what the shit is gonna be dona about putin?

davidmc

One of my dreams is to get to the point where I can live comfortably
& have a martial arts (kung-fu[Chinese]) master as you did (2[?]). Right now i work full time & attend night school. I should be transferring to GMU within 6 mo.'s: http://www.gmu.edu/
Incidentally, thank you for your service in HM Forces. As far as China is concerned, my problem is w/ the "Old Guard" communist's who keep the stranglehold on the populace. The avg. chinese person probably doesn't pose a threat to anyone anything like their gov't does. "Hope" has nothing to do w/ the final outcome of their oppressive gov't, the West has to be proactive in calling them on their "bullshit" pronouncements inre: Taiwan, among other nationalist ideals. There have been admirable movements within the youth in china having to do w/ civil liberties. The same might be said about Iran. My dream is that they both throw off the chains of oppressive, big brother, gov't in my lifetime. I'm not saying democracy is the only form of gov't but freedom of expression & the press seem, to me, to be inviolable rights. Maybe it is because I'm used to enjoying these rights, at least until this draconian "Patriot Act" was passed (forced through fear) by our congress. Now our citicenry can be jailed w/o legal repres., notification to family, ect...Whomever voted on that overreaching legislation should be repremanded w/ extreme prejudice.
Now look, i spent an 1/2 hr. typing no, only 5 min's.

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I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

Carrera

I wouldn't be so sure nuclear weapons wouldn't be used and I wouldn't underestimate the capacity of religious extremists in the White House to use such weapons. Some of Bush advisers are pushing for war with China just as Hitler believed he could unite Europe through military means and create a Third Reich. In the same way, neoconservatives believe the U.N. is an evil organisation, that China is also "godless" and that the Almighty seeks to create another Reich through America. If the Bin Laden fanatics and Bush neos get their way, we'll all be pushing daisies.

FredC

I would like to THANK YOU ALL for the most sentimental of gestures, in that you might miss me a little bit, and I would miss you also. In fact, I have learn't something over the last few months, and that is that only the Rednecks have balls to stand up with words, and principles to match.
I only joined in to support Limerickman, to try to make a balance of the soapbox. Now we have a concensus of Colonials and Rednecks, a position which in general seems to work. You will also note that all the main contributors are of Celtic origin, and are familiar with the repartee and self parody that is a particular attitude to our mentality.
So much so, that when you see a remedial psychiatrist, and he tells you that a few roof tiles are missing. You agree with him.
I'll be in the lounge, to linger a bit longer. Anuzzer one pleez Barman.

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

jhuskey

Now don't get mushy and so forth on us I will lose my angle of perception on my pre-conceived vision of you.
Fred Will Roger (a very popular and extremly weel loved entertainer here in the states) stated he never met a man he didn't like.... of course he never met you.
Just kidding but if I didn't spar with you a little I am afraid you would lose the small bit of of respect you may hold for me and I take large presumption in that statement.
Seriously, if you are embarking into a realm of the media where you may have some impact on the world, or just your small corner of the universe, I wish you well. Good luck and give-em-hell!

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Whenever I can't get excited about riding I just fantasize about someone else's bike.

FredC

I'm finished now to do with writing, apart from ascerbic scripts for comedy, hey who cares, it's either in or out. I really must say that I haven't found much feed on the 'bloody soapbox'. I used to write about the Breeding of the Thoroughbred racehorse, and the Dosage Index.
The immediate problem is to push Eurosport TV into a situation whereby we can come to a concensus of progress in the form of a revamped message board. They are received in 80m homes in Europe. Last year we took them on and won as to reinstating their senior commentator. This year the problem is the that the same arseholes will try to pull off the same stunt. So we must try to evade a similar situation. That's the reason why we must find a resolution before the European starts with the Classics on March 6.
The alternative I've faced them with is that we shall expand our XES board with the provider Jelsoft, and I shall advertise the site in UK cycling mags.
We don't really want the American wankers wrecking the board, we had enough of that last year, when Limerickman started World War Three. Jesus, it was laugh. Lim, Hetchins, and myself, and all the Merkians got stood down for the about 4 hours that day when it got under way. One of the best days of my life. I don't think that any records exist anymore.
Mind you we went to play Tennis on the Wimbledon board, that is Hetchins, PGM, and myself. We completely wrecked the site in about one hour, so much so that Eurosport bleached the whole days messages.
Now then you lot can possibly see my point of view as to having a secure board with logins, and all the other bits just so long as I am the Moderator and Shredder. Vote for me.

