Originally posted by Centurion: Terracota's a lovely colour! You female, saaxib? This is nothing to do with you thinking it a lovely colour by the way. I'm just surprised that, as a man, you actually know what 'Terracota' is. Maybe I'm just old. Rose, I've just checked out the colour you're talking about. I agree with Centurion, it's a nice colour. Here is a really cool suit (don't care about the colour either).

^^ I doubt it. I think he's gone for good. Someone must have tipped him off in private

Was it this type of colour, Rose? It's not that bad you know. Of course I only stick with navy, black and grey. :cool: Ps Why do you think it's 'ceeb'? Are you saying it's one of those signs to show that one, err, plays for the other team?

^^ I think he gave up now, saaxib. Shall I tell him my big 'secret' or shall I wait a bit longer?

Not sure what seems to be the problem here. What wrong have these teenagers done (other than produce a silly video)? They look to me like perfectly normal children doing what children their age (and of their ethnicity) do. How different is this to an MTV music video?

Barca will lose at Liverpool. They’re a great team with very good players but their manager is not of the class of Banitez. Barca enjoy playing down the middle and mostly relying on Deco & co to pass the ball about to the fast guys on the sides. Liverpool cut the supply there last week and they shall do the same again at home. Barca will (again) try to attack right through the middle but with Alonso, Sissoko (who drove them crazy last time) and Gerrard Liverpool are sure to hold them back. Here is my usual annual prediction, coming to you very early this year: Liverpool are going to be crowned European champions for the sixth time. You heard it here first.

^^ Do I scare you that much, saaxib? I think you should change the name.

^^ Forget that and explain the unfounded accusations you levelled at the Somali president, saaxib. Ps Are you Haddad?

MKA I'm still waiting for your final reply before I really start giving you my part of the story. You didn't chicken out now, did you?

^^ Were all the Talibans and your beloved ICU as fond of hearsay and rumour as you are? How do you know that Abdullahi Yusuf gets the taxes from these 'illegal' drugs into his bank account? These days, the supporters of the ICU (on this site) are turning out to be shadier, more duplicitous and more partisan than those sharing a bed with the Ethiopians. A bloody shame really.

Heh. I hoped the question about non-virgin brides wearing white was obvious. It's to do with cultural norms and trends than real marriage ceremonies. In the same way that most of what is purported to be Islamic these days is culturally motivated rather than Islamic. I think I've written about this problem on this forum on more than one occasion. Somehow, in our Islamic society there is a readiness to believe in all sorts of myths and conspiracy theories. There is a desire to always be in the defensive. Nay there is an actual urge. You get all these people who are hell bent on finding faults, insults and taking offence to a number of inconsequential events, and it's always in the name of Islam! One can go back all the way to Salman Rushdie's 'novel' to see the indignation, the anger and rage. But, really, what did getting angry about that book (all that time ago) achieve other than mislead most Muslims and turn Mr Rushdie into a millionaire? Was it beneficial to the Muslim world? Did it deter others from writing similar books? Did it even make Rushdie repent? The answer to all these would be no. Yet, many would tell you that the results are not important. We can't stay silent while every other nonentity dares to insult our religion and all our scared symbols, they say. We HAVE to be seen to be doing something, they scream. That something almost always turns out to take a violent form! In my eyes, the blame for such actions is to be fully shouldered by the entire multitude of Mullahs, thinkers and speakers in the Muslim world. They do have an amazing obsession with conspiracy theories and almost always wag an accusing finger in one direction or another, but never at themselves. Another problem is the sporadic knowledge of the faith many of the angry followers have. Many of us that have some semblance of basic knowledge assume that everyone else has similar learning to us. We cannot conceive that a fellow Muslim that was BORN into this faith is unlikely to know such (we think) simple basics! Yet, there are millions of Muslims that whilst able to pray, fast and recite verses from the holy book, still do not understand the essence of their faith (and these are the good ones, imagine ones that don't even understand the simple rituals). It's all mechanical and there is a whole lot of regurgitation taking place. In other words, many would show you how proficient they are in understanding the fundamentals of the faith (Caqeeda, etc) but when it comes to the basic common sense that is also part of the belief, most are at sea! This is why you hear stories about individual madmen going round killing non-believers for insulting Islam! Surely, the fact that one is a non-believer in the first place renders any insult they dish out pointless and futile! After all, that person(s) had committed the biggest sin by not believing in the creator, never mind the simple issue of insulting his (the creator's) creations (i.e. Islam, the prophet or his companions). But, of course, in the mind of our randomly learned fellow Muslims the killing of such non-believers is a form of Jihad! Having said that, this is not at all the sum total of what goes on in Muslim minds (or at least I don't think it is). There are many scholars, thinkers and knowledgeable Muslims that try to look for other solutions for our predicaments. However, like with any groups, communities and societies, the voices of anger, revenge and those calling for action are always louder and more attractive to the masses than the voices of calm, contemplation and patience. These problems will carry on taking place and occurring for a long time to come. Unless, we find a way to get rid of our reactionary attitudes and our blind belief in conspiracy theories!

