Sergei Gotsmanov

So they should pay their tax and then some more for their children to go to another school. Gorgie Saint has an argument I would subscribe to but that is more because they fuel sectarianism. The question that should be addressed is why is that faith schools are so popular with parents - is it because they deliver better results? My school (a long long time ago) was pretty Church of England but did not brain wash me into being a religious nut (maybe a forum bore).

Can you rephrase that too 'I pay a lot of tax and feel I should be entitled to have a say how it is spent; oh and that new artwork outside the civil offices is a waste of money'.

Well they do through their taxes. I would turn that around and say that the State has no place setting religious or any other agenda.

I am afraid we differ on this. I still believe that people should have the right to send their children to which school they like. Faith is probably the most important part of some people's lives and the state should not interfere. How can you assume that students cannot make up their own minds later in life. The biggest strouble with faith schools seems to be the number of people who want to send their children there. Does that send a message.

I think the Aussies have it right. You pay 9% of your salary straight into a fund. You can claim it when you retire or you emigrate.

Getting everybody to think the same is a dangerous road to go down. Should the National curriculum determine a set 'aceeptable thinking' and if so who decides what that thinking is?

I despise banning anything it goes against all my instincts . I find Muslim extremism unpalatable but argue against it do not ban it. If we have a society that incorporates the Muslim faith or any belief than we cannot just cherry pick which parts we find unsavoury and legislate to outlaw them because one day the wrong people will be making that decision. Who are we to judge other people. Wear your Burka with pride if that represents what you believe in; nobody should decide how you think or dress.

I dislike radical Islam but recognise that mainstream Islam is a force for good. The EDL seems to endorse an aggressive form of prejudice against a lot of good people.

In fairness you come across as rather stupid especially as if you backed the horse each way you would have made good money. I would suggest that cut back on your posts or at least get your calculator out before posting.

But you need to get a magpie from another area for best results.

I was the cleaner at the post office Depot in Andover. I have never left a loo anything but spotless since. I always remember the sense of despair having got the loos gleaming by 7.00am and then seeing a postie strolling towards the gents with the Daily Mirror under his arm. Colleagues were great.

Our numbers are sadly well down this year. I am surprised there has been no publicity about it. Their arrival was quite staggered this year so whether that means they had a bad trip over.

39 and the on the verge of a new era

I thought Badger was in IT and having a tough time of it because his team had been cut back. I would have expected teacher numbers to have increased in the current climate.

I am not being controversial Badger and I can understand your ire but if I could earn 33% more in the private sector I would.

And how did you mean for that statement to be interpreted?

Hindsight would make life much easier. Did you read about tulips in the 1700's I think.

You are being quite liberal with the word 'they'.

The EU would love our banks to go to Frankfurt. I agree about banks damaging enterprise but it is not their investment arms are doing this. You seem to think I like banks; I hate them.

I admire your enterprise; it will be good for you and the country as a whole.

Will you call me gay like you did with Jackonory if I tell you that thousands in the city lost their jobs, almost all took pay cuts and bonuses stopped. They only started again when they began to make money and consequently paid more taxes. I am sorry that you hope I am seriously inconvenienced by the strike tomorrow. I think that reflects badly on you.

No I am simply saying that if you screw them they will go somewehere else and their tax will go to somebody else. This country will be rebuilt by hard work and enterprise.

Try and venture out of the classroom some time. The real world is somewhat different to how your stereotypical and prejudiced world seems to perceive.

In terms of our recovering economy that means nothing. It a bit like saying to the Germans in 1945 'well you voted for him'.

What before the unions and Thatcher screwed our manufacturing base?