velcorin

Re Greece: I think Herr Doktor Kohlenbach articulates very well what I think http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aSYKNVJF9qt0 UK gilts purchases are no different to any other country. The ECB cannot buy bonds from national banks, but for example France sells it's bonds to BNP/SocGen, the ECB simply buys the bonds from the bank. At the end of Novemebr purchases totally EUR 700billion.

I tend to associate supporters of a "White Christian Country" with the KKK in the US. Maybe I just weird. I'm going to the station now, before I say something I regret.

They'll buy the debt, because of the higher returns. Current rates on Greek bonds are around 5%, provided you're a bank without any capital raising issues, that's a good return on what is still essentially a cast iron asset. The ECB conducts it's business without any public, press or open political scrutiny. They are just continuing the historical tradition of the Bundesbank tradition of omerta. Basically, they do what they want, with no outside interference. Personally I prefer the BoE way, where Minutes are issued, Parlimentary Committees scrutinise, and the press query. The ECB just issues Statements telling the world what the ECB wants to tell it. This leads to uncertainty, in that I have to assume they are sane and predictable, and therefore I know what they will do given a particular set of circumstances. The unknowns, and therefore uncertainty, over Ireland/Greece/Latvia/etc means I have to GUESS what this means to our EUR 900million business in those countries. Trade Insurance increased? Volumes down? Prices up? More short time working at the plants in Germany? It all has to be budgetted (guessed!). Give me the BoE any day[:D]

That article in Le Monde seems to be a common theme at the moment FT Deutschland/FT/The Economist........even the BBC, and they're always weeks behind[:D] It's actually a lot worse. The Eurozone countries have been selling bonds to local banks by the shedload, and the ECB has been buying these bonds, thereby increasing liquidity and bank capital. In the UK it's called Quanative Easing, and heavily discussed. The ECB does at 10 times (dramatic licence, but it's many times) the level, and stony silence. Million dollar question is........what happens when the ECB decreases their bond purchases to prevent inflation? Will Germans pick up the slack? No. They've got no money, and the French have got even less money than the Germans. They are all deperately trying to meet the new capital requirements. So forget that, and Maastricht prevents them anyway. Contrary to views to the effect of "Bankrupt Britain" expressed by some, the Brits are the only ones with any money. However, they won't buy EUR assets at the current exchange rates. A guess: ECB continues that policy that is not called Quantative Easing until the UK General Election. Then the world and his wife starts talking down EUR, and then HSBC/Barclays bail out the Greeks/Irish and anyone else by buying their bonds.

OK, must read more carefully! In that case, if it is for London only clubs, why is there no ManUre badge?[:D]

[8-)]Why is there no Man City badge?[8-)]

Apparently Peter Grondholm, the CEO of GAC, the world's biggest shipping agency and services company was having a busman's holiday aboard. To shift their oil, what is one thing the Iranians need from the wicked westerners?[:D] I wouldn't like to bet on the life expectancy of the officer in charge of the ship that arrested him.

Alternatively as Lidl seem to have just about taken over, in, and around Paris 1 If we consider Lidl good. What does that say about the French supermarkets?[:P] 2 French consumers have the same purchasing power as people on benefits in the UK. [:D] 3 See wot Sweet17 wrote 4 UK consumers don't know what they are missing[:D]

This time last year I was sent, because I speak English, to visit a customer in the UK who supplies all the Europeam supermarket chains with a particular product, to chains' own recipes, to discuss some financial matters. After the meeting, I was chatting to the MD, he was moaning about how all the chains, particularly the French, stitched him up over prices and Terms. Then he got onto Lidl. Apparently they had the highest quality recipe (higher than Waitrose), and paid the highest price, and paid bang to Terms. After that unintended endorsement, I started shopping at Lidl. I use Lidl in France, but I wouldn't in the UK, I try to shop as ethically as I can, and don't like the way French supermarkets and their producers operate. In the UK supermarkets I used to buy free range, bio, speciality breeds, RSPCA endorsed, etc, not in Auchan though[:@] So, I might as well get good quality at Lidl, though I doubt they're, ethically, any better.

Maybe the LSE's Dubai investors haven't paid the electricity bill? along with the umpteen billion they owe elesewhere.

[quote user="Clarkkent"][quote user="velcorin"] There are 3 types of Average. Mean, Median and Mode  The Median is what what the most number of people earn, which is GBP22K. [/quote] I think that you mean mode. [/quote] Absolutely correct. Lesson learnt, don't rush. Lunchtime now, so can take my leisure for the next 10-15 minutes.

