mercuryg

By far the greatest picture on here, ever.

This thread has made interesting reading, and from both the main contributors. There is something I have noticed that differentiates between the two; Of course, everyone is entitled to an opinion, and when it comes to a subject as broad and important as this there are going to be vast differences across the board. That is clear here. At the risk of being told I'm making personal attacks - it is not my intention - I'd like to state the following: although I'm quite well-read on the 'ISIS problem' I have learnt from Canny Lass's points. Threegee, while equally eloquent and always readable, has not actually told me anything I didn't already know, bar a couple of interesting links that have reinforced his views quite admirably. To summarise, much has been akin to a far better written version of stuff that pops up on my FB pages from the likes of the EDL and Britain First. Or in the Daily Mail. I'm not, to clarify, saying I think Threegee is wrong; I believe he has some very much qualified concerns, but they are exaggerated.My opinion, of course, and feel free to dispute it. Now, mention of the Daily Mail brings me onto another element of the problem - that of the behaviour and attitude of the mainstream press. I read a daily paper and despair; the standard of reporting is terrible, and in many cases it becomes clear there has been no research. Typical was one tabloids declaration that 'Easter Eggs Banned'; claim was that the manufacturers have removed the word Easter from the packaging so as not to offend 'non-Christians' (I wonder who they may be?) Total nonsense, of course, as it only took a few minutes for someone to find pictures of Easter eggs from the 1970's where said word could not be seen. But, a great headline, doing what headlines should do, grabbing the attention and infuriating Bob at the local newsagents, who buys the paper to read what it's all about. And, it spreads like wildfire on social media (it was posted on my FB timeline five times, by people who should have known better). However, the problem is it simply enhances the belief that corporations are being forced to distance themselves from any religious connotations so as not to offend Muslims; they're not, it's the press that is fuelling the fire. Anyway, Happy Holidays- can't say Christmas, can we. Oh, and before Canny Lass gets on my back, I know, I know: I committed the cardinal sin and opened a sentence with And,

3g, in all honesty, I would strongly advise against referencing 'Above Top Secret' in a serious discussion. Furthermore, a thread that begins with the catch-all 'I'm not racist, as Islam is not a race' (roughly translated as 'I don't like my he followers of Islam'.

Delicious, nothing better than lamb!

At the behest of 3G I thought I'd post this, it may offer some respite from the heavy political stuff. 3G, naughty boy, irked me somewhat when he used a phrase that really annoys me: 'End of!' Not only is it grammatically incorrect, it rarely signifies the end of anything. I mentioned others that raise my ire: 'Do the math' - no, just tell ,me, thanks - and, spoken, often at the bar 'Can I get a...' - no, you can't, the staff will get it for you. Only yesterday, someone actually said to another, within my earshot (and that's pretty close) 'LOL'. She should have been shot, right there. What phrases annoy you?

"Being the world language has its price" This is an interesting point; is it really the 'world language'? I mean, I know it's accepted in many ways as the language of business (although, I might add, not to the extent it once was) but when Mandarin Chinese and Spanish are spoken by more people, can we still claim to be the language rulers of the world? I do quite a lot of work for one of the biggest providers of translation services in the world; they tell me that, more and more, the rising economies are providing documents in their native language, and that Spanish is rapidly becoming a strong business language also. I wonder where we'll be in twenty years time? Oh, I forgot, we'll all be speaking Muslimish. "We don't have a resident troll here, so it's a bit disappointing to find that you aren't actually one." Great comment.

..."This tiny majority".... Surely one means 'tiny minority'? A tiny majority would imply there are very few Muslims to start with. Last time I looked there were quite a few. Unless, of course, all Muslim terrorists are surprisingly short?

I think the above few posts are among some of the best I have ever read; especially the wonderful - and hugely amusing - grammar lesson from Canny Lass. The fluffy white lamb had me almost spit my coffee. Although a writer myself, I'm not as up to speed as that, so it was a - once again, amusing - education. I shall remember it when writing SEO text on how to find a fluffy white lamb, how much they cost, and where you can get the best one for the right price (and, of course, in the meta tags that Google so loves). There is, however, one problem, Canny Lass, that I fear you must address (and far more important, I should stress, than clarifying how many Muslims are harmful or harmless (and, by the way, how do you tell? Should I, on spotting a Muslim in the street - if one can spot one, that is, at a distance - simply ask 'Sir, are you a terrorist'?) and it is this: you say the lamb had only three legs. How come it didn't fall over? What happened to the other 'leg of lamb', I wonder?

