Current Affairs

[towny44]

Ah well, let’s send them all into school, regardless of whether the the school can cope with social distancing or the state of the pandemic,

I believe that is why Williamson has made the announcement now, so that schools have ample time to sort out how they will cope, and so the teachers unions can't say they dropped it on them at short notice.

I did say it was reasonable to be preparing for a September return - but I also said it is too early to be making it mandatory that children go back because we don't know what will be happening with the pandemic in September.

The comment you have quoted was of a sarcastic nature

It may have been sarcastic Gill, but since you object to everything the govt does, even when it's a U turn, I thought my reply was appropriate.

[Onelife]

I of course agree with everything you have said Gill l…instead of making silly statements about fines for parents they should think about fines for beach goers and street party abusers first .

Crawler

And double triple fines for every parent that takes their child to the beach but not to school because of the risk

I don’t know where you’re getting this crawler bit from as it’s a well-known fact that me a Gill are kindred spirits… apart from when she tells me off that is… squeak! Squeak!

No one is suggestion that children shouldn’t return to school and parents are already aware of the consciences without having the incompetent Gavin Williamson making a cane in hand statement. I can fully understand why many parents are apprehensive when you consider the way this school’s fiasco is being handled.( And on that note I wouldn’t be surprised if Williamson is out of a job before he/government have chance to implement any fines). There has been a total lack of liaison/ planning between schools and the government so it would appear, and it is for this reason the government have become the instruments of doubt, a doubt that is now spreading faster than the bloody virus.

Bring back Theresa I say

[Mervyn and Trish]

I'm being very cautious about what I do next, so I feel that I can't expect other sections of society to be completely gung ho about the way they proceed.

And so are we. But we and you are privileged. We won't sink into poverty if we can't go back to work.

Of course, eye test excursions to Barnard Castle are exempt )

Any chance of changing the record? There's sarcastic and there's repetitive and boring.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Sounds like a good idea

It sounds like it is but take it from me that it isn't ... well, not if it’s administered by an extremely sadistic ex saboteur who worked with the French Resistance during WW2 and also, unfortunately for me, happened to be our French Head Master at the time when two perverted teachers were victimising some of their students by recording false work rate / achievement levels against their names. Those who were treated that way were the chosen few who lived on Council Estates. Wouldn’t happen now of course but it sure did back then

Of course these days kids beat up teachers instead!

[Onelife]

I'm being very cautious about what I do next, so I feel that I can't expect other sections of society to be completely gung ho about the way they proceed.

And so are we. But we and you are privileged. We won't sink into poverty if we can't go back to work.

Of course, eye test excursions to Barnard Castle are exempt )

Any chance of changing the record? There's sarcastic and there's repetitive and boring.

I would never attribute the word “boring” to Gill, Sir Merv…she’s the one that keeps us all coming back for more…if you want to eat in the restaurant then you’ve got to be prepared to swallow the bad bits from time to time.

[oldbluefox]

if you want to eat in the restaurant then you’ve got to be prepared to swallow the bad bits from time to time.

................ or put them on the side of your plate and ignore them until such time as they go where they belong? Just saying.........

[barney]

Ah well, let’s send them all into school, regardless of whether the the school can cope with social distancing or the state of the pandemic,

That’s the best thing that has been said for some time.
We’ve got to get back to normal eventually (or whatever the new normal is going to be)
The country cannot remain in lockdown.
People have got to get back to work or starve.

It’s safe to assume that most on this forum are quite well off because we are spending spare money on cruise holidays.

Millions and millions are not well off and need to be earning a living.
Many live hand to mouth and are already on their knees financially.

Get people back to work
Get kids back to school

My comment was actually of a sarcastic nature.

But it seems to have struck a cord - send to children back to school regardless, even if the pandemic is surging again

Well, then it appears that your sarcastic comment was the most sense you’ve spoken for some time.
The facts (which of course some can’t come to terms with) clearly show that children are at very little risk.
The entire situation needs to be risk assessed.

From your previous posts, it seems that you are prepared to remain in lockdown in perpetuity.
I am not.
So, you do what you want and let the rest of the world get on with their lives.

