The General Discussion Thread

[Publish Date updated to restore to front page]

Okay as an experiment here it is. Discuss your favourite generals here!

Well perhaps… Really this is simply the place to post news-items, fun-items or whatever takes your fancy. In short just post what you want here.

It’s just another wee experiment – comments welcome.

Squonk.

[Image: General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett (Stephen Fry)]

17,285 thoughts on “The General Discussion Thread

  1. Ben, Phil made the mistake of extending me respect which I did not deserve. We have discussed my returning his telescope, whereafter it can return to taking up space unused in his shed as it was before I set it up.

  2. Welcome Craig, we *** **** when you turn ***** ****** ** **** with something like *** ***** a site like this one. I hope that’s clear.

  3. Craig,

    Your cunning plan to drive traffic in my direction is working perfectly. Phase two where I turn on advertising and Phase 3 where I charge per comment are on schedule as per our secret plans. We’ll be rich beyond our wildest dreams!

    I hardly need to remind you that it is imperative that this secret plan doesn’t leak!!!!!!!!

  4. Craig; Your curiosity may lead to squonk- dependence from which no pay-to-play clinic will give you absolution. Proceed at your own risk. šŸ™‚

  5. See, even Craig knows there’s a problem with the moderating at CM’s ! šŸ˜€

  6. Why is it a progressive (ostensibly) culture like the UK is so retrograde on cannabis?

    Is there some weird and twisted socialization in competing modes between our cultures? (Rhetorical question alert)

  7. Ben,

    Regulations against cannabis use were weakened by the Tony Blair Labour government on medical advice. They were then strengthened again (along with other drugs) against the advice of the official committee of experts.

    Chairman of the Expert Group (Professor David Nutt) was then sacked!

  8. AA: You obviously are plagued by the same spider-mites afflicting my girls.

    I reommend a liberal application of NEEM oil as a preventative measure. It’s the only way to be sure while in orbit. šŸ™‚

  9. Ben, your lot don’t approve of the weed. They just worked out they could make a lot of money. I don’t know why that took them so long or why other governments don’t follow suit.

  10. Clark: All civilized tax-based nations will recognize the potential. Just as the 25 billion settlement with tobacco cos in the 90’s left many addicted to the revenue, so too will cannabis save Empire. šŸ™‚

  11. If only Tspiras and IMF could see a way out f debt. šŸ™‚

    I presuppose Greek laws on cannabis are as barbaric ( they are) as the UK.

  12. Is there a niche Craig could carve away from Labour hypocrites? I wouldn’t suggest cannabis, but it would rattle cages and even that publicity is not entirely negative.

  13. ah Welcome Craig

    Havin a ball supporting Japan here. Brilliant Skill… šŸ™‚

  14. You don’t think they’ll win, do you Brian? šŸ˜‰

    But needless to say, I’m not watching it (on HD) just because there’s a load of fit women running around. The Ref’s not too bad either, now you mention it.

  15. Don’t you love the constant media jabber about China developing an atoll in the South China Sea while no mention is made of the US Navy building a large naval base from scratch off South Korea’s Jeju Island – what caused that horrific ferry disaster a few months back!

    There’s the Pentagon news, and then there is the real news!

  16. Grief, a bit of rain here but not nearly enough. So hot and humid; the air is like water-vapour soup with insect croutons – seriously, inhaling insects is a cough risk in places, and cycling without goggles guarantees getting them in your eyes. Weather warnings for tomorrow – torrential showers with localised flooding and disruption – probably further north rather than here, but I can hope…

  17. Clark
    “Ben, Phil made the mistake of extending me respect which I did not deserve. We have discussed my returning his telescope, whereafter it can return to taking up space unused in his shed as it was before I set it up.”

    Clark, this is not the first time you just make shit up to have a dig. Please stop.

    The truth is that you have been contacting me in various states recently. In one text frenzy you insisted I sell you the telescope. Which I declined because it belonged to my father.

    I am sorry you feel bitterness towards me but there you go. I have been nothing but honest and supportive towards you which has not been reciprocated.

  18. Clark

    I thought we had left it that you were keeping hold of the telescope. But fair enough. Do return it.

  19. Now former South Korean PM Lee has been indicted for accepting a campaign bribe from the head of a construction company, Mr. Sung, who committed suicide over the alleged corruption.

    Of course, there is no mention in the NYT article that the construction company owned the ferry which carried all the building material for the US Navy’s offshore naval facility to confront China, and the ferry sank when its excessive cargo shifted while in transport.

    And it’s still called a free press.

  20. Keep us all updated on the movements of this telescope, lads! It’s fascinating stuff for the rest of us, as I’m sure you appreciate, we await developments with abated breath…

  21. Lol .. Glen

    My new fetish…Wumin footballers, and Reffs. When the Skies are Obscured by Clouds..And Fecking Midgies

  22. “I thought Iā€™d come here to escape the moderators at my site”

    Are they the moderators who let John Goss talk people into turning their phone into a fire bomb then call me a troll for trying to warn of the dangers?

