Benefits Street

[Captain...]

 

Hate based media? You need to do a bit more reading.

 

This is the thing, you pick up on one thing to disagree with in a post, and use that to invalidate everything said in the post, you'll be surprised at how often I agree with you, I just express it in a different way, and you will see one thing you disagree with and dismiss the whole post as the rantings of a loony lefty. I see the Daily Mail as hate based media, no different to other more extreme publications, in fact it is actually worse, because it is more widely read and subtle in its hate, but if aims to profit from scaremongering, which I find despicable but that is off the topic. The point is the government and certain sections of the press have turned benefits into a big storm, when there are actually bigger issues out there, but when something starts trending it gets picked up by more media outlets and it snowballs.

 

I'm pretty sure social media has a big part to play in it too, in days gone by I wouldn't have spent so much time discussing this down the pub for example with my mates, because we have better things to talk about and generally have similar views, or browbeat the one who thinks differently until he agrees or just shuts up. Something like Benefits Street has been splashed all over twitter and Facebook and forums, and other people see it "trending" so jump on the bandwagon.

[Captain...]

Not really, it was quite clearly stated at the start of the series that the street was chosen as it had the highest number of JSA claimaints, it wasn't and has never supposed to be showing how all people on benefits live, that's just a line that has now been trotted out every week by the people trying to defend it. Obviously Ken hasn't watched it so he wouldn't know that but that's probably why he shouldn't comment. That's who it was intended to focus on.

 

The way people have got themselves worked up into thinking the program is supposed to be telling us all "this is how they all live on benefits" is figment of many peopls imaginations (or maybe even their own prejudices?)

 

At least Alf Bentley has got it. Probably as he has watched them all.

 

You realise you agree with me and Ken, we have said it is not representative of all benefits claimants, you have said "Not really", then gone on to agree with both of us by saying it wasn't supposed to.

[Zingari]

This is the thing, you pick up on one thing to disagree with in a post, and use that to invalidate everything said in the post, you'll be surprised at how often I agree with you, I just express it in a different way, and you will see one thing you disagree with and dismiss the whole post as the rantings of a loony lefty. I see the Daily Mail as hate based media, no different to other more extreme publications, in fact it is actually worse, because it is more widely read and subtle in its hate, but if aims to profit from scaremongering, which I find despicable but that is off the topic. The point is the government and certain sections of the press have turned benefits into a big storm, when there are actually bigger issues out there, but when something starts trending it gets picked up by more media outlets and it snowballs.

 

I'm pretty sure social media has a big part to play in it too, in days gone by I wouldn't have spent so much time discussing this down the pub for example with my mates, because we have better things to talk about and generally have similar views, or browbeat the one who thinks differently until he agrees or just shuts up. Something like Benefits Street has been splashed all over twitter and Facebook and forums, and other people see it "trending" so jump on the bandwagon.

totally agree  captain,

does this snowball effect  just happen,   or is it intentionally created to do so  though ?  

[Rincewind]

Clegg did it because he was offered deputy leader. He probably thought he would have influence and eventually it would be better for the Lib Dems. Didn't work out that way. Was he in danger of losing his position if he spoke out? He was in a lose lose situation I suppose.

 

I know someone that plays the system. He lives with his mother who is in her eighties and registered blind. He has not worked for at least ten years due to bad legs. He was a painter/decorator for years so was working in a trade and worked hard. Now he claims disability or he was until recently assessed as fit. Problem with him he has no other skills. Does not have or any interest in computers. Says he cannot walk or sit long without having to go to the loo.

Now for the good bit. He draws his mothers pension for her is down as a carer so gets something for that, although  health has got worse and she needs a day nurse. He likes his ale. Does the rounds in Leicester Derby and Sheffield using various passes. He must have 10 pints a day. I don't know how he does it but he buys the minmum food for him and his mother.

but saying this his money has been reduced and he is waiting for his appeal to go through. He is now having to pay towards his mother's care. If anything happens to her he will be up shit creek as all he will have to live on will be his JSA. But it is a coin flip as to who goes first. He is about 57 and I doubt that any employer will take him on.

He is stuck in a rutt now with his lifestyle. I cannot think of a job he could do. He is an example of someone that gives the majority a bad name. He is on painkillers and his ability to walk can change according to the weather and other factors so one day he can be fine and another in agony.

So I am not saying all those on benefits are innocent angels.

[Guest MattP]

Clegg did it because he was offered deputy leader. He probably thought he would have influence and eventually it would be better for the Lib Dems. Didn't work out that way.

 

I give up, this is absolutely impossible.

 

I'm off to Birmingham, I'll send you a picture when I get to James Turner Street.

[Vacamion]

I just wanted to add that I think Clegg is treated unfairly by most of the media.

