I was tempted to put up a long complex opinion, based on a former life of mine, but frankly I can't be bothered.
Athlestan has distiled most of the salient issues and where it goes from here is difficult to forecast. However, what you can be sure of is if there is an oportunity to raise the price of oil it will happen. Iran knows the price it will pay if it gets too far out of its box, but the culture of the region is based on bulls...t, lies and no loss of face. Diplomats will publicly be saying one thing while making it abundantly clear to Iran that a good kicking is comming if they cross certain lines. I would guess that Iran already has the capabilty to build a "Bucket-of-Sunshine" but using it is another matter. Just think Nukes on Iran and the fallout in Afghanistan - win win! The joker is Mr Net-In-Yaa- Who, he's straight out of loonytunes.

Scuse me glass empty.

Whether we agree that Iran should have nuclear power or not is irrelevant. Would I want Iran to have nuclear weapons? no but who are we to stop any nation developing nuclear power. With unstable states such as Pakistan and former Soviet states already in possession of nuclear weapons the genie is already out of the bottle and cannot be put back. Do we want the US to be the world police force? no but can you expect the US to stand back and do nothing, I don’t think so. What will probably happen is that Iran will get near to completing their nuclear plans and Israel will get the nod from the US to bomb them. In short there is no answer to this problem, but it is worth listening to the John Lennon song Imagine, as I’m sure that the world would be a better place without religion and before you all come down on me for simplifying this difficult problem I apologise. (another song there I think)

MANUFAN wrote:

I’m sure that the world would be a better place without religion )

As a devout Atheist I am perplexed that a man that practises "religion" at least twice a week (indeed on some weeks more prayers are said) on the altar of Old Trafford you prescribe to the notion that without football the world would be a better place. However, I agree entirely.

Last edited by dunroof on 2nd Jan 2013 7:31 am. Edited 1 time in total

athelstan wrote:

MANUFAN wrote:

I’m sure that the world would be a better place without religion )

As a devout Atheist I am perplexed that a man that practises "religion" at least twice a week (indeed on some weeks more prayers are said) on the altar of Old Trafford you prescribe to the notion that without football the world would be a better place. However, I agree entirely.

My prayers were answered last weekend when they played c*@p and still managed to win 3-1. So yes I believe in the power of prayer. But it would take a lot of prayers to sort out the Middle East. The good news is that none of this will matter in 100 years. (or not to me anyhow)

MANUFAN wrote:

My prayers were answered last weekend when they played c*@p,yet as usual the referee ensured that they still managed to win 3-1.

 At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

chicken george wrote:

MANUFAN wrote:

My prayers were answered last weekend when they played c*@p,yet as usual the referee ensured that they still managed to win 3-1.

So cruel CG. If my next prayer is answered you will be getting a visit from the gypsies and their caravans

Gypsies don't have "their" caravans......they will more than likely be other peoples

There is more chance of a fair and free Iran, than a fair and free premier league. At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

taztastic wrote:

Gypsies don't have "their" caravans......they will more than likely be other peoples

chicken george wrote:

There is more chance of a fair and free Iran, than a fair and free premier league.