mpl

I went to see my doctor with a bad foot. He said "Gout" I said "I've only just come in!"

Is it "ill-informed" ( at least he has shown sources rather than just state things as a fact) or is it because you don't agree with it? My experience so far of conversations with Outers is statements and memes that have been proved to be wrong- after that it's either been "freedom of speech" or la la la la I'm not listening.

The fact is that nobody really knows what's going to happen if we leave, and there have been plenty of histrionics from both sides. But in general the problem with the 'Out' campaign, as is abundantly clear from this thread, is that most of them haven't got any grasp of the fundamentals necessary to arrive at a sensible position, whether that be 'In' or 'Out'. They will insist on the importance of Britain leaving the EU in one sentence and then go on to demonstrate a near perfect ignorance of how Europe actually works in the next: no idea what the European Commission is, no idea what the Council of Europe is, how the European Court of Human Rights is constituted, how the European Convention on Human Rights works, no clue how regulations and directives are developed, promulgated and brought into force - nothing. Consequently they routinely blame the EU for things that have nothing whatsoever to do with it (one of the posts above is a perfect illustration of this, citing a whole catalogue of irrelevances before suggesting that the catalyst for our supposed decline into moral turpitude was when Europe stopped teachers from hitting children) and overlook the fact that most of the things they dislike about the EU (financial contribution, free movement of labour, supremacy of EU law etc) are things we would still have to put up with if we wanted to have access to the single market after we left. They are adamant that a deal struck from outside of Europe would be better for us than one struck from within it, although the precise mechanism by which this would be achieved is something they are rather less clear about. But then lack of clarity is at the heart of the matter, and is something we need to be alert to: woolly, imprecise language invariably betrays woolly, imprecise thoughts. Finally, ignorance will be given a gloss of respectability by being dressed up as patriotism, usually with some tripe along the lines of "I don't know much about politics, but I know what's right for Britain". The reality is if that for anyone who doesn't properly understand how Europe works, by far the best thing you can do for your country on polling day is stay at home. I said to someone some while ago, the vast majority of people are already firmly IN or OUT without fully knowing why and nothing has since happened to make me change my mind over that statement. I bet there are very few people who have actually changed their mind one way or the other.

