Got it

[monty_rhodes]

New avatar Monty, less contentious.

Better fits my mood these days.

[monty_rhodes]

Unfortunately that may contain a little truth.

Yes, I remember under the Blessed Margaret that in a little over a year the three major employers of skilled labour in Lancaster - Nairns, Lansil and Storeys (carpets, linoleum and wallpaper and similar stuff) - all closed with 1000s of job losses and the Tories won the city with a huge majority at the next election. Go figure.

[sickly_child]

Better fits my mood these days.

Blimey Monty, there is hope my friend. But is the character hearing the scream or making the scream?

[monty_rhodes]

Blimey Monty, there is hope my friend. But is the character hearing the scream or making the scream?

We've had this discussion before sickly and I repeat my belief that hope is illusory. Things will only get worse.

[sickly_child]

We've had this discussion before sickly and I repeat my belief that hope is illusory. Things will only get worse.

Yes we have, I am waiting for a miracle or that humankind will come to its senses.

[monty_rhodes]

Yes we have, I am waiting for a miracle or that humankind will come to its senses.

Hominid species are not generally long lasting. Many experts believe our time is about up. No great loss in my view.

[sickly_child]

i'd like us to stay around a little longer. I do like the Nietzschean concept that man excels when he is most under pressure.

[monty_rhodes]

i'd like us to stay around a little longer. I do like the Nietzschean concept that man excels when he is most under pressure.

Interesting. Not sure I quite agree although I can see instances in history. Equally though I can think of examples of where individual or group self-interest prevented people adopting solutions.

[sickly_child]

I cling to hope.

[monty_rhodes]

I cling to hope.

You should read more Giles Coren. I loved his rant in last week's Times which I thought mirrored the gang on MM: "Their fear, rage, sadness or joy is carved in a flickering second...the weepy gang of public mourners...publicly sad or angry until something really tragic comes along such as a thunderstorm or the clocks going back or KFC running out of chicken..." [He was talking inter alia about the celebrities eulogising over Dale Winton]. He did a great piece on the hopelessness of hope a few weeks back.