[GreatBriton]

Since the EU has hijacked one of my favourite tunes, the finale to Beethoven's 9th Symphony (the 'Ode to Joy'), I devote this page to returning the favour. Here are some words which, I feel, reflect that 'august' body as it marches (or staggers) into the third millennium. The words are for a four-verse version.

--------------------------------- ----------------------------------



1. We are Europe, marching onwards, you know we are always right,

Driving on to crush the sceptics, 'neath our bureaucratic might.

Take you over bit by bit, so every day you are less free,

And you think you get the truth from the Brussels Broadcasting Company.

--- ---

2. You know we will always hate you, gratitude we'll never learn.

Though oft times you've saved our bacon, 'gainst dictators' fire and burn,

Spanish Phil, Louis Mark 14, Old Boney himself and Kaiser Bill,

They and Hitler tried and failed, now we in Brussels will bend your will.

--- ---

3. Laws we make which we ignore, but to obey them you are bound,

Steal your fish stocks, ban your beef, then jail you for using the ounce and pound.

Take your cash, give just a bit back, but spend it you will on what say we.

And put up a great big sign; 'tis EU money, grateful be'.

--- ---

4. We are Europe marching onwards, sing this ode to joy aloud,

Europe's nations all united, against one who shall be cowed.

One day soon our starspun flag will fly over England conquered true,

Sweet revenge for all those times you've failed to let us conquer you!


http://www.btinternet.com/~brentours/EU38.htm

[GreatBriton]

The draw for the Group Stage of the 2006/2007 Champions League (European Cup) has been made. English Champions Chelsea have been put into Group A with Barcelona, who are the European Champions after winning this competition last season. Manchester United have been drawn in the same group as Scottish Champions Celtic, last year's losing finalists Arsenal must play Hamburg and 2005 winners Liverpool are drawn against Bordeaux.

Barcelona are the favourites to win the Champions League and Chelsea the second favourites. The Final will be in Athens in May.
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The draw in full

Group A

Barcelona (SPA)
Chelsea (ENG)
Werder Bremen (GER)
Levski Sofia (BUL)
---------------------------

Group B

Inter Milan (ITA)
Bayern Munich (GER)
Sporting Lisbon (POR)
Spartak Moscow (RUS)
-------------------------

Group C

Liverpool (ENG)
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Bordeaux (FRA)
Galatasaray (TUR)
------------------------------

Group D

Valencia (SPA)
Roma (ITA)
Olympiacos (GRE)
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
--------------------------------

Group E

Real Madrid (SPA)
Lyon (FRA)
Steaua Bucharest (ROM)
Dynamo Kiev (UKR)
-----------------------------

Group F

Manchester United (ENG)
Celtic (SCO)
Benfica (POR)
FC Copenhagen (DEN)
------------------------------

Group G

Arsenal (ENG)
Porto (POR)
CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Hamburg (GER)
----------------------------

Group H

AC Milan (ITA)
Lille (FRA)
AEK Athens (GRE)
Anderlecht (BEL)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Format

The teams in each group play each other twice, home and away. The top two from each group qualify for the Last 16. Those 8 matches will be played over 2 legs (so the teams play twice against whoever they are drawn against, home and away)) with the winner on the aggregate score accumulated over both legs going through to the Quarter Finals. The Quarter Finals and Semi-Finals will also be two legged affairs, with each team playing whoever they were drawn against twice and the teams who win on aggregate proceeding to the next round.

The Final will be just the one game, with each team playing in a neutral stadium in Athens unless, of course, AEK Athens reach the Final, in which case it will have to be played elsewhere.

[GreatBriton]

Four cups of tea a day 'better than drinking water'
23rd August 2006




The British love tea - and it's very healthy for you.



Drinking four or more cups of tea every day could be more beneficial than drinking water, scientists have said.

They say that tea not only rehydrates you as well as water does, but it can also offer protection against heart disease and cancer.

It is commonly thought that drinking tea leads to loss of fluid and may lead to dehydration.

