Well italy is fucked, which means Spain and Portugal and most likely fucked
It is economic armageddon for our European neighbours and we will feel the consequences.

What will you do when you have no job money and are living in a cardboard box next to Monty?

alt: LUNCH!
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:51, 216 replies, latest was 14 years ago)

SUSHI

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:52, Reply)

RISOTTO

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:54, Reply)

POLENTA

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:54, Reply)

GROSS

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:55, Reply)

COUSCOUS

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:55, Reply)

Waste of time
Never as nice as it should be. Polenta is fucking ace though
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:56, Reply)

Ooh I love a bit of couscous

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:57, Reply)

meh

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:58, Reply)

Even when I have had it in expensive eateries, polenta is a waste of time.
Compared to say... a couple of roast spuds.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:02, Reply)

I like it both soft and hard (oo-err)
I followed an amazing mushroom/red wine soup recipe that had a dollop of polenta in at the end. It was fucking amazing!
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:04, Reply)

The spud is king.

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:10, Reply)

In those circumstances, I'd set fire to his box to keep warm.

( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:54, Reply)

It'll go up a treat, what with all the scraggly hair and alcohol fumes

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:55, Reply)

His mummified corpse should burn quite well I think
Alt:
Chicken, smoked bacon and cheddar sandwich
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:55, Reply)

Probably go grab a pint I would think and talk about how much we both hate you.

(PsychoChomp, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:56, Reply)

Surely a can of Special Brew would be more appropriate

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:56, Reply)

I don't like special brew,
I'd go for strongbow at a push.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:57, Reply)

OK, deal

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:58, Reply)

poof

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:59, Reply)

If I end up living in a cardboard box, I'll just wrote 'OCCUPY!' on the side
and get support from all the bleeding hearted Liberals. I mean, I am usually one of those bleeding hearted Liberals, but I'm not above taking advantage of my own kind if needs must.

Lunch: Humous that fizzed on my tongue, so is now in the bin and replaced by battered sausage and chips. I did try to be healthy though, so this doesn't count.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:56, Reply)

Don't forget your 'what would jesus do?' flag

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:57, Reply)

Should I fly that above or below the Peace sign? I always forget the etiquette.

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:00, Reply)

Yes, humous that is off is fizzy and disgusting.

( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:58, Reply)

I know, I barely tasted it and still feel a bit icky when I think about it.
That's humous off the list of things I'll eat for a while now.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:01, Reply)

Try the morroccan topped stuff from ASDA, its very good.

( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:09, Reply)

When I can face it again, I'll bear that in mind.

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:17, Reply)

Hi Scarpe!

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:01, Reply)

Hi Rory Lyon!
I see you have been annoying people on QOTW again? You little scamp, you.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:03, Reply)

Yeah, soz about your entry, still outing qotw predatory peedo's had to come first.

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:06, Reply)

I don't want you worrying about my entry, thank you very much.

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:08, Reply)

I really got off on it's superb pace and rich textual pathos.

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:11, Reply)

Getting you off is my life time's goal...

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:17, Reply)

Great, I've actually disturbed myself now.

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:20, Reply)

Not to worry, China will sort this whole financial mess out.

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:59, Reply)

lol

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 12:59, Reply)

lacist

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:00, Reply)

rol

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:00, Reply)

I'd busk
I play the saxophone but so badly that people would pay me to shut the hell up.

I have watercress, broccoli and roquefort soup.
(berk, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:02, Reply)

Why?
Why would anyone liquidise watercress? It's far too awesome in its natural state to be besmirched so
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:14, Reply)

I'm hoping to avoid this fate
As I work in a fairly recession proof industry, but if it happens, I guess I could always move in with family, that should provide enough incentive to get my arse in gear.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:05, Reply)

You work in the arms trade?

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:20, Reply)

undertaker?

(Zoz prayed for twink on, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:21, Reply)

My work is to do with Freeview and Freesat boxes
In this climate people tend to stay in and watch telly because it's cheaper. Freeview and Freesat, are both free, so actually we do better when there's a recession on, allegedly.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:27, Reply)

You work in london right?

(PsychoChomp, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:29, Reply)

Yes I do.
Getting home may be interesting.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:09, Reply)

Don't be daft
People will always needs telecommunications. And analysts. Especially in Norwich.

Alt: as has previously been documented, I have the squits. So I can either go with a) nothing, until this bug works itself out, or b) the spiciest bastard thing I can find in town, in an attempt to nuke the fuck out of it.
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:13, Reply)

Option b
for squits and giggles
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:16, Reply)

Hahaha
Very good. I'll think of that to raise a smile whilst firing lava out of my fractured ringpiece later
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:21, Reply)

Italy isn't fucked yet.
Berlasconi needs to go within a week and it'll calm down. They also need elections where the people actually elect decent polititians not the bunch of pricks who fight all the time that they've got at the moment.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:14, Reply)

hmm
I'm not sure they'll get a great bunch to choose from.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:19, Reply)

Hasn't he gone this morning?
Edit: Hmm...perhaps I should have read beyond the headlines.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:20, Reply)

They apparently have the largest gold reserves of any country in the Euro zone
That could come in handy at some point, maybe?

/Knows little of economics
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:21, Reply)

Monty haas the largest gold reserves he just can't cash it in for some reason

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:39, Reply)

Because it is Nazi gold?

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:41, Reply)

O_o

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:44, Reply)

And now I am singing Nazi gold to the theme music of Esther Rantzen's Hearts of Gold
Curses.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:51, Reply)

I think I'm pretty much set up for life.
Alt: default lunch.
( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:16, Reply)

Don't blame the lunch
Its not always his fault.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:20, Reply)

Btw! not bragging. Just that we're doing well.

( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:25, Reply)

You is well rich, innit?
Like a northern Swipe.

Oright Beej?
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:31, Reply)

Not rich no. Just don't have to worry about where my next train ticket is coming from : )
Knuckled down this morning and did stuff. Now adding figures. Fingers crossed they add up.
( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:33, Reply)

ticket machine Shirley?

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:38, Reply)

Pfft!
And don't call me Shirley.
( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:39, Reply)

6 riot vans, sirens blaring
have just gone steaming up York Road, presumably towards Trafalgar Square to kettle some students.

It's fucking noisy round these parts today.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:31, Reply)

And another bunch have just gone past.
And all I can see across the river are flashing lights too. I think a lot of student's may be wishing they'd stayed home soon.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:34, Reply)

Student scum, bash their noggins in

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:37, Reply)

they are trying to set up another campsite in Tralfalgar (sp) Square.

Millets must be doing really well in London at the mo.
(bugboy, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:44, Reply)

I actually spelt it for you in the post you replied to.
It musy have taken longer to type (sp) than it would have done to glance down your screen...
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:46, Reply)

Italy and the lack of money
How come Italy as a country is bankrupt when it contains the Vatican? Doesn't Mr Pope and his friends have access to more gold than Fort Knox?
(bugboy, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:33, Reply)

Lol you is well stupid lol

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:34, Reply)

^
yeah I know, the Pope doesn't have any friends.
(bugboy, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:35, Reply)

Mr Pope hahahaha
srs burlesconii shud sel al dat crap in der sistern crapel innit bruv
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:38, Reply)

You're an idiot.
I can't be bothered to make a list of why, someone else can.
(PsychoChomp, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:34, Reply)

My fractured understanding of the Catholic Church is probably going to let me down here
but isn't The Vatican technically independent to Italy?
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:34, Reply)

See, i was trying to be nice.
Not sure why, mind you.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:35, Reply)

Top lurkage

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:38, Reply)

Berlesconi should go on Celebrity Apprentice

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:37, Reply)

lol
www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-%26-entertainment/resurrected-who-drummer-tells-everyone-to-calm-down-201111094518/
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:42, Reply)

Keith Moon is my hero.
I fucking love that chap.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:38, Reply)

They may even have to start paying tax!
Well done wops. Well done indeed.
( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:45, Reply)

i can't get lunch
fucking protestors, we're not allowed to leave the building.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:48, Reply)

I can!
Can't get to the bloody comic shop off Charring Cross road without taking my life in my hands though, so there's no point.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:52, Reply)

I'll gaz you a salad

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 13:59, Reply)

That'll be ten pounds please Swipey.

