Marmora Man

Probably better reserved for a different thread - and I suspect Hugenot may have deliberately inserted this to get a rise out of me but ............ I am not, and never have been, a Little Englander. I entirely see and "get" the greater globalisation tide and the need for ever greater co-operation between nations and nationalities. What I do not enjoy or support is the EU soft left, overly bureaucratic and dogmatic approach that leaves little room for enterprise, initiative or personal freedoms, and appears to believe that only an elite political clique can make the right decisions. As a well known libertarian poster on this forum I deplore large and expensive government and the EU is a nightmare example of what I least like in political rule.

My son returning from work at approx 3.20am on 17 May heard a house alarm and saw two young black men (probaly not teenagers - in their 20s he thinks from stance and movement) run to a black car. He wouldn't recognise or be able to describe them unfortunately. Timings don't quite match with yours but it may be related.

The above quote derives from a Westminster Hall debate in 2009, mostly about the impact of Anti Terrorism legislation on photography and photographers but it remains relevant. For the full debate see below. Full Debate This subject of this thread has been aired before, often - and it never arrives at a sensible conclusion. One question Roman law used to pose was Cui Bono - who benefits? The reverse is a similarly sensible question - who is harmed by the taking of photos / film of a child or children playing in the park?

Yep - hung out to dry. The subject he was discussing was the consultation documentabout whether to extend the current mandatory 33.3% discount on sentences, if an early guilty plea was entered, brought in by the last administration by giving judges the freedom to increase that mandatory discount to 50%. Rape was one of a number of crimes which would have been affected but somehow both the media and a number of spokespeople focused in on the crime of rape from 7.00am - to the detriment of the wider consultation process. Also agree with MP - KC is someone a number of the right wing Tories would be happy to see go, I like him in the Cabinet tho' - a good moderate conservative, with sound instincts on crime & punishment, but poor instincts on Europe.

Strange, I now find almost all posts, except those of TT3 more persuasive - perhaps because they tend to quote verifiable facts and are written in a clear and lucid style

A new trial is commencing at the Maudsley Hospital and seven local GP practices. Based on the dietary concept of "5 a day" it suggests everyone, but particularly those prone to depression, should stretch their mind and wellbeing by focusing, daily, on 5 activities that make them feel good. Nothing too strenuous, lengthy and NOT mandatory they should contribute toward well being. A warm soak in a bath, with radio and book might be one for someone, a walk in the park another, cooking a meal, kicking a ball around, writing a letter to friend, helping a neighbour, weeding the garden and so on are all possibilities. What would be your suggestions for possible "mindapples" - after all there are many many fruits and vegetable to select from for 5 a day diet, how many selections are there for mindapple activities?

Bump - given today's speech by David Cameron does anyone wish to debate NHS reforms?

TT3, You must try reading posts before critiquing them. I did not claim the anti cuts march was attended by 35,000 I simply drew a comparison - multiplying the 350 by 100. I find Loz's argument way more persuavive than yours on the BA strike.

I thought yesterday's closing of part of Northcross was a trial to see how it worked. To my mind it was better without traffic and would be better still if the stalls in that part were to face the street rather than the pavement - makes it easier to buy and easier to pass by. It can get quite tight trying to go one way against the buggy flow beside the trader's pavement queues.

sartorial standards are important. Over the age of 30 every man should have a tweed suit, brogues, waistcoat and hat available for those casual evenings sipping a half a shandy on the terrace.

You're right. I wandered Peckham Rye Park yesterday morning, gathering elderflowers and now my first ever batch of elderflower cordial is marinating quietly - awaiting decanting tomorrow. Smelling the heady honey scent of the elderflowers on an early spring morning was a good way to start the weekend.

JB - you make the mistake of arguing from the particular to the general. Yes some free schools may be wacky, may promote strange beliefs - but the central argument is about freedom, for parent to choose what they want for their children and not for the state to apply a rigid, doctrinaire approach to every child in the country.

Better 350 sensible and well informed people than 35,000 ill informed and screeching anti capitalists / anarchists. And no - I wasn't there.

Can you not apply for a speed awareness course as an alternative to racking up points. Not sure if this is something you can ask for - or whether it has to be offered formally as an alternative?

Clegg: an honourable man who chose to lead a a party that is a loose coalition of naive, optimistic, unconventional, anti establishment individuals, often embued with and youthful and unrealistic student idealism. By careful marketing and positioning he became, in a small way, "king maker" after the last election and, logically, decided to support the Conservative party - which historically the genuine Liberals [aka Orange group] that believe in personal freedom and small government are closer to. He is now experiencing the reality of political power, the need to compromise, negotiate and the shock of seeing the financial truth in the books. He has achieved some significant wins - not least the establishment of a much higher initial tax threshold of ?10,000 which will do more the low paid than welfare benefits. He has been subject of unthinking and unfair vilification from the left of his party and Labour. If he and the coalition stay the course and active the balanced economy that remains their key priority he may yet gain the proper respect he deserves. Not being a Lib Dem (I don't fit the demographic described in my opening paragraph) I won't be voting for him - but I respect him as an honest, if perhaps journeyman, politician. He's a far better man than the meretricious Ed Balls or Ed Milliband and other "deficit deniers".

Our Christmas present to each other was to buy a Sonos music system. It has been brilliant for four months until today when it has suddenly refused to link to my iTunes library on my Mac. I've reset everything in the house, checked that all software is up to date but no joy. Have checked FAQs on the relevant website but remain baffled. Can anyone advise / help - usual EDF tokens (bottle of wine) applies. Thanks in desparation.