 

Up here, given the alternatives, I would have no problem voting LibDem next time (if there is a next time      )...

[Captain...]

totally agree  captain,

does this snowball effect  just happen,   or is it intentionally created to do so  though ?  

 

we all know that all Governments like to bury bad news so it is useful to have a bogeyman card you can play to get people on both sides worked up then release some bad news under the radar, such as a tax hike or latest figures on the deficit. I don't think you can manufacture the snowball effect, but when it does happen you can exploit it.

 

It is no surprise that the tories go after the poor as they are traditionally not going to vote blue, and it is no surprise that at a time when money is tight, people are going to get riled by the idea of those on benefits getting something for nothing when they are working hard and coming away with the sum total of fvck all. Like I said I think it is causal, when things were good under Blair the media storm was the war in Iraq, rather than benefits, because most people were doing well for themselves so didn't see any problem.

 

What it comes down to though is motivation, the media scaremonger for ratings, the government do it for votes, the mood seems to be tackling benefits will win you votes and get you ratings, so they play on it. Immigration and the EU seem to have died down as issues, I'm sure they will come up again, but seeing as this tidal wave of Romanians and Bulgarians hasn't happened yet, there is nothing to get worked up about.

[Captain...]

I just wanted to add that I think Clegg is treated unfairly by most of the media.

 

Up here, given the alternatives, I would have no problem voting LibDem next time (if there is a next time      )...

 

I do like Clegg, but he will never be able to live down voting for tuition fee rise, after promising they would never vote for it. It could well be the end for him politically once this term is done, nobody will be able to trust him, the worst thing about it is it has ended up costing the country shit loads of money in the shot term. It really was career suicide.

[Zingari]

we all know that all Governments like to bury bad news so it is useful to have a bogeyman card you can play to get people on both sides worked up then release some bad news under the radar, such as a tax hike or latest figures on the deficit. I don't think you can manufacture the snowball effect, but when it does happen you can exploit it.

 

It is no surprise that the tories go after the poor as they are traditionally not going to vote blue, and it is no surprise that at a time when money is tight, people are going to get riled by the idea of those on benefits getting something for nothing when they are working hard and coming away with the sum total of fvck all. Like I said I think it is causal, when things were good under Blair the media storm was the war in Iraq, rather than benefits, because most people were doing well for themselves so didn't see any problem.

 

What it comes down to though is motivation, the media scaremonger for ratings, the government do it for votes, the mood seems to be tackling benefits will win you votes and get you ratings, so they play on it. Immigration and the EU seem to have died down as issues, I'm sure they will come up again, but seeing as this tidal wave of Romanians and Bulgarians hasn't happened yet, there is nothing to get worked up about.

i disagree with that part although i do agree with the main thrust of your post 

i think governments and meedja are extremely good at leading us by the nose to the issues they think we should concentrate on and distracting us from others

 The snowballing effect isn't that difficult to engender ( imo)

But all in all i think we are mainly in agreement 

[Captain...]

i disagree with that part although i do agree with the main thrust of your post 

i think governments and meedja are extremely good at leading us by the nose to the issues they think we should concentrate on and distracting us from others

 The snowballing effect isn't that difficult to engender ( imo)

But all in all i think we are mainly in agreement 

 

It's quite interesting watching The Thick of It, I know it is fiction but you do wonder how much of that actually goes on, all the leaking and press manipulation, probably not too far from the truth.

[cambridgefox]

I give up, this is absolutely impossible.

 

I'm off to Birmingham, I'll send you a picture when I get to James Turner Street.

Bet it will be quiet this time of day,with them all at wor.......

[Zingari]

Bet it will be quiet this time of day,with them all at wor.......

...rying about having their benefits cut off ?

[Dr The Singh]

I give up, this is absolutely impossible.

 

I'm off to Birmingham, I'll send you a picture when I get to James Turner Street.

Me and White Dee are waiting for you!!!

 

........everytime I watch this programme I have day dreams of me, Matt P, Ricewind, and White Dee in a massive love sandwich!!  We me holding one boob, Matt holding another and White Dee sitting and Rincewinds face while he's reciting poetry!!!

[Zingari]

Me and White Dee are waiting for you!!!

 

........everytime I watch this programme I have day dreams of me, Matt P, Ricewind, and White Dee in a massive love sandwich!!  We me holding one boob, Matt holding another and White Dee sitting and Rincewinds face while he's reciting poetry!!!

 

get me channel 4's  chief exec  quick !!

[Captain...]

Me and White Dee are waiting for you!!!

 

........everytime I watch this programme I have day dreams of me, Matt P, Ricewind, and White Dee in a massive love sandwich!!  We me holding one boob, Matt holding another and White Dee sitting and Rincewinds face while he's reciting poetry!!!

