tegwini

"IMHO one of the single biggest causes of 9/11 was the Israel / Palestine conflict.  The US brought the war of terror on themselves...and we've been sucked in".  Scooby So an Egyptian engineer, the son of a Saudi millionaire etc etc (not forgetting the odd English  born terrorist activity in London, Cardiff etc) can justify the slaughter of thousands because of a conflict in the middle east ??  Not that long ago people were explaining 9/11 because of the Iraq war which was years later,  and sad to use any excuses for slitting the neck of an air hostess or pilot ! All this talk reminds me of Neville Chamberlain going to meet Hitler in 1936 at Munich.  Here the British were instrumental in helping to give away most of Czechoslovakia to  Hitler, and then later at Yalta we helped to hand over Poland, and most of Eastern Europe to Stalin, Mugabe is another example. So,   should we always give in to evil,  appease terrorists or always seek compromise??? Tegwini    

Hi Wooley Clearly something you feel strongly about? BUT - in 1948 the UN mandate of Palestine ended & Israel was established on a tiny bit of land.   Right or wrong it is debateable, but the UN, founded by the victors after WW2 decided the Jews needed a homeland, something the Jews had been campaigning for since WW1 and before. Palestinian land taken eg.  the West Bank was taken after a war (Jordan also took over part of Palestine, but few realise this)  In 1967 Israel was invaded by Egypt, Syria & Jordan who were rapidly  defeated, and Israel as the victor took over the Sinai, Golan Heights & Gaza from their enemies and essential for protection.   In fact, most of this has been handed back, and in spite of massive opposition from Israeli settlers.  Gaza is independent of Israel, and perhaps is not a happy place to live, but the people voted in Hamas knowing what Hamas stood for.     I cannot understand how you can call the refugee camps concentration camps Wooley, but what that means to us now.  And, strange that the war mongering states of Egypt, Syria & etc have made little effort to improve the lot of the refugees. Or, how you can be a refugee for 40 odd years. I don't think the Palestinians are at treated like "dogs" quoting Wooley - perhaps that's the status of females in that part of the world?? Didn't a terrorist leader and his  3/4 wives die last week in this conflict? Yes the US does help Israel, and so do Jews from all around the world.  But Israel is a rare outpost of democracy, literacy, longivity and good living standards.   US help was part of the 'Cold war' strategy, but now perhaps people see future conflicts, danger and terrorism coming from a different origin these days. I used to have  more moderate views on the Middle East before September 2001, and  this changed also because of the changes that are taking place in my birthplace (England), but now really do support the underdog, the little beseiged country of Israel-  perhaps that's a 'British thing' too. Regards Tegwini  

"Just my disagreement with you on this occasion, Tegs, and it does not mean that I disrespect your views". Sweet17   Pas de problème Sweets- I am just a cynic trying to be an optimist. Regards Tegwini

Hi Sweets It's not difficult to show bias -  you can emphasise one aspect;  ignore other aspects etc ... Reminds me when I was studying for a post-grad  history degree ( MA) & reading how we get bias in history, & how it is possible to create bias in 'primary sources'.   For example a photographer/writer/archivist etc  ignores something & focuses on something else. In other words only a supreme (God?) being can make unbiased judgement as people usually have some axe to grind. I have experienced  media bias elsewhere for about 24 years, so I think that I can make a judgement there.  But, we do get it in the UK, and I sometimes wonder if the BBC has some hidden agenda.   And, not just in the news. I agree with you that the BBC does not 'make' the news, but I have believed for years that it has some really lazy reporters who often get hold of local stories second hand, and make no effort to reflect on what is happening elsewhere.  Parochial in fact, as we hardly get to hear what is happening out of the UK, or even in Europe.   I have seen a well known sports writer reporting ( a house guest in fact) who was not even at the rugby match he was reporting on!    And, it is so repetitive - almost as if nothing is happening elsewhere.  By choice we often watch other news channels.   Although I never voted for GB or Tony Bliar at least they were elected,  not so the BBC, and presumably most of their jobs are secure since those of us living in the UK are forced to pay the licence fee whether we can afford it or not.  My point was that you can talk yourself into a recession/depression ... Regards Tegwini    

