O G San

O G San

Joined Member # 739458
0 Posts 0 Replies 1,078 Reputation
Reply to Polls Apart in International JoeUser Forums

Lucas, people sometimes ask me for a brief explanation of the conflict. I always reply "Do you want the short version or the long version? The short version takes half an hour." 18 out of 18!

6 Replies 3,950 Views
Reply to How Many Of These Do You Have? in Misc JoeUser Forums

Soupy, what have you two been up to since i left korea? Sitting around mournfully telling Soupy anecdotes of course OGSister, Stick on grand slam, you got all the joie de vivre of the four of us. After discussions with Pete, it's been decided that two out of three shall be known as the "mini slam". One out of three is the "Scottish sl

21 Replies 9,687 Views
Reply to How Many Of These Do You Have? in Misc JoeUser Forums

Yes, Pete, you've got the grand slam too, no worries. Just to clarify, the bit about being a good-looking woman with awful taste in men only comes into play if you have none of the 3 attributes. Besides Pete, your taste in men is exemplary

21 Replies 9,687 Views
Reply to How Many Of These Do You Have? in Misc JoeUser Forums

Soupy, you're a grand slam. A stick-on grand slam, as Big Fat Racist Ron would say. Rachel, grand slam. Meghan, 1 and 2, but not 3 (same as me). Everyone else, I've never met you, so I don't know.

21 Replies 9,687 Views
How Many Of These Do You Have? in Misc JoeUser Forums

I've been lucky enough to travel and to live in different countries. Along the way, I've met people from various nations and cultures. But regardless of background, I find there are three characteristics which I look for in a new acquaintance: self-deprecatio

21 Replies 9,687 Views
The War Is Dead in International JoeUser Forums

Often, when entering a house in northern Taiwan, I would notice an old photograph of a soldier hanging proudly on the wall. When I enquired who the man in question was, I would typically be told: "This is my grandfather, he fled to Taiwan in 1949." Most of the

12 Replies 5,364 Views
Reply to Polls Apart in International JoeUser Forums

Having observed the campaign over the past few weeks, I've decided to change two of my predictions. I'm now calling South Belfast for the SDLP, given the DUP's strong showing in the constituency. Also, I've had a change of heart about South Antrim, I'm now plumping for McCrea. Of the 18 predictions, I'm sure of the following: East Belfast West Belfast North Belfast Strangford West Tyrone East Derry North Antri

6 Replies 3,950 Views
Reply to It's The Grass That Suffers in International JoeUser Forums

Soupy, Who was it that told me this "legend" without indicating that it wasn't true? Hmm... Greywar, " Well in a way they both do lose since they are professional soccer teams and not pro teams in a better sport " You're on thin ice

15 Replies 6,140 Views
It's The Grass That Suffers in International JoeUser Forums

For me, observing the governments of China and Japan squaring off recently is rather like watching Manchester United play Tottenham. Isn't there some way, I ask myself, that both of them could lose? I say this as someone who has spent several years living in two countries, Taiwan and South Korea, which toil in the shadows of the East Asian giants. Al

15 Replies 6,140 Views
Reply to Putting away childish things in Politics JoeUser Forums

" Whether you like it or not, a vote for Labour, is a vote for Blair, is a vote for the war in Iraq. This is grossly unfair on the many Labour party candidates who are as vociferously anti-war as anyone. But the fact remains that Blair will portray each and every Labour vote as an endorsement of his aggression in the Middle East. " I wrote that last year just before the European elections. Logically, this argument should still hold true t

13 Replies 867 Views
Reply to hiking in Sports & Leisure JoeUser Forums

So in conclusion, a good time had by all. "Like pilgrims atoning for our crimes" I know what you mean. I like to go walking in the hills beside my house. Mostly it's pleasant but sometimes, when I get tired, I think "No keep going, you haven't worked off this week's sins yet."

4 Replies 234 Views
Polls Apart in International JoeUser Forums

In the past, Westminster elections in Northern Ireland (NI) were dull affairs. In the 1992 and 1997 polls only one or two seats changed hands. However, since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, politics in the north have entered a period of great flux. In 2001, many seats changed hands and there were tight contests in many others. Once again in 2005, the

6 Replies 3,950 Views
Reply to Massive anti-China march in Taiwan in International JoeUser Forums

China's state-run China Daily said on Friday the march could raise tensions I love the way having a peaceful protest "raises tensions", but passing a law threatening war doesn't. Protest supporters also staged demonstrations in Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Brussels, Belgium. Let's hope next time there are many more demonstrations

2 Replies 2,027 Views
Reply to What's A Protestant To Do? in International JoeUser Forums

Thanks for your comments everyone. Just to clarify one point, Dr Guy, I don't consider myself to be prejudiced. It's more that I don't want my remarks to be misconstrued as being prejudiced. But you're right, many Catholics had their "issues" with the Pope as well.

6 Replies 3,408 Views
Democracy To The Extreme in International JoeUser Forums

It was "China Week" a while ago on BBC World and I, as a fully paid-up Sino-phile, was looking forward to seven days of special programming on the Middle Kingdom. But I'm afraid to say that the Beeb's efforts were largely disappointing. There were some interesting reports, especially about the Muslim population of the far west, but too much of the coverage was of the

5 Replies 3,362 Views
What's A Protestant To Do? in International JoeUser Forums

A few months ago, I came home from work and switched on the TV. On the screen were two men holding a photo opportunity, one Catholic, the other Protestant - His Holiness, Pope John Paul the Second and George Walker Bush, President of the United States. The Supreme Pontiff was trying to read a written statement to the press. I strained to listen to what the old man was

6 Replies 3,408 Views