Topics

(I seen this thread on football365 and thought it was a good idea...)

1.  Maddie Mccann's parents killed her
2.  Prostitution should be legalised
3.  The Moon Landings didn't happen
4.  Gay couples should be allowed to adopt
5.  Abortion should be illegal
6.  The unemployed should be made work in public service if they accept benefits
7.  All the parent/toddler spaces should be made disabled spaces
8.  Elvis is alive
9.  UFOs exist - we are not alone
10.The NHS should be privatised.

Target GPs to work longer hours for the silly f**kers who are sick but not sick enough to take a few hours off work and who have never heard of the out-of-hours service. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7223245.stm



Genius!

No country for old men

What a film!

Absolutely brilliant, we'll be talking about it in 30 years.

I was a bit annoyed with the ending at first but the more I think about it the more I think it was a great.


I was thinking of going to alien vs predator but I've been hearing mixed reviews.   

Day 1 on healthy eating lifestyle, well actually only about 9 hours in to it, pog isn't doing so well. 
I've a headache caused by pure hunger from about 3 o'clock.  I did, almost literally, run past the sweets in the shop - I was starving at that stage, I'm just finished my dinner I'm still starving, I need a bag of sweets.

Someone tell me what I can eat that's good for you and will fill me and stop the sugar cravings.
How long will it take before your body gets use to coping with a normal amount of sugar?


It's the 7th of January - someone has to be as miserable as me.
How are you smokers getting on?

[Affairs blamed for NI divorces]

Affairs blamed for NI divorces
Affairs have been blamed for the collapse of half of all the troubled marriages in Northern Ireland.

Secret liasions is one of the reasons marriages break down
Boredom and financial pressure were also among the key reasons for irreconcilable break-downs, a new survey has revealed.

The study by the InsideDivorce.com website said affairs were blamed for relationship difficulties by 50% of those taking part from Northern Ireland, compared to an average of 27% across the UK.

Relate Northern Ireland chief executive Gerald Clarke said: "There is a lot of economic hardship and the aftermath of the Troubles leaving a lot of people scarred as a result of what has gone on.

"While it is being brushed under the carpet, it still leaves a scar."

Apart from secret liaisons, money and couples in loveless marriages, other causes of separation included domestic abuse, lack of sex, stress caused by Christmas breakdown in communications.

In 2006, just under 2,600 marriages ended, the largest tally yet.

For couples married in the mid-1980s, an estimated one-in-six relationships ended by the 20th wedding anniversary.

Researchers said 60% of divorcees counted boredom as a flaw in their marriage, compared to 29% in the rest of the UK.

Domestic violence was less of a problem in Northern Ireland, with one-in-10 highlighting abuse.

Northern Ireland people were more likely to suffer emotionally, with one-in-two left a wreck by the separation. Only 10% cited lack of sex as an issue.

The days after Christmas are among the busiest for divorce lawyers, with a stressful Christmas often the final nail in the marital coffin.

Most divorces at this time of year are instigated by women and more infidelities are committed during the Christmas party season than at any other time of the year.

Mr Clarke added: "Christmas is always a stressful time when it comes to relationships because of the myth presented by the media that puts individuals and couples under enormous emotional and financial pressure to live up to the image created.

"Most people can't afford it or are disappointed because their expectations are not being fulfilled."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7168502.stm

Help me. Somebody help me.

I thought I'd get us started with the awards this year so I want your nominations from your various categories - feel free to add categories.

Gaa Discussion Poster of the Year: 

Hurling Discussion Poster of the Year:

Local Discussion Poster of the Year:

General Discussion Poster of the Year:

Best Newcomer:

Best Thread Starter:

Best Thread:

Funniest Poster of the Year:

Biggest Shit Stirrer:

Since yous for f**king ruining another one!

[After the meeting with Ambassador Omer Siddig, Mr Miliband said he emphasised Britain's respect of Islam and the "close relations" between the two countries.]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7118245.stm

UK teacher goes to court in Sudan
Police outside the court in Khartoum

A British teacher charged in Sudan with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs has been taken to court.

