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Gluestick

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Everything posted by Gluestick

  1. There are indeed examples of positive discrimination. A good friend of mine, who lives on Essex (on the edge of Constable country), fought the 1997 general election as a Lib Dem candidate: in a staunch Tory area. He achieved the biggest ever swing to Lib Dem. Realistically, he knew he didn't have a prayer, but entered the contest for political experience and very valuable it was too. Now, shortly afterwards, as a long-term Lib Dem Councillor, he applied to fight the Euro election, as he wanted to be an MEP. Married, three great children and honours degree in Modern Languages, fluent in french and Italian and pretty good Spanish, Portuguese and German too. Ex Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm and specially selected to train with the Duke of York); oh, and an MBA from CUBS, too. So all in all, a perfect type to fight the UK's corner in Strasbourg. Wrong! He was told that he could not be selected as the Lib Dems needed more women applicants! Never mind their qualifications and abilities, they wanted women! To me, a prime example of a society gone barking.  
  2. [quote user="Michael"]My thanks for the replies - all very helpful. Can anyone suggest how we might keep the immersion for cheap rate electricity but also have a gas back up? We imagine that a house full of friends in the summer will all want showers in the evenings! Thanks.[/quote] To answer your question, Michael, there are special "Ballons", which have a calorifier (Heating Coil) which can be connected to a gas/oil boiler circuit, as well as the electric immersion heater which is standard. So in the Spring/Summer you use electricity and in the colder periods, when you are using the heating, your heat the Ballon  from the Chaudiere (Boiler). Called "Dual Fuel" in the UK: has another name in French which I can't remember. However, as has already been said, a 200 litre Ballon holds a lot of water and with three of us, two showers per day each and washing up and so on, we have yet to exhaust the hot water in one day.  
  3. Well, back now from la Belle France and straight in to a contraversial thread![Www] Why do people even consider the BNP? Surely, it's because the other parties have left many voters feeling isolated. As always, when the dreaded subject of racism comes up, as has already been pointed out, it is now extremely hard to enjoy an open debate, as the majority feel intimidated by even considering making any comment which might be perceived as racist. I am sure, that most of us here will agree that the PC thing has been done to death: at work, socially, wherever, we are now conditioned to preconsider our verbal and written responses, to ensure that we do not err. From many conversations with people of all types, there is an underswell of polarised opinion, towards much of what the BNP platform espouses. I well remember the old chap who lived in Wapping, who became amongst the first BNP local Councillors being interviewed on TV. He had lived in the same two up, two down in Wapping for all of his adult life: he had worked in the docks until they were closed. What finally made him kick back (as he saw it) was a block of maisonettes (bought at fire sale price from the developer in 1991) which was intended as very up-market Yuppy housing, being turned into social housing and then being 100% let to political asylum seeker immigrants from some where in North Africa. As he said, why not let them to the old and loyal tenants and then let the old two ups to the migrants? He felt disincluded. In the same way, my understanding of the swing to Jean Marie Le Pen, was a knee jerk reaction from many French voters, totally fed up with the political hegemony around the centrist candidates. If you like, this was a wake-up call: and it did seem to work, for a time. In the UK, presently, many Middle Englanders (myself included) feel disadvantaged. We seem to pay for everything and are actively discriminated against by the system. As a male WASP, this is particularly so. The majority of multi-racial societies are racist in many ways: New York is an excellent example. For me, the idiotic Race Relations Act (thank you Mr Mark Bonham-Carter) was a typical piece of liberal legislation, from an Ivory Tower dweller. In the same way, statutes aganst sexism make for a very tenuous workplace. It is fundamentally impossible to legislate either for or against any social dynamic: rather, it requires an encouraged ethos, for example, if parliament passed a new act, tomorrow, which said something like, "As from midnight tonight, crime is illegal!", the result can be imagined. However, this is precisely what government has been trying to do for forty odd years. They are endeavouring the square the circle on the one hand and totally ignoring the reality that implementing what already exists is the primary method of ensuring social stability on the other. The Grantham Mauler, of course, was the doyen of "Problem? pass a new law!" and New Labour seem to have picked up her baton. The main problem, I believe, against acts of parliment (or Euro parliament) which seek to correct social imbalance, are that instead of actually achieving this, they create a level of overt inequality which in fact has the opposite of the desired effect. Thus in the case of British racism, it is now covert and more deeply ingrained than ever, mainly because instead of learning to rub along, when people are coerced then they become even more resistant. Additionally, like kids at school, talking (mainly myth!) behind the "Bogs" about sex, something which is forbidden, thereafter develops into a sort of delightful and enjoyable and dangerous pursuit. The hidden danger in the BNP is, I believe, that when voters pick on one or two issues which chime with them personally, they tend to ignore the more unpleasant parts of the agenda. But, hey! most of the electorate never question the idiot New Labour platform or the Conservatives bluster either and vote mainly for the wrong things anyway. Those of us with a modicum of nous, can see the friable platform of the Lib Dems and how their platform varies from the lunatic to the impossible and probably, realising that since our own vote is worthless, these days, don't bother anymore.  
