Modern TV produces some fantastic drama and if you think modern sit-coms are all about bodily functions then perhaps you may be watching the wrong ones.
When the most exciting thing on 1970s TV was a dire episode of Dr Who or inane detective drama then you’ll realize how far we’ve come.
Anyone who saw “Homeland” on C4 recently will know how good modern TV can be.

Freedom of expression is important but is it more important than the right of sections of society not to be the butt of someone’s “jokes” and insults?

Oh I don’t know. I think we are a lot better off without “Love Thy Neighbour” or “Mind Your Language”.

Rango (2011)

Excellent animated feature about a chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) that ends up in a desert town helping the locals. Beautifully animated take on an old fashioned western story.

The Ghost (2010)

Ewan Macgregor plays a ghost-writer tasked with writing the memoirs of ex- Prime Minister played by Pierce Brosnan. Nicely played political thriller from Roman Polanski.

TV today is far superior to that of 1970s or 80s. Look at the quality and variety of some the sci-fi or period dramas that are around now. Most of the comedy series are far better written and acted than most of those of 30 years ago.
Look at sports telly; multi camera HD coverage of a far bigger variety of games, sports and competitions.
Yes, viewing figures are lower for pretty obvious reasons but if comparing like with like, was Opportunity Knocks really better than BGT?

I’ve been taking aeroplane photos since 1979 and have never used a step ladder. It has not, I believe, impeded my photography. Others using stepladders have, however impeded my photography, such as the bloke at RIAT in 2010, or the one at the AVP at Manchester when the last Concorde arrived. Thanks guys. I hope your shots came out OK. Mine and I suspect many others didn’t thanks to you.

Getting to the barrier early and staking a claim? Yes, done that. well worth it too. 🙂

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=110615

Sucker Punch (2011)

Emily Browning is a mental institute inmate who uses a fantasy world to get her freedom. Imaginative movie from Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300). Very enjoyable.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Chris Evans is Steve Rogers who’s plucked from the ranks to be turned into a WW2 superhero. Good fun.

Bad Teacher (2011)

Cameron Diaz is a foul-mouthed, lazy teacher trying to get her man (Justin Timberlake) . Very crude but a few laughs

Re 41

Your personal barbs apart, I think that my understanding of matters military, inferior as it is, is substantially better than yours.

John Green

Well to be honest, the fact that you would leave important targets undefended from the air appears to contradict that statement. The fact that you thought that having air defence fighters investigate hijack transponder codes was a stunt would also weaken that argument somewhat.

During a war, around a military base or an important target it seems to be fairly normal to post guards or sentries to ensure that it was defended in the event of an attack. That would be correct, yes?
Similarly around targets it seemed normal to position anti-aircraft guns or other defensive aids in order to either deter an attack or defend against it. I don’t think this concept is unusual and to me, a non-military person, it seems like a good idea.
Oddly enough military chiefs, those actually in charge, also think it’s a good idea.
If, by the end of August, the Olympics have passed off without incident then it will have been worthwhile.