If you decide that you would prefer to stay home, then you cannot possibly be at any risk.
It’s about choices.
You choose to do what you want and allow others to do the same

[Mervyn and Trish]

I'm being very cautious about what I do next, so I feel that I can't expect other sections of society to be completely gung ho about the way they proceed.

And so are we. But we and you are privileged. We won't sink into poverty if we can't go back to work.

Of course, eye test excursions to Barnard Castle are exempt )

Any chance of changing the record? There's sarcastic and there's repetitive and boring.

I would never attribute the word “boring” to Gill, Sir Merv…she’s the one that keeps us all coming back for more…if you want to eat in the restaurant then you’ve got to be prepared to swallow the bad bits from time to time.

You maybe. But actually she's one of those who made me sling my hook before. I may do so again soon. I'm interested in current affairs. I've lost interest in Barnard Castle. And I'm sick of constant utterly predictable negativity. I can get all that I need of that from the media and Sir Keir.

[Onelife]

if you want to eat in the restaurant then you’ve got to be prepared to swallow the bad bits from time to time.

................ or put them on the side of your plate and ignore them until such time as they go where they belong? Just saying.........

But not in front of the person who feeds you as that would be rude

[screwy]

4/5 weeks ago the Government said it would like all children to return to school before the summer break. Cries of ,No,No ,No from the Unions,teachers and Councils,mostly Labour, It’s not safe.2 weeks later came cries of, Our children are missing out on their Education,from said Organizations. Now the Government says ,all back in Sept, No,No cries said Organizations. Make your bloody mind up, pathetic bunch of cretins.

[Gill W]

That’s the best thing that has been said for some time.
We’ve got to get back to normal eventually (or whatever the new normal is going to be)
The country cannot remain in lockdown.
People have got to get back to work or starve.

It’s safe to assume that most on this forum are quite well off because we are spending spare money on cruise holidays.

Millions and millions are not well off and need to be earning a living.
Many live hand to mouth and are already on their knees financially.

Get people back to work
Get kids back to school

My comment was actually of a sarcastic nature.

But it seems to have struck a cord - send to children back to school regardless, even if the pandemic is surging again

Well, then it appears that your sarcastic comment was the most sense you’ve spoken for some time.
The facts (which of course some can’t come to terms with) clearly show that children are at very little risk.
The entire situation needs to be risk assessed.

From your previous posts, it seems that you are prepared to remain in lockdown in perpetuity.
I am not.
So, you do what you want and let the rest of the world get on with their lives.

If you decide that you would prefer to stay home, then you cannot possibly be at any risk.
It’s about choices.
You choose to do what you want and allow others to do the same

When have I ever criticised how other people are coming out of lockdown? In fact I have specifically said that everyone is is now doing their own thing and I'll not criticise them (apart from idiots on beaches).

However, I don't think I'm being unreasonable to say that I can't expect everyone to be totally gung ho about coming out of lockdown if they have concerns. Some people may be really worried about letting their children go back to school and I respect that. Indeed, this latest Leicester outbreak has apparently affected children, according to Hancock.

Not sure why you think I'm staying at home either. I've been out walking everyday since lockdown started. I've found lots of new places to walk to in my local area, parks, playing fields, woodlands, country lanes, fields. I've lived here for 39 years, and have been amazed at what I've found. Also, it's been great to watch spring turn into summer - I've connected with nature like never before.

I can't see much point in me rushing out of lockdown - I'd rather sit back a bit and see what happens. My husband is 68 , and, as I'm sure you know, as men advance into their 60's that are at greater risk of complications from C19 than women, so I don't want to put my husband at risk. However, I hope to go for a pub lunch on a weekday, preferably in the garden, by the end of July, if all is well, as a first step out into the world

[Gill W]

Bring back Theresa I say

Strange you should mention Theresa.

She was absolutely seething in Parliament this morning when she asked why the new National Security Advisor was a political appointee with no proven expertise in National Security. And the looks she was giving Gove when he responded - I'm surprised he wasn't turned to stone!!

I think it's safe to say she's not very impressed by this latest development.

[anniec]

You maybe. But actually she's one of those who made me sling my hook before. I may do so again soon. I'm interested in current affairs. I've lost interest in Barnard Castle. And I'm sick of constant utterly predictable negativity. I can get all that I need of that from the media and Sir Keir.