  4. Quite right, MH. Otherwise it will become like that other place! [:-))][:-))][:-))] I also elected not to extend my own arguments, as it would not be in the spirit or to the benefit of the forum and most importantly, the majority of the members. Come on Bay Person, either post specific statistics or nice jokes. Pretty please.[:)]  
  5. I'm off to La Belle France for Easter, first crack tomorrow. Her indoors has banned me from having a PC there or even taking the laptop, unless it's really important! Might be on the boards later, but depends on clearing up work. If not, hope everyone has a very nice restful and pleasant Paques. [:D]
  6. Take it onboard................loading ships, are we? Mindset.........................Wot, like a jelly? Where are you coming from?......................Didn't know I'd been travelling. I gotta go up Asdas.....................oho, roof climbing again. I'm off down the town................A sewerage worker, quite obviously. The bottom line is...........................Used when not actually knowing what the bottom line is. This product is the Holy Grail!.........................Um, I rather doubt it.    
  7. Funny that..................................... Number of years ago, had some small involvement in a local organisation (rather, I suppose, a disorganisation) and one of its leading lights was a lady who described herself a "Communications Consultant". Never answered letters, faxes and 'phone calls, though. Of course, me being me, she was quite put out when I mentioned this anomoly![:-))]  
  8. OK 3K, well here we go. Management Buzz words. Crossing the Rubicon: what the hell does that mean? This company enjoys a continuum.....................well, I do hope so or it's history! Going forward............... how can you discusss a strategy that goes back? Cut to the chase...............eh???????? More later.      
  9. Please, please, please don't start me on management buzzwords! Having had the misfortune to have been a very begruding founder member of the BIM (British Institute of Meetings), I have been subjected to endless streams of sheer nonsense, at times. Perhaps the best one I ever heard, was, "Ensure that this information is cascaded upwards throughout the organisation." Now, that would be an interesting waterfall![Www] In defence, at times, I have actually invented buzz words and measured the calibre of those attending the meeting, by their reaction to something idiotic, which sounded very whizzy. One has won when it's quoted back at you a few days afterwards![:-))]  
  10. Baby on Board? Surely, this informs you of the mental age (and ability) of the driver, thus allowing you to take evasive action![;-)] Anyway, this thread seems to have allowed some inner thought to be dispelled! Double negatives: ah yes, very common around here: in fact a core aspect of Esturine language. How about "Anythink"? Even apparently educated people fall into this trap. Anyone noticed how so many younger people are unable to pronounce the word "The"? Instead of the correct RP "Thee" it is so often, pause "Thurgh". I include many BBC announcers/presenters in this criticism. By the way: you no longer score your golf card: it seems in line with "The boy done good", scoring is now called "Carding" thus for your score, you "Carded" x. As your golf improves, you "Play good". Evolution of language. Why is it that excepting the flowery style and clauses acting as adverbs and adjectives of Dickens, (which is style, anyway),  the English language remained virtually unchanged until about 25 years ago?  
  11. Nothing to do with France (or politics![;-)]) except perhaps when one is brushing up one's French language, construction and words become more important. (Who honestly remembered what prepositions were?) What modern idiom annoys you? [:@] Me: it's things like "But I mean.........." at the beginning of a sentence when nothing has already been stated which wasn't what you actually intended! Well come on, either you mean what you are going to say, or you don't! Also using nouns as verbs, such as "Texed" and "Texted". Urghhhh! And "Clubbing". I'm sure Dick Smith will have summat to say here.  