Journalists were prevented from entering as Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, went inside.

She was arrested after complaints that her primary school pupils had called their class teddy bear Muhammad.

The prime minister is taking a "close interest" in the case and has spoken to her family, his spokesman said.

And Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he hoped "common sense" would prevail in the case.

If convicted, Mrs Gibbons could face a prison sentence, a fine or 40 lashes.

She was arrested on Sunday in Khartoum after allowing her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear in September.

Muhammad is a popular name in mainly Muslim Sudan, and a boy in Mrs Gibbons class has said he suggested to the class the teddy bear be named after himself.

When she arrived at the building on Thursday Mrs Gibbons was taken with about 20 officers into one court before being ushered into another room - in scenes described as "chaotic" by BBC reporter Amber Henshaw.

Embassy officials and her legal team were initially not granted access to her, but were later allowed in.

Meanwhile, in London Mr Miliband met the Sudan ambassador to discuss the case, reminding him of Britain's "long-standing tradition of religious tolerance".

The UK government, which is providing consular support to Mrs Gibbons, said it was "very concerned" about the case but hoped it would be resolved swiftly.

"The Sudanese legal system has to take its course but common sense has to prevail," Mr Miliband said.

"It's not about disrespect for Sudan, it's about being absolutely clear that this is an innocent misunderstanding."

After the meeting with Ambassador Omer Siddig, Mr Miliband said he emphasised Britain's respect of Islam and the "close relations" between the two countries.

"The Sudanese Ambassador undertook to ensure our concerns were relayed to Khartoum at the highest level.

"He also said he would reflect back to Khartoum the real respect for the Islamic religion in this country."

BBC world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds said the British government was treating the case as a consular issue and not a diplomatic incident, with Mr Miliband's approach being to avoid confrontation with Sudan.

Khalid al Mubarak, of the Sudanese embassy in London, said Mrs Gibbons had adequate support.

If convicted Gillian Gibbons could face a prison sentence

"Like all legal systems the judge can decide to dismiss the whole thing or that the case goes on anyway.

"Mrs Gibbons has consular support, the British embassy has one of the best solicitors in the country whom I know personally.

"There is no worry on that front at all. She will be very well represented and well treated."

Even though the British government has expressed concern about the arrest, Mr al Mubarak dismissed any suggestion that diplomatic relations had become strained, instead saying there had been "sensationalist" reporting.

"The general situation and relationship are very good now, with the exception of this minute and unexpected incident of Mrs Gibbons."

Sudan's top clerics have called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam.


But in Britain, the Islamic Human Rights Commission was among Muslim groups to call for her immediate release.

Chairman Massoud Shadjareh said: "Both the Sudanese government and the media must refrain from using Islam and Islamic principles to legitimise this fiasco, which may result in the unjust conviction of an innocent person, and which will only lead to the promotion of Islamophobia and further demonisation of Islam."

And a spokesman for the Muslim youth organisation, the Ramadhan Foundation, said "this matter is not worthy of arrest or detention and her continued detention will not help repair the misconceptions about Islam."

Are these the people we spend our time trying not to offend with too much talk of Christmas?

So with today being one of the last days for the eleven plus do people view this as a good or bad thing? 

Personally I think it's a great thing, and hopefully will put an end to the separating of children at 11 years of age into categories that could possibly shape their future. 
I haven't heard what's to replace it (or if there is something yet?) but hopefully it'll be a long the lines of streaming with children being fit to move into groups that suit them as they develop and grow, something like what High Schools use. 

I'm sick of all the negativity of the Grinds My Gears thread, and indeed of the board as a whole, we've some very negative people on here – always bickering and fighting, yous bring me down!

Coming up to the season of Goodwill (I've checked with the PC police, I'm allowed to call it that) we should be more positive. 

You know what's worth getting up for...

