Search found 248 matches

by Phil H
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:38 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

The other point about Kipchoge's run, if it's not too obvious to be worth saying, is that there wasn't anyone else in the race - the event literally only existed to try and get him below 2 hours. I remember watching it live and I still think it's one of the best things I've seen in sport, but equall...
by Phil H
Wed Jan 03, 2024 12:49 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

The threats Johnny and his wife have received on the back of her abuse, and no action taken against Vorderman, is ridiculous. This particular spat might not be the most important issue, but the idea that a public figure who criticises an elected politician should face criminal sanction, or even be ...
by Phil H
Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:10 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Is it OK to........
Replies: 6
Views: 607

Re: Is it OK to........

Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what is and isn't OK, and can't control anyone else's reaction. #2 to me seems not only OK but healthy and I'd like to think most people would agree. #3 seems on the other hand to be at best based on false or exaggerated information, and at worst could...
by Phil H
Thu Dec 07, 2023 9:31 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30305

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

some of the aversion to the plan is based on an aversion to Rwanda itself You (or I) might be able to find examples of this being the case if we looked hard enough, but I don't think it's a serious factor in the debate. Before Covid happened I'd been toying with going on holiday to Rwanda in 2020 (...
by Phil H
Thu Dec 07, 2023 8:53 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30305

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

I'm going to be that guy :D (tbh might not have noticed if I wasn't 41 myself)
Matt Rutherford wrote: ↑Wed Dec 06, 2023 10:39 pm Oldest Millennials are 41 (born 1981)
by Phil H
Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:29 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold
Replies: 242
Views: 30305

Re: Unpopular opinions you genuinely hold

Creating more CGI and animated porn for the enjoyment of paedophiles would likely reduce offending and therefore be a good thing.
by Phil H
Sun Oct 22, 2023 11:58 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140462

Re: Religion

Is there anything in the old testament that is based on fact? I might try to read/listen to a bit more on this, but brief internet research suggests that Jewish people did indeed experience a period of forced exile and captivity in Babylon - this is the context of much of the prophetic books of the...
by Phil H
Sun Oct 22, 2023 9:33 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140462

Re: Religion

The majority of scholars do affirm Jesus' existence as a historical figure and there seems to be some debate as to whether the alternative 'mythicist' view should be taken seriously at all. (Bart Ehrman's 'Did Jesus Exist?' is among the best-known works to answer 'yes' to that question.) Jesus is no...
by Phil H
Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:50 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140462

Re: Religion

Didn't it turn out Methuselah's age was actually given in months? I don't think so given that the previous few lines of the same chapter refer to Methuselah's own father being 65 at the time of his birth (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%205&version=NIV) Genesis 7:6 goes on ...
by Phil H
Mon Aug 21, 2023 5:22 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Rachel Riley Post
Replies: 76
Views: 16483

Re: Rachel Riley Post

Seems to be a common formula now. Admit generalities and deny specifics.

I think Callum's post is likely to be spot on.
by Phil H
Mon Aug 21, 2023 11:21 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Rachel Riley Post
Replies: 76
Views: 16483

Re: Rachel Riley Post

Pay up his contract or sell him to the Saudis, where no doubt he will be welcomed with open arms There's no doubt that Saudi Arabia is hugely more hostile to women overall than many other places, but firstly I don't know if I want to assume that sex crimes are universally not considered a big deal ...
by Phil H
Sat Aug 19, 2023 10:44 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Coeliac disease
Replies: 5
Views: 667

Re: Coeliac disease

Does anyone on here have it. My 30 year old step daughter has been diagnosed with it but she thought it was IBS I'm curious that gluten free food is quite expensive so I'm wondering what tadtes good. Im also surprised that the hospital she is in doesn't make provisions for dietary needs they gave h...
by Phil H
Fri Aug 18, 2023 11:45 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Rachel Riley Post
Replies: 76
Views: 16483

