Gluestick

[quote user="andyh4"]Speaking of myopia, have you forgotten a small little issue? Hint: Iceland (not the frozen food shops) and its defence of a newly declared 200 mile fishing exclusion limit. I assure you that in the timescale this had a far more profound effect on Hull and Grimsby than the EU - which I grant did not help.[/quote] Two points. I visited Iceland and stayed in Reykjavík in 1999, as one of four seminar presenters. By this time, their economic mix had dramatically changed. Whereas previously, 90% of GDP came from fishing et al, it was by 1999, just 10%: On a consulting project in Southern Ireland (One of the constituent parts being a fishing cooperative based in Killybegs, Donegal), we watched the non-Irish factory ships lurk outside the roads waiting to hoover up large volumes of fish....... French, Spanish and Portuguese et al were allocated much larger annual catch volumes than Britain. See here: Whilst cod was indeed harvested from around Iceland....... "Atlantic cod is a well-known demersal food fish belonging to the family Gadidae. In the western Atlantic Ocean, cod has a distribution north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and round both coasts of Greenland; in the eastern Atlantic it is found from the Bay of Biscay north to the Arctic Ocean, including the North Sea and Norwegian Sea, areas around Iceland and the Barents Sea."

[quote user="andyh4"]Gluestick is of course being deliberately mischievous by confusing N Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England with countries as recognised within the EU. [/quote] [8-)] [quote] What the UK does internally in terms of university charging is its affair, just provided that EU citizens from outside the UK are afforded similar rights and costs.[/quote] Nothing preventing nation state universities from discretely agreeing pari passu study rights. One of my consulting partners and a close personal friend now, spent one year at the university of Grenoble; and another year at the university of Trieste and then returned to Durham to complete his Modern Languages Degree. And this was before the EU, per se, was even thought of...

[quote]When Margaret was growing up in the 1950s and 60s, Grimsby was thriving. By the time Mary moved to the town in 1983, the decline had already begun. “But when the fish industry went downhill there was no investment at all,” she said. “The young people went away because there were no jobs for them.”[/quote] Which was purely and simply caused by Heath's myopic idiocy when he signed away British sovereignty over fishing rights: it decimated the UK fishing industry. I much agree with Chancer on this: that said I always remember watching the late Anthony Burgess being interviewed. Having lived abroad for many years, he said: "The only way to really understand Britain is when one lives abroad!" That said, clearly, one must live in a country for a significant time, to actually understand its nuances. A muddled article and I'm totally unsure what its point and focus was?

This seems to be hotting up... Here: Apparently, Hollande has conceded he will stand as his unpopularity could scupper the effort. Heavens to Betsy! Honesty at long......last!

[quote user="richard51"]Gluestick wrote " These Masters were leaders, excellent pedagogues, as well as damned men! " Not a description that gives them much credit https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedagogue And can't women be good teachers or was there other things going on.[/quote] Strange comment............. I used the word in the sense of pedantic: i.e. sticklers for knowledge and accuracy. Thank goodness. In those far off halcyon days, women taught in the girl's high-school, immediately next door. which itself, had and has an excellent academic record. Bearing in mind pre-pubescent and pubescent boys become rather fixated on sex: girls, today, are sexually active it seems from around 13. Parents unfortunately, indulge them and allow 14 year old girls to dress and behave in a rather unfortunate way...... Allowing school children to wear make up, body piercing and have their hair styled and dyed and dress in a totally unsuitable style, creates competition in any classroom; plus in mixed-gender schools, emotional pressures create even greater undesired pressure. Focus, concentration et al, evaporate and Facebook and Twitter tend to take over... Leaders? Well pretty self-explanatory; however, it would seem you prefer the concept of "teachers" ideally being scruffy, ill-mannered oiks, who are unable to keep order, lack discipline and couldn't lead anyone out of a damp paper bag? It seems to me, UK teachers are now more fixated on two missions in life: 1.  Teaching young fertile and non-discriminatory minds about the joys of same sex relationships and wondering whether they are actually boys trapped in a girls body and the reverse. 2.  Teaching (Brainwashing) children with the standard Marxist-Socialist polemic. Such a great shame they cannot actually teach them to read, write, spell, count and comprehend. Quote: "...........how it is we intend to achieve a reduction in unemployment when 20% of the adult population is functionally illiterate and a third cannot add up two three-figure numbers." Since all state secondary schools became comprehensives between 1965 and 1975; and since the commencing secondary age was between 11 and 12, then today, those pupils average 62 years old to 52. Thus this problem is not a recent phenomenon. Source: Source: How on earth the UK can create and maintain competitive advantage in the increasingly digitalised globalised world, I know not.