Quick maths lesson for Quillan[:D] Or alternatively "how to fiddle statistics to prove whatever point you want to make" [:D] There are 3 types of Average. Mean, Median and Mode Mean is what most people would understand as "average". Add up each item, and divide by the number of items. This can be skewed by a number of very high, or very low items, or your sample is small. Pretty useless really. Mode is the most common item. Simple. My personal favouite, as it reflects the "real world". Median is the middle value. If you have 9 items, rank them, and you simply take the 5th item. So, if you set the poverty level at 60% of figure, unless everyone earns exactly the same amount, you will ALWAYS have a significant number of people in poverty. I suppose depending on what political point you want to make this could be useful. Let us take a real life example, like "average" UK earnings. The Mean is heavily skewed upwards, by the Abramovichs and Mittels of the world. The Median is skewed upwards as most people work. The Median is what what the most number of people earn, which is GBP22K. However, I do it myself, depending on what I want my presentation to tell the senior management, I will pick the "average" which tells that story I want. I've got the raw data, they haven't [:D]

"Poverty" in this case is Relative Poverty, totally different from Absolute Poverty, associated with developng countries. The UK defines that as 60% of median income (not average). That is a very high level to set the bar. It has nothing to do with assets, or outgoings. If you earn below 60% of the median, you are officially poor, no amount of saving on the Sky, PSP3, and fags will change that  

I have a UK passeport, still have a valid Spainish DNI, my wife has a French passeport, French ID and Spanish DNI. Talk about overkill[:)]  You'll never convince me that an ID card helps stop anything illegal. All the Madrid bombers had valid ID cards, didn't stop them. All the London bombers would have been enttled to a UK ID card. So can we forget the idea it stops terrorists? Next up, immigrants. Well, Spain has roughly 6-8 times the illegal immigrants compared to the UK, France at least twice as many, so the evidence vaguely, tentetive hints that it may possibly NOT assist in that field. Quillan. Official figures for credit/debit card fraud are difficult to obtain apart from Germany and the UK. However, the alerts I get from Visa and Mastercard suggest that for every 1 Germany or UK alert, I get 4 France alerts and 5-6 Spain alerts. Allied to the withdrawal of services by both card clearers in France would again strongly suggest that the levels of fraud are dramatically high in France. Maybe one day BdF will release the figures, but don't hold your breathe, they NEVER release anything, which if compared to other countries, puts France in a bad light. I reckon it is official government policy[:D] Slightly off topic. Yesterday Le Parisian had a stab at quantifying the unsecured personal debt situation in France (again official figures are not available), using the personal insolvency data, which is public record. It would suggest the situation is probably worse than the UK (I know what you lot are like, and may find that difficult to believe, but hey I do this sort of data as a job [:D] humour me please), and certainly far worse than Germany. http://www.leparisien.fr/economie/le-nombre-de-menages-surendettes-s-envole-18-11-2009-715067.php

Quillan, you're starting to sound a bit despondent. In Germany or the UK the Media would hold the responsible authorities to account, on so many things. Doesn't happen here. That's the where I'd start, if I wanted to sort out the poverty and injustice in France.

I would like to donate some money to help these children (specifically these children and nothing else) does anyone know how to do it? There is a bit of a gray area here. Aiding illegal immigrants, is against the law in France, several charity workers have been arrested in Calais, even providing money to a charity specifically dedicated to the task may be illegal----if you knew this was the case. However, there is a legal obligation for the local authorities (police, sociale, etc) to ensure the welfare of illegal immigrant minors, but what happens, as seems to be the case here if those responsibilities are shirked. With it's normal acquisence to authority the French Media won't do much, and the charities have been driven out of town, so who? Every once in a while the dark, callous, cynical side of offical France reveals itself, and the Media colludes. Think Rainbow Warrier, Chirac, Mitterand's parallel family, nuclear leaks, vache folle, poverty and crime, et alia, the way the Media acts will seem, to a British person, quite bizarre. Often people in the UK know more than the French about what's happening in their own country. The Media are told not to report something, so they don't, and everything appears rosy, no printing of stuff the Government and politicians don't want you to know here! OK, rant over.[:D] It is changing, but very slowly, as there is also the issue of their offical, and unoffical, subsiduaries for the Media to consider. Anyway to get back to the question. Restos du Coeur. They provide food for millions of impoverished French, Calais included, Brits included, because of the holes in the welfare system through which so many people fall. I'd recommend them. They will be a branch in your local town, normally up some back street, practical help is greatly prized. Google Coluche for more info. I've worked for them. If you really want to integrate, it's a great way to see the real France.

They only went to areas where we have good contacts, accomodation was organised in advance, in shared houses. Swindon/Newbury/Reading, we steered them away from London as too expensive. Apparently the unemployment rate has gone up by 50% in Newbury in the last 12 months. 0.8% to 1.2%. Wow, that's dreadful, appalling, how do people cope?

I, as a French taxpayer, am absolutely appalled by this report. UK taxpayers are entitled to their own views, which I may not agree with, but there you go. I think this situation says volumes about France, if UK citizens thinking of moving to France can't see that, well consider there but for the grace of God go you, I hope everything goes swimmingly for you, and you never need ANY help from French officialdom. I can't see how anyone can ignore this, debate the illegality of the situation all you like, send them home (to what home?), hang the trafficers from the nearest lamp post, whatever you want. However, what are you going to do about about a scared, lonely, cold child, shivering in a foreign country, far from home? Well, if you're the French authorities, ignore them, let them move on, or die, they don't care. I do care. I've made my contributions of money, and time, to the Croix Rouge and Restos du Couer, the very least I can do. I daren't show it to my wife, she thinks her countrymen are despicable enough as it is. And I'm starting to have concerns about returning to the UK, considering the amazing attitude of some UK contributors on here. Fortunately I have enough friends and relatives there, to know that not everyone agrees with you.

