JackanorySFC

Last post of the day from me, that GM weirdo doesn't need any more of my time anyway: I don't think he thought he would get elected. Most reports from people that were in Trump Tower on November 6th when he won say he was in utter shock and Melania was in tears. I was in New York on election night, weirdest night of my life I'd say. He wanted to shout from outside the tent, he was completely unprepared for Presidency (to be fare he still continues to wing it by refusing to read more than the simplest, one page briefs on incredibly complex situations). His nomination was a vanity project yes, also an example oh how easily he is to manipulate (Bannon completely played him). That said now he is President my take on it is that he will do literally ANYTHING to cling onto power. Only when he is no longer President will be be able to be subpoenaed. He will obstruct, deflect, lie and openly defy the law to get another 4 years which will buy him time to discredit the Mueller investigation. He is **** scared of prison and (less so due to his malignant narcissism) the thought of his kids also being sent down. His Supreme Court nominee has said he believes no sitting President can be subpoenaed, that is his motivation. The thing that gets me though is the absolute failure of the GOP to hold him to account. They are so scared of his base (approx 35% of Americans) and their wealthy donors that value tax cuts for the 1% and influence over what is best for Americans, they refuse to hold him to account. They see this as a once in a generation opportunity to fill the US court circuit and the Supreme Court with right wing judges, allowing them to get genuine messed up legislation through (such as over turning Row vs Wade) in the UK I'm right wing, however in the US I would be classed as a liberal such is the insane (IMO) viewpoints of the evangelical led right over there. His base are utterly brainwashed. I've met a few, the one's I've met have never travelled outside the USA and have no concept of what we do in places like the UK with regards education, gun control and health care. Most are happy to chat actually and rare they are rude. That said, and look this will **** off a lot of people (like me ironically) that didn't go to University and hated the whole "project fear" thing at the time BUT just look at the stat's, his base are primarily white men that are not College educated. They aren't prepared to investigate if he lies to them, keeps his promises etc. All they care about is his talking points, ie bringing archaic coal industry jobs back to the rustbelt and keeping "rapist" immigrants out that end up as gangbangers or stealing their jobs, that he is a good christian that will abolish abortions, that he will allow them to keep their guns (semi auto/ bump stocks/ no background checks etc) and punish the "liberal elite" who are framed as the enemy of the points discussed. Anyone I speak to/ work with in the US that has a semblance of education detests him yes, but ultimately are embarrassed by how they are now being scene by the world. November will be huge, if the turn out for the mid terms are big enough (and days like yesterday should help with that) the DEM's could get control of both houses (an outcome almost impossible until recently, the elections are very much in favour of the GOP in terms of location etc). IF the Dems can follow through on their "blue wave" promise things will change and potential impeachment proceedings could start (assuming Mueller has the evidence - not guaranteed). The biggest worry for the Dem's is a lack of outstanding candidate. Schumer/ Polosi/ Warren are all more of the same, Trump would try and simply crush them. IMO there's only one person that genuinely scares Trump that has a chance of running and that's Michael Avenatti (he's said he will run in 2020). He will fight dirty and as Stormy Daniel's lawyer has a mountain of dirt on Trump that (again, as a malignant narcissist) is like kryptonite to him. Crazy times.

Have no idea what you mean by this? This literally makes no sense so have no answer for you. Yes they have. Did you somehow miss yesterday's press conference? Trump literally said live on TV to the entire world that he believed Putin over his own security services. He has been extremely open, going on record multiple times that he believes being friends with Russia is in the interests of the USA. Again, I can't believe you see anything to the contrary of this, it is completely indisputable and on video (multiple times) so have no idea why you are saying this? Yep, very annoying to me at the time (I was pro Brexit), looks like it was a favour to Cameron (good example of our "special relationship"). Ultimately Obama was right, of course we'd go to the back of the queue. A trade deal with the EU is of way more importance than a trade deal with little old us (strategically and fiscally), however agree I was annoyed at the time. This is not about Obama though, bizarre that "whatabouterism" is so prolific with pro Trumper's? Of course they should. That is a bonkers view to take, being a close partner allows us to be able to speak our minds if we believe they are wrong. wether that be about Vietnam, Iraq or puling from the Paris climate agreement You couldn't be more wrong. Firstly dismissing protestors in the stereotype you have provided shows your ignorance and lack of intelligence. That or you are deliberately lying to suit an agenda. Again, if pro Brexit right wing Tories like me are disgusted with Trump anyone can be. The coverage this got in the USA was huge, yes it will certainly have influenced the minds of the more moderate Trump voters as they see their alliances with us and Europe as far more important than the new alliances Trump is pushing with Erdogen, Salam, Kim and Putin Now she leads a coalition and has to be pragmatic. Isn't that brilliant? Of course he made no promises to us. Why add that? That makes zero sense? Has a US Presidential candidate ever made a single promise to the EU/ UK? Can't make sense of that point. As for keeping his promises to the American people. How's the wall coming along? The Affordable Care Act is still there. "I won't have time to play golf" (he's played 120 times). Has he released his tax returns? His promise to not cut Medicare/ Medicaid (important for my US employees)? $500bn infrastructure investment? Banning foreign lobbyists raising money in US elections? How about making drugs cheaper for patients? The man is a serial liar. He lies on average 3. times per day so I'm not sure why anyone here would be surprised by this to be frank.