[quote user="woolybanana"]No, Nickodemus, you are so wrong; there has been a total failure to make the intellectual case for leaving beyond the regular bleat that 'we are better of out there'. My case is not as a moaner because I think their is a strong case for staying (which was never made either because of the sneering lies of UKIP and their harnessing the nastiest elements).[/quote] Utterly inane comment, Wooly! If anyone told "serial lies", then it was those trying to brainwash the British voter to vote IN; which include Dodgy Dave, Osborne, Ken Clark, IMF, Bank of England, OECD, Goldman Sachs, J P Morgan and Co, Institute of Directors, CBI, and Uncle Tom Cobbley and all. The Leave camp, on the other hand, assembled a most powerful boy, which included The Bruges Group, and 250 leading  businesses including JCB and Dyson. Lies, renamed "Spin" are the lifeblood of both politics and journalism...

[quote user="mint"] Gluey, do you really read other peoples' posts, besides your own that is?  I had already said that Nick said "it does appear" and I gave him credit for qualifying his post in those words.    [/quote] Well, Minty, this was what you wrote: "Ah, Nick, I am pleased that you say "it does appear" but, in truth, you do NOT know what remainers who live abroad think, so I am afraid that you are just making an assumption that may or may not be true." Now, none of us can really know what anyone else is actually thinking. And I do agree with Nick, so many of those posting in favour of a continued EU membership, clearly had/have a personal axe to grind. Rather than considering the Pros and Cons holistically and subjectively.

Ah Minty, I feel you are being unfair to Nick... After all, he did state "It appears". And this is, for myself, the inescapable conclusion from the many posts by clearly remain voting ex-pat Brits who live permanently overseas. e.g. France. Let us be honest: we are all pretty damned selfish and tend to cast our little cross, at times, for the political party who offer inducements which favour and benefit ourselves. After all, it takes significant moral courage to vote for things which may well impact our lifestyles and cost us money! Naturally, the campaign managers, PR agents, advertising agency account holders etc, know this full well; which is precisely why a swathe of British voters, for example, vote Tory. In general, people abhor the concept of short term pain for long term gain. Add this psychological reality to the dreaded Quinquennial Act (Must be a General Election least every five years and no more), then it is no real wonder nothing of any substance is achieved. Let alone the now urgent paradigm shifts and quantum leap changes European socio-economies require. A party which commits its nation to painful measures over the long terms will never ever see such enacted; as the voters will decide they hate the medicine, and vote for a diametrically opposed party, before such changes can enjoy any measured affect in real terms. Mainly since system drag and embedded inertia take oodles of time to overcome. Excellent current example: in the not too distant future, Britain faces a massive and serious electricity supply problem: demand is rapidly outstripping potential supply. However, for far too many years, politicians, action groups, etc, have all been arguing and faffing around. Let's just bloody hope that the Global Warming/Climate Change furore, aint wrong and in point of fact, Europe is entering another cyclical climate event and we are headed for a short rapid cooling period, as happened in circa 1600 to 1900, 'cos we'll all freeze to death! (Which I believe is happening: but this is yet another argument).

One of our Masters, Wooly, Mr "Spike" Limberg, biology, was crippled by the Japanese, when forced to build the "Bamboo Railroad". He was mentioned in Russell Braddon's famous book, "Naked Island" later made into a war film, "Camp on Blood Island". Spike clearly had suffered a broken back... Others served with distinction. These Masters were leaders, excellent pedagogues, as well as damned men! I remain eternally grateful for the discipline they instilled into me and the background of a Classics education now so much lacking. (P.S. Check your PMS!) [B]

