David

15 hours ago, Carbomb said:

They could also stand to have more women and people of colour running the country as well.

Well, that depends on them being suitable candidates really. For example, I'd rather set fire to my own head than see Kamala Harris as President. But I'd have been really intrigued and excited to see Andrew Yang win the Presidency. 

18 hours ago, Loki said:

I don't have any issue with people choosing not to vote, but if they choose not to participate in the democratic process then they don't get to moan about the outcome, to me at any rate. 

Yeah, I won't be moaning about the outcome. I don't really think it'll make much difference to be honest.

That'll put the shits right up Putin if he sees that. Another potential world leader in camo gear? 

5 hours ago, BomberPat said:

So part of me thinks it could be the kick up the arse I need to change careers entirely, but I don't know if that's a smart idea right now either. 

What would you be looking to switch over to, if you don't mind me asking? Is it something you could transition into within the three months you'd get paid for?

2 minutes ago, SuperBacon said:

This is mental David. You're going to end up being swayed and voting for a party that endorses sitting on the bog backwards and buying kebabs from "chippys" 

Now, if we had a UKFF party, I might be tempted back into the fold. Reclaim our chippy teas and our Union Jack!

5 minutes ago, Keith Houchen said:

It isn’t folly, it’s not endorsing a political and voting system that is broken. 

It's the illusion of choice, isn't it? 

Again, I'm not anti-voting or anything like that. I don't even tell people I know "in real life" that I don't vote unless they ask me about it, as it's not a "I'm better than you because I don't vote" thing.

It may very well be an age thing. Or it's where politics is nowadays, I dunno. I just grew weary of it all. It's the same old shit. The only thing that changes is the smug faces beaming out at you from the same old suits and haircuts as always.

What I can say is that in the time I actively stopped reading about and watching political news and discourse, I have found myself getting less wound up, less angry, and less anxious. And here's the kicker. Whenever I do peek my head in for a quick look to see what's happening? Fuck all has changed. Me not being involved or not voting hasn't made any difference at all.

And it hasn't changed my life either. So, for those who are actively involved and engaged? Awesome. But honestly, if the whole thing is stressing you out and causing your quality of life to deteriorate? Try stepping away entirely for three or six months. See how you feel and what difference it makes.

17 minutes ago, Keith Houchen said:

That’s something that shows up the whole “If it benefits my stance and beliefs, it’s valid” of those saying Biden is too old. Come the election, Trump will be the age Biden was when he won the election so surely that makes The Donald too old as well? 

The Donald is ageless though. That guy has looked like he's 70 for the past 35 years.

But yes, he is too old. They need to get away from having people in their 70's and 80's running the country. 

On 12/19/2023 at 6:12 PM, Gooner said:

Day Of Reckoning full fight card:

Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin

Deontay Wilder vs Joshua Parker

Dmitrii Bivol ve Lyndon Arthur

Daniel Dubois vs Jarrell Miller

Jai Opetaia vs Ellis Zorro

Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Agit Kabayel 

Frank Sanchez vs Junior Fa

Filip Hrgovic vs Mark De Mori

One of the biggest cards ever from top to bottom in boxing history.

I'm going to have to pay for it and watch. Anyone else on here looking forward to it? Ordering it? 

If we were getting Wilder vs Joshua I might be more interested. But since we're not, I'll likely just stream it.

2 minutes ago, BigJag said:

Except that the decisions made do effect everyone's life. Ignoring and abstaining from the process is folly. If there's one thing that the democratic process absolutely needs. It is for the electorate to be a part of the process.

The truth is, apart from reading the odd thing on here now and then, I have found myself more and more not following anything that's going on politically. I don't really read newspapers, I don't have access to terrestrial television with news channels and don't really discuss politics with friends or family. I don't even spend most of my time in the UK now. Outside of work, which I do remotely, I spend my time on stuff I enjoy. Which no longer includes politics.

I was really into it all at one point, and was what I'd like to think of as fairly clued up, but not anymore. I wouldn't know who to vote for. It would be an entirely uninformed decision. I don't even think I'm registered to vote now.

Just now, Boycie said:

I think a lot of people feel that way at the moment. A friend of mine has quite proudly never voted in his life. When I asked him why, his response was "it won't make any difference to my life".

I mean, it's not something I'd claim to be proud of. It's just something I have no real desire to do. I certainly have no issue with those who choose to get involved in the whole process and don't have an attitude of "you're wasting your time" or anything like that if you choose to vote.

To each their own and all that. 

Excellent write-up as always @JLM a thoroughly enjoyable read.

On 12/13/2023 at 7:29 AM, BigJag said:

I recently had a conversation with a friend on his refusal to vote.

I'm the same. I can't remember the last time I actually took the trouble to vote. It was a long time ago. 

Just now, LaGoosh said:

I disagree with that. I know the right try to make him look like he's brain dead man but I've listened to multiple interviews of him this year (including one from last week) where he comes across as very sharp, intelligent and thoughtful.

But yes he and the rest of the US political elite are definitely far too old. I'm a fan of John Fetterman but even he's in his mid-50s with health problems.

Again, I'm not going on what people on television are saying. I'm going on what I see him saying, and how he acts. I don't think he is anywhere near competent enough to be near office just now, never mind running again. 

And that's not a "chortle chortle, look at old Joe" jibe, it's just me stating a fact. He's old. There's a reason why most people of that age aren't working. He should be enjoying his twilight years with his family and friends after a life of working. Not falling on national television and being laughed at. 

