BBC Blog Network

User Profile

GrumpyOldRigsby

Listed below are comments made by GrumpyOldRigsby between Monday, 16th June 2008 and Tuesday, 28th July 2009.

«Newer
Older»

If markets don't work, what will? 11:11am on 28 Jul 2009 "the chancellor of the exchequer warning big banks that he fears they may be overcharging companies for credit and withholding vital loans from credit-worthy borrowers"

Just how lilly livered can we get?

Surely he only needs to call in the chief executives of the nationalised banks and explain to them in words of one syllable that the taxpayer owns their arses. He can then ask whether any of them wants to be in a job next week. That should serve to sharpen their focus on the national interest.

Once the nationalised banks have lowered their cost of credit and started lending sensibly again the others would have no choice but to follow suit.
Could we save billions by legalising drugs? 4:57pm on 07 Apr 2009 If we accept that the current approach to drugs and their effects has failed miserably then I think we are left with 2 choices :

1) Legalise them, sell them at regulated prices and remove the economic incentive for criminal activity. Along with truly punitive punishments for anyone caught selling to under 18's, driving under the influence etc.

or

2) Hit the demand end of the chain. Make the possession of even the smallest quantity of prohibited substances generate an automatic criminal record. No cautions, no slapped wrists - a criminal record. Anne Widdicombe once suggested this and was howled down by the middle classes who didn't want to see little Johnny or Tabitha criminalised for "just smoking a bit of pot at university".

We currently try and steer between these two by attacking the supply side of chain. Ignoring the obvious fact that if you take one supplier off the streets another will take his place.
A generous gesture 1:58pm on 19 Nov 2008 If the major artists and celebrities backing the campaign dipped into their own pockets rather than asking for public funds they could raise the 50 million between them without even noticing it was gone.
Club ownership: The unsolvable debate 3:28pm on 15 Sep 2008 If you want to reduce the number of foreign players get the government to remove football from the list of skilled professions for which work permits for non-EU nationals are still granted.

That would prevent £35m being spent on a Brazilian who thinks he's signed for a different club.

It should also calm the transfer feeding frenzy and allow more home grown players to come through.

Sadly not much you can do about ownership apart from apply the "fit and proper person" rules rigorously.
England outplay jaded Kiwis 11:41am on 16 Jun 2008 To all those questioning the LBW law - There is no need.

KP did not become a left handed batsman, he was a right handed batsman who chose to play a highly unorthodox shot. He changed his position once the bowler was in his delivery stride and, whilst unusual, the principle is no different to taking several strides down the track. Had he taken his stance as a left hander before Styris began his run up then obviously the LBW law would be applied as if he were a left hander.

As for wides, these are measured from the batsman's normal stance. In this instance his stance was that of a right handed bat so if the ball had missed his leg stump it would still have been a wide regardless.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

GrumpyOldRigsby