Well, Andy, when the Bavarian Finance Minister makes a clear statement as below, surely, summat is up? We must be able to accept Welt, as a reasonable media source? "After 12 months of migrant attacks which saw mass sex assaults in western city Cologne and the rape-murder of teenager Maria Ladenburger, Bavaria’s finance minister has warned the nation faces a homeland security crisis and is losing control of its streets. Speaking as Germany approaches the anniversary of the migrant sex attacks which saw over 1,000 victims, hundreds of sex attack victims, and dozens of rapes, the foreign minister of Germany’s conservatively minded Bavarian region has called for the government to act with resolve to solve the immigrant problem. Germany’s best-selling broadsheet Welt reports the comments of State Minister for Finance, Regional Development and Home Affairs Markus Söder Thursday when he said the security situation in the country was deteriorating and mass migration was to blame. Remarking “Our wives and daughters are increasingly afraid of sexual assaults”, Söder called for more police power and deportations for migrants. Commenting on the security situation in Germany, the minister did not mince his words when he told the newspaper: “When citizens no longer feel safe to visit neighbourhoods, the state loses its authority… this is now about homeland security”. Calling the social changes and crime caused by the migrant crisis an existential crisis for Germany, Mr. Söder said: “the state must act more decisively than in the past. Last year we lost control over our borders. Now we are beginning to lose control of streets and squares”. The Christian Social Union politician — a political party in close alliance with Angela Merkel’s sister party the Christian Democrats said Germany was developing a problem with migrant communities similar to that in France and Belgium."

Well put, PD. Why did a majority of UK voters demand to leave the EU? Well, I believe my earlier post, this morning, rather explains why! Here I was speechless with incredulity when I read Barnier's latest idiotic nonsense! [:-))]

Very well said, Nick! Your last sentence captured the ethos, well.

A little story you will appreciate, EBN. As Word Processors (The standalone type, Wordplex, Wang etc) took over offices, no one realised, at first, the operators needed to be able to, well, spell, and count reasonably. As did their superiors.... A major US shipping company, US Lines, were having serious liquidity problems and drooping cashflow. They owned amongst many others two newish bulk carriers, under marine mortgage to a major Assurance Company; and failed to pay......... So the Assurers sent in a bailiff to "nail a writ of default to the masts": which these days means selo-taping a waterproof pouch to a convenient bit of superstructure. The debt was actually $500 Million. The girly driving the WP, who was clearly not of the brightest, typed in "$500.000000". Obviously, some senior honcho in the department couldn't count either. The assurer's bankruptcy action was similarly flawed. US Lines immediately applied to the bankruptcy court for Chapter 13 (Which in the USA gives time for a sort out and re-financing package) and simultaneously sued the creditor for mischievous and harmful damage to their reputation and credibility. And won... Good to be able to count when dealing with telephone number dosh! [:D]

The clown Michel Barnier becomes funnier by the moment! See Here: Mrs Gluey and I thought it was a bit rich we had to pay an "Exit Tax" in cash in Bajan currency, to simply leave Barbados! After all, over two weeks we had spent a bundle, locally which included taxes. However Barnier's latest nonsense really takes the biscuit. Now, I knew that people who worked within the bloated EU bureaucracy were horrendously overpaid and their pensions and expenses makes yer eye's water. However.......... [:-))]

[quote user="lindal1000"]But this thread is about leaving the EU, not whether the government's immigration policy over the years has caused problems. Free movement policies of the EU have accounted for a small percentage of immigration to the UK. They are certainly not responsible for the ethnic population in Tower Hamlets. That has been there for as long as I've been alive, and before the Bangladeshi community it was a Jewish community and Polish and just about every other group at some point or other. Leaving the EU will not change anything in Tower Hamlets. And..people haven't turned to UKIP. They have still failed to win more than one seat in parliament despite two by-elections that were in prime areas.[/quote] Wasn't me that first mentioned the magic "I" word, Lindal. Go back and re-read.............. Thereafter, you are conflating disparate issues. [quote] And..people haven't turned to UKIP. They have still failed to win more than one seat in parliament despite two by-elections that were in prime areas.[/quote] Checked local authority and county council members recently? Whom did a majority of  referendum electors believe? Dodgy Dave? Who has been banging the drum for a referendum for many years? Corbynchov, perhaps? Funny how Dave promised a referendum when engaged with his hopeless coalition; then refused; then called Farage "A swivel eyed loon and a closet racist!"; then announced a referendum! And BTW: Tower Hamlets takes in a vast area; including Whitechapel the original home of the Jewish migrants. Not many were, err, dockers... Here:

