Indications of looniness
1. Life imprisonment for a 16 year old rapist who physically and mentally wrecked a young teacher - but life could be as little as 4.5 years and he will be released when doctors consider he is 'no longer a threat'!! What happened to punishment?
2. Massive G8 demonstrations to 'save' Africa - we all cry for Africa yet know that until Africa is disarmed and it's leaders are held accountable that nothing will improve. Look at Zimbabwe - from the bread basket of Africa to the basket case of Africa with poverty and starvation in 20 years.
3. Increased taxation in every way but little improvement in services as the money is washed down the drain of beuarocracy and waste.
4. Unsafe city and rural town centres due to drunken youths who are neither prosecuted nor held liable for their actions
5. Police admitting that 80% of crime is commited by a few known criminals but who are powerless to take them off the streets because judges can't (or won't) give them long (25 years plus) sentences to take them off the streets to protect innocent citizens
6. Money earning Speed cameras everywhere terrorising motorists without any consideration of conditions or time. Is driving at 90+ mph on a deserted motorway on a clear day really more dangerous than driving at 70 mph on a busy road but weaving and tailgating? - I don't think so.
7. Massive social payments to the workshy, lazy and 'workers of the system', and that includes the growing underclass of young unmarried mothers who know by having a child they will be housed, fed and given an income for life. It also includes the huge increase in those on the "sick".
8. A ban on foxhunting to appease the chattering urban classes and destroy a centuries old rural way of life - what the hell is government getting involved in foxhunting for anyway?
I am planning to retire and move back to the UK in November this year but the more I talk with UK friends and family and begin to understand their absolute despair and resigned submission to the "new order" the more I worry.
What the hell has gone wrong in the UK? It wasn't like that when I left in 1992.
Indications of looniness
1. Life imprisonment for a 16 year old rapist who physically and mentally wrecked a young teacher - but life could be as little as 4.5 years and he will be released when doctors consider he is 'no longer a threat'!! What happened to punishment?
He is being held without a release date. He is being held at her majesties pleasure. sure, it could be 4.5 years. But could be the rest of his life.
He has no release date. The idea for prison for me, is to protect society from the dangerous. If it is estimated that he is no longer a danger to society, why keep him locked up.
2. Massive G8 demonstrations to 'save' Africa - we all cry for Africa yet know that until Africa is disarmed and it's leaders are held accountable that nothing will improve. Look at Zimbabwe - from the bread basket of Africa to the basket case of Africa with poverty and starvation in 20 years.
Why is this loony UK?
3. Increased taxation in every way but little improvement in services as the money is washed down the drain of beuarocracy and waste.
When I went back in March, I was astounded at the severe lack of Portacabins at school.........
Imagine that, kids learning in a real school. Kids have it too easy these days.
4. Unsafe city and rural town centres due to drunken youths who are neither prosecuted nor held liable for their actions
it's not illegal to be drunk........
5. Police admitting that 80% of crime is commited by a few known criminals but who are powerless to take them off the streets because judges can't (or won't) give them long (25 years plus) sentences to take them off the streets to protect innocent citizens
why do you want to lock people up for 25+ years?
6. Money earning Speed cameras everywhere terrorising motorists without any consideration of conditions or time. Is driving at 90+ mph on a deserted motorway on a clear day really more dangerous than driving at 70 mph on a busy road but weaving and tailgating? - I don't think so.
speeding is illegal. not loony.
7. Massive social payments to the workshy, lazy and 'workers of the system', and that includes the growing underclass of young unmarried mothers who know by having a child they will be housed, fed and given an income for life. It also includes the huge increase in those on the "sick".
thought you said taxes were wasted on beurocracy. now it is wasted on lazy bastards. make your mind up.
8. A ban on foxhunting to appease the chattering urban classes and destroy a centuries old rural way of life - what the hell is government getting involved in foxhunting for anyway?
the same chattering urban classes whom voted in the government and it was a policy on their manifesto. they didn't just "get in power" and decide to ban foxhunting just for shits and giggles.
I am planning to retire and move back to the UK in November this year but the more I talk with UK friends and family and begin to understand their absolute despair and resigned submission to the "new order" the more I worry.
yes, the country is going to the dogs...........
It wasn't like that when I left in 1992.
No, its a safer more prosperous, and better educated country than in 1992.
The problem is with perception, the media highlights individual cases which are readily generalized to the population.
Coupled with the age old cornerstone of popular opinion that society was always better in the old days. This sentiment has had, in spite of facts, been a perennial favourite.
