Happy Face

How fortunate to have off duty US military personell stood next to a terrorist when he kicks off [/Parky]

Yosemite was our highlight on a similar route too. Did you go up to glacier point and walk down the side of the cliff back to the meadow? Some would say it's just a hill and Leazes L7 offers the same, but every turn is another breathtaking view.

would be interested in watching this online if anyone can PM me a link

[emoji38] No less respect than if he'd shit his pants in lidl

and now

because...

I started out installing a load of apps from the microsoft store thinking I may as well, but then things started to get a bit sluggish. Realised I was being a daft, why have a limited tablet version of twitter or facebook or plex on your PC when you have full versions via chrome anyway. So I've removed almost every "app" I can and returned to doing everything via chrome and chrome extensions so it's bombing along nicely again.

I haven't gone through it all myself yet, I've only disabled the wi-fi sharing so far. I intend to knock it all off at some point though. It's just a prettier Start menu, with better search facilities and simplified settings to me.

Yeah The idea is that they want people to have a Microsoft account that shares user information across their PC, tablet and phone... like Apple have done for a decade or so and people absolutely love for it. And they want to tailor ad's and results to individuals like Google and Facebook and that have for years. You turn all that off and they don't...any more than those other companies do. The fact that the NSA are recording every keystroke we all do regardless is neither here nor there when it comes to choosing Windows 10 or not.

This covers it all off... http://lifehacker.com/what-windows-10s-privacy-nightmare-settings-actually-1722267229

Have to admit I've read more than one Ben Elton book. I remember enjoying popcorn when I was a teenager because it was so similar to Natural Born Killers. When i think that now though it would seem to be more of a criticism than a compliment.

I upgraded from Windows 7 last weekend and I think it's lush. Just turn off all the default security, reporting back to microsoft and bandwidth sharing settings. They shouldn't be on as default and you should be asked if you want to activate them, but it's no biggy because the info is out there of what you need to undo. Think the only issue I've seen reported is "IF" you have more than 500 programs some of them don't appear in "all apps". Which sort of a loon has more than 500 programs though?

I'm not comparing them. You are. YOU said Cameron hadn't got British forces tied up in any wars illegally. I reminded you he has. You floundered and started comparing him with other illegal warmongers I disapprove of. Not sure why. So, now we agree Cameron's been a naughty boy on the war front, what about all those apprentices in their late 20s? Good thing?

You're underplaying the UK involvement there but I'm glad you've evolved from your original position which was "No illegal wars" Shall we do apprenticeships next?

I'm not arguing that. I raised that. The difference between agitating for war and sexing up evidence for war ahead of a vote, and going to war without any vote at all, without presenting any evidence to be judged should be very easily understood, even by you. Of course Cameron had an earlier vote and was unequivocally refused permission to get involved. That's why he didn't bother with a vote this time.

Why? You opposed the war right? Would have voted no? A million people marched in opposition and said the evidence was false at the time.

Tony Blair had a vote in commons on the legality of his war. The vote was based on misinformation, but all members were able to judge the evidence and vote with their conscience. 91.4% of conservatives voted in favour. 83.2% of Labour voted for it. David Cameron himself voted yes http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/division.php?date=2003-03-18&number=118&display=allpossible Cameron didn't offer any vote for action in Syria. When we decide to bomb another country, UK law demands a vote. So only Blair stayed on the right side of that one. International law is another matter, but neither of them are on solid ground there either. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/islamic-state-air-strikes-on-isis-in-syria-could-be-illegal-9734474.html

Over a decade ago, in my early twenties, I started posting on forums with no interest whatsoever in politics or world affairs. Well informed discussions on these topics are rare in my real life circles. I still have very little knowledge of it whatsoever compared to most and struggle to find a catch all position I am comfortable with that I can say defines my politics. But genuine debate both here and on N-O gave me a far greater appreciation for numerous subjects. Whether directly from some of the more clued up people that post or from the reading I did on the back of discussions so that I could be involved. I've nothing but gratitude and appreciation for some of the most annoying posters there's been (Fop springs to mind) for just taking the opposing view and arguing for it until they were blue in the face. They provided me an education even while I disagreed entirely. Talking to you on the other hand, I only come away feeling stupider. I'd life you to engage with some of the points made and make an effective counter argument. There always is one. That way there's a chance I could learn something.

Except Blair got the approval of the commons and Cameron didn't. Your absolute statements are crumbling around your ears

You've not articulated what it means to be frozen and who makes that decision. Because, for some reason, you want to mimic a politician whose only allegience is to a party and painting them in the best possible light, rather than informing a debate and understanding what has happened. You're loudly proclaiming that your council hasn't raised council tax due to the freeze. You do realise your council is a labour council though, right? Your labour council has decided not to raise council tax though they were able to do so if they chose, as long as it didn't reach 2% in a year. On the other hand, there were plenty of conservative councils that raised council tax 1.99%, the absolute maximum they were allowed, without triggering a referendum. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11335838/Council-tax-to-rise-in-Tory-shires-despite-freeze-ordered-by-ministers.html Look at the office for national statistics spreadsheet with the overall data here https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/council-tax-levels-set-by-local-authorities-in-england-2015-to-2016 There's a clear drop in increases after the Conservatives took power, but nationwide the average band D council tax rise has still been 4.9% over the term. An average of about 1% a year the past 3 years. Not quite a council tax freeze, more a council tax limit.

You've regurgitated a list of Tory talking points without having the first clue about their validity and embarrassed yourself with how little you know of the detail when challenged. It's not been a debate, I just wiped the floor with you on every one of your 'points'.

So councils had the power to raise council tax by up to 2% a year without a referendum and 40% of councils did so. I've not claimed there hasn't been a freeze. I've provided some context as to why the "freeze" was more of a desire than an achievement. It's not kept council tax rates nationwide the same as they were 5 years back. I'm in favour of more taxes myself, so I don't see why you portray a freeze as a good thing, not even wanting a rise in line with inflation, while councils are being forced to close libraries and that all over the shop.

Catcher In The Rye 36 is probably a bit too old read it for the first time. Still enjoying it like.

No it says it HAS risen...

Spader is good to be fair. I could tolerate the dubious premise if it wasn't for the script and other actors but episode 1 has dialogue like "Don't forget we're adopting a baby". I can tolerate necessary exposition in a short police procedural show, but that must rank up there with the worst example of reminding someone of something they should clearly know about.