Andy: For your elucidation........ (I cannot be bothered to turn all these webrefs into clickable URLs; please copy and paste into your browser search bar.) http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-look-back-at-the-refugee-crisis-one-year-later-a-1107986.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Eve_sexual_assaults_in_Germany https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/09/germany-sex-attacks-cologne-immigration http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/15/world/europe/as-germany-welcomes-migrantssexual-attacks-in-cologne-point-to-a-new-reality.html?_r=0 Cologne: The Aftermath: https://www.welt.de/regionales/nrw/article160068288/Ueber-1000-Anzeigen-aber-erst-24-Verurteilungen.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cologne-attacks-on-new-years-produced-chaos-say-police-a-1070894.html Full List of Crimes logged in by Police. https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.bild.de/regional/duesseldorf/ralf-jaeger/die-liste-der-schande-44239678.bild.html&prev=search https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.donaukurier.de/nachrichten/panorama/Deutschland-Baden-Wuerttemberg-Griechenland-Kriminalitaet-Fluechtlinge-Griechische-Anwaeltin-identifiziert-mutmasslichen-Moerder-von-Maria-L%3Bart154670,3302338&prev=search Etc: https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article160313627/Unsere-Frauen-und-Toechter-bekommen-Angst.html&prev=search

I fear this thread is conflating certain issues. As I have stated, previously, (here) Britain, generally has a track record of welcoming and absorbing foreigners. However, things become tricky when said foreigners take over whole swathes of a town or city, refuse to integrate and then make demands on the host. Think Tower Hamlets and Mayor. Google if you are not familiar. Simple analogy: nanny state decides, 'cos of some cook in a ministry, that brussel sprouts are the best thing since sliced bread for keeping healthy and avoiding organic disease. So Government passes an act of parliament demanding everyone will eat one kilo per day. Problem is you either love 'em or hate 'em! There is no middle ground. And a new political party forms to prevent daily visits by the Health Police to force feed those who refuse. Or they are locked up for a brussel sprout Hate Crime! Substitute race Relations Act and subsequent legislation for The Brussels Act. Unfettered immigration, not just from EU states has caused massive social and cultural change. Not true? Go visit Barking, Dagenham, Tower Hamlets, Southall, Westminster, Bradford, Leeds, Nottingham,  Birmingham, Brent, keep on going. Wooly; you are being unfair to UKIP. The genesis of the party was The Referendum Party founded by the late Sir James Goldsmith. UKIP's core policy was simply to force a referendum. I feel you are confusing UKIP with National Front, BNP, and the rest of the knuckle dragging Doc Martin's oiks and neer do wells. If it were truly "Racist", then how come it enjoys so many coloured members and etc? The reason so many people turned to support UKIP was simply because they had lost all faith in the lying, cheating, duplicitous, utterly incompetent bunch of LibLabCon professional politicians whose only aim was self-enrichment. All that said, I well remember a man who was an ex docker; saw him interviewed on TV. He had lived in the same two up two down back to back council house in Wapping for over 30 years. The houses were unfit. Suddenly, the local council, took in a load of Somali "Asylum Seekers", and purchased a large and brand new block of luxury maisonettes on the then new Docklands development, to accommodate them. (Thatcher/Lawson's miracle economy had collapsed, 1989/90 and loads of speculative developers collapsed too. Like Olympia and York. Thus loads of new builds were flogged off by liquidators). Having been patiently waiting to be suitably re-housed for years, the man was, justifiably bloody steaming! Joined NF and became one of their first local councillors. Can anyone really, hand-on-heart blame the guy? When any government destabilises a socio-economy by stupidity, myopic ignorance, carelessness, incompetence and /or arrogance, then is it any wonder people become unhappy and seek someone to blame?

