Originally Posted by Wol

>>I am a soldier, even now as an Inactive reservist, although I haven’t been a Private for a long time. I take it you don’t have any military experience. Or perhaps you were in the Cadets.<<

Perhaps it's me, but the aggressive tone of your posts in different threads suggests you would have been better staying under arms <g>.

Originally Posted by asprilla

So, the economies of the world are faltering, Greece is about to collapse into a mire of unemployment, the GBP is gradually becoming worthless.


In other news - Sue is looking good in her avatar pic...

Originally Posted by iamthecreaturefromuranus

...and how very condescending of you. So middle class.

Originally Posted by slapphead_otool

Ok Kev, you earn more in the UK than you did here.

And that proves what exactly? I earn more in Jakarta than I earn here. Its called 35% hardship post allowance. Is that why you earn more in the UK?

(That’s a joke by the way – the UK isn’t a hardship posting, but JKT is and I charge a 35% margin for being there, even though I love the place).

I am a soldier, even now as an Inactive reservist, although I haven’t been a Private for a long time. I take it you don’t have any military experience. Or perhaps you were in the Cadets.

Soldiers don’t fight for loyalty. They fight for their mates, and sadly in many cases to stay alive. As I was told during officer training, an Officers job is to get soldiers into harms way, and an NCOs role to get them back out alive. This is how wars are fought.

Originally Posted by kevin747

Exactly the opposite . I'm from a council scheme in the west of Scotland.The suggestion from otool was that King Edward cigars and Johnnie Walker leant an air of sophistication.
They are relatively poor quality products marketed to entice people like him who feel that they by consuming those products they have achieved success.

Originally Posted by slapphead_otool

On the Greece front, there are some interesting points made in these blogs…. Well worth a read:

• In Greece, the strikers have included customs officers and tax collectors: workers who not only enjoy special tax free allowances and early retirement on big pensions, but also include in their ranks some of the most notoriously corrupt officials in Greece, known for their willingness to take bribes in order to allow the wealthy to avoid paying their taxes (a big reason why Greece is broke).


• The public sector workers were striking, among other things, against plans to increase their retirement age from 61 to 63 (when many European countries are talking about raising it from 65 to 67).

http://worldfocus.org/blog/2010/02/2...mic-woes/9850/

Originally Posted by kevin747

Thanks for the milatary history lesson. I've never been in any of the armed forces-nor would I ever want to be. I like to be my own man to much.
Sadly the forces are just fodder for politicians.
I don't find hunting a particularly atttractive pastime either.
The supposed meritocracy that Australia offers serves I believe to bring people to the centre rather than encourage the best and brightest. That is why I prefer the British class system with all its faults to the false equality that Australia boasts.

Originally Posted by NedKelly

They sound like fine upstanding members of the European Union who are participating in the way it is expected of them. I am sure the likes of Kinnock and his mates in Brussels will do their utmost to help them out.

Originally Posted by slapphead_otool

Bit rough on the Krauts, who are having to stay working until 67, and bail out the Greeks, who retire at 61.

I am glad my taxes don’t go to support this rubbish.

Is Kinnock the old Welsh Windbag still alive? What about Arthur Scargil....?

Originally Posted by slapphead_otool

You are making a few assumptions there Kev, but feel free.

I bought the BL and the cigars on my last trip, duty free. I don’t smoke cigarettes, and cant handle a lot of beer. A couple and I have had enough. But I have a addiction to cigars, and smooth whiskeys.

But hey, don’t let me spoil your illusion of me. Perhaps you think I should stick to meths and roll your owns, preferable made out of dogends from the gutter.

On the other hand, if you think black label is a poor quality whisky and King Edwards are poor cigars, what the hell do you drink and smoke.

Originally Posted by NedKelly

Kinnock is still alive, still sucking of the taxpayers together with him and his Mrs.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...avy-train.html

Don't know about Arthur Scargill, probably retired on a juicy index linked final salary pension somewhere warm.

Originally Posted by kevin747

Check your own posts before accusing me of making assumptions about you.Forget the chip on shoulder stuff too.
I smoke occasionally and wait for it; I like the occasional roll up.
I do prefer Islay malts and for cigars-Romeo y Julieta or Punch.

Originally Posted by kevin747

you appear to be one of those ex pats who believes the Daily Mail. Why don't you try the Express .The international version is great for those kidding themselves on in the colonies

Originally Posted by slapphead_otool

Interesting you mention both Malts and Romeo and Juliets.

I find single malts a bit too peaty, hence my drinking of blended whiskeys. I guess it just taste, and I do drink the odd one, but I always taste it. Maybe its just a preconception in my mind.

I was given some R&Js once, and they made me really sick. I felt like a 12 year old, throwing up over a cigar.

I have avoided them ever since. But I did enjoy them.