Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

Manuel.

If you thought typical Croatian food was poor you must have been eating in the wrong restaurants, or homes.

Much of their present food is based on their Austro-Hungarian past and pretty good.

Try the sweets and cakes and cheese.

Also, try some of their wines and even their vinjak.

Stan, I always exercise my right to vote, always will. Major pre election promises (from the successful party) should be put into practise unless there is very good reason for not so doing.
I see cynic has a tough job over the next couple of weeks, somebody has to do it I guess, we're so lucky to have him cover it.
2517

Manuel.

cynic - 01 Jul 2013 17:12 - 26609 of 26622

"i never cease to be amazed by what brussels thinks is a good idea ."

From what I read there is a distinct difference between the thinking of the major European leaders and the politicians in the UK and small factions in various political reactionary parties circles in a few countries.


The major difference is they see the development of Europe over a fifty year period and not short term advantages like many of our present politicians.

In the past there were major UK politicians like Churchill, Macmillan, Heath for examples, who were capable who were able to see the advantages of a more integrated Europe and propose the idea in various ways.

But the present con and UKIP reactionaries can only see as far as the own short term advantages and not further than the end of their noses.

Croatia economy has crashed without being in the EU and they may have been wiser to get their house in order earlier.

Same applies to the British economy.

anachronism

Churchill was a great wartime leader but not so hot in peacetime; Macmillan was a wonderful statesman, but I'm not sure how effective as a world leader; Ted Heath was better suited to sailing and playing the piano.

Post war, I'm not sure who, other than Margaret Thatcher could be described as a strong leader ..... I'm sure there must be one of two from the labour party though none come immediately to mind

George, Exercising your right to vote or not is not relevant to the point that I am trying to make.

"Major pre election promises (from the successful party) should be put into practice unless there is very good reason for not so doing."

I don't think that anyone will disagree with that, but my point is when the party "persistently" does not put into practice their promises why do you and other people "persistently vote" these parties back in.. time and time again?

ED: Cynics never had a tough job in his life -):

It is not always to put promises into practice due to changing circumstances. There is always implied 'small print' associated with political promises which says, "if we can" and "depending on circumstances".

It would be interesting to see some examples of these broken promises.

Magnificent Mallard: The world's fastest steam locomotive

Three-quarters of a century ago, a locomotive built in Doncaster set a world speed record for steam rail travel on a stretch of track just south of Grantham. That 1938 record - of 126 miles per hour - remains to this day.

Cynic,

Check Churchill's preparation and post war stance on Political Europe.
(Some of it seems cockeyed, but more generous toward a form of "political" integration.)


Macmillan led the retreat from Empire with less blood than may have been expected. "Wind of Change". (He read the signs.)

Also, he stimulate the economy in the 50s by "social housing" builds. Also introduced very main line industry policies, etc..

Numerous beneficial social changes occurred during his periods in Government.

Heath for his pro-european foresight. (He was trapped by history and M.E. emergence.)

France's NF leader Marine Le Pen said her movement was going to come to power and she said that she is planning to reintroduce the FRF. Recent polling suggested she would win as much as 33% in the first round of the Presidential election, beating both Hollande & UMP.

Vive La France!!

UK economy strengthening as services exports surge.

Clearly the economy is in safe hands with Dave and George at the helm. Contrary to the opinions professed by Old Bollock Chops and his Red Flag Flyers on this thread.

Who says I vote them back in? You presume too much Stan.
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Welfare State! http://pro.moneyweek.com/myk-eob-advcs-lwl/LMYKP701/

I watched it all. It is very interesting, but it is basically an advert for Moneyweek.

Yes - probably the longest most depressing ad I've ever seen - although, as you say - very interesting.

A message for Miliband and Balls from the past.

"We used to think you could spend your way out of recession and increase employment by boosting government spending,” boomed the Prime Minister, Jim Callaghan, at the 1976 Labour Party conference.

“I tell you, in all candour,” he went on, “that that option no longer exists. And in so far as it ever did exist, it only worked on each occasion… by injecting a bigger dose of inflation into the economy, followed by a higher level of unemployment as the next step…”

The above words are among the most important uttered in the history of modern British politics. For a left-wing prime minister to have admitted that too much state spending is dangerous, while being barracked by a rabble of bearded Trotskyists from among his own party ranks, marked a turning-point in Western economic policymaking.

Stan - please define "tough job" ...... most jobs are pretty tough in their own way, whether it's cleaning up after drunks have puked up in the back of your mini-cab, trying to run a happy and moderately successful restaurant while keeping the thieving to within at least acceptable limits or keeping a business alive when it's run into trouble

I found staying alive, just by itself, was hard.

9-)

Disappointed a few.

8-)

Manuel,

Enjoy the holiday, but be careful Van Gogh doesn't try to paint you.

A beautiful area, I am envious.

May wander down that area for my last trip around France and down to the Western Point of Portugal.

Probably, start that trip early September, when it is quieter.

But, having a look at the lakes near Troyes and Auxerre in a few weeks time.

Maybe a little fishing.


----

it is indeed lovely down here ..... during the course of the holiday - i walk a few miles most days anyway - i'll probably do the 8 miles from here to st remy ...... up through the pine forest to the top of les alpilles (a little to the the east of les baux), then along and down past a very pretty semi-artificial lake ..... it brings you out by glanum and close to VG's asylum ..... the 8 mile return trip may be a bit tough on the old bones, but we'll see