Watching wee birds eat the bread you left out for them
Maryland Chocolate Chip Cookies
Picking wild flowers in the rain
Having a day off to play with FIFA 08
Snow Flakes in my hair
Sausages
the smell of the damp earth in the woods
Catching a nice girl looking at your bum
Getting the last Parent Toddler space in the car park

Following on from the Fat Tax thread...when it was suggested by my oul mate Snowed Under, that giving a child of 3 a slap was child abuse I want to know what people feel on this.

IMO a lot of parents don't bother to discipline their children any more resulting the type of society we have today. 
Of course I don't advocate beating them around the house!

So snowed under my question for you, you've a three year old who won't behave on a plane annoying all around them, you spend a hour shouting at them, telling them to sit down, be quiet, stop yapping etc - they still won't behave, what do you do?

Tributes to former MLA

Tributes were paid today following the death of former Assembly member John Fee who has died of a brain tumour.

Mr Fee (43) was SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh from 1998 until losing his seat in the 2003 election. He died at his Crossmaglen home last night after a short illness.

Mr Fee was a parliamentary assistant to Seamus Mallon MP for ten years before being elected as a councillor to Newry and Mourne Council in 1988 and then the Northern Ireland Assembly.

SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley said Mr Fee would be greatly missed.

"John was a very talented kind, generous and compassionate person, a man who represented this constituency with great dedication and diligence.

"He stood up strongly for peace during the darkest days of the political violence here.

He suffered a severe physical attack for expressing his views against violence but that did not deter him from speaking out against murder and mayhem and continuing to work for a peaceful solution to our problems." Mr Bradley said.

Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy, Regional Development Minister in the Assembly, said he was saddened by MR Fee's death and offered his sympathy to his family.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/1111/breaking32.htm

Former SDLP assembly member John Fee has died as a result of a brain tumour.

Mr Fee, 43, was elected to represent Newry and Armagh in 1998, but lost his seat in the 2003 election.

He had also been a member of Newry and Mourne District Council and was parliamentary research assistant to Seamus Mallon for 10 years.

Mr Fee died at his Crossmaglen home on Saturday evening. Former party colleague Dominic Bradley said Mr Fee was a "talented and generous" man.

He said Mr Fee would be greatly missed.

"He hadn't been ill for very long and it was certainly a shock for us all to learn of his death," he said.

"He was well-known during the darkest days of political violence here for his forthright views. He stood up strongly for peace."

Ulster Unionist assembly member for Newry and Armagh, Danny Kennedy, said Mr Fee had been a "courageous and dedicated public representative."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7089556.stm

Puckoon, to answer your question on another thread (I think it's a whole new argument so I've started another) I don't agree with euthanasia.  If a person, in good health, has outlined a situation where they want to die, then maybe.
Otherwise, no.  We can't go around killing those that are a burden to us and citing reasons like "that's not what they would have wanted"  when we don't know! The healthy and strong in society have an obligation to look after the weak. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/31/nabort131.xml&page=1
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article2776834.ece?token=null&offset=0

What sort of society do we live in where people find it, not only perfectly acceptable to murder babies, but they want to make it as easy as possible!   
Makes my blood boil.

I wonder will we ever have it in Ireland.

From orchardcounty.com

COMPLETE LIST OF NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE FIXTURES INCLUDING DATES AND TIMES


Saturday 2 February

Div. I (7.00)
Tyrone v Kildare
Donegal v Kerry
Derry v Mayo

Div. II (7.00)
Dublin v Westmeath
Meath v Cork

Div. III (7.00)
Down v Sligo


Sunday 3 February

Div. I (2.30)
Galway v Laois

Div. II (2.30)
Armagh v Cavan
Monaghan v Roscommon

Div. III (2.30)
Limerick v Louth
Leitrim v Fermanagh
Wexford v Longford

Div. IV (2.30)
Kilkenny v Tipperary
Wicklow v Antrim
Offaly v London
Clare v Carlow
Waterford a bye


Saturday 9 February

Div. IV (2.30)
Antrim v Kilkenny (7.00)
Tipperary v Clare
Carlow v Offaly
Waterford v Wicklow
London a bye


