices are closed down at present. 15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozexpatriate Posted May 21, 2020 Share Posted May 21, 2020 (edited) A very busy Thursday since the early risers arose. Many many posts, even in these quarantined days with generally increased contributions. The discussion on crime and punishment, delivered with such conviction, (pun intended) reminds me why it is such a good thing that we don't indulge ourselves in politics (overmuch) here. I have an anecdote from personal experience about mandatory sentencing relating to one of my son's relatives. Perhaps another day. Edited May 21, 2020 by Ozexpatriate 13 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 21, 2020 (edited) Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Not a lot done today, I had intended to transfer some more stuff from the shed to the garage. But this was thwarted by some coc*womble parking their car in front of the garage door! I left a note and not long after the car had gone. Anyway this weekend is predicted to be dry so I should be able to clear the shed. 5 hours ago, Tony_S said: The police helicopter was flying about near our house yesterday. I think they may have called in reinforcements as an Apache helicopter just flew over heading north. Two helicopters flew over my house at dusk yesterday, couldn't identify them as it was getting dark. I was surprised to learn that my grade in local government in military protocol meant that it was the equivalent 'rank' of major! This I discovered from a female colleague on the same grade who's husband who was a regular soldier but his rank was sergeant so protocol demanded that her 'rank' was sergeant too and not major. Officers and their ladies, NCO's and their wives, other ranks and their women. still applied back then and may still do. Edited May 21, 2020 by PhilJ W 11 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tony_S Posted May 21, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said: Did you enjoy it? Philip Glass is a bit of an acquired taste. The first few moments were quite strident but may not have been part of the main music which was the Tirol Concerto. It matched the dance perfectly. Tony 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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