  12. Interesting how perspective can be so very different. In the past few years that I have monitored French politics, time and again the French electorate have demonstrated to government their displeasure: and government have retracted. Remember the working week? Remember the support, suddenly, for Le Penn? (Bearing in mind that he is extremely right wing: and that since the end of WW II France has veered between communisim and socialism). Meanwhile in the UK, whatever politicians have wanted, they have just abitrarily put on the statute books. Meantime, the British electors have focused on their football, soaps and celebs, whilst their civil rights are eroded and Blair cancels Cabinet government.  
  13. Actually, a valid thread on its own account, Opas. This sorry episode demonstrates loud and clear to me, just how the French government cannot run roughshod over the electors. As I have said, elsewhere on this forum, France is fundamentally a socialist and working man's state. The right to demonstrate is enshrined in the constitution of the Republic: unlike the UK, where the fuel protestors were immediately disempowered by the police: acting for the government. Worrying........... If Chirac and de Villepin really want to engage a majority of French people in effective dialogue concerning reforms of he social state and the economy, then this is what they (government) ought to do: rather than issue lofty faite accomplis. Just shows that the French form of democracy is far more effective than the pale imitation of the UK and the USA, really.  
  14. Well, what a lively and most interesting thread this has turned out to be! [:D] Nice to debate a serious issue, in an adult manner, without one of two juveniles falling out of their prams! Hastobe: Whilst I do disagree with some aspects of your posts, I do not think that it would be in the general interest of the forum to take this much further. Delighted to exchange perspectives (and stats!) by PM, to save forum bandwidth and I am sure that we can exchange much useful and interesting data. One small point that has relevance to most joining in here, I hope. NIC: Employer's: 2005-06: First £94 free: then 12.8% Average Gross annual £ 23,400  Therefore most Employer's NIC = 9.1% not 12.8% ! (NSO: 2005 Wages Stats) 2003 (last Year Available). Source OECD: Tax on Income and Profits as % of GDP: UK: 12.9% France: 10.2% Ireland: 12% USA: 10.9% Germany: 9.9% Total Tax Revenue as a % of GDP: UK : 35.3% France: 44.2% Ireland: 30% USA: 25.4% Germany: 36.2% Most Holy: I do agree with most of your post: there is a sort of economic envy, which causes many analysts to rubbish France and it is anecdotal rather than factually based. France does have a solid manufacturing base and also, vibrant activities in technology (SGS-Thompson e.g.) The UK has virtually none. These oft repeated economic myths, also make idiots feel better: almost a sort of fiscal keeping up with the Jones's! My own analysis and view of the forward UK eoncomy is dire! Despite the continued spin from Brown and Blair and their coterie of idiots. Just the realities of Balance of Trade Defecit, Unsecure and Sub Prime consumer debt; mortgage debt; ever-growing PSBR and core government debt, to name but a few! PatF: Yes: French Agri-Industry. In 1957 when France joined the EEC (Treaty of Rome) circa 90% of the TOTAL French workforce were engaged in agriculture: now it is less than 10%! jond. Yes, France apparently controls consumer borrowing, by insisting debt is "Affordable". If a bank lends you too much, then they cannot, in theory enforce the over-lending recovery process in court. Applies to mortgages and other commercial debt. According to Credit Agricole.  