    Christ if ever there was a good reason to have moderators that was it but they do nothing.

  23. Now German-American relations have hit new lows, though one would have trouble realizing it by reading today’s media.

    Chancellor Merkel had the US ambassador called in to complain about continuing spying by the NSA, including now German companies, if its finance minister is to be believed, though the media just claims that it is based upon Edward Snowden’s old leaks to Wikileaks.

    This raises the whole ugly prospect that the NSA was spying on companies like Lufthansa, and its subordinate Germanwings.

    Then questions arise about its snooping about their dealings with the latter’s co-pilot Andreas Lubitz – what could assist it in setting him up as the fallguy for the crash, and the one held accountable for it.

    Would go a long way in explaining Merkel’s growing independence from what Washington wants.

  24. Well you did a pretty good job, Fred – anyone foolhardy enough to be considering JG’s advice would have seen your warnings.

  25. Hmmm. Wondering about Craig’s visit. Was he just letting us know he lurks? It’s rather insulting he doesn’t offer anything except sarcasm as self-deprecating humor.

  26. What did I say? These assholes smell revenue. What other explanation of their new stanceā€¦.compassion? LOL.

    “Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) have all begun speaking up about the need for more clinical research on the marijuana plant compound known as cannabidiol, or CBD. The three sit on the powerful Judiciary Committee, which has a key voice in setting the federal governmentā€™s firm stance on pot in all its different forms.

    They sent a clear signal in a packed hearing room last week, when the senators took on the tricky issue of CBD, a compound derived from an illegal drug but which many scientists and public health officials believe could treat conditions including cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, and alcoholism. Some parents and doctors have already turned to CBD as an anti-seizure medicine for children who suffer from rare and extreme types of intractable epilepsy.

    Grassley, the chairman of the powerful Judiciary panel, told the audience at a narcotics caucus meeting that it’s not an ā€œinconsistent position” to embrace the beneficial components of the pot plant even while rejecting pretty much everything else about the drug, adding that doctors prescribe morphine but donā€™t recommend their patients go out and smoke opium or heroin. Feinstein and Hatch also spoke about the potential benefits from CBD, and complained that current drug laws impede the parents of sick children from access to what appears to be a helpful medicine.

    http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/07/the-senates-experiment-with-cannabis-000114

    It’s anecdotal for the most part now because little serious research has been done on the healing properties of the miracle plant. Suddenly, that has changedā€¦lol.

  27. Seed banks and agros seek to patent strains but the downside of decriminalization is that tobacco cos and Monsanto will be trying to corner the genetics with global assistance via TPP and emanations. Just as Prohibition and tax laws sought to shutdown individual producers (moonshine) leading to lower State revenues, so the herb’s earliest pioneers who have resembled civic-minded share-ware software engineers will have to accept total control like the rest of us.

    As soon as economic and tax base is recognized by Bankers and politicos the individual endeavors will be reaped by the least worthy amongst us.

    CARPETBAGGERS.

  28. I see a plot arising. Imagine a war of words and PR duels between the CBD and thos impure who enjoy the alteration of consciousness along with the miraculous herbal healing. The p urists campaign is funded through shell cos.

    “You can hire half the poor to kill the other half”

    I see possibilities.

  29. Btw. CBD refers to the non-psycoactive component found in THC. Some I predict will create divide between former allies. Wait for it.

  30. Ben: May I tell my annual joke?

    While over there, a surprising number of Americans were nonplussed that we British did not also celebrate 4/7. Surely this is a celebration the whole world honours, when Jesus rode a dinosaur into Washington and became the first US President?

    No – I assure them. We have our celebration three months earlier, when the Mayflower left.

  31. There was a crazy electrical storm here last night. It came up from the south really quickly; lightning every few seconds, no rain and thunder not very loud for a long time, but then torrential rain with hail and occasional loud bangs. Why does strong lightning not always make loud thunder?

    I couldn’t use the Internet because my router kept resynching, and then I disconnected it anyway because I’ve already had one fried, presumably by a lightning strike on the line. Here are some pictures of the lightning:

    http://www.killick1.plus.com/pictures/2015-07-03-lightning/

    And here’s a rather insipid picture of the Moon which I took on the night of the conjunction; it’s upside-down, ‘cos that’s what astronomical telescopes do:

    http://www.killick1.plus.com/pictures/scope/2015-06-30/moon.jpg

    There might be some more lightning photos. I used the metal clip I made for holding the shutter button down when the camera was mounted on the telescope so as I could avoid shaking it with my hands. I left the camera pointing out of the window taking photos one after the other. I went to bed but couldn’t sleep well. I went back to the camera after a couple of hours, and by strange coincidence just looked at it just as it displayed a message to replace the battery and then shut itself down. There must be over a thousand shots, most of them blank. I haven’t looked through them all yet. I’m going back to bed now.