RH I am certainly with Mr RH on Israel & Gaza - The Israelis have no choice.  And, we get the BBC's bias which says little on who started this conflict.  Hamas makes clear daily that they want to remove the tiny Jewish state off the map. They are surrounded by huge nations & peoples who do not want peace with them, & who have attacked them many times since 1948.    They were attacked in  1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982  plus numerous smaller scale attacks since then.  I can relate to their commitment   -  'never again'! Sorry RH for more chill. Tegwini

  Dick, It's hard to actually know how someone votes, but  he started as a Socialist, is a fellow Scot, is married to a Guardian journalist, the daughter of a Labour peer-  all reasons for him to have given GB an easy ride.   He was once a member of the socialist group Socialist Campaign for a Labour Victory and reportedly a seller of its newspaper Socialist Organiser while at Cambridge, where he acquired the sobriquet of 'Red Andy' (quoted from Wikipedia, which I realise isn't always accurate, but membership of a group does say something). Paxman would have been a tougher interviewer, and again it's hard to know how someone votes.    The BBC is in my opinion often biased towards the left wing of the political spectrum. Regards Tegwini

We've just got back from France.  We live in SW Wiltshire, betw. Salisbury & Southampton & do shop around quite a bit.   But we always take back FROM France & some things we often buy if we know they are cheaper - even with the current exchange rate :      Fish - fresh salmon, trout etc (frozen in an ice box)  always much,  much cheaper  Jams - better quality for the price - French jams @ about 89c- 1.15 (Auchan & Bonne Mamon brands actually have fruit in them) Olive oil & salad dressings (citrone & vinagre) one litre under a euro - about 80 cents creamed spinach (not done by Tesco & exhorbitant at Waitrose) fruit  2kg apples 1.5 euro., kiwi - 10 for 1.50 - all much cheaper at present obviously wine- NEVER buy that in the UK now chocolate- better quality, especially the dark chocolate with orange - and I'm an expert there. full tank of diesel - about 20p cheaper per litre Can't imagine much in the UK cheaper to justify a trip.  Ferry price Caen or Le Havre/ Portsmouth more than last year.                             Peut-être  peanut butter ? marmite ? ... Tegwini  

Thank you Big Mac & Just John for some positive posts.  The problem with the present crisis is that people need to think & act positively- the financial health of the nation is based on confidence and the belief that we will come out of this- and soon, or soonish. The BBC especially seems to be stoking the flames of pessimism with its 'news' broadcasts daily listing unemployment, declines in the value of property and the pound.   This exacerbates a difficult situation and causes more problems. Tegwini

"diesel is about the same price". Mel   I don't think so -  .89 cents ( nr. Poitiers) =  £1.05  (cheapest around here- Wilts)    Even with the present exchange rate it's still cheaper in France.  And these prices are over the past few days, and paid for at those prices.  OH makes a point of comparing. Tegwini

It's often done 'on the black' - not legal I know, but not uncommon either.  Saves on the social costs. Tegwini

We paid .89 cents p litre for diesel at Auchan in Chaseneuil, Poitiers last Wednesday.   And, that's a big improvement on the price here in the UK - still well over a £  per litre. Tegwini

Shame it wasn't Jeremy Paxman - Andrew Marr is a lightweight, & perhaps a Labour supporter ? Tegwini

I have little sympathy for greedy UK banks, or bankers but Gordon et al have demanded from the banks that they bail out  a 12%  preference dividend on the monies borrowed.  This is to be paid by the banks until the money is repaid.  This 12% can only restrict the banks' ability to lend or their ability to increase interest rates to savers. Tegwini  

Our 18 yr old decided to have a 'gap year/travel year' and worked as an au pair in France, Jersey, & Majorca.  Many web sites around - just google 'au pair' - the ones she used are below.  70 euros pw is a bit low - she earned  betw. 90 euros- £150 pw, but she did have some child care training.    These days homes using au pairs also have cleaners - the average mother struggles to get through the day with small children, and a teenager cannot be expected to do any better!   An au pair is only supposed to work up to 30 hours including baby sitting, and only do light housework.  Many cannot iron, cook or have much cleaning experience.    It's not cheap option- it might seem so compared with the minimum wage rate, but remember that the au pair must be fed, and travel costs are often paid for by the family - eg the cost of getting to the family's home plus other costs, for example costs of taking her on holiday, bus fares etc.   Most families have large homes - the au pair does need her own bedroom, and ideally a bathroom.  Our daughter seemed to enjoy some of it, she travelled a bit, but is back home now - it's no longer as peaceful as when she was away!  Regards Tegwini http://www.aupair-world.net/ http://www.aupair.uk.com    

