Off Topic Chat. (MOD NOTE post# 3949 and post#5279)

BattleCorp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117735659#Comment_117735659

I don't think he could have stayed with Barcelona even if he agreed to play for free. Barcelona are way above the wage cap and aren't allowed to register any new players until they get below that wage cap and given that Messi was out of contract, he couldn't be registered unless they got rid of a pile of players.

garrettod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117740010#Comment_117740010

They have actually just mentioned that on Off The Ball, on Newstalk.

However, I don't see why they had to let his contract expire, if both sides really wanted to find a solution - why not extend it at significantly less wages, the day before it expired, for example?

We all know that where there's a will, there's a way.

I don't believe that Messi had any interest in staying, once the cash wasn't there for him.

yubabill

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117735412#Comment_117735412

Yes, rain and heat this time of the year brings the mushrooms - got a few only about a dozen so far, but saw a few today and marked them. There are plenty of young rabbits around now, they will be more tender. The really small ones are better left alone, but I consider 3/4 grown fair game. They have made a great comeback here around me, haven't seen such numbers in over 20 years, so delighted. Did not shoot any yet, want to let them thrive a bit longer. Foxes and cats showing up in strength too. Love the field mushrooms.

Cass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117740027#Comment_117740027

He'll get it at PSG. Half a million a week with €25 million signing bonus.

Cass

@Feisar and @yubabill I have no taste for mushrooms but I've these large (between 2 to 5 inch) flat ones at the back of the house and smaller "domed" ones to the front. This year they are plentiful whereas other years I've only seen a few, mostly to the back of the house. Makes some noise when I drive over them with the mower. 😁

tonysopprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117734936#Comment_117734936

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117734936#Comment_117734936

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117734283#Comment_117734283

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117663703#Comment_117663703

You list 7 diseases above, while stating that 85-90% is typical

tonysopprano

Wonder who has the contract for supply and maintenance?

BattleCorp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117740027#Comment_117740027

I don't blame Messi to be honest. Football for us is a sport but for him it's his job and the aim of a job is to make money. I would switch jobs if someone offered me significantly more money. And my company would more get rid of me (if they could) if someone would do my job for significantly less.

Would you keep working for your employer if they slashed your wages by more than 50%? I can't see any circumstances where I'd put up with that unless I had absolutely no other option.

garrettod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117741291#Comment_117741291

While I agree with you, in principal, I don't think you are comparing like with like - Mesi is worth millions, didn't need to work for money to cover his living costs, or retirement plans. No offence, but I assume you do - and know that I do 😊

BattleCorp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117743161#Comment_117743161

It's still Messi's job all the same.

And yeah, I'm skint so I have to go to work unfortunately.

Feisar

Never one to not admit I may not be correct or be closed to listening to reasoned debate I'm not as pro vax as I was. Hearing stories about vaccinated people on death's door with Covid and talk now of "booster" shots via other vaccines has made me skeptical.

tonysopprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117746455#Comment_117746455

Yes, it is so bad now for the vaxxed that they are talking about a mix-and-match approach of using different vax's for booster shots. They are looking for legal ways around this as IT WILL BE TOTALLY UNTESTED not like the way the originals were safely tested over decades😝

Mellor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117740870#Comment_117740870

I don’t follow what you are getting at. Those 7 are some of the most common, and widely vaccinated viruses. They are absolutely reflective of typical.

garrettod

Am I imagining things, or are Boards still making changes to the layout of the site?

I'm on a mobile phone, and I think the top of the screen where notification of PMs, Profile etc. is shown, has been changed (for the better, btw)

Nekarsulm

I see the guy who murdered 5 people in Plymouth was a licenced firearm holder.

Will this be likely to lead to further tightening of firearms legislation in the UK?

Cass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117748536#Comment_117748536

Yup. The feedback thread here is where the admins are keeping people up to date. The change over was necessary but somewhat of a disaster. Lots of stufff was lost (functions) and the admins have been working for the last month or so to try and get all those functions back. Also impriving some. Follow the thread for both updates and tips on how to use new functions of the site.

