Louisa

Funny isnt it? All the usual old pro-waitrose types suddenly do a U-turn when they realise Waitrose arnt interested in their precious bohemium metropolis known affectionately as 'ED' lmao... I love it when a point is proven so easily, you guys really are brilliant, you do my job for me half the time! hehe Have fun jumping the bus upto Sydenham with your Prada sunglasses hiding your face my fellow 'ED' folk! I'll be sticking with the Co-Op! Louisa.

Yeah but it isnt just based on the forum thread, Waitrose have been looking in and around Sydenham for a while so it's more than just speculation. There are quite a few places along the high street which they have actively been looking at, whereas there is absolutely nothing to suggest they have shown any interest in ED whatsoever! The saga continues! :D Louisa.

Greetings one and all. I have just been having a sneaky look on the Sydenham Town forum and apparantly Waitrose are in formal negotiations in that area to open up a smaller 'compact format' store. How funny, ED'ers for so long have been praying for the gold seal of approval from the John Lewis partnership, and we will more than likely be stuck with a Co-Operative whilst those working-class fried chicken munchers over the hill will be popping to the local Waitrose to snack on a pot of organic houmous! hehehe Waitrose Sydenham Sorry I just had to gloat! Louisa.

Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands just to name a few - all very different countries, all with considerably lower rates of violent crime than the UK. Louisa.

Yes I do Sean, I think that politicians in western culture are too scared to use any sort of political argument which loses them votes or is perceived to provoke outrage from certain portions of the media, particularly in the UK. Crime in some countries is virtually unheard of, this type of happy slapping gang culture isnt seen in many European countries because, as with alcohol, a culture of violence or substance abuse has not been allowed to grow up and destroy communities, it is just a completely alien concept. The problem we have here is, the mistakes of the past are not easily rectified, certainly not overnight anyhow, so unless we take a hardline approach, we will just have to act in a slightly more soft manner for a few generations until we can change our cultural take on society. Which is better? Louisa.

Sorry if it offends, but I am just sick of beating about the bush, whats the point? It has failed to solve this issue in the past, and why should it be any different now? When I talk of disposal, I am suggesting that anyone who acts in this way (remove the benefits argument for a moment) should be removed from society and taught that it is not the correct way to behave. They do not deserve to be able to engage with the rest of us if they choose to act in such a blatantly selfish and irresponsible way. Louisa.

The poor planning decisions of the 60's and 70s alongside a free for all welfare system post 1945 is what has lead to a gradual dumbing down of society, with the proud working classes, hard workers at that, being led into a life of the state owes you everything, as a result of successive governments not knowing how to deal with society. I would personal;ly not describe these people as working class, more a social underclass of the tv show 'shameless' ilk. I agree with some of what you say Sean, but equally, the softly softly approach has failed to work in the past, and as much as being hard on these people will not prevent the crime from happening again, at least if we just disposed of them we would allow that to act as a deterant against doing this sort of thing again. I am afraid I have run out of sympathy for these scum, I came from a working class background, we had it bloody tough when I was growing up, but everyone in my family worked, and if they were out of work they wouldnt rest until they were back in work because it was the only way to put bread on the table, simple as. It's not just about taking the benefits away from these people, it is about taking away the benefits culture which has grown up over the last 40 odd years in this country! Louisa.

Another awful story, they become more and more the norm each day I read about them. And all the usual give them sympathy bandits coming out the closet and pouring love and affection on them, no wonder areas like Peckham have been able to become breeding grounds for gang culture and violence! They usually fit a certain description, hoodies, maybe the odd Staffordshire bull terrier type dog on the lead. As much as I would probably end up coming off worse, I am afraid I would have to chuck the abuse straight back into their face and try to physically defend myself. This type of trash who come from the gutter and live on state handouts should be shot, nice and simple. This isnt about revenge, it's about making an example of them. I'd also stop their f**king benefits with immediate effect too. Louisa.

Penguin68 Wrote: > And, unlike human created night noises (shouting, > loud music, fireworks) I don't get angry about the > foxes being thoughtless and selfish, since they're > not. People should know better, foxes shoudn't. Good Point. Louisa.

Clearly it isnt just about the breed type, it is of course about responsible dog ownership. But I firmly believe if a responsible staffy owner has it appropriately muzzled if they believe it to be a menace to the wider world in a public place, the animal itself and everyone and everything around it are in a much better position. A dog licence would ensure that only responsible owners can keep dogs, and I would like to think any responsible owner of a staffordshire type breed would therefore understand it's temperament around children and other animals and act with discretion whether to keep it muzzled in a public place. By not having a licence, it shows from the off a clear neglect for the animal, and a lack of concern for everyone else from the owner of the animal. IMO not all staffys are bad, but any breed breed for fighting, or dog which shows severe aggression towards others should only be available to potential owners via a licence, which would in turn make it easier to keep a tag on those who are not taking appropriate care of the animal. Louisa.

HAL9000 - I understand your position and I agree in many respects it is a more realistic approach to a problem which is often unavoidable. If an irresponsible owner takes an aggressive dog breed to the park and lets it run freely then there is little we can do other than to advise precaution to other dog owners and parents of small children. However, in an ideal world this should not have to be, and I think that the time is right for dog ownership rules to be tightened. I think a licence should come into force, and I think that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier should be added to the list of dangerous dogs. It would also be helpful if these people who own these breeds would put a muzzle on them in a public place, in fact it should be compulsory. Louisa.

HAL9000 - true we only have one side of the story, and any sort of preemptive strike without posession of all the facts would be a mistake, but based on what we have been told and taking it at face value, your suggestion that it was a "dogfight" is utter dribble, you know it and so does everyone else (based on the assumption this story is a true account of an alleged incident). Not only was it a vicious and unprovoked attack, but also a child was involved, imagine if a toddler had been present? Based on this account, regardless of the mans reaction, an aggressive breed has yet again been off the lead and attacked another dog that could easily have been a child. Louisa.

Whilst I agree with the previous two posts that this sort of thing must be stopped, a single mum living with her daughter should must always put her and her childs safety as a first priority. I am sure the police would handle it with great care and be discreet, but please remember that this lady walks her dogs on a regular basis on the rye and she may need some firm reassurances. Whilst no one wishes to be treated in this way, sometimes going to the police is the easiest thing in the world from an outside perspective, but for the victim it isnt quite so easy. Louisa.

I've seen uncontrolled staffordshire bull terrier and cross breeds attacking bigger sized dogs, it is nothing at all to do with the size or treating them as prey. I once saw a guy with a staff on the common in full daylight with a staff that went and attacked a black Labrador unprovoked. The best advice I can give with a staff, is to kick it in the painful region, as most attacking staffs are un-neutered males, young or old. Whilst I agree it isnt the dog that is at fault, I agree with an earlier post that this type of breed can inflict harm if in the wrong hands, therefore in my opinion this breed should be put on the dangerous dogs register. Controversial I know, and I have met many responsible staffy owners in my time, but the incident I saw with the Lab also involved a young toddler, and this was quite a few years ago. Louisa.

JonC Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Those that boast of being law-abiding road users > whilst demonstrating ignorant, rank intolerance of > other road-users don't strike me as having the > qualities to be particularly considerate or safe > drivers. > > Anyway - must dash - Matron is calling me for my > bath. Maybe if you contribute something towards the up keep of roads (as a cyclist), and perhaps consider the frustration you cause by slowing down traffic through busy parts of cities, road users such as myself would not be so quick to judge you all in one catergory! You make the assumption that people boasting of being law-abiding on the roads tend to be inconsiderate drivers, well clearly the previous comment you made in the same response was a form of gloating by suggesting cyclists are amongst the most aware on the road.. hmmm... contradiction me thinks! Louisa.

skidmarks Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > No no no! You?re saying that someone driving to a > drive in McDonalds journey is more important than > say a person walking or cycling to work. > > It is such 1960?s mentality where car was king and > everyone else was dirt. And exactly why we ended > up with roads like the A3 severing communities. > The Elephant and Castle subway rapist and muggers > paradise hell-hole. > > Also you?ll find that cars have a disproportionate > level of road space and resources dedicated for > them. Erm I dont recall me mentioning road users destinations? If a road user of any form of transport has paid for the use of it then they have every right to go wherever they want to. Who is to say that most car users are not choosing to head to work in their car anyhow?. If it's an argument on resources and space used then I could argue with you that we pay for the right to use the road space in taxation left right and centre? The Congestion Charge is an extra cost for drivers heading into the centre of town which cyclists do not have to pay for? As for muggings in the E&C and the A3 causing social unrest and cutting up communities well... What a load of tosh! You seriously need to get a grip. Just as you are suggesting I am so anti everything other than car, which is partially true, I am still open to suggestions and understanding of other peoples point of view. You seem to be just as anti something (if not more so) than I do!... but, unlike me, you have failed to piece together a valid argument. Back to the drawing board my love! :)) Louisa.

