The type of conservatism we are considering there would be better described as modesty and humility. It's becoming less so in the cities but in the rural areas is still deeply engrained.

It's quite charming because it's accompanied by openness and natural friendliness. Smiling into a stranger's face is very usual there, because it doesn't convey anything sinister.

It has no political connections at all. Without only the thinnest level of welfare support, the family is the key to survival. Many generations live under the same roof. The elderly are cared for by the young. Aunties look after children every bit as much as mothers. Having your own bedroom is a rarity. People sleep on sleeping mats everywhere, often outside. It's very different, there is a lot of violence, sometimes no food at all in the house and health care expensive, which why I now stay in the UK, but there are things to be admired and learned from. Many people are very poor but generally much happier than we all are. People share. If you don't have food, the neighbours will share theirs. Tomorrow you may do the reverse.

Edited by Wisbech Eagle (09 Dec 2022 10.32pm)

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

Let me get this right, you are a pensioner with time on your hands, have got a bad medical condition, are in the dusk of your life and your wife won’t let you go for a beer or two to meet someone with a passion for the same football team as you. I’m sure the man genuinely doesn’t want a fight. Now either; you need to get the trousers back and tell her to get back in the kitchen and do ladies stuff, ( sorry bec )your afraid or you’re lying.

Perhaps, though I do my bit.

What I can say is that the economic situation Europe is suffering isn't down to any decisions I supported, I don't think that you can quite say the same.

I share no responsibility in the very real suffering that people are undertaking in this country and across Europe. I argued against lockdowns, furloughs and the continuation and escalation of this absurd war. Just as I also share no responsibility for the suffering that the socially conservative people of the Philippines undergo.

You have spent years on here supporting the establishment line: they might as well employ you on the BBC.

It's nice that you speak in respectful tones in regards to the poor people of the Philippines and their strong family culture. However, the majority of them wouldn't support your politics, which would impact the cohesion of their societies and families and their society would look vastly different.

Edited by Stirlingsays (10 Dec 2022 8.02am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I didn’t mean you! I meant the neighbours would reciprocate.

No-one shares responsibly for events. They can only respond to them. The problem with claiming that any alternative response would be better is always that it is just that. It’s just a claim. Just another theory. Untested.and unverifiable.

Opposition parties live on such claims. Then they die when trying to implement them.

It would take several books to review the complex social situation in the Philippines but knowing them much better than you do I can assure you they are extremely envious of what we have, both socially and politically.

This idea that I support the establishment always makes me smile. I don’t. I support democracy, the rule of law and common sense. I see the need for change but achieved by consent via debate based on truth. Finding the truth in the wastelands of misinformation that now circulate is the challenge.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

My wife is a nurse. Currently working 6 days a week trying to help people like you.

We will have the day before our holiday to prepare and get our dog into kennels. I wouldn’t want to interrupt that day when for the previous 29 I will be alone for most of them. Maybe you are inconsiderate. I try not to be.

I am neither afraid nor lying. Why on earth would I be?

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.

I won't speak badly of your family still the point could be made that nurses trained aboard could be staying and helping the people of their own native country with their skills.....what about them? Those people you care so much about. It is a brain drain.

We should and could have been training British nurses without importing foreign nurses who are badly needed in their own country. We are certainly rich enough to do this and this was what we were doing for decades until the internationalist took over.....Then we get told we need immigrants so badly.....We only need them because they imported them to lessen training costs and we obviously know why those nurses are attracted here.

The problem is entirely a self created one.

Edited by Stirlingsays (10 Dec 2022 10.15am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)