Bob

Really? Oficially

The UK is not developing chemical or biological weapons, the testing at Porton Down is only to check the likely effects upon human exposure to the agents, and the effectiveness of protective equipment

Apparently Saddam was killed many times over during the last war, by both American and British troops

i'm afraid I don't have any pics, supposed to have had some taken when out in the same clothes on my birthday, but nobody took a camera Oh well, perhaps some other time

America has to realise that many parts of the world today, including Europe are getting tired of the apparent hegemony of american culture around the world,

[1]Mmmmm, again, I'm sometimes guilty of over simplifying...

not to mention the perceived superiority of american democracy.

... again, I am talking about perception, not the reality of what actually exists, I don't believe any american actually believes his government, or system of governence, to be perfect. In fact, this forum proves this to be the case.

Neither american, british or any other system of governance is right for all countries, the right of self determination has to be supported, even if we don't like the result, case in point, the Commonwealth didn't immediately dismiss Pakistan after the military coup, even though many within the commonwealth are opposed to the coup. As a result in working to maintain normal relations with Pakistan we were able to secure co-operation with opporations against the Taliban, even though a sizeable portion of the Pakistani population are from the very same tribal group as the Taliban (Pashtun)

... this was intended to be the main thrust of the argument, to which I feel the preamble to was taken (albeit slightly) out of context. However, it was perhaps felt by some to be a little weak

I think that we are in danger of decending into semantics here, so I hope i've cleared up any misunderstanding I may have caused. I for one didn't want to upset any american sensibilities or descend into american bashing, I understand all too well how offensive bashing any nation can be especially as england has been on the recieving end of that itselft, especially during international football tournaments

incidently, not one Afghan has ever been a member of Al Qaeda,

Are you sure about this?

I'm about as sure as anyone can be about this, I think it is beyond doubt that the whole mess in Afghanistan is very tangled, to put it mildly

It is also true that my statement that the Mujahadin fractured into the Taliban & Northern Alliance was simplistic, it was much more complex than that and any argument about the why's and wherefores can quickly become bogged down (i was trying to expand the debate without making the statement too complex )

As for all those behind Al Qaeda, there were a lot of people, not just the Saudis (money and personnel?) and the CIA (money and training?). The whole thing is a tangled shadowy mess and lot of what we think we know is based on a lot of conjecture and supposition. I for one don't think we'll ever get to bottom of it

As for american tax dollars going to big boys and not the ordinary Afghanis, (or others around the world) that isn't unique to the US, it happens to british tax £'s too, guess we've all got a lot to learn out of this

There is no doubt that something has to be done about Saddam Hussain, but as for how we do it, that is another matter entirely. Myself, I don't like the idea of Britain and America going in guns blazing and enforcing a regime change. I don't think it'd work and a lot of lives would be lost trying If there is going to be change in Iraq it'll have to come from the inside, by the Iraqi people themselves

Skirts, long black or denim

Osama Bin Laden did fight against the Russians, the Mujahadin did not become Al Qaeda, it fractured into the northern alliance and the Taliban, and the CIA were involved in training both Al Qaeda (and therefore by default Osama Bin Laden) and the Mujahadin The Saudis who joined Al Qaeda weren't in it just for a stamp in they're passports, they were involved for the fight proper, incidently, not one Afghan has ever been a member of Al Qaeda, and not one Afghan was directly involved on the attacks on 11 September (this doesn't mean none were indirectly involved, the Taliban by allowing Osama Bin Laden safe haven were clearly not upset by his actions) Oddly, the US government gave the Taliban regime some millions of dollars in aid some months before 11 September. This was a show of good-will which many will have approved of, and many would have disagreed of. The aim was I believe to secure reform in the regime and as a first step towards normalising relations As for training the Mujahadin and Al Qaeda, the aim there was very simple, to oust the Soviet forces from Afghanistan and restore democracy through aiding those native afghans in their own fight. I don't think anyone would consider this a bad thing to do, but, unfortunately we didn't fully support them after the soviets left, leaving an enormous power vacuum and resurgence of tribal tensions Also, the US failed to understand just how deeply they are mistrusted in many parts of the Muslim world, in the case of 11 Sep, that miscalculation was, unfortunately, fatal. Of course, most people would have thought such an action would never have been taken by even the most fanatical terrorist, indeed, when I suggested to some coleagues that Middle Eastern terror groups are that fanatical and would be prepared to fly aircraft into buildings (after all, suicide car bombers are all too frequent) I was laughed at. It is a sad reflection on the state of international relations that this prediction became all too real America has to realise that many parts of the world today, including Europe are getting tired of the apparent hegemony of american culture around the world, not to mention the perceived superiority of american democracy. Neither american, british or any other system of governance is right for all countries, the right of self determination has to be supported, even if we don't like the result, case in point, the Commonwealth didn't immediately dismiss Pakistan after the military coup, even though many within the commonwealth are opposed to the coup. As a result in working to maintain normal relations with Pakistan we were able to secure co-operation with opporations against the Taliban, even though a sizeable portion of the Pakistani population are from the very same tribal group as the Taliban (Pashtun)

