'
It wasn't "Even for you", it was "Even for you!". Note the jaunty, jokey exclamation mark. If I'd made such a nuts comment then when it was pointed out to me, I'd say, "Yep, on second thoughts, that was pretty nuts". It was in fact rubbish, and I was ribbing you about it. If you wrongly mistook it for being "combative", I apologise; I didn't realise you were so sensitive. If I actually thought you were basically nuts, I can assure you I wouldn't have discussions with you.



No, I want you to name the ones who are just as brilliant as Jessica Ennis, who haven't been honoured, which is what you claimed.

Saving a life, perhaps?

What do you mean?

Hmm. The tone of your last post in general seemed a little combative. Perhaps I misjudged.



Firefighters (to take but one example) risk their lives on a daily basis to save the lives of others. Can I name them all? No, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

First, firefighters have my utmost admiration. But the statement that they "risk their lives on a daily basis" is melodramatic hyperbole. Much of their work is mundane. But where there is a major incident, they have strict rules and procedures to minimise personal risk. They don't charge gung-ho into burning buildings without a thought for safety, and would likely face disciplinaries if they did. For just one thing, if they broke safety rules and got into trouble, other colleagues would be put at unnecessary risk trying to get them out.

That said, are you saying that each and every firefighter is as brilliant as Jessica Ennis? If you are resorting to that sort of argument then you're talking about something completely different from me.
I am sure - as in all walks of life - there are exceptional people, and there are "normal" people who perform exceptionally well, and I know many of them are honoured, in a variety of ways. Including firefighters.
A number of firefighters received awards in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Those honoured include:

CBE

Christie Smith, Former head of Police and Fire Reform Division, Scottish Government, for services to Emergency Services Reform in Scotland. (North Berwick, East Lothian)

OBE

Rita Marie Dexter, Deputy commissioner, London Fire Brigade, for services to Local Government and to the Fire and Rescue Service in London. (Teddington, Middlesex)

John Francis Duffy, Secretary, Fire Brigade Union Scotland, for services to the Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland. (Forfar, Angus)

MBE

Rosanna Briggs, Deputy Head of Service and Deputy County Emergency Planning Officer, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, for services to Civil Protection. (Peverel, Essex)

Doreen Ann Engall, Vice-Chair, Humberside Fire Authority, for services to Local Government.

David James King, Retained Firefighter South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, for charitable services and for services to the community in Porthcawl, Bridgend. (Porthcawl, Bridgend)

Michael Ian Larking, Senior Executive Officer, Fire Safety Division, Department for Communities and Local Government, for services to Fire Awareness and Prevention. (Orpington, Kent)

Paul Charles Settle, General Secretary The Firefighters Memorial Trust, for public and charitable services. (Ashford, Kent)

Keith Stringer, Station Manager, Helston Fire Station, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, for services to the community and to Young People in Cornwall. (Helston, Cornwall)

Clive Williams, Station Manager, St. Just Fire Station, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, for services to the Fire and Rescue Service and to the local community. (Penzance, Cornwall)

British Empire Medal

Robert John Morris, Watch Commander, Redditch Fire Station, for services to the community in Worcestershire. (Redditch, Worcestershire)

Queen's Fire Service Medal

Martyn Emberson, Chief Fire Officer, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Elizabeth Hampson, Group manager, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Roy Andrew Wilsher OBE, Chief Fire Officer, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Stewart Edgar, former Chief Fire Officer, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.

Anthony (Tony) Linney, Retained Watch Manager, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Fife Area)

Paul Souden, Retained Crew Manager, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Strathclyde Area)

Martin Joyce, Assistant Group Commander, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.


But I think that you probably have more in mind "exceptional bravery" awards, and these are not, as I'd presume most people know, dealt with in the honours system, but usually recognised more directly, e.g
[url=http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2012-03-27/firefighters-awarded-medals/Queen's Gallantry Medal[/url

It's a truth universally acknowledged that neither you nor FA is going to back down ... and the rest us are following the relationship avidly whilst wondering which one of you is going to wander by in a soaking wet shirt.

I've never knowingly met RG, but my clear impression is that there's about as much chance of him chucking a pint away as there is of me doing it.

No "How'd'you do, Mr Darcy" from Mr Aardvark, clearly. Mr God?

Allow me to rephrase:

Firefighters must be prepared to risk their lives on a daily basis, and actively [ido[/i risk their lives every time they enter a burning building. Yes, there are measures in place to make it less dangerous, but the risk is very definitely there.



I'm saying that they do far more important work and that many of them will make spur of the moment decisions that could endanger their own lives and/or save another. I'd say that was pretty brilliant. And firefighters are merely one example.



Athletes are recognised more directly with the Olympic medals system, too. But they also receive additional recognition (and inflated titles) via the honours system. Thinking about it, it's the inflated titles that bother me most. That someone who happens to be able to run fast or ride a cycle well has a title bestowed upon them that you are expected to use just doesn't sit well with me.