But according to researchers, the water in the tea can actually help replenish fluids in the body.

The researchers say their findings could benefit older members of the population, many of whom do not drink much water.

Previous research has shown that drinking three cups of tea a day can cut the risk of having a heart attack by 11 per cent.

It has also been shown to stave off some forms of cancer, including colorectal cancer.

Other health benefits include reducing tooth decay and possibly improving bone strength.

Some studies suggest the caffeine in tea can also help concentration and improve one's mood.

The key component is a group of antioxidants called flavonoids - a major component of tea - which help prevent cell damage.

Tea is a natural source of flavonoids - there is eight times the antioxidant capacity of one apple in just three cups of tea.

New research, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that drinking tea can bring a variety of health benefits.

Researcher Dr Carrie Ruxton, a public health nutritionist, said that most Britons drink just under three cups of tea a day - below the 'good health' threshold.

But her research found that drinking four cups of tea confers the optimum benefits.

Dr Ruxton said: "Many people wrongly think that drinking tea will make you lose fluid and become more thirsty, but this is a myth.

"Tea is in fact rehydrating, not dehydrating.

"Add to this the overwhelming evidence that drinking tea every day can be beneficial to heart health, and you could argue that drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water.

"Our bodies need antioxidants to help fight off the attack by free radicals and tea provides the most abundant source in the UK diet. You don't find these antioxidants in water alone.

"We should also consider the positive benefits that drinking tea has on hydrating Britons - many of whom are elderly and don't drink water."

Black tea

Like fruit and vegetables, black tea contains powerful antioxidants which can inhibit the growth of 'bad' bacteria in the gut, said Dr Ruxton.

She added: "Young people are often concerned about caffeine in tea, fearing it might affect their mood, trigger anxiety or disrupt sleep patterns.

"However, evidence from six studies shows no adverse effects at normal intakes of around six to nine average cups of tea a day."

Bill Gorman of The Tea Council said yesterday: 'This new paper rubber stamps much of what we already know, that the tea we drink every day is good for our health.

"Our own research has shown that in recent years young women are increasingly drinking tea rather than coffee, although many are shunning tea in favour of water, which they find a chore, rather than something they enjoy.

"For the good of their health, they should turn back to tea - they'd be a mug not to."


dailymail.co.uk

[GreatBriton]

The Times August 24, 2006



In World War II, the formidable Royal Navy was the largest and most powerful navy on earth. Historians have said that it could have overwhelmed ANY invasion fleet. (PA)





Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to . . . the Navy
By Michael Evans

The theory that the RAF stopped Hitler from invading is under attack




THE extraordinary courage of “the Few”, the Battle of Britain fighter pilots who protected the country from the might of the Luftwaffe, and stopped a full-scale invasion by Germany, remains one of the great stories of the Second World War.

However, three military historians have claimed that it was not the gallant Spitfire and Hurricane fighter pilots who saved the country from Hitler’s invading forces in the autumn of 1940, but the Royal Navy.

It was not air power but sea power that dissuaded Hitler from invading Britain in an operation codenamed Sealion, the eminent lecturers at the Armed Forces Joint Services Command Staff College have told History Today magazine.

Operation Sealion would have attempted to land 160,000 soldiers along 40 miles of coastline in southeast England, using 2,000 barges. But the sea invasion was postponed to enable the Luftwaffe to try to destroy the RAF.

This led to the Battle of Britain and Churchill’s subsequent, famous tribute to the RAF pilots: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”


The Battle of Britain was fought in the skies above the towns and cities of England


After the RAF won the war of the skies, Hitler abandoned his invasion plans on October 12, 1940. However, four weeks before the 66th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day, Andrew Gordon, head of maritime history at the staff college, has given a different perspective on why Hitler changed his mind.

He told Brian James, author of the article, Pie in the Sky?: “I cheered like crazy at the film of the Battle of Britain [Reach for the Sky], like everyone else. But it really is time to put away this enduring myth. To claim that Germany failed to invade in 1940 because of what was done by the phenomenally brave and skilled young men of Fighter Command is hogwash.”