This appeared on my timeline so thought I'd share on here. Alright, you filthy animals. I don't normally do this, because I believe that everyone should have the right to vote how they want at elections, but a) this ain't an election, it's a referendum so go shit yourself, and b) I honestly believe that the stakes are too high for me not to get involved here. If I can influence even one person with this post, then I'll feel like I've done something important. As a result, feel free to share this far and wide as I've done a veritable fuckload of research and I don't want all my hard work going to waste. So, I'll put my cards on the table: I believe, very very strongly, that we need to stay in the EU. I never thought I'd find myself agreeing with David 'PigFellatio' Cameron, but in this unfortunate case I am, and here's why. We stand to gain SO MUCH from staying in the EU. "How much", you're (probably not) asking? Well, I made a convenient list for your perusal, WITH sources, so you can't be a twat and say 'you're making that up!' and froth at the mouth like a rabid ****. I know people on the internet like listicles with clickbait titles, so here are "14 Reasons Why We Shouldn't Leave The EU That Everyone Should Know! You Won't Believe #8!": 1) The EU provides easy access to 1/3 of the world's markets by value (in other words, the EU's combined market value is 1/3 of the entire world's, and we can tap into it whenever the f**k we want). [1] It also gives UK businesses preferential market access to over 50 countries OUTSIDE the EU, including some of the fastest-growing economies in the world like South Korea and South Africa. [2] 2) The EU gives us better product safety. You know, so your toddler doesn't impale him/herself on a shittily designed toy, or swallow a load of poisonous plastic. [3] 3) The EU gives structural funding to areas hit by industrial decline (hello, Cornwall). [4] 4) The EU gave us lead-free petrol. [5] 5) The EU gives us cheaper mobile charges. [6] It also gives us cheaper air travel. [7] f**k yeah, cheap things! 6) The EU gives us cleaner beaches, rivers and air (hello again, Cornwall). [8] 7) The EU gives us improved consumer protection and food labelling, so you actually know what it's in your Chicken McNuggets (hint: it's chicken. It wasn't always chicken, though). [9] 8) The EU has helped break up monopolies. [10] If you don't know why monopolies are a Very Bad Thing, try playing the popular board game 'Monopoly' and see how many friends you have left when you win. 9) The EU gives us cross-border policing to combat human trafficking, arms and drug smuggling, and terrorism. [11] 10) Being a member of the EU means no paperwork or customs for exports throughout the single market, as well as the freedom to travel, live and work across Europe. [12] This one is particularly important for me as someone who likes to live, work and travel abroad. Do you have ANY IDEA how f**king great it is to be able to travel and work visa-free?! Having to a get a visa for every single country you enter is a nightmare, believe me. If you've ever tried to travel around Asia, Africa or South America, you'll understand what I'm saying. 11) The EU creates and helps uphold all kinds of awesome human rights, such as equal pay legislation, holiday entitlement, and the right not to work more than a 48-hour week without overtime. [13] I'd also like to point out that it's some of these same human rights that David 'PorkTwatter' Cameron tried to erode back in 2014, with the EU playing a major role in stopping him. [14] 12) The EU creates and upholds all kinds of great animal welfare legislation; it has the strongest wildlife protection laws in the world and contributes to improved animal welfare in food production. [15] 13) The EU funds incredible scientific research and industrial collaboration (including, most recently, a project that may be the catalyst for a cure for breast cancer being found in the next few years, I shit you not). [16] 14) Finally, and arguably most importantly, the EU has for 60 years been the foundation of peace between European neighbours after many years of bloodshed. [17] It has also assisted in the extraordinary social, political and economic transformation of 13 former dictatorships, now EU members, since 1980. [18] SOURCES: [1] http://news.cbi.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/eu-business-facts/10-facts-about-…/ [2] http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-1080_en.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; [3] http://ec.europa.eu/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/general_product_safety_d…/index_en.htm [4] https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/european-structural-and-inve…/ [5] http://ec.europa.eu/environme" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/…/project/Projects/index.cfm… [6] https://www.theguardian.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/europe-abolishes-mobile-phone… [7] http://europa.eu/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/citizens/travel/passeng…/air/index_en.htm [8] http://www.theguardian.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/england-beaches-bathing-waters… [9] http://ec.europa.eu/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/la…/labelling_legislation/index_en.htm [10] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/European_Union_competition_law (I know I'm not supposed to use Wikipedia as a source for its less-than-rigorous academic standards, but f**k YOU I'm not in uni anymore, I'll do what I like). [11] http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;… [12] http://ec.europa.eu/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/borders-and-…/visa-policy/index_en.htm [13] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/European_Convention_on_Human_R… [14] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…/David-Camerons-plan-to-scrap-t… [15] http://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/welfare/index_en.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; [16] http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/94691_en.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; [17] The Second World War, motherfucker. Read a history book. [18] The Cold War, motherfucker. Read a history book. And now, let's take a moment to address some of the arguments for leaving the EU. Apart from the fact that I can't find a single reputable study that suggests we'd be any better off outside of the EU (and believe me, I've looked; I want to research my counterarguments as thoroughly as my arguments), the most persuasive arguments I've found are what I'm going to term 'the trade argument' and 'the immigration argument'. The trade argument goes as follows: if we left the EU, we could negotiate a sort of 'amicable divorce' where we somehow retain strong trading links with the EU while not being subject to its laws. Many people point to Canada as a good example of this model, which recently negotiated a CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement- do I have to google EVERYTHING for you?) with the EU. I have two retorts to this argument. My first retort: Canada was never a part of the EU in the first place. To return to the divorce analogy outlined above- whereby the EU and the U.K. are a sort of 'married couple' and trade is their kids- the U.K. seeking a CETA after leaving the EU would be like a nasty, messy divorce where one parent uses the kids as a weapon against the other, threatening to take them away whenever their demands aren't met. Canada's CETA, meanwhile, is like a married couple approaching someone else to have a threesome at a swinger's party, which sounds a lot more fun and exciting, I'm sure you'll agree. My second retort to the above argument is simple: why even take the risk? If we stay in the EU, our trade with them will continue to be prosperous and full of great sex while the kids are asleep (okay, I've taken the analogy too far now). If we leave, however, there's a chance any trade agreement could fail catastrophically and leave our economy in a shitstorm. In fact, I would argue the likes of Germany, France and other leading EU nations would not simply let us pick and choose what rules and trade agreements we adhere to, so the likelihood of us being absolutely fine, trade-wise, after leaving the EU seems overly optimistic. Plus negotiating a CETA of any kind could take years and have a completely uncertain outcome. Again, why take the risk? An additional point: arguments no. 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12 above are examples of really great laws and regulations the EU has introduced. If you say you want to leave the EU so we have autonomy over our own laws, you know that you're effectively handing control of our country over to David 'HideTheSausageLiterally' Cameron, don't you? In terms of making laws that benefit all of us, I trust the EU way more than that guy. The immigration argument tends to centre around the whole 'visa-free work and travel' thing, and is generally espoused by people terrified of dem immigantz stealin are jobz. Alternatively it's espoused by people afraid of terrorists being able to come here more easily, but for that I'd refer you to point no. 9 above; we're safer from terrorism in the EU because we can share intelligence and resources with other countries more easily. But back to the 'stealing our jobs' fear; while it's true that technically speaking there could be an influx of foreigners coming to claim your particular job at any moment, just remember, we've been part of the EU for 43 years now and it hasn't happened yet, despite what the mainstream media may tell you (and you DEFINITELY shouldn't trust those guys; more on that later). Seriously, do you know ANYONE, personally, that has had their job stolen by a foreigner? Be honest now. I'd be willing to wager that you don't, and I'll explain why that is too: the immigrants that are coming here are not stealing YOUR jobs, specifically. They're either starting their own businesses (in which case they're actually creating jobs), or they're skilled labourers taking jobs there just aren't enough trained British people to take (such as doctors or surgeons), or they're unskilled labourers taking the jobs that you don't want (like toilet cleaning or washing dishes). Incidentally, about a year ago I taught English to some Eastern European immigrants who worked in a salad-packing factory in Lichfield. One Latvian girl was actually a teacher back home, but she was making more money as a salad-packer here than she was as a teacher in Latvia(!)- the point being that unskilled immigrant workers are generally happy to work shitty menial jobs that no British person wants, and your cushy 9-to-5 office job is not under threat. Not even a little bit- so don't worry your xenophobic little head about it. Oh, and one last thing on this subject, to paraphrase Louis CK: maybe, if an immigrant with no contacts, no skills and no local knowledge of the language and/or culture can steal your job, maybe, just maybe, you're shit at your job. If you've made it thus far through this absolute essay of a post, congratulations! You're nearly at the end! But before I go, I just want to hit you with one final thought. Over 80% of UK newspapers are owned by five right-wing media billionaires (aka five massive cuntstacks): Lord Rothermere (Daily Mail), Rupert Murdoch (Sun/Times), Richard Desmond (Express), and the Barclay Brothers (Telegraph). Murdoch is an Australian living in New York and Rothermere lives in France, while the Barclay Brothers live in the tax havens of Monaco and Guernsey. All of them use tax haven entities to avoid UK taxes. And guess who wants to stop billionaires using tax havens to avoid paying their taxes? That's right, the EU. So of COURSE the British newspapers are trying to persuade you to leave the EU; it benefits their owners personally. The moral of the story is, don't gather your views from newspapers. Do some research like I have with this post, you lazy twonknoggin. In conclusion: we're in a really great position right now. We're part of the EU with all the benefits that entails, but without being tied to their notoriously unstable currency. Leaving the EU would not only be hypocritical since we spent so much time telling Scotland they shouldn't leave the UK this time last year with all that lovely 'better together' rhetoric, it might also be downright stupid and harmful to our economy. tl;dr version: Vote to stay in the EU, you filthy animals. Because reasons. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. EDIT: thank you to everybody who made me internet famous for the day. You're all sweethearts. If you'd like to read more of my filth-ridden political thoughts, please tune in to my new blog. https://glwtf.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pubs completed!