^^^ Are these your final words? I don't want you come back later with a big reply full of drivel Just post a Yes or NO please. ps MC Xamar, Vulgar language does not suit you at all, saaxib.

My reply to both questions, son. Is: No & No The drivel part in your long posts is when you veered into arguments about 9 and 12 zeros (nobody is arguing about that point but you). Here, we are all telling you that in ENGLISH speaking countries (US & UK) a dot is used to signify a decimal place. The first tables you have provided were European tables. Again, nobody is disputing the fact that the dizzy Europeans are different here. You know, you could have saved yourself all this trouble if you only said that you were using the European system (see the way out I'm giving you here? Take it, son, take it). ps My hope is that you will still come back with more drivel and wriggling. Pps A $1.00 for your current thoughts

^^^ It's the effect of being in the presence of a mastermind like MK that makes me commit such silly mistakes.

^^^ I see you're still digging, son. Tell me when you're done so that I can ask you again if $1.000.0000.000 is a dollar or a billion in America. Now, now, don't jump in straight away like you always do. This is your last chance to really think the matter over and give me a final answer.

^^^ No need for all of that. If there were an official meeting it would have been reported on the 10 Downing Street site.

Torture is the last thing on my mind. Besides, mere mortals feel torture not higher beings like our MK here. I'm absolutely positive that rather than being annoyed he is actually relishing this opportunity to educate us all. He is one of a kind and I personally thank god for that fact. Then again, strike that! He's not, he's just a newer, faster, more diverse and entertaining version of Allah-U-Bahane.

The confusion stems from the british being confused . 1.000.000.000,00 (In the sense of American billion) 1,000,000,000.00 (UK and US billion) Are indeed the same. Where as in Europe: 1.000.000.000.000,00 (In the sense of European billion) and 1,000,000,000.00 (In the sense of US and UK billion) Have essentially the same meaning. According to International system (SI) both systems are legitimate and right in the sense of being used as decimal separators. So therefore the dot and comma are both equal and right! Can you argue with that? No, because it's superior knowledge that you cannot aruge or go against, understand? MK, I think for the benefit of those that just arrived, you might have to repost that reply one more time.

How bloody irritated are you?

^^^ I can clearly see your tricks and manners, xaaji. Do you mean to spoil my fun here? Detest I tell you, detest and stop distracting this whiz kid from his work. Talking about balloons, I love the way MK busts into a whole load of drivel when you slightly prick him. Scary yet very entertaining. Lets have one more go: MK, your big speech only confirmed my earlier suggestion. A US (and UK) billion uses a dot to signify a decimal place. Dare I see you come back with a different reply now? I desperately await a comical riposte.