 

Nobody show this post to 21st C Fox, that would be the photoshop from hell, I think just sicked up a little in my mouth.

[Alf Bentley]

Me and White Dee are waiting for you!!!

 

........everytime I watch this programme I have day dreams of me, Matt P, Ricewind, and White Dee in a massive love sandwich!!  We me holding one boob, Matt holding another and White Dee sitting and Rincewinds face while he's reciting poetry!!!

 

"Ricewind"?!? This contribution leaves a particularly nasty taste in the mouth (or odour in the room or something) ..

[Guest MattP]

Unfortunately didn't get here yesterday. :(

 

A combination of time, a refusal from three cab drivers, meeting people and getting too pissed made us miss out, hoping to get there some point though.

 

Couple of chants in the ground in the ground though related to it "We pay your benefits" and "Have you ever shagged White Dee?" were heard

[oxford blue]

Scrounger

 

What are the criteria for claiming working tax credit?

If you are claiming Jobseekers's Allowance (JSA), start a self employed business (which could your favourite hobby (eg an artist if you like drawing/sketching, decorating if you like home decorating etc ).The DWP are happy - another one off their books and so long as you tell HMRC you're working 16 hours at least, you get WTC (and far more money than claiming JSA).

[Father Ted]

Unfortunately didn't get here yesterday. :(

 

A combination of time, a refusal from three cab drivers, meeting people and getting too pissed made us miss out, hoping to get there some point though.

 

Couple of chants in the ground in the ground though related to it "We pay your benefits" and "Have you ever shagged White Dee?" were heard

I was eagerly anticipating a photo of you being chased down James Turner Street by Gerrard on his BMX whilst shooting BB pellets at you

[Merging Cultures]

I give up, this is absolutely impossible.

I'm off to Birmingham, I'll send you a picture when I get to James Turner Street.

Me and White Dee are waiting for you!!!

........everytime I watch this programme I have day dreams of me, Matt P, Ricewind, and White Dee in a massive love sandwich!! We me holding one boob, Matt holding another and White Dee sitting and Rincewinds face while he's reciting poetry!!!

MattP with people.

[Bellend Sebastian]

I've heard of the term 'poverty porn' before.

Is this what it means? Might catch on. Always a market for kinky stuff

[Guest MattP]

Could even do a live show 24-7 from a different scum street every day, I'd pay for that channel.

[Rincewind]

Some wise words here.

 

quote

The CAB say that these figures show how the economic downturn has been “horribly tough†on young people, but more importantly they show how crucially important it is to invest in the futures of younger people to help them find work, access housing and ultimately contribute toward society and the economy. quote

 

 

http://welfarenewsservice.com/charity-warns-osborne-housing-benefit-axe-figures-show-shocking-57-rise-homelessness/

 

Action Homeless have had their funding cut by 60%. This means job losses in its hostels of about 20 staff. All there will be in hostels are caretakers and one careworkers will cover 2 or 3 hostels each on a rota basis meaning there will be no access to help and advice for the residents of many have health learning disabilities and mental issues. The timescale for hostel to independant living has been reduced to four months.

What this means for DNO we are not sure yet the timescale for us to grow independently is now end of March. There was a meeting of the AH board last night. The CEO is in favour of us carrying on as we can act as their voice and say what they cannot under the gagging law. We are also getting more responses from other organisation via social media like Twitter.

 

On a side note AH are organising a football tournament to help raise funds. The main backers are Caterpillar. We are trying to get other sponsors and yesterday were trying to think of a name for it. Not sure how they are doing it but if any team can enter would anyone like to form a Foxestalk team? It could be held at St Marhgerets.

 

Sorry if I have hijacked and gone off topic a little but thought it better than starting a new thread. When I know more about the tourney I;ll post if anyone is interested..

[MooseBreath]

What does investing in young people have to do with paying charities to talk about how bad homelessness is while doing absolutely nothing to prevent it?

The only link I can see is one of being in favour of cutting funding to pointless charities and channelling that money into education instead. Is that what you mean?

[FoxesAreBlue]

A homeless fella asked for a flyer from me today, all so he could have the satisfaction of throwing on the floor. I wouldn't mind but I didn't even offer it to him in the first place, I assume that joining a gym is not high on his list of priorities so it's not like I caused the scrote any nuisance.

I have bought meals and cups of tea/coffee for the homeless in the past and some have been very thankful of my generosity, unfortunately for this tool, if he ever asks me to spare anything in future (I remember his face), I might take a leaf out of. MattP's book and empty my dirty petrol into his face. He certainly won't be getting a coffee that's for damn sure.