I am surprised; I had you down as an intelligent believer in free speech, Mervyn, and very much enjoy reading your usually well-expressed views.

I often disagree with Gill's views, and those of others, but just because you or I may have lost interest in one aspect of a subject, or may disagree with someone's views, does not mean that any attempt should be made to stifle freedom of opinion, however oft expressed. If you don't like a certain person's views, it might help to stop reading them.

[Manoverboard]

if you want to eat in the restaurant then you’ve got to be prepared to swallow the bad bits from time to time.

................ or put them on the side of your plate and ignore them until such time as they go where they belong? Just saying.........

But not in front of the person who feeds you as that would be rude

In which case one would surely visit just the one time and then leave those lacking the suitable culinary skills to their own devices. The actual saying is " Never bite the hand that feeds you " and that certainly does not apply here .... crawler

[Onelife]

4/5 weeks ago the Government said it would like all children to return to school before the summer break. Cries of ,No,No ,No from the Unions,teachers and Councils,mostly Labour, It’s not safe.2 weeks later came cries of, Our children are missing out on their Education,from said Organizations. Now the Government says ,all back in Sept, No,No cries said Organizations. Make your bloody mind up, pathetic bunch of cretins.

4/5 weeks ago, we were in the peak of the pandemic… what would you have had the teachers do…wear full PPE?
Many teachers are within the vulnerable age group and for that reason alone they had every right to question the government imo.

[screwy]

Sorry but Theresa May is the last person to give any kind of disapproval. She was the worst Tory PM in living memory and certainly the most hated Home Sec.The cuts to the Police were all her doing,she has no friends at all amongst the rank and file Officers.
As a card carrying Tory member I couldn’t wait to see the back of her.
Don’t be upset Onelife, at least you and her hubby liked her.

[screwy]

We all know it was just Political jousting by the left, nothing to do with teachers having to wear ppe, and crying ,safety.! Teachers saying they hadn’t been given time to arrange things etc, they’d had 10 weeks .!!
And what happened when a head called out some staff for not doing anything while others were actively trying to teach in some form or other.? She gets suspended.

[Manoverboard]

.... If you don't like a certain person's views, it might help to stop reading them.

You are quite right of course but as a Moderator I would suggest that it could be the death of this site if everybody ignored the same person's views but only because they seem, to those Members, to be designed to antagonise. Those who respond in any way at all are surely doing so based on their own freedom of speech ... providing they are within the Forum's Rules.

Regards
MobyModPlod

[Onelife]

Bring back Theresa I say

Strange you should mention Theresa.

She was absolutely seething in Parliament this morning when she asked why the new National Security Advisor was a political appointee with no proven expertise in National Security. And the looks she was giving Gove when he responded - I'm surprised he wasn't turned to stone!!

I think it's safe to say she's not very impressed by this latest development.

She was indeed Gill and if it wasn’t for the fact that I do believe the Civil Service needs a shakeup I would singing her praises again... I still admire the lady though

Its ironic that she gets so much stick especially when you consider Brexit wouldn’t have happened without her massive input…. but hey! you don’t want to hear that do you?

[Mervyn and Trish]

You maybe. But actually she's one of those who made me sling my hook before. I may do so again soon. I'm interested in current affairs. I've lost interest in Barnard Castle. And I'm sick of constant utterly predictable negativity. I can get all that I need of that from the media and Sir Keir.

I am surprised; I had you down as an intelligent believer in free speech, Mervyn, and very much enjoy reading your usually well-expressed views.

I often disagree with Gill's views, and those of others, but just because you or I may have lost interest in one aspect of a subject, or may disagree with someone's views, does not mean that any attempt should be made to stifle freedom of opinion, however oft expressed. If you don't like a certain person's views, it might help to stop reading them.

That's precisely what I said Annie. I do believe in free speech but I stopped reading this thread before because some posts became boring and repetitive and I'm close to doing so again, as you rightly suggest. I've already stopped posting my "well expressed views" out of sheer frustration at having them nit picked line by line. Some people have decided Boris is the spawn of the devil and will never debate anything he does in a considered way. I don't consider him perfect by a long way but in dealing with an unprecedented situation I do think he deserves better than to be trashed every time he draws breath.

