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I would second this. Good characters, decent mysteries and satisfying conclusions. Has a Scottish version of Moriarty too, which is cool.

Not visible for me, mate. Says "Requested URL cannot be found".

I keep an open mind on this stuff. There is plenty of historical precedent for conspiracies actually being true. Granted, there are also cases where the conspiracy theory is wide of the mark, but that doesn't invalidate all of them. The United States House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded that Kennedy was "very likely assassinated as a result of a conspiracy". The 1970s saw Watergate, while in the 1980s we had Iran-Contra. Conspiracies happen all the time. This blog post has a list that have either been proven true, or proven as covered up. Humanity has a bit of previous in the old conspiracy department, and no disrespect to anyone on this forum, few of us, if any, are ever going to get any real power. Who knows how it gets wielded? Really? I don't buy into everything, but there are some interesting matters of record that raise questions. Peter Power in the 7/7 video is interesting. He admitted on Radio 5 that they were doing a drill on 7/7, a simulated terrorist attack with exactly the same scenario and targets of the events that took place that day. Or take the Project For A New American Century paper, "Rebuilding America's Defenses" - produced by a neoconservative think-tank, many of which became part of the Bush Administration. In their preface, they state that a core mission of the US military should be to "fight and decisively win multiple, simultaneous major theater wars". Later on in the document, they state "Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event––like a new Pearl Harbor". The document was written in 2000, 9/11 happens a year later and we're knee-deep in Afghanistan and Iraq a couple of years later. Is there a link between the PNAC document and 9/11? I just don't know, but I can see why some would make the link. Ultimately, I think the reason I don't fully buy into these conspiracies is because it'd scare me sh*tless if the larger ones are true.

Liked that, echoes many of my feelings about our start. Really hope we get a result tomorrow night.

Or anything you post.

Oh aye. My boss is an American. Former US Navy, and will bend your ears off talking about the vast superiority of the US vs China, and he's right. My question remains though, what exactly are we powerful at?

And you have to be a complete nob to actually point that out, instead of just shutting up.

Let me turn the question on its head. The US is a cultural power. China is an economic power. Both are big military powers. So what exactly are we powerful at?

Your post seems to equate nationalism with imperialism, and recognition of past mistakes as submission. However, I am interested in how you think we should be a genuine world power again - so spill - if you had your way, how would it be?

Nice. We're up to 3 threads today now. Can we have a new thread on Jay Rod's favourite breakfast cereals now please?

Oh, and watched Burn After Reading for the second time last night. As I suspected, it's another Coen brothers film which stands up to a few views. Very good cast. John Malkovich owns most scenes he is in, and most of the other actors in it get to play against type and do some acting. Brad Pitt and George Clooney both have good roles.

In the interests of balance, I'll comment on the two films that Phil has just put up. Paul is alright. The absence of Edgar Wright is definitely felt as Simon Pegg and Nick Frost branch out on their own. A big problem with the film is the complete mismanagement of fan service. It has too many sci-fi references shoehorned into its dialogue. Yes, I said that. Set expectations to "low" and you should have some fun. Battle Los Angeles is another sci-fi film which doesn't really get sci-fi. My main problem with it is that all the interesting stuff seems to be happening off-camera. You've probably all seen this by now anyway, but if you want to see a really good sci-fi film, you've got to watch District 9. Easily my fave film in the genre from the last few years, and stands up to repeat viewings.

Interesting to see all these recommendations come in. I take some issue with dune describing all of Southampton as a dump. Not even remotely true, particularly when compared to other cities you might live. I can't speak for the quality of schools, but if I moved back to Southampton tomorrow, I'd be looking to be between the rivers and near the Common. Bassett, as has been mentioned, is a very nice area but pricey. Upper Shirley, the other side of the Common, is very nice too. Not as pricey as Bassett, but still a nice, leafy part of the world. Time was that I'd have moved to Polygon in a heartbeat. Really close to town and brilliant for anyone in their 20s. Car parking is a nightmare though. The Northlands road area, just to the north of Polygon, may be better. Even though Bitterne Park is the wrong side of the Itchen for my liking, it's a pretty nice area. Close to Riverside Park, and not too far off the beaten track ( Portswood only really got Cobden Bridge in the way ). Probably cheaper than many of the options listed above too, but be warned, it is quite a hilly area.

Nice article there, Phil. It goes to show that even in our darkest days, the youth system was very good.

Hmm, I'm not sure about the 3DS. For a start, I don't see 3D that good anyway. Left eye is a bit knacked. That said, I would have given it strong consideration as a nice powerful handheld, but there are a few things putting me off. First, it's Nintendo. Anything they release on that machine will be something I've played before, even if they call it something else. Also, if recent Nintendo purchases are anything to go by, it'll end up gathering dust after the novelty factor has worn off.

Jay Rod looks like a quality player, but I'd be a bit gutted for Burnley fans if we got him. I mean, he's a hometown kid; their pride and joy. That said, if it wasn't us, it'd be someone else. I'm starting to wonder whether Eddie Howe knew the Burnley exodus was coming at the point he took the job. If you are a football club looking to cut costs and get the best out of lower-paid players, Eddie would have the perfect CV after his achievements at Bournemouth.

This has been done in Italy. Unlike the Premiership, where the rights are sold collectively, Italian clubs could handle their own media and effectively show every game. Problem was, it wasn't just the far-flung exiles that took advantage of the service. Attendances dropped.

I've just been through that "Ambition - where's the evidence?" thread. It's a good read. I know some people were a bit pessimistic, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Anyways, Alps has already changed his mind in public. What about the rest of the naysayers? Feeling better now?

Burnley don't seem like they're going for promotion.

Isn't selective breeding a factor in this? I remember reading that slave owners would breed the strongest and fittest of their slaves together to get 'better' slaves down the generations.

I've got £25 on Saints to win the NPC outright. Feeling better about my bet if this news is true.

Just wondering if they were mates, like.

Just noticed that both Fox and Maynard are from Winsford, Cheshire. Not a big place.

I do. Before you point out the folly of this, I also read yours.

To be fair, I was calling Turkish out on that. He has every right to respond.