  15. I would very much like a reference source for the PwC study you mention, if possible, Hastobe. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of PwC: after all, they serve the big corporations and rather like Fat Digby (CBI) have a narrow agenda. The UK is vaunted by the present government (and their predecessors) as one of the cheapest places to locate. Large businesses are in the main Tax Neutral concerning VAT. On Cost to employment is only 10% (ish average) of gross salary/wages (NIC), excepting the higher earners (above nearly £600/week). Peripheral benefits are rapidly vanishing: Final Salary pensions, e.g., excepting for higher earners. Circa 49% of UK GDP is created by SMEs (Small to medium Sized Enterprises) as is nearly 48% of total private sector employment. In any case, larger companies are able to employ quite esoteric tax avoidance mechanisms, not accessable by the majority. All mainstream expenses (including Employer's NIC) are offset against Corporation Tax, which has reduced considerably in the past few years. The largest single tax revenues in the UK come from Excise Duty and VAT, particularly on fuel. WHich cost is paid from taxed income (by the individual) and is offset, where Vatable, against Corporation Tax by business. Having had a bit to do with Ireland and capital investment, one of the main reasons Ireland has been so successful in attracting inwards investment has been first the IDA (Industrial Investment Authority) and the tax-friendly system: particularly for exporting manufacturers. That's why so many multinationals relocated or located there. Finally, I would say that the UK (like the USA) has encouraged a highly exploitive business ethic in the past few years: France seems to resist this, on the sensible avoidance of short term gain for long term pain: precisely why Chirac is robustly resisting EU endeavour for France to open up its energy markets. Presumably Chirac does not want an Enron or a Centrica (British Gas) stiffing both business and the public with 24.5% rises, after 12% and 15% rises shortly before![:@]  
  16. Personally, I do believe that often people are blinded by technical data, in these matters. Engineering is all governed by physics: physics is governed by Quantum Mechanics: no heat capture or conversion system is ever 100% efficient. Oh that it were![:(] The basic rule (entropy) is that, effectively, there is nothing for nothing. If this were not true, then by now, perpetual motion machines would have been invented![;-)] With all alternative "Green" or "Soft Technology", at the end of the day, my perspective is that it must be considered in fairly simple terms. What is the Payback Cycle? In other words, at what point is the capital cost overcome by the energy cost saving? Thus far, I have found no alternative system which demonstrates really effective cost savings. It is wholly different, for example, with major installations for office blocks (e.g.). In Sydney, there are office blocks heated and cooled using heat pumps where the water in the harbour provides either heat input or cooling input. The cost of conventional heating/cooling is quite rapidly overcome, or defrayed, despite the capital costs. I am following my chum's adventures with his borehole heatpump installation on a barn conversion in Wales. He uses floor heating (the most effective) but then this was a new build, basically, rather than a retro-fit. Thus I look forward to his eventual report on actual energy consumption.  
  17. One more dymanic to add to the (rapidly boiling!) pot. On a recent survey, guess which state had the highest level of productivity? Well, France, actually! Whilst I do agree about "Jobs for Life", it is surely the same in many places? British civil servants, for example, are not exactly noted for their energetic devotion to the cause: which I would define as serving the public who pay them! And recently, they blackmailed Teflon Tony's apology of a government into granting them a special dispensation on pensions. Nice. Whilst I further agree that employers need some level of flexibility in hiring workers, France does need to avoid the Hire & Fire situation of the USA, which has led to rafts of both Blue and White collar workers being compelled (by the flexible jobs market) to take short-term contracts or work of a menial nature (popularly called McJobs in the USA). The UK isn't far being. Thatcher de-energised the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 and doubled the qualifying work period to two years. It is a fact that globalisation has caused a huge upswing in M & A (Mergers and Acquisitions) which has led to massive redundancies. It is a further fact that executives, whilst paying themselves obscene compensation, have run many large (and sometimes famous) corporations into the ground, mainly due to the executives' incompetence: the workforce have suffered considerably, including loss of pension etc. One has to remember, that France is basically a socialist state and very much a workers' state, too. Yes, the cost of employing people is very high: in the UK it's not, mainly because government succeeded in a cynical ploy of making the labour market a more attractive proposition to foreign investors who were then able to exploit people. In macro-economic terms, one has three fundamental choices: make the people pay for the state: or make business pay for the state: or share the cost equally. At present in the USA and UK, the people are suffering an unfair portion of the burden. For example, for every pound paid in Council Tax, between 25-40% goes to fund retired local authority pensions! Personally, I feel that de Villepin et al, realise they have fiscal problems and like the vast majority of politicans, they simply Pick and Mix a few areas to tweak, since they have neither the whit nor guts to address the holistic problems: and thereafter generate an holistic solution! In France, of course, the people enjoy the absolute right to demonstrate. In the UK of course, they don't. Remember the last abortive fuel protest? Whatever the true (i.e. adjusted) stats are on youth unemployment, what is actually needed, as always, is close attention (and action) to ensure: Schooling and post-school training makes people employable; (i.e. they have relevant skills); The overall economic fabric creates an excellent environment for businesses to invest and create strong product lines and thus jobs; Jobs and forward career prospects allow people to earn enough to improve their position. Simply picking one bit is merely a proptypical political knee jerk reaction, born of depseration, normally![Www]  
  18. Aye, there's the rub! As the Bard once wrote................ We're on the same side, Hastobe. The whole concept of new Labour's "Joined Up Government" has been a complete fiasco from day one. Despite absolute failure, with huge, complex IT systems, the same companies are being awarded new meg-million pound contracts; which are doomed to fail! Nice game if you can join in. This is my core problem with ID cards, as I stated before: rather than ID cards being the Philospher's Stone universal panacea solution to crime, generally and terrorism, specifically (Teflon Tony and Clarke's central "For" argument), they will be yet another billion pound memorial to slavering incompetence of both government and their "preferred" contractors. Who, of course, will all be awarded baronetcies and lordships for joining in! Meanwhile, civil liberties will be set back decades. No honest person (me included) can object to carrying some form of credible ID: after all, I have my old National Identity Card, left over from WW II. Yes, Sadly, I am that old![Www] Only a lad at the time, you understand, my Mum registered for me![:-))] As had to be done. However, I do soundly object to being compelled on the pain of arrest, to register to a system, that is hugely flawed from Day One!  
