Rayvin

Yeah I dunno actually - forging relationships with political figures can be helpful for businesses, the one I work for does this frequently. More importantly though it's what this gesture represents. She is an elected figure, representing the people. Mike Ashley rejected her approach, despite the concerns about bad PR. We all knew he doesn't give a fuck, but this is really on the nose.

I think they're reactive, so unfortunately stuff like this has to come out before they do anything about it.

Dunno, I'm not hugely opposed to Western meddling as long as it doesn't stray into bloodshed (and I have opposed it each and every time it has). Ultimately we're all the playthings of politicians regardless of the stripe, and I'm not really convinced being owned by Russia is any better for Ukrainians than being meddled with by the West. War on the other hand is bad for everyone, and the only side threatening that is Russia. If being owned by Russia, an authoritarian regime with a facade of democracy is not preferable to the constant capitalistic meddling of the US, then that's the Ukraine's choice.

The real risk with the Russia-Ukraine crisis is that Russia doesn't have a 'soft power' option. It's all stick with Putin, he has no carrots that carry as much weight as US money. That means any escalation will be war. With that said, someone mentioned earlier that we need to find a solution that involves both sides not losing face. I think that would only apply if Putin charged in without expecting the international reaction. So far there's barely been a coherent thing said about it internationally. It's encouraging that China isn't backing it, but then they never would given their domestic political situation. Not sure where Russia goes from here... or anyone for that matter.

Wow, I... I think I actually feel bad for them... God that's gotta hurt. Doomed now anyway, City are going to stick the knife in...

Wouldn't an Islamist horde be a rallying point for most major world powers (both the US and Russia are anti-islamist in a number of their policies). As such, how would the Ukraine have any impact on the Islamist invasion. Moreover, how would this invasion work logistically? How would that many Muslims get over to the US to invade it without being destroyed en route? Moreover again, Islamist fundamentalists are a minority - where do they get the people to form this horde? Most ordinary Muslims won't join them... I'm just keen to understand your thinking, I just can't see it.

This is typical of Man City, this... clearly the best team in the league, but lacking in the mental strength to win anything (aside from that league title).

That's very progressive. I suspect too progressive for some. I agree though, although only from a very top level - I couldn't actually watch and support them play, but the principle of benefits for NE football is agreeable.

The club can't sack him now, they've issued a formal warning. The matter is closed from NUFC's point of view. Fastest disciplinary process I've ever seen though, probably to avoid having to sack him once the FA are through with him...

Krul is one of our best players... He has his weaknesses as you rightly say but he's definitely better than Harper!

I think he was quoting the film there, mind you..

Actually, this is probably the opportunity Ashley has been waiting for to ban all journalists full stop...

Even if the FA throws the book at him? Who fucking knows what this'll turn into, the press are going mental...

There was about as much contact on that as the one on Vertonghen midweek... it's a bit gutting actually, some part of me still thinks Pardew must kind of know what he's doing as a manager (it can't all be luck), and now he's probably looking at the sack - Ashley can get him on gross misconduct and fire him without compensation. Will we get someone better? No.

Is it actually any worse than a player doing it though..? I'm not sure it is to be honest, they're all adults.

Could quite possibly get a very lengthy ban though... rest of the season perhaps?

The BBC seems to think Newcastle might sack Pardew over that... ... As if.

How often do we score four goals in a game, let alone win 4-1 away... and Pardew got sufficiently worked up to be able to do that

Haha Pardew, what in the damn hell...

You know that the UK based search engines will be submitting data to GCHQ, who will be in turn passing it on to the Americans, right? Surely you're wanting something like Tor anyway. Why not try that?

Surely he'll play MYM rather than Taylor. If he does, I think we could get something out of this. Maybe. How far have we fallen that Hull City are now seen as a very probable 0 point game.

...Is the first post serious? And yes, in Bruges is an amazing film

Ok... so this thread got a bit OTT again. To take it back to debate again - Japan has an age of consent of 12 (for girls, 14 for boys - presumably down to emotional maturity), and has lower teen pregnancies than the UK by far. Spain is 14 and has lower teen pregnancies than the UK by far. That's why it's something we should at least consider. I would wager (but lack evidence for) that under 16s in both of these countries also have less sex than those in the UK - probably because it is demystified much earlier. With that said, there should obviously be blocks put in place for over 18s sleeping with younger teens. I'm sure that is the case in both of these countries as well.

Graing currently has a 100% win streak with match threads so I think we'll walk it In earnest...think we're going to lose. Hull are a savvy team, and savvy is something we are anything but.

I still don't think it's Moyes you know, Man Utd are an ageing team with a rank average midfield. Our Cabaye centric midfield was better than theirs by far. Actually, their defence is poor as well. If they do sack him, they're going to continue being this rubbish under the next manager, I'm sure of it. As if Juan fucking Mata was the answer to their problems