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So.......does this mean that crime is ok provided it is perpetrated against certain individuals?????

Ami, I think you need to ask the youung people in East Dulwich as they seem to be targetted every day coming home from school - Dulwich College boys get their bikes stolen out from under them, mugged at the West Dulwich train station, Alleyn's boys and girls mugged at bus stops, on Townley Road, Carlton Avenue, Dulwich Village, walking down Lordship Lane, etc. Its crime which consists of kids on kids, robbing phones, watches, cash, Ipods, wallets. Most children in this area are aadvised by the police to "just give it up" rather than fight off a suspected child mugger. But that has simply encouraged these young thugs. Also, parents have stopped reporting this crime as the police claim they can do nothing about it. So there are no accurate statistics. Sad situation, but its bullying in its worst form. WE have taught this generation to "normalise" mugging and just accept it as a way of life in London. There is something very seriously wrong with this kind of thinking.

Congratulations!!! Good luck for Monday.

Debi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We saw those lights and were quite freaked out! > About 7 of them - slow moving and then just faded. > So what were they? So glad to read someone else saw them....yes, what were they? MP I've just now seen the youtube footage and that is exactly what I saw -

It was actually quite scarey - I don't believe we are being watched but...hey, I'm open!!

Did anyone notice a string of glowing lights in the sky over Forest Hill last week at 5am? They were completely still and silent for about 10 minutes, then darted out of sight. Was I seeing things?

Mockney Medicine is an art and not a science. Doctors do get things wrong and babies who never had a chance of surviving did so. How can anyone be 100% sure of a baby's condition and how it will respond to treatment if given the chance? We don't have the right to take a life because its not perfect. Believe me, I do not trivialise abortion on any level.

I agree we are talking about small numbers, but is it then fair to abort a child after 22 weeks because it has a disease or is mishaped in some way.....isn't that the same as a death sentence? Its not perfect, let's kill it. If a baby is not wanted, then make the decision early. After that, give it up for adoption to a parent who wants to raise it.

I would just like to add that as a parent its hard to make a rational decision about abortion. A baby can survive sometimes at 20 weeks...could anyone actually say its ok to kill it??? I am grateful women have the right to abortion, thank God, but up to a point. I don't feel they should wait around for 6 months making a decision weather to keep it or not...if they are that unsure, its best they give it up for adoption rather than kill it off.

Just for the record and to end the debate, our American friends who came over to support their teams on Sunday at the game were full of praise for the British organisation of the event, enjoyed the strong sense of friendship between the Brits and Americans at the game, and were very let down by how sloppy both teams played. They hoped that this would be the beginning of more international matches/games, and a better understanding of the rules of football/soccer/baseball/cricket/rugby/rounders etc.

Not sure who will be showing them......does anyone know who's got the contract?

Not trying to persuade. I wonder what the Olympics will look like on TV with their adverts? Don't mean to change the subject.

Keef, the thread started out with anti-american undertones. I was simply responding to it. I agree that advertising is a pain when watching the sports live or on TV, but that's how corporate America supports the teams. Here it is done differently. Maybe that is the issue - things are different, not better or worse.

Yes, I guess it is better to watch men drunk, singing, fighting, and being arrested - here and abroad. American sports do not suffer from the 'bad press' that British sports tend to advertise......why is that?

Simon, are you being just a bit prejudice? Ivemet, why beat around the bush. Why not just put up a sign which reads...."Americans, keep out?" Why did you watch the NFL highlights if the idea was so misconceived. By the way, 'their' league and 'they're' thinking, and 'accommodating' is the correct spelling.

Tillie, you are a star....what fun....you could also have a witches brew where the kids toss slimey worms and spiders (all sweets) into a fruit punch and stir. Have a great party!

Halloween - eve of all hallows - the day before All Saints Day - Catholic holiday - at least that's what I grew up thinking. Even our local priest dressed up to say mass. The teachers dressed up, along with their classes, and prizes were given out to the children who made the most effort with their costumes. If it is a Pagan holiday, then can someone give us a history lesson please!!

MScraw I'm glad I didn't grow up in your house!!!!!!Halloween is a great holiday for kids and adults - dressing up, apple bobbing, pumpkins, sweets and Trick or Treating. Sorry guys, but I think Halloween is here to stay and I say its about time too.

Hi Andy Did you make a decision about movng into the area? My kids went to Horniman's school in Forest Hill, but it wasn't easy to get in. Even though we were in the catchment area, the school was oversubscribed due to their sibling policy. Eventually, things got sorted, and it was fabulous - small, friendly and a high standard of teaching. Good luck with your decision.

Great joke...just one problem...the lightbulb might not know it needs changing!!! Only the lightbulb can decide.

I don't think you can generalise about counsellors, just as one would not generalise about psychotherapists. There are some pretty dodgy psychotherapists out there as there are dodgy GPs, nurses, etc. Anyone seeking counselling needs to be aware of the qualifications of the counsellor, what they mean in terms of the profession, and their years of experience. I also think its a mistake to say that one type of therapy is better than another. As a counsellor I use several different approaches, all of which I have been trained and supervised to use, depending on what works best with my clients. How do people feel about group counselling and does it exist here?

I would just like to add that I have learned a whole bunch from you.....counselling is useful, counselling does have an image problem, and we need to do something serious to address that. I appreciate your candor and honesty. I have a tough job ahead of me.

Sorry Keef, I thought it was obvious..I am a counsellor...and I am concerned that we have an image which is less than admirable.......I am trying to find out how to change that.

Jah I am relieved to hear that sometimes counselling can be useful, and talking with someone who is really listening to you seems to help. What should counsellors do to make their services more welcoming and friendly? Is the profession too secretive? If others have had good experiences, are they willing to talk about it? I have no problem with the stiff upper lip culture.....I sometimes feel frustrated that people wait until its too late to get help. How can we get counseling out of the closet?

Counselling for anything - it is different from psychotherapy because it is usually short term, less serious issues, and can be used with couples, individuals and groups. Generally psychotherapy is for individuals, long term, and exploring more in depth mental health problems. If there is a psychotherapist out there, could you respond to this please. Thank you.