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.

If only!

Waiting for Schumer and McCain to announce the opening of McCarthy Park; the DNA of Joseph used to recreate the creatures of McCarthyism.

Sir Cliff Richard has this morning been awarded £210,000 damages from the BBC for the "general effect" on his life.

The judge said he is entitled to recover further sums for the financial impact on the star, which will be decided at a later date.

Sir Cliff says he isn't able to make much of a comment on this yet, explaining he is still 'emotionally' under shock from the whole situation.

He did seem to come across to me as being 'more sensitive and also more camp than usual' this morning than usual. IMHO, it is this sort of 'slightly camp personality thing' which affects one's assessment, that he is quite possibly a 'closet gay'. 'Closet' in the sense, that he has never seemed to deny or defend on this aspect of his personal life or say anything 'open about it'.

He has made many extremely successful, 'seemingly heterosexual' hit records. One has to wonder, if in doing this his position might just be a bit hypocritical. Hmmm?

I do wonder why the BBC seem to hate Cliff so very much? eg. At one time, the BBC DJ, Chris Evans, even refused to play any of his records on his very popular lengthy morning show.

Cliff does still retain a very youthful appearance even into his old age and he has been famous for it. Surely to goodness, this BBC 'hate thing' isn't merely jealousy about his musical success and looks?

The police raid and BBC collusion in it was completely out of order and I believe it is perfectly reasonable for Cliff to receive substantial damages, not only from the police but also the BBC. Good luck to him for that.

Now you can't knock Sir Cliff Richard's looks or his singing ability and success or his popularity.

Is it possible people think he is a sexual hypocrite? I wonder? Hmmm?

Anyone know anything for certain about Cliff's relationship with the BBC?

Nobody should be named before convicted - the accuser gets away scot free even if they have made false claims, and the victim suffers even if completely innocent.

Just look at those that claimed rape against that young man that suffered because the police failed in their duty to review all the evidence or withheld it just to get a false conviction.

Cliff is entitled to a lot more damages than he has already received, how much work would he have been able to do, let along the long term metal damage done.

The BBC and Police owe him several million, not that will ever compensate him for what they put him through. Good job he at least had some good friends that stuck by him.

What is a "sexual hypocrite" EL? Everyone still has the right to privacy provided no harm is done to others. No ifs, buts, or maybes.
The hypocrisy is for the BBC to complain about press freedom when it has clearly overstepped its reporting mandate, at great expense to the taxpayer, and done harm to an innocent person. The heads involved should be sacked without compensation.

iturama, Agreed, the first they should sack is that woman the directors of news, who even even came out trying to justify their position suggesting the ruling was a "significant shift against press freedom" - and not only shoul they sack them without compensation but they should be forced to pay a small part of the damages, as they have abused the tax payers.

If three little boys have been “abused” individually by another person but not made any complaint to the “authorities”, because they are frightened and don’t think they will be believed by others. see that a 4th little boy is similarly abuse and has complained to the authority and the “problem” starts to be investigated, should the name of those who may be involved are questioned be revealed.

This may allow the first three to be prepared to present “evidence” to enable further investigation and prosecutions if the evidence is substantiated.
I am fully aware of “false” complaints.
Think about Jimmy Saville’s cases.
The perpetrators in this sort of problem often depend or rely on the “victims” being frightened or “ashamed” and that no investigation will be verifiable.

-=-=-=-=-=

The problem for Cliff Richard is that he has lived in the light of the media and benefitted from it and that sometimes there is a price to be paid for doing so.

Reporting the “facts” on any “investigations” such as Richard's, should be no different to that of reporting the apprehension of an individual on similar “evidence” in the back streets of London for similar reasons.

No. The failure of authorities isn't a reason to name in the media.

iturama

"Everyone has the right to privacy".

I agree. But not all the time and about every aspect of their lives, particularly if they make a highly paid living from sales of things to the general public and become a star.

I think just about everyone agrees the BBC overstepped the mark involving themselves with the police in the raid on Cliff's home, when he wasn't even in residence. The police were also out of order including the BBC in the raid too.

I hope the judge's 'privacy verdict element' does get revised.

Fred makes some very excellent points in his comments in 81047.

Naming the accused prior to trial does seem to flush out witnesses beneficial to the prosecution.

Naming the accused prior to trial does greatly harm the accused if he is then subsequently found to be innocent.

Finding a balance solution between the two has to greatly help those who are found to be innocent. It doesn't seem do this and for far too long a period of time.

Naming accusers seems to be an anathema. Malicious and false accusations and innocence of the accused are not properly catered for either. And if someone brings out an accusation which is true but cannot be proved, well, this is sad too.

There have to be better 'legal minds' out there than my 'non-legal one' who can come up with better solutions to these problems than I can.

But it is my own opinion, that Cliff may well be gay but by not admitting to it, even if it was a part of his personal history which is now well in the past, then this is not 'being open' to his followers and fans.

During Cliff's 'reign', the law changed and homosexuality is not now illegal. Indeed, it is now legal to be a homosexual and well accepted because society knows and understands much more about it. There is now no shame in it either.

