bridge too far

Is that man for real or a dummy? Gross !

Did I do a ? Where? I thought I did a !!! Flirtatious? Moi? Never (well, not in public anyway) [-X

I watched the cricket because I like cricket. Do you like Doc Martin then? All these questions and answers have worn me out - I'm going to bed

Err no Mr H I didn't. I watched the cricket Why?

And so close to bedtime. I think it must have been the freebie ticket offer that made me think you were a fan. As for not knowing which side to bat for - there's me thinking you were a married man :shock:

Yeah you I thought you were a big cricket fan :smt102 It's all over now anyway.

Not watching the cricket H?

It's called pragmatism. The alternative is just too awful to contemplate.

:confused: But JB - you're always saying that 'Nu Labour' are socialist and people who support them are 'loony lefties'. Are you now saying that the Labour Party isn't 'left' after all?

I agree about Vince Cable - I think he's excellent. However, his party has no real direction and can't agree on basic policy issues e.g. tuition fees, higher council taxes on very expensive property. In the past, they always sat on the fence and climbed on bandwagons. I don't think they've changed that much.

They''ve been remarkably quiet about this case though. Interesting......

.

By the woman who has lost her job and who is now being paid a tidy sum by the Daily Mail. She can say that with impunity, knowing now that Baroness Scotland (or, more probably, her PA) didn't copy any documents. I'm pleased, however, that the rabid right wing hasn't had a pop at the victim in all this.

Two out of four documents are supposed to be seen. She saw two out of four. I'm not defending her here. A parallel example would be to fire a Chief Constable for speeding IMO. Both are civil offences and people don't usually lose their jobs for civil offences.

Mr TF of course

They've equalised I've been told

Judging by the evidence posted on here, and the press links, I would say so. Wouldn't you?

This thread started way back when, talking about a racist organisation. Some agreed that it was racist, others said it wasn't. I think it is FWIW and I think the evidence is there. The debate then developed into the pros and cons of immigration and the myths and lies perpetrated by some. That is all

I haven't - at all.

I guess we all have opinions on immigration. It's when those opinions are based on myth and are based on an irrational hatred of people with different coloured skin or different religion that they become racist.

Interesting: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8266933.stm

However, they're only entitled to benefits after they've been working for a year (and therefore paying taxes and NI). Migrant Workers The rules are complicated and can be different for different groups and nationalities. Foreign nationals are not entitled to benefits when they are seeking work, unless they have already worked here and are temporarily unemployed. Citizens from the A8 countries for example, become entitled to benefits and housing if they are self-employed here, or if they have a job and register with the Workers Registration Scheme. Once they have been working lawfully for a year they no longer have to register when changing jobs and they become eligible for benefits when temporarily out of work as well as when working. From: http://www.eden.gov.uk/your-council/partnerships/local-strategic-partnership-lsp/migrant-workers/

If it was in the Mail I'd read it but with a degree of scepticism. The Guardian, whilst left-leaning, does present a balanced view on topical issues. Reading the link I provided would show that to be the case. Both papers serve their readership. Make of that what you will.

Oh dearie me - wrong on so many counts. Here's what immigrants can and cannot claim: http://www.eden.gov.uk/your-council/partnerships/local-strategic-partnership-lsp/migrant-workers/ Read the whole page. And legal immigrants who work and pay taxes and National Insurance will help to fund state pensions in years to come, at a time when people are living longer but possibly needing more care in their old age. Immigrants contribute more in taxes and NI than they cost. I'll post this link again. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2009/apr/23/migration-emigration-uk-dorling You might find it edifying.

There was a very moving programme (Panorama?) on TV last week about African refugees and the huge lengths they go to to escape the deprivations in their own countries. Many die en route, crossing deserts and so on. To risk that, conditions in their own countries must be appalling. I would travel the length and breadth of the world if I, or my family, was starving, oppressed or disenfranchised. I imagine these poor souls are doing exactly the same.