That would be the same council safety net that has delivered bureaucratic, dogmatic, expensive oversight and direction with little or no thought to pupil or parents needs over so many years. I'm not targeting any specific authority or LEA, they all have this tendency. Free schools can do a much better job, be more responsive and more flexible than state run schools. I recall, with sadness, the history teacher in my son's school telling me in 2005 that the national curriculum meant that he should spend no time talking to his classes about the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar because it wasn't relevant to the periods specified for study. Fortunately, he was a cantankerous old b***** and ignored the guidelines, direction and headmaster's strictures to ensure that all his pupils learnt about this historic, iconic and turning point battle.

TT3 On unions: A "cut & paste" from an earlier MM comment: Personally, I belive most strikes and union organised action a total waste of time. There was a period in history when Trades Unions were able to achieve significant improvements in conditions and pay for their members using solidarity and the option of strikes as negotiation tactics. Those days are long past - sufficient employment legislation is in place to protect all workers. Unions these days have morphed into activist movements where the interests of union members and the company's customers come in a long way behind political posturing and rhetoric. cf: Bob Crow and RMT Union, The BA dispute, the RCN's recent rhetoric about strikes in protest against Gov't action etc.

TT3, Your posts seem a tad over the top and your desire to return to historical class war quite amusing. However, some facts: I have been involved in a number of TUPE transfers going back into the 90s. A key advisor I have used in the past has summarised the key changes in the new TUPE legislation for me recently as: 1. New provisions extending the scope of TUPE to service provision changes: it is now clear that TUPE covers situations where services are outsourced, taken back in-house or passed to a replacement service provider. MM Comment: This provides greater protection for employees no matter what form the change of business owner takes. Where is the harm here TT3? 2. A new obligation on the outgoing employer to supply information about transferring employees to the incoming employer by providing "employee liability information" at least two weeks before the transfer occurs. MM Comment: This protects both employee and employer by providing greater clarity about all involved. 3. A new joint liability for failure to inform and consult employee representatives about a TUPE transfer. MM Comment: Further protection for employees and a stronger guarantee regarding consultation 4. Clarification of how employers may lawfully dismiss employees or change terms and conditions of employment in connection with a TUPE transfer. MM Comment: Clarity is always helpful and, on occasions it is necessary to dismiss employees or change ToRs for the greater good. At least these circumstances are being spelt out. 5. New special provisions that make it easier for insolvent businesses to be transferred to new owners. Some of the outgoing employer's pre-existing debts to transferring employees will not pass to the incoming employer; and the waiver of restrictions on varying terms and conditions of employment (subject to certain conditions) when a business is insolvent. MM Comment: This may be what you are concerned about - but most employees, when faced with a choice between a business going into administration and closing down - or accepting time / pay / benefit changes to continue in employment have opted for the latter over the last two years. cf various three day weeks, pay rise foregone etc - at least in the private sector I may return to comment on your proposition that Unions are protecting "workers rights".

Part of the problem is the use of Marmora & Scutari as a rat run into Colyton Road avoiding the traffic light controlled right hand turn into Colyton Road and vice versa. If the roads were simply residential those of us that live there would be the only routine drivers and take care. There is also a problem with poor parking, particularly on corners. This restricts visibility around corners and results in drivers either creeping very slowly around the corner or "nipping out" smartly at speed. I wouldn't want to propose speed bumps - they would ruin resident's car suspension & tyres - but a narrow, one car width, bottleneck on Scutari, just below Marmora junction might dissuade some of the rats.

Overland from Honor Oak will get you to Dalston Junction - change there I think for Stratford & Olympics. Probably better than trying to get into and out of central London.

Walking past Parliament Square recently I was, as usual, disappointed to see the untidy tent anti war village camped on its pavements opposite the House of Commons and the unsightly fencing and security guards deemed necessary to prevent another "Democracy Village" taking over the full square. The libertarian in me applauds the right to demonstrate in any and every way. The lover of London in me abhors the deterioration of a much visited part of London's heritage. QUESTIONS: 1. Should the "permanent" protesters be allowed this freedom to establish camp on the pavements? Anyone else trying to set up, say, a permanent whelk stall or hot dog stand on that square would be moved on by Police & Council. 2. Does the permanent presence enhance or detract from the force of the protests? The MPs, civil servants and regular passers by are inured to their presence and probably don't reflect upon the protester's messages on passing. 3. What limits could or should be placed on democratic protest. I am not a supporter of Labour's legislation limiting protest within 1,000 metres of the Houses of Parliament and did protest it. Nevertheless, I do not like what I see in Parliament Square, I doubt its effectiveness and I'd prefer to see the square and its surroundings available, without fencing, for the general public to wander around. Edited to correct iPad generated errors.

I took the train from Liverpool St to Norwich a couple of weeks ago - the first hour of the journey reminded me of how beautiful parts of Essex & Suffolk are. Recommend you look along that corridor - but I think prices will be high. From MM - Essex by birth and upbringing - and I still support their cricket team. Go Goochie!

An additional thought. A vote on independence for Scotland might lead to a break up the United Kingdom - so should all in the United Kingdom vote on the proposition as we all have an interest?

There seems to be a growing, but not yet definitive, consensus that much of what was achieved by Lady Thatcher and Conservative administrations '79 - '89 was necessary and correct. That more might have been done, that Clause 28 was stupid, that some of the 80s excesses were over the top can also be agreed. I would however, back that decade to be viewed by political, economic and social historians as one of the most effective and successful of the post WWII years.