Sheaf Saint

See, this is precisely the point I was making in my earlier post. Why is this incorrect assumption continually regurgitated over and over again? Labour HAVE changed their immigration policy, even if it is too little too late; The Tories have laid out in their manifesto how they will introduce a yearly cap on the amount of economic migrants allowed to enter the country if they are elected, and the Lib Dems' stance is similar. This information is clearly available in the public domain, yet still people refuse to believe it and continue to perpetuate the myth that none of the main parties are doing, or plan to do anything at all about the previous immigration policies in place in this country.

Because Griffin showed himself up for what he truly is lastnight: a hypocritical, bigoted liar. If anybody is actually taken in by his constant bleating of "we're not a racist party - honest guv" and genuinely believes that he has changed from man that was convicted of inciting racial hatred, then they must be either a simpleton, or just as racist as Griffin himself.

Nice idea in principle, but the tories aren't in any position to do anything about seeing as they are not the ones in power. I don't think anybody would disagree with the fact that there has been too much immigration over the last decade, but it never ceases to amaze me how poorly educated the general public are about it. The fact is that the current Labour government HAVE changed the policy onimmigration. They HAVE introduced the australian-style points-based system for economic migrants. They HAVE been working with the French authorities to reduce the number of illegals and asylum seekers crossing the channel. Jack Straw was trying hard to make these points lastnight but, alas, he isn't really the right person to get the message across. It seems that no matter how much the government try and publicise this, nobody seems to take it on board. The problem, I think, is that there have been so many scare-stories, myths and downright untruths printed regarding immigration over the last few years by the right-wing political parties and media, that the government could completely close the border tomorrow and still the majority of the tabloid-reading sheeple in this country would not believe it and would continue to perpetuate the scare-mongering drivel peddled by the likes of the Daily Mail. I don't think anybody with half a brain disagrees with Nick Griffin when he says that Labour's free-for-all immigration policy drastically needed to be amended, and many would argue that the measures they have taken are perhaps 'too little too late', but only a simpleton could possibly believe that a vote for the BNP is the solution.

Well he was given enough rope, and he duly hanged himself with it. Not surprising, and very pleasing to see him make a total idiot of himself in front of what was probably QT's biggest ever TV audience. I hope a few people who had previously been suckered by Griffin's veneer of respectability now realise exactly what a small-minded, nasty little bigot he really is.

And you know this how exactly? :smt102 That still doesn't answer the questions though.

Just a couple of questions,if you will indulge me.... 1. Please could you tell us exactly what your british identity is, and how it has been stripped from you? 2. What problems exactly (aside from prejudice and intolerance on behalf of the indigenous population) have been brought about by what you describe as 'uncotrollable immigration?' Genuine questions. I have heard these reasons trotted out time and time again by BNP supporters and I have yet to meet one that has actually been able to answer them.

Leeds and Middlesborough aren't exactly close.

Arrogantly believing that we know more about the world and the heavens than the ancient Maya did is far worse IMO. It is known that the ancient Maya had an extremely advanced understanding of astronomy that western scientists have only been able to catch up with since the invention of the telescope, and even then it has taken centuries. What if the ancient Mayan astronomers were able to predict a cataclismic celestial event that would happen in 2012, in exactly the same way that modern computer systems are able to predict the paths of comets and asteroids thousands of years in advance? If they knew that something was going to hit the earth at that time and would cause widespread devastation, would that not awaken the survivors of such an event to the need for far more effective resource management than our current throw-away society? Would those left over not need to develop a far better understanding of the symbiotic nature of our relationship with Gaia? It could be that this is exactly what the ancient Maya meant when they predicted a time of great spiritual awakening. You can dismiss it as pure bunkum if you wish Ponty, but more fool you if you do. The Mayan civilisation was centuries in advance of what we in the modern western world would arrogantly expect of people living in those times. It's all very well for us to label them backward savages (as the Spanish did when they invaded - always better to attack that which we do not understand and then claim the moral high-ground afterwards eh?) but the anthropological and archaeological evidence paints a completely different picture, and I think we can learn a lot from them. So before you drop this subject in the bin marked "supernatural bullsh1t" I suggest you do some serious reading on it and form your own conclusions thereafter. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you learn.

Please don't do that. There are plenty of people who take this subject very seriously. I have done a fair bit of reading about the mayan calendar and the end of the long count, and I don't think anyonce can dismiss it. What the ancient Maya actually predicted is that the end of their long count will bring forth a time of great spiritual understanding, and that civilisation as we know it will come to an end, which doesn't actually mean the end of the world. The indicators are there, anybody who knows about the Mayan long count will know that it is divided into 9 underworlds which are themselves divided into 13 heavens, represented by 7 days and six nights. It is interesting that during each of the odd numbered heavens (days) during the current underworld (the planteary underworld) there has been a major breakthrough in technology and communications, each of which has drastically changed our way of life. This was all predicted by the ancient Maya, and they also predicted that in the final few years before the end of the long count, the world would begin to heat up causing more and more natural disasters and that global economies would collapse, both of which have come to pass.