You only have to read the editorial and correspondence pages of old newspapers to find this crumbling society thesis flourishing. Why else would a political ideology such as conservatism, which does not enhance the self interest of the majority become so appealing?
The UK certainly has problems, but its becoming (slowly) more equitable, safe and just.
Indications of looniness:
...a centuries old rural way of life
What, incest? Burning people at the stake? Racial abuse?
/all fine century old traditions
What the hell has gone wrong in the UK? It wasn't like that when I left in 1992.
Not half as loony as the country would be if John Major and the conservatives were still in.
I thought the UK was doing rather well - especially compared to the rest of Europe. The only indication of utter lunacy for me is this-
My sister and brother in law have a 5 year old in school - her name is Chloe. At the end of the last term all the kids of the school were to recieve an award up on stage for their achievements. Obviously my sister was very happy and wanted to go along. But the school sent out a letter saying that nobody was allowed to take photographs. Why? Because it might be possible for a paedophile to be in the audience who could then discreetly take photographs of everybodies children. Instead a school photographer was provided - if you wanted a photo then you simply weote the school a check prior to the award ceremony. That whole thing irked my sister. Particularly as it would be clear she was photographing her own kid. But that wasn't all. When my sister picked up the following years school brochure there on the cover was....Chloe. The school hadn't asked for permission, and my sister admits she probably would have been chuffed IF the school hadn't made such a broo-haha about the whole photographing thing. Weird.
Anyway, this lunacy is about one school not the entire country.
And if any country is clearly nuts it's this one.
using an excuse of pedophiles just to make money is more disgusting.
In the 50's and 60's "no blacks/irish" in the windows of B&B's were a common feature, It is worse now of course.
We'll be locking them up without a trial in Cuba next.
And if you really think the UK is poo, you'll love this band.
http//2005.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/20686.html
Indications of looniness:
1. Life imprisonment for a 16 year old rapist who physically and mentally wrecked a young teacher - but life could be as little as 4.5 years and he will be released when doctors consider he is 'no longer a threat'!! What happened to punishment?
He is being held without a release date. He is being held at her majesties pleasure. sure, it could be 4.5 years. But could be the rest of his life.
He has no release date. The idea for prison for me, is to protect society from the dangerous. If it is estimated that he is no longer a danger to society, why keep him locked up.
Because his actions deserve punishment that's why! It's not good enough to let him go because he is no longer a danger. Depriving him of his liberty for a very long period defines societys abhorence of his crime.
2. Massive G8 demonstrations to 'save' Africa - we all cry for Africa yet know that until Africa is disarmed and it's leaders are held accountable that nothing will improve. Look at Zimbabwe - from the bread basket of Africa to the basket case of Africa with poverty and starvation in 20 years.
Why is this loony UK?
Because Blair and Brown are prepared to spend billions of tax payers money on a publicity feel-good venture. The solution lies primarily with the rulers of the African countries and in unfair trade practices - not more handouts to perpetuate the staus quo.
3. Increased taxation in every way but little improvement in services as the money is washed down the drain of beuarocracy and waste.
When I went back in March, I was astounded at the severe lack of Portacabins at school.........
Imagine that, kids learning in a real school. Kids have it too easy these days.
Cheap shot. I go back to the UK for 6-8 weeks a year and go by what I see in hospitals and hear from friends and colleagues, including teachers, nurses and consultants who are universally p....d off with the money going to targets and beaurocracy and not to solving the basic problems.
4. Unsafe city and rural town centres due to drunken youths who are neither prosecuted nor held liable for their actions
it's not illegal to be drunk........
Fine - you want to live in a society where it is unsafe and unpleasant to go into a town centre at night. I don't. Incidentally if it is not illegal to be drunk in public then it ought to be - I remember an offense of drunk & disorderly?
5. Police admitting that 80% of crime is commited by a few known criminals but who are powerless to take them off the streets because judges can't (or won't) give them long (25 years plus) sentences to take them off the streets to protect innocent citizens
why do you want to lock people up for 25+ years?
Yes, because they don't have the right to prey on innocent members of society including beating up old ladies and terrorising anyone who stands up to them
6. Money earning Speed cameras everywhere terrorising motorists without any consideration of conditions or time. Is driving at 90+ mph on a deserted motorway on a clear day really more dangerous than driving at 70 mph on a busy road but weaving and tailgating? - I don't think so.
speeding is illegal. not loony.