I have it on good authority that Mr Aardvark never wears anything else.

If our paths ever do cross, I will happily purchase for you the beverage of your choice. This offer is strictly on the understanding that you address me as 'Lord God of the Rock Music' for the entire duration of our meeting.

I haven't personally heard anyone use the greeting, "How do you do?", for at least 200 years. Maybe longer.

... only when followed by "Hev you cam fah ?".

How d'you do, Methuselah?

Surely not. "How do you do?" can [uonly[/u be followed by the response "How do you do?". And "How do you do?" again.

Not when with Royalty, apparently, one only speaks when one is spoken to.

Well, an improvement, but still pretty meaningless, and out of context.

If we strip out your emotional subtext, the facts are that there are around 45,000 firefighters, and that since 1978, 82 have been killed on operational duty. Call it 2 a year, or odds of 22,500/1. That is only about twice the overall chances of being killed in a work accident in the UK.

I drive to work. That gives me an 8,000/1 chance of being killed in any given year. Far more dangerous than being a fireman. Yet to date I have not been offered a knighthood.


A small price to pay for free beer. Though I expect you know nothing about rock music, either.
=#FFFFFF********************************* ^^ ^^ this is " h u m o r o u s " ^^ ^^

The (not very) subtle difference being, of course, that your driving to work doesn't save the lives of others. Unless you're such a good driver that your mere presence on the roads significantly reduces the odds of an accident occurring.



It was certainly more so than your last attempt!

We give medals for bravery.
I suspect the dishing-out of real gongs such as VC's, GM's, etc. etc. is far more "considered" and awarded for specific acts of what is still quaintly termed "gallantry" but actually means seriously putting one's life in conspicuously great danger for the benefit of others ... rather than automatic knighthoods for Whitehall pen-pushers or seats in the Lords for services to backpocket-filling.

I always list my qualifications when corresponding,

Yours,

Sandra The Terrorist, 25m Swimming, Cycling Proficiency.

Most firefighters lives are lost in attempted preservation of property, by far the most dangerous two things are explosions and building collapses. This is not to detract from their bravery, just your connection between risk to life and saving lives is not what you think it is.


Needless to say, I am.

Quote ="Mintball"The opportunity is too good to miss ... [url=http://thevoluptuousmanifesto.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/lowry-painter-for-world.htmlLowry at the Tate[/url [url=http://thevoluptuousmanifesto.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/lapping-up-lowry.htmlLowry at the, err, Lowry (and the Manchester Art Gallery)[/url'" Just read your Tate blog after going this afternoon. Intetesting that you liked Atkinson Grimshaw's Liverpool Quay as I thought that was brilliant. In the same roomI also thought Girl by Gate was superb. Also, really liked the Jacob Epstein scultures. We did not get chance to go round the whole gallery as junior tires quickly. Wouldn't mind going again and have a longer look round. You may like this site: www.johnatkinsongrimshaw.org/ Seems like he used the Quay technique alot. www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cla ... ate-n01612 I suppose this wasn't too bad: www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/wat ... ott-n01543

Quote ="Mintball"The opportunity is too good to miss ... [url=http://thevoluptuousmanifesto.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/lowry-painter-for-world.htmlLowry at the Tate[/url [url=http://thevoluptuousmanifesto.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/lapping-up-lowry.htmlLowry at the, err, Lowry (and the Manchester Art Gallery)[/url'" Just read your Tate blog after going this afternoon. Intetesting that you liked Atkinson Grimshaw's Liverpool Quay as I thought that was brilliant. In the same roomI also thought Girl by Gate was superb. Also, really liked the Jacob Epstein scultures. We did not get chance to go round the whole gallery as junior tires quickly. Wouldn't mind going again and have a longer look round. You may like this site: www.johnatkinsongrimshaw.org/ Seems like he used the Quay technique alot. www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cla ... ate-n01612 I suppose this wasn't too bad: www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/wat ... ott-n01543

Quote ="Dally" You may like this site: www.johnatkinsongrimshaw.org/ '" John Atkinson Grimshaw, a Victorian artist from Leeds best known for his moonlit night time paintings, there are several of his works in the Leeds City Art Gallery (not always all of them on display), he earned enough from his art during his life to lease Knostrop Hall on the outskirts of the city and lived there until his death - its now the city sewage works

Quote ="Dally" You may like this site: www.johnatkinsongrimshaw.org/ '" John Atkinson Grimshaw, a Victorian artist from Leeds best known for his moonlit night time paintings, there are several of his works in the Leeds City Art Gallery (not always all of them on display), he earned enough from his art during his life to lease Knostrop Hall on the outskirts of the city and lived there until his death - its now the city sewage works