He added: “The Germans stayed away because while the Royal Navy existed they had not a hope in hell of capturing these islands. The Navy had ships in sufficient numbers to have overwhelmed any invasion fleet; destroyers’ speed alone would have swamped the barges by their wash.”

Christina Goulter, air warfare historian at the staff college, added: “While it would be wrong to deny the contribution of Fighter Command . . . it was the Navy that held the Germans from invading.”

Dr Goulter added: “The Battle of Britain was a formative experience for the RAF, like Waterloo for the Army [and] Trafalgar for the Navy, a sacrosanct event. This is why there is more than a modicum of hostility to any suggestion of re-examining this history. The single-seater fighter pilots of today see themselves as inheriting the mantle of the Few.”

Gary Sheffield, the staff college’s land warfare historian, agreed that the Navy was the main stumbling block to a successful German invasion.

Their views were criticised yesterday by one of the Battle of Britain pilots, Air Commodore Peter Brothers, who told The Times: “I’m afraid that the Royal Navy would have had a thin time if there had been no Battle of Britain. The German air force would have done what the Japanese did in Singapore. The Germans had Stuka dive-bombers that would have made mincemeat of the Navy.”

Air Commodore Brothers, chairman of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association, added: “The Battle of Britain dissuaded Hitler from invading. The battle was won by the people, firstly by radar, secondly by those who made the ammunition and aircraft, thirdly by the ground crews and fourthly by the pilots who flew them.”

Peter Furtado, editor of History Today, said: “There is absolutely no intention of denigrating the exceptional efforts of the Battle of Britain pilots. But all the historians are trying to do is to put their efforts into a wider context. Churchill created the myth of the Few for his own reasons.”

DEBRIEFING


In 1939, Britain had the largest naval force in the world: 7 aircraft carriers, 15 large battleships, 15 heavy cruisers, 46 light cruisers, 181 destroyers and 59 submarines. Today, it's the world's second most powerful naval force

In August 1940, the RAF had 615 Hurricanes and 326 Spitfires

“The Few” were 2,353 Britons and 574 pilots from overseas: 544 died during the Battle of Britain

The battle lasted from July 10 to October 31, 1940

Battle of Britain Day is September 15

thetimesonline.co.uk

[Arctic_Menace]

That is the biggest pile of shit I've read in quite some time. Go read some history books and educate yourself...

[GreatBriton]

I didn't write the article, though.

Anyway, to me is doesn't matter who it was - the RN or the RAF. The British still managed to do what we had done in centuries previously - beat off an attempted invasion from the continent.

[DerbyX]

GreatBriton GreatBriton:

I didn't write the article, though.

Anyway, to me is doesn't matter who it was - the RN or the RAF. The British still managed to do what we had done in centuries previously - beat off an attempted invasion from the continent.

With weapons, food and trained pilots supplied by Canada and the US. In other words if it wasn't for us you guys would all be speaking German.

[twister]

uhm lets put it into perspective... had the Germans defeated the RAF which was thier plan Invasion Sea lion would have been Lauched.. and germany much like the world cup would have scored one on England... There is Sweet bugger all the royal navy would have or could have done... If the RAF was knocked from the skies any Royal Navy ship within 200 miles of the invasion site would have been blown out of the water by AIR POWER. Article is pure hogwash. If Germany would have succeeded in the destruction of the RAF and they were close.. you'd all be sipping german Pilsner rather than English ALE.. sieg hieling anyone who walked bye but with a stiff upperlip... and everyone could take submarine rides on Glass bottomed U boats to take a look at the once proud Royal navy sitting on the bottom of the Channel.

[Mustang1]

The British Navy’s presence posed a problem for a desired German amphibious assault, so in order to neutralize it, the Luftwaffe had to acquire aerial supremacy (so they could target the RCN). Standing in their way? The RAF.