... And of course, let us not forget that the US trained Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, and funded them too As for Iraq, like it or not it is a sovereign country, what right do we have to tell any nation what sort of leadership and government they can and can't have? Would us Brits like it if the US said "You can't have your undemocratic head of state and undemocratic second chamber"? and promptly decided to send their troops in to depose the Queen and House of Lords? I think not, though the scale of things is not quite as it is with Saddam Hussain, I think there are a great many issues of sovereign right to self determination here, including the right for a people to choose to live in a dictatorship

It's just a shame that a minority of people, (seniors at that, who should no better) will allways cause trouble for those who have no desire to follow the crowd like sheep Interestingly, my boss feels that those people responsible for the rumours in the first place, were jealous. Not because of what I wear but the high profile job I have & have used my clothing choices as an excuse to victimise and bully Maybe sometime soon we'll be above this as a race

Saw my boss on tuesday, he actually apologised for what he said and retracted his request that I promise never to wear skirts in public! He also said that he has no problem with what I decide to wear in my own personal time and that I have his permission to dress down and dress comfortably on night shift! Result!

Well, the research took some time, but i've finally come up with a report on my wearing skirts and what my boss actually can and can't do, so i've asked for an interview with him to ask for an apology, will let you guys know how it goes soonest. Wish me luck!

Why wait until "the trend comes to europe"? Why not start the trend ourselves right now? To be a trend setter is quite literally to start something yourself, which means you're going to be the odd one out, possibly for quite a while!

Will be taking my boss to task with respect to the above, will post the end result in a new thread if everyones interested? Let me know where you'd like it put Firefox

On 2002-06-06 23:53, Firefox wrote:

Ba Ba Xaphod, have you any wool?

Yes sir, yes sir, two bags full!

(Sorry, couldn't resist that )

(By the way, would you believe a loony left wing council in the UK banned the original nursery rhyme "Ba Ba Black Sheep" as "offensive" to people of African origin? The replacement? Ba Ba green sheep of course... it's a true story!)

Wasn't it Lewisham? I was a kid at the time but still managed to make us all laugh!

What's next, There'll be Blue Birds Over The Green Cliffs of Dover 'cos white cliffs is offensive against whites?

QR's only state what you can wear during duty hours (i.e. your uniform) they do not apply to what you can wear off duty And of course, i don't consider myself a transvestite as i'm not dressing like a woman, not that i'm bothered by anybody who does Got some research to do insofar as AP's are concerned

But there are ways and means and you can bet that i am researching that big style! (in fact i've allready spoken with my EO trainer about it) The ground on this one is very thin, but as my coleagues and EO have said, if i was female this wouldn't even be an issue

Can't do that!

Myself, as a result of wearing a skirt on a dare,and being spotted, I ended up in front of my boss being formally interviewed about whether or not that was suitable behaviour and made to promise never to wear a skirt in public again (and I get the distinct impression that goes for all forms of feminine attire)

Sounds like i'm not the only one with car trouble, though at least mine is safe from little ones damaging it! Had to put mine through it's mot, trouble is the only place i could take it thought they could make some money out of me, i.e. con me! Needless to say I went elsewhere for repairs and took it back the next day (free re-test), the wideboys only tried to fail it again! So, i'm shorter this month than planned

Probably not going to be posting too much 'cos i'm probably going to be busy for some time to come, going for a complete career change so in the words of our illustrious PM "Education, education, education" Will drop in from time to time to let you know how things are going

Bad news guy's, I'm not going to be able to make this date (may might still be possible thought) Things seem to taking a significant change for the better in my life (work and social) and it looks like the next few weeks and months are going to be very busy for me

Dentist asking patient "Tell me when it hurts"

The best way to resolve this is through dialog, talking, getting to know the girl. Just "dumping" her because of her taste in footwear sounds a little harsh, after all if the shoe was on the other foot would you like to be dumped because of your taste in footwear? Get to know her, she might surprise you, after all, many people come to enjoy different types of clothing later in life