[quote user="idun"] A few things to address here. Even if we had stayed in France, IF I had had a vote, I would have voted leave, in fact, until this very shabby organisation gets it's act sorted and stops it's wanting to be the USE, I want as little to do with it as possible. I have not been divorced in real life, but frankly I would not stay in a shabby marriage........... who would?????? And this institution is worse than shabby as far as I am concerned. Yes, I understand people being worried. In lots of ways I should be. This could radically affect our lives, but no matter what, I shall just get on with it and have far more important things in life to worry about, let alone whinge. Racism, well, the biggest mistake ever made IMO, was believing that we should all be tolerant of every last thing. I am human and I know I am not, I can never ever be tolerant of seeing that the simplest of things, ie a woman wearing head covering to show her subservience to what ever. This applies equally to nuns as it does to any other religion/culture. And the very idea that a woman is asking for it, if her head is not covered, because she will incite men is disgusting on so many levels, because that is saying all men are rapists, and for all I judge the world by how the women are treat, I DO NOT BELIEVE, that of men either. Head coverings: to keep warm, to keep the sun off, bad hair day and just a classy accessory to go out, and ofcourse hygene reasons when food and medical things are involved. And back to this brexit thing. The vote was in June. Cameron did not expect the vote to go as it did. Had there been planning by anyone, no, I would doubt it. Why spend money on a foregone conclusion. There are no experts, there are lots of people with opinions, and the more of them that are put in the group deciding this, will not be good. Basically I believe that this two year rule was because they never believed anyone would do it........ again, what arrogance and complete lack of forethought. Took years to sort the treaties out and I am currently experiencing how utterly crappy they have been at that......... and then pulling the plug is supposed to be simple........ how can it be? And the Britain I live in is not any more nasty racist than France is. I am not saying that there are not areas where it is, there again, I reckon that I could find areas in France that are equally bad. Sure it would not be hard. My reasons for leaving are even firmer than they ever were, and that is that I do not trust or want the EU and all it's power mad politicians. Trade agreements, yes. And remember, even the EU is now addressing free movement, and people claiming benefits in other countries is being altered. Although frankly I had always believed that if someone cannot afford to live in another country, ie have enough savings or earn a crust, then they should have no rights to tap the system of the country they have moved to. [/quote] Top notch post, Idun! Couldn't agree more! British "Racism", has mainly been developed by the media and the bunny huggers, plus the Race Relations Act et al. The British have a history of welcoming loads of different races and ethnic groups, as long as they remain quiet and integrate to the best of their ability. Have you ever seen reports of Jewish people (who immigrated to UK from the late 1900s to the early 1900s and then again post WWII) marching outside Britain's parliament and demanding a Jewish  Orthodox state? Precisely what happened yesterday; by Muslims...demanding Sharia and a Caliphate!! So strangely, Paris was, from late 1800s to the 1950s a melting pot of White Russians, Russian aristos, and if you recall from history, provided shelter from racial persecution for Josephine Baker and Hutch (Lesley Hutchinson); Baker was made into a super star of the time. Core problem, as Wooly has already stated: inundate a nation state with foreigners who then live in ghettos, refuse to integrate and demand and demand and demand, watch government bend over backwards to be "Nice" (Diversity Departments: official leaflets translated into umpteen languages; lay on translators. Take action against anyone who dares to say "Hang on a minute, but..." and accuse them of a Hate Crime, etc) Any resultant problems have been created by weak emasculated government; the political left and bureaucracy gone utterly insane. And fanned by the Liberal-Left media.

I would suggest, Minty, the role Davis accepted and what he is now faced with, are two diametrically opposed realities. Have you seen Martin Schultz's comments on all this, of today? And Guy Verhofstadt's? I am not at all surprised. The rats trying desperately to keep afloat the sinking ship, by compelling the electors to man the pumps whilst the honchos swig fine wines, ride in their EU funded limos and the rest.

David Davis is a good man; placed in an unenviable and tenuous position. Interesting comment here: As I stated at the time, if anyone remembers, the negotiation over the Brussels Nomenclature took a very long time to argue, discuss and agree. And this was simply the gradual alignment of customs tariffs et al, during the run in period from 1973! Which agreement evaporated once the UK gained full membership some years later. The core problem with the EU parliament is its size and the constituent nation members. And that is after (when!), Britain's motley collection of fools, comedians and charlatans might agree. Personally, Minty, I have no time for select committees. I cannot ever remember one reaching a meaningful conclusion and parliament acting in accord. They are a mechanism of pretence democracy aimed at making MPs feel uber-important. Same as idiot local councillors, worming their way onto an important committee (say planning) for which they receive even greater amounts of our hard won council tax to waste! Margaret Hodge, ex-chair of the Public Accounts Committee used to bang on lyrically over tax avoidance etc. Only problem being, of course, her father, who founded a steel empire, Quote: "The family moved to Orpington, London, where the Oppenheimers started their family-owned steel-trading corporation Stemcor.[9] This is still a privately held company, which is today one of the world's largest privately-owned steel companies, achieving an annual turnover of over £6 billion in 2011.[10] Dame Margaret is still a major shareholder, listing her holdings in the Parliamentary Register of Members' Interests.[11][12][13][14] Stemcor was run by her brother, Ralph, until September 2013.". Source: Hodge owns a nice wodge of shares and is a millionairess. Her father, of course, avoided taxes like the plague! Still by the time the EU parliament have naffed around for a few years; and the UK government have finished making Brownie Points against each other, in all probability, the Euro will have imploded, with the present growing dissent, the EU will have partially collapsed and Britain will be skint! My own self-extended aphorism on government is: A Camel is a Horse designed by a committee. Left to governments, the result is a three-legged dead camel! [:D]

