Joe Rooney

Thanks for the explanation Pencil Neck. It explains an extremely complex subject in terms which I find both relatively clear, and simple. Even without the benefits of a mathematical education, I found myself able to follow the logic of it all. It also confirms my earlier wisdom in taking History and Economics. That, I had, and still have, an affinity for! It bothers me not that it is not original to you. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Several people like yourself, and especially my good friend Swalnalla, have steered me to many subjects and sources of enlightenment that I would probably never have experienced on my own. None of us can excel in every field, but with educated help we can broaden our understanding of many things normally beyond our ken. Thanks again, Joe

This whole conversation is way beyond my comprehension. But I find the topic fascinating, first because you can discuss it with such aplomb, and secondly, how on earth did CK manage to hijack Missvic's opinions There may be more to the man than I might have ever have guessed! Cunning old codger! But please carry on folks. I am interested in seeing where this carries us. Regards, Joe

CK, Like you. I spent a great deal of time in the army. Training for war, and practicing peacekeeping convinced me of only one thing. No one ever wins a war, and peacekeeping, frustrating as it is, is the only productive use of armed force. We have all seen examples in everyday life, tolerance is preferable to any form of coercion. While getting along with one another has it's own frustrations, it is still much better to accept and enjoy one anothers differences than to attempt to change others to our mold. Thats why my kids used to call me "Major Pollyanna" behind my back. But I brought them all home from some god forsaken assignments, so I was quite happy with the tag. The same rationale applies here. If we don't enjoy what we read, or are frequently insulted or demeaned by some socalled joke, or sneer. then we will drop out, the site goes down the tube, and we hear the old cry "Theres nothing worth reading here". I don't believe that either one of us are fools! We probably both were in our youth, but fortunately, experience slapped us in the face, and got us turned around in time for our later life. That is possibly why we rarely got the promotion we longed for, until we had developed enough common sense to employ it properly. regards, Joe

We have a pair of Oriental shorthair sisters, and a seven month Heinz 52 kitten who is rapidly becoming the dominant female. I suppose that someone has to run the household! Joe

Even in it's toughest days, Bedlington was always a tolerant and fair minded town People enjoyed a good argument, but respected one anothers right to a differing opinion. And it is mutual respect and courtesy which is what this disagreement is all about. Fighting, of the physical variety, is only resorted to by the intolerant person who is afraid of reason, and would attempt to win a simple debate by violence. That is not what debate and discussion is for. Nobody cares who wins, it is enough that we explore the subject from differing points ofd view. And being discourteous is no substitute for enjoying another persons personality and beliefs. Thats all that I have to say about that.. I grew up in Bedlington at it's best, and at it's worst. And yes I did eventually attend Universities, Two in fact. And I am still a pitmans son. Even if I don't resort to mangled Pitmatic. I know that I understand pitmatic, I just don't believe that I should inflict it on other people who are total strangers to me, and thus make life difficult for them, and show myself as an inconsiderate fool! Joe

Please! Don't you find it just a little hypocritical to speak of "Fighting like a man" when you hide behind a nom de plume, and spend a good part of your posts pretending to be anyone else but the real you. I understand the need for privacy, and the value of a nom de plume, especially in a small town setting, but I find it particularly cowardly to use it as a shield, from behind which you spew insults, and any other petty attacks which may appeal to your somewhat stunted intelligence. Forums like this are meant for , and are of value in, discussing opinions, experiences and thoughts on any matter of general interest. We never have to agree, and usually don't. But disagree or not, we have a right to be treated with courtesy, and a responsibility to always show courtesey and respect to others. In my opinion, it is this lack of courtesy and respect on your part which has lead to such a strong reaction against your posts, and made you the target of much criticism. If you write like an arrogant and immature fool, then so you will be treated! And, that "Monsta" is only a part of what being a man is all about. So get off your imaginary horse, and grow up! Joe Rooney

Good for you! Now why don't you prove it by expressing lucid, provocative and courteous thoughts in simple English. Not the incomprehensible ravings of the past few weeks. Joe

Twas always thus! Especially in the time of my childhood. "Furnace", not Furness, or god forbid, Furnice. And we, the kids of 1930's Bedlington, used to believe that we were poorly educated. God knows how much it costs to educate present day children to a basic level. It seems like money wasted, from what I read every day. Joe And a "Bah humbug" to you too!

Whenever Monsta leaves me wondering "What was that he said", I just wait until I have read the next four or five posts, and then I find that I can roughly translate the meaning of his comments! Patience, and a little blind guessing. That is all that you need. Joe

Obviously, I could not have known him. But my condolences to you and your family. Joe

A few years back I was reading on this site about plans to create a Light Rapid Transit sytem, circling down the Tyne from Newcastle Through North Shields, Bedlington and Ashington and back to Newcastle. It would presumably use existing rail lines, and provide a faster way for people to get to work, Etc. That was before the site went into limbo for a couple oy years, so I never heard whether it ever actually happened. Did it? or was it just another useful scheme that evaporated like too many others before it. Joe

So, Wansbeck can occasionally be helpful! Thank God for small mercies, if it saved at least one part of Bedlington's soul Joe.

No, we complain a lot about it, but we just make sure that we have snow, or all weather tires, and get on with it. The only exception to that is Vancouver. I lived there in the seventies, and the first time that they had six inches of snow, the city literally came to a crawl. It was like that for two days until the Army came in from Chilliwack and cleared the main roads. The province does have snow removal equipment, bu it is mainly for the highways, especially the Trans Canada. Since Vancouver's weather is usually mild, and they don't get any great amount of measurable snow, I don't believe that they have the amount of equipment that all other Canadian towns and cities would have! Joe. PS. Temperature overnight was -19C, and it will warm up to -15C. But most of North America is in a huge Arctic air mass, so everyone is feeling the cold.

The usual, -17 overnight, warming to -12 this afternoon. Yesterday Winnipeg had a record -42 C. Now thats cold! Joe

Happy Birthday, Andy. Joe

At my age, and after 22 years in the army, I am more than used to all sorts of language. But my parents always taught us that unless we spoke no English, it was not necessary to demonstrate our emotional illiteracy by using obscenities in place of acceptable conversation. Everyone else is free to use whatever they wish, that is their sole choice. But we all grew up to believe and practice that habit. Regards, Joe

In another lifetime, I always knew that peacekeeping was a whole lot harder than just shooting people. But I thought then, as I think now, that it is much more productive and sensible! Joe

No one has belted anyone lately, so I guess so! Joe.

Happy birthday Denzel, jope you have another good year! Joe

If he had had some connections, or if he spoke genteel English, he would have been known as Lord Geordie of Blaydon! Joe

I agree wholeheartedly. If you ever forget where and who you came from, god knows where, and what state you will wind up in? Regards, Joe

I believe that he is a former school teacher, so that shouldn't bother him! The only thing about the kids learning "Cushy Butterfield" is that the PC brigade may object to the line "she's a big lass and a bonny lass, and she likes her beer". Personally I think it lends a touch of local reality! Press on, Joe.

But Colonel, Some of us never forget. And I actually like Owen Brannigan, especially singing Keep your feet still Geordie, hinney. And for really antagonising the marble mouths of the great smoke, there's always Dilston Hall! And a Bah Humbug to you too, sir! Keep it up Ms Hair, you and your kids are the last defence in the battle to stay pitmatic! Joe

From my (Very long!) distance, the whole idea of allowing clamping as a business, is a new way of licensing grand theft. Probably some politician thought of it as a handy way to pay off his nefarious friends. I don't think it happens in North America, I certainly hope not!

What's this? Marital discord in the family Darn! Tsk,tsk. Joe