Rodders

the problem with voting is most of the votes are rendered redundant in the fptp idea. So as I currently live in a tory safe seat there is afuck all point me voting Lib Dem even though I'd like to. So meaningless, I'll moan all I like and wish they'd overhaul the voting system entirely, including a reform of the houses. Also whilst im no tory, they also won the "popular vote" in England last time round, yet that isn't reflected at all in seats. It's so skewered that apathy can breed quite happily so whilst I think being ignorant of the parties and not bothering is a poor show, refusing to do so because you believe it's a total waste is fair enough. What does spoiling the ballot do? No-one takes any notice of it anyway. Give me, some change including PR, a House of Reps US style and a seperation of voting for my local MP and the Leader /President style type and I'll become more engaged. the current set up is aload of archaic old toss. watched the lib dem conference and whilst I agreed with many of the soundbites, there's just no point at all me voting whilst I currently live where I do.

Interesting to see the comments and the other thread too. I've spent pretty much all day since my last post here playing good old golf, having a proper old carvery, british ale, and then watching the latter stages of the England match and being shocked by how well they played, though later realised croatia had a man sent off. Suffice to see, I don't think I can articulate my feelings on it clearly, as it's all mixed up in ambiguity and conflicting emotions so I'll just shut up

I think i've just grown up with so many negative images, it seems daft ( IMO ) to defend something unconditionally. With the exception of close family, if someone or some thing serially **** up, why be proud of that? Being English doesn't make me better than being french or angolan and I guess I've just grown up seeing alot of stuff in papers about "we're england we should do this and that, sod other countries, sod x y z we deserve this / that" and I find that so embarrassing and illogical. Doesn't mean there aren't traits I don't like ofc and I'll happily claim decent historical figures who are British as part of our past, but then again, what someone else did x years ago, again doesn't mean that now, i am better than anyone else. Patriotism, I find tends to descend into one giant pissing contest, and so generally, I avoid promoting it overtly.

I am yes.

edit: I'll qualify the above just to be sure of what I mean. there are many englishisms I like and am proud of and the values that go as a part of it, but there are equally as many I abhor and find so painfully embarrassing. I'll support and be proud of the elements that I think have a degree of virtue in them, ie the athletes at the games, the spirit of cricket - mock me if you will - might be problems with the selectors there, but generally the way the game is played, and the personnel who represent it. I have enough problems with football as it is with the obscene money and the fact most footballers act like clearings in the woods, and the only reason I follow generally is a link with Villa since I was a kid, especially now we have owners and a manager who exude the kind of traits one can be proud of, but generally, a growing - if small - part of me wishes I'd not been brought up following football. For me, there is absolutely **** all to be proud of in the English football side, from the players, through to the FA, the journalism that surrounds it, and the fans who'll switch from a bit of bigoted chanting to a chorus of boos as and when they please. If they play on tv that I can watch there's a chance I'll probably watch anyway if im not doing anything, but i'm certainly not going to rush out to watch them if I can't when I have extremely limited investment in the team ( will barry score? ) for a start.

i was born in england by total fluke, really don't see why i should support the football team through thick and thin. overpaid prats, an incompetent fa and fans that incur so much embarrassment it's untrue. i do choose to support our athletes in other events and sports as it happens, but football get's a miss I'm afraid.

I enjoyed WC 2002, since then it's all been Villa. Really couldn't give a stuff about the players or the side. It's a closed shop in terms of personnel, managers pandering to out of form overrated tosspots, and most of the more vocal fans who go are absolute tosspots, full of chavs, who embarrass England's sinking reputation by the game. I hope Croatia win tonight cause it'd be **** funnyoot read the tabloid journos go into an apopletic frenzy thinking anyone cares. I follow the English cricket and rugby sides and british athletes at the olympics etc, but the football side? Nah couldn't give a flying **** about it

House - just brilliant in every aspect, and Hugh Laurie's fantastic. West Wing comes in 2nd for me.

7 striking options look poor. A lot of pressure on Gabby to improve and not do **** all in games, Carew to not get injured, Marlon to resemble some form of competence when he starts and Defouneso to not be cowed or bullied when he get's a chance. Short of cover at full back too. goalkeeping dept looks good, milner, and sidwell will hopefully be good and having cuellar luke and nicky in defence is nice, but fairly obvious they weren't our first choices.

Sex Slaves - All Night Long

can't believe Squash didn't get in with some of the crap that's there instead. My vote's for the BMXing.

I'm with ye Mr Mooney agree with you both. Actually, was asked out by a skinny friend of mine, and she's just so unhealthy I could never stomach it ( there were other factors of course ), felt guilty, and obviously didn't use that as the rejection line, but I don't like stick insects nor someone shies away from exercise. Not a totally intransigeant rule, and personality would be the main sway. But as I'd like to think that if I led an active life I'd meet someone with similar hobbies they would naturally be of a healthish disposition anyway.

what Trent said, alot of in fighting with the board there.

^^ I think that's my favourite question out of 512 pages worth. Another light hearted one here fwiw: Villa's first ever game was reputedly against a Rugby side, one half football, the other half rugby. Do you think we'd get a pre-season friendly with the Browns along these lines? And if so who would win overall?

agreed, I love American Gods.

tried reading that: " A short history of ukrainina tractors" after I heard it got good reviews. A middle aged persons book if a book can ever be classified by age. It's ok and I can appreciate it but can't finish it. Starting reading: Flashman instead, which is far more amusing.

Just a bunch of hyperactive over emotional spoilt teenagers being morons. Don't take it to heart, General, it will happen every window. We could sign Ronaldo, and some fool will claim it's a PR stunt. The frustration is legitimate, given the proximity of the season, but the abuse and random rantings is well out of order. Do your sanity a world of good General and have a break from here

General, please pass on my best wishes to Wilf, what a tragic injury for the poor bugger. I assume that now means another player is added to the list, but as much as Im thankful we're through, Im gutted for Bouma.

urgh, dislike most of them, from the odd time I've seen them on question time, bbc parliament etc. Alan Johnson is the only one I've seen a bit of and not thought was a slimey prat, so to give me more potentially electable choices next time, I'll go for him!

at least two at any rate. Seems fairly obvious where the next GE is heading, labour chaps might as well prepare for Opposition as soon as possible.

Woops.

Hi General, Received the home kit today, and it's fantastic - thanks to all concerned!

hmmm, back tracking? Sidwell is great btw, looking forward to the next few signings even if one of our targets has joined Spurs!

General, Another thanks and thumbs up here for the way the Barry issue has been handled thus far.

finihsed To Kill A Mockingbird a couple of weeks back, without doubt possibly my favourite book i've read in a long time, written so beautifully. I hear there's a film version of it though, and I'm in two minds as to whether I should watch it Reading 'White Jazz' now ny Ellroy now.