comment by Oscar. #TeamFury (U12980)
posted 8 minutes ago
Turkey twizzlers to carrot sticks of course this younger generation are fackin snowflakes
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ok, am backtracking re. twizzlers😀

comment by thebluebellsarablue (U9292)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by son of quebec (U8127)
posted 2 minutes ago
I was thinking of coaching a youth football team. But the wife said Right an old man with no kids coaching young kids. What could go wrong?
Made me think. Fek that.Not even pedo stuff, but give a kid a rollicking nowadays and who TF knows what you'll be accused of.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been doing it for a few years now. Really enjoy it.

The IFA grass roots have a load of protocols for protecting coaches. Has to be two coaches present for any toilet breaks etc. And all coaches have to pass an AcesssNI check (to make sure you're not on any register) before they can begin the level 1 coaching badge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good man👍

Mate from QUB coaches over your way in Dundonald.

He was a decent player himself and criicketer!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Belfast teams tend to do well, as kids seem to be more street savy (not afraid to get stuck in) compared to our lot!

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 44 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 3 minutes ago
Tbh i disagree here WWSPD

I think the French president does always represent the bloc and should be aware of what they say in this regard,

Likewise the German premier

They have added responsibility due to their influence
----------------------------------------------------------------------
By that rationale if Nicola Sturgeon said the AZ vaccine wasn't safe for the over 65s, one might conclude she was representing the Scottish government rather than the whole of the UK.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No because she doesnt have the same unilateral influence on UK policy that Macron has on EU direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macron, unilaterally has little control in regard to EU policies. He has a vote as a member of the EU Council.

I'd argue French MEPs, and French representation in the Commission have more influence.

To get back to the point, Macron was acting as French president, whose comments (re AZ) directly contradicted the EMAs official vaccine guidance.

Yet his comments were misappropriated by some in the UK as being the official viewpoint of the EU/EMA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is the second most powerful individual in the EU bloc ffs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And how does that power work within the structures and institutions of the EU?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here, am the wum here, remember👍😂

EU messed up regarding vaccine!

uk mess up most other places😜

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 39 seconds ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 44 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 3 minutes ago
Tbh i disagree here WWSPD

I think the French president does always represent the bloc and should be aware of what they say in this regard,

Likewise the German premier

They have added responsibility due to their influence
----------------------------------------------------------------------
By that rationale if Nicola Sturgeon said the AZ vaccine wasn't safe for the over 65s, one might conclude she was representing the Scottish government rather than the whole of the UK.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No because she doesnt have the same unilateral influence on UK policy that Macron has on EU direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macron, unilaterally has little control in regard to EU policies. He has a vote as a member of the EU Council.

I'd argue French MEPs, and French representation in the Commission have more influence.

To get back to the point, Macron was acting as French president, whose comments (re AZ) directly contradicted the EMAs official vaccine guidance.

Yet his comments were misappropriated by some in the UK as being the official viewpoint of the EU/EMA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is the second most powerful individual in the EU bloc ffs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And how does that power work within the structures and institutions of the EU?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
With Van Der Leyen in charge you do not have a good chance of convincing anyone that the commission is separate from the member states political leadership

She's like Merkels protege and longest political ally

I doubt she goes to the toilet without say so from Merkel

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by thebluebellsarablue (U9292)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by son of quebec (U8127)
posted 2 minutes ago
I was thinking of coaching a youth football team. But the wife said Right an old man with no kids coaching young kids. What could go wrong?
Made me think. Fek that.Not even pedo stuff, but give a kid a rollicking nowadays and who TF knows what you'll be accused of.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been doing it for a few years now. Really enjoy it.

The IFA grass roots have a load of protocols for protecting coaches. Has to be two coaches present for any toilet breaks etc. And all coaches have to pass an AcesssNI check (to make sure you're not on any register) before they can begin the level 1 coaching badge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good man👍

Mate from QUB coaches over your way in Dundonald.

He was a decent player himself and criicketer!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Belfast teams tend to do well, as kids seem to be more street savy (not afraid to get stuck in) compared to our lot!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Old boys league and Shanki!! or Westy teams do get stuck in.

Get some Kilcooley or West Winds estate lads into your north down outfit!

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 2 minutes ago
She's like Merkels protege and longest political ally
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Merkel called for lockdown and u turned next day....if that was bojo or the Trumpet, imagine the righteous rage and twitterfest😆

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 4 minutes ago
I agree it was ridiculous for all of the countries to disregard the EMA btw

That doesnt exactly make a good argument for the EU power structures working well when all their member states didnt listen at the same time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
European countries will often make sovereign decisions outwith the structures/institutions of the EU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I would therefore logically follow that the leaders of said states are the most powerful and influential people in the bloc

I voted leave, in part due to not listening to Cameron, Osborne, Banks, big business, Obama and Brussels, thinking leave would never win... and in hindsight, due to wwspd and others, accepted remain narrative, economically and in relation to NI!

However, all through recent years and especially regarding vaccines and fishing and NI, i cannot help having that gut feeling, Fook EU😀

Id compare it to NATO

When Trump said stupid things in terms of military actions he acted like he wasnt speaking for NATO (because he disagreed with it etc) but actually he was because the reality is America leads NATO. He was being incredibly irresponsible and he was lambasted correctly by his own military.

