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jack stowaway

I first started posting on the old Classical Insites(?) board back in the mid-to late 90's. Being new to online discourse, I first lurked for several months, getting to know the members and issues. I wasn't interested in the music contributions, it was the political discussions that motivated me to ...

jack stowaway

Season's Greetings to all members of the CMG family, both past and present. A special wish to absent members, including Corlyss, Ralph, Barry, Dennis [Spath] and the other Jack (the smart one).

Jack S.

jack stowaway

I mean it in the sense of a mutual obsession (although more on the UK side, I think) with the other's motives. Suspicion of the French (whether allied with them or not) seems a permanent leitmotif in English history. These are the two countries, after all, that fought The Hundred Years War. Don't y...

jack stowaway

Their Anglo-centric reading of history invariably positioned Anglo-French rivalry at the center of most world conflicts--from the French-Indian wars of Colonial America to the lead-up to both world wars. I don't understand. The UK and France were allies throughout the 20th century and in both the w...

jack stowaway

Hi John. Thanks for the bienvenue I am the source. (Sounds Biblical, doesn't it.) The passage reflects my own thoughts on the situation. They may well be outdated and/or wide of the mark, but they are a product of a school-history upbringing which focused very much on Great Power notions of history ...

jack stowaway

Another view.... The 'Great Game' here has nothing to do with the Euro and everything to do with Anglo-French rivalry--the enduring fault-line in European history. (Franco-German rivalry is merely a recent side-show). What is at stake, long-term, is cultural-political ascendancy/prestige. The great ...

jack stowaway

As a clear damp dawn rose over Brussels on Friday morning, the tired and tetchy leaders of Europe emerged, bleary-eyed from nine hours of night-time sparring over how to rescue the single currency and indeed the entire European project. Brave faces were put on, bluffs called, counter-bluffs revealed...

jack stowaway

Scarcasm is the 'wit' of those without humour.

jack stowaway

Dulcinea, Gracias! Your brave and colourful posts are a marvel of this board. Long may they continue. As for why Elgar should inspire your fantastical vision, that too is a mystery. The Edwardian melancholic and the Latin quixotic could hardly be farther apart. Perhaps it is yin to yang. Still, frui...

jack stowaway

Melbourne is an interesting city; an eclectic mix of business, beachside suburbs, public gardens, restuarants, pubs, tall, modern buildings, heritage housing, and laneways. I mention the latter because the city is rather famous (and inordinately proud of) its many curious little alleyways--each with...

jack stowaway

Mainstream Pakistan religious organisations applaud killing of Salmaan Taseer Mumtaz Qadri, who killed Punjab governor, showered with rose petals by lawyers as he arrives in court guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 5 January 2011 18.57 GMT The increasing radicalisation of Pakistani society was today laid ba...

jack stowaway

From the UK Guardian, Jan 10, 2011 Salmaan Taseer, Aasia Bibi and Pakistan's struggle with extremism In the home village of the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, there was little sympathy for the politician who was assassinated for supporting her Aasia Bibi isn't at home. Children pl...

jack stowaway

As an addendum to my post, above, I would offer that Dr Fields is confusing values and cultures with manners. Personal traits such as generosity, helpfulness, and empathy are universal, and the hallmark of manners. Politeness and public conduct toward others, on the other hand, is socially and cultu...

jack stowaway

As a frequent visitor to the United States for over 30-years I cannot recall a single instance of rudeness. To the contrary, I am often impressed by the level of public politeness and helpfulness I so frequently encounter in the US. And it may surprise some posters to learn that I feel safer walking...

jack stowaway

Thank you, Agnes, and a very happy New Year to you and your family. "I'd Do Anything" is currently showing on UK TV. I get it on Foxtel. The show is on twice a week. They are also currently showing "When Joseph Met Maria", in which the respective winners of the two previous competitions entertain us...

jack stowaway

Agnes, Did you watch the UK tv program, "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?" Some brilliant young hopefuls competed to star in a stage relaunch of 'The Sound of Music'. Wonderful entertainment. At the moment, they are repeating 'I'd Do Anything,' on UK TV. Same format, except the girls are compe...

jack stowaway

Fair enough, no olives and no branch. But I think I'm not the only poster who feels its gotten a little quiet around here.