This is the thing that gets me, sorry fella don't know you but have seen comments like "why are these people only bothering to protest now, where were they for Putin/ Saudis etc". OK so first of all there are and were significant protests whenever a head of state visits. It's one of the cool things about having genuine freedom of speech in the country. The protests for Trump however were off the scale massive, why is that? It's pretty simple, we have an attachment to the USA. It's historical, won't go into detail as would be here all day but ultimately they've always had our back. We have been able to rely on them as a nation that shares our ideals and culture. Beyond music, art, fashion, literature and into democracy, freedom of speech and progression. We expect none of those things from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria etc. When the USA head of state suddenly turns that on his head it's pretty scary. No longer are we an extension of the global super power. Suddenly our best mate has binned us off and started hanging around with the school playground wronguns. That is what motivates people to protest against Trump more than the likes of Xi. Protests in London against the likes of Xi, Putin, Mugabe etc do nothing except display our dismay of how they conduct themselves, so yeah worth doing and thousands do when they visit. However to turn that into tens/ hundreds of thousands like the anti Trump demo's requires a belief that we, the people of our tiny little island, can make a difference. Those protests genuinely did, it was (and still is) all over US cable news and social media so well done to all those that got out there. Trump is not normal. This is not hyperbole. To dismiss it as that puts you on the wrong side of history IMO. After yesterday's surrender to Russia in front of the world's media no one (with sane mind) can argue that he is on the side of Americans and the free world. This is a man who at best is merely a highly sexist, mildly racist, serial adulterating, hypocritical climate change denying illiterate that is easily manipulated. At worst he is a tax dodging traitor that due to being in bed with Russia following huge borrowing after the 2008 financial crash (which all but bankrupted him) allowed Russian's to provide information that helped him win a election that was further helped by Russian hacking of Dem voter data. Mueller will have all the info', dismiss this as hyperbole if you like but multiple indictments, 5 guilty peals and his former campaign manager Paul Manafort currently sitting in a cell awaiting trial suggests anything but. My 2c's worth anyway.

I'm a Brexit supporting tory voter but absolutely despise Trump. I'm certain he will end up in a prison cell for obstructing the course of justice and/ or tax evasion. I personally think he is too thick to have conspired with the Russians but his malignant narcissism allowed him to be influenced by those around him with financial links to Russia (including family). Forget all this right vs left b******s, some things are a simple right vs wrong. I'm certain that Trump and those that support him blindly will end up on the wrong side of history. For what it's worth I spend a lot of time in the US, employ Americans and pay US taxes/ 401k etc. That said this is truly a global issue, his ignorance (of everything from climate change, animal cruelty, arts/ culture to trade and global politics/ history) is ****ing dangerous and has ramifications for everyone on the planet. To anyone that goes out and protests against him fair play, people are talking about it (especially in the USA where the London protests got blanket coverage on the news and on social media) which makes them clearly worthwhile.

Nothing will happen fella, the same handful of boring ****s go round and round in circles ruining this site for anyone that likes the odd mooch on here. Mods do nothing about it so no one bothers to pay a fiver anymore.

No, although that reason alone would be good enough for me, it would also stop the endless and frankly boring "stand up/ sit down" arguments and is far safer (surely everyone's main priority) than standing in seated areas. The stadium safety team at Celtic Park say all of these points have made it a huge success there. I've done some pretty extensive research on this (at least 10 mins on Google) and have yet to see a single study showing a link between standing at football and hooliganism, can you share your findings please fella? I'd love to meet anyone that thought they could act up in an assigned position in a stadium with hundreds of CCTV cameras and get away with it with any more ease than a assign seat in a stadium with hundreds of CCTV cameras?

http://www.safestandingroadshow.co.uk/the-case-for-safe-standing/case-for-3 https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/safe-standing-qa-91188 Hard to get extra people in standing areas in grounds Taylor made (pun intended) for seating as rows aren't deep enough. In Germany for example clubs like Hamburg get approx 80% more fans in standing areas than when they revert back to seating. This would change for new grounds/ upgrades. Spurs have future proofed themselves for this though, deeper seating areas will allow a minimum 1800 extra capacity if common sense prevails and the law is changed. Can you please provide examples of how standing has increased/ will increase hooliganism? I'm disappointed Saints aren't publicly getting behind this. Obvious PR win (huge majority of fans want it and any sane safety debate would be won by the safe standing lot without breaking a sweat) and would help the atmosphere at St Mary's (something they are keen to do judging by the clackers).