  19. [quote user="Gluestick"] This is how  it seems to me. bearing in mind, that I did consult my French lawyer friend, who just happens to be deeply involved in international Human Rights issues. I don't have to mandatorily possess a French ID card when I finally move to France, full time. I do have to be able to prove my identity. I can apply for a French ID card and not have to pay for it. Since I must be able to prove my identity in France and the ID card carries a photograph, I think this is a good idea. France is awash with form fillers and love forms! Indeed, the French state runs on paperwork: and has done for many years. Thus it should, in theory, be far easier to assure my actual identity during the ID application process. In the UK, I will be compelled by law to register, own and carry an ID card. I will have to pay for this "Privilege"! With their record to date (irrespective of party in power) Government have an awful reputation of managing anything to do with computerised anything: particularly records! e.g. NATS; Social Security Cards; Home Office; Passports; Inland Revenue; NHS; CSA; keep on going! Despite the claims for biometric integrity, with current levels of identity theft and the chaotic state of Government's databases, it will be quite simple for a person with a false identity, to apply and have their biometric data included with their false ID. Government crow that the ID card will make Britain safer: this is arrant nonsense! Current Government records are in a total mess! DNA samples are retained from a wide range of persons, not later charged with any offence. Britain is rapidly becoming awash with CCTV systems, capable of reading (e.g.) car index numbers. Plans for motorway tolling, GSM 'phones and finally RFID (Chipping products instead of barcodes), will trace and track people going about their lawful business. UK compulsory ID cards are yet a further erosion of Civil Liberties. When someone's identity is stolen or their car index cloned, it is extremely difficult (and costly) to disprove alleged actions; as recent cses highlighted have shown. I conclude that far more safeguards must be in place firstly, against Government abuses in the UK and the integrity of core data used to create and maintain any database populated with ID card details, must firstly be assured. Just my twopennorth.   [/quote] Don't know whether anyone remembers this thread. However, bit of a furore in Old Blighty ce soir. A whistle blower has blown the gaff on the government's waste of circva £5.5 billion of taxpayers' money on consultants on major IT projects; people, like well EDS![:P]
  20. Interesting way to select your punt, 3XK. Years ago, I knew a family, who had a brother called Tich ('cos he was so tiny) who was a jockey. One year when he was riding in the Derby, he told all the family not to back his gee, 'cos it was a dog. One of his sister-in-law who was not very bright ignored him and had a fiver on the nose. Strangely, after a bit of barging and falling, his mount galloped in first: at 33:1![:D]  
  21. Yes. The idea as that the expanding foam locks the purlins, tiles and battens together and keeps any tiles with broken nibs in place. The big problem is that if the roof needs repairing, it's probaby leaking. If it's leaking, then the foam locks the damp into the timber. Since the foam is impermeable to water and seals the roof from air, too, then you have no through ventilation. And then the whole thing rots! A roof weighs a considerable amount. This weight is taken out through the timbers and then the roof trusses. Foam has no real strength. Important to remember that if the trusses move down from the top, this can push the outside walls over! If the trusses move laterally (end-to-end) then they can push the end walls over! I have seen some wonderful loft conversions in France, where enthusiastic amateurs have glibly chopped down A frames, to promote head height! I couldn't get out of those places quick enough...........................[Www] Foam cannot replace the well thought out (one hopes![;-)]) design and strength of a decent roof. Far better to throw a tarp over it until it can be repaired properly. Sadly, there are few short cuts which really work.  