[towny44]

4/5 weeks ago the Government said it would like all children to return to school before the summer break. Cries of ,No,No ,No from the Unions,teachers and Councils,mostly Labour, It’s not safe.2 weeks later came cries of, Our children are missing out on their Education,from said Organizations. Now the Government says ,all back in Sept, No,No cries said Organizations. Make your bloody mind up, pathetic bunch of cretins.

4/5 weeks ago, we were in the peak of the pandemic… what would you have had the teachers do…wear full PPE?
Many teachers are within the vulnerable age group and for that reason alone they had every right to question the government imo.

But the govt were not advocating schools should open 5 weeks ago, they were proposing 2/3 weeks later, but only if things continued to improve, and thus with the proviso if they didn't they would reconsider.

[Onelife]

.... If you don't like a certain person's views, it might help to stop reading them.

You are quite right of course but as a Moderator I would suggest that it could be the death of this site if everybody ignored the same person's views but only because they seem, to those Members, to be designed to antagonise. Those who respond in any way at all are surely doing so based on their own freedom of speech ... providing they are within the Forum's Rules.

Regards
MobyModPlod

Equally… it could be the death of any site if they allow one member to be constantly harassed for making what that person believes are valid comments….let’s all meet up at dawn and get our pistols out and settle this once and for all….be afraid I’ve got a big one

[Gill W]

You maybe. But actually she's one of those who made me sling my hook before. I may do so again soon. I'm interested in current affairs. I've lost interest in Barnard Castle. And I'm sick of constant utterly predictable negativity. I can get all that I need of that from the media and Sir Keir.

Merv, I've nearly slung my hook many times due to things that have been said by regular contributors to this forum, including you, but I've always come back.

My experience is much better now that I try not to take comments personally, even when personal comments are made, and I try to avoid responding to anything too personal.

I accept that people have different views to me, and when I've had enough, I simply stop responding, so it keeps my blood pressure down, or even not respond at all if I can't be bothered.

The Barnard Castle comment was a joke, indicated by the wink. I've been told many times that people on this forum pride themselves on their sense of humour. But sometimes a comment falls flat. I've learnt to believe that jokes that I don't find funny are not personal digs at me, so I just walk on by.

Sometimes I have a few days away from the forum, to clear my head. That always helps.

What I am trying to say is, this forum has, in the past, made me feel like you feel now.

I would hate to think that I have driven you away, and I would think you would feel the same way about me. We don't have to agree, nothing is personal, and we can stop commenting when we've had enough. Then we can co-exist happily. Yes? *extends hand of friendship*

[Onelife]

4/5 weeks ago the Government said it would like all children to return to school before the summer break. Cries of ,No,No ,No from the Unions,teachers and Councils,mostly Labour, It’s not safe.2 weeks later came cries of, Our children are missing out on their Education,from said Organizations. Now the Government says ,all back in Sept, No,No cries said Organizations. Make your bloody mind up, pathetic bunch of cretins.

4/5 weeks ago, we were in the peak of the pandemic… what would you have had the teachers do…wear full PPE?
Many teachers are within the vulnerable age group and for that reason alone they had every right to question the government imo.

But the govt were not advocating schools should open 5 weeks ago, they were proposing 2/3 weeks later, but only if things continued to improve, and thus with the proviso if they didn't they would reconsider.

I’ve lost track of what the government are advocating it become more like the wishy-washy factory.

[Gill W]

[

That's precisely what I said Annie. I do believe in free speech but I stopped reading this thread before because some posts became boring and repetitive and I'm close to doing so again, as you rightly suggest. I've already stopped posting my "well expressed views" out of sheer frustration at having them nit picked line by line. Some people have decided Boris is the spawn of the devil and will never debate anything he does in a considered way. I don't consider him perfect by a long way but in dealing with an unprecedented situation I do think he deserves better than to be trashed every time he draws breath.

Merv, this forum constantly trashes the Labour party, and it bores me witless. I don't even care about the Labour party, but it does seem a bit OTT sometimes. But as I'm not interested, I move on.

To be honest, yesterday I felt you were nit picking everything I said, so I stopped responding in the end.

Whatever you are feeling, I have felt the same as you, so ironically I probably understand more than most people on here.

Let's just avoid each other when we're not in the mood to talk, eh?