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Newbelly
Posted on: Jun 7 2013, 05:13 PM


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What got me about the gay marriage bill was the bile levelled at those who opposed it – from supposed tolerant people.

As I listened to some of its proponents, I learnt that the allegation “bigot” now appears to be levelled at anyone who dares to express a contrary view.

For me, the journalist Ross Clarke, put it well:

“Gay men no longer live in fear of losing their liberty. They are no longer forced to conduct their relationships in the shadows, pretending to be something they are not. Since civil partnerships came into being in 2004 men and women with long-term partners of the same sex have acquired the legal rights of next of kin.

Hate and bullying of gay people has been pushed to the outer margins of society where it still needs to be tackled but nowhere near as much as it once did. All these are developments which all but a few people welcome.

Yes even those who were sceptical about the value of civil partnerships have largely come round to accepting them as part of everyday life. But we have eliminated one form of prejudice only to replace it with another. There is now another love that dare not speak its name: that for conservatism and traditional values.

How much more I would respect the campaigners for gay marriage if they didn’t feel the need to insert the word “bigot” into the debate at every opportunity...”
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #83029 · Replies: 39 · Views: 46,058

Newbelly
Posted on: May 31 2013, 07:47 AM


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QUOTE (user23 @ May 30 2013, 10:45 PM) *
Will the last one on the forum please turn the lights out?

+1
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #82637 · Replies: 115 · Views: 117,890

Newbelly
Posted on: May 16 2013, 01:08 PM


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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ May 16 2013, 02:05 PM) *
He has the full support of his party colleagues and he has made a statement in the NWN refuting the 'allegations'.


Thank you. I will read it tonight with interest!
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #82203 · Replies: 154 · Views: 229,013

Newbelly
Posted on: May 16 2013, 12:31 PM


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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ May 13 2013, 10:25 AM) *
But this is not any endeavour, I'm just not going to condemn without hearing the 'defence'. Until then it is a conditional opinion, which I have already given.


I agree that he should be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation, and if he has acted honestly, then he has nothing to fear from an investigation.

But is does look a bit like 'snout in trough'...
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #82201 · Replies: 154 · Views: 229,013

Newbelly
Posted on: May 10 2013, 05:03 PM


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QUOTE (On the edge @ May 10 2013, 03:56 PM) *
Our sales people are indeed cynical - they sell in part to public service. Called taking candy from kids in some places, don't often see any business case, but why turn away good business?

Looks like the guy who sold those fake bomb detectors had a similar business model. His customers were clearly a bit naive but it was "good business" and he got rich, until he got found out.

I am not suggesting your product or service is fake, but do your customers know of your attitude?
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #82085 · Replies: 80 · Views: 146,249

Newbelly
Posted on: Apr 9 2013, 02:11 PM


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QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ Apr 9 2013, 01:08 PM) *
Calling Peter Tatchell out for telling fairy tales was the homophobic slur, being as how Peter Tatchell is the most significant gay-rights campaigner in the UK and fairy is one of the many homophobic slurs used against gay men. pinko loons was the ad hominem, a tired epithet for left-wing idiocy.


Hmmm, methinks you tell the fairy tale, Simon.

BTW, also never heard the phrase "pinko loons" and dictionaries and Google don't help - are you sure it is a "a tired epithet"?
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #80892 · Replies: 252 · Views: 279,170

Newbelly
Posted on: Jan 2 2013, 06:50 AM


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QUOTE (newres @ Jan 2 2013, 06:42 AM) *
And because I went to bed and failed to respond a Telegraph link in 5 minutes, I have someone on ignore?

I think I might have to take a break. Idiot baiting is addictive.


Oh dear, forgot under which identity to login as?

Newres has admitted to being Squelchy (Re posts 27 and 32).

Not too difficult to catch you out again, was it?

Indeed, why not take a break and use the time to become better informed and also to sort out your identity crisis.
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #76185 · Replies: 59 · Views: 62,509

Newbelly
Posted on: Jan 2 2013, 06:40 AM


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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Jan 1 2013, 10:08 PM) *
I repeat: His was an award for his efforts in regulation. This would be either for the regulation in place before the crash, which means my point stands, or for after the crash, but wouldn't that be premature especially as it can take some time for policies to be seen to be functioning properly?

I have sympathy for Andy Capp's view. With small businesses struggling to get affordable credit, or indeed any support from their bank as a result of the credit crunch caused, in part, by poor and naive regulation, to propose the individual concerned for an honour is at the very least insensitive, at worst another case of very poor judgement at the top of Government.
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #76183 · Replies: 59 · Views: 62,509

Newbelly
Posted on: Jan 1 2013, 11:14 PM


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QUOTE (Squelchy @ Jan 1 2013, 10:32 PM) *
Here's the Torygraphs take on it..