[quote user="mint"]OTOH, you could see it as an attempt at a level playing field for all candidates.  For example, unlike American presidential candidates where only the most wealthy get to even take part. [/quote] Not quite true, Minty. See here: Jimmy Carter wasn't wasn't mega-wealthy, as just one example. What is awfully awry in the US political system, is the method used to subvert US law on funds raising and spending. By setting up PACS (Political Action  Committees), activists behind the scenes can inject vast sums into saturation advertising, PR, image and simply put, brainwashing the voters. Why? Special Interest Groups and lobbyists: once their man is duly ensconced in the White House, then it is payback time and policy is bent to satisfy their demands...

So, Cologne New Year's Eve, last year didn't happen, eh? Sure, the German government have been pressurising the police to air brush out certain embarrassing events; same in Sweden. So your own perspective, Andy, is it is all lies blown up by media?

[quote user="Hoddy"]It's quite simple really. You cannot spend your life telling your daughters that the worst thing they can be is 'westernised' and then expect your sons to treat western women with respect.[/quote] Quite agree, Hoddy. Unfortunately, I fear it is rather worse than simply that. Certain people continue to treat Western women as they have at home. And, clearly, women are very much second class objects, in those cultures. In fact worse, they are possessions. For Example:

[quote user="ebaynut"]   But then I never had Masters as teachers, your man sounds like a proper decent gent for sure, mine ( the one I mentioned) was a lazy fat failure of a man, who deserved the loathing of his pupils in every way. Hence as I could afford it,my boys were educated privately, and not by some failure in life who could not find anything better to work as.   [/quote] They were all gentlemen, EBN. I was most fortunate to attend an excellent grammar school, where every Master was indeed, since they all possessed Master degrees as well as their original degree. and all from top universities. The Masters addressed us as "Gentlemen": and we to them "Sir!". We all had to stand up when a Master entered the classroom; and wear standard school uniform. I am a life member of the old boy's association and most proud to be so. [quote]Perhaps if I worked in teaching, my written word would be faultless, but as I have never had such a ‘pleasure’ I would not expect it to be. People who look down on others lack of perceived education, and then make such sloppy mistakes themselves, which clearly any old idiot can spot, (and did)  need it pointing out to them.[/quote] One ought to enjoy a reasonable grasp of English grammar and spelling, without having essentially been a teacher. Indeed, today, the standards amongst most "Teachers" is deplorable. Actually, EBN I was just teasing, as is my wont. Point remains, however, when one plays grammar N.A.Z.I. it is critical to use a spell checker. On teaching....... two friends of mine (One was the Deputy Chair) recruited me urgently to be parachuted into a problem secondary school, as a governor, since the new financial regime of LMS was being introduced. So I became a County Council Co-opted school Guv. The idiot head teacher retired (big sigh or relief) and a leaving dinner and presentation was held for her. All the governors attended and their spouses were invited too. On a long adjoining table, where the dress code seemed generally to be jeans, sweatshirts and trainers and as the noise grew and the roll-ups lit and clouds of blue smoke rolled up into the hall ceiling, Mrs Gluey whispered in my ear; "Who are those badly behaved rabble; old boys and girls?" I laughed roundly; and rather sadly. "Oh no!" I said, "They are the teachers!".  [:-))] I would also agree, far too many grads opt for teaching as a job and not a vocation.

[quote user="lindal1000"] FGM is now illegal in virtually all countries and yes it still happens but campaigns and publicity are ensuring that it happens less and less.[/quote] Really? See here: BBC and others just yesterday... [quote]I think bad things have always gone on but modern communication means we can read about it from our living room[/quote] Of course mankind's inhumanity to man has been part of societies since time immemorial. And more so once early man became gregarious. However, there is no denying a recent epidemic of rape and sexual assault in certain European nation states. One can, of course, do an ostrich and continue to believe in some cosy utopian idyll, however, See Here: