Peccavi

He's right: "Conveniently, too, TV shows are shifting our glare away from the real villains of modern Britain. Where are the shows about the wealthy tax-dodgers who deprive the Exchequer of £25bn each year, even as millions have to both pay their taxes and be pounded by austerity? What about the bankers who plunged the world into economic catastrophe and continue to thrive as others suffer the consequences?" But look at the letters and it's clear that as a society we are gutless little bullies. We ignore the powerful adroit and consumingly greedy, and concentrate on giving a good kicking to those at the lowest end of society. Because we ARE cowards. The wealthy take far more from you (you=general), but you defend and admire them. I suspect you would. Surely a positive is the endorsement of long held views about 'these people'. BS! Comedy/acting or not-that show is designed to stereotype. (God! I love that! The 'it's just a joke' defence!). BOTH are designed to show up those who are always easy targets. No. I won't try to 'suspend my fears'. I don't have them. I hold this type of garbage in utter contempt. Don't mistake that for holding the people depicted in contempt. I may well not like some of them, but loathe this kind of peeping Tom intrusion into their lives. (Of course they may have done it for payment. Big surprise). I do. Owen is correct in his view of those vacuous bastards who exploit others in the hope they can win a fecking BAFTA. I would like to see how this plays out with a job for him. You could even validly argue it wouldn't have happened if this 'documentary' hadn't gone to air. When they make one about "Greed Street" and show the sterile slime who have become wealthy on the backs of the poor-I might then watch this programme. With a sick bag handy for watching the first. How the wealthy must laugh at the capacity of those of the lower strata keeping each other in line, whilst they enjoy their feckless lives.

Sunrise leads on this. It never misses an opportunity to have a dig at the UK. Both its male host and its programme bosses are fixated on this, but the level of maturity is clear when a person with a one syllable name is referred to by two syllables as 'Kochie'. I suppose we should make allowances for immaturity.... ......and I don't shirk the word: animosity toward the English (and it is the English)-is race-racism. However, this is endemic; it's a general attitude which is a little amusing when you look at the main demographic of settlement. And just as predictably: it's denied, or rationalised. The last week I was in Australia the C9 equivalent male host referred to: 'let's get the weather for this great country of ours'. The big naming comes in at every level, but it does not show maturity, it shows the opposite. I think you will find that the poster was not being hard on herself... ...and I for another DO find this incessant petty putdown 'ethic' very offensive. No. On this scale? It's Australia. Yes. This is true. I recall those Sunrise presenters looking a little blank when the Olympics had been going for some days. Poor souls.

I refuse to watch it. I have no idea why we are so hellbent on getting our faces on TV that we participate in something that is intended to show us in a bad light. I don't believe for a moment that this programme has gone to air to show struggling Britain. If that were the case they could come up with any amount of evidence to support that. Instead they have concentrated on one street. This is like the Australian TV series "Houso's". A programme designed to show all public housing tenants in the worst possible light.

I only know what I saw on the news today and yesterday. I wasn't here and I can't comment on this case. But one thing I can say: I wonder if any one of us would post as we have, if this was our child? Yep! I know the responses I'll get to that about his nature/behaviour/family etc. It is so predictable I won't respond. I still say that it might be different if it was our child or that of friends. Would we then be so concerned about the inconvenience of riots, and making jokes about stealing televisions? Maybe if this lad had been born on the right side of the tracks our reactions might have been different? Okey dokey; take your shots!

Off topic for a sec. Yes I am lucky. I decided on a medi-MOT on Friday, and casually mentioned a slight and very occasionally occurring sharp pain in the right lung. Other matters were bothering me far more, but Doc' had me in an ambulance on a semi emergency basis a couple of hours later. It was the local non emergencies sick pit. Tests were 'inconclusive' so I was booked in to Lancaster Monday for a full service and tune. The right lung was clear, but the scan showed what nobody was expecting; a clot in the left lung. Be careful on long hauls folks. This time there were no symptoms (shortness of breath). If that had continued (no warning signs) the clot would have hit the heart or brain. Lights out is OK because I would not have known, but permanent disablement? I was lucky. So many others have so much worse to cope with. I relate this because even though I exercised every hour or so/drank plenty of water/wore those damned stockings.... You don't have to have a propensity for clots-the previous crop came from a clot originating in the calf of my leg and wending its merry way to my lungs-not this time,-it can happen to anyone. I don't want to frighten youse-but be aware. Sorry OP.

