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.

Here is Klaatu’s message in it’s entirety – “I am leaving soon, and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly. The universe grows smaller every day, and the threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can no longer be tolerated. There must be security for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when they made laws to govern themselves and hired policemen to enforce them. We, of the other planets, have long accepted this principle.

We have an organization for the mutual protection of all planets and for the complete elimination of aggression. The test of any such higher authority is, of course, the police force that supports it. For our policemen, we created a race of robots. Their function is to patrol the planets in spaceships like this one and preserve the peace. In matters of aggression, we have given them absolute power over us. This power cannot be revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act automatically against the aggressor. The penalty for provoking their action is too terrible to risk.

The result is, we live in peace, without arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue more... profitable enterprises. Now, we do not pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do have a system, and it works. I came here to give you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you run your own planet, but if you threaten to extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you.”

I'm surprised the lefty hippies haven't picked up on that one.

It may be that other dimensions co-exist inside/outside/alongside our own dimension and at the same time too.

It may be possible to "enjoy" a form of co-existence with alien life forces without actually being in their immediate presence.

The universe is around a stupendous 14bn years old. If we can prolong a human life for several thousand or even several million years so that a human can undergo extremely long distance space travel then an alien interaction might one day be possible.

When I was a kid some 60 years ago, my grandparents on my mother's side did not even have electricityin their home. My grandfather still used Shire horses to pull his carts and do his ploughing and harvesting and I have experienced doing just a little of this kind of thing as a lad myself.

Now, in 2014, my passengers can watch live images on my mobile phone in my motor car, (which is capable of easily doing over 150mph) whilst I can get live traffic reports on a screen on my dashboard.

I can also share a live Lewis Hamilton F1 driving experience (or even swap over to any of four or five other drivers) on just one chanel on my home TV.

What we can do using the Internet is truly amazing. Within just a few minutes any of us on here can find the answer to almost any kind of question, IYSWIM?

Who knows what we might be able to do in another 60 years time!

None of the above breaches the laws of physics.

in particular for all you purveyors of political polemic and claptrap on this thread, i commend to you a very interesting and balanced article in this morning's guardian by martin kettle about the distinct likelihood of a hung parliament in 2015 and what is then possible

i also recommend its reading to the more sensible brethren among us

HALLEY's Comet is usually visible one a lifetime, about every 75 years- but this year we may get a rare sighting, 47 years early.

The next time we're officially due to view the famous space landmark is in 2061, but this October we will get a quick viewing of the meteor as it passes through our skies.

Hailey's Comet was last seen in our skies in 1985-86 but cosmic dust will be visible in the night's sky this year on October 21 and 22.

The dust is likely to burn in Earth's atmosphere 60km above the surface causing a beautiful meteor display.

The meteor display will be visible to the naked eye. It will be at its best around midnight in areas with low light pollution and little cloud. Approximately 25 shooting stars per hour could fall during the best moments of the meteor shower.

Halley’s Comet was discovered by Edmond Halley in 1705 but it has long been documented as early back as 240BC.

It has been suggested the comet is the star followed by the three wise men in the bible.

Agreed cynic, a good article and a minority government does seem a much better option than a coalition - which has been like watching a marriage that has been going quickly downhill and both partners can't wait for the divorce.

Speeches what a waste of time, If we all lived off the speeches of these people we would live such wonderful lives eh.

Thanks for the link to it cynic. ???

Anyhow, here it is: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/08/hung-parliament-2015-liberal-democrats-coalition

Andrew Neil , I didn't like this man once , but having watched him a bit lately i'm warming to him . Maybe just because he hates bullshit and couldn't give a fig what people think of his line of questioning.

sorry Exec, but i get the guardian link on my phone so no idea how to put it on here ..... that's the blessing and bane of being a dinosaur!

well written and sensible article is it not
will no doubt have certain posters spluttering somewhat, especially given its provenance

I see on the exit poll at Clacton Donkey rides - 40% Ice cream stall - 30% Hot dog stand -20% all others equal.

An interesting article, but misguided. The 5 year term is not a barrier to a new election. If the minority government wants an election then they just have to propose legislation that will get voted down. In the case of the Conservatives it would be the referendum. A visit to the queen would generate a request for any other party to form a government. That one would be in even more of a minority and would be unlikely to chance it. The result would be a new election. Minority governments have not survived in the UK for more than months. The article also forgets the looming Scottish changes to voting on English legislation.

hays - unless i misread, your prime assumption is wrong ..... anyway, it is such a pleasure and indeed relief to read something that is both sensible and balanced for once

Aplogy accepted, cynic. It was a very intersting thoughtful article.

Let's have a cool beer on it.

fred must be spluttering in his well-padded armchair, while apparently young sticky has squelched me some unknown and no doubt obscure reason, so hasn't even read my posts (he'll say!) :-)

Manuel.

You are easily swayed and that article helps you to hold on to crumbs of hope!

Unless things change significantly from what they appear to be at the moment, the outcome of the GE. may lead to a short period of political chaos with different allegiances being formed.

I think simply put that the present tory party and many of its policies, for a variety of reasons are distrusted and detested by the general public. These factors is and will be reflected to a degree by the various political parties or groups.

If an general election was held at the moment, I think it is possible that the Scottish (SMP) element may have an influential part to play it the formation of any government and reduce Labour's chances of and overall majority, but the Scottish MPs are more likely to ally themselves to a Labour agenda.

I still think that much of the disillusioned liberal vote in England will flow towards Labour. That will be seen as a stimulus for the more moderate Lib/dems to push for a coalition with Labour to form a government. (The Lib/dems are centre left party and a "moderate" party.)

My guess, at the moment, while UKIP will get more seats than expected by some, the con party will lose 10-15 % of theirs.

Libs will overall will lose about 20-30% and Labour will gain seats in England, especially the North and Midlands and there will be a smattering of gains by the other minor parties.

The chances of a Con government is negligible!

unlike you, i and other more sensible people on this site can read dispassionately a sensible article such as the one in the guardian and not cherry-pick the bits that i like and discard others

The second last paragraph of the article seems to disagree with some of your points Haystack.