StraferJack

I have been in both countries for longer than you I too have faced the prejudice you describe (in 2012 it's almost mon existent compared to 20 years ago) Equally I have experience rank anti British prejudice in Ireland. As recently as last month. I would say prejudice is more widespread there than here I didn't say Ireland was backward. I said it was a sometimes backward nation. And it's a grown up reaction to acknowledge that whilst at the same time rebutting any genuine prejudice I also have mentioned many times Ireland has much to be proud of. You chose to say I merely bash Ireland I'm sorry but it's not me being prejudiced

And your assumption that you can still be racist even if you are the subject is odd I might be prejudiced against particular sections but racist? I don't think so. Unpatriotic maybe? Wrong conceievably. But racist, no Argue with me but don't claim offence or racism

Shaunag. Offence is everywhere these days and is in danger of being devalued by deflation. Lets save it for when its deserved As people have pointed out I'm Irish. Born, educated, raised. The whole shebang. I have seen Ireland transform in many many ways over the last couple of decades and I applaud much of it But as an ex altar boy, well versed in the Catholic Church, I am allowed to say much Irish culture, state apparatus and indeed the very constitution, is in thrall to backward notions You can't simply cry racist or say you are offended if something is plain wrong Uganda is about to make homosexual acts legally punishable by death. Am I racist to decry that? Or can I call it what it is? I love much about Ireland, as an Irishman, but equally find much to find troublesome. The ongoing obsequience to the Catholic Church (after all the abuse that has been revealed?) is one such When the Irish state removed the links between church and state I will find it infinitely less backward

Cyberia: couldn't the first point be both true AND ignored by someone who don't feel bound to a "constitution". Someone who may or may not have used a religious and racial prejudice to scold the woman? And do you disagree with my assertion that plenty of people in Ireland would have said what was alleged to have said?

Mistakes and lack of judgement are bad (especially so in fatalities) but forgivable But from what has been reported so far, if true, suggests something far worse Why am I included to believe reports? Because I know too many Irish people who would support what the nurse said. It's plausible in a way that it wouldn't be here. Mistakes will happen anywhere. Entrenched backward belief systems take something else (Ireland on abortion or Uganda on homosexuality to name two recent cases)

About the same?

Words can't hope to convey how awful this is On plus side, hopefully a watershed moment for that sometimes backward nation

In an era when everyone is quick to condemn organizations who should have known about savile, doesn't anyone find the mails ongoing fascination with underage girls creepy? And hypocritical? http://twicsy.com/i/ZNQrGc Still, all girls grow up in the end right? http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/all-grown-up-sexing-up-the-internet-with-the-daily-mail In years to come people will ask why this was tolerated

"no radio on DAB (or whatever Ireland calls it) or even interent I don't think. " I use Tunein Radio - (phone and laptop) to get my BBC radio fix (incl 4 and 6music) when abroad. Radio is fine, but not TV stations

alternatively, a man alone ;-) I'm neutral on the subject btw - I'm not necessarily convinced by the doommongers but nor am I persuaded by evangelists. Reaping the benefit of a power-source in a short term (historically speaking) appears to only have upsides - history says there will be "issues" file me under "cautiously appreciative" on this one

affluence may play a part but I think cultural reasons - a LOT more travel and wider diet of TV shows - have contributed much more to this people eat out more and take kids out more because they have seen the rest of the world and prefer that to the relatively staid lifestyle which was the norm in the gloomy, wet islands congealed on the brink of the Atlantic pit

My daughter goes to same nursery and loves the young child mentioned. She talks about him most days I don't know what to think about the poor kid and the father. Can only wish them the very best

Isn't it a Chelsea problem that "various players" call the shots there? I know he denies that but please. Chairmen go around believing everything their players say? If there was a scintilla of chance clattenburg said anything then fair enough. But it's so incredible that yeah i would say to the players "we sleep on it and if we still are certain he said it we take action" But a highly emotive dressing room, after a highly charged game where decisions went against them? They were bullying that ref, end of.

Almost a YEAR later and your first word is "and"? Dude...

So what next for Chelsea?

It's almost incredible I agree - people can be so STOOOPID can't they? If only they would open their eyes and realised there is a promised land beyond the BBC... As people have said.. where in the world is this holy grail?

"gets a lot more sympathy by virtue of it being our beloved beeb, that is a sole reason for change." you think it has had a lot of sympathy this week? Compared to what? And that is a SOLE reason for change? Not sure I'd ever be able to agree with something that simplistic in a million years

Evolving is always good - why would you think I think otherwise Where we differe is the starting point - if we agree that the beeb has evolved plenty in last decade, it's probably evolving still. Just being in the middle of things right now, you can't see it. But take a snapshot now, and even without clusterf***cks like last week, you could compare it in 2-3 years time and see massive changes i just don't see the same tired, out of date institution you do If the starting point is "is it perfect, can we make it better" - then I would of course agree. But that applies to every organisation and individual If the starting point is your list of complaints, then I think you misunderstand the problem and are likely to break it rather than improve it

"SJ, I'm not, just trying to she'd some perspective" So in a week where the Beeb has been under the cosh almost every hour, you are suggesting that somehow it's being treated too lightly? I see... Your criticisms actually come across liek a tired checklist of cliches.. .but don't let that stop you It need to change and evolve? Anyone want to go back 10 or 15 years and have a look at the Beeb then and compare it to now? I'd say it's evolving at a smarter pace than almost anywhere else Objectively speaking. Not JUST to defend it you understand

well, cameras on every junction is expensive, intrusive and impractical But societally we could be less tolerant of infractions - google "how do I get off a red light ticket" and witness the unfolding joy https://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=how+do+I+get+off+ticket+after+red+light&oq=how+do+I+get+off+ticket+after+red+light&gs_l=hp.3..33i29l2.2025.9160.0.9377.40.35.0.2.2.1.359.5649.9j17j6j3.35.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.91ogY70jnIs&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=392691e68c9b048a&bpcl=38093640&biw=1601&bih=1002

"Sounds like they could do with a mirror there or something, particularly as it's near the school." Or drivers who break the law could face stronger deterrent

That's my understanding of his argument too Atticus But, objectively, the way it has been under attack in the last week is unparalleled compared to any other news org - so, many of those "hellbent" on defending it are not saying it's beyond criticism, but very wary about what the underlying motives for the strength of attack is Which seems fair and reasonable Your own language is interesting- "auntie". "cranked institution", "past sell by date" etc etc all for 40 odd pence a day? Again, that doesn't absolve it of blame - but why so angry about this particular organisation?

I know the official advice is to only buy from vendors with an ID - but seriously where would someone not registered REGULARLY get hold of stocks of Big Issues, to sell at a profit? And even if that happens, who is losing out?

?Hey you, you always standing on the streets of LL, always selling the Big Issue in the freezing cold! You haven?t got a sellers ID so I reckon you are scamming me somehow I admit, I have yet to ascertain the benefits to you of such a scam, seeing as how you are, erm, always standing on the streets of LL, selling the big issue, in the freezing cold, but still? my point remains!?

6 months? It's 2012 RD, catch up on EDF_Player, now available for all smartphones, games consoles and some BD players