SeanMacGabhann

I've seen enough of these (not that often on here to be fair) to know it shouldn't be too long but isn't it weird Lizzy that just a few months ago this thing wasn't a part of your life and now look what happens!

I'm never comfortable when people start "requesting" role-models culture exists and the ones at the top of the game reflect the cultures that put them there. It's up to you if you want them to be your role model And there is always a full spectrum of role-models to choose from. If you are an intelligent kid, you aren't going to be swayed by the nihilistic culture Mockney mentions. If you are a not so bright-kid, easily impressed by bling (sugar to an infant) and have always had parents who give youwhatever youneed just because you kicked up a storm then you will be more likely to gravitate to the sort of role-model society gets upset about. There are many many other factors of course but it isn't the "role-model"'s fault.

???? - if that's your summary having had people talk about the anguish caused by gambling on real families, as well as some of the other comments on her, then it's an opinion we can safely disregard

"money, rap music and being a bad boy. "The world owes me" / "Untouchable" / "I can have what I want" attitude." money and rap music are fine in and of themselves. The aggressive attitude and behaviour stems from what's missing in their lives more than what they are consuming The attitude is just a front in many cases - ok, very few of us are going to get behind that front, but nevertheless we aren't dealing with demons here. Just broken families. I don't mean broken just monetarily - many of them are well off. I bet I run into the one genuinely evil git on my way home now, just because I said that...

what, I'm not a good enough escort?

what? - a census that's a lie?

Atila, you sound much younger than 50! But then I realised that sounded very old and THEN I realised I'm only 10 years away from it *sigh*

my aversion to supermarkets is well documented, but if I have to use one then I prefer the scale of the Somerfield on LL Who actually occupies the space I'm less bothered by - can't see Somefield doing that worse a job than anyone else. I have a soft spot for Waitrose, just from the perspective of a more intersting selction of things as well as a better record on supplier treatment

zactly georgia, zactly Crime generally can be falling and yet different trends such as these school attacks can flare up. No need to be complacent but no need to panic either As for people leaving the country, I hope your status as an immigrant doesn't prejudice the locals against you - you might even get blamed for crimes you didn't commit As for the matter at hand (school gangs, violence etc) I haven't got any answers but it isn't anything new. It might be more in-our-face at the moment but these tend to be blips in the bigger picture (which is no consolation to those affected and my sympathies go out to everyone in question)

so much anger, people. Relax....

seems ok right about now

I agree they could implement a better system at that junction - but the system that is there should work. It kind of disproves PeckhamRose's theory that it's just "a few idiots" which force the authorities hands That said I agree with you PR, on the specific issue of speed bumps. There must be a better way of implementing speed measures And then again (you keeping up with all of this Alan Dale?) if someone showed you a list of children that speed bumps have saved, would you think more kindly of 'em?

That's the kind of first post I like to see - nice one quirky I wanted to be an actor/writer and now I work in a bank

I thought they had actually bought a house in the Village - just never moved?

Given your instructions and Rolo's comments, I thought to myself I'll contain myself But no - and now I'm getting funny looks Well spotted that man

I don't think we're ever going to agree on it Steve - not when one of the things i like is that it isn't just another provider - so we'll draw a veil over this one (lord knows I have seen th elicense fee argument go on for years on other forums) As for detector vans - I have been visited 4 times for a license, and when the visit and you don't have a license (I was young!) they don't mess about

it rather begs the question hibbs.. what's your connection with Youghal?

not at all Onion - it's great fun I finished the first two on "normal" but went straight to Heroic for Halo3 immense fun - let's all do it on co-op

I grew up on them PGC - rural Ireland being what it is. And the horses/dog tracks are familiar territory But I was talking about betting shops on the Lane as per Louisa's quote

don't put thoughts in my head Simon! Only thing is people, if this year sold out in 30 mins, there is no guarantee we will get any next year either So this year, the trip to Youghal is back on?

[on a slightly more reasonable tip] I would argue that one of the good things about it is that you or I don't have the choice - it's not about consumer freedom. It's about a whole nation doing something together and reaping the benefit Sometimes we need to be slapped and told "just do it". If we had a choice, then it wouldn't even exist. Enough people would exercise their choice and then it would be gone forever and for everyone... Slightly hippyish I know..

shocking images and stories - best wishes to everyone involved

uh oh - rant mode on - apologies in advance Steve Come on Steve you know full well the argument isn't that - you pay ?135 for just 2 channels do you? You don't get the best web news service in the world, you don't get advert free TV, you don't get a world service which, if nothing else provided a lifeline to many a Brtish prisoner held abroad, you don't get superior radio to anything else available So you don't use any of them - you prefer the channels that Sky offer do you. Entirely up to you. Just be glad your money contributes to what makes Britain special. The day it goes is a day future generations will look back on with sadness All for feckin football and endless home loan adverts on 60 channels

Marmora Surprised you didn't reference my earlier posts - I don't believe many people do make a habit of "revealing2 they turned it down - I believe there was a bit article published by a journalist. Easy enough to research I should imagine But let's just say every one of them did, nudge nudge, wink wink, turn it down and then let slip - can't see what's un ethical about it. Can't even see what's wrong with it from a "having a cake and eat it". It's a fairly consistent position to hold - ie to say "I don't agree with the honours, or the monrachy, so of course I turned it down - it would have been hypocritical at best and unethical at worst to accept it" Only people who support them think it's anything worth bragging about - people who "let slip" couldn't give a

"How come everyone is talking about the evils of gambling and yet it's ok for brand new organic off licences and trendy bars to open up in abundance along the lane? Double standards or what!" Firstly: no organic off-licenses opening on LL. One claims to be but isn't Secondly: while both gambling and drinking to excess are BOTH evils, drinking and eating establishments at least offer the chance of convivial soc-ialising for all the family - eating and drinking with friends and family are what make us human. Gambling is just a vice So - no double standards.