Our 18 year old daughter, a rather naive girl  raised in a village, was underpaid by over £50, by a local  Wiltshire pub in her summer holiday job.  The publican also ripped her off by deducting too much tax/NIC which she should not have paid, and we had a struggle to get a P45/60 or any paperwork from him. We suspected that he did not pay the money over. Since husband is a CA he tried it on the wrong person.  We knew exactly what hours she did as we were the taxi for her split shifts and unsocial hours. We sued him in the small claims court, after  written  warnings, and judgement was awarded against him, still no payment, so we used the court's baliff also via the internet.  He had to pay up now and it cost him over £155 with the court & bailiff costs.   It was easy to do for my husband, and  he did warn  them in writing & via the phone.   This publican is either a fool or arrogant. A  good result, and no costs to our daughter.   For her this was a lot of money, and we objected to her being ripped off. I can't see why the poster should have  been criticised the way he has been.  But, I have no idea if such a system exists in France. Tegwini        

Cat-  Not sure of the actual origins - but the story does not surprise me. RH-  A business that my husband owned  a while back was targetted when someone got into the staff room and stole 2 handbags-  the victim  was only aware of it when they received a phone call asking for the details on a credit card- the police were called in & mugshots were checked, but by the time she got home they had been inside her home and stolen other stuff.  This actually happened. Tegwini  

Someone sent this to me today - how careful do we have to be ??? Tegwini   My friend's sister went shopping in John Lewis.  She visited the ladies' room and hung her handbag on the back of the toilet door.  As she carried on about her business, a hand suddenly appeared over the top of the stall and grabbed her bag clean off the hook!!!   As if this wasn't bad enough, she reported the incident to the manager of the store.  A couple of days later she took a call to say her bag had been found, without her purse.  She arranged a time to go and meet the manager to collect her things.   On arriving at John Lewis at the agreed time, the manager was not expecting her - nothing had been found, no one had called.   When the lady got home, her house had been burgled, with no sign of forced entry, they had used her Driving License for the address and her keys to let themselves in!!!!!!   I promise this is real - it isn't just a scaremongering story, I was so shocked at how complex bag snatching crime has become.   Please be extra vigilant ladies, Christmas is a bad time for this sort of thing anyway, but with the credit crunch there are a lot of desperate criminals out there!!  

Apologies to ErnieY So many posts, Plus still can't manage to use the quote facility, Yup it was Wooly - must be in a bad mood ? Problems with the disreputable Randy?   Tegwini

Merci bien all Apologies for the delay - somehow I managed to log myself off the forum (don't usually bother) and couldn't get on again until today. Really kind of you all to help-  I have had another go and it didn't work !!!   Maricopa,   I did click on the quote button too - some came up + some junky stuff, and an error message in colour - I think ?   I had to delete and change it,  but it is not as it's meant to look! Clearly it's going to be a case of trying again... Regards Tegwini

"Keep fighting the bast**** " "Good luck and don't be upset by GOG".- Woolybanana Shame on you Wooly ! One of the changes in education these days is the number of children in families minus a real secure, structured family- hence teachers see in front of them many disturbed children minus fathers -  for example the Shannon Mathews family. Parents with minimal parenting skills; women/girls producing children minus a father figure.  I came across a young girl recently that I once taught who told me that her father was one  of 3 men she knows- perhaps even her mother does not know which.  She is  very mixed up, and  likely to repeat the mistakes of her mother.    Teaching out of the UK we had an English ex-pat family and the daughter at 17/18 years old attacked in class, a gentle, unassuming female teacher, was expelled, and was the only one in my 7 years at this large (1100 pupil) school to be expelled.   The parents fought the expulsion as it was a tricky time, but the head was determined and drove 100 miles to the dept. HQ.  The teachers stuck together and would have refused to have her in their classes - and even the pupils did not support her.   This family had taken their attitudes and behaviour when emigrating  and it gave English children a bad reputation with many. Clearly no support for teachers in that family - and teachers need and deserve 100% support. I have taught for decades and am glad to be in a school (part-time) where parents are supportive and grateful that their children passed the entrance exam.   I am more than happy to be semi-retired and would hate to be starting in teaching now.  Odile is correct in saying that it's not easy.   All the training and initiatives in the world cannot prepare or assist in coping with the increasing number of disruptive and disturbed kids around today. Happy to be a GOG!   (but NOT a bast*** !!!!) Tegwini

