hemingway

So I'll throw out your books along with Hunter S,William Boroughs,Kerouac,Miller,Mailer and any other decent American writer from last century. Don't worry about the meek-they'll inherit the earth later.

Milo would be proud of you Earl.

Sorry Old Dee I missed your reference to the LNP. Also look out for Cory Bernardi and his conservative revolution!

I suspect that Comrade Earl would deal with anyone. Indeed in my experience, Commos are an honourable lot compared to their capitalist counterparts. Earl's behaviour has the touch of Milo Minderbender. Our very own Milo on this site. I am looking forward to hearing of further outrageous trades involving Earl or Milo.

They may be morally bankrupt but Gill and his henchmen are laughing all the way to the bank. His salary is prodigious. Unfortunately in this capitalist dog eat dog world capacity to earn has nothing to do with worth. I much prefer those simple souls who earn a lot less but are actually helping others. I do not include writers who are self absorbed and neurotic with a tendency toward addiction.

Absolutely, I can't think of a more open, transparent or values driven organization that leads by example. The role model sporting organization for the sporting world. Even WADA is now taking note and may even revise protocols to deal with other organizations like the AFL Gil and his staffers have contributed in such a way that they will never be forgotten. However, their career path may have plateaued! They may have future careers in the values driven world of sports media.

curry and beer?

Earl you are a man after my own heart. An adventurer who will experience Cuba to the full. You sound like a wise worldly man but be careful. I found in Cuba that your friends could also become your enemies. I woke up many mornings after a big night grateful to be alive, relieved that my throat had not been slashed. The mention of mountains and installations has me worried though. Be careful Earl, be very careful. Please keep us posted.

I am with you in spirit Earl. However when you have been lying around for as long as have its hard to become energised. It's all changed so much that I am sure I would not recognise my old haunts. My old flames are also the worse for wear. it's depressing to think that Cuba is now being viewed as a market by the imperial powers and its old foe is now seeking to exploit it shamelessly. I would love to go back to my old Cuba but alas it has gone. Never go back is my motto. The memories are all that matter.

Agree BB wanted Parish but also see the desirability of a big tough hard at it body who will take no prisoners. So happy enough with Oliver.Parish may well be a star but clearly Taylor and company gave this a lot of thought knowing they are developing a group of players with skills but with tough uncompromising attitudes. We have worn the soft label for far to long. We need a group of competitive beasts who will change the culture of the club and have the respect of other clubs for the way they play. And the respect and pride of their own supporters. Play like Demons!

Trust this is irony Redleg, otherwise I would feel very sorry for you.

Linking the name Weideman with Melbourne is a bit like linking the name Barassi with Collingwood. Polar opposites. Lets hope the Dees checked his blood type, did a genetic screen and used hypnosis or the Rorschach test to ensure that all traces of disordered black and white thinking can be removed. I have a splendid vision of a wet Grand Final against Collingwood when the Pies go in as raging favourites only to be softened up and beaten into submission by a team of Melbourne enforcers led by The Weed and Hulk Hogan. The sadistic pleasure would be something special.

You have a way with words BB. So eloquent.

Wow what a narrow assessment. And said so emphatically !

Mad keen Bomber mate is very happy to see him leave EFC. Says he is a very frustrating footballer. Acknowledged that he was tough as nails and good in the contest but let down by his deficiencies that include: -very inconsistent from week to week -poor decision maker -turnover king -poor disposal -dumb as d......(gratuitous) Given comments that the Demons want a team that play hard contested footy, this selection would make sense. However, the fact that he could not get a regular game at EFC and that they are happy to let him go says a lot about his future value. His alleged deficiencies are a concern particularly if we end up trading a guy with elite disposal skills.

Smashing teams is a fair wish for all demon fans, but happy to settle for playing footy like we did against the Cats. Keep doing what we did on Sunday and wins will come. However, with our developing team there will be ups and downs, Seeing the group of talented young kids come through is going to be exciting and a reward for the disappointment of the last 10 years.

No Rusty I would not have passed on Judd. You would need to have been dumb to have passed on Judd. Well I am probably dumb but not that dumb. My comment was that I would "be reluctant" to take a player with a history of injury. However, It is about calculating risk. The risk involves considering the nature of the injury, the seriousness of that injury, and whether is likely to be a chronic or repetitive injury. It is about assessing the quality of the player, his age, his price, and what he would bring to the team. It is about considering alternatives, such as picking Toumpas (major hip surgery at a young age) versus Wines (no serious injury at a similar age). Having said all that I have never thought that any one player is going to make "the difference." Has Judd justified all the money spent on him? Has it been a return on investment? I think not. It never catapulted Carlton into a flag contender. It would not have been any different at Melbourne. Has Judd been restricted by injuries. Yes. Has he been a better player at Carlton that he was at West Coast. I think not. Is that due to injury? Probably. It comes back to trying to build a team and trying to build depth on your list. You can't do that if you have a lot of injured players or players prone to injury.

assumes one has a house old mate. okay for Joe Hockey and the baby boomers like you but most people can't afford one. but i agree, with aish, adelaide would be the place to go. and houses are a lot cheaper. a small place in the willunga hills overlooking mclaren vale sounds perfect

agree my friend. we do not have the luxury of nursing a player who has a poor medical history. Gawn is dodgy, Spencer has had his problems, we don't need another one. in today's game, I would always be reluctant to take an injury prone player, recruit or experienced player.

Call me old fashioned, but I dislike the way folks speak so harshly about their players. We are all blessed or not blessed with differences of intellect, skills, aptitude etc. It may be a supporters site but we should not write with such disdain and contempt about people just because they are footballers and seen as expendable. Sure talk about trades but do we need to be so harsh in our reasons.....no skills, hopeless etc? Would you like to be described in this way?

Must admit to hating the term celebrity. They are not heroic, famous or particularly noteworthy. They may be known because they have TV or media credentials but nothing more. Some may think that is noteworthy. I am more interested in the kids, the mums and dads, the unempIoyed and those making an honourable living. I have a little more time for sportsmen and women, writers and musicians. If there is going to be a list of public figures, someone like ex Seeker Bruce Woodley who has been a committed Demon and spectator over the long-term should be on the list. I have more time for the committed rank and file Demon supporters I saw at the G on Friday. By the way I took my Collingwood supporter wife who said she had never seen such passionate and emotional supporters in her life, including the Collingwood army. The outpouring of emotion is a wonderful thing and makes this old game of ours and this old team of ours important and worthwhile. There will be one helluva Demon Army once the train gets up a full head of steam. No doubt at that time the celebrities will come out and identify themselves as Melbourne supporters. Cannot abide fickle supporters,