Something vaguely interesting in the wake of recent terrorist attacks.

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Originally Posted by Burney

I've never said I'm half-Irish. I'm an Englishman of Irish extraction who supports the England cricket team, the Irish rugby team and doesn't care about the England football team. These are not inherently contradictory positions, since none of these things compromises my inherent loyalty to Queen and Country.

Britain has been a vaguely coherent mish-mash of four different countries (well, three and Wales) as long as it has existed. Irishness, Scottishness and Welshness are as much parts of the British identity as Englishness, so anomalies such as me are bound to result from such a loose arrangement. That's quite different to multi-cultural nonsense.

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We are not British.

You can shove it up your hole effectively.

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Originally Posted by Peter

So.... what happened to your Venn diagram then?

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What I'm saying in no way contradicts that. Of course extremism of all sorts will attract those with mental issues who seek the comfort of un-nuanced absolutes. However, the fact that there is crossover on the Venn diagram doesn't mean that everyone - or even a majority - of those involved in extremist activities is mentally ill.
Much of the time the 'mental illness' thing is simply a comfort blanket that means we don't have to face up to the fact that sane men can kiss their loved ones goodbye in the morning and, with a light heart, go on to perform acts of profound barbarity the same day because their faith tells them it's OK.

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Originally Posted by Burney

I've never said I'm half-Irish. I'm an Englishman of Irish extraction who supports the England cricket team, the Irish rugby team and doesn't care about the England football team. These are not inherently contradictory positions, since none of these things compromises my inherent loyalty to Queen and Country.

Britain has been a vaguely coherent mish-mash of four different countries (well, three and Wales) as long as it has existed. Irishness, Scottishness and Welshness are as much parts of the British identity as Englishness, so anomalies such as me are bound to result from such a loose arrangement. That's quite different to multi-cultural nonsense.

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But you have a choice, and we see now how dangerous this wishy-washiness can be.

I'm absolved, of course, because at a casual glance, I look African :-)

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Originally Posted by SWv2

We are not British.

You can shove it up your hole effectively.

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As a nation, you've been British longer than you haven't. Now shut your face.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

But you have a choice, and we see now how dangerous this wishy-washiness can be.

I'm absolved, of course, because at a casual glance, I look African :-)

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I look Irish. Unfortunately. :-(

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Originally Posted by Burney

As a nation, you've been British longer than you haven't. Now shut your face.

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Well..... formally part of the United Kingdom, but not actually british. Its all in the name.

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Originally Posted by Burney

What I'm saying in no way contradicts that. Of course extremism of all sorts will attract those with mental issues who seek the comfort of un-nuanced absolutes. However, the fact that there is crossover on the Venn diagram doesn't mean that everyone - or even a majority - of those involved in extremist activities is mentally ill.
Much of the time the 'mental illness' thing is simply a comfort blanket that means we don't have to face up to the fact that sane men can kiss their loved ones goodbye in the morning and, with a light heart, go on to perform acts of profound barbarity the same day because their faith tells them it's OK.

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That's disappointing. I do like a good Venn diagram.

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Originally Posted by Burney

What I'm saying in no way contradicts that. Of course extremism of all sorts will attract those with mental issues who seek the comfort of un-nuanced absolutes. However, the fact that there is crossover on the Venn diagram doesn't mean that everyone - or even a majority - of those involved in extremist activities is mentally ill.
Much of the time the 'mental illness' thing is simply a comfort blanket that means we don't have to face up to the fact that sane men can kiss their loved ones goodbye in the morning and, with a light heart, go on to perform acts of profound barbarity the same day because their faith tells them it's OK.

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Right. Our own side does it all the time. We earn medals for it though, rather than virgins :-\

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Originally Posted by Peter

Well..... formally part of the United Kingdom, but not actually british. Its all in the name.

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And, geographically speaking, a part of the 'British' Isles :shrug:

I like to think of them as basically welshers but more retarded.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Well..... formally part of the United Kingdom, but not actually british. Its all in the name.

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British Isles.

I fear this might trigger sw. :hehe:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles

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Originally Posted by Burney

I look Irish. Unfortunately. :-(

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It's true you're a bit lumpy, but you don't look like you're made of potatoes like Rooney or my uncle Mick.

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Originally Posted by Burney

I look Irish. Unfortunately. :-(

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Oh, I say :love:

http://marbellamarbella.es/wp-conten...ave_allen2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Sir C

And, geographically speaking, a part of the 'British' Isles :shrug:

I like to think of them as basically welshers but more retarded.

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Why is called the Irish Sea? Surely half of it is ours?

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Right. Our own side does it all the time. We earn medals for it though, rather than virgins :-\

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Yes, but that's professionalism, not faith.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Why is called the Irish Sea? Surely half of it is ours?

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It's just political correctness gone mad, I suppose.

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Originally Posted by Burney

I look Irish. Unfortunately. :-(

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Pasty chubby face ?
Obvious ears ?

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Originally Posted by Peter

Why is called the Irish Sea? Surely half of it is ours?

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It's a puzzle, isn't it? I've always assumed it was short for 'The Sea That Goes To Ireland'. Obviously we must have named it. I don't think they've got round to inventing boats yet.

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Originally Posted by Burney

British Isles.

I fear this might trigger sw. :hehe:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles

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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Formerly the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Part of the UK, not part of Great Britain. QED...

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Originally Posted by Peter

Why is called the Irish Sea? Surely half of it is ours?

