Saintandy666

For every study saying it increases the risk of lung cancer, there's more saying there are no adverse affects at all. This is a much bigger study than the one for the BLF, 5000 people vs Under 80. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/05/060526083353.htm I think the main thing we want is decreased problematic drug use, and prohibition appears to deliver that elsewhere as well as other added benefits like reduced flow of cash to criminal gangs.

Prohibition helps nothing. It just forces the 'industry' into dogey hands who cut the cannabis with god knows what, and it leads to these high THC cannabis variants being created. Statistics show that problematic drug use as a whole and health issues to do with drugs go down after prohibition is ended. I really do think this is something where the current policy needs to be reconsidered, and a regulated market introduced. Regulated decriminalisation, not legalisation. This survey doesn't change any of the well thought out arguments from people who are very well educated and knowing in this field who support decriminalisation who do know the risks in full and have surveyed the whole picture to come up with a balanced non-kneejerk solution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18329050

It's not employment though in the conventional sense. It's a one off event which was meant to act as work experience...(and I think to gain a qualification) for the unemployed. Though I suspect and hope you are right. Even if you are right, and there is more to it, if the story is true it's still appalling.

I don't think that is what people are objecting to. I think it was more the treatment. Unpaid work experience is fine, as long as you get something out of it and aren't treated like a dog. These people were picked up at 11pm, dropped off at 3am under the bridge and told to sleep there. Woken up a couple of hours later, and made to get undressed outside in the freezing cold rain. And were told if they complained, there would be no Olympic job for them. Of course this is all allegedly, probably just a bad-egg subcontractor. But if true, it needs to be properly investigated, and this particular subcontractor punished.

There were 80 of them, 50 apprentices and 30 non-paid(they were told they would be paid, but then told once they were there they wouldn't be and if they complained they would get an Olympics job which was paid). I do think that it needs to be gotten to the bottom of and fast, but as you say you can't blame the Queen. I think it is just a symptom of what happens when the Public Sector contracts out things it should be doing to various companies to do at the lowest price possible.

Doing non-jubilee related stuff. My work was absolutely packed. Busier than normal.

Yes, when people are asked do you want a monarchy? They say, well the status quo is alright at the moment, so yea why not?

I dunno. The fact people tuned into that concert doesn't prove support for the monarchy at all; it had a lot of very famous acts. As for the pageant; yes 11m watched on TV, but 50m didn't bother. I'm not saying that a lot aren't very enthusiastic, but the majority are just happy with the status quo and quite apathetic. My work got busier when the Pageant began.

I think he gets a hard time. But then again, anyone looks good when compared to Cameron who is very unlikeable.

I don't think it would make that much difference, though the Queen is the most famous thing about us for many Americans and other foreigners(probably more than the monarchy in general, will be interesting to see what happens after the Queen, though I suspect that won't be for a long time... that family has long legs). I think what this weekend has shown is that most people are apathetic to the Monarchy. Yes, millions made the journey out, but the silent majority who are quite apathetic about it all stayed in. However, back to the tourism point, I don't think we should pick our political system based on monetary gain.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html The Daily Mail online front page is a disgrace. Not one article at the moment celebrating anything. Just article after article of absolute bile of how the 'usual suspects' have ruined everything for the queen. On a separate note, I hope this - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/04/jubilee-pageant-unemployed isn't true.

Calm down. A bit over the top. Hardly makes him an 'arsehole'. I think you are seeing what you want to see in him.

A lot of people I know buy Vinyl sometimes. It is sort of making a comeback in a Niche way. Some bands released some singles only on Vinyl as well in physical form these days... though that isn't saying much as no-one buys cd singles anymore.

I certainly don't want to join the Euro, and nobody is forcing us to. Like you, I am very happy with the present arrangements. Many however aren't, and that includes an increasing plurality. I think the shouting has become loud enough now that we settle this once and for all, a referendum after which both sides must accept the result.

I don't really see how we can sort out the EU debate with a what kind of relationship do you want with Europe referendum... you are either in the EU or you are out of the EU. You can sort out what kind of relationship you have if you want out afterwards.

He's already on speed dial.

I like Simon Hughes. He usually talks well, and carries out his politics sensibly as well. As for Sarah Teather... oh dear. I'm sure she is a wonderful Children's minister, but she has presentation problems. I like Charles Kennedy. Nice distracting from my original post though.

Chris Huhne isn't my hero. If he's guilty, then he is should resign immediately and is an idiot. Innocent until proven guilty though, my friend.

Glad I could relax you a bit.

Nigel Farage for one. On his Facebook account tonight.

Makes me laugh how all the UKIP types which bang on and on about the importance of a referendum pass scorn at this referendum result. Oh, and for it is worth I support an in/out referendum on the EU, just once the financial crisis is over.

It's not the greatest system in theory, but in practical terms it does little democratic damage. Certainly not on my priority list of reforms! Either way, I'll take the 2 days paid off work very thankfully.

And I've been on here 2 and half years longer than his account