Cass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117749269#Comment_117749269

A tragedy, no question, but you cannot legislate for the unpredictable.

I'll wait for the full story to come out which may be days to weeks, but I'd be surprised if some changes were not made. However on the grand scheme of things I think its a little morbid to discuss legislation so soon after the tragedy. Not saying its prohibited from being discussed just I think I'll refrain from any more comments on the matter.

Cass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117743780#Comment_117743780

On only half a million a week will take its toll on him.

Feisar

Crazy happenings over in Afghanistan.

Cass

Yup, Trillions of Dollars, four Presidents, and tens of thousands of lives lost all to replace the Taliban with ................

............ erm, the Taliban.

Richard308

If a country won’t fight for itself why should the west bother. Taliban is like a foreign legion, Uzbeks, tajiks, turkmenistanis, Iranian, Iraqi etc. The Afghan army melted like butter, better equipped, trained and supplied. Had it all going for it. Just no stomach for a fight. Being murdered in the street now with no fight. I think I’d rather die in a battle, than submit and be slaughtered like animal. Sad situation there.

Cass

 @ Richard308 - The Afghan army melted like butter, better equipped, trained and supplied. Had it all going for it. Just no stomach for a fight.

None of us are analysts, we get our information from the same media outlets so I'm curious as to how you came to this opinion or was it something you heard from the news. I know I heard Biden make these claims, but even CNN, MSNBC, ABC, Fox, Newsmax SKY (IOW both side of the political spectrum) are calling BS on varying aspects of these claims.

• Over the past 24 hours many news outlets and media (including mainstream like MSNBC, and smaller internet based sites like Dan Bongino) sources have been contacted by consultants, analysts, and whistle blowers claiming that Biden is outright lying. Their claims include:
• This withdrawal was poorly executed and plans that had been drawn up for months for a slower withdrawal were ignored.
• Afghan President knew days in advance to flee as he took personal belongings, cash, and valueable items in a private helicopter, then plane.
• The Afghan President was not the only one to flee with a large "paycheck". Top generals and officials also took their fortune and legged it.
• The Afghan army had lodged months and months of complaints and requests for fuel, ammo, food, and lastly their paychecks. How does an army fight when their leaders won't supply them and then abandon their positions and expect their men to fight on.
• A claim by an unverified Pentagon whistleblower (so taken with a pinch of salt) claims a document signed by Blinken which has as of yet not been presented to Congress was signed three weeks ago removing the intelligence and air support that was promised to the Afghan army/people.
• There is conflict within the State department and the Pentagon. One side in trying to land the blame for this excrement show on the doorstep of the other.
• A veteran named Matt Zeller was on MSNBC and lambasted President Biden for his speech and actions. Its online, should listen to it. Gives a different side to the claims.

Like I said above I'm no expert, and I doubt anyone on this forum or even site would be such. We have opinions and we're entitled to them and God knows from previous conflicts the Afghans were never an Army to be contended with, but to fold like they did seems odd, even with their history.

I utterly agree thata withdrawal was necessary, they couldn't stay forever, but with both sides of the argument agreeing the way it was done was so far from correct you have to wonder epecially given only 3 to 4 weeks ago Biden was on TV saying they absoutely would not see Saigon like images of people being lifted from the roof of Buildings. Took less than a month for it to happen. So they either lied about how advanced the Taliban were or ignroant of it. Neither are great scenarios.

Cass

Meant to add to the above, on the news the same chap, Matt Zeller, said the previous administration and Biden's both had names of some 86,000 people that worked with the allied forces and were "guaranteed" relocation after the war/withdrawal as they would become targets and off that only 2,000 were evacuated. He said he personally had the names of some 14,000 people that were given this assurance and are still there, which is contrary to the claim that people chose to stay. he said he has begged, pleaded and petitioned for 7 months for these people to be evacuated but nothing was done until a couple fo days ago, or in his words, the 11th hour. Too little, way too late.

Reports are that the Taliban are going door to door making lists of people that worked with the allied forces and those not executed on the spot are being marked for later. SKY broadcast last night that there were bodies in the streets, and beheadings happening (Stewart Ramsey reporting and obviously did not show images for decency sake) but this is again contrary to the "official" word from the taliban that these people will have a pardon or exemption from repercussions.

