11-23-2004, 08:38 AM | #61 | |||
Lady of Letters
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1) They're against the war in Iraq - it's not clear what long-term principle this represents. 2) They'd abolish tuition fees and council tax - both good policies, but hardly radical. 3) Raise (some) pensions. I think this is what Americans call a no-brainer... 4) Environmental protection - fair enough. That's four unique policies out of their ten "top priorities", "ten reasons to vote Liberal Democrat". They're not bad policies, but calling them radical just shows how timid and unimaginative British politics has become. Quote:
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11-23-2004, 08:50 AM | #62 | ||
Elf Lord
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11-23-2004, 09:15 AM | #63 | |
The Intermittent One
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and i live in the countryside - so people can't say they are standing up for 'rural' rights (and by people i mean the countryside alliance) - and when they say 59% of rural people want to keep hunting legal, i say when was i interviewed, when was my family interviewed?? what they mean is 59% of hunters want hunting kept legal, the other 41% of hunters would like another round of sherry please -:hic:- if i get into power (vote for me guys) Demobilise army etc much fairer welfare state killing animals for pleasure banned animal testing banned cannabis fully legal and other stuff an all all university education free all education free full stop monarchy abolished boris johnson as permanent presenter for 'have i got news for you' |
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11-23-2004, 09:29 AM | #64 | ||
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About hunting... I wouldn't really vehemently oppose banning hunting for pleasure, but what about people who sometimes have to shoot animals?
For example, the lettuce or broccoli farmer who has a huge problem with rabbits eating his crops. I don't think there's anything wrong with shooting the problem rabbits in this case. And the only (reasonable) way the farmer can keep the rabbits off his crops is to shoot them.
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11-23-2004, 09:36 AM | #65 |
The Intermittent One
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i would say to the farmer - here's 50 quid, go buy a better fence!
seriously, though, my friend's dad is a market gardener, who grows and sells lettuces as a living, this is a high density rabbit area, and yet he has never had a problem with bunnies. it is like the chicken farmer that says foxes break into coops and slay all chickens, only taking one away, when in fact they don't, it is all a lie to get people to endorse his willfull participation in the bloody mindless slaughter of a wild animal - a wild animal which is being threatened on a daily basis. FACT: MAN IS THE ONLY BEAST WHICH SLAUGHTERS FOR PURE FUN (with the possible exception of chimpanzees) Why don't we let them continue to hunt, but hunt hereditary peers instead, i would quite happily take part in that! |
11-23-2004, 09:38 AM | #66 | ||
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You can't build a fence that will keep out rabbits for 50 quid! Otherwise the farmer would, and wouldn't bother shooting the rabbits at all.
Fox hunting is different because foxes are endangered or at least threatened, while rabbits are not.
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11-23-2004, 09:41 AM | #67 | |
The Intermittent One
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but i am against the murder of any animal anyway, so i would be against such things. end rant mode & get off soap box |
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11-23-2004, 09:42 AM | #68 | ||
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Yeah I know you were joking, but it did illustrate why the farmer shoots the rabbits instead of building a super fence.
Well, I respect that you stand up for your beliefs. I think your friend's dad is lucky not to have had a problem with rabbits, and I hope his luck holds.
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11-23-2004, 11:53 AM | #69 |
Elf Lord
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Ummmmmmmmmmm, I love animals, THEY ARE DELICIOUS!
Boiled, fried, fricasee'ed, Grilled,roasted, baked, Tatered or not, Piping hot, Cooped or fenced, Bright or dense, into the pot!
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11-23-2004, 11:57 AM | #70 |
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I suspect that Blair is pretty ambivalent about fox hunting, as I am.
In terms of animal suffering, there is lots more to be achieved by targeting farmers and the food industry. But cows and sheep aren't as cute as foxes, and farmers have shotguns, so let's target the toffs (not to mention scientists doing experiments) instead! In moral terms, it is, to my mind, barbaric to kill an animal for pleasure and maybe there's an argument there. How we are to set the boundaries, I don't know. Genus? Phylum? Popularity as children's fiction characters? On the other hand, the hunting brigade are still at liberty to dress up in their finery and get the hounds out for drag hunting, which seems pretty much exactly the same except a fox doesn't get shredded at the end of it. I particularly like how they are going to sack all their minions and slaughter all their hounds if they are not allowed to kill foxes. Clearly, these are people with the best interests of the country at heart. So, all in all, a ban is worth it as long as it pisses off the toffs. If these subsidy junkies can take our tax payout but they can't take our rules, let's see how they like getting banged up. However, something tells me that this is not going to be enforced with the same determination with which Thatcher set the army on the miners in 1984... |
11-23-2004, 12:29 PM | #71 |
Elf Lord
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The Queen's Speech was today, announcing the programme of legislation for the coming session of Parliament.