Hurry up and get well, Cor.

jack stowaway

What would other posters think of the idea of extending an olive branch to our members-in-exile, Brendan and Saul? The forum is noticeably blander for their absence. More civil, perhaps; less controversial, certainly, but blander. I speak as one who has copped a tongue-lashing from both on various o...

jack stowaway

The original, UK version of 'The Office' is cringe-inducingly funny, even after repeated viewings, as is Gervais' follow-up, 'Extras'. Another genuinely-funny series is 'The Royals', again British.

jack stowaway

Strad,

I'm not a fan of DS9, which is unusual, given my interest in just about any sci-fi series. I am a huge fan of BG for example, and the late, lamented 'Gemini'.

However, your post has made me curious to watch the episode in question. I will look out for it on the Sci-Fi channel.

Jack

jack stowaway

The reason I quoted that bit was the delicious description of Sarah Palin seeming to have no first language. Only Dick Cavett would think to say such a thing. And he mentions the anti-intellectual vein in the American public at large, which might be worth discussing - I've brought it up now and the...

jack stowaway

I use Wikipedia practically every day. It's hard to think of a more valuable internet resource. The information is not only accurate (as far as I can judge) but often surprisingly subtle and insightful where critical analysis is an issue.

jack stowaway

“Middle-age women are very low in those demographics, so something unusual must of happened ,” Beaver said. GRAMMAR!!! :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: Amen to that. I'm pretty relaxed about grammar, but that particular construction (i.e. the lazy substitution of the prepositional 'of' for...

jack stowaway

I typically diet for a few months prior to visiting the US --and then let rip. The one time I did try to carry over my diet into the US I came tragically unstuck when I discovered deep-fried cheescake. I mean, c'mon, it would take a saint.... On another visit I was being especially calorie-vigilant ...

jack stowaway

O for the halcyon days of Beefsteak Charlies' and steak and lobster at $20 a pop. All the shrimp you could eat and unlimited wine, beer or sangria plus dessert thrown into the bargain. My first, wide-eyed visit to the capital of capitals --walking the streets in a daze, feeling I was on a film set. ...

jack stowaway

The news report is a little dated (predating the burqa ban in France) but is a concern. I take the point made by the French critic that 'All Muslims, whether knowingly or not, are members of a political party with an agenda'.

http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplayer/ ... ?aid=17933

jack stowaway

Pretty shocking.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oc ... vow-couple

jack stowaway

The US/UK originally went into Iraq with the long-term intention of creating a stable, pro-Western government. Now, their over-hasty pull-out has created a power vacuum which Iran, naturally, seeks to fill. size=150] Iran brokers behind-the-scenes deal for pro-Tehran government in Iraq [/size] Fears...

jack stowaway

The Australian state of Victoria has, very sensibly, legalised brothels --which are flourishing and tax-paying businesses which put money back into the community. One brothel has an 'Open House' each year where the public are invited to inspect the premises, satisfy their curiosity by asking lots of...

jack stowaway

Trivia question:

Who is the comedian shown in the introduction?

jack stowaway

I visited Ciudad Jua'rez three years ago, crossing the border from El Paso. Juarez is also where over 300 women have been 'disappeared' without trace. From Wikepedia... The phenomenon of the female homicides in Ciudad Juárez, called in Spanish the feminicidios ("femicides") and las muertas de Juárez...

jack stowaway

First Chavez, and now Castro... Capitalist storm clouds loom over Havana after state cuts 1m jobs Cuban workers told to become entrepreneurs in bid to boost island's private sector Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 14 September 2010 The seafront at Havana. Cubans are ...

jack stowaway

Chalkie,

Thanks for the information concerning the free-fall collapse of Building Seven.

