I don’t disagree with you on the verification issue. It may well be that he has to charge a subscription to eliminate the bots. Whether the majority of people will pay it or not, I don’t know.

As I said, for some time, I disliked Musk intensely. That said, when you are investing, you have to be objective and not allow your prejudices trump your decision making. Any “disrupter” be it, Musk, Jobs, Brin, Theil or Murdoch are usually pretty obnoxious, disagreeable people. Most of us need some form of recognition or praise. These guys don’t. They single-mindedly pursue their vision despite everyone telling them, they are wrong. I recall in 1998, I couldn’t fathom why Google had a market cap of 2x Shell. Google had a annual profit of $100m, whereas, Shell made
$8.7bn a quarter. Tesla is a true technology company. They actually design their chips, rather than outsource them in the way legacy motor manufacturers do. They not only design their own components, but, design (and patent) the machines to make these components.

As regards to Musk usurping someone else’s idea, I would point out that the Tesla founders needed money. In the first VC round of funding they could only raise $7.5 m. Of that $6.5 was Musk’s. Without Musk, the founding members of Tesla, hadn’t a hope in hell of raising even VC money let alone Private Equity. When you turn up at Calpers or Ontario Teachers (pension funds), having taken $100m from a sale of PayPal and have Larry Page and Sergy Brin in tow, they listen to you.

You can make the same argument about Zuckerberg and the Winkelvii twins or even Ray Kroc and the McDonald brothers. Kroc’s genius was to make McDonald’s a property company (not a burger company.

It’s fine to hate Musk, but, one question: Would you short Tesla?

They are doing a great job. I suppose the big difference is that Ann Budge transferred her shares to the foundation i.e. it was a gift, there was no consideration. I just don’t see Mark Ogren doing that. For him it is an investment. Unfortunately he is so far in the hole he can’t contemplate taking the loss.

Tangy wrote:

Seen this? Govt looking to stop folk travelling by bus to games to not be able to let you have a drink on the way to the games?

Aside from the fact that a drink is all that gets you through our games sometimes, surely this encourages binge drinking or will kill away supports both in terms of numbers going to games and the atmosphere generated at the game? 

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/guidelines-for-taking-passengers-to-sporting-events-in-scotland/guidelines-for-taking-passengers-to-sporting-events-in-scotland-consultation-document

 
I suppose it is only a consultation document, but, a rather poorly drafted one at that. Trying to define what is a “substantial meal” amuses me. A basin of cheesy nachos or a bridie would qualify, but, what happens if you share it?

If the driver of the designated PSV stops to allow supporters off for in impromptu pee, is he expected to inform the DFO and escort supporters into the loo?

In big games at Hampden involving the Old Firm it is quite common to hold one set of supporters back while the other disperses. What about the 30min rule?

As was said why should rugby supporters be treated differently? Is there any objective evidence to suggest they pose less of a threat?

Is anyone really surprised? Ogren has no more money to spend. His adviser and former Sporting Director is no longer on the scene, hence Ogren’s embarrassing last interview demonstrated just how out of touch he is.

Let’s deal with Zander Clark. His agent is Consilium Ltd. Directors of Consilium Ltd are: Jackie McNammara and Mike Martin. McNammara was a colleague of Tony Asghar and someone who did consultancy work for Revolution. When Asghar wound up his agency, he let his clients speak to McNammara. I am very much of the belief that McNammara introduced Mike Martin to Asghar.

Ok, Mark Ogren has been had, hook line and sinker, but, so have the fans. A former manager and former majority shareholder have pursued their own interests at the expense of the club and fans.

Apologies if I am repeating myself, but, until we the fans purchase the club, we will be at the mercy of middlemen and opportunists.

Over the last few months, I have been dismayed by the number of people still using the term “coloured” when they mean black. It’s not, even, a generational thing, people in their forties are still using the term.

It’s been over 12 years since Alan Hansen made his reference to “coloured” players. I really thought that would have been a watershed moment, but, it seems it wasn’t . I recall having a heated argument with my Dad over this one. He was well in his 70s when the Hansen incident occurred. He genuinely believed that “coloured” was not offensive, but, “black” was. When I explained to him that white was not the default colour and that there were all kind of shades of white he accepted it.

Admittedly the term “people of colour” is not great ( lumping all non Caucasians together), but, at least it is a non offensive term. Most Africans would prefer to be called “black” or “African”.

Are some people just stubborn (using the term their parents used), or ignorant, or unwilling to accept society moved on since the mid 1960s ?