The list includes setting up an FBI-style specialist crime unit, identity cards, compulsory drug testing and a law against incitement to religious hatred. The Blair giveth and the Blair taketh away. Well, mostly taketh away truth be told. |
11-23-2004, 12:35 PM | #72 | |
Elven Warrior
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Demobilising the entire army in a world where military power is the measure of a country, and animal testing banned in entirety, so any and all medical advancements will be made through voluntary human testing, with people going to work, operating heavy machineery, behind the wheels of ambulances etc in a stoned state. How are you going to make the welfare state much fairer? Don't get me wrong, I'm not being disrespectful to your beliefs. I just think you're over-simplifying. Personally, if I was put in a postition of power the first thing I'd focus on would be sorting out the bloomin' NHS. Also, i think parents should be able to choose, and pay for their kids education if they want. (You wouldn't get that one through parliament anyway, because most MP's are very rich and posh and went to public school.) Can I ask why you want to get rid of the monarchy? And how? This isn't the seventeenth century anymore. Unfortuanetly Boris wouldn't be very good on have I Got News For You anymore. It'll be like Angus Deaton all over again, all anyone would ever do would be to focus on his private infidelities. *sigh* for a perfect country
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11-23-2004, 01:30 PM | #73 | |||
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Demobilising the army: True Canada has an army, but it's not very big, and people still think we're great! I don't think anyone plans on invading us, but if they do, we will first use Stephen Harper as cannon fodder (OK I will, but anyway...), then throw Tim Horton's coffee in their faces to blind them. No, scratch that. We will drink the Tim Horton's coffee for extra strength, and throw Starbucks in our enemies' faces, then pull their jerseys... I mean army jackets... over their heads and give a sound drubbing war of 1812 style. (And when I mention the war of 1812, I'm not suggesting that it's the USA that will invade us. In fact, maybe they will help us. There are some very good American hockey players.) About banning animal testing, though this would put some constraints on scientific research, (I don't think anyone will volunteer to have a human ear grown on their back) we aren't going to have paramedics going to work while testing the latest drug. It doesn't happen now with voluntary human tests and I don't see why it would in Chrys' scenario. Okay I'm done throwing this thread into a slightly OT ramble... Yay UK!
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11-23-2004, 01:43 PM | #74 |
Elven Warrior
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I most sincerely apologise if I got a little OTT in my previous post. Yay UK! Indeed
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11-23-2004, 02:05 PM | #75 | |
I am Freddie/UNDERCOVER/ Founder of The Great Continent of Entmoot
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11-23-2004, 02:09 PM | #76 | ||
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I don't think it's fair to say we have the longest undefended border in the world as if we're somehow incompetent. I mean it's true, but 1. this doesn't mean we're slackers and our country is easily infiltrated, and 2. do you want to man a military outpost on Baffin Island? I didn't think so. Incidentally, we also have the longest coastline in the world... hm...
But that's a smidge OT. I really am interested to hear more of your plan for the UK Chrys, how would you make it a more fair welfare state? This implies that there are some aspects that are currently unfair. If I was British, I would vote for you. EDIT: Interesting link Gaffer. I noticed the picture of the Queen subtitled her as being the last Queen (of England). This is probably true. What, if any, significant implications do you think this has on the future of the government? For Canada and the UK, we would need a new head of state if the monarchy was abolished. Do you think we would elect him/her like Germany, or maybe this (and the governor general) would be an appointed position. If the position of head of state was removed altogether, I think in Canada we would have to re-write a lot of laws. Is this also the case in the UK?
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Last edited by Nurvingiel : 11-23-2004 at 02:16 PM. |
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11-23-2004, 02:14 PM | #77 | |
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11-23-2004, 02:16 PM | #78 | |||
Lady of Letters
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That really would be a perfect country How would you make the welfare state fairer? Quote:
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And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool. Last edited by sun-star : 11-23-2004 at 02:18 PM. |
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11-23-2004, 02:18 PM | #79 | ||||
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What is fly-tipping?
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By "longest undefended border" I guess you were referring to the one we both share, not the Canadian border. EDIT: And I keep forgetting to comment, that we certainly do appreciate our friendship. It is good for both our countries. I meant to say that in my previous post too.
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11-23-2004, 02:21 PM | #80 | ||
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The last Queen's speech could mean either the speech of the last Queen, or the last speech the Queen gives.
But I still think my earlier questions were valid. She probably will be the last Queen. That's my prediction anyway. Or do you think the monarchy will last longer than Prince William's eventual kingship?
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