True - but the carpet indiscriminate fining of motorists for victimless crimes, NO MATTER what the circumstances, has undermined police authority and respect amongst the very people who used to be their supporters. some Chief Constables agree with me!! Incidenally the best solution is for Chief Constables to be elected - then their priorities would match those of the electorate.
7. Massive social payments to the workshy, lazy and 'workers of the system', and that includes the growing underclass of young unmarried mothers who know by having a child they will be housed, fed and given an income for life. It also includes the huge increase in those on the "sick".
thought you said taxes were wasted on beurocracy. now it is wasted on lazy bastards. make your mind up.
Again - cheap simplification. Waste takes many forms and I suppose you are happy for taxpayers hard earned cash to go support the workshy and lazy. Not PC, of course, but facts often aren't.
8. A ban on foxhunting to appease the chattering urban classes and destroy a centuries old rural way of life - what the hell is government getting involved in foxhunting for anyway?
the same chattering urban classes whom voted in the government and it was a policy on their manifesto. they didn't just "get in power" and decide to ban foxhunting just for shits and giggles.
No they banned it out of malice and to pay-off supporters. We are not talking about a resident evil here, we are talking about hunting vermin. The 'disneyfication' of foxes is fine for 5 year olds but really what has it got to do with governing a country? Surely a governments fundamental aim should be to impinge as little as possible on the lives of the citizens. Although I suspect you are a cradle-to-graver who belives we should not be allowed to live our lives except by permission of the government.
Finally - if UK is now so wonderfull why are so many trying to get out (skip the cheap shot about immigrants) and why do all my friends (of all ages) tell me I am mad to return to England? It's home that's why and I don't see why losers should be free to destroy our heritage.
What the hell has gone wrong in the UK? It wasn't like that when I left in 1992.
hi RickT - I'll try and be as construcutive as possible. John Major and the Tories got booted out for holding views similar to yours. You make the odd valid point amid the 'the UK's gone to the dogs' rant but if you did not know it already your views are not very fashionable in the UK anymore.
You should chill out or moving back to England will send you to an early grave. I'm going back to the UK in 12 months and my friends keep me informed about what's going on. They seem a lot happier bunch that your contacts. Maybe the UK is not the right place for you anymore and this is
just your way of letting us know.
It's home that's why and I don't see why losers should be free to destroy our heritage.
Ahhh, enough said.
I am planning to retire and move back to the UK in November this year but the more I talk with UK friends and family and begin to understand their absolute despair and resigned submission to the "new order" the more I worry.
What the hell has gone wrong in the UK? It wasn't like that when I left in 1992.
Sounds more like a case of "why didn't the UK stand still whilst I was away than anything else." Leaving a place means just that, you can't go back to what was, only what is. Surely you knew that :-?
Because his actions deserve punishment that's why! It's not good enough to let him go because he is no longer a danger. Depriving him of his liberty for a very long period defines societys abhorence of his crime.
why though? if someone is no longer a threat to society, is it not better to become a constructive person in society, rather than taxpayers giving him a roof and 3 square in wormwood scrubs?
Because Blair and Brown are prepared to spend billions of tax payers money on a publicity feel-good venture. The solution lies primarily with the rulers of the African countries and in unfair trade practices - not more handouts to perpetuate the staus quo.
The money is already spent. It is the debt they are looking to write off.
Cheap shot. I go back to the UK for 6-8 weeks a year and go by what I see in hospitals and hear from friends and colleagues, including teachers, nurses and consultants who are universally p....d off with the money going to targets and beaurocracy and not to solving the basic problems.
It's not a cheap shot at all. My primary school has been totally rebuilt in the last 5 years since I left.
Fine - you want to live in a society where it is unsafe and unpleasant to go into a town centre at night. I don't. Incidentally if it is not illegal to be drunk in public then it ought to be - I remember an offense of drunk & disorderly?
I was there, like I said in March. walked home at 11pm drunk through suburban Sale and never felt threatened.
Would I do it in toxteth or Moss Side, no, but I wouldn't have done in 1992 either when you left.
Yes, because they don't have the right to prey on innocent members of society including beating up old ladies and terrorising anyone who stands up to them
How much extra tax are you prepared to pay in order to lock thieves up for 25+ years?
True -
thanks.
Again - cheap simplification.
against your cheap analisys of the Daily Mail mindset.
If it was such a crappy law, why did it pass through the Lords? they are very much the opposite of your urbanites whom you say had the law implemented.