15%? The ILO don't agree, they say 5.7%, they compile the figures, the Government provide a "Claimant Count".. How have (now) 4 of my wife's (french) nephews/neices found jobs in the UK in the last 2 months, after no work for over 6 months here, not even a McJob. 2 of them don't even speak English, one of whom arrived on spec, and had a job within 3 days. None, except 1, of them have got any particular, in-demand skills. Maybe they should have gone to Italy?

Agreed Sprogster. Industrial production is the same in UK/France/Germany, within a gnat's whisker, but hey-ho let's not let the facts get in the way. I'm not bothering adding links again, as nobody reads them. NB the Guardian article is 6 months old and refers a decline mirrored globally. German industrial orders were down 68% in the same period, they don't look at production, so they don't know how that declined. Funnily enough France's finances are in the spotlight today. "Grand Loan" that's a euphemism for illegal state aid. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=a3Yp0nvS1CA8

My wife considers herself "English", she sounds french, definately is a bit coloured. We were going to Geneva next, but that secondment seems to have fallen through, the Swiss economy is as dead as a dodo. It is likely I'll be going to the UK, and I'm starting to get a little worried. If I get posted to the UK what sort of discrimation is she likely to face. We were in  London about 10 years ago, without any problems. I get the impression that maybe things have changed? Have attitudes changed, is there active, or discrete, discrimation against non-whites?

You were being ironic, weren't you Norman?[:D] My MiL employed many young girls who came from the Argoat in Brittany. When they retired as old women from working in my MiL's hotels and restaurants, the unmarried ones didn't have anywhere to go, they stayed in my MiL's house as "servants". In reality they made the beds, cleaned, cooked, so at least they had some self respect. At Christmas I often drive them to vist their family back on the farms. I have never been so shocked in my life with the living standards of these families. Packed earth floors, no electrity, or running water. I found it embarrassing, and humiliateing, that the government allows people to live like this, they have been forgotten and ignored. It did make me question very seriously the nature of France, it's government, it's media, and it's people, if it can ignore this and just walk on by (figuratively speaking). My MiL is also regional director of the Croix Rouge and Restos de Coeur, and I assuage some of my conscience ensuring that these people get some benefits from these charities, which are normally very heavily urban focused.

Looks like you can live in "England", if you wish, then Scooby. Don't think I'll make it, though, I'm second generation Dutch. Oh well, maybe they'll have me. Missis fails, and she's the one who wants escape France[8-)]

[quote user="tegwini"]'Thirdly, I thought Straw was allowed too much of the available time. I was offended by his assertion that no-one is truly English any more. I am'. Hoddy Well I missed that bit Hoddy - I must have nodded off.  But I do agree with you. BUT it does say lots about this odious man (Straw not Griffiths).  Only in the UK would anyone say this - I don't expect a French politician would dare to say such. But, it's typical of the PC state we live in.   Why not spend hundreds of millions on translation services, documents and translators for immigrants who sometimes refuse, or can't be bothered to learn English ?  The French don't do this and expect immigrants to make an attempt to fit in - quite right too. I too am English  - even with Welsh & Irish blood.  But what proportion will be 'English' in 2030 ? Tegwini [/quote]   I normally stay well away from these sort of threads, they tend to wind me up. However, I was curious how the programme had been received, as it was miles too late for us. Then I saw this............... The "French" absolutely do provide State, Department, Commune information in a multitude of languages, and provide translators.........if you live in a city, where the vast majority of people reside. I suggest your statement shows a lack of knowledge of France, remember there are 5 million muslims in France, and 1.5million in the UK. And in 2030 my French, "coloured", non-practicing muslim wife, will be living in Britain, as she has absolutely no intention of living 1 second longer than necessary, in the racist, intolerent state is France. So that's one on you non-"English" stats. Please define "English".  I see it type of statement all the time through the eyes of my wife in France, so please be careful, in your choice of words, as it is a subject I live with daily. To help you, please recall, racism is discrimination on the grounds of colour, creed or religion, you should be able to hit all 3 if you try.  

We've no kids. In-laws are a 7-8 hour drive. My parents are in the UK. I leave home for work at 7am, return at 7.30pm. Rush round the banks, insurers, etc on Saturday. Food shop Sunday morning, then waste the rest of the day (done all the touristy things years ago), when we need a new lounge suite. WHY? because apparently it spells the end of the world if shops other than supermarkets open on a Sunday. Talk about restraint of trade[:@]. No wonder the supermarkets were so strongly in favour of other retailers not opening on a Sunday[:D]