Macron as the leader of the 2nd most important EU member state cannot conveniently separate himself on an issue like the vaccines which is an issue that affects the whole bloc

If he was talking about something that is France specific then fine. But in the context of the vaccines he has a responsibility to remember his comments are going to be viewed as EU whole aligned

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 4 minutes ago
I agree it was ridiculous for all of the countries to disregard the EMA btw

That doesnt exactly make a good argument for the EU power structures working well when all their member states didnt listen at the same time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
European countries will often make sovereign decisions outwith the structures/institutions of the EU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I would therefore logically follow that the leaders of said states are the most powerful and influential people in the bloc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Logically speaking, Spoc of Star Trek would concur, Captain👍

French, German and EU commission voices and statements do tend to trump Greek and Portugese and Dutch noise!

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 4 minutes ago
I agree it was ridiculous for all of the countries to disregard the EMA btw

That doesnt exactly make a good argument for the EU power structures working well when all their member states didnt listen at the same time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
European countries will often make sovereign decisions outwith the structures/institutions of the EU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I would therefore logically follow that the leaders of said states are the most powerful and influential people in the bloc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If France, based on Macron's comments (which I appreciate were withdrawn) on the AZ vaccine wanted to prevent the bloc from using AZ for the over 65s, it could not do so unilaterally. Despite Macron's power as French president.

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 4 minutes ago
I agree it was ridiculous for all of the countries to disregard the EMA btw

That doesnt exactly make a good argument for the EU power structures working well when all their member states didnt listen at the same time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
European countries will often make sovereign decisions outwith the structures/institutions of the EU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I would therefore logically follow that the leaders of said states are the most powerful and influential people in the bloc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If France, based on Macron's comments (which I appreciate were withdrawn) on the AZ vaccine wanted to prevent the bloc from using AZ for the over 65s, it could not do so unilaterally. Despite Macron's power as French president.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Neither could the ema apparently

Because they can all just choose to ignore it

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 34 seconds ago
Id compare it to NATO

When Trump said stupid things in terms of military actions he acted like he wasnt speaking for NATO (because he disagreed with it etc) but actually he was because the reality is America leads NATO. He was being incredibly irresponsible and he was lambasted correctly by his own military.

Macron as the leader of the 2nd most important EU member state cannot conveniently separate himself on an issue like the vaccines which is an issue that affects the whole bloc

If he was talking about something that is France specific then fine. But in the context of the vaccines he has a responsibility to remember his comments are going to be viewed as EU whole aligned
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Superb analogy, Sir!

And i do think on paying yir way, Trump had a point on EU members, expecting America, to pay for and defend EU.

And for the sake of argument, if the EMA agreed with Macron's comments (re over 65s) countries would still be free to ignore the EMA guidelines and pursue their own policies.

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 28 seconds ago
And for the sake of argument, if the EMA agreed with Macron's comments (re over 65s) countries would still be free to ignore the EMA guidelines and pursue their own policies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think I literally just said this

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 28 seconds ago
And for the sake of argument, if the EMA agreed with Macron's comments (re over 65s) countries would still be free to ignore the EMA guidelines and pursue their own policies.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think I literally just said this
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry just saw that!

If there is no unilateral power in place than that doesnt strengthen the argument against my statement that Macron is the 2nd most powerful individual in the bloc

So if an European country pursues their own vaccination policy, which directly contradicts the official EU medical agency guidance, how can their policies be correctly attributed to the EU?

Are we talking about the policy in France now or Macron's several problematic comments against AZ?

He literally called the jab ineffective at one point

comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 40 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 39 seconds ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 44 minutes ago
comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Percy Pig aficionado (U3126)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by Blarmy (U14547)
posted 3 minutes ago
Tbh i disagree here WWSPD

I think the French president does always represent the bloc and should be aware of what they say in this regard,

Likewise the German premier

They have added responsibility due to their influence
----------------------------------------------------------------------
By that rationale if Nicola Sturgeon said the AZ vaccine wasn't safe for the over 65s, one might conclude she was representing the Scottish government rather than the whole of the UK.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No because she doesnt have the same unilateral influence on UK policy that Macron has on EU direction
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Macron, unilaterally has little control in regard to EU policies. He has a vote as a member of the EU Council.

I'd argue French MEPs, and French representation in the Commission have more influence.

To get back to the point, Macron was acting as French president, whose comments (re AZ) directly contradicted the EMAs official vaccine guidance.

Yet his comments were misappropriated by some in the UK as being the official viewpoint of the EU/EMA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is the second most powerful individual in the EU bloc ffs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And how does that power work within the structures and institutions of the EU?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
With Van Der Leyen in charge you do not have a good chance of convincing anyone that the commission is separate from the member states political leadership
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Really? That's amazing.

In regard to Macron's power, as member states are free to do what they like insofar as vaccines are concerned (ie not an EU competency) he has none.

But I accept France as the second largest member state has a great deal of influence when dealing with areas the EU Treaties have authority.

I understand his comments re the over 65s was based on the French medical authorities assessment.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/55919245