None of the above is meant as a "I'm right, you're wrong" argument by the way. However the new reports appearing, almost hourly, seem to utterly contradict the statement given by Biden in which he seems to blame everyone for this situation, bar himself, and the notion that this was a planned and methodical withdrawal. It seems that literally overnight the American forces disappeared. The line of "the buck stops with me" is lip service as he has blamed Trump, the Afghans, the Afghan people, etc. for what we've seen on TV which include people falling from planes as they take off. That doesn't look like people that wanted to stay.

One last thing, which I find almost funny, is that the left wing media is now attacking Biden for withdrawing and his statement last night on the basis that it reminds them of Trump. In his statement, the media claim, Biden is taking an America first stance which Trump was a keen supporter off, and that this attitude goes against his [Biden] claims when he took office of America being the world's police and back in the game of international aid, etc. So he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

All of this two weeks from the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Will be interesting times ahead methinks.

Cass

Speaking of Biden, I didn't know he was a Mayo fan.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=243713297612563&id=100065777762468&_rdr

Richard308

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117768860#Comment_117768860

Seems like you’re trying to split hairs here for the sake of it. It is a **** sandwich.

The Afghans had an army and police force of 300,000 (some reports of 50,000) police of 100,000 allied militias of an estimated 800,000. And Air Force, artillery, ground attack helicopters and super tucanos.

The taliban had 80,000 at most, an attacking force needs a numerical advantage of 9 to 2 to conquer based on similar armaments. So basically the taliban needed a numerical advantage of 90,000 taliban to 20,000 defenders with the same equipment. The Afghan military had heavier gear and air support (This is the accepted modern military statistic).

the taliban were outmanned and out gunned. The counted on defections and lack of fight. It is accepted by everyone no matter which side they were on the Afghans capitulated far too easily. I didn’t reason why, many reasons I assume. It’s terrible for everyone really

Cass

Richard308 - Seems like you’re trying to split hairs here for the sake of it. 

No, just pointing out there are a lot of factors involved, not just lack of fight as claimed by Biden. 69,000 Afghan security forces (police, army, etc) died fighting the taliban over the past 20 years. Thats 20 times as many as NATO forces. Seems like an insult for biden to claim they didn't fight.

It also begs the question is some 70,000 Nato forces were in Afghanistan with such advanced weaponary and support of arms then why after 20 years did they leave with no "victory"?

Richard308

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117770728#Comment_117770728

There was a lack of fight. They walked in unopposed to most cities. Can’t blame lack of ammunition etc for all. 69,000 Afghan security forces died. A lot died actually fighting, some were ambushed etc blown up without getting a chance to fight, not necessarily fighting.

as to why NATO had no win is same reason the British had no victory in the north, why ussr had no victory in Afghanistan, because you can’t beat an enemy you can’t see. They hid in plain sight. Guerilla warfare

The best they could hope for was a puppet government.

Feisar

I read an article a couple of years ago now about why Arab soldiers are not effectual, the one below runs along the same lines. The first question it raises though is how do the Taliban mange it? I don't have the answer to that, maybe smaller semi autonomous groups work better in their culture? Dunno.

Then do Afghans have the same notion of state that we do in this part of the world? Maybe they didn't feel it as a dereliction of duty. Surely with the amount of time the US was there they'd have known the lie of the land.

https://www.meforum.org/441/why-arabs-lose-wars

Cass

Richard308 - Can’t blame lack of ammunition etc for all.

Just as well I didn't.

Richard308 - The best they could hope for was a puppet government.

Ghani got out fair quick and before everyone else. Unverified reports, as above, of him leaving with millions in personal possessions as well as trunks of cash on private helicopters and planes. Who'd fight for that waste of sock puppet air?

Richard308

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117772035#Comment_117772035

• The Afghan army had lodged months and months of complaints and requests for fuel, ammo, food, and lastly their paychecks. How does an army fight when their leaders won't supply them and then abandon their positions and expect their men to fight on.

I might have read that wrong then?