Saturday 16 February

Div. I (7.00)
Laois v Derry
Kerry v Tyrone

Div. II (7.00)
Cork v Dublin
Cavan v Monaghan

Div. IV (2.30)
Kilkenny v Waterford
Offaly v Tipperary
Clare v Antrim
Wicklow a bye


Sunday 17 February

Div. I (2.30)
Mayo v Donegal
Kildare v Galway

Div. II (2.30)
Roscommon v Meath
Westmeath v Armagh

Div. III (2.30)
Longford v Leitrim
Louth v Down
Fermanagh v Limerick
Sligo v Wexford

Div. IV (2.30)
London v Carlow


Saturday 1 March

Div. I (7.00)
Laois v Mayo
Kerry v Derry

Div. II (7.00)
Cavan v Dublin

Div. IV (7.00)
Antrim v Offaly


Sunday 2 March

Div. I (2.30)
Kildare v Donegal
Galway v Tyrone

Div. II (2.30)
Roscommon v Cork
Monaghan v Armagh
Westmeath v Meath

Div. III (2.30)
Sligo v Limerick
Longford v Fermanagh
Wexford v Down
Louth v Leitrim

Div. IV (2.30)
Tipperary v London
Waterford v Clare
Wicklow v Kilkenny
Carlow a bye


Saturday 15 March

Div. I (7.00)
Tyrone v Laois
Donegal v Galway
Derry v Kildare

Div. II (7.00)
Cork v Westmeath
Dublin v Monaghan
Meath v Cavan

Div. III (7.00)
Down v Longford

Div. IV (7.00)
Antrim v Carlow
Kilkenny v Clare (2.30)


Sunday 16 March

Div. I (2.30)
Mayo v Kerry

Div. II (2.30)
Armagh v Roscommon

Div. III (2.30)
Fermanagh v Louth
Leitrim v Sligo
Limerick v Wexford

Div. IV (2.30)
Wicklow v Offaly
Waterford v London
Tipperary a bye


Saturday 29 March

Div. I (7.00)
Tyrone v Donegal
Laois v Kerry

Div. II (7.00)
Cavan v Cork

Div. III (7.00)
Down v Limerick


Sunday 30 March

Div. I (2.30)
Kildare v Mayo
Galway v Derry

Div. II (2.30)
Roscommon v Westmeath
Monaghan v Meath
Armagh v Dublin

Div. III (2.30)
Sligo v Fermanagh
Longford v Louth
Wexford v Leitrim

Div. IV (2.30)
Carlow v Tipperary
Offaly v Waterford
London v Antrim
Clare v Wicklow
Kilkenny a bye


Saturday 5 April

Div. I (7.00)
Donegal v Laois
Derry v Tyrone
Kerry v Kildare

Div. II (7.00)
Cork v Monaghan
Dublin v Roscommon
Meath v Armagh


Sunday 6 April

Div. I (2.30)
Mayo v Galway

Div. II (2.30)
Westmeath v Cavan

Div. III (2.30)
Fermanagh v Wexford
Limerick v Longford
Leitrim v Down
Louth v Sligo

Div. IV (2.30)
Tipperary Antrim
Carlow v Waterford
Offaly v Kilkenny
London v Wicklow
Clare a bye


Sunday 13 April

Div. I (2.30)
Tyrone v Mayo
Donegal v Derry
Laois v Kildare
Galway v Kerry

Div. II (2.30)
Armagh v Cork
Dublin v Meath
Roscommon v Cavan
Monaghan v Westmeath

Div. III (2.30)
Down v Fermanagh
Limerick v Leitrim
Longford v Sligo
Wexford v Louth

Div. IV (2.30)
Waterford v Tipperary
Kilkenny v London
Wicklow v Carlow
Clare v Offaly
Antrim a bye


Sunday 20 April

Div. IV (2.30)
Tipperary v Wicklow
Carlow v Kilkenny
Antrim v Waterford
London v Clare
Offaly a bye

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7056388.stm

Where's the thread on the anti gaa tv and Darren Graham?

...this Dublin stuff is ridiculous.

Just when Gnevin mentioned  it on another thread... is there no way something can be set up on this site?