Aye aye robbo, comments like your previous one keep it running along....

This thread has gone on far too long!

FFS MURRAY

'Kin 'ell! It's essay time!

Do you think the UK should allow any legal immigration, and if so under what criteria and limits?
Not at present, except to genuine asylum seekers and refugees. We are full!

Do you think illegal immigrants should be allowed to work and/or entitled to NHS and state benefits?
No.

Do you think this country should provide refuge for people fleeing war or persecution?
Yes.

Do you think asylum seekers (pending or successful) should be allowed to work and/or entitled to NHS and state benefits?
Successful ones should be entitled. Pending, no, but the system of determining success or not should be speedy.

In light of your answers above, how do you propose to deal with the underemployment in the UK at present?
An overhaul of the vocational training system, and less incentive to people to rely on state handouts.

How do you intend to close the pension gap (ie the NIC funds can't afford to pay our aging population)?
Encourage private pensions, add 1% onto NI contributions, eventually means test the state pension.

What measures would you take if you were PM to ensure that all the low-paid low-grade jobs we need are filled?
Introduce measures to make the dole less appealing to the idle, maybe to the point of restricting dole to those who could but don't work. Maybe raise the minimum wage.

What measures would you take to ensure that the skilled professional jobs we don't have capable British people for, are filled?
Live with it in the short term, reap the rewards of the training system overhaul in the long term.

If you emigrated to another country, say Spain for example, would you integrate into their culture or remain predominantly British?
I would try to integrate, and would at least learn the language. I would enjoy learning the culture, but most of me would always be British!

If you moved to Spain as in that example, would you support Spain if they played England at football? If England, how would you imagine the locals would react?
Of course not, and I would expect the locals to respect my nationality. So I'd fail the Tebbit test.

If someone beat up a little girl and said it was done in the name of CPFC, would you feel offended?
Of course.

Do you believe that Osama Bin Laden represents Islam and the wider Muslim community?
No.

Do you believe that suicide bombing is permitted in Islamic law?
No.

Do you think anti-Islamism is racist?
Yes.

Do you think anti-Gypsyism is racist?
Yes. And Bexter would kill me if I said no.

Do you believe that the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition mean that Christianity is a violent religion?
They mean that Christianity was a violent religion in those times, but nowadays generally it isn't. Violent acts committed in the name of Christianity are no more valid than those committed in the name of Islam.

Do you have any Muslim friends?
Acquaintances, yes. Friends, no.

If a black person shouts "you white b******" at a player during a football match would you report him to the stewards? What if it was the other way round?
Yes and yes.

Are there any immigrants in your area?
Yes.

If so, how can you tell they are immigrants?
Mainly by their clothing and their language, and being asked directions to Lunar House.

Do you think they cause problems, and if so how would you solve them?
Some do. I'd introduce a probationary period for all immigrants, and they would be deported if found guilty of serious crime during that time.

If the UK was invaded by a non European and non Christian country, would you take up arms to defend your nation? What lengths would you go to, to kick them out?
Yes, I'd die for my country under invasion. However, if I believed that the force was there to free me from oppression, I'd support it.

What would you do or feel if it became known that the occupying power was bombing churches (even if for apparently valid military reasons)?
I'd feel no different than the anger of the occupying force being there in the first place.

What would you do or feel if it became known that the occupying power was imprisoning thousands of British citizens without trial, and subjecting them to extreme torture and sometimes murder?
Extreme anger.

How would you define someone as being "one of us" -- in the sense that most people feel we should look after our own, before trying to solve the world's problems.
I never use that term. But "one of us" to me can mean anyone from a Brit, to a Palace fan...

Do you think your views and opinions are stifled by so-called Political Correctness?
In certain circumstances, yes.

Who do you blame for the attacks on 11 Sept 2001?
Al Qae'da, and specifically Osama Bin Laden.

Who do you blame for the British empire's massacres of civilians in India, Kenya and Tasmania amongst others?
The British people who made the decisions at the time.

Is there a moral difference between murder carried out by individuals and by soldiers?
Is killing in the course of combat "murder"?
If you're talking completely unlawful killing, then there is no difference.

Goodness is what you do. Not who you pray to.