This. No wonder the post count on here and overall quality of debate has crashed recently. Decent OP too.

I would absolutely love that Le Tissier, last game at The Dell kit!

****ing peasants

That was me. I got a ticket off a tout and ended up with a load of Derby in the Itchen/ Chapel corner. JW had his top off and was without his dinlo bell (a steward took it off him before the game and handed it back after with SFC inscribed on it). I'd had a few that day and had it in for the ****. The Derby fellas may have helped with a few "you gonna let him take the p*** fella" type comments so went on down (won't say on here exactly what happened) and just about got away with a lengthy banning order thanks to the stewards that kicked me out saying they wanted to do it themselves. Went to the pub and met a mate that had been kicked out of a different part of the ground for different reasons, got back on the sess' and ended up being punched in the throat up Bedford Place way in a separate incident. Dusted myself down, got a JJ's kebab and went home in one piece. A happy time of my life haha! Boys will be boys I suppose Stay lucky chaps.

"200 Pompey are supposed to be turning up". lol! Heard that a fair few times (including as Nick says above, at Dellhurst), obviously it's never happened. England v Macedonia they were supposed to be mobbing up and bringing hundreds, in the end there were about 2 dozen hiding in the Parkside Tavern, ended up being escorted to SMS by twice as many OB. Hundreds of Saints (and a few voyeurs from other clubs) waiting for them in/ around St Marys/ Kingsland Market that day/ evening, a fair few genuine nutters I've not seen other than at derby games. Whether you agree with that sort of thing or not, Pompey have always bottled it/ run when met by equal numbers of Saints. Usually flustered and mumbling something about "scummers... thaaasands ov 'em" all upset as they were lied to by their uncles/ Dad's that Saints would be an easy walkover. Bournemouth? Bless.

Definitely. As a ST holder in Itchen Block 2 I can assure you we get 20-50 (depending on opposition) asians at home games half of them filming the entire match on phones or iPads. It's absolutely surreal. Clearly the club have done a deal with a tour operator for that part of that ground (rear of block 3 mainly). Of all the areas I do find it strange that they whack them next to a large element of what the police would call our "risk supporters"? Anyway, in answer to your question yes, at SMS absolutely. Away games obviously not.

Thought our support was incredibly flat. I was behind the goal in an all standing block, find it strange so many middle aged couples decided to get tickets in an area which, for me anyway, is obviously going to be an all standing/ singing area. Personally find it strange how such a large section of our fan base (not just now, but before when we were playing exciting/ high tempo football) that seem to go out of their way to actively avoid getting involved in the game via vocal support/ intimidation (both have an effect on the game in their own way)? Seriously it's harder to do that than actually get behind the lads surely? The lino in the second half should have had the worst 45 minutes of his life from thousands of nasty, snarling ****'s in that part of the ground but no, instead there was nothing but sat down apathy. It's not just Saints, but football in general. It's great that these days we have a environment that encourages families/ middle aged couples to attend football, the prices to attend games in the Premier League exclude the traditional, working class support from a working class Port city like Southampton, instead families from the outer areas/ middle aged couples from Andover/ Winchester/ Dorset can go and see Premier League football. This has meant that the atmosphere at football has suffered. Apart from a handful of Premier League clubs like Palace, United (by miles the most vocal away support in England), Chelsea and Spurs the atmosphere if flat for the same reasons it's flat at Saints games. Older, more well heeled support that don't want to get involved with the game, merely spectate. These fans have always been at the games, just that now they make a much bigger % of match going support. My 2c worth.

I'm a miserable, unsociable sod that loves a decent boozer, a packed boozer full of day trippers isn't a decent boozer IMO. I'll go the opposite way and mooch around London Bridge and binge drink hard and fast on high % decent ale before getting on the tube a few stops before it gets busy. I mostly blame Southampton FC for my lack of sunny disposition these days...

Like what? Seriously, what other form of contraband will cause the level of death, violence and destruction the illegal trade of weed, cocaine and opiates have done? Moody Adidas trainers? Sure, there will always be something out there to deal in that'll never be legalised like synthetics such as Spice. However we can fix 80% easily. However, mail readers in the Home Counties that have never experienced it will hate the idea and it'll be seen as being "soft on crime" or whatever so will never happen. Just offering an idea that (IMO) would eradicate most of the **** they are stabbing each other over pretty much overnight.

