Dr Hackenslash

It was a friend who died, eg: Israeli Author Uri Dan, Longtime Confidant of Ariel Sharon, Dies at 71 On Dec 24

Because you'd never do that

If only for the very unscientific reason of "it always happens" I'm sure another pick will either cark it on New Year's Eve or drag on until New Year's Day. I still think Castro is worth a punt...

Oh, I get it. I was just bored in the early hours of Christmas Day. Don't get many Australian trolls to the pound, however.

And when was Sally Thomsett last seen?

Cite your references and maybe, just maybe, someone will actually believe you. I presume he is going on the trial Nick Griffin trial... 'Xenon II' is once again distorting the facts if he is referring to that trial. Just to give some background, Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party, was on trial accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words intended to stir up racial hatred. In that trial, he told the jury that he believed Islam was a wicked, vicious faith, but the court never ruled it to be so. Without getting involved in the semantics of the matter, Griffin was repeating what he had said during a speech prior to the trial. He was found not guilty of two charges of using words or behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred in that speech - by a jury. So it could be argued that the jury decided that the words "A vicious, wicked faith" when applied to Islam are acceptable, that was their thought. What really should have been said was: "...it was ruled by a court in England calling Islam a "A vicious, wicked faith" does not constitute behaviour intended to stir up racial hatred ." Which would be correct.

Toyah Wilcox was on Doctors on Friday. Wonder what that did...

Cite your references and maybe, just maybe, someone will actually believe you. I presume he is going on the Nick Griffin trial...

I honestly can't see it happening. For many reasons. But to quote the Sunday Herald from recently: "Yet there is an alternative which would make life extremely manageable for Gretna if they are promoted - but it cannot even by investigated because of football politics. Carlisle is a mere six miles away, Brunton Park has a 16,000 capacity, but both are in England. "It would be ideal" agreed (Gretna chief exec) Muir, "but I'm not even tempted to look at it because I would imagine it's a non-starter as it's in another country. I've never asked the question because I think I know the answer. "At the time of the Derry game we were told not to go to Carlisle by the SFA. Then ironically we drew Derry, who are in Northern Ireland but play in the Republic." Muir is correct in his assumption. For all that Berwick Rangers are permitted to play in Scotland for historical reasons, an SFA spokesman said: "Each member club must register its ground with us. No such club can move to another ground, even to share temporarily, without first obtaining the consent of the board. Registering grounds outside Scotland does not come within our jurisdiction."

This might sound daft, but if the Queen did have some serious illness, and one that could take her at any time, could that perhaps have an effect on the global markets? If the Queen was to cark it, the courts wouldn't sit (I presume) in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc, etc, and the Parliaments would rise. As we know that would happen, could it not cause a wobble if we thought she could go at any time? Or am I talking complete drivel, as usual?

I posted that above a while back and decided to do a bit of research on it. Apparently the 1937 birthdate is one given by Sadaam, since no actual record of his birth exists. Therefore, I figure it would be very easy for someone to say "well he's not actually 70, here's some 'proof' that he was born in 1938." Since this is the government we're talking about, this "proof" could be anything vague and ambiguous enough to allow him to be executed. And as FF said, they're unlikely to leave it that long in any case. But equally, and I apologise for drifting somewhat into the realms of fantasy, it could be argued that if the powers-that-be decide that Saddam dying is not the best outcome, they could announce that "Hey, he was being vain, he's really 70 already..."

Don't know if this makes any difference but: Iraqi law requires executions to take place within 30 days of the end of the appeal process; however it also forbids the executions of people aged over 70 years old, a status Saddam Hussein acquires on 28 April 2007. So, if he somehow dragged out his appeal for a few more months, he could avoid execution...

