In England's green and pleasant land

[noel]

If you took a walk past any group of youngsters locally around Leyland you'd hear words like that over and over again.

[David]

Blues to act on ref death threats

Norwegian referee Hauge dismissed Del Horno in the first half
Chelsea have promised to punish any fans found to have made death threats to referee Terje Hauge in the wake of the Champions League loss to Barcelona.
The threats appeared on messageboards on Chelsea's official website after the Norwegian red-carded Asier del Horno.

And this.... Referee under police protection

By Sebastian Usher
BBC world media reporter



Meier says he was surprised by the English reaction
The Swiss referee who disallowed a goal by England in their Euro 2004 quarter-final with Portugal says he has been put under police protection.
Urs Meier told a Swiss radio station that he been advised to go into hiding after receiving death threats.

Is England turning into a little Iraq or what [?]

[shuffy]

me too Audrey, I love living where I do.

[David]

The heading was indeed 'tongue in cheek'. You have to remember ladies that it's only the 'bad news' that makes news. Both news items were from your news service...the BBC, so I'm not making this up. Perhaps you'd just as soon sweep it under the carpet rather than 'discuss' it ? But I would like to know why such a peace loving nation is reverting to life threatening jibes over a football game ?

[David]

We don't get too much football news from around the world, football being a very secondary sport here, so I hadn't heard about the referee's being shot for awarding penalties. I'm just concerned that the nation that was always considered the 'gentleman losers', England, are now reverting to capital punishment threats for poor refereeing decisions, this in a country that doesn't condone capital punishment.
Quite a few of the English games that I do watch on TV usually have signs posted around the ground imploring...Kick Racism Out of Football...it doesn't seem to be working. I guess the yob culture really is getting out of hand over there.

[Alan Marsden]

I don't believe that highlighting anomolies, being critical of absurdities or voicing alternative opinions is indicative of any lack of affection or feel of belonging to the UK !
Surely being able to offer truthful often differing views preferably in an unoffensive manner is a fundamental value in our western societies.
As for leaving the UK for a better life, that's a matter that can only be addressed by the individual , even then it's often imponderable !

[muffers]

That's what I keep telling myself when I jump on the scales. Got to lighten up so I take one foot off the scales and hold onto the bathroom door knob.

[shuffy]

hear hear (to both those last replies)

[muffers]

I am also guilty of wrongly posting but if you really stretch it a bit what makes England's land green and pleasant? and what is all that fruit and veg doing for your sewage system........

[David]

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold;
Bring me my arrows of desire;
Bring me my spear; O clouds, unfold!

Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.