Therefore, in order to launch a successful sea borne invasion the Luftwaffe had to eliminate or pacify the RAF – that’s why they initially attacked the airfields. This strategy proved extremely effective until it was altered to a terror focus – the Blitz. That was significant in that it let the RAF back into the fight and helped dissuade Hitler (that an other ideological considerations) from his immediate goal of British invasion.

[bootlegga]

Good point Mustang.

Without the RAF to protect it, the Royal Navy would have done as much good as Force Z (HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales) did against the Japanese. Don't remember Force Z? Big surprise, the second they ventured out of air cover, they were attacked and sunk by Japanese aircraft.

Between the U-boats and the Luftwaffe, any Royal Navy sorties out of Scapa Flow (where they spent a good portion of the war hiding) could have been pushed back.

[Arctic_Menace]

$1:

This strategy proved extremely effective until it was altered to a terror focus – the Blitz. That was significant in that it let the RAF back into the fight and helped dissuade Hitler (that an other ideological considerations) from his immediate goal of British invasion.

Damn it, you beat me to it again.

The Battle of Britain was not won by the RAF or the Royal navy, but by a stroke of luck that made Hitler make one HUGE mistake...

[Arctic_Menace]

$1:

The British still managed to do what we had done in centuries previously - beat off an attempted invasion from the continent.

Even more bullshit! I guess they don't teach you unbiased history over there. Either that, or you're just a blind patriot.




(No offense to EyeBrock. You're actually smart. )

[ridenrain]

Arctic_Menace Arctic_Menace:

Either that, or you're just a blind patriot.

Pot, meet Mr Kettle.

Let me just pipe in, "yeah" before this thread is canned like all the rest of GB's threads.

[GreatBriton]

The Times August 25, 2006


Little Britain aiming for huge remake in America
By Adam Sherwin, Media Correspondent



"Don't like it!"



"Yeah, but, no, but, yeah, but, no, but, yeah, but you know Carla? She an ugly b**ch....."


"I'm the only gay in the village!"


THE hit comedy Little Britain is to be remade as an all-American show by the cutting-edge US broadcaster HBO.

Matt Lucas and David Walliams are to adapt their outrageous comic creations for American viewers under a deal with the cable channel behind the award-winning The Sopranos and Sex and the City.

The search is on to find the urban American equivalent of the schoolgirl nightmare Vicky Pollard and a suitable deep South locale for the only gay in the village. The duo will work with American writers and Simon Fuller, the British entrepreneur behind Pop Idol, will oversee the show.

The sketches could not be remade on network American television because federal broadcasting rules result in $500,000 (£265,000) fines for material considered indecent.

But Lucas and Walliams could attract up to ten million viewers for an adapted version of a show that the US Entertainment Weekly called “joyously off-kilter, manufactured for maximum offensiveness”.

Lucas and Walliams have benefited from America’s current love affair with British television talent. Simon Cowell, the American Idol judge, is the country’s highest-earning entertainment star, and even Piers Morgan, former Editor of the Daily Mirror, is now a hit talent show judge.

British comedy, which has so often failed to cross the Atlantic, is finding a niche audience. The prime-time NBC remake of The Office has won an extended run by swapping Slough for Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Darren Star, the creator of Sex and the City, has been signed up to write and produce an American version of Julia Davis’s dark BBC sitcom, Nighty Night. HBO already works with the BBC as a co-producer on Gervais’s follow-up show, Extras.

The Little Britain model will be Sacha Baron-Cohen, who reinvented his Ali G character as a hit with American viewers through HBO.

“We are on the brink of confirming something rather special,” Fuller told Broadcast magazine. “Think back to Monty Python. Who would have thought that would have been such a big hit in America?”

Lucas and Walliams will be free to work on the American version after concluding Little Britain with a BBC Christmas special. The British shows are shown in 13 countries and have already won a cult audience on the BBC America cable channel. Spin-off opportunities from a hit US version will be considerable. The pair will have earned an estimated £20 million over four years after the conclusion of a 140-date nationwide tour for which 200,000 tickets were sold in one day.

