paulv

"If you don't like it tough":biggrin:

Is it special ladies time, Andy?

How is it personal to make a light hearted analogy? There's just far too many serious types on here these days...

That's like saying you're a role model for successful migration to Australia :biggrin:

'Chavs' is one of my favorite books of the last few years. I didnt feel it was a set up, but the producers were obviously not short of willing volunteers...

That piece has just brought a tear to my eye - he was a real lovely bloke: tried to sell his wares and the family was skint and had little kids so he gave them a few bits and sweets for the kids. Good things happen to good people and all that...

I love Owen Jones and he is right in that TV documentaries of late are more about gawking at the feckless/tasteless/(insert your judgmental term here) rather than asking the questions as to how people have come to this situation, but I did not feel this program was too bad.

I do usually avoid these kinds of deliberate gawking programmes at all costs - Gypsy this that and the other etc, but I thought this was not a totally negative portrayal and I'm glad I watched it. Do try and suspend your fears and watch it on catch up - there's a former offender making an honest living despite the difficulties and temptations around him too, so it's not all scapegoating.

I thought it was quite sympathetic - those people despite their own difficulties were loyal, considerate, and helped each other out. I especially liked 'White Dee' who was a brilliant influence on the group and a real antidote to the usual negative portrayals of working class life. She was advisor, banker, moral keeper, substance misuse worker - a real Jill of all trades...

Did anyone see this on C4 earlier in the week? I caught the repeat last night and it was nothing out of the ordinary for anyone who has lived in a working class area - some gems and some err, rough diamonds:twitcy:

Did anyone see the doco on BBC2 last night? I was gobsmacked in many ways - it was both very sad and infuriating. Former Indian police officers and Army men living on the streets and sleeping in a garage, and when they asked to be sent home, it took the Government 9 months to sort it out!! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2535927/Bleak-world-Britains-illegal-immigrants-revealed-troubling-new-investigation.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 It'll no doubt be on iplayer too

I look forward to the next gun related murder trial when the perp refers to the reasoning for this shooting - "I killed him to prevent him possibly committing a crime in future".

It started in September. And it's an inquest

Hi Tony, I'll reiterate what Claude's just said but give my experience as well(albeit I'm in the uk). All you need to apply is a spare room (unless you're just after tiny babies who can be in a cot in your room). John Doe is a long time FC in Oz and can tell you the good, bad, and ugly- as can I. The process can take up to a year but most of that is waiting for SW to visit to complete assessments on you and Mrs T. The assessment asks about your experiences of parenthood, and of being parented- they want to know who influenced you, how, why etc. in the UK they also speak to close friends or family to ask about your suitability. In less than 4 years we have looked after 14 kids - some stayed a year, some less than 12 hours. Some are ready to go back to a parent (we have had that twice and both times it's gone really well and SW are no longer involved). One has gone for adoption (a wonderful outcome and process) and we currently have 2 who will hopefully be adopted - one we have had since she was less than a day old. A little bit of each kid remains with us - either a saying they had, a mispronounced word, or an intonation - so in one way they never leave us. The house always feels empty when they leave but we try and have a family holiday when we can, just us four, so our kids never feel like they're being neglected! Both our kids love it now as they're 12 and 9 and have kids to play with - last week both of them Spent the evening playing with a toddlers kitchen that we had just got for the 2 year old we have. They downed wii's, tablets etc and regressed! Every kid has thrived, been grateful, and the satisfaction of that first step, that first word, their first REAL laugh, or seeing them play nicely with other kids when they came to us like a banshee a few months earlier is priceless. Im actually enjoying this baby more than I did my own as you are older, wiser, and less stressed by it all. Its not for everyone but even giving one kid one night of safety makes it worthwhile. Good luck in your quest.

EDL guarding shops? Surely they were up town drinking meths and looting Sports Direct for some new Lonsdale?

These landlords currently on C4 news. Married working mum being evicted from new build house. Lots of tenants worried about their next move...

City Road Inn?

You'll be aghast to know the Hacienda is now a housing development.

Can i add another to the list? We are renowned for being one of the first city's to have armed street gangs in the UK, and as expected they were impeccably turned out... http://www.theguardian.com/education/2008/oct/22/hoodies-victorian-manchester-gangs http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/21/manchesters-original-gangsters http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/10/20/201008_scuttlers_interview_feature.shtml

This is where irony ate itself. A post calling out left wingers for err, supposedly calling out others. *universe folds in on itself and disappears*

Why play the victim Aldo? Man up. Pic was me on the carzy this morning. The world doesn't revolve around you!

A bit weird stalking me this early but thanks for coming anyhoos:biglaugh:

"get him- he's a commie!!"

Only on PIO can a story about government cuts be classed as 'socialist propaganda'! Here is a study breaking down how often Pravda, sorry BBC, air the views of the political parties. https://theconversation.com/hard-evidence-how-biased-is-the-bbc-17028 It's 4-1 in favour of the government in some cases - hardly a socialist utopia... As for the cuts, regardless of your political leanings studies show that those countries with the least disparity between the richest and the poorest have the best health outcomes, educational outcomes, least crime, lowest mental health illness rates, highest levels of satisfaction, and best social cohesion. Sounds idyllic huh?

Nothings personal Aldo, you know we are all adults here. So I've shown that these claimants are more likely to be contributing to our collective coffers than uk born people. If you can't see that is beneficial to the country, so be it.