.........and it is commonly done,...and both Governments know it is commonly done and turn a blind eye. I suspect because the UKG is happy to depopulate, and the AusG is happy to have 'old country' migrants return. _______________________________ I returned after 37 years. For me personally (always the tedious qualifier) Australia no longer exists. As many have said-even after a long period; 'it's as if I never lived there'. I knew it was unlikely I would have regrets, because I did not return for people; I returned for places/history/and even dull---yes dull weather (without incessant blaring sun). And of course it's been Utopia!! NO. It hasn't. It was the correct choice, that much is glaring, but there have been huge problems that were totally unexpected and unnecessary, and are going to be stressful and draining to deal with. (And for good measure?-My air flight has scored me a nice little blood clot in the lung, confirmed yesterday. Non hereditary blood clots both lungs 2012, 6 month medication. Every precaution necessary on that flight and triple the price for insurance. I still copped it. Rat poison for life). Do I regret it? Not one jot. Pro Australianites will issue warnings about return. Pro UK'er's will tell you 'it's lovely'---or 'it has its problems but..'. The simple hard fact is that you will not get 'the truth'. You will get the opinion of the individuals bias. And my bias: Australia is nowhere near as wonderful as portrayed, and the UK is nowhere near as bad. All I can say is, go with your gut instinct.

I watched this episode for the first time ever, and felt damned angry! The programme is almost fraudulent. I'm not saying that the things they saw were not true, but that only one side is being shown-and the best side at that. It is sh.te like this that is at the core of the incessant competition Australia/UK. Both Governments and media have peddled this rubbish for years. Australia=Paradise/UK=Misery. It then leads to enduring perceptions that such a broad generalisation is a statement of fact. It is a broad generalisation and nothing more, and it has cost so many in so many ways dearly. Being fed this unrealistic rubbish and then finding out the hard way. I am not saying that people don't settle and love it; so very many do. What I'm saying is that whilst that 'coming to Paradise' message is peddled, unless you are lucky, you are inevitably riding for a fall. ..........and of course those who did not 'embrace the living dream' are not looked on well by those who have settled-because of that over marketing. Those who are happy and settled have no genuine perception how anyone cannot enjoy such a wonderful country-that being so 'because we love it/look at the programmes who show how lovely it is/even the Government/s loves it (the UKGov needing to offload as many as they can!). And this was a single Mum with an adorable son. I hope it all works out. So very many of us watching this erroneous programme could poke gigantic holes in so many parts that were shown-you almost want to shout a warning! I only wish that such programmes were required by law to show balance. This lass and her son may come good, or they may end up struggling, and she's across the other side of the world! Bloody infuriating loadacrap.

All it needs is a phone call.

I'm sure when the next 'shift' come on, they will say hello. Glad things have gone well for you!

You illustrated a fact there. That is not required. It does not fit the endgame here. (I have huge compassion for these women and the hard job they do. I experienced it myself, having to sell my wedding ring to buy clothes for my child. The father bought a boat-yes a boat!) If they are grouped together and demeaned, they become such a handy statistical tool. To put up with that and cope with what they have to is an outrage.