  22. Dear Martian Person AKA Sharon The term "Sunbed" is a very strange one! It is a sort of reclining place for strange earthlings to lay on, and irradiate their body with rays similar to those projected by the sun. This makes them turn a strange colour. It is called "Sunburn". The colour is often yellow. Earthlings also turn this colour when infected with an organism which causes what we call "Jaundice". This is why they turn yellow. Gloves of ovens doesn't mean that ovens have hands. These are devices allowing earthlings to pick up hot things from a device used for cooking some foods. This device is called an oven. So, ovens do not have hands: as fish do not have fingers. Earth languages are very confusing! Where can I access Systran in order to communicate better with you? Our Earth translation devices do not work very well. I shall provide an example for you. I wrote this. "Welcome to Earth martian person. We hope that you enjoy your stay. Where have you parked your spaceship? Has it been spotted by wardens? They will place a parking ticket on it if you are not careful!" I translated this from English to Spanish (another Earth language) and then to French (another Earth language) and then back to English again. here is the result. "reception to connect to ground with anybody Martian. We hope that you enjoy his stay. Where does it have parqueado its ship space? Was it soiled by the guards? They will place a ticket of carpark in him if you do not have a care!" It is not very good:I do not understand it either.[:-))]  
  23. [quote user="The Martian"] Gluestick Earthling My mission is to integrate with all earth people, not just the Great British type. I have been taken to a dwelling in the Dordogne area of France. I have seen many British earthlings travelling in the Volvo conveyance with four legged creatures enveloped in hairs. Where can I obtain this conveyance with hair covered creature? Why would you place the sun in a sleeping module? is this where you read? why do ovens wear gloves in the images of fish? The Martian [/quote] Well, the hair covered creatures come separate from the conveyance. If you really want a hair covered creature, you could try Sharon Osbourne. Ask to borow "Ozzie": this is her hair covered object. This (Sharon) is a plastic robot, with an over-sized loudspeaking device, masquerading as a human type. You would probably call this an android. However, if you did, be warned, you would be sued by the Global Android Protection Union for defamation. This suing is an earth custom. It is fun when you win: but very painful when you lose. Some people call it masochism. Lawyers (who are a sub-branch of the genus Human), call it "How to become above average wealthy with little or no ability". This is yet another strange earth custom.[:-))] I do hope that this helps.  
  24. Ah, Mr or Madam or Miss Martian, as the case might be, or not to be: that is the question. You are still a round: or a square; or a cube; or a quadilateral equation; or a figment (which I believe is a garment made from a fig leaf). Is it possible to survive inside earth mammals? Strange but true time. Young human infants do, normally for about nine months! With elephants, a gigantic earth mammal of the genus pachyderm, their young survive for three earth years. Now, that's something to take back to Mars! Not the elephant, the information. It is said that a man called Jona, was swallowed by a whale and lived there for some time. He was eventually evicted for not paying his rent (three sardines; half a tonne of shrimps; and Mary Malone's cockle barrow, due and payable each quarter day, or to be pedantic, four times per day, or if you like, 28 times per calender week.). Eviction from whales, is carried out by vomit baliffs[Www]: accompanied by their assistant Amber Gris, a heavy.[:-))] When you have the time, have nothing else to do and your brain brain has joined young workers in Paris (A suburb of Euro Disney), then watch David Attenborough, on TV. You will learn [:(] a lot about, well, David Attenborough, really.  
  25. Dear Sharon Martian Everyone appears to be ignoring you. This is not usual in Great Britain but may well be the case in the Dor-Dog-Ner, particularly if you do not drive a Four Be Four and have a Sky dish: oh and wear designer clothes: oh and have multiple body piercings; oh and have a sun bed (think about it![+o(]). If you would like some more information about integrating with Brits, then please let us know.  
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