I was watching footage on the television news just an hour ago and murmured in surprise when I saw the building go down so fast. Now I know why.

Jack

jack stowaway

I agree with the above posts, an impressive performance --laudable for its mastery of detail, unvarnished style, and clear articulation.

Lest notable for the constant swigging from that bottle of water.

jack stowaway

From the Malkin article referenced by Cosima: That same year, Nigerian Muslims stabbed, bludgeoned or burned to death 200 people in protest of the Miss World beauty pageant — which they considered an affront to Allah. Contest organizers fled out of fear of inflaming further destruction. When Nigeria...

jack stowaway

Who benefits from 'Ladies Night'? Men , because the promotion attracts more women to the bar - a desired outcome for the great majority of male bar patrons. The bar owner , because he makes more money as a result of the above. The women themselves, who customarily enjoy cheaper drinks in return for ...

jack stowaway

Hi Agnes. Yes, the 'fear and wonder' aspect of being is very powerful, almost inevitably directing us towards seeking the source of life in the hope of catching some glimpse into its meaning. The essential difference between the nature worship of the Neanderthals and our own, of course, is that as s...

jack stowaway

You're welcome, Henry. I came across the term only recently; but it immediately made sense as a way of critiquing statements that offer no proof or evidence to back their claims.

jack stowaway

You'll get no argument from me on that point. Islam is notably reluctant to allow any real critical inquiry into the Koran or its sources. Critical inquiry is almost always miscast as 'criticism'. From Wikipedia: Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the literal word of God as recited to Muhammad throu...

jack stowaway

I'd like to propose another take on the God vs No-God argument. Rather than try to prove or disprove the existence or non-existence of God from scripture, why not attempt the somewhat easier task of determining if scripture is 'true' or 'false'? For when we are discussing belief, are we not in fact ...

jack stowaway

We have a 'Do not call' register in Australia which I, and a few million other citizens, promptly added my name to when it was set up a few years back after repeated consumer complaints. Exceptions to the register are registered charities and political polling/government research calls. It seemed to...

jack stowaway

Well said, Nancy.

By the way, I love that Willa Cather quote. To my mind its absolutely true.

jack stowaway

After reading through the posts on this thread and reflecting on the various points raised, I've changed my mind on this issue; i.e. my initial mmisgivings about allowing a mosque on the site in question. I now support granting the application. Why the change of mind? I realised that the issue is no...

jack stowaway

A wee bit late to the party, I know. I am a Spurs fan (now I kept that quiet, didn't I? :wink: ), I am delighted with their performance tonight, European Champions League football beckons. On the subject of the Premiership, I hope that Spurs can finish in the top four again this season. Spurs were ...

jack stowaway

Not just lexicographers, John. You have an admirably fine eye for detail yourself.

jack stowaway

Dang it, Teresa, I was having a lazy morning when I had to go look up 'Oort Cloud'.

jack stowaway

It beats me why RC women want to be priests. Anyone of an age to aspire to a vocation has had only post-Vatican-II priests as role models and only Novus Ordo "ceremonial" to lift them up. Unless they are thinking they've got to be able to do better than what they have known, I have to wonder why th...

jack stowaway

Jack, you'd have to check with the management about the "banned" status of Saul and Brendan. I was merely observing that they no longer seemed to be around, and weren't missed on my account. I know for a fact that Saul is banned; but I'm uncertain as to Brendan's status. But he hasn't posted here, ...

jack stowaway

I just got caught up to this story. When I last visited the States I spoke about whiling away the highway hours listening to this woman in a sort of appalled wonder at her arrogance and rudeness towards callers --not to mention her rigidly moralistic view of human behaviour. Even her 'apology' sound...

jack stowaway

Oh, Lord, JF. You're a fellow Gooner!

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