Been thinking about this. There is no doubt rumours have been going around and the picture of the plaster and subsequent "corgi" claim did little to quieten them down. However, the "Andrew has HIV" one seems unlikely. It comes from the time when Fergie said she had tests for HIV twice, and there was some dispute about when these were. But, to be honest, it's no surprise if she was tested before marrying given that when the wedding was and the AIDS-paranoia sweeping the world at the time and because it was accepted she had a "life" before Randy. But, despite having heard rumours about the Queen and having cancer - normally lung cancer, which isn't surprising given her father and grandmother (Queen Mary) both died of it - there are so many different spins on what cancer it is. Then again, if one was to assume that her recent back problems were actually due to the presence of spinal tumours, which are often metastases from lung cancer, then perhaps there is some truth in it. But that's just pure speculation. If anyone had some concrete evidence - or even enough to put something together - it would already be out there. Look at the case with Katherine Blair - that was released all over the web despite (as is said on some websites) the use of D-notices so surely anything about the Queen couldn't be kept quiet.

Damn, if only we'd asked Ken Bigley's kidknappers to help us, we could have had a double-whammy...

You'd hope Jim'll Fix It, Jim'll fix it for you, and you and you...

But Brooks has said he'll continue to support the club regardless - so he can't be that bad. Although the release of Steve Tosh, Jamie McQuilken and James Grady last week either means: a) Brooks is giving up or Brooks wants to make room for better players in January...

Have found that site since posting, but thanks. And the tree is very impressive. I still think Wiki does more harm than good. I personally love reading the talk pages and the reasons why people have been banned. And, as ever, it seems to be one rule for one lot and another for others. Oh, and the page on "model" Katie "Jordan" Price has been vandalized and nobody has realised: Although she was already a well-established model, with frequent appearances on Page 3 and in men's lifestyle magazines such as Horse And Hound and Wizzards Sleeve to her credit... Wasn't me - and it has been there for weeks. Schoolboy humour can be fun...

Just found an interview with Norman Tebbit from a few years back, when he was moaning about the number of closet homosexuals in the Tory shadow cabinet. He said.... "'For example, there's Ted Heath. He was celebate. But Ted wasn't a raving queer'." Now I would have thought Norman would have a) known the truth and not lied about it. But then again, the interview was from when Teddy was still alive and in the HoC.

Very good point. Personally, the only problem I have with this particular thread is that there seems little reason to discuss her - she's never going to qualify for a spot on the list, whereas Dicky O - even though he is unlikely to die for years - does due to his notability, etc. The only thing Lyndsey is famous for is being the widow of a snooker player, and that surely means she's outside the remit of discussion (not that there really is such a thing). Of course, if there was a general "chit-chat" thread, then this sort of comment would be fair game - as in "Did you see Paul Hunter's missus, I'd keep her company" etc. But as a thread in its own right? No thanks. Though a poll on the "most fanciable" member of the current list would be rather amusing...

The guy is a numpty. He is now going to quit football rather than be disciplined, according to reports. He's a recovering alcoholic who has demons, which isn't his fault, but he shouldn't be surprised if fans and opposing players use that to wind him up. Admittedly, his son was beaten-up pretty badly a weekend or so ago and left in hospital, but the game will not miss what he has become. Another wasted Scottish talent, sadly. Just give it a few weeks and his addiction battles will be all over the Record!

Ahem.. much as it pains me to say it... Tony Blair is still alive. Whoops! Should have read "And then there would be just two Prime Ministers alive - Blair and Major."

Had to go for Maggie Thatcher, bless her. If she goes to Pinochet's funeral, or if she doesn't, there will be a lot of media speculation over it and I don't think the old girl is up for it. And then there would be just two Prime Ministers alive - Thatcher and Major. That hasn't happened for some time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time would have been in in 1947 when Stanley Baldwin died, leaving just Atlee and Churchill. Before that, after the death of Lloyd George in 1945 when Baldwin and Churchill were the two. Not long ago that is was a lot more. In 1986 we had Maggie, Ted Heath, Jim Callaghan, Harold Wilson, Harold Macmillan and Sir Alec Douglas-Home.

The fact that he was the spitting image of Philippe Pétain should have put people off him...

Partially true. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergoloid_mesylates That is the generic name and it is "used to combat decreased mental function as a result of senility or multiple small strokes." But the best part of that Wiki entry: "While the exact method of its action is not known."

Post of the year contenders are surely found in the thread containing BBC people slagging Iain off...