That’s whats wrong with the world, to many people take the easy way out.

Or alternatively, too many stick around in rubbish relationships where they aren’t happy. A toxic environment is going to damage everyone in it… eventually.

I like Asda, I prefer their green colourscheme to the blue and red of Tesco and the orange Sainsbury’s. Morrison’s yellow is okay, but their employees are a bit scary. Asda is upfront, no hiding behind any pretensions. And the tiger bread is addictive.

Why I choose supermarkets on the basis of their brand colours really don’t know.

Remember that NHS workers pay income tax also, so increase income tax and they’d likely be worse off.

Depends how much you increase their pay by!

I don’t know who in the NHS is underpaid and who isn’t I’m afraid. As a general rule of thumb I’d assume nurses, cleaners, paramedics and the ilk are underpaid, and consultants, managers etc. aren’t. I’m afraid I don’t know enough about the management and pay scales of the NHS. It’s a huge organisation and one I’ve never worked in, and to be honest my post was an off-the-cuff one based on the priniciples that those at the bottom (employees and service users) are getting shafted for the sake of the great God capitalism and it upsets and infuriates me that this is happening.

So you’ve already decided that addition tax is required…..why ?

No specific reason, just a general assumption that it’s falling to bits, it’s workers aren’t happy and seem to be underpaid particularly those at the coal face. I thought it a reasonable assumption to make. I’m happy to be educated otherwise though.

Very interesting link though, will have a trawl through later on. I have similar concerns about state education and social care too.

I think I’d vote for a party/politician who could be honest about the state of the NHS and the other social systems in this country (education, social services etc.).

Basically, all they would need to do was say “Yep, they are in a sorry state, here’s a Cost/Benefit analysis of how to sort them out, here’s how much additional tax we need to raise and it’s going to be 5% on income tax.”

That’d get my vote. But no party or politician seems to want to bite the bullet.

These cases get so much attention precisely because they’re so rare.

This, my Missus gets quite upset when I say that statistically her and the kids are more at risk from me than any “stranger danger” out on the streets. But it’s true.

The people to blame haven’t been found. It’s human nature to want to focus the blame on someone/thing even if it isn’t rationally correct.

Me too, it was the windfarms that swung it.

Nah I’m lazy, and not too fussed over £10 worth of brake pads.

Bit annoyed at having to get a set of pads (Avid ones for what it’s worth) at full RRP from Evans to get home after work, but you know, I reckon I’ll live after a period of forigiveness and adjustment…

Had two pairs of brake pads from them (Avid BB5 road), both delaminated after 50-100 miles of on road use.

Didn’t bother to get back to them to demand a refund due to their reputation.

That’s all I have to say about that.

Is it because there’s no ‘right’ answer

I doubt it’s this, there is no ‘right*’ answer to the relegion ones, or the helmet ones for that matter!

*’Rational’, ‘fitting available evidence’, ‘theoretical’ but never ‘right’!

The market for paper, cardboard, wood and metals is pretty stable. For plastics it is very volatile, then there’s also the nightmare of sorting through all the products to figure out what type of plastics are involved. It needs a stable and profitable market to establish the infrastructure to make it work well, as happens in the other recycling markets.

Then you also have Local Authroities who are pants at recycling and employ cowboys and those who are good and have decent sorting and selling on systems in place.

Finally the only way to expand these markets is to get people to recycle more and to a higher quality. If tainted batches of recycleables are dumped in landfill due to economics, but behaviour change over a longer term is secured I reckon it could be a worthwhile practice.

All IMHO of course.

Northwind does make a good point, but if you’re road riding the XML Bastid is definitely the cheapest option (with the changed lens).

I’ve been using one to commute with for a couple of years now and it’s been great, the letterbox beam pattern is perfect for roads. I can see how it wouldn’t be on offroad, wooded singletrack though.

Sticking new houses in already existing urban areas is a good idea for transport of goods and people too, public tranposrt (in private hands) is viable in these locations, there are likley to be jobs locally, walking and cycling can be encouraged. It’s all good (assuming the appropriate legal agreements are in place to provide suitable amenities as well).

Nearly always dark colours here too, easier to keep clean and less embarassing when wet!

There’s also the arms-race argument, a bit like the lumen-wars. The brighter you are the less likley you’ll be hit*, but the more likley the focus is taken away from other things! There’s a reason that flouro yellow is called “urban camoflage” these days, leave it for the people who work on the roads and in dangerous places, don’t use it for commuting it lessens the impact for those who need it…

*Although I’d argue that positioning yourself is far more important than what you wear. It’s easier to move into a drivers field of vision than to move their field of vision to you.

He he, RE: the workhouse, okay I was being flippant. Your way with words just made me think of that!

I kind of agree about the why pay for the meals of those parents who can afford it, but that’s simplifying it too much. The current system doesn’t work, the stigma of free school meals is too great to overide the need. I’m not talking about starvation here, just food enough to function well. Obviously people will do anything when at starvation level, we are no where near that level in 99% of cases.

