I hope you are proud of that language!

I am no defender of the lazy or the scrounger, but I am of the genuinely disadvantaged. Recognising and separating them is the difficulty.

Whilst our modern lifestyles have encouraged us all to be consumers, for most of us there are more important things than just money. Having enough has always been my aim, and I live modestly and within my means. Things are nothing like as important as people and love.

You may recall I own some rental properties, which partly provide my pension. They are small, single person flats, which are, sadly, much needed. One of my current tenants, I suspect you would regard as "scummy". He certainly looks it, as he is a big man, smothered in tattoos, fit and strong. The sort of guy many would cross the street to avoid. His history supports first impressions, as he served 14 years in prison and is out on licence. I'll leave you to guess what he did.

First impressions would though be quite wrong. He is a lovely man. Prison has reformed him, and he is gentle, kind and appreciative. He was an addict when he committed his crime, having suffered a difficult upbringing and early life experiences. He is now drug free and determined to make his way in the world. He struggled to get a job, because of his history, but he is now working and earning good money. He might not be my tenant much longer, but I am proud to have helped him a little, and he is really appreciative of that help. I am pretty sure he would do anything for me, because I showed some faith in him.

Maybe, though, you would have been pleased if the Police had just "put him down" when they caught him. Would have been much cheaper just to bury him, the scumbag.

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.

As a non-believer, that's impossible. I don't do anything special. My friends would do all the same, as would many others. Helping others is a reward in itself. It's my tenant who is special, by managing to overcome a bad situation, serve his time and return to be a useful citizen.

All I was doing in relating that tale was to highlight the prejudice that exists.

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.

to the max

Responsibility Deficit Disorder is a medical condition. Symptoms include inability to be corrected when wrong, false sense of superiority, desire to share personal info no else cares about, general hubris. It's a medical issue rather than pure arrogance.

It's still going on and still being suppressed for political reasons.
But hey, what does any of that matter in Yorkshire when an Asian cricketer gets all retrospectively upset about a few names he got called in jest by friends.

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52>48. Discuss.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.