Re: Rachel Riley Post

Well if they do reinstate him, presumably they will have to publish the unseen evidence that throws significant doubt on his guilt or there would be a huge backlash As I say, I tend to assume that no such evidence exists and there will definitely be a backlash. Until recently I didn't think United ...
by Phil H
Fri Aug 18, 2023 11:04 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Rachel Riley Post
Replies: 76
Views: 16483

Re: Rachel Riley Post

Why were charges dropped then? The victim (as happens in who knows how many less high-profile cases) took him back, and if I remember right, she asked for the charges to be dropped. As far as I know, none of the parties concerned have suggested that the recording is anything other than exactly what...
by Phil H
Thu Aug 17, 2023 9:36 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Women's Football
Replies: 14
Views: 1944

Re: Women's Football

Thomas Carey wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:19 pmwinning the whole thing despite losing a game 4-0 with 77% possession feels a bit silly πŸͺΏ
It wouldn't quite be West Germany in 1954, but still ...

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_ ... -world-cup
by Phil H
Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:03 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Women's Football
Replies: 14
Views: 1944

Re: Women's Football

Two very closely-matched teams in the final. The togetherness in the England camp certainly won't do them any harm - compared to Spain where a number of players have previously boycotted their current coach. Sarina Wiegman has a tricky decision to make on whether to bring Lauren James back after her...
by Phil H
Wed Aug 16, 2023 8:55 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Women's Football
Replies: 14
Views: 1944

Re: Women's Football

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 3:22 pm Why are the Australian women's team called the Matilda and not The Sheilas
Got a snigger from me, well done.
by Phil H
Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:12 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Tuesday 15th August 2023 (Series 88, Heat 33)
Replies: 27
Views: 3264

Re: Spoilers for Tuesday 15th August 2023 (Series 88, Heat 33)

You really think he intended to score 0 all along?

I kind of thought he just lost whatever ability he had to perform under pressure and eventually gave up as a way of coping.

(Either way I doubt an extensive write-up on the apterous wiki was the thing he had his eye on?)
by Phil H
Mon Jun 05, 2023 6:27 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics
Replies: 252
Views: 49378

Re: Track and Field (and Road) Athletics

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Jun 02, 2023 8:02 pm Faith Kipyegon just beat the 1500m world record at the Diamond League in Florence.
Perhaps all the more impressive given the absence of her closest rival (Sifan Hassan) and arguably her next closest rival (Gudaf Tsegay) from the field.
by Phil H
Tue May 16, 2023 7:37 pm
Forum: Countdown - Spoilers
Topic: Spoilers for Wednesday 17th May 2023 (Series 87, Heat 83)
Replies: 14
Views: 1569

Spoilers for Wednesday 17th May 2023 (Series 87, Heat 83)

Will Jonathan finally get his century today?
by Phil H
Tue May 09, 2023 5:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?
Replies: 66
Views: 4273

Re: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?

Ian Volante wrote: ↑Tue May 09, 2023 12:12 pm Are you sure it's not just [...]
Yeah, one of the two, or maybe a bit of both.
by Phil H
Tue May 09, 2023 11:17 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?
Replies: 66
Views: 4273

Re: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?

I think the amount of dignitaries from other countries that came to the coronation implies a level of respect from the heads of state anyway. Wrong way round. Britain is still powerful enough for some other countries to think it worth keeping in with, so they go "if it matters to them, we'll k...
by Phil H
Tue May 09, 2023 11:10 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?
Replies: 66
Views: 4273

Re: Is it time to end, the Monarchy?

One of the best ways I've seen of putting it - having a monarchy effectively means being governed by fictional characters, and "fictional characters are no basis for a system of governance."