Hopefully not beaten by anyone! And, I didn't write it either, but  ...   Tegwini   A young man named Gordon bought a donkey from an old farmer for £100.00.  The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day, but when the farmer  drove up he said, "Sorry son, but I have some bad news... the donkey is on my  truck, but unfortunately he's dead."  Gordon replied, "Well then, just give me my money back." The farmer said, "I can't do that, because I've spent it already." Gordon said, "OK then, well just unload the donkey anyway."  The farmer asked, "What are you going to do with him?" Gordon answered, "I'm going to raffle him off." To which the farmer exclaimed, "Surely you can't raffle off a dead donkey!" But Gordon, with a wicked smile on his face said, "Of course I can, you watch  me. I just won't bother to tell anybody that he's dead." A month later the farmer met up with Gordon and asked, "What happened  with that dead donkey?" Gordon said, "I raffled him off, sold 500 tickets at two pounds a piece, and  made a huge, fat profit!!" Totally amazed, the farmer asked, "Didn't anyone complain that you had stolen  their money because you lied about the donkey being dead?" To which Gordon replied, "The only guy who found out about the donkey being  dead was the raffle winner when he came to claim his prize. So I gave him his  £2 raffle ticket money back plus an extra £200, which as you know is double  the going rate for a donkey, so he thought I was a great guy!!"  Gordon grew up and eventually became the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and no  matter how many times he lied, or how much money he stole from the British  voters, as long as he gave them back some of the stolen money, most of them,  unfortunately, still thought he was a great guy ***    The moral of this story is that, if you think Gordon is about to play fair and do something for the everyday people of the country for once in his miserable, lying life, think again my  friend, because you'll be better off flogging a dead donkey!    

Many thanks Gary/BB  & ErnieY for taking the trouble to help me I can refer back to this, probably endlessly, when I have something to copy. Regards Tegwini

"I have no axe to grind for Gordon Brown, and don't particularly like the man or his style of governance, though he was a very successful chancellor for a long period"  Will, Crikey Will, GB successful ?  In the good times he spent loads & saved little;  tax revenues spent & wasted; nothing done to control consumer credit  etc ... GB is really the architect of the mess we're in. We're perhaps heading towards the 'winter or spring of discontent', and I'm still inside the tent and funding him & his cronies so I feel I am allowed to have a rant!!!! Regards Tegwini    

Thanks Cat - had another go, but still it didn't work - should I also highlight it?   In what order? Chaps - you're all way above me- we have windows and linex, but I wouldn't know if that makes a difference.  I also don't know how to do links with HERE - in fact,   not long ago had never seen such & didn't realise what that was,  & got bounced because it seemed I had not acknowledged a post with information.  I honestly didn't understand it ! Merci bien Tegwini

" I don't need to be a fly on the wall - I know exactly how my son behaves" - Debs Well, I've heard that before, and listened to parents at parent's evenings tell me that their child is 'gifted' very intelligent, wonderfully keen ... when their child is thick and a disruptive influence in class. I  also don't accept that anyone should condone a child actually defying the teacher  if she asks him to stay behind, and encouraging a child to believe that he can do that  is not  helping the school, the teacher  or the child's future.   Some UK schools are grim  because many parents do not support the school or the teachers. Ultimately  it's the children who suffer.  Perhaps you do know your child wonderfully well, many parents don't, but teachers these days need all the support they can get from everyone, and especially from parents.  More so from ex-pat parents.   Violence should not be condoned, but you would need to be a fly on the wall to be 100% sure that the stories you have heard are not exaggerated. Glad you seem to have sorted it out.  Tegwini