Once again the folk on here have to turn it into a drama. I was merely stating my point of view, I didnt need a bloody series of essay in response! My experience of cyclists and motorbikes has in general not been positive therefore I am bound to have a biased viewpoint regarding them, isnt that obvious? :-S Anyway, I agree PR, they are only humans, the same as bad drivers (plenty of those on the road), but note I did say in an earlier post "law abiding drivers such as myself" - I am sure there are plenty of law abiding cyclists and motorbike riders on the road, but my point was not about that, it was an observation on the forms of transport used on the roads. In general cars are in a greater number, therefore they should have priority in terms of road use. The patronising comment by robotcat about VAT and roadtax is just a finicky and cynical dig at me. If we want to go down that route though be my guest. What about the fact that car drivers have to pay extra tax on the cost of fuel? What about the fact that car drivers (the law abiding ones such as myself) have to be insured to drive a vehicle incase of accidents? If a bloody cyclist crashes into someone on the road and causes damage to a car, person, animal or anything else for that matter, what is the comeback on such a circumstance? There isnt one! Take cyclists off the road in cities, dangerous and unaccountable (generalisation but true in the technical sense at least). Louisa.

PeckhamRose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > 'Sadly' it's a no brainer? > SADLY? > > It's a great way to get around and people like > Louisa are to be ignored. > Motorcycle it, and then when you get to work > you've already had a motorcycle ride that day. > And no more passing round colds and flu on public As much as I find public transport a disgusting method of getting about, it has it's place, and the more people to use it, the better it is for people like me who like to drive. Cyclists on the other hand are just a bloody nuisance, getting in the way causing accidents and slowing down traffic, oh and they dont pay road tax either! As for motorcyclists.. well that gets me onto a completely different topic. They tend to be arrogant and selfish, and more likely to raise two fingers to anyone who slows them down. This method of unsafe road use should be discouraged as it is a damn right nuisance to law abiding car users such as myself! I think they should either be banned, or there should be a huge hike in prices for motorcycles on road tax. Louisa.

Oh no please dont encourage more motorbikes or cyclists onto the road, they really do make me very bloody angry! Keep to the trains people, they will improve (6) Louisa.

The Castle maybe? Louisa.

Miss P Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm not asking for a hunt. I don't really > understand why this is being turned into a class > issue - that really wasn't my intention. I would > just like to be able to sleep through the night - > are you being disturbed, Louisa? Miss P, You misunderstand me, I am never one to knowingly turn something into a class issue! :) I am often disturbed at night, either by loud drunks or yobs walking around in gangs shouting the odds outside. But I suppose it is part and parcel of living in a populated area. If these animals were in their natural environment they would not live so close to humans and therefore we wouldnt have to hear them! Louisa.

Dont get me started on Peckham, I wont stop. Louisa.

Listen everyone, half the posh folk around here wont be happy until ED has it's own fox hunt chasing through the streets! Most of them are from home counties stock anyhow! Louisa.

It's weird if you ask me. ED seemed to be heading quite neatly into the gentrified mode of almost Clapham proportions with it's organic shops and overpriced polo sweatshirt stores - then came the credit crunch. The tail took a dramatic twist, and just like a half finished masterpiece by Picasso, the gentrification came to an abrupt halt. Lordship Lane has boutique sat comfortably next to chicken shop (for now).. Will this continue? Will Jack Wills and other posh folk shops continue in the same mould as White Stuff? Nail biting times for Judith from the home counties who is desperate to leave her recently bought bargain basement terrace on Zenoria Street, but cannot bare walking past the likes of Iceland on the way incase she see's a poor person! Tough times for Judith! ... Will ED's gentrification process continue.. Jack Wills, over to you my friends Louisa.

And cyclists dont pay road tax either, and theyre more than happy to stick a finger up at us poor drivers! A cull would go a long way in helping to relieve the stress of the morning commuter traffic :D Louisa.