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I find the Bristol Channel a bit confusing. Most of it's nowhere near Bristol. It's like calling the English Channel the Folkestone Channel.

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Originally Posted by Peter

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Formerly the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

Part of the UK, not part of Great Britain. QED...

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By that logic, Ulstermen aren't British, p.

This assertion will play badly on the Shankhill, I fear.

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Originally Posted by Burney

Yes, but that's professionalism, not faith.

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Same difference though, innit. In the third world, there is no money per se, so "money", as it were, has no meaning. Or at least, a quite different meaning.

They think they're being professional; you might even say the virgins are their pay.

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Originally Posted by Burney

By that logic, Ulstermen aren't British, p.

This assertion will play badly on the Shankhill, I fear.

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Well that isn't my problem. I didn't name it.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Same difference though, innit. In the third world, there is no money per se, so "money", as it were, has no meaning. Or at least, a quite different meaning.

They think they're being professional; you might even say the virgins are their pay.

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Why don't they ask for half the money up front?

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Originally Posted by Viva Prat Vegas

Pasty chubby face ?
Obvious ears ?

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Pale or red of face, depending on the weather. Chubbyness varies according to weight. My ears are large and pendulous of lobe, but not obtrusive, I don't think.

I have a big, thick thatch of curly hair, a large head, a relatively small nose and a penchant for drinking, digging and eating potatoes that I fear must be hereditary.

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Originally Posted by Burney

I find the Bristol Channel a bit confusing. Most of it's nowhere near Bristol. It's like calling the English Channel the Folkestone Channel.

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Foreigners call the English Channel the "Sleeve", Der Ärmelkanal :-|

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Originally Posted by Peter

Why don't they ask for half the money up front?

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36 virgins up front? Don't really see how that'd work. By the time you'd finished with them a/ they wouldn't be virgins b/ the job would be delayed and c/ you wouldn't be able to take them with you, so you'd have to make do with just 36 for all eternity. :-(

Frankly, I'm beginning to see the flaws in this virgin-based currency system you propose.

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Originally Posted by Burney

I find the Bristol Channel a bit confusing. Most of it's nowhere near Bristol. It's like calling the English Channel the Folkestone Channel.

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As a child we had a rather dull family friend from Bristol, who my father always referred to as 'the Severn Bore'.

He was fúcking top, my dad.

Watching Miss Great Britain one night and out gallumphs Miss Isle of Wight, a stocky lady, causing him to peer over his glasses; 'Miss Isle of Wight? Miss Cowes, more like.'

Spot. On. Every. Time.

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Originally Posted by Peter

Why don't they ask for half the money up front?

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As I say, there isn't really any so nobody's life revolves around it the way ours do.

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Originally Posted by Burney

Pale or red of face, depending on the weather. Chubbyness varies according to weight. My ears are large and pendulous of lobe, but not obtrusive, I don't think.

I have a big, thick thatch of curly hair, a large head, a relatively small nose and a penchant for drinking, digging and eating potatoes that I fear must be hereditary.

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You seem to tick all the right boxes except one
You are highly intelligent

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Originally Posted by Sir C

As a child we had a rather dull family friend from Bristol, who my father always referred to as 'the Severn Bore'.

He was fúcking top, my dad.

Watching Miss Great Britain one night and out gallumphs Miss Isle of Wight, a stocky lady, causing him to peer over his glasses; 'Miss Isle of Wight? Miss Cowes, more like.'

Spot. On. Every. Time.

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Yep, that's dads for you.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Foreigners call the English Channel the "Sleeve", Der Ärmelkanal :-|

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Yes, but that's just envy. They know deep down it's the English Channel. God knows we've proved it to enough of them down the years*.


*Yes, yes, the Dutch. I know.

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Originally Posted by redgunamo

Yep, that's dads for you.

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The Severn Bore though. The Severn Bore! :wipeseye:

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Originally Posted by Viva Prat Vegas

You seem to tick all the right boxes except one
You are highly intelligent

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That is both very kind and slightly racist at the same time.

But hey, a compliment's a compliment. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Sir C

The Severn Bore though. The Severn Bore! :wipeseye:

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Quite a niche geographical reference, too. Impressive - particularly for a non-native speaker.

Ireland is not British.

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Originally Posted by Burney

36 virgins up front? Don't really see how that'd work. By the time you'd finished with them a/ they wouldn't be virgins b/ the job would be delayed and c/ you wouldn't be able to take them with you, so you'd have to make do with just 36 for all eternity. :-(

Frankly, I'm beginning to see the flaws in this virgin-based currency system you propose.

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Ok, just one up front. Its not my system, r suggested it.

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Originally Posted by SWv2

Ireland is not British.

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Its all same though, isn't it.

I mean, who really cares? At the end of the day its just a good bunch of lads who like a drink.

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Originally Posted by SWv2

Ireland is not British.

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No, no. Of course not.

It just happens to be part of the British Isles, speaks English, ties itself to British law and custom, drinks pints and is economically, militarily and culturally dependent on Britain. Oh, and six counties of it are definitely British.

Not British at all.

;-)

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Originally Posted by Peter

Ok, just one up front. Its not my system, r suggested it.

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You must have clean hands

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Originally Posted by Peter

Its all same though, isn't it.

I mean, who really cares? At the end of the day its just a good bunch of lads who like a drink.

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I fúcking care. They ponced off our generosity for hundreds of years and now, drunk on EU handouts, all of a sudden they're too good for the likes of us.

Let 'em stew in their own juice, I say. They'll come crawling back soon enough.