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

Brian Cotgrove

G'day Once again FredC, I read with much interest your last post, although I don't undertsand fully, what you're attempting to do. Maybe I'm thick, no make that, I'm thick, no maybe at all.

I cotton on to most things very quickly and usually grasp the greasy tit with ease. So if there is a way that an old cockney lad can help out, at the same time also have a bit of fun, then just call out.

One of the reasons for entering "This Site" was to keep my brain engaged if you get my meaning, being retired is great and I wouldn't change anything for all the cash in the world. I have a good time with my cycling pursuits, I can jump on the deadly treadly at any time of the day, and just piss off into the wide blue yonder so as to speak.

I have a fantastic wife who puts up with my bullsh*t, "we've been together now for forty six years and it don't seem a day too long", sounds like the words of a song I heard my old Dad sing many years ago.

However, although I don't miss punching in to the time clock or the constant daily stress of having deadlines to meet, I do miss the cut and thrust of the banter that was part of my life, daily, with my old work mates?

Keep the wheels in motion. TBC

FredC

Perhaps an explanation might not go amiss here. We'll take the Tour de France as an example. The race is shown live over here in Europe by Eurosport, and has a coplimentary message board running. The rest of the world can listen to the commentary on the Internet, and can send in e-mails that are printed on the board along with our own postings. We can see them, but you lot can't. That's not a problem really, well it might be for you, because we have a bloody good laugh.
The problem with Eurosport's message board is that it has no login system, and therefore no control apart from a moderator of dubious quality. Some idiots use multiple names, transpositions, hijacking handles, and anonymous messages that castigate, and nobody knows who they are. Eurosport, in my experience, believe that the free (forall) and easy approach would not deter posters. Well it doesn't work. This situation backfired on them in a big way towards the end of last season, with the result that the board was eventually pulled of air. Thus the reason for the XES thread. Lim, Hemplands, bikeriderfrance, and myself are part of the team asking for better control. We know who's who at Eurosport, and now with the new season looming up we are trying to force their hand. It really is a battle, but we have one or two tricks up our sleeve.
I hope this goes some way to explaining the situation.

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

Brian Cotgrove

G'day FredC, yes got it, thanks for that, good idea, I hope they see the sense in what your trying to do.

What's the website to get onboard for the Classics and Le Tour?

There are of course and always will be "IDIOTS"...."SPOILERS"....who will hide behind annonimity unfortunately.

We are going ot get all the stages televised by SBS here, but as I said in one of my previous posts, I'll be in the UK for the duration of the tour?

Never mind I'll just have to try and get some updates via the Brit's TV channels?

Keep the wheels in motion.TBC

Carrera

The semi-hardline stance in Chinese government probably has more backing in universities than you might imagine. China is quite aware that the introduction of democratic ideals in the USSR caused disaster from Russia's perspective. The main thing that has been understood in China was the failure of Gorbachev to reform the old Soviet economy prior to any attempt at political reform. China has also chosen to focus on modernisation of the economy before any attempt at political reform is attempted. As the Chinese become more prosperous, it's certain that living standards and gradual political reforms will take place. Even wages and worker rights will increase at some point.
The idea you can suddenly introduce democracy into countries without any such experience isn't the best way to go - as Gorbachev has already demonstrated.
However, on the topic of the the former USSR, it's amazing how U.S. officials are praising the so-called "democracy" in the Ukraine where what you are witnessing is thousands of people on the street supporting one single individual. Nobody seems to have reminded the Ukrainians that democracy has little to do with leaders and personality cults but it's supposed to represent collective decision making and institutions. Instead they put their faith in a single leader (just like in Tsarist times).
I don't like to sound overly cynical but I think western countries should look at their own democracies (and democratic standards) first of all before trying to impose ideologies on developing countries.

