nacmacfeegle

It all depends on who's numbers you believe, as an example one set says.. With 8.4% of the UK population, Scotland has on average been responsible for 9.12% of Britain’s tax revenues. That’s 109% of a "fair" share per head of population. Over the same period, the people of England have on average produced 102% of their share, Northern Ireland 87% and Wales just 73%. Anyhoo, it doesn't matter we (me included) voted to stay, and have been promised new powers. I'm personally looking forward to X-ray vision, and the ability to leap over tall buildings.

Ah yes, it was finally shut down, by HH we used to have quite a laugh back then and on Erno Kankoien (sp) chat site. Those were fun days, and IIRC we all paid HH plenty beer for our frolicks. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

I tried Spotify for a while but prefer Napster, it has a better choice and is cheaper here for the paid for accounts. I used to enjoy LastFM as well, but gave it up when they shutdown the free service. I access these mostly through my Squeezebox streaming systems Okay, that'll do for my very occasional posting, see you again some time.....

Just passing through, good to see some old friends still hanging out. I don't jump anymore, so I feel a wee bit of a fraud posting on a skydiving site. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"Uppity Brits try to take over SC" Never would have happened in my day.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"A similar question would be "who is the biggest loss: astronaut, police office, soldier?" How much was spent on the rectifying the Challenger mistakes, vs how much would te tax payer pay to avoid losing the lives of 7 marines? Is the worth measured in terms of the value of human life, or dollar nvestment in the individual? I was passing through, but I stopped for a beer. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Hey Rich, we are from opposite ends of the political spectrum, but I share your outrage at this this disaster. Billvon, 230,000 Haitians died during an earthquake, thats an entirely different kettle of fish to this mess. Earthquakes are natural, difficult to predict phenomena, this is a case of man's negligence, and therefore entirely avoidable, no matter how you stack it up. Rich, I feel your outrage, this situation is a whole lot worse than paople can yet imagine. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

You missed a category Wendy, 'victim of corporate manslaughter' In answer to a person's worth, in terms of dollars and risk/cost justification to preserve a life or avoid a fatality, different classes of people have different worths, and that worth also varies depending on location and political context. A lot also depends on the manner of the fatality. If the fatality draws media attention and subsequent loss of reputation to those responsible its a lot more costly, in dollar terms. It is,an uncomfortable truth. Don't mind me I'm just passing by.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"What if the Uk makes millions/billions on oil and gas deals as a result of this gesture" Let's not go there again, Skyrad... Besides, I've not been around for a while but I think you'd know my opinion on that one. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Wrong type of politic John, A while back Megrahi is talking about appealing his conviction, rumours abound of new possibly embarassing evidence. Macaskill goes to see him in the clink, appeal is abandoned, 'compassionate release' is now the order of the day, and no further mention of the appeal/retrial etc. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Okay, can we settle on 'wrong reasons with reservations'? EG if you are stopping an unwinnable, unending conflict? If the release is part of a wider agreement, a peace deal if you like, if the arrangements are decided upon by due democratic process. Where is the 'agreement' on this one? Quid pro quo, who is gaining what by this man's release. No, I don't think we can draw parallels with the good friday agreement in this instance. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Indeed Shropshire, I couldn't agree more, but we really need to consider this case in isolation. Also consider that this crime happened way before the current 'war on terror'. This man was found guilty of mass murder, his trial in Holland was a farce, and Macaskill visiting him in prison was truly unprecedented. This 'compassionate' release was not judicial, but political, and that's the wrong reason to release anyone, in my opinion. Can you imagine the furore that might surround the early release of say Peter Sutcliffe or Myra Hindley? -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Speaking as a Scot, I’m disgusted at the way this whole thing has been handled. The man should not have been released on compassionate grounds, he was not just a terrorist but a mass murderer. I think Macaskill has set a ridiculous precedent here, misguided at best, naïve at least, incompetent in my mind, in his actions. If there is cause to challenge Megrahi’s convictions, and there may well be, these should run the due process. If anyone deserves compassion in this it is the relatives of the victims. As a Scot I can only apologise to them for the behaviour of a government that I won’t be voting for again. Okay, I’ll see you all again in another couple of years….Or when my government embarrasses me enough to come out of hiding. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"Who the hell are you? " Some subersive deviant that's been busy advising the Tories on energy policies..... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"England: Ban plasma TV's " When they do, Y'all are welcome to come and watch telly in Scotland, birthplace of its inventor. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson