There is some merit to that argument, but not £17 million worth of merit.

(PsychoChomp, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:17, 1 reply, 14 years ago)

I would like to see some proof of this £18 million that's being bandied around
I reckon a lot of that is the legal costs which came from them refusing to accept every court judgement.

If that were the case you are saying that anyone with enough money can do what they like as they just escalate the court costs.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:19, Reply)

I'm saying that councils should take more time to work this shit out before resorting to the courts.
I also think they should be more pragmatic and less principled when it comes to spending that amount of tax payers money. The fact it's taken 10 years and (apparently) cost that much is not saying anything good about either side.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:23, Reply)

How exactly should they "work this out" when these people are breaking the law and refusing to accept the judgement of the courts?
What you're suggesting is that the level of justice should be dependant on how much a twat the defendant is prepared to be about admiting they are in the wrong or not.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:27, Reply)

Well the laws they were breaking was building without permission
and building on the green belt. www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/sep/16/dale-farm-concreted-basildon-council-owner?INTCMP=SRCH This suggests it wasn't really green belt the idea that small chalets are less desirable in the country than a scrap yard is a push.
And I think they did get temporary planning permission which was then withdrawn during the labour years. Which does change some things in my mind.
And justice shouldn't be blind to the fact you're basically making children homeless. You're not only punishing the people who broke the planning laws but the people they live with.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:38, Reply)

You would have more of a point if they hadn't set out to build this without getting planning permission in the first place
Your saying it's okay to build something, then apply for permission, and then when it's refused say "don't make my kids homeless". They have been offered council accomodation but they are refusing it as they say living in houses makes them ill. Which is just a lie.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:47, Reply)

Living in some of the council housing I've seen would make anyone ill

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:49, Reply)

Then that's a wider issue with council accomodation
but that's not a reason why they be allowed to ignore court judgements.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:50, Reply)

having kids is not a valid argument
oh, i had sex without a condom, now you have to let me break the law.

i see tenants who have pocketed 3 months' of housing benefit payments and then don't want to pay their rent or move out use this old chestnut ALL THE TIME.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:53, Reply)

How I would have solved the problem:
1. Go drinking in the same pub as the main traveller types, and casually mention that Liam Neeson's daughter is loaded.
2. Wait for them to kidnap Liam Neeson's daughter.
3. Record Liam Neeson going to get his daughter back.
4. Half of the travellers will be dead or injured, and I'll make a fortune from the film.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:29, Reply)

You should become a professional bailiff.
I'll be your cameraman.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:31, Reply)

Just don't do that 'quick, jarring camera movement' bullshit
I hate when action films use it to make fight scenes seem more visceral.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:34, Reply)

It certainly made "This Life" seem more visceral.

(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:49, Reply)

But it ruined Freddy vs Terrible Horse Porn XI

( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:55, Reply)

I like the "Jizz's eye" view camera technique during the final money shot.
I heard they broke the actresses nose three times filming it.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:57, Reply)

that last sentence is not actually an inaccurate assessment
in some respects.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 19 Sep 2011, 12:23, Reply)