FredC

So pleased that you can follow what we are trying to do. Believe me it's for the benefit of English speaking real bike racing fans who have followed the game for years. I don't wish to be disrepectful to the Merkins, but a lot of them buy a bike then tell us about racing in Europe. On the other hand a few of the Merkins understand what's what. This is where it becomes paradoxical. I rather like the idiots coming on the Euroboard because I rip them to shreds. By the way I use a different name on that board, but then again too many ruin the continuity.
We don't know yet what will happen to the boards, ES and ours just yet as all the balls are still in the air for the classics, but we shall be pushing for a solution from them. We've already got ours in place, and they know that. The problem for them is that the commentators use the MB to infill when there is not much activity (audience participation). Now then if all the better posters join in on ours which has instant messaging on a Q&A system against their hold up policy, we are the better proposition for the viewer, but not the commentators. They are totally aware of this situation, so in effect, THEY have two months to sort it out. With the same team we won last time against all the odds, this time is easier for us. They now know we are like a dog with a bone, and won't let go.
Well, hopefully we can't tell you all what we are able, of course we know a lot more than we publish. Must always keep a mag. in the belt.
Well Brian, if you are blighty for the TDF you won't miss a thing, you might even stay for the summer season.
More later.

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

davidmc

You failed to mention the huge organized crime (Russian mafia) element & its associated drag on true economic reform, reminiscent of the USA in the 1920'-40's. They are simply behind us culturally @ 50 yrs. or so. Same goes for the Chinese & their gargantuan pirating industry. They have no respect for copyright's (1st implemented in England, i believe) & thus cannot have a true accounting of products sold in the marketplace. They want to play the game by their rules & our Pres. is likely to accomodate them. He (Bush) doesn't care much for domestic labor/job's, just short term gain for high income ceo's & wall street "gamblers". Same goes for privatizing part of social security, it'll be a boon for wall street. Those are a couple of the myriad reasons why i did'nt vote for himhttp://www.chinatradeextra.com/

__________________
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

FredC

President Bush in charge of Protocol and Principles. Hohohohohoho. Well I'm looking for the odds that he doesn't complete this term of office. Can you find me any?

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

davidmc

I have the same wish, that he is unceremoniously escorted to the airport/jail. It may be improbable judging from the Republican old boy network/ shenanigans: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6771489/

__________________
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

Brian Cotgrove

G'day davidmc, it is unfortunate that you have hit the proverbial nail on the head. the "Russian Mafia" with it's corrupt insiders at government level will hold back democracy in the former USSR and it will be a considerable ammount of time before it begins to show itself as true democracy, as you attested much like the 20's to 40's in the USA.

With regards China and the government there, they too, are having "two bob each way" in their march toward a free market and democracy. It is the old guard the "Old Men" in government that are frightened to loosen their grip on what they grew up with and who know no other way. One can understand their reasoning for doing so, as for them it worked for so many years, rather the devil you know than the one you don't.

The say Rome wasn't built in a day, the same applies for the two country's mentioned here, mores the pity as it is always the ones who have most to loose, that loose the most.

One of the biggest problem that faces the world today is that both the USA and China are the biggest industrial polluters ever. When G.W. says he will not compromise industry and lose jobs, it's a short sighted look at what we are leaving for those who come after us.

By refusing to sign the Kioto Agreement to reduce emission of the miriad of industrial gasses the USA and China are virtually sentencing to death a lot of people who live on the smaller islands around the Pacific. It is those people who will suffer when their island go under water, with the increase level of seas, caused by the melting of the ice caps both North and South.

Here in Australia the Idiot we have as PM "John Howard" is going along the same track and also refuses to sign up too, stating the same reasons as G.W.

I despair when I think of how beautiful this world we live on, is, and how it will be at the hands of mankind, when we have government not prerared to look further than their particular term in parlaiment.

Only time will tell what will eventually happen, I hope that there is a major shift around the world, when the people who can make a difference actually wake up and do the right thing by all of us. I sincerely hope it starts to happen in 2005, keep the fingers crossed?

Don't look back unless it's to see who you dropped on that last climb? TBC