I think i pretty much agree with all of Moose's answers. Worryingly

Although it saved me writing an essay too

Edited by saxoneagle (15 Dec 2004 11:45am)

Some intereseting questions - so here's some boring answers:

Do you think the UK should allow any legal immigration, and if so under what criteria and limits?
Yes - only for those whose presence will be a bonus and not a drain on the economy (i.e. skilled personnel in a field we're looking for, or shedloads of cash)

Do you think illegal immigrants should be allowed to work and/or entitled to NHS and state benefits?
No. More to the point if they do come to light they should be slung out immediately - no appeal, no retrospective asylum applications etc

Do you think this country should provide refuge for people fleeing war or persecution?
Very much so.

Do you think asylum seekers (pending or successful) should be allowed to work and/or entitled to NHS and state benefits?
Successful ones yes. Pending, no. Controversially I'm also in favour of detention centres, provided the claims can be processed in a short timeframe. Not prison camps, but comfortable secure residences - if I were an asylum seeker genuinely fearing for the safety of my family at home, I'd be more than happy to be warm, safe, and fed pending a decision.

In light of your answers above, how do you propose to deal with the underemployment in the UK at present?
Force those who can, but don't, work back into the market.

How do you intend to close the pension gap (ie the NIC funds can't afford to pay our aging population)?
Force all companies to provide a pension, increase tax/NI to pay for shortfall until then, if necessary, and to cover those unable to work.

What measures would you take if you were PM to ensure that all the low-paid low-grade jobs we need are filled?
Make the dole, for fit, healthy, working age people, a limitted offer (i.e. "sorry you're out of work, here's some help for a while, when that runs out you're on your own")

What measures would you take to ensure that the skilled professional jobs we don't have capable British people for, are filled?
As per legal immigration answer above

If you emigrated to another country, say Spain for example, would you integrate into their culture or remain predominantly British?
I would always be British (English, actually), but would conform to their way of doing things

If you moved to Spain as in that example, would you support Spain if they played England at football? If England, how would you imagine the locals would react?
No. I'm sure the locals wouldn't care (I discuss cricket with my Indian and South African friends all the time). However, I would be neither surprised nor disappointed if any kids I may have while out there support Spain

If someone beat up a little girl and said it was done in the name of CPFC, would you feel offended?
No - I would write them off as clearly a complete @rse!

Do you believe that Osama Bin Laden represents Islam and the wider Muslim community?
No.

Do you believe that suicide bombing is permitted in Islamic law?
No.

Do you think anti-Islamism is racist?
Yes.

Do you think anti-Gypsyism is racist?
Depends on your definition of 'Gypsy' here - if you mean Romany, then yes, that would be racist, if you're using gypsy in the looser and more common way to mean 'traveller', then no - they are NOT a race, merely people exploiting living outside the law, and I'm with Moose in that I've never met one of that type I had any time for

Do you believe that the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition mean that Christianity is a violent religion?
A historically violent religion , yes

Do you have any Muslim friends?
Not that I know of currently - have had in the past, and I certainly have many asian friends who could be (mostly of Indian decent so I'd always assumed them to be Hindu, but it's never been important enough to me to ask)

If a black person shouts "you white b******" at a player during a football match would you report him to the stewards? What if it was the other way round?
Probably wouldn't notice, and yes.

Are there any immigrants in your area?
Yes.

If so, how can you tell they are immigrants?
Used to live opposite an asylum seekers' refuge (bit of a giveaway!)

Do you think they cause problems, and if so how would you solve them?
Not in my own direct experience.

If the UK was invaded by a non European and non Christian country, would you take up arms to defend your nation? What lengths would you go to, to kick them out?
Wouldn't matter if they were European and Christian, I'd still say yes. May be a different story if they were here to rid me of the evils of the Blair government then I'd be all for it (that would, of course, be dependant on them p1ssing off again when they'd done it)

What would you do or feel if it became known that the occupying power was bombing churches (even if for apparently valid military reasons)?
No difference.

What would you do or feel if it became known that the occupying power was imprisoning thousands of British citizens without trial, and subjecting them to extreme torture and sometimes murder?
Would be more than little bit peeved!

How would you define someone as being "one of us" -- in the sense that most people feel we should look after our own, before trying to solve the world's problems.
Completely depends on context. It means nothing without context (could be a brit, an englishman, a Palace fan, someone in my team at work, etc). In the context I think you're getting at, I'd say a brit (and by that I mean anyone living in Britain LEGALLY, regardless of where they originally came from, with the possible exception of people from Brighton)

Do you think your views and opinions are stifled by so-called Political Correctness?
Sometimes. Can you imagine having a conversation with Darcus Howe? Absolutely determined to be offended by anything you say.

