ADK

When I was on JSA, was doing unpaid work in the city centre, wearing my old sixth form suit and shirt, would always be harassed by tramps begging for money or food. It seemed as I was dressed even slightly smart it was probably assumed I was on a decent wage. Summed up everything I hate about modern Britain really.

Find it hard to believe almost 25% of the uk is obese.

How do they know anyway?

As a liberal, the case interested me a lot at the time. It is one thing when terrorists commit an atrocity but it is quite another when the state executes a member of the public without warning, due to a suspicion that turns out to be wrong. When terrorists are able to make us kill each other out of blind fear then they have won. The response of the police was disgraceful too. Not enough was done to stop misinformation spreading (their is strong suspicion the police were putting out misinformation). Suspicions of a cover up. Strong suspicions of police lying in their witness statements. Evidence of written logs being modified. The mission itself was either totally incompetent or more sinister, obviously we will never know the truth.

Yeah there was probably only 1 homeless person in reality.

I think using the term "stoned" didn't help. That implies a level of impairment, I wouldn't say I was driving drunk after having a pint.

Are you agreeing or disagreeing?

I'd imagine there are safe limits as there are with alcohol. We have recently introduced ridiculously stringent drug driving limits and I wouldn't be surprised if alcohol limits are brought down, not because there is any great need but because it allows an official to look like they are doing something. The current legislation on drugs is ridiculous and wastes public resources and undermines the police.

I think it is about control. Terminally ill people live in fear of a painful death and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. People in debt worry about their future, will they lose their home and possessions? People who have no job feel hopeless. Those who care for a dying relative feel helpless to save them. Social interactions help us to retain control over our lives. Loving parents, loyal friends, pets, partners, children, colleagues, so if we allow our social interactions to be dominated by one entity then we become vulnerable if something happens to them or that interaction breaks down. I think most of what we categorise as "mental illness" could be cured by a more cohesive society and giving people more control over their lives. I think if somebody is aware of something that will bring them happiness and knows what they need to be doing at the lowest level then they will choose to do that over suicide. I'm sceptical that drugs and "cbt" are particularly effective solutions although they may help in some cases.

I think it's more of a social problem than we are prepared to admit as a society. As a society we value productivity above happiness.

I don't like the way the "right" (especially the far right) often uses the armed forces for political propaganda, usually in a covert manner. Overblown celebrations on November 11th or constant fundraising for certain charities while trying to claim anyone who doesn't worship the forces is unpatriotic (I'm not directing this at anyone on here or in particular). Soldiers pay is better than it appears due to the amount of subsidy they receive for accommodation, food and transport and other perks. Certainly for a young person who isn't academic, it's a very good career to get. What we must do better is ensure our troops have the best levels of equipment available to them. More helicopters so troops are less exposed to ambushes. Having the latest and best protected vehicles. Not getting involved in unnecessary conflicts. It shouldn't really be seen as "being paid to kill people". Killing is a by product of armed conflict and we shouldn't sugar coat it, but armed forces can prevent genocide in foreign countries and effective international organisations like the UN and NATO can prevent war from occurring in the first place. At the end of the day I respect any decent human being regardless of their pay or what they do for a living so long as it is moral. Somebody who deliberately tries to con vulnerable people out of money I do not respect, regardless of the legality. A politician who is willing to attack a section of society for personal gain I do not respect.

How can air con give you chest infections? Or did I miss a joke somewhere?

I find the concept of the universe quite interesting. You wonder how much of what we think we know is actually rubbish, a bit like people assuming the world was flat.

I actually tend to see "rant over" as admitting you are passionate about something and therefore likely being hyperbolic and slightly dogmatic about the subject matter, rather than trying to convey any sense of heightened importance. It's asking the reader to make an allowance for the fact you are emotionally involved with the subject.