^^^^ You have a bad habit of counting your chickens before the eggs have hatched saaxib. It’s like a fuse in your head has blown up the minute those Courts were defeated! Somaliland might not have got recognition (yet) but if, as your argument seems to imply, the world is not interested, why the hell do all these representatives keep popping up in Somaliland? Somebody above mentioned five from the African Union. In the past, many others visited too. Why are they giving Somaliland the chance to push for recognition? Why the false hope? Seeing how you like to foretell events, I bet all of this is making you quake in your shoes. Oodweyne, I told you before that your enthusiasm is infectious. Alas, I’m a man that likes to hedge his bets. I could easily see the viability of a country like Somaliland and am more than happy to wave the flag as soon as recognition is granted. I just refuse to join the 'struggle' when I have no faith in 'my' leaders. Still, there is a long way to go before we know for sure how things will eventually stand. ps If you were to declare Burco as a country of its own, things would have been simpler and I would have supported you 100%. You seem genuine enough, see.

International system (SI) says both ways are right. However the proper way to depict large numbers according to SI is the following: 1 000 000,00 (For countries that use the comma as decimal separator) And 1 000 000.00 (For countries that use the dot as decimal separators). In order to reduce confusion for the not so bright-minded, like our friend Ngonge. I know it's difficult but I hope you understand it anyway. You wriggled, you babbled, you ducked and you dived but in the end and amongst all your drivel you just had to admit where you went wrong. I shall not push you anymore, son. I’m just happy now that you know what an American billion looks like. A man of your knowledge and intelligence is bound to hit the big time sooner or later and I would have been really disappointed to hear that some conman had got the better of you and given you $1.00 whilst claiming it’s $1,000,000,000.00. Tomorrow we shall attempt to tackle fractions. As for the bridge, it’s not impossible to construct for those that have the money and experience. However, the two countries involved neither have money or experience. Furthermore, the UAE have to be getting back more than it’s putting in for such a project to be feasible. This, after all, is not some high rise building, Palm or World construction that most of the world would associate with mere pride and arrogance! In this case, the UAE does not really (in the long-term) benefit from the prestige and credit for building this bridge. The two countries involved will. What's the catch?

Originally posted by Caamir: "The whole press release is a load of claptrap that I’m surprised you’re taking it seriously there, Duke. Though it claims that the actions of the Somaliland representatives were hopeless it fails to realise its very own desperation there (in fact, it has the feel of outright panic)! ......f that is the extent of the collective knowledge and common sense of the NSPU I really do feel sorry for the people of Sool, Sanag and whatever the third place was called. " You have a bad habit devoid of moral wisdom and intellect. I hope you might one day work on your good will by engaging yourself with the works of great writers like Martin Luther King jr. I say this because it is in part my observation of how you critique things or persons. It was still a very weak and false press release, saaxib. If I see a silly piece of writing I just can't help pointing out the flaws within. Lets leave Mr King out of this and you try again knocking down Somaliland. It can be done you know. Somaliland is NOT in a very strong position and it has many flaws that you can point out. Do it in an acceptable and logical way and you're not going to get any complaints from me. I am, always have been and shall remain (unless recognition is granted) on the fence.

Originally posted by MKA Yoonis: ^How so, tell me? Adeer I'm real and knowledgable as well in the things I say, they're not just something uttered randomly, understand? 1.000.000.000,00 ^ That's a 'billion' in the US, UK and many English speaking countries or that have English as their second language. Where as the below: 1.000.000.000.000,00 means 'One billion' as well in many other countries e.g. majority of Europe! Now argue with that if you can? But I doubt it that you will, as you don't have any knowledge into such matters. Ahem. Both the USA and the UK use a DOT to denote a decimal place not a comma. Other European countries use the comma in place of the dot. But, of course, all knowing MK knew that already Northerner was correct in asking you if what you wrote meant $1.00 (note the place of the radix point). I'm getting tired of catching you out like that all the time, son.