(Original tweet - https://twitter.com/unsub_press/status/ ... 5563249664 )
by Phil H
Fri Apr 28, 2023 2:55 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Veganism Discussion
Replies: 117
Views: 11028

Re: Veganism Discussion

An interesting poster suggesting eating fish is the same as eating cats. I'll always remember Martin McGuinness on Question Time in 2004 or 2005 saying he'd recently seen a video where a man picked a Mars Bar up off the ground and then had a hook go through his tongue when he tried to eat it, and c...
by Phil H
Wed Mar 01, 2023 9:02 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: ChatGPT
Replies: 37
Views: 3461

Re: ChatGPT

I've seen an article suggesting that ChatGPT has a heavily left-wing bias. As in, proper Marxist-Leninism. :D Not only do I doubt this to be the case, but I don't even see how it could be the case. What would a "Marxist-Leninist" chatbot look like? If I ask it a question about mortgage ra...
by Phil H
Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:18 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Next Champion of Champions series
Replies: 197
Views: 27547

Re: Next Champion of Champions series

Agree with most of Eoin's predictions. I'd lean towards Tom to win his first two games though, setting up two very closely-matched semi-finals. Hard to see the winner of the second semi not going on to take the title and I'd make Elliott a very, very, slight favourite over Ahmed - though LJD could b...
by Phil H
Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Countdown - General
Topic: Next Champion of Champions series
Replies: 197
Views: 27547

Re: Next Champion of Champions series

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:03 am

I have no idea how you obtained such private information as this about the personal lives of the contestants, or what relevance it has to Countdown, but kudos for the thoroughness of your research.
Cappleman-Lyneses outed as swingers!
by Phil H
Sat Dec 31, 2022 8:26 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Deathwatch 2017
Replies: 467
Views: 209205

Re: Deathwatch 2017

Another one always popes up.
by Phil H
Sat Dec 31, 2022 10:43 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Deathwatch 2017
Replies: 467
Views: 209205

Re: Deathwatch 2017

Murdoch in 2023, please.
by Phil H
Mon Dec 12, 2022 12:51 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: World Cup 2022 Qatar
Replies: 54
Views: 4431

Re: World Cup 2022 Qatar

Marc Meakin wrote: ↑Sun Dec 11, 2022 10:29 am You can't win a major tournament with the likes of Henderson and Slabhead.
Historically, you can win tournaments with Marco Materazzi, Christophe Dugarry, Kleberson, Joan Capdevila, the entire Greece team in 2004...

I wouldn't even call Henderson a weak link.
by Phil H
Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:32 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140462

Re: Religion

Dan Byrom wrote: ↑Fri Dec 02, 2022 4:59 pm
Heh - your bumping of this post prompts me to just add that I no longer consider myself a Christian and haven't for about a year and a half or so now.
Interesting - you previously sounded like you were more 'in' than I ever was, but I took much longer to come out.
by Phil H
Mon Dec 05, 2022 12:27 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Religion
Replies: 548
Views: 140462

Re: Religion

I was lead to believe less than half of England and Wales are religious which would be remarkable Remarkable as in noteworthy, yes, but if anything I find it surprising that it's taken this long. Twenty years ago church attendance in England and Wales was already as low as about 15%, and when Jerem...
by Phil H
Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:19 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: REALLY obvious things you've just realised
Replies: 627
Views: 273911

Re: REALLY obvious things you've just realised

The reason "wanker" became an insult probably wasn't because people thought the act contemptible in itself, but because it implied that the person didn't have other options.
by Phil H
Sun Nov 20, 2022 11:25 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: World Cup 2022 Qatar
Replies: 54
Views: 4431

Re: World Cup 2022 Qatar

Been having a look at the draw. I'd say all groups except the Spain/Germany one have a clear favourite to win. Based on that, we're looking at Netherlands, Argentina, Spain/Germany and Brazil in one half of the draw, and England, France, Belgium, Germany/Spain and Portugal on the other. I think the ...
by Phil H
Fri Oct 14, 2022 11:55 am
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Edinburgh (CO:EDI) - Saturday 15th October 2022
Replies: 46
Views: 12151

Re: Countdown in Edinburgh (CO:EDI) - Saturday 15th October 2022

Fiona T wrote: ↑Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:11 pm
Phil H wrote: ↑Thu Oct 13, 2022 6:32 pm Can give Callum & TC a lift back from Oriam to event venue at least - 2 more potentially
What a star!
Might now end up having to renege on this - and on attending the event - because of a worsening home repair issue. Will see how things pan out.
by Phil H
Thu Oct 13, 2022 6:32 pm
Forum: Countdown - Events
Topic: Countdown in Edinburgh (CO:EDI) - Saturday 15th October 2022
Replies: 46
Views: 12151