Take one from Fred but give one to Hector


I see you found time to Google that wink.gif

  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #76173 · Replies: 59 · Views: 62,509

Newbelly
Posted on: Dec 29 2012, 10:29 AM


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QUOTE (Squelchy @ Dec 11 2012, 12:30 PM) *
Would that be the Healy about whom one newspaper wrote:

"As Chancellor, in 1974 he inherited an even worse picture. Oil prices had quintupled overnight (before Britain had any of her own). The world economy was in turmoil, Britain was on a three-day week and on the edge of hyper-inflation.

All of these problems had to be faced by a minority Labour Government, in the face of a Labour Party haunted by memories of past "betrayal" and congenitally opposed to spending cuts imposed by foreign bankers. (Denis Healey envied Gordon Brown for his inheritance of a benign economy and a docile party).

As Chancellor, he faced down five years of uninterrupted economic and political crisis. For good or ill, he made more policy decisions and introduced more economic measures and packages than any previous Chancellor. At the end of his term, the British economy was intact and out of debt, inflation contained, unemployment falling each month (without the aid of statistical manipulations) and living standards improving, especially for poor and disabled people."


Funny how the old memory goes isn't it?


As discovered above, your "quote from a newspaper" is in fact a piece written by Richard Heller, Denis Healey's former Chief Of Staff.

Heller complains on his website that Labour do not listen to him anymore!

I think you should research a little more before you post. What you quote is hardly fair and unbiased comment, is it?
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #76075 · Replies: 44 · Views: 58,675

Newbelly
Posted on: Dec 11 2012, 01:08 PM


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QUOTE (Squelchy @ Dec 11 2012, 12:30 PM) *
Funny how the old memory goes isn't it?


I was around at the time and remember inflation at 26% in 1975 and the Winter of Discontent in 1978/79 when the country was absolutely paralysed with industrial unrest; even the dead were affected - their corpses stored in warehouses!

Funny how the old memory goes. I had forgotten it was so great a time.

"The strategy proposed by the chancellor is bound to be seen by the Labour movement and the whole country as a policy of despair, representing an admission of failure of our economic policy." Tony Benn - 1975
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #75168 · Replies: 44 · Views: 58,675

Newbelly
Posted on: Dec 11 2012, 09:35 AM


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QUOTE (Jayjay @ Dec 11 2012, 09:18 AM) *
Can you jog my memory? When was the triple recession under Labour?


Well, right now.

I do not blame the last Labour government for the global banking crisis, but the length and depth of our current economic problems is their legacy to me and my children. This is the hangover - and it wouldn't matter who was in power at the moment.

Back on topic - the lights in Aborfield village are pretty, although I haven't been for a couple of years.
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #75161 · Replies: 44 · Views: 58,675

Newbelly
Posted on: Dec 11 2012, 09:00 AM


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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Dec 10 2012, 11:19 PM) *
Like it did in the late 70s.


Indeed, I can remember Denis Healey as Chancellor (1974-79) and a top rate of tax of 83%! Many wealthy people simply left the UK to work overseas. Then him having to go cap in hand to the IMF for a bailout as the UK was just about bankrupt under Labour.
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #75155 · Replies: 44 · Views: 58,675

Newbelly
Posted on: Dec 11 2012, 08:37 AM


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QUOTE (NWNREADER @ Dec 11 2012, 06:24 AM) *
The aggregate has been there for millions(?) of years. Long before the Benton dynasty stepped out of the ponds....
The aggregate is needed for building etc 'we' will benefit from...
After works are completed the restoration will return the land to the same or better condition.....
The 'destroyed' trees are a planned plantation, not a natural forest of rare hardwoods.

I struggle to see a problem. The name of the owner of the land does not seem relevant - to me.


Nor me.

I used to live very close to a former gravel extraction area - used to build nearby roads and motorway in the 1970s. The pits were then flooded, the area landscaped and it is now an important area for wildlife and has lovely walks and recreational areas.
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #75153 · Replies: 36 · Views: 39,541

Newbelly
Posted on: Dec 10 2012, 11:03 AM


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QUOTE (Penelope @ Dec 9 2012, 11:34 PM) *
He's a buzzard killing, hosepipe wasting maniac Tory landowner of the very worst kind. Minister of destruction is more like it. Shame on him.


By "hosepipe wasting" you are referring to the story in The People by a left-wing hack claiming he found a hosepipe running at the Minister's home just after the ban had come in..... and you believe this?
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #75083 · Replies: 36 · Views: 39,541

Newbelly
Posted on: Nov 21 2012, 11:06 AM


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QUOTE (Exhausted @ Nov 20 2012, 04:41 PM) *
The assumption made is a flat roof. That's what Malone and Co do. If it's clay tiles or slates you need a builder.

Malone repaired my pitched, clay-tiled roof.
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #73981 · Replies: 13 · Views: 16,762

Newbelly
Posted on: Nov 20 2012, 04:09 PM


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I have used E W Malone Roofing for a small job and they were quick and reasonable.
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #73915 · Replies: 13 · Views: 16,762

Newbelly
Posted on: Nov 10 2012, 11:35 AM


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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Nov 10 2012, 12:13 PM) *
I have read that Parkway parking scam charges have been reduced, apparently. Good news if true, or if not just a seasonal thing!

