First to pop off...............2020

[cjs racing.]

Wrestler Jon huber.

Known as Luke Harper in WWE, or Brodie Lee in AEW.

Aged 41, passed on boxing day.

[Eric Mc]

A lot of these wrestlers seem to keel over quite early.

[Vintagejock]

Maybe not so much substance abuse but simply because of the affects of the "sport" on their bodies. I'm a rugby league fan, even the majority of the players retire healthy.

[cuprabob]

Jim McLean of Dundee United.

[irocfan]

Kenty said:

George Blake - Double agent in the Cold War.

Can't say that I'm upset by this one

[RoverP6B]

irocfan said:

Kenty said:

George Blake - Double agent in the Cold War.

Can't say that I'm upset by this one

Spying is a filthy business, and there really was no good side in the Cold War era, the UK and US were just as monstrous as the USSR, just in different ways. Blake did what he thought was right to bring an end to the bloodshed. I can't say I agree with the way he went about it, but I don't agree that he was the Stalinist monster some have painted him as.

[irocfan]

RoverP6B said:

Spying is a filthy business, and there really was no good side in the Cold War era, the UK and US were just as monstrous as the USSR, just in different ways. Blake did what he thought was right to bring an end to the bloodshed. I can't say I agree with the way he went about it, but I don't agree that he was the Stalinist monster some have painted him as.

One thing I will say in his favour is that he wasn't motivated by money. Other than that though...

[Stuart70]

RoverP6B said:

Spying is a filthy business, and there really was no good side in the Cold War era, the UK and US were just as monstrous as the USSR, just in different ways. Blake did what he thought was right to bring an end to the bloodshed. I can't say I agree with the way he went about it, but I don't agree that he was the Stalinist monster some have painted him as.

I buy that US/UK did some terrible stuff in the Cold War, but equating them to Stalin is a bit of a stretch is it not?
I look forward to my impending education!

[Ayahuasca]

RoverP6B said:

irocfan said:

Kenty said:

George Blake - Double agent in the Cold War.

Can't say that I'm upset by this one

Spying is a filthy business, and there really was no good side in the Cold War era, the UK and US were just as monstrous as the USSR, just in different ways. Blake did what he thought was right to bring an end to the bloodshed. I can't say I agree with the way he went about it, but I don't agree that he was the Stalinist monster some have painted him as.

In what way was the UK as monstrous as the USSR?

[ajprice]

Martin Lambie-Nairn. Co creator of Spitting Image and designer of BBC and Channel 4 idents https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-5546...

[RoverP6B]

Ayahuasca said:

In what way was the UK as monstrous as the USSR?

Massive human rights abuses in various parts of the world... Biafra for one... murdering civilians in Northern Ireland... US committing massive atrocities against civilians first in Korea then in Vietnam... not to mention the catastrophes they caused in Latin America. The Yank generals were also very keen on using tactical nukes for extremely shady reasons. Thankfully they were overruled. The utter insanity of Mutually Assured Destruction brought the world to the brink. I was there as a child at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. I remember Glasgow preparing for World War Three, the old air raid sirens being dusted off and powered up, the V bombers displaying over the city (including the Valiant, just before they discovered the spar cracking which doomed the type)... a truly terrifying time in which to grow up.

[colin_p]

Ayahuasca said:

In what way was the UK as monstrous as the USSR?

RoverP6B said:

Massive human rights abuses in various parts of the world... Biafra for one... murdering civilians in Northern Ireland... US committing massive atrocities against civilians first in Korea then in Vietnam... not to mention the catastrophes they caused in Latin America.

What about the communist regime killing 20 odd million under Uncle Joe, we are amateurs in comparison.

RoverP6B said:

The Yank generals were also very keen on using tactical nukes for extremely shady reasons. Thankfully they were overruled.

So they didn't use them then and the USA is not the UK, so doesn't count.

RoverP6B said:

The utter insanity of Mutually Assured Destruction brought the world to the brink.

50/50 The West vs The Commies so doesn't count.

RoverP6B said:

I was there as a child at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Long lost Scottish love child of Fidel?

RoverP6B said:

I remember Glasgow preparing for World War Three, the old air raid sirens being dusted off and powered up, the V bombers displaying over the city (including the Valiant, just before they discovered the spar cracking which doomed the type)

I went to a few air-shows as well. The Valiant got re-purposed as a tanker when it was found to suffer structural fatigue on low altitude work. Not much to do with the commies either so doesn't count.

RoverP6B said:

... a truly terrifying time in which to grow up.

As a child I thought it was exceptionally exciting. You never knew if the "button(s)" were going to be pressed or if it would be a land based invasion with tanks, artillery and conventional bombing through Europe. Nato were always seemingly on exercises and ready for that. And I spent a lot of time thinking about what I'd do during the four minute warning.

[blue_haddock]

Pierre Cardin as a possible candidate for the last to pop of 2020

[john2443]

blue_haddock said:

Pierre Cardin as a possible candidate for the last to pop of 2020

Yep.

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/dec/29/fr...

[coppernorks]

cuprabob said:

Jim McLean of Dundee United.

Certainly a character in Scottish football, but the obit writers might have trouble finding someone who found him likeable.

As sour and bitter as out-of-date Dundee marmalade.

[CanAm]

Sad to report that CanAm driver and co-founder of the Polish Racing Drivers of America, Oscar Kovaleski has passed away.

He also finished second in the original Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash with teammates Tony Adamowicz and Brad Niemcek – all founders/perpetrators of the infamous PRDA in the Chevy van loaded with 5 drums of 130 octane racing fuel, only making one refuelling stop,

He was also the founder of AutoWorld, famous slot-car supplier in the USA

Edited by CanAm on Wednesday 30th December 09:59

[irocfan]

CanAm said:

Sad to report that CanAm driver and co-founder of the Polish Racing Drivers of America, Oscar Kovaleski has passed away.

He also finished second in the original Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash with teammates Tony Adamowicz and Brad Niemcek – all founders/perpetrators of the infamous PRDA in the Chevy van loaded with 5 drums of 130 octane racing fuel, only making one refuelling stop,

He was also the founder of AutoWorld, famous slot-car supplier in the USA

Edited by CanAm on Wednesday 30th December 09:59

http://www.prdaracing.com/Cannonball_Chapter_02.shtml

[dudleybloke]

Shabba Doo, best known as Ozone from the Breakin/Breakdance movies has died.
R.I.P.

[Eric Mc]

Any relation to Scooby Doo?

[dudleybloke]

Eric Mc said:

Any relation to Scooby Doo?

Cousins I think.