Re: Countdown in Edinburgh (CO:EDI) - Saturday 15th October 2022

Can give Callum & TC a lift back from Oriam to event venue at least - 2 more potentially
by Phil H
Fri Sep 30, 2022 11:02 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

Irvine Welsh on Labour's 33-point YouGov poll lead:

"The lesson from Johnson to Truss is: if you're going to have a greedy corrupt moron fuck the country into oblivion, make sure it's (a) a man and (b) entertaining rather than dull."
by Phil H
Wed Sep 14, 2022 11:29 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Republican Atheists
Replies: 10
Views: 889

Re: Republican Atheists

Callum Todd wrote: ↑Mon Sep 12, 2022 8:33 pm Monarch and God are concepts that fulfil very similar sociological roles, or even the same role
Not many people organise their weekly social lives around the monarch though. Perhaps what you're saying applies more to those who "believe without belonging".
by Phil H
Sat Sep 10, 2022 12:35 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022
Replies: 63
Views: 3607

Re: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

I didn't either particularly dislike or particularly like the Queen as a person, but it seems quite un-Newsthump-like to say, in effect, "the people who aren't upset at the death are just pretending not to be."
by Phil H
Thu Sep 08, 2022 8:05 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022
Replies: 63
Views: 3607

Re: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

The fact this is as big as it is reflects the extent of the propaganda that helps keep social inequality in the UK so entrenched.
by Phil H
Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:23 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194626

Re: The C4C Football Thread

Does anyone else think that calling the English women's football team the Lionesses makes them seem like an afterthought to the men's team? I think I saw someone else suggest this, but I don't quite follow why. Whatever their logic or yours is, though, the general level and tone of coverage is prob...
by Phil H
Fri Jul 15, 2022 1:06 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194626

Re: The C4C Football Thread

From 18 betting firms listed on Oddschecker: - 50% name England and France as joint favourites - Six favour England outright and three favour France - Nearly all have Germany, Spain, Sweden and Netherlands (in that order) as their next four most likely to win - Longest price for Netherlands is 29/2 ...
by Phil H
Fri Jul 15, 2022 10:45 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: The C4C Football Thread
Replies: 1265
Views: 194626

Re: The C4C Football Thread

JackHurst wrote: ↑Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:23 am Who are people tipping to win the Euros then?
by Phil H
Mon Jun 20, 2022 6:40 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

[double]
by Phil H
Mon Jun 20, 2022 6:37 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

It's also worth asking how far the Rwanda policy succeeds according to its own stated objectives: - the UK paid Rwanda Β£500,000 for the planned flight last week alone; this would have been the same whether 30-40, 1 or 0 migrants had left on it. - further domestic legal challenges are to come, meanin...
by Phil H
Mon Jun 20, 2022 5:42 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

Rhys Benjamin wrote: ↑Mon Jun 20, 2022 2:51 pm Not to punish illegal entry into a country?

[citation needed]
Article 31 of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention...
by Phil H
Sat Jun 18, 2022 7:58 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

I'm simply seeking information, which seems to be in short supply. I normally quite enjoy your posts by the way, but unless I'm misreading, I don't know what it is you find lacking in my and/or Gev's replies. Nobody on this thread seems to be expert on the topic as such, and neither he nor I appare...
by Phil H
Fri Jun 17, 2022 5:12 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

Gavin Chipper wrote: ↑Fri Jun 17, 2022 11:28 am
... asylum seekers attracted because of Brexit? What would be the reasoning?
I'm guessing that bit might have been tongue-in-cheek.
by Phil H
Fri Jun 17, 2022 5:11 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