Apparently you can use this type of insurance to your advantage. Offer to take out insurance (staff can often have targets to hit with warranties) in return for a discount on the item you are buying. Get the discount, take the insurance then if you cancel it within 45 days (The Supply of Extended Warranties on Domestic Electrical Goods Order 2005) and get a full refund. Applies to both service agreements and insurance products.

Saffron Walden and Hedingham Saffron Walden Castle Hedingham Castle

Peveril Castle and Newark Castle

I'd like to think so but next season will probably be back to normal. Anyway, the proper football is down in League 2 anyway

I'd love to be of assistance but if I knew the answer I wouldn't be on here at 11 o'clock on a Sunday night

I refuse to go anywhere near a Currys/PCWorld after having a hand put up to me twice and told to listen by a salesman trying to sell insurance that I had already said I wasn't interested in, didn't need and certainly didn't want. That was after going to pick up something reserved on line that then took them half an hour to actually find in store! Dreadful, dreadful company.

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Why don't ants get ill? Because they have little anty bodies.

Cancelling your indicators? Do you not have self-cancelling ones? (smuggest smiley I could see!)

I got a couple of minors for hesitation on my Mod2. The hesitation was stopping briefly at a few Give Ways when I could have carried on.

Tonight the streets are ours- Richard Hawley

Ha! Don't like kids, never wanted kids, OH doesn't want kids. Pretty happy with my life without kids! TICK.....TICK......TICK

Don't be so smug- you know that clock is tick....tick......ticking

Five more pubs.

WILLiam it was really nothing- The Smiths

I'm right handed and feel more comfortable on rights turn!

Finally under way!

Finally under way but I can never seem to remember how to put pics on. Anyone care to refresh my memory? EDIT- I've found out how but now find files are too big. I shall reduce them and post them a bit later

Panasonic HX-A1ME-K https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/gg-grou ... Asxw8P8HAQ

I'm similar to runningman. Apart from a couple of years riding a 50cc around 1980, I hadn't been near a bike for over 30 years. I did the off road aspect of the CBT on a Saturday and on the Monday I was put straight on a 600 for the on road part. I failed my Mod 1 first time but passed a few days later, then had Mod 2 four days after and passed- all in just under 3 weeks. First bike is an F800ST and I just rode as often as I could and as I did my confidence and skills grew and now 7 months in I feel very confident (not overly so though). While training I went out with pupils who had more recent experience than I had and some were very nervous and not very confident. I'm either a natural or 30+ years of driving gave me a bit of an edge with my road sense. Every one is different and have to go down the road they feel happiest with.