Kevin's Watch

Nice to see you around Deer.

--A

Thats phenomenal Deer and glad now Stag boy gets it

Its the little things that bring the greatest joys lol init?

Avatar wrote:Nice to see you around Deer.

--A

Nice to be seen!

Yesterday in the shop I experienced just how easily people will surrender the rights that have been won, the constitution that has been developed, over centuries of painful struggle - rights and protocols that once lost, will not quickly and without struggle be regained.

Some people even went as far as expressing approval for Boris Johnson's actions, presumably because they see them as conducive toward an end that on this particular occasion they happen to agree with. One wonders if they will exhibit the same degree of insouciance when he does the same in respect of something they don't support.

Yes exactly Pete. Its craziness... and I personally find it very concerning. What gets in my craw is that the average joe seems oblivious to the impact of such decisions.

Eh, for the most part, the average joe isn't affected toomuch in their daily lives, so it's really probably much of a muchness to them, until that effect becomes pronounced.

--A

Truth

It's a sure fire certainly that not one of the people behind the Government's recent statement that it is considering raising the retirement age in the UK UK to 75 will be thinking of working to that age themselves.

It is of course an absolutely ridiculous suggestion, but one that has been thrown out in the same cynical manner as the original huge divorce settlement figure from the EU, as a means of 'softening' the effect of the actual figure they will rest at (70 in my bet). Another trick that is being used is the use of political outriders in the media to shift the position of the 'overton window' (the window in terms of position, within which debate may be carried out on a subject and be considered as mainstream and reasonable). I recently saw an article in which the argument was advanced that the old age pension was never introduced in order that people might spend years of their lives not working. This is absolutely false as well as being fucking stupid: in France, the originator of the system it was introduced "so that the working man might enjoy at the end of his life, the leisure that the aristocrat had enjoyed for the entirety of his".

I have heard the argument advanced that "some people want to continue working after they reach the normal time for retirement; this may well be the case - for those whose work has been of a nature and remunerative capacity that the idea is tolerable, but those who work down at the level of drudgery and soul destroying repetiveness that my job entails (and who will be most likely to be bound by such changes) have no desire to do so whatsoever!

Its likely the age that the US set retirement at but those poor bastards are totally being shafted.

Theyve raised the aged pension to 67 here. To me THATS too high.

Fortunately we are not beholden to it ... both having worked in public service our entire working lives were able to retire early. We are NOT rich wealthy folk at all but both gave very good superannuation. That in its entirety pays for our mortgage on the property. Having raised a houseful of kids we never had money for holidays or travel ... or ... NICE THINGS.

Nothing has changed ... we still dont. And thats perfect in my book. Our business ... a low earner but pays the bills. Besides the property we have no other debt to our names. So we are free from that stranglehold. 65 is really the average retirement age for most here.

Some will work beyond that if they choose ... some will drop dead the day after they hang their boots up. Tis a fact for quite a number of people. Ive known one or two myself.

I think the aged pension is the least return for a lifetime investment in hard work and paying taxes. For many its the only return they will ever get.

Over 65 to my mind is utterly fucked up and I say ... AFTER YOU GOOD SIR You Mr Pollie work to 75 or whatever and Ill follow. But I want to see some of these fucking pollies actually WORKING for an actual wage ... not on the huge fucking wickets all are on here.

Serve one year in politics and on a phenomenal pension for the very duration of their natural lives.

So after YOU ... and after you ensure that youre not on such an untenable wicket for YOUR public service.

If 20k is enough for me to live on after I retire then it should be enough for them at 36yrs and having pulled one solitary year.

Grrrrrr

Viewing the pictures on local media of a Pride event in a nearby town I was conscious of a twinge of jealousy that people were clearly having such fun - and I wasn't there! I'd like to think that about now is the time we just could open up the reach of this wellspring of positive vibing to include the straight community alongside their brothers and sisters in the gay - but I'm not sure we are quite there yet. A recent 'straight pride' rally in the US attracted opprobrium on the basis that it was essentially a back-handed slap-down of the gay version attended by far-right activists intent on ridiculing the LGBT community, and this may or may not be the case - but one of the arguments against it that "the straight community does not need a Pride march" strikes me as ...... presumptuous (?) As a straight, white, old, male I'm beginning to feel distinctly out of fashion and favour in our modern day order - and I'd like nothing better than to go out to one of these events just to soak up the vibe and enjoy a 'feelgood day' with my fellow human beings - to party just for party's sake in the presence of vibrancy and colour. Here's living in hope that one day it might be possible for me to do so.

Well its really not about that.

If youve had to hide your heterosexuality, live in fear of being arrested for being heterosexual, as till homosexuality was decriminalised gays did, or you were bullied or beaten for just being heterosexual then god damn right you deserve a heterosexual pride parade.

The point is that many folk just because of their sexuality have to hide, for fear of judgement or worse ... have claimed a parade to stand tall and be PROUD of who they are ... thats how Gay Pride got started.

For everyone gay and straight to come together and celebrate their normality together ... whether that be LGBTQ or whatever.

I love our Gay Pride parades .. we have a big one in Sydney ... Ive been a hugger. You wear a T-shirt offering free hugs. Soooo many people need hugs and acceptance ... and its kinda crazy but even today in the 21C.

I had to literally run after the parade .. I kept getting stopped and asked for hugs.

Its about saying we are ok with you ... all of you yous. With your authentic you.

Peter, there really is no reason you can't attend. The Saturday of the 2011 Elohimfest weekend was also when Albuquerque's Pride Parade took place, and it went right by the Flying Star Cafe where Fest attendees were just finishing brunch. We all headed out to the sidewalk to watch and cheer them on.

I know there is a very serious point behind the Pride movement - but damn, those peeps know how to put a fun face on it! We could all take a lesson from that book; take all the knocks that intolerance and bigotry can throw at you - and emerge stronger, better and an example to all. More power to their elbow, and maybe next year if I'm not working I'll do just as you say SD!

True that SD

Time for Greta Thunberg to be returned to the classroom. If there was any doubt that this child is being exploited, the sad sight of her distress and fragility in front of her UN audience the other day confirms it. She is right - her childhood is being robbed from her. By the people who are filling her young mind with such frightening visions as she poured forth to the applauding crowd before her, in such clear distress that it was almost painful to see. Shame on them.

Agreed.

As I mentioned in another thread...children make the best soldiers...

--A

A vegetable model of the Leader of the House lying recumbent across the benches of the Commons has won second prize at the annual Newton Onion Show in Gloucestershire. Entitled Jacob Leeks Mogg, the work commemorates the now notorious incident in which the Leader demonstrated his insouciance in respect of criticism of the Government's Brexit policy by adopting a slouching and semi sommnulant position, literally hanging off one of the front bench ends, while opposition members put forward their case against the Government position. The prize, awarded to creator Hestor Field for the entry, was a Crunchie Bar.

Savor Dam wrote:Peter, there really is no reason you can't attend. The Saturday of the 2011 Elohimfest weekend was also when Albuquerque's Pride Parade took place, and it went right by the Flying Star Cafe where Fest attendees were just finishing brunch. We all headed out to the sidewalk to watch and cheer them on.

That was fun. And I got some beads!
I've always had fun at Pride events.

I always DO have fun at Pride events


How fun wish Id been there ... we really should have another Elohimfatgering