Who do you blame for the attacks on 11 Sept 2001?
Al Qae'da

Who do you blame for the British empire's massacres of civilians in India, Kenya and Tasmania amongst others?
Decision-makers at the time.

Is there a moral difference between murder carried out by individuals and by soldiers?
No, but there are different circumstances. Walking up to an innocent unarmed civilian and putting a bullet in his head is murder, firing on a car approaching a roadblock believing it, by your experience, to likely be a suicide bomber, even if it subsequently turns out the guy was in a rush to visit his sick cat, is not!

Do you think the UK should allow any legal immigration, and if so under what criteria and limits?

Yes, under the criteria that they are legit and not criminals evading the law.

Do you think illegal immigrants should be allowed to work and/or entitled to NHS and state benefits?

Yes, If they work, and register etc.

Do you think this country should provide refuge for people fleeing war or persecution?

Yes

Do you think asylum seekers (pending or successful) should be allowed to work and/or entitled to NHS and state benefits?

Yes, if they work, unless they can't.

In light of your answers above, how do you propose to deal with the underemployment in the UK at present?

Well, the immigrants would take up a lot of vacancies, and boost the economy thereof. While there is still underemployment we are in a position to take more immigrants.

How do you intend to close the pension gap (ie the NIC funds can't afford to pay our aging population)?

The problem would be staved off by more people working - including migrants - and so the money would be raiseed by keeping current rates.

What measures would you take if you were PM to ensure that all the low-paid low-grade jobs we need are filled?

The immigrants can do that, and those that are on unemployment benefit stimulated to work by increasingly stringent rules saying they must apply for certain jobs after a period of time.

What measures would you take to ensure that the skilled professional jobs we don't have capable British people for, are filled?

More education, and immigration. Although, I would say that taking qualified skilled labour from developing countries is immoral.

If you emigrated to another country, say Spain for example, would you integrate into their culture or remain predominantly British?

I don't consider my identity in terms of nationality. I would talk to people, and try to involve myself in society, if that's what you mean.

If you moved to Spain as in that example, would you support Spain if they played England at football? If England, how would you imagine the locals would react?

No, I'd stay loyal to my teams, England and New Zealand, as I would expect them to do in the same situation.

If someone beat up a little girl and said it was done in the name of CPFC, would you feel offended?

Not offended, offence is directed personally at me. I would be angry, and would not accept violence as reason.

Do you believe that Osama Bin Laden represents Islam and the wider Muslim community?

No

Do you believe that suicide bombing is permitted in Islamic law?

Not sure, don't know Islamic law. It may be a question of interpretation.

Do you think anti-Islamism is racist?

No. Any a member of any race can be a Muslim.

Do you think anti-Gypsyism is racist?

No, as above, any race can be a gypsy. Although, if you refer to the Roma, then yes.

Do you believe that the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition mean that Christianity is a violent religion?

No, the hijacking of religion by those who wage war is not necessarily relevant to the religion itself.

Do you have any Muslim friends?

Acquaintances not friends.

If a black person shouts "you white b******" at a player during a football match would you report him to the stewards? What if it was the other way round?

Unlikely, as I wouldn't hear him. Possibly if I did, I don't get to many games.

Are there any immigrants in your area?

Yes

If so, how can you tell they are immigrants?

They tell me so.

Do you think they cause problems, and if so how would you solve them?

No

If the UK was invaded by a non European and non Christian country, would you take up arms to defend your nation? What lengths would you go to, to kick them out?

I would take up arms to defend myself and my family rather than my nation.

What would you do or feel if it became known that the occupying power was bombing churches (even if for apparently valid military reasons)?

It would make no difference to any other sort of bombing.

What would you do or feel if it became known that the occupying power was imprisoning thousands of British citizens without trial, and subjecting them to extreme torture and sometimes murder?

Anger.

How would you define someone as being "one of us" -- in the sense that most people feel we should look after our own, before trying to solve the world's problems.

Yes, everyone. I believe everyone is a world citizen and member of the human race first and foremost.

Do you think your views and opinions are stifled by so-called Political Correctness?

No.

Who do you blame for the attacks on 11 Sept 2001?

US foreign policy and a bunch of extremist loons.

Who do you blame for the British empire's massacres of civilians in India, Kenya and Tasmania amongst others?

The British

Is there a moral difference between murder carried out by individuals and by soldiers?

No

Have a good Christmas everyone... especially Penge and Moose. Respect

You too slug.