    Squonk, you’re welcome to copy any of my pics to the squonk.tk server if you feel like it.

  32. “Fred, I do wish you wouldnā€™t use ā€œretardā€.”

    People call me names I call them names. Talk to them about it.

  33. “Has anyone tried the ā€œThree Switch Puzzleā€?”

    Put two switches down, wait a minute then put one back up, run upstairs and if the light is off feel the bulb to see if it is warm.

  34. I didn’t ask Fred for the solution to the puzzle, either.

    The AV referendum didn’t ask the voters what they thought of Nick Clegg.

    The Scottish Independence referendum wasn’t asking what voters thought of Salmond and the SNP.

    I think things would be better if people would pay attention to the actual question and answer it rather than some other question they made up. Listening to what’s asked is a part of basic respect.

  35. Lots of people are effectively bragging; “Oh, I’m one step ahead of you already”. That’s why people constantly interrupt and talk over the other party. Many are convinced (unconsciously?) of their own superiority, and are thus unwilling (effectively unable?) to treat others as equals.

    I’m forever asking basic, simple questions. People don’t like it so I’m unpopular. They take my questions as either leading, or as insults. Habbabkuk gets treated this way, too.

    But the Three Switch Puzzle shows that answers can be multifaceted. The context of the answer is larger than the apparent context of the question.

    My prediction (and attempt at manipulation, because apparently it’s the only way): no one will engage with my observations and postulates above.

  36. Taking over the Germanwings plane’s transponder by French Air Force elements in Nato, and crashing it went like clockwork, and making it look like co-pilot Andreas Lubitz did it all by himself was similarly easy, NSA having collected all the meta-data possible on him.

    Leaking info after the crash about his appointments with neurologists and psychologists, his visits to Dusseldorf’s world-recognized neurology center, Lubitz’s conversations on social media, what he was relating to friends and family, the prescriptions he received and took for various ailments, etc., made him the certain culprit before the plane had even started its deadly descent.

    It’s how to make disasters, and solving them without the culprits having a clue about what is in store for them.

    One can only wonder if the same thing would have happened to the pilots of MH370 if its remains had ever been found.

  37. – unless you’re Habbabkuk and you keep interrupting yourself. But that doesn’t mean people will respond to what you actually wrote. No, they’ll guess at the point they think you’re trying to make, and respond to that instead.

  38. fuckin weather…i took three women on a ferry.. across the Clyde….They all said they were game…. regardless….. picnic for peace….. Arglye Against Trident…. downpour…windows low for air midgies to come aboard… protest across from coulport … i knew before we left….. Lol…but good wee paty after…apart from the music….. i mean i try to tell these wumin…to turn off elvis…. peace all… Venus showed up..at last…..

  39. Did I mention the politics of pot?

    “The complexities of knitting together a legalization initiative that will satisfy the communityā€™s already well-developed interest groups become apparent. But the process is nearing its end, and, it is hoped, a repeat of the movement infighting that accompanied 2010ā€™s failed Prop 19 effort can be avoided.

    The Bay area events are nothing unusual in California this year. Pot politics is in the air. There is a lot at stake for the existing medical marijuana system as the legislature tries again to agree on a statewide regulation scheme, but beyond that, thereā€™s the whole issue of outright legalization, and thatā€™s going to come to a head in the months leading up to November 2016.

    Thatā€™s because Californians are extremely likely to have a chance to vote directly to approve legalization then and quite likely to do so. Polls this year are coming in with support for legalization above 50%, although not enough above for anyone to think itā€™s going to be a slam dunk. Four legalization initiatives are already at the state attorney generalā€™s office awaiting circulating titles and summaries, while a fifth, and the one most likely to actually qualify for the ballot, is set to drop sometime this summer.

    Four states and the District of Columbia have already beaten California in the race to Promised Land of legal weed (much to the chagrin of California activists), but if and when the state goes green, that could be the death knell for pot prohibition. In one fell swoop, 15% of the entire country will have legalized itā€“and thatā€™s not even counting other states also likely to legalize it the same day, including Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada. When the nationā€™s most populous state does something, the rest of us take notice.

    http://www.420magazine.com/2015/06/momentum-mounting-for-2016-california-marijuana-measure/

  40. Holy shit. Andromeda Strain..

    “The comet landed on by the spacecraft Philae could well be home to an abundance of alien microbial life, according to leading astronomers.

    Features of the comet, named 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, such as its organic-rich black crust, are most likely explained by the presence of living organisms beneath an icy surface, the scientists have said.

    Rosetta, the European spacecraft orbiting the comet, is also said to have picked up strange clusters of organic material that resemble viral particles.

    http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/06/philae-comet-could-be-home-to-alien-life-say-top-scientists

Comments are closed.