Jump to content

Julian2

Board Sponsors
  • Posts

    7921
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    4

Posts posted by Julian2

  1. Obama gets the bird

     

    A top Russian TV network has sacked an award-winning news anchor who stunned viewers by inexplicably raising her middle finger after reading US President Barack Obama's name.

     

    The bizarre episode happened during a routine afternoon news program hosted by REN TV channel newscaster Tatyana Limanova - winner of Russia's prestigious TEFI television award.

     

    Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/obama-gets-the-bird-russian-newsreader-gets-the-flick-20111125-1ny3z.html#ixzz1ehmQpdPc

    http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/obama-gets-the-bird-russian-newsreader-gets-the-flick-20111125-1ny3z.html

     

    Tatyana-Limanova729-420x0.jpg

     

    I hope all you Americans are suitably outraged over this insult to your countries leader. B)

     

    Wars have started over less!!!!

  2. Now THAT explains why I can't find it!

     

    The series was picked up for a second season on April 19, 2011, two days after its premiere.[8] Casting for the second season began in May 2011.[36] New cast members include Gwendoline Christie as the female warrior Brienne of Tarth,[37] Liam Cunningham as the former smuggler Ser Davos Seaworth,[38] Oliver Ford Davies as Maester Cressen,[39] Stephen Dillane as would-be king and Robert's brother, Stannis Baratheon,[40] Natalie Dormer as Lady Margaery Tyrell, betrothed of Renly Baratheon,[41] Carice van Houten as Melisandre of Asshai,[40] Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy ("Asha" in the novels; her name was changed to avoid confusion with the Wildling Osha),[42] Nonso Anozie as Xaro Xhoan Daxos,[43] Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar,[44] Kerr Logan as Matthos Seaworth,[45] Roy Dotrice as Pyromancer Hallyne,[46] Hannah Murray as Gilly,[47] Karl Davies as Alton Lannister (a character who does not appear in the books),[48] Ben Crompton as "Dolorous Edd" Tollet,[49] Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton,[50] Robert Pugh as Craster,[51] Patrick Malahide as Balon Greyjoy,[52] Daniel Porter as Podrick Payne,[53] Ian Hanmore as Pyat Pree[54] Fintan McKeown as Ser Amory Lorch,[55] and Rose Leslie as Ygritte.[56]

     

    Like the first season, the second will consist of ten episodes.[57] The premiere date will occur in April 2012

     

    Wiki

  3. I saw he was in a hospice yesterday, there was an article on Ali saying he was in his prayers.

    Certainly one of the sports heroes of my generation and came across as a pretty nice guy.

     

    When Ali dies there will be quite a few hurry to point out how nasty he was when he was younger but people forget how hard it was for black Americans back then.

    I think he changed the way many whites thought about blacks.

     

    Still, this isn't his thread, RIP Smokin' Joe.

  4. Time for Obama to lead on deficit

     

    Last week’s fiscal crossfire by Democratic and Republican lawmakers was a reminder of what many had put at the back of their minds; that the deal to avert US sovereign debt default last July was not a real deal. It merely kicked the can down the road.

     

    The next stretch of road ends on 23 November – just over three weeks away – when the so-called “super-committee†of 12 lawmakers publishes the deficit plan set out under the terms of the deal in July. It is meant to come up with a modest $1,200bn in savings over the next decade.

     

    It is easy to see what is needed: A short-term stimulus combined with a medium-term plan to tighten the budget when the economy gets going again. Alas, Washington is in no better shape than it was during the debt crisis. Republicans remain just as opposed to any kind of tax increase. And Democrats, who last week proposed to shrink the deficit by a much larger $3,000bn, will reject any plan consisting only of spending cuts.

     

    Not that the Democrats aren’t trying. Last week’s plan was skewed six-to-one on spending cuts versus tax increases, according the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. This was a far tougher ratio than those put forward by the Simpson-Bowles committee last year, and the Gang of Six senators last summer – both of which left the Republicans cold.

     

    John Boehner, the Republican House leader, still dismissed the Democratic gambit as “outrageous†because of its proposed tax increases on the wealthy. All of which suggests a familiar showdown is looming – and with it the spectre of another credit rating downgrade. In defence of its controversial action last August, Standard & Poor’s cited Washington’s growing dysfunction. Capitol Hill can be relied upon to keep bolstering S&P’s case.

     

    Which leaves the White House. So far Barack Obama has kept his counsel on the kind of package he would like to see. This is a mistake – albeit understandable after what happened in July. In his ill-fated “grand bargain†pitch to Mr Boehner to avert the debt crisis, Mr Obama bent over backwards to accommodate Republicans and was humiliated. He should try again.

     

    Sometimes good policy makes good politics. Instead of watching Congress mess it up and hoping Republicans will get the blame, Mr Obama should submit a plan to simplify the tax code and rein in entitlements spending. He should push to phase out the most wasteful tax subsidies in exchange for lower rates across the board. Every year the US fritters away $1,200bn on tax breaks, such as relief on mortgages and private healthcare plans. Even a 10 per cent shrinkage in “tax expenditures†would meet the 10-year deficit goal. If a third of the tax spending were scrapped, the savings could fund a big tax cut for everyone. And so on.

     

    As it stands, nothing serious is likely to happen on Capitol Hill before 23 November. Even if lawmakers reached a deal on their own, it would be heavily tilted towards spending cuts – the last thing a fragile US economy needs. Nor would it be set in stone. No Congress can bind the actions of a future Congress. That applies to the much-hyped automatic cuts in discretionary spending that would be triggered if the super committee fails to strike a deal. The cuts would begin only in January 2013 after the next Congress is in place – not a big enough fear to concentrate minds today.

     

    Mr Obama has little to lose. Rather than waiting passively for what would almost certainly be a last minute patch-up that could harm growth prospects, he should take the initiative and lead.

     

    http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/757af82e-0182-11e1-8e59-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1cHPcEQxg?ftcamp=crm/email/20111030/nbe/ExclusiveComment/product

  5. That's strange view. No company is being forced to do business with Muslim countries. In contrary, since the old in regime in Libya fell a few days ago representatives from (oil) companies from around the world are racing to Libya in order to secure a piece of the oil market. Being forced to do business looks very different.

    OK... we're not forced to buy gasoline?

    Just torch the car?

    Hang on while I buy a gallon of gas... B)

  6. Unfortunately we have been forced into a position where our society as we know it cannot survive unless we do business with the Muslim world.

    If we pay them billions of dollars every year do we have a right to tell them not to treat women like animals and boil political opponents alive?

    If you were doing good business with a man and discovered he sodomised children would you take steps to correct his behaviour and risk your income or shrug it off as none of your business?

×
×
  • Create New...