Shake me up Judy

You clever boy you, with your laser intelligence seeing through this with such clarity. Go to the top of the class. Genius level. Thanks for sharing.

You'll REALLY like this then:

Showing yer age here Declan ? Don't think the kids will get Hop-a-Long Cassidy. All those Saturday matinees eh ?

Silly bugger's got them on the wrong feet. But seriously, I did the same myself once, rushing out of the house early morning and grabbing odd shoes from a dark cupboard. It's a tough one to bluff out all day. Trouble is that I've got multiple pairs of shoes that are essentially the same or similar. I won't make that mistake again.

'Checkmate Mr Hooper I believe'

You're right Declan. It was purely a blocking move anyway. Doctors and health care professionals would have to be directly involved at every stage. I get the sense that they're arranging the pieces to defeat this if Tynwald does vote for it.

Were these jobs advertised to local applicants ?

It's never going to happen anyway, even if Tynwald voted for it by a majority. The whole thing is a waste of time.

For avoidance of doubt, I agree with you. I've had fantastic care in the Manx NHS from professional doctors and nurses from many different countries. I've been impressed with them all without exception. I've told them that too. Couldn't wish for better care. The best. That do yer ? But it wasn't my point.

You say that there's low unemployment but how many people are on benefits, not seeking work, or in zero hours/low paid jobs when they could be in proper jobs getting training, future security and full employment rights ? There are also hundreds of teenagers still in full-time education when they should be in first jobs.

Bollocks. There are elderly Manx people in care homes being looked after by foreign carers who know nothing about the Island or the people they're looking after. That's not their fault and it's no criticism of them but we should be employing more locally trained workers in all sectors, particularly Health and Care. Government don't want to do it and would rather import foreign workers. It's economic policy and it's been that way for a long time.

I heard Cannan refer to it as 'assisted suicide' on Manx Radio this morning. That sort of loaded language is moral stupidity and not helpful to serious debate from the Island's Chief Minister, certainly if he wants a referendum. It ain't suicide Alf so don't be a numpty.

Well the lads here have got St Greta of Thunberg in her Arafat scarf on their side now, and tens of thousands of students in tents on campuses all across the West. They've all been drinking the juice and their 'saviour syndrome' and strong emotion is going to save the Palestinians. Because they care. Still nothing to say though about the wars, refugees and genocides in Syria, Myanmar, China, Sudan, etc.

Indeed. The hospital estate is massive with plenty of unused buildings/facilities and all the resources of a modern hospital on site. This new development has someone's name on it and has been pushed through Tynwald and Treasury (By Hooper ?) despite the staggering cost to the taxpayer. Staffing and running costs will be another million + p.a.

I remember Ashford telling us that the vaccine roll-out was delayed for about a week while they got the indemnities in place. Now we know this was why.

It'll be nearer 5 million and this is the government with no money. Allinson must have signed it off though. I wonder why ? We didn't need a 'dedicated' site when government own properties that could easily have been repurposed. But that's not the way is it. Who's got the contract ? I can't see the need for such a specialist facility costing millions in the first place.

...and I think you probably said something disobliging to that woman who's sticking her head out of the door.

Referendums rarely settle anything. How many would really understand the issues anyway ? What if it was inconclusive ? How would it be worded ? Lots of questions to be answered before they take this step. Organised pressure groups would have an unfair advantage too. If I was Alf I'd forget it. On balance I'm for the legislation though. Those against can't answer the main fundamental question. It came up on the Mannin Line today when Andy Wint reminded a caller about the recent case of a local man who was terminally ill and died in the most agonising and traumatic way for him, his family and carers. In such extremis the anti-legislation lobbyists have no answer. I know that when my time is up, and if the decision is between me and God, I know which way I'll be voting.

Well they won't be able to fire any more rockets into Israel every day and night. That's a start. Once they're flushed out of Gaza where are they going to launch their next attacks from ? There's not much love for Hamas in the Arab world. Military means sometimes do and have worked. Often it's the last and only option. There's no politics or dialogue with a death cult like Hamas. None. Even less than there was with that weasel Arafat.

We're keen to claim them but it's only when they leave that their talent is truly recognised. Three lads from Willaston would never have become the Bee Gees if they hadn't left for Australia. Speaking of Manx talent, I see that the opera soprano Margaret Curphey has died.

I see that asshole is back in there again. He'll be out again in no time. Prison works...

She's Manx if I recall. Certainly grew up and went to school here. Lovely girl too. Well done Roisin

That steak will be really well done by now.

It's not. Not even remotely, but these sweeping historical comparisons provide an easy framework and model of explanation. It's playing games with history based on a set of rules.

There was a well known farmer out the west of the Island (You know the one) who got a fortune in land grants to keep his fields green. He had the greenest fields on the Island.