Are there any figures for how many people would have a legitimate claim... is it fanciful to suggest that there might be literally hundreds of millions? I've had similar thoughts before - if you added everyone at risk of FGM, forced marriage, homophobic violence, etc... I don't know if that would a...
by Phil H
Fri Jun 17, 2022 11:44 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

has been superceded by the Nationality and Borders Act You haven't highlighted what specific part of the Act backs up your point, and much of it isn't in force yet, but even giving you maximum benefit of doubt, I think the most that can be said is that crossings could now theoretically be criminali...
by Phil H
Thu Jun 16, 2022 9:32 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Politics in General
Replies: 1592
Views: 1635251

Re: Politics in General

Channel crossings are not illegal Channel crossings are not illegal Channel crossings are not illegal Channel crossings are not illegal Channel crossings are not illegal Channel crossings are not illegal Channel crossings are not illegal Channel crossings are not illegal (One of many sources for the...
by Phil H
Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:41 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Trade Secrets
Replies: 155
Views: 42755

Re: Trade Secrets

Is there a foolproof way of reading Telegraph and Times articles without sudscription With the Telegraph you can usually do a quick CTRL + A when the article opens - before the paywall appears - and then paste into Word or whatever. Unfortunately The Times seems not to have left this loophole open.
by Phil H
Tue Jun 07, 2022 11:22 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: TENNIS
Replies: 136
Views: 37988

Re: TENNIS

I don't think I follow tennis as closely as some of you but I'd still be inclined to lean towards Federer, because of the number he won when all of the big three were close to their top level. I'd also argue that 22 with 14 on clay, while obviously making Nadal a greater specialist than the other tw...
by Phil H
Wed May 25, 2022 7:20 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Is it anally retentive to expect people to spend the majority of their working day... working?
Replies: 10
Views: 1069

Is it anally retentive to expect people to spend the majority of their working day... working?

It always frustrates me no end when people effectively treat doing the job they are paid for as optional, but I can't quite shake off the thought that this somehow shows that I take life too seriously, or am brainwashed by capitalism/the state, or am still too influenced by the worst of conservative...
by Phil H
Fri May 20, 2022 11:24 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623833

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

Well I think it's just... the Duolingo person basically saying "You know she's not going to see any of this don't you?" That might seem the most literal reading, but then I don't understand how it appears to have been largely interpreted as anti-Heard and pro-Depp. But thetab - hardly mai...
by Phil H
Fri May 20, 2022 7:34 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: Questions you've always wanted answered
Replies: 1609
Views: 623833

Re: Questions you've always wanted answered

The Duolingo-Amber Heard social media row. What does the offending comment actually mean? https://thetab.com/uk/2022/05/19/duolingo-amber-heard-252204 My best guess is it's meant to imply "it would be funny if she saw how much everyone on TikTok is taking the piss out of her" but I had to ...
by Phil H
Fri Apr 01, 2022 8:47 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: NHS-worship
Replies: 39
Views: 10086

Re: NHS-worship

So I rang up and after about half an hour on hold, I was told I would get an appointment in about 5 months. What? The appointment will be in 5 months? No, you'll get the date in 5 months. So were they just planning on ignoring me until then? Because that's pretty stupid anyway. It's much quicker fo...
by Phil H
Fri Jan 14, 2022 8:22 am
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: No Vax Djokavic
Replies: 22
Views: 2557

Re: No Vax Djokavic

Oof plot twist
by Phil H
Sun Jan 09, 2022 7:09 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: No Vax Djokavic
Replies: 22
Views: 2557

Re: No Vax Djokavic

"In his book Serve to Win, Djokovic described how in 2010 he met with a nutritionist who asked him to hold a piece of bread in his left hand while he pressed down on his right arm. Djokovic claims he was much weaker while holding the bread, and cited this as evidence of gluten intolerance."...
by Phil H
Sat Jan 08, 2022 2:48 pm
Forum: Off-topic
Topic: No Vax Djokavic
Replies: 22
Views: 2557

Re: No Vax Djokavic

Apparently[/url] the exemption was because he had COVID in December. It's proved fairly straightforward for internet sleuths to find photos of him attending events, posing with groups of children and so on, on days which are likely to have immediately followed his supposed positive test. (E.g. http...