Danzaa wrote:

Saw Ogren's interview, deluded as ever
He needs to admit defeat and get out

 
I’ve spent a lot of time, over the years, trying to piece together what actually happened in terms of the sale of United and how Revolution (Asghar) got involved. This is going to be a bit convoluted but focus on the dates.

In an interview with Alan Pattullo (Scotsman) 16th Feb 2019, Asghar was asked about his relationship with Jackie McNammara. His response was:

“Jackie is a friend of mine……He started up his own agency when I gave up my agency and I had a number of players who asked for a recommendation. I gave them the opportunity to speak to Jackie.” “He did some consultancy work for me at Revolution”

Pattullo then asked Asghar when he last spoke to McNammara: “Seven or eight days ago”

If you check McNammara’s name against Companies House register, you come up with two entries: Consilium Ltd and Erena Sports Ltd (dissolved). Strangely another person who is/was a director of both of these companies is Michael Martin. Mike Martin, you may recall resigned as a director of The Dundee United Football Club Ltd on 18th December 2018.

Is it me jumping to conclusions or is it fair to assume that McNammara introduced Mike Martin to Asghar? Or did Mike Martin just find him on Yellow Pages?

I don’t think a podcast of this nature, showed Goodwillie up in a positive light, at all. Of course he has matured, but, trying to portray himself as a victim, just, does not wash. It did reveal that he, still, doesn’t understand that nature of rape.

First thing you learn in Criminal law is that drunkenness is no defence to anything. He claimed to be completely drunk, but, managed to drive home at 3am.

“there’s all kinds of rape” Nonsense. Rape occurs when someone does not consent to a sexual act. Furthermore, someone can withdraw consent at any point during that act.

If someone is deemed to be so intoxicated that they cannot give consent, then it is rape. In Goodwillie’s case three unrelated witnesses testified that Ms Clair was so drunk that, in their opinion she required hospital treatment

Obviously if you have sex with someone under 16, it is deemed to be statutory rape.

Goodwillie seems to think violence needs to be involved or the victim needs to put up some sort of struggle.

Tek wrote:

Musk is gonna monetise it isn't he?

 
The first thing, is, that Musk didn’t want to buy Twitter. A Delaware Court would have forced him to buy it, hence, the issue was forced. The fact that Twitter shares rallied 32% on the announcement, suggests that investors considered Musk could improve the business.

Musk has stated that social media platforms are becoming a Mecca for people to spout polarised views on everything. I think he is correct. Even terrestrial TV stations like BBC and ITV, base their content on what will get ratings. Why would you lead with Philip Scofield for days, when 300 people die in a rail crash in India? A fair number of friends on my Twitter feed think the BBC are anti Scottish.

Musk wants to make Twitter a proper debating form where polarised views are marginalised. Obviously if he succeeds, it will be much more attractive to advertisers.

Tek wrote:

JerryDungle wrote:

Tek wrote:

We've just let go of SEVEN first team players. All of them on a BIG wage.

Not to mention the few young players who have been binned (who the club haven't mentioned yet).

See if we genuinely need to bin more players before a signing is made, ask yourself this? Everyone. Every Utd fan.

Is this the Owner of the club you want? Keep asking yourself this question over the course of the coming months.

Let's see how many say 'YES', come the January window.


 

 
We’ve still got Watt, Levitt, Behich, Fletcher & Mulgrew on between 3-5k+ a week, the first two on the higher end of that scale. Birighitti, Niskanen, Middleton and a few others won’t be too far behind that. We’ve not paid those sorts of wages since the Ian McCall days where Derek McInnes was making 8 grand a week with us. From 2010-2015, I don’t think Stephen Thompson ever paid anyone over 2k a week, and think of the players we had in that time.

Whether Ogren’s the owner I want or not, no one’s gonna want to be paying those kinds of wages in the Championship, so he’ll definitely be wanting them off the wage bill before committing even more money. Yeah it’s his own stupid fault for agreeing to those types of wages in the first place with no relegation clauses, but he’ll be waiting to see who he can offload first.

That’s why I’m surprised Goodwin’s talking of even keeping Fletcher, as much as he puts in a shift for us and doesn’t hide, he really doesn’t offer us the goals that you’d pay that sort of money for. You could comfortably sign 2/3 good players for the championship for the money he’s on.

We've just got rid of 7 players on a wage of  anywhere between £100,000 to £200,000 a year. Basic.

That is a huge saving in the budget. Not long off the back of the Owner receiving the Harry Souttar windfall (something he has inherited).

So, again. How many more players need to leave or be sold before we make a signing?

An

…