So the system needs to change to ensure that those who aren’t getting what they need, do. If that means free school meals for all, then so be it. When you look at the sums involved compared to other areas it’s really pocket momey.

If you chose not to accept help your eligible for that is entirely up to you as an individual. All I can say is that, as above, if you really need it you will get it under the current system.

Wasn’t this argument used in support of the old Work Houses? No stigma attached to them either right?

I’m happy to pay more in tax to fund this (rather than borrowing more), mind you I support a ‘high tax-high spend’ economy so what do I know?

He’s almost certainly right about sending aid over there: “give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he’ll eat for ever” and all that. Alternatively, the western world needs to stop operating such a stupid way of life and learn to support developing countries rather than bleeding them dry of natural resources (including quality farmland) and selling them weapons.

Oh yeah, and he’s right about population growth here too:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/10317992/Sir-David-Attenborough-is-my-new-feminist-crush.html

Oh god I’m hungry now, stop it with the pork pies and fig rolls!

they are just the same.. clever how “The Natural” on the packet tricks people into thinking they’re not really eating sweets!

It says “confectionary” on the pack, of course they’re sweets!

Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re made by the same people either, basically just sugar, gelatin, colour and flavour anyway.

GaryLake is quite right, those are good. The sour ones turn my mouth inside out, but then I like licking styptic pencils and 9volt batteries so could be judged to have an unreasonable opinion.

I have certainly had the odd close pass and occasional road rage but on the whole I find road cycling to be an acceptably safe activity – but that is my perception.

Yep, exactly the same here. I read abouyt all the scare stories on Singletrack and a few other fora and think “That’s not what happens to me”. Weird considering the mileage and variety of locations I cycle in.

They put opiates in them. That’s why I can’t stop eating them.

Posted on a website devoted to adults playing with ludicrously expensive children’s toys.

Apologies everyone, didn’t realise the petrol lobby was here. I take back all my comments, it’s not decadent at all it’s just an expression of your human right to freedom of movement!

Interestingly in the UK, I would hazard a guess that the majority of people who drive their kids to school are being decadent in their behaviour.

Not sure that it is particulalrly ‘imperialist’ thoough.

Do a job you enjpy and you’ll never have to work a day of your life.

They don’t pay enough because everyone wants them, therefore only the well off can afford to do them. For free. As voluntary work.

Nice idea though!

but are nuns oppressed?

Probably, but comparing them to women who wear theveil/burka/niqab or whatever isn’t going to work. They’re two different situations.

the idea that ‘feminism’ and ‘islam’ are perfectly compatible does make me go hmmm.

I find that about Christianity, mind you that’s the relegion I have most experience with.

Not really, no.

No? Pretty sure rape is a purely human construct. Not that forced sex doesn’t occur in animals but I struggle to apply the same moral dimension to their behaviour compared to ours.

Each to their own though.

Thanks. I’m not sure it’s not ironic: my point was simply that the state – which has just sanctioned killing – was founded by someone who spent his life opposing vengeance. That Ghandi may well have been flawed, repressed and held misogynistic views is unpleasant indeed, but not altogether surprising for a man of his time.

Well, when you put it like that… …Point conceded.

Then tell me what you did mean!

I meant that a man preaching “an eye for an eye makes the world blind” in one breath and then possibly (not sure of the sources) believing that “Indian women who were raped lost their value as human beings.” and “arguing that fathers could be justified in killing daughters who had been sexually assaulted for the sake of family and community honour.” Is maybe not the best role model for a civilised (and equal) society that one first assumes. Therefore the irony is not so ironic after all.

Does that make sense?

PS – Sorry for being glib.

Romanticising nature much?

Anthropomorphising nature much?

So we should blame contemporary violence against women on a man who died over 60 years ago?

Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. :roll:

So potential premeditated rapists might think twice, but one would assume that people planning a crime are also planning not to get caught?

Not a fan of murder regardless of the circumstances, tbh.

I agree with you and Ransos, not a fan of the death penalty (although this case makes my moral convictions waiver), plus the deterrent effect is largely unproven.

It’s a bitter irony that the Indian state was founded by Ghandi

Not that ironic if this article has any truth:

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jan/27/mohandas-gandhi-women-india

Cos we all know rape is a rational calculated process with risk assessment

I think in many cases it is. The rational calculation is certainly true of the power exertion of the rapist over the victim and risk assessments are unconscious things that we do all the time. If you believ you can do something this abhorrent and get away with it, and it gives you a kick to do it then you’ll do it.

I don’t think it’s a spur of the moment thing in many cases.

None of the above.

Why? There is no left wing socialist option!

You could try teaching them not to do it, or if they are incapable of grasping the idea, get out before them and open the door for them?
Or if for some reason you can’t do that, then park in the wide parent/child spaces until they learn?

You didn’t read any further down his post? He said he didn’t care enough!

Which I suppose is the crux of this whole debate, some people* care a lot about their cars others* don’t. Trying to make either party change their opinion doesn’t seem to be going too well if this thread is any example…

* Assuming they even own cars of course.

You can’t buy supersized MaccyD’s anymore, I’ve tried.