There will be a live DVD, for which they received a £2 million advance, to add to the BBC DVD releases that have sold 5 million copies. Talking Pollard dolls and other merchandise are expected to be strong sellers again this Christmas. Episodes will soon be on sale as paid-for downloads.

Lucas and Walliams will create a new comedy sketch show for BBC One next year, featuring some Little Britain favourites.


thetimesonline.co.uk


The American version will not be funny as the British one.

[GreatBriton]

I can't find that thread about the Battle of Britain and the Royal Navy so I'll have to post these here.
---------------------------


One writer says that the power of the Royal Navy wasn't the only factor that helped Britain win the Battle of Britain. Another factor was that no matter how hard the Germans tried, they just couldn't break the morale of the British people.
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Letters to the Editor



The Times August 25, 2006


Did Germany's fear of the Royal Navy win the war?


Sir, Churchill not only praised “the Few” (which included 56 Royal Navy pilots) in his famous speech 66 years ago, he also praised the other airmen in Bomber Command who had harried the enemy across the Channel and beyond (report, Aug 24).

There is no doubt that, had “the Few” (and radar and the Observer Corps) failed, the Royal Navy would have fought valiantly to stop any invasion of our shores. It would probably have succeeded but, without air supremacy, that would have been at great cost.

But the main point is that the Battle of Britain was the first time that air-to-air combat reversed the outcome of an enemy’s major strategic plan. The invasion did not take place for a number of reasons. Not least of these was the Luftwaffe’s inability to subdue the RAF, the overrun of time that the belligerence of Fighter Command caused to the invasion plans, making weather in the Channel a serious issue, and the threat of the world’s most powerful navy protecting its own shores.

This points not to a conclusion that the Battle of Britain was not a victory, but that this nation and its Armed Forces acted in a way which surprised, weakened and demoralised the German High Command to such an extent that they allowed its leader to turn his attention towards the East where, incidentally, a slower but very similar situation forced the Germans eventually to retreat again.

September 15, Battle of Britain Day, is a time for celebration, for it marked a turning point when our island nation, standing virtually alone, turned back a hitherto victorious barbaric regime, giving a breathing space for an eventual victory over the tyranny of Nazism. Had “the Few” not fought so bravely I have no doubt that the world would be a very different place today.


MICHAEL A. FOPP
Director General
Royal Air Force Museum
London NW9

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Sir, Not only did the Navy have an overwhelming preponderance of ships and resources but it had already inflicted a severe defeat on the Kriegsmarine during the otherwise disastrous Norwegian campaign in which that Service lost or had severely damaged most of its surface fleet. As a result, the German admirals advised Hitler that there was no way they could guarantee to protect an invasion fleet against the certain attacks of the Royal Navy or provide the shipping to supply such a force if it got ashore.

That that battle would have been harder without British air superiority is clear, but the result would still have been the same: the anihilation of any invasion force.

This in no way detracts from the achievements of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain, which convinced Hitler that an invasion was a non-starter, gave renewed hope to the occupied countries, convinced Britain and her allies that defeat was not imminent or inevitable and set the stage for the invasion of the Soviety Union.


JOHN NEIMER
Weymouth, Dorset
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Sir, If “the Germans stayed away because while the Royal Navy existed they had not a hope in hell of capturing these islands”, why did they fight the Battle of Britain?

Postwar German documents and the statements of Nazi leaders of the time show that they made no such naive assessment of the situation. The picture is one of uncertainty and indecision, compounded by Hitler’s wavering enthusiasm for invasion. The potential power of the Royal Navy was only one factor of many, including the weather, and false hopes of a British collapse of morale making invasion unnecessary; the growing resistance of the RAF seems to have been the tippping point leading to Hitler’s decision to defer invasion indefinitely.


DR TREFOR VAUGHAN
Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire


dailymail.co.uk