Legalise drugs, tax and control quality and quantity. Stop the dumb appeasement of rural Tory voters that read the Mail and hate the ideal of young Timmy or Olivia getting access to a joint or line (which no doubt they are bang onto the minute they arrive at St Andrews Uni via a network that at some point included/ impacted the gangs stabbing each other up). Improve access/ funding to education/ youth facilities in the areas effected, hire more police and make sure they can engage with the communities effected. It isn't rocket science. Personally I spend a bit of time in the States and am genuinely worried we are heading their way of stripping all social funding lines to the absolute bone. If you have some spare time and can watch some genuinely outstanding Netflix documentories on cause/ effect of these policies check out 13th (judicial system/ institutional racism) and Flint (Police service trying to cope with large scale violent crime). This isn't a race issue, it's a society one. That said some communities have less to lose than others (Somali's for example), however rather than just say "no more Somali's" how about we look at how we can change their outlook and give them better opportunities of employment/ self improvement.

No problem with it. Lindsay is a very good broadcaster, if she isn't happy with how she was being spoken to she has every right to end the call like that. Can imagine the outrage/ offended by everything brigade are going to say it's "PC gone mad" or some other utter nonsense but if you ask me life's too short. Treat people with respect and you'll get it back.

Agree 100%. Personally the bingo bus isn't for me (even if it's free) but also aware I'm absolutely the minority, if we want to fill 4600 seats (and give our players the advantage of a huge, motivated away following) putting on coaches for free to get people up and back at such a horrible KO day/ time is a no brainer. You're looking at an outlay similar to a week's wages for a 1st team player, there must be a moneyball data geek somewhere that can put together a spreadsheet for Ralph showing the increased probability of a win based on crowd support... Seriously think that's the only language that robot understands?

Reading away, Elm Park 1996(ish). Can't believe the game went ahead actually! Terrace behind the goal was ****ing baltic that night. Birmingham away a few years with the snow also freezing but nothing will compare to that evening in Reading for me

Sounds about right. When you add on some fries, asparagus and whatever else, plus some decent red wine it's generally a minimum $100 a head, easy. That said the cuts you can get over there are outstanding, bone in rib eye man myself.... Obviously not sure if the Malawian kids can afford the sides but hey, white privilege gotta privilege etc etc

BTW if any New York Saints can recommend a decent boozer to watch the football in that would be great? Usually go to a place called the Banter Bar near Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg. Decent scran and a good selection on draft (one thing the yanks are light years ahead of us on is beer, even the most basic dive bar will have 15+ different keg draft beers, regularly 30+) but generally full of Tarquins and Tristans that support Arsenal, work in Finance and have emigrated from the home counties.

USA nowhere near the same value as it used to be on a tourist level. $/ £ ratio pretty weak, most of my $ goes on boozing/ eating out when working over there, don't expect to pay less that $6/ $7 a pint (plus $1 tip) for anything decent (bud light and that ***T $3 or $4 on draft). Happy hours are your friend here, the yanks go bonkers for them ($5 drafts + that $1 tip don't forget). Biggest robbery though is their pints are approx 10% smaller than ours so you'll fly through them! Eating out anywhere half decent in NYC/ Boston/ LA/ Vegas etc is comparable with London. If steaks your thing it's a lot more expensive, however a lot better (IMO). Personally I sit at a bar for hours, get completely smashed and munch on dollar oysters at happy hour whilst doing my best to avoid talking to the locals. The tax thing is annoying but you get used to it, only hits me on the last day before travelling home when I panic and realise I need to get the missus something so hit Victoria's Secret (way cheaper than back home fellas, fill ya boots) or the shops round SoHo (some good bars/ pizza places there to head to once the duty bit has been done). Top 5 New York Areas to go boozing: 1: Greenpoint (loads of decent rooftop bars and the view of Manhattan better than being in it) 2: Bushwick (world class street art and world class bar/ pizza scene) 3: Lower East Side (yeah pretty studenty etc but the again the best part of a city is usually the student, also great for sports bars on a Sunday to get stick into all day happy hours and chicken wings) 4: Bed Sty (beautiful brownstones, home of Biggie Smalls, proper community feel, great parks, streets always buzzing and a tonne of decent dive bars) 5: West Village (purely for Bleecker St, take your pick round there) http://www.thrillist.com the bible for a young(ish) fella/ couple like me/ the missus with little/ zero intention of doing standard tourist stuff and instead want to booze your lives away

Lallana. Only player in the Premier League I actually hate. Pathetic bottle job bed wetter. Supposed to be our captain and leader but melted at the first sign of things getting tough. Love seeing him actively **** himself when he plays down here, he'll never be welcome back. Lovren a text book mercenary, not worth the effort TBH (although the Pantomime villain comment above is very apt). We knew what was going to happen with VVD (see Lovren, Mane etc) and got huge £ so not bother ed there, it's when home grown lads that have been supported through serious health issues as a kid like Lallana rip up years of goodwill after getting their head turned by "Stevie G" et al, that get to me. Rat.

Good work. Will take a look at Ripple now...