Brilliant race. Best I've seen since, well since Brazil last year I guess. Really happy for Jenson, his drive yesterday silenced a few critics who seem to think he wasn't a worthy champion. I have just one question after yesterday's race though.... Who the hell gave Kobayashi a superlicence? How he didn't get a penalty for all the weaving and blocking he did I will never know.

Sorry, don't think she was still there when I took this shot. Damn!

Bled is beautiful but very touristy. Bohinj is very different, much more tranquil and less people everywhere. We went in March before the summer watersports season began and the place was virtually deserted - we walked all the way up to the Savica waterfall and didn't see another soul along the way. I would love to go back there one day.

A picture I took of Lake Bohinj in Slovenia while I was there in march...

On the point of the main subject, I am pretty much in total agreement with Minty. I try to buy local produce as often as possible, and there is a market within walking distance of my house that allows me to do that thankfully. Price is obviously a big concern to me, especially as I am out of a job at the moment, it's amazing how much I can save on my weekly shopping bill if I realy try. But I certainly do take ethical considerations into account when I buy stuff. For instance, I make it a policy never to set foot in a Shell petrol station due to the shameful and downright inhumane business practises they employ in Africa, and their recent £100m out-of-court settlement which ensured that their involvement in the murder of demonstrators in the Niger Delta would not be exposed in a public legal proceeding. A more unethical corporation you will be hard pushed to find.

That's probably about right because the Co-op do a lot of fairtrade stuff nowadays. But Scummer is absolutely right when he says that there is no one brand. Lots of different brands and supermarkets offer fairtrade coffees now, and some of them are very good indeed. Try the Cafe Direct ones if you can get them (I know Sainsburys sells them).

Really? That's surprising considering how much he obviously loves his drive with Ferrari, as evidenced by him giving it 110% commitment in every race!* *Tongue firmly in cheek btw

Went to see Massive Attack at the 02 Academy in Sheffield last week. Oh.....my......GOD!!!!!!!! Absolutely superb.

You state that with a great deal of authority and confidence. What do you know that we don't? Have you got a mole in the Brawn team?

If Jenson scores 5 more points than Rubens at Suzuka next week then he will take the title with two races left. Personally, although I will be really happy to see him win it, I would rather it went down to the last race. Having said that, if he wins the title with races to spare then maybe the pressure that seems to have been getting to him in qualifying lately will be lifted off him and he can finish the season in relaxed and confident mood rather than hanging on by the skin of his teeth.

FAO skintsaint: George W Bush and George H W Bush are two different people. Hope this helps.

So if that really is the case Bigtoe, please could you tell us what measures the leaders/organisers of the EDL are taking to root out and remove the violent, racist members who have joined up and taken part in your demonstrations?

Not much chance of that on a street circuit surrounded by concrete walls.

I think that's a very good summary. The worst thing ever is being stuck in a room full of people who have had some when you haven't, and suddenly you become very aware of the fact that all your mates have just turned into the most annoying w*nkers on earth. I have done it myself on a few occasions but it never really appealed to me so, thankfully, I never developed a taste for it. I can see how plenty of people do though. I would guess that at least 75% of my mates have at least tried it, but I can think of certain people who move in completely different circles who would tell you that none of their friends ever have as far as they are aware, so it really does depend on what kind of social life you lead.

Why do so many people just blindly accept what they are told without questioning it? Whether your 'information' comes from the Mail, the Express or any other source, it is still a load of scare-mongering bullsh*t. Have you ever bothered to check the facts on this yourself? I'm guessing not because otherwise you would realise that this whole idea about waves and waves of illegal asylum seekers arriving here every day is massively exaggerated by those with their own agenda. Have a look for yourself... http://www.defend-asylum.org/ Here are some useful facts you will find on that website... But hey, never let the facts get in the way of a good rant eh?

Well yeah, but seeing as the vast majority of intelligent, reasonable people in this country can see throught the veneer of 'anti-extremism' and see the EDL for what they really are - a bunch of cowardly, racist, ball-brained thugs - I can't really see that that will ever happen, can you? Just why do we need anti-extremism demonstrations anyway? Everybody knows that extremism is something that needs to be combated, but demonstrations through Birmingham aren't going to change the extremists' views are they - quite the opposite I would say. Everybody agrees that child-abuse is an evil that needs to be removed from society, but do we see skinheaded thugs going on demonstrations to protest about it? No, of course we don't. Anybody who believes the EDL's agenda is purely benign and focused on rooting out just the extremists is living in cloud cuckooland IMO. Wanting to defend one's country from extremists and terrorists is one thing; lending support to this pathetic band of nationalistic thugs is quite another.