2 hours ago, Loki said:

I disagree with your physical assessment of Biden to be honest, I think you've been reading too much Turning Point USA.

I don't think I've ever seen that website.

I'm only going on what I've seen on television. If we're honest, he should be nowhere near the White House. Imagine if he was a regular guy? He'd be in a care home by now.

EDIT: This isn't an endorsement of Trump, by the way. The very fact he can stage some sort of return after he made a roaring arse of himself the last time and the only person capable of stopping him is a doddery 81-year-old really does tell us all we need to know about the state of American politics. 

Where's the new blood? Surely there has to be someone on the right side of 70 who is somewhat capable? I always liked the look of Andrew Yang, but I think we all knew he'd get nowhere. He's not part of the traditional political system and doesn't fall into the "left or right" and confrontational approach to modern politics.

Week 16 Fixtures

Thursday December 21st

New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams

Saturday December 23rd

Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Chargers

Sunday December 24th

Indianapolis Colts @ Atlanta Falcons

Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

Washington Commanders @ New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks @ Tennessee Titans

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Arizona Cardinals @ Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys @ Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

Monday December 25th (Merry Christmas)

Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles

Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers

14 minutes ago, Loki said:

Biden may be old, he may be infirm, but he at least acts like a President.

I guess that kind of sums up where we are at the moment. You don't need to actually be capable to hold office. The guy can hardly string a sentence together. And while Trump is a bona fide madman, I do find it quite funny that his mental capacity was called into question!

14 minutes ago, Loki said:

Edit: incidentally, I think it's not unlikely that NEITHER of Biden or Trump end up being the next President.  They're both VERY old, it's not an insignificant statistical possibility that a health complication will rule one or even both of them out some time in the next 12 months.

If Biden cops his whack during his term, why not just go all out on the "Weekend at Bernie's" approach? Have two bodyguards haul his body around and pretend he's waving and pointing. 

17 minutes ago, Loki said:

You know that Putin is praying every day for a second Trump term, it will probably hand him Ukraine.

In all seriousness though, the outcome of the Ukraine/Russia situation will more than likely result in Putin getting at least some of what he wants. Negotiations will have to take place.

3 hours ago, d-d-d-dAz said:

On a slightly less rational, more emotional, note… I hate Trump with all my being. Not just for his nasty brand of politics, but for that weird level of anxiety he makes me feel about the safety of the world. I swear between 2015 and 2021 I googled his name every fucking day. I hate that we’re back there.

I actually have a higher level of anxiety about the safety of the world when Biden is in power than I do Trump.

Nothing provides the Putin's, Bolsonaro's, and Jong Un's of this world with more confidence that they can do whatever the fuck they like than an American President who can't even walk up a flight of stairs without falling over.

I'm actually more worried about what happens next if Biden wins another term. It could be seriously catastrophic for much of the world. I would much rather we had a competent political leader of sound mind coming into the White House, but that seems unlikely now. It's either Biden or Trump, and at this point? It's a fucking coin toss as to who would be the worse of the two I think.

1 hour ago, d-d-d-dAz said:

The Supreme Court will hide behind/abide by the principle of innocent until proven guilty by a court of law in front of a jury of one's peers, and kick the ruling back to Colorado and say until Trump is convicted you can't penalise him. They'll probably do so 9-0 in the court.

Despite the individual who stands to benefit in this particular case, I'd hope that the Supreme Court always chooses to "hide behind" the principle of innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. While it would be seen by many as a "win" if this rule didn't apply to The Donald, the precedent it would set would be terrible. 

The appointment of Nuno is exactly the type that you just know will result in relegation and a return to swapping out manager after manager while getting nowhere. Shame really, I always liked seeing Forest back up. One of the "proper clubs" from my youth.

Stick Leon vs Belal on a UK card and it'll do just fine. Edwards should be getting a hero's welcome back home at this point, and it would be a good fight for that to happen.

23 hours ago, Devon Malcolm said:

I may not have mentioned that I own almost as many jackets/hoodies as trainers so this is envy-creating news to me.

Individual trainers? Or pairs? Asking for a friend.

Just now, Chili said:

I was just giving a different take, thank you for putting me back in my place.

Settle down, I was simply adding to the conversation. 

5 minutes ago, wandshogun09 said:

Seen a load of talk about how the layoff affected him and insinuations that Leon somehow didn’t beat ‘the real Colby’ but I never heard much about that going in.

In much the same way as we heard Rogan make the quip about how Covington fought "prime Usman," which is a backhanded way of saying that the Usman Edwards beat wasn't the real deal.

22 minutes ago, Chili said:

Always seen it as more trans people on the trans side vocalising their rights and the TERF side being your Rowling's and haunted twitter number users, and obvs Linehan the defender of all women. But, but it might be differing circles giving that I work with a lot of trans comedians (a lot of them you might be surprised) who are rightly vocal given they well have to deal with a prick on the reg.

The thing is, women and trans people are the very ones who should be vocal about it. The matter concerns them, and the truth is, there's a lot of validity to both sides of the argument I think. It's certainly not as black and white as one side being right and the other being wrong.

The men I'm talking about, in my experience anyway, are the ones who are generally whipping shit up and causing friction. Be it transphobic twats or misogynistic neckbeard types. 

59 minutes ago, Loki said:

Besides I work with a number of trans people and none of them seem to give a shit about it either.

Nope, it's mostly men who are the most vocal for some weird reason. On both sides.