Well thank you Stephen Hawking!!! But I'll pass on the condescending lecture. Though this topic is about this nice gentleman and those less desirous who have crossed his anointed path, my point has been about the generalisations used to justify his actions. Poor landlord vs evil scrounging tenants. It's irresistible isn't it? Incredibly irresistible it seems!!: Nigerians? kill Mr Rigby (a vile way to score a point btw), there was only 2, ergo Nigerians don't have a bad reputation. But...BUT, single mothers !#@*&!!! Now this is a whole different ball game! 'That reputation' no less!! You are right of course; they do have 'that reputation', but why? I'll grant there is more than just the two! but how are you-you personally (it's your post I'm responding to)- going to prove how many? By putting up a link? By quoting the Daily Mail/Sun or whatever tw.atpress prints 'facts'? By quoting from one of the myriad 'thinktanks'? By referring to that nice Mr Cameron's advisors? By referring to 'research' in general? What about the Two Parents R' Us association? There are so many of which you could put up 'facts'. But of course they would only be expressed opinion based on philosophical/political belief. What I am doing and will continue to do is to object to 'generalisation to justify'. And single mothers are a prime target. I object to those on the arse end of society ALL being grouped together as some kind of subhumans just so people like this man can look as if they have integrity, when all they have frankly, is a knack for making a profit.

Perhaps I should clarify. Single mothers on benefits should not have this 'reputation' for not paying their rent, because those that are doing, are simply not talking about it-they stay under the radar to avoid further criticism. But in any event that would not fit the profile of single mother=on benefit scenario, so there is little interest in the single mother on benefits doing the right thing is there? When we disparage and demean we have little interest in anything other than generalizing in order to prove our point. And of course those demeaned are the ones least able to defend themselves without incurring further attack. An irresistible mode of behaviour. I know it well.

200 of them have not paid their bills? (Was it 200?) He has given notice to those on HB-were every single one of those in arrears? If not those who were paying their rent have been given notice simply because of being on HB! How that can be justified is beyond me. I also wonder at the law of racial discrimination, (never mind social discrimination!). I'm surprised this landlord (he seems fixated with the second syllable of that), is able to get away with only renting to 'foreigners'. Because if the issue is only HB, as another poster has already pointed out, they can also apply for HB, (if they pass the HRT).

Do they now? Or could it be that 'single mothers' are increasingly vilified for being single mothers? Just to qualify this: I have little sympathy for so-called 'breeding machines'. I have no time for the blatant scrounger. I doubt anyone does. What really irks me is the generalisation: single mothers are not ALL fleecing the system and not paying rent. These women (single fathers engender sympathy), face enough problems without this. They are the whipping boys of the 21stC. A Mum staying home to look after the kids was respected; now ALL are a blight on society. It must be so tough for these women to repeatedly read what a sorry lot they are. I have been one for 49 years and it bugs me. The BLATANT scrounger: how many poor sods have to wear the mantle of being a leech on society when they are beaten down and depressed by the system today which actively praises the survival of the fittest (thank you Margaret-may you RoIP's). Again: I have no time for those who are have never even tried. Again: I object to the generalisation that they are all the same; they are not. In the fullness of time this will blow up in this man's face. Again the generalisation: 'all benefit tenants (British of course) = bad - all European tenants (no benefit applications there......) = good. It doesn't work like that. Ultimately this bozo will have to not so much change his stance, but moderate it. I doubt he'd make the papers then, which is a pity, because I would like to see a photo of him and his wife without that self satisfied smirk.

I think I've just woken up in the twilight zone! Have you two swapped places just for a lark? I'll be damned! Now I'm awa' to read the story.

Yes. My apologies. You are a she. I will get over it when I stop being criticised for something I actually did not do!! Something that is anathema to me. It is 'my choice' to defend myself. I will continue to do that if it is necessary. And it should not have been necessary.

Haven't you got it? 'The style of my post'?-WHO exactly is fixated with this 'style' thing?? How nice to show wisdom and concern for Tink that 'this is over'-when YOU sought to continue it, and still have to have another dig! Are we finished YET?

That really grinds on my bits. (And don't include me in this ongoing crap. I have had to defend myself over such a sensitive issue because of something that has nothing to do with the topic or Tink. He HAS been used in that process).

I didn't. Perhaps if you read again you will find that I didn't bring this up, another poster suggested that I did. This is the first and last time I will go into personal matters. My youngest Grandson is 11. He was born with cataracts on both eyes. One has been removed; one cannot be. The end result will be the same. That boy writes in the same way as Tink. I am very proud of him. To score points on an issue like this (when we all know it is really about general disagreement in posting view) is just disgusting. But by God you've got my attention now! If you want to keep up with this petty point scoring (on something like this??! Unbelievable!), then I will be standing by to respond.

