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cousteau699

Listed below are comments made by cousteau699 between Sunday, 10th August 2008 and Tuesday, 19th August 2008.

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A tactical masterpiece 10:24pm on 19 Aug 2008 How different might have been the tenor of the above comments if this was the first gold of these Games, rather than one of a likely record haul...?

Now some golds are better than others, are they?

No.
A tactical masterpiece 10:18pm on 19 Aug 2008 Rules is rules.

If any system lets someone 'break' rules and 'get away with it', good luck to them. The rules need then to be re-examined.

Christine was judged fit to be a member of the British team (by the BOA) and an Olympian (by the IOC). 'Nuff said.
A tactical masterpiece 10:01pm on 19 Aug 2008 Most of the detractors' comments above can be summarised as: "Suspicion hangs over her achievement."

It is a lamentable fact that in the past decade or so, the British media (and society at large) has pursued a policy of 'guilt by accusation'. A dozen or more high profile celebrities' careers have been ruined despite them being found guilty of NOTHING (nor even charged).

If anyone posting to this blog wants to accuse her of being a drugs cheat (i.e. someone who TOOK drugs to enhance performance), do so openly, and I hope that she will then take you to the cleaners for libel. [Of course, such a post would be immediately removed, inasmuch as it would expose the BBC.]

The women's 400m gold medal won today is every bit as shiny and untarnished as any other gained by a British competitor during the XXIX Olympiad, and I hope that Christine will be accorded the same reward in the New Year's Honours as all other Olympic champions.
A tactical masterpiece 9:11pm on 19 Aug 2008 Some of the people who are casting aspersions upon this Olympic Champion have lauded Phelps' swimming achievements.

Phelps - someone who (at least once) was guilty of drinking and driving.

I know who I think is a greater danger to society, and not fit to be a role model to the youth of today and the future.

Christine Ohuruogu is a great Olympic champion.....
Preparing for battle 4:32pm on 10 Aug 2008 Re my own #102,

For "bachelor's degree," read "first degree" since the comment would include non-higher Masters degree such as conferred by the ancient universities of Scotland.

Obtaining a higher degree SHOULD say something more substantive about the individual 'student'; although my view may change depending upon whether I am successful in my current studies.
Preparing for battle 4:23pm on 10 Aug 2008 #101, oldnat

Nor does the possession of a [bachelor's] degree indicate anything about knowledge or intelligence, merely about the ability to remember/recall things long enough to pass final exams.

P.S. I am writing from personal experience re my three such degrees, rather than commenting upon the abilities of other contributors.
Preparing for battle 10:25am on 10 Aug 2008 The LibDem leadership contenders should cosy up to anyone who will help to bring in Local Income Tax, and work to amend the Bill to as close as possible to their own desired form.

At the moment, when you pay your Council Tax, you use money on which you have ALREADY paid Income Tax at 20-40 per cent (or used part of your personal allowances, if not reaching the threshold for tax).

Any party which plays its part in the removal of such an iniquitous form of double-taxation should surely see the potential for electoral advantage.
Preparing for battle 10:15am on 10 Aug 2008 #81, Dick-Whittington

"2. Council Tax is only paid by householders, not by their families residing with them."

Council tax bills are sent to the householder, but joint and several liability does come into play. It is assumed that the householder will be the breadwinner, and that the household members will collectively pay the amount due.

The community charge, for which I still have great admiration in its INTENT to relate liability to the compsition of households (and, hence, costs to local services), suffered because young adults didn't like being asked to pay for the services they were using. "My parents should have to pay, not me; it's not my house," was not an uncommon protest.

Local Income Tax is a step forward because there are NO BILLS to be paid; for those on PAYE, the money is deducted at source, and what you've never had is more easily missed.
Which sports would you add to the Games? 09:36am on 10 Aug 2008 As well as excluding sports which are subjectively-adjudicated - i.e. the winners cannot be measured in terms of distance, time or goals (etc.) scored - prize-money sports should be excluded.

In some (mostly team) sports, professional sportsmen/women are rewarded for PARTICIPATING - even if win-bonuses are paid, the grotesque amounts paid to US basketball players are for taking part - but other sports (usually for individuals) reward RESULTS.

Hence, tennis (snooker, gold, etc.) should not be considered suitable candidates for inclusion.

My preferred distinction, however, is that Olympic sports should be limited to those which involve competing against the scoring mechanism (clock, tapemeasure, etc.) rather than a specific opponent.
Which sports would you add to the Games? 09:26am on 10 Aug 2008 Giving away my age, perhaps, but how about that early stalwart of Channel 4's sports coverage - kabbadi?

No special equipment needed, a sport which could easily be played in playgrounds, and exceptionally simple rules.

For the uninitiated, try
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2420731

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