I remember him on TV in "Oh Boy!" back in the late 1950s when he was a supposed rebellious rock and roll singer in the style of Elvis and Little Richard and often backed by Hank Marvin and the Shadows. This was in the pre-Beatles period of the late 1950s to early 1960s. His 1958 hip swinging hit single "Move It" is often described as Britain's first authentic rock and roll song. Back then his real name was 'Harry Webb' and he had an Elvis snarl (disguising a bad front tooth? Hmmm? Maybe?).

That was Cliff then. My! Hasn't he changed?

Homosexuality was definitely illegal back then. My! Hasn't that changed too?

Is his sexual preference private? Yes. Certainly. In his position as a very big star, think how he has had to cope with the law and its changes if he has always been gay? How very, very difficult for him!

If he is gay but doesn't ever admit to it, than is this being hypocritical? Well, yes. But there's not a lot of harm in it because as you say and as most agree, he is entitled to his privacy. Nevertheless, it is an hypocrisy. One cannot say that it is not.

Sorry and all that. I really do prefer people who are not hypocrites and are 'open'. So although I like a lot about Cliff I guess I do have certain reservations about him. I doubt I could ever be friends with him. But that wouldn't be the only reason. We don't have the same tastes in many things or even move in the same circles!

I would guess, that's the score sheet for many other people too. Even those who do move in the same circles. Why? Well, surely it has to do with this sort of hypocrisy stuff. Indeed, some out there really hate his guts. Chris Evans is one of them. Perhaps the leadership of the BBC is another group who feel the same and thus acted as they did in concert with the police on this raid in a quite guiltless manner. I dare bet, they know a great deal more than me about him.

What very difficult topics! It is so easy to have cognitive dissonance about aspects and elements of the singer, Cliff Richard. And also concerning the privacy elements of the law concerning accusations about sex attacks of varying sorts on individuals.

That is often advanced by some with vested interests.

The Mafia and Krays were ambivalent to the media, depending on whether it was useful or a hindrance.

If you had falsely been accused of rape, do you think your name should be published to try to flush out others to make a complaint but fail to name the person that has made the accusation.

Who becomes the victim when found not guilty - no smoke without fire, so you get tarnished for life but not only does the alleged get marked for life but the other party gets away scot free as they will never be named, because the Courts/Police would suggest that it was just that the defendants lawyer put up a good case and left the tinest bit of doubt in the jury`s mind - but nod wink the poor sod was really guility.

To much Police time spent on drug cases, and sending them to prison when most need help not prison - the program about Durham Prison was enlighting last night.

British Gas owner (Centrica) loses 340,000 UK customer accounts after bill hikes in the first 6 months of this year.

The rate of customer losses was down 2.6 per cent compared with the first half of last year, and significantly reduced from the second half of 2017. The group lost 823,000 customers in the period between June and October last year.

Hmmm?

Are you one of them? Have you dumped British Gas?
If so where have you gone to and how did you chose?

i'm with NPower who seem ok

Big fail or does this 'celebrity rhyming slang' make you smile?

Adam and the Ants - Eighties rock band

Pants, either men’s or women’s. ‘I’m going to put on some fresh Adams.’

Kate Adie - Former BBC war correspondent

The ladies. A women’s public loo. ‘I can’t find the Kate Adies anywhere.’

Giorgio Armani - Fashion designer

Sarnie. A sandwich. ‘I’m just popping out for a Giorgio.’

Beyonce - Singer Beyonce Knowles

Fiance. ‘Have you met my Beyonce?’

Or sausage rolls (from Knowles). ‘A couple of hot Beyonces and some chips please.’

Tony Blair - Former Labour prime minister

Hot air. Insincere or boastful talk. ‘That’s a load of old Tony.’

Or nightmare. ‘I had an absolute Tony last night.’

David Bowie - Musician

Blowy — windy. ‘A bit David Bowie last night, wasn’t it?’

Chas & Dave - Cockney musical duo

Shave. ‘I’m off to Chas and Dave my ham and eggs [legs].’

John Cleese - Actor

Cheese. ‘I’m as happy as a mouse nibbling at a wedge of John Cleese.’

Brian Clough - Football manager

Up the duff — pregnant. ‘Kate is up the Brian Clough.’

Miley Cyrus - U.S. pop singer

Virus. ‘He’s home in bed with a Justin Bieber [fever] of 103 after picking up some sort of Miley Cyrus.’

Judi Dench - Actress

Stench. ‘A rat died under the floor and the Judi is awful.’

Lady Diana - Princess of Wales

Piannah. A piano. ‘It’s a new Lady Diana over there in the little Jack ‘orner [corner].’

Danny Dyer - EastEnders actor and dad of Love Island winner Dani

Tumble dryer. ‘After I wash my clothes, I stick ‘em in the Danny.’

Eric and Ern - Comics Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise

On the turn — stale. ‘They’ve been stored for a week and they’re on the Eric and Ern.’

Jane Fonda - Actress

Wander. ‘I’m going down the road for a Jane Fonda.’

Germaine Greer - Feminist writer

Ear. ‘Do you like the gold hoop she has in her Germaine Greer?’

Bob Hope - Comedian

Soap. ‘You’ve used my Bob Hope to clean your boat race [face].’

Engelbert Humperdinck - Singer

Stink. ‘Cor, it don’t half Engelbert in here.’

Iggy Pop - U.S singer

Cop. A traffic officer. ‘I stopped when I saw the Iggys.’

Billy Joel - American singer

Dole. Unemployment benefit. ‘After three years on the Billy Joel, I was forced to get a job.’

Elton John - Singer

Con. To trick or deceive. ‘I’ve been Elton Johnned — he took me for a Toby jug [mug].’

Kevin Keegan - Former England manager

Vegan. ‘I have been fully Kevin Keegan for ten years.’

Jan Leeming - Former TV newsreader

Steaming. Very drunk. ‘I was absolutely Jan Leeming last night.’

Angela Merkel - German Chancellor

Circle. Or the Circle line on the Tube. ‘Brexit negotiations are going in Angela Merkels.’

Kylie Minogue - Australian singer

Brogue — a shoe. ‘A London cabbie told me he’d spent the morning polishing his Kylies.’

Bobby Moore - Football hero

Score. The state of affairs. ‘So, what’s the Bobby?

Andy Murray- Tennis player

Curry. ‘He ate a dodgy Andy Murray last night.’

Barack Obama - 44th U.S. president

Charmer. ‘He’s gorgeous! What an Obama!’ Or pyjamas. ‘She was wearing her Barack Obamas.’

Bill Oddie - Wildlife expert and former Goodie

Voddie — vodka. ‘I’d like a Uri Geller — Stella [Artois], a pig’s ear [beer] and a Bill Oddie.’

An Elton John - Pop star

An Elton John is a 'con'

Osama Bin Laden - Executed Al Qaeda leader

Garden. ‘I’ll spend the afternoon in the Bin Laden.’

Camilla Parker Bowles - Duchess of Cornwall

Rolls. Short for Rolls-Royce. ‘It may not sell for enough for him to swap his van for a Camilla.’

Gregory Peck - Actor

Brass neck. Nerve, impudence. ‘And then they have the Gregory Peck to tell him to take an early David Gower [shower].’

Billie Piper - Actress

Wiper — a windscreen wiper. A ‘You’d better put your Billies on because it’s raining.’

Lionel Richie - Musician

Itchy. ‘I love this jumper, but it’s a bit Lionel Richie.’

Diana Ross - Singer

Floss. ‘My dentist is always telling me to use Diana, but I can never be bothered.’

Carlos Santana - Mexican-American guitarist

Banana. ‘I’ve got a lovely ripe Carlos here.’

Britney Spears - U.S. pop singer

Ears. ‘She has nothing between her Britneys’.

Or beers. ‘You coming out for a few Britney Spears tonight?’

Uma Thurman - Actress

German. ‘We’ve got to get to the pool before the Umas.’

Torvill and Dean - Ice-dancing champions

Beans. ‘Torvills on toast.’

Donald Trump - U.S. President

Hump. A bad mood, a fit of sulks. ‘My girlfriend is starting to get the right Donald Trump.’

Anthea Turner - TV presenter

Earner. A profitable activity. ‘A right good little Anthea.’

Cheryl Tweedy - Singer

Needy (or greedy?). ‘She’s very, you know, Cheryl Tweedy.’

U2 - Rock band

Flu. ‘Don’t disturb her — she’s in bed with the U2.’

Dick Van Dyke - Actor

Bike. ‘On your Dick van Dyke!’

Barry White - American soul singer

Fright. ‘Crikey, that film gave me a right old Barry!’

X-Ray Spex - Seventies punk band

Sex. ‘His wife has stopped him having X-Ray Spex.’

Catherine Zeta-Jones - Actress

Moans. Complaints. ‘Here she goes with her Zeta Jones.’

Fred1 - is it not time you also apologised for posting on platforms with people whose views you must surely "completely reject". :-)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45027582

An interesting snippet of scientific information:

Nearly 4,000 planets have now been discovered orbiting stars other than the sun.

Of these, only about 50 are known to occupy their star's habitable zone but not all are thought to receive the right amount and type of UV to kickstart the origins of life.

It has been estimated there are as many as 700 million trillion terrestrial planets in the observable universe.

ie. That is 700,000,000,000,000,000,000 planets in the observable universe

UV; based on our current understanding.

As for the observable universe lie, it is all done with mirrors. :)

Cheers,
KidA

Which one of those 700 million trillion is heaven and will God put us on one when we depart this planet?

Mind-boggling !!

I wanna know which one Fred is from :-)

My wireless Logitech mouse had stopped scrolling.

I suspected it could well be full of 'gubbins'.

First I changed the batteries and then, as best I could, I blew inside it with my compressed air can's nozzle pipe.

Guess what?

Correct! I had now 'de-gubbinzed' it and it works.