Thanks Threegee; my problem is not with you, and I'm not sure where I'm being any more personal than you are, but with the way your posts repeatedly take the stance that you, and only you, know anything about what you're on about. I find it condescending, and unnecessary; of course, a lot of that is the way in which the written word can come across - I'm sure you're a great bloke. See above - you do it again "There are many skeleton's in Juckner's cupboard, but I'm not going to repeat them here as if you are interested enough you can research them for yourself. " How do you know I haven't (I have!) and that other's haven't? I have many pet hates re: phrases - 'End off' is one (because it never, ever is); 'Do the math" is another forget creeping islamisation, rampant Americanisation is far worse) and, when at the bar, 'Can I get a...' makes me want to kill people (see previous comment re: USA). I still don't see what his pa in law has to do with it, but hey!

but your point is not enhanced at all by bringing his father in law into it, which you don't seem to get. Further, closing sentences with 'end of' isn't big, or clever (especially when you then follow those words with many more); presuming you know everything and the rest of us need to be taught is irritating, at the very least.

"Try though we may we are all part of our history" But it's not his history, is it? The man you refer to is not even related, except by marriage.How can his father in law have any impact on his genetic and cultural make up?

What does what his father in law did in the war have to with anything? He has no responsibility for the actions of his father in law?

How sad that we see people resorting to blaming, and I quote, 'Muslims'. They're all to blame, aren't they? Every single one. I find it hard to understand how intelligent persons can be so quick to jump on a bandwagon; this isn't about religion, it's about extremist fanaticism, and the two must be distinct. Ordinary people, with ordinary lives, are being branded by others with extraordinary views. It doesn't take more than a little thought to see this. should add, not an attack on anyone personally, more continued annoyance at the general response.

Tomtom, from what I've gathered leisure facilities were never on the agenda for this development. It is what it is, and surely it's better than nothing?

I have to state I'm not in the corner that cries 'no more housing' and I'm not sure '95%' of those I have spoken to are, either. Either way, the simple fact is this is a mixed use development; housing is part of it, so we have no option. Also, Tony, I'm not sure if you have seen the proposals, but there is plenty of fresh retail space included. The problem is getting retailers to take up the option. It's great wanting more retail, but we then have to repay them by using it. Foxy, you have a good point, an inevitable one.

I'm talking about the dog poo ones. Is that not what you do?

Must admit, I do find it difficult to have to pick Bob the St Bernard up and hold him over the bin when he needs to go. Perhaps a little lower?

Scorpio, the plans are here: https://bedlingtondesigncompetition.wordpress.com/ I've posted here my comments from the Bygone Bedlington FB page (which has been a fun hotbed of controversy these past couple of days) and would like tro explain the opening as I believe it is more fitting here than over there. I firmly believe - and did before I even viewed the proposals - that we, that's the people of the town, were not being 'consulted' at all, but were being given the choice of two designs, one of which was far more preferable than the other. I am now convinced I am right. I also believed I would be seeing five proposals, and would be given a chance to comment on each; while all five are there, three are presented only in one page format, with the proviso that they have already been rejected. Comment on this and you are fed excuses left, right and centre, but not - I must add - from the people who should be explaining, rather others who - rather oddly - seem to be toeing the party line. However, that's enough of that, this is about the potential regeneration of a part of the town that is, quite frankly, all but dead and buried, so my comment was: "So, having been to see the proposals, a few points: I'll leave aside the political machinations, in that this is not a consultation but a presentation. Overall, while neither proposal is perfect - and nor could any be so - one, the Leslie Jones, wins hands down. It is as sympathetic to the nature of the town as it can be, and attractively presented, I'm at odds with the many dissenters who are disappointed with the proposals; in general, this is due to the presence of housing. It's a mixed use site, housing is part of it, and what's more, the inclusion of one and two bed, smaller properties is in my view a good thing. If we are to encourage the younger generations to live in the town, we have to give them something they can afford. I liked the layout and combination of the retail and commercial elements, and the regeneration of derelict and unloved parts of the site. In fact, I don't know how anyone can not be positive about it. I took a walk around the site afterwards - avoiding the shows as I could - and can't see why anybody would prefer what is there now to what should be an attractive mix of new retail outlets, pleasant housing units and commercial properties, as well as a new supermarket. I look forward to seeing it come to life. Get behind it people, at last something is happening for the good."

Quite right; think of the employment possibilities

All true, Sym, but as things stand, something is better than nothing. More to say when I have access to a full keyboard!

Even from a brief glance it's not difficult to see which one ARCH have already, oops, sorry, will choose. The Ryder proposal looks like something out of a sci-fi film, all cold and steely with little regard to community at all! ** should have added, will choose after careful consultation with the people of the town.

It's great isn't it, this repeated juggling of the country's finances!

Foxy, just find one end of the thread and pull it, the rest should follow.

I shall be checking this out later today; must say there's been a lot of controversy over at the Bygone Bedlington Facebook page (always worth a visit, BTW) and elsewhere.

"From being in the doldrums a decade or two ago retail looks to be one of the cutting edges to the service sector........adapt or die! " This does appear to be the case, Malcolm; personally, I reckon that in the next couple of decades the grocery shopping run will move towards online ordering and home delivery, while the High Street will become a place for niche retail outlets.