Here:
http://www.shopatparkway.com/events-and-of...park-at-parkway
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #73138 · Replies: 34 · Views: 41,199

Newbelly
Posted on: Oct 26 2012, 04:53 PM


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QUOTE (GMR @ Oct 22 2012, 05:21 PM) *
They work for the tax payer and I asked why they were together; as opposed to working singularly. It seems it is a waste of time going in pairs.... unless there is another reason like going to a meeting etc.

Through taxes I/ we pay their wages. It should be everybody's business in how our tax is being spent.


GMR, you state that you followed and photographed these people sometime between 2pm and 3pm.

The pictures appear to have been taken with a proper camera and not snapped on a smartphone?

Is this part of your job, or do you do this on a day off?

Intelligent response only please. Thanks.
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #72326 · Replies: 354 · Views: 299,363

Newbelly
Posted on: Oct 23 2012, 03:29 PM


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QUOTE (On the edge @ Oct 23 2012, 03:40 PM) *
Perhaps we could ask GMR to publish all the pictures he takes.


Unless one is exposing something seriously improper or criminal, I consider following and taking such pictures of people without their knowledge or consent a bit creepy. I think it says more about the photographer than the subject.
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #72136 · Replies: 354 · Views: 299,363

Newbelly
Posted on: Oct 18 2012, 07:55 AM


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QUOTE (Squelchy @ Oct 18 2012, 01:08 AM) *
If I'd wanted to join in the 'tribute' at the time, I would have.

Having watched the Louis Theroux program where he spent time in J.S's company, and it was revealed he'd lived with the body of his deceased mother before reporting her demise, the fact that her complete clothing collection was still there, and he still sent it out to be dry-cleaned every year. His defence of Gary Glitter, ("he just watched a few 'dodgy films' and was only vilified because he was a celebrity... It were for his own gratification. Whether it was right or wrong is up to him as a person. But he didn't do anything wrong.") along with some very strange behaviour, led one to believe he was a pretty 'rum cove' indeed.

Readers of the Guardian will know that in 2007 Savile was interviewed under caution by police investigating an allegation of indecent assault in the 1970s at the now-closed Duncroft Approved School for Girls near Staines, Surrey, where he was a regular visitor.

Then, in 2008, Savile started legal proceedings against The Sun newspaper which had, wrongly he claimed, linked him in several articles to the child abuse scandal at the Jersey children's home Haut de la Garenne. Savile initially denied visiting Haut de la Garenne, but later admitted that he had done so, following the publication of a photograph showing him at the home surrounded by children. I believe Savile let that one drop.

Rather than just jumping on the usual 'my condolences' band wagon, some, when offered the chance to join in the 'love in' for J.S. just held their own council, and let others look a bit silly. Both at the time, and indeed now.


I think you mean "counsel"?

I do not understand the purpose in bringing this thread to life again - other than jumping on a bandwagon.
  Forum: Newbury News · Post Preview: #71796 · Replies: 46 · Views: 69,558

Newbelly
Posted on: Oct 13 2012, 04:03 PM


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QUOTE (Squelchy @ Oct 13 2012, 03:59 PM) *
Well that's not strictly true. Of the 30 million taxpayers in the country the top 300.000 (or the 1% as they are known) have received tax breaks from the Tories totaling over £42,000.00 each p.a. So they are helping some people.


Small point of fact to those who fall for the current line from the opposition about the top rate being cut to 45p.

Labour put up the top rate of tax to 50p in April 2010, just before an election they knew they would probably lose - they wanted to pass on a ticking bomb to the the Tories.

So what was the top rate of tax during the previous 12 years when Labour were in power? Err, 40p anyone?
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #71634 · Replies: 21 · Views: 24,261

Newbelly
Posted on: Sep 29 2012, 08:34 PM


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QUOTE (On the edge @ Sep 29 2012, 09:15 PM) *
Think you are right! We have already sold much of British industry and as a consequence lost the Headquarters jobs (the intellectual bit) now we are loosing the blue collar bits as well. Oh well, we voted them in!


I would not say HQ jobs are the preserve of the intelligent. A skilled "blue collar" worker is often clever too. In the Army, NCO weapon technicians can run intellectual rings around some cavalry officers! rolleyes.gif
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #71164 · Replies: 17 · Views: 18,061

Newbelly
Posted on: Sep 29 2012, 07:56 PM


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My understanding of the OP was that it was a moan about the "blame and claim" culture, rather than an attack on those who criticise the council.
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #71158 · Replies: 45 · Views: 54,751

Newbelly
Posted on: Sep 29 2012, 07:28 PM


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I agree with Blackdog.

I think the story headline was a little excited considering the detail.
  Forum: Random Rants · Post Preview: #71149 · Replies: 45 · Views: 54,751

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