This is why I will not ask about posting style. There is a reason for everything. Thank-you for clarifying Tink.

This is what is so misleading. I got caught by this too, and it was only the insistence of another PIO poster that made me look into it. Even now it is difficult to explain, but I do know that if you reached pension age by a certain year etc,etc, you ARE paid your AusPens in the UK. I should know. It's being paid! Contact Centrelink International (131-673) directly; give them your details, and get your answer. I found out in February last year that my AusPen could be paid permanently in the UK. I hit the ground at warp speed! Good luck, I hope you qualify; I had the same fears as you.

Ditto. (................and that's such a daft sentence btw........................)

I don't 'claim' anything! 'my 'provocation' with the..........(!!!!) is intended to do just that'. ?? Any chance you can add the 'in my opinion' thing? It's a teensy bit irksome when someone purports to tell me what I'm thinking! 'You also claimed you were not doing it as a windup'??? Er, yeeessss...? What do you plan to add now?: "I rest my case" !! Don't 'e fret my luvly, we'll all survive this terrible trauma.

This is something that emanates from the soul in my opinion. If you feel this and have felt it as you grew up in Australia, I have not a shadow of a doubt that this will not change. Oil and water will mix if agitated-continuously. But they will always separate. No one can permanently vigorously stir to achieve a result that is not a natural occurrence, it becomes debilitating and depressing. I threw away thirty years of my life desperately trying to amalgamate; don't you waste yours. I'm damned if I know how you can arrive at this conclusion when someone posts and asks for advice! I know you didn't. You have no need to justify your reasons for asking for advice, they are very apparent. ............and perhaps not! WHY is there this incessant need to suggest this is just a fantasy? ........And it always comes from the same people.... I would bother. I would bother like hell. I would do it because I know the mental and emotional cost of enduring unhappiness. I managed to do this on the smell of an oily rag, and I am damn proud of what I achieved. However: -to the OP: what you have done is face reality, not fantasy, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Listen to your instincts, they are the primal part of our psyche. You stay. Or you return to the UK?: Then plan, and plan some more. Start researching. Housing/jobs/areas. Accept that it will take some time. As others have advised if you need further education do it-you are doing it for an end goal. If not then one thing is obvious-save save SAVE. If in this process you find you have settled in Australia-then fine. That's OK! But if not then your game plan is progressing. Trust me; at your age, time is your friend,-the internet is your friend. It may take 2,3,4 years, but by that time one thing will be clear; you either do not want to proceed with it, or you have some savings/ have established links/ and know the UK system far more. Just knowing that you are coming home will help you. It will not be easy; nothing is easy, but most nothing is impossible either. The first thing: take a decision. The second: if it's return-start your game plan, and stick with it. Good luck to you.

I believe the focus of the parents of these children is to make a success of life. I think it is instilled in the youngsters from the getgo. I understand that at the end of WW11 many Jews slaughtered as many Germans as they could. Ironic that innit.... However, the need to oppress has continued for decades with Israel, it's just that the Palestinians now cop it,-and they fight back-and...I wonder who was responsible for that little mess? Indigenous Australians are such oppressive little buggers, aren't they? Ironic that innit.... Has anyone checked? At all cost. Unkind! (That is the ruination of a perfectly good boot). Have you bothered to realise how many on every discussion forum everywhere, simply post/ respond to the topic and the opinion expressed and do not concern themselves with the analysis of the posting style? I have no intention of questioning any poster on how they post; that is their business. No one should be questioned and have to justify how they post! ..........Tink and I had an exchange, it ended. I credit every poster here 'friend' or 'foe', to be able to handle posting disagreements without needing counselling! If you want to take a shot, take it directly, and don't use another poster to do it. Tink I doubt very much has gone into seclusion! (And I am not comfortable discussing another poster like this, it's unnecessary).