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:16, Reply)

that place is still derelict
i mourn my salads.

although the chancery lane one is now leban eats, which is a very Good Thing.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:29, Reply)

Still reading that as Lesbian Eats every time

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:33, Reply)

that says more about you than it does about me
or lebanon
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:39, Reply)

It wasn't intended as a comment on you, merely a comment.
I suppose it says that as I scan-read things on a monitor, some words can look like other words.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:48, Reply)

How on earth could a business selling salads at a tenner a pop possibly fail?
Sad times.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:46, Reply)

Oh yes - of course - no one would be daft enough to pay a ten spot for some lettuce.

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:48, Reply)

no one 'Swipey
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:48, Reply)

It's ok I have had lunch thanks

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:01, Reply)

Me too
It was lovely. I may wander down the Quayside for some fresh air and a cup of coffee soon......cos I can
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:02, Reply)

I might go and push over some newspaper sellers

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:03, Reply)

I believe it is traditional
May sir also care for the fire extinguisher?
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:21, Reply)

of course, could you bring it with teh cheese?

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:22, Reply)

I find the sharp dry taste of the CO2 goes excellently with the brie

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:22, Reply)

Have you got actual protestors near your office or are your security people just being overly dramatic?

( Fucking hell Jeff I am not a robot, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:03, Reply)

I'm imagining darth as a secruity man now
with the back of his hand slapped to his forehead
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:05, Reply)

i'm being a bit dramatic
we've just been told that the police have asked us not to leave the building for the moment. but yeah, we are right along the route.

we also have an inhouse restaurant, a coffee bar, and a snack machine. so it was also shameless beakering to say i couldn't have lunch. what i meant was, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, i didn't get my usual choice of 137 different venues...
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:11, Reply)

what road are you on?

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:12, Reply)

Easy Street

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:15, Reply)

Oh...
that has more meanings than i'd originally realised.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:15, Reply)

*plays saxaphone like bob holness*

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:15, Reply)

My favourite ever replyt to a letter in NME was about that.
Someone wrote in asking if it was true, and got a long explanation about how it wasn't and where the story originated. And then it ended with 'But he does play the guitar on Layla'.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:32, Reply)

ha ha

( Fucking hell Jeff I am not a robot, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:19, Reply)

well screw you too!

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:24, Reply)

£50 for straight
£30 for BJ
( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:25, Reply)

30 quid with a jonny, 20 without.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:30, Reply)

er
wouldn't it be the other way around?
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:32, Reply)

No.
You should pay less for the added danger.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:33, Reply)

but i should get more
for the added physical contact
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:36, Reply)

You get less because you will enjoy it more.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:37, Reply)

i doubt that

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:38, Reply)

I love that you are haggling over the price
rather than having a problem with the concept as a whole.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:39, Reply)

Sssh.
Best 20 quid I will ever spend.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:40, Reply)

i'm a lawyer
this is what we do
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:43, Reply)

so you'll get the trainee to do it and pay them a quid

(Zoz prayed for twink on, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:46, Reply)

Welcome to The World.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:48, Reply)

lolwhut?

(Zoz prayed for twink on, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:01, Reply)

*bites tongue*
I've been inadvertently rude enough to you for one day, so...
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:33, Reply)

Hmm your prices are more competetive than wor sporto
I think I'll go with your services
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:32, Reply)

Bend over then.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:33, Reply)

I work lust up the road from the Finsbury Square Mob of tossers.
I have a feeling getting back over the river tonight may be interesting.

Bloody students.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:14, Reply)

You should "lust" push them out of the way

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:15, Reply)

If it was just them I would
it's the police lines that look to be tricky.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:19, Reply)

Bet you wish you didn't look like such a hippy now eh?

(PsychoChomp, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:25, Reply)

You've met me.
Even drunk as you were you may have noticed I look more punk than hippy.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:35, Reply)

they all just went right underneath my office window
they all need a bath
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:29, Reply)

Come on.
They are non-taxpayers protesting about how little taxpayer money they receive. To get their bullshit degree.

IT'S ONLY RIGHT!
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:32, Reply)

Did you pay for your bullshit education?

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:35, Reply)

No.
It came with a packet of cornflakes.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:36, Reply)

it's so straightforward
merit-based, with a weighting for those who went to comps.

get 3 A's and want to be a doctor? here's your fees.

get 3 D's and want to study surfing at the uni of plymouth? er...

i am exaggerating, but there is a very obvious point.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:37, Reply)

^this.
It is not your RIGHT to go to Uni.

So fuck off.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:39, Reply)

exactly
just because it was free for predecessors does not make it your right.

you want it, you pay for it. can't pay for it? then you simply can't go, until you can pay for it. yes that sucks hard, but that's life. lots of things about it suck.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:42, Reply)

The poor are poor so screw them
They should have had the good sense to be born into a wealthy family.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:45, Reply)

Fucking grow up.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:47, Reply)

He has a point.
Not everyone has the option to afford it.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:51, Reply)

I'm not looking to row about this
But swipe's comment was crass
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:54, Reply)

Fair enough but I disagree.
It's a harsh assessment of the current options.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:57, Reply)

i paid for my education with scholarships from 8-21
as it happens. family wealth or lack of had nothing to do with it. brains and hard work definitely did.

but that's not really relevant here. the sad truth is, there are lots of things you can't do if you can't afford them. private healthcare. houses. cars. designer clothes. holidays. now a degree is miles more important than any of these, but unfortunately, when there are as many students in the country as there are, they can't all have it for free. someone has to pay for it, OR difficult choices have to be made about who should get it for free.

yes it fucking sucks giant balls if you want to go and you can't afford it. not denying that. but lots of things in life are really hard and suck. life is fucking hard and it sucks. why does anyone see it as their RIGHT to have their fees paid?
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:59, Reply)

Too many points to answer satisfactorily.
I make no comment on your personal circumstances. I don't know you, but as a lawyer you must be clever and you sound as though you have done alright for yourself.

I agree there is too much that people expect for nothing these days, I imagine this is a logical conclusion of a consumerist, capitalist society that keeps the poor poor - eventually they will kick up and demand nice things, even though they haven't worked to achieve them.

And finally, why does anyone see free education as their right?
Because we have a long history of free education.
Because the people who are taking it away had one.
Because their predecessors who began this sorry business claimed a mantra of "Education, education, education"
Because it is well-established that the better your education the better quality of life you can expect to have.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:11, Reply)

Apologies - this response could and should be better written
but I am trying to look like I am working at the same time, and having to deal with constant interuptions.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:12, Reply)

just because older generations got it for free
is not an argument. there are many more people in the country now, for a start. and the economy simply can't support it: look at the number of graduates who are unemployed.

this goes back to my previous argument: make it merit-based. if you get good grades and you are doing a good subject at a good university, it should be free. otherwise not.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:17, Reply)

Would you say the same for the NHS?
Will your merit based system allow for positive discrimination for those from poorer backgrounds or who go to shit schools, who are less likely to get the good grades than their more affluent counterparts, even if they are brighter?

Also, our education system is broken all the way down to the start - "good" secondary schools nowadays tend to train children to pass the curriculum, rather than give them a grounding in education.
Research shows that the majority of education funding should be put into early years if you are ever going to lift children out of poverty. That was one really good thing that the previous administration were doing, when they weren't out waging wars.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:26, Reply)

the problem with funding education in the early years
is if they don't get the support at home, it is wasted energy. somehow the parents need to be made to give more of a fuck.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:30, Reply)

The research shows that if you can do good work with them before the age of five
Then they stand a much better chance, regardless of how shit their parents are.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:32, Reply)

All of hers are
she likes to play the corporate bitch, Stunned on the other hand....
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:00, Reply)

it's not crass
it's factual. i am not saying wealthy kids deserve an education but screw the rest. i am saying, life is fucking unfair, but if you can't pay for it, you're not entitled to it as of right.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:02, Reply)

Then fucking tough.
Them's the breaks.

And that is bollocks because they will lend you the money. You may owe a fortune when you finish but that, for me, will encourage people out of hotel management degrees.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:56, Reply)

You'll be on here complaining when you get substandard service in a hotel in a couple of years...

( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:57, Reply)

In all likelihood.
But that is the sort of shit that should be vocational. Taxpayers, in times of austeriity, should not be paying for a Beatles degree from John Moores University.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:01, Reply)

Citation needed
People on b3ta often rail against the pure nonsense spouted in the Daily Mail, yet people still come out with tosh like this.
Of course tax-payers should not fund filthy scousers doing a Beatles degree at John Moores and thankfully, they don't.
Silly Stunned.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:15, Reply)

One of the scouse Uni's does.
www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/27/us-beatles-degree-odd-idUSTRE70Q60920110127

In your face!
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:26, Reply)

I didn't say that there were no Mickey Mouse degree courses in the world.
When you show me evidence of UK tax-payers funding such studies I will (un)happily eat my words and apologise.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:31, Reply)

The problem is the only options available for kids now is the dole or higher education.
Even the clever ones aren't going to easily find jobs nowadays.
( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:58, Reply)

this is also very very true
and yet more and more of our logistics and manufacturing goes abroad.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:00, Reply)

Our industry can't find good engineers anymore.
We have a couple of useless nitwits here but we daren't get rid of them in case we can't find replacements.
( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:02, Reply)

I agree with this.
But again, you CAN go to Uni. You will just owe a shitload of money when you are finished.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:04, Reply)

This is what I mean.
There are kids going in to uni regardless of the debt. And let's face it we never thought that far ahead at that age. These are kids who would rather work or would be more suited to working instead of trying to get a degree they don't really care that much about.
( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:06, Reply)

We need more techinical training
We should be training more plumbers, engineers etc, rather than art historians.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:21, Reply)

Too right.
On the guardian website is some beeny hatted student waving a banner about the right to a free education. Silly little girl.

*rages*
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:47, Reply)

Stupid brats
Higher education is a privilege, not a right. Not everyone can expect to go on and do a 'do you want fries with that' degree and expect the taxpayer to pay for it.

Money is tight, and difficult decisions have to be made. I'd rather that schools and hospitals were well equipped rather than loads of middle-class fuckwits learn about the History of Art at my expense.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:05, Reply)

I think it doesn't help that so much money was pumped in to the banks.
But there was little choice. It had to be done or the whole infrastructure would collapse.

They have been very short sighted in paying bonuses again so soon.

That said, if you worked for RBS in Dartford, say, you stand a good chance of having been made redundant. Not all banking is investment banking.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:09, Reply)

Definitely
Investment banking makes up a relatively small percentage of banking staff in the UK, but it's the larger group that have taken the hit in terms of job losses.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:11, Reply)

The thing that bugs me most about riots (not just those involving students)
is the mass idiocy behind them. The government makes a decision, you and your mates don't like it, so you organise a march, or to duff up the windows at Footlocker. Presumably the hope is that David Cameron shits himself at this and changes the decision you and your mates don't like. And then what? There are plenty of other governmental decisions being made that people don't like, and if one gets reversed because of rioting, it will only encourage more riots.

I thought university students were meant to be clever?
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:05, Reply)

There speaks a man who doesn't have to interview these cretins.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:10, Reply)

This precise instance is why I dropped out of my journalism degree

(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:11, Reply)

Because you weren't clever?

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:12, Reply)

Bitch please
As if I did journalism
(Darth Foxtrot A one-man army dedicated to making fetch happen, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:13, Reply)

I thought you were being harrassed by Mandingo, your lecturer?

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:13, Reply)

I didn't.
Well, I got a fees only grant and some student loans, so not totally free anyway.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:38, Reply)

What areas are they in?
I'm aiming to get from Elephant to Victoria via Parliament Square, then up through Knightsbridge. Will Parliament be icky, do you think?
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:32, Reply)

No. They are not going that way. I will gaz you the route.
Alright lovey?
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:34, Reply)

There's and official route?
I'd like to see that so I can go round it.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:36, Reply)

There has to be.
Otherwise it's in breach of legislation.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:36, Reply)

Do you know where I can find it?

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:39, Reply)

oh god
another one who thinks it's ok to hit on students many years younger than he is...
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:40, Reply)

Hardly.
Hippies smell.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:41, Reply)

Route or legislation.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:40, Reply)

The route, I want to be able to go round it so I can get to see my boy tonight after work.

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:41, Reply)

The route is on The Guardian website.

( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:41, Reply)

So it is, cheers Scarpey.

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:42, Reply)

Oh for fuck's sake, the blocks off all the bridgs I can easily take and culminates in a fucking rally right where it will cause me most grief.
*joins conservative Party*
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:44, Reply)

Ta for that. My journey to Liverpool St later will be interesting...
* goes to find large weapon *
( Fucking hell Jeff I am not a robot, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:48, Reply)

A protester perhaps?
Be sure to wave £20 notes when you walk past them.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:53, Reply)

IN YOUR PANTS!!!

( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:53, Reply)

* winks *

( Fucking hell Jeff I am not a robot, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:56, Reply)

Thank you v. much.
Kind of fancy going via Camberwell. I've not been back down there since I moved out of my last place in July.
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:39, Reply)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/interactive/2011/nov/09/student-protest-tuition-fees-map

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:44, Reply)

Demonstrations in Central London 9th November

The University of London Union and the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts will hold the National Student Demonstration on Wednesday 9th November 2011. The march will assemble on Malet Street at 12:00 to march to London Wall along the following route from 12:30:

Malet Street, Gower Street, Bloomsbury Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, Duncannon Street, Strand, Fleet Street, Fetter Lane, New Fetter Lane, Holborn Viaduct, Newgate Street, King Edward Street, London Wall.

At London Wall a one hour rally will be held from 15:30 - 16:30. Participants are expected to disperse by 17:30.

The march and rally is expected to attract substantial numbers of people and as such requires a great deal of planning. The Met Police has been working closely with student representatives to plan the policing operation for this event.

Several road closures will be in place on the day. All roads on the route will be closed. Feeder roads and surrounding roads will be closed when necessary to relieve congestion. London, Southwark, Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges (Northbound) may be closed if required. Closures will begin from 9am and increase throughout the day.

The Met Police will be communicating via Twitter in the run up to and during the march. You can follow this on Twitter @CO11metpolice. You can also text "police" to 83123 to receive all of the latest Met Police updates on the march and rally straight to your phone. You will not be charged for this service. City of London Police will also use the established Imodus Priority Alert system to update the City community.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:06, Reply)

They are going via Trafalgar Square, but are heading out towards the city I think. Obviously Parliament Squaer could be tricky just because of what it is
but it's not on the 'official' route, I don't think.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:34, Reply)

they just went past your library
but some of them are in traf square
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:36, Reply)

Time for a good old-fashioned kettling then
See if the police can goad them into smashing something.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:38, Reply)

some assclowns are taking pictures of them
it'll be all over the internet already, just look at it online if the live show isn't enough, you idiots.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:38, Reply)

Decided not to go to the library.
Oh lolz would I ever anyway? Bloody dissertation :(
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:38, Reply)

fuck off you noisy bastard students
i am trying to WORK and your banging drums and shouting is not conducive to that.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:55, Reply)

WORK boss my assistant around, moan about my sex life, look for shoes online and thinking about the sort of budgies I should get when I get older
( Fucking hell Jeff I am not a robot, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:58, Reply)

+s

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:58, Reply)

I thought that
There'll definitely be more than you can count easily, I reckon.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:00, Reply)

it goes before cat...

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:06, Reply)

Oh...
I was putting it after. You dirty boy.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:17, Reply)

Haha!

( girlinthehole, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:59, Reply)

i'm allergic to cats

( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:03, Reply)

Edited.

( Fucking hell Jeff I am not a robot, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:07, Reply)

No ifs, no buts, no education cuts.
Ad infinitum.
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 14:58, Reply)

yo peeps, what the 411?

(Quintno EXPERIMENT RUINED CANCELLED, LEFT 4EVER, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:16, Reply)

Berlusconi has resigned.

( mike woz ere 7442200 & 7696970 getter, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:18, Reply)

isn't that a type of pasta?

(Quintno EXPERIMENT RUINED CANCELLED, LEFT 4EVER, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:19, Reply)

Shame, he was funny

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:19, Reply)

Bunga, Bunga.
Was he a ninja turtle?
(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:23, Reply)

At least he'll now be able to devote more time to his favourite pastime of chasing young pieces of ass

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:23, Reply)

I only just missed out on that job.

(Set your faces to Stunned Bigly, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:24, Reply)

because you was homosexual

(Quintno EXPERIMENT RUINED CANCELLED, LEFT 4EVER, Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:27, Reply)

This is actually true.
well spotted.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:33, Reply)

Having said that, it's not like he let matters of state interfere with his chasing of hot young chicks.
For an old geezer, he must be on weapons-grade Viagra.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Wed 9 Nov 2011, 15:44, Reply)