Aaron

It'll probably go back in during work hours like when a direct debit fails due to insufficient funds. When I forget to transfer money to the bill-paying account it sometimes goes into minus figures, and then later the money gets refunded and whoever wanted to take it sends me a nasty letter.

the whole thing is called the grocery shrink ray. Cadburys dairy milk is the latest bar to undergo its effects (i think it's somewhere in the region of 4% lighter).

It's in an attempt to make their choccy bar appear more competitive. The cost of production has risen, and they can't increase the price, so they make the choccy bar smaller.

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say with obesity numbers increasing year on year (we're as fat as the Americans now (with no formal evidence, only observed during a recent holiday)) it isn't a bad thing that we get less for our money when it comes to chocolate based snack treats. it may even go some way to reducing the crippling toll these fattys put on our NHS.

in closing, I submit for your approval to all confectionary companies (with the exception of Tunnocks)

"Dear purveyor of chocolate based snackage,

It has come to my attention that the grocery demon has stolen some of my product and made me lose a bit of weight. Please could you go some way to ensuring that the size of said choccy bar is halved again!

Kind regards

Chocolate addicted fatty"

The REALLY easy, and proper way to solve the obesity problem is to stop taking money from "responsible" people to pay for the treatment of "irresponsible" people

My weekly shopping bill has doubled in 5 years since I bought my house.

Then imo your doing something wrong.

I doubt i could put it entirely down to price increases. But it is definitely very significant. If you compare the cost of grain/meat/and energy (needed to transport all of this) to that 5 years ago I'm fairly sure you couldn't possibly get anywhere near the same now for the previous price.

unless you know the line of work I do and the company I work for and its finances I suggest you don't comment on it!

 

Why not? If you have a valid point of view to express then you could always elaborate.

 

why should I? and who said I want to express anything?

Oh and legally I'm not allowed to speak about the company I work for on the internet

You called someone greedy, and I asked you a hypothetical question, in as generic a manner as I could (not knowing what service/product it is that you provide) because I think you misunderstand what greed is.

You don't *have* to do anything. You *should* do *if* you feel like discussing it, which I assumed that you do because you brought it up.

FWIW the definition of a greedy person that I believe to be most appropriate is one who seeks to consume more than he produces. The price discovery mechanism of a free market determines what the value of your own labour is, and the value of what you want to exchange it for. Greed doesn't enter the picture.

Ofcourse, we don't have anything like a truly free market. If you have reason to think that the price of potatoes is influenced by coercive forces (which ofcourse it is to a certain extent) and that the farmer is in on it, then maybe you have a point.

With regards to inflation in general - it's probably worse that many people imagine when you consider the fact that increases in productivity/efficiency, which we expect and see continuously, should go some way to offset diminishing energy sources, etc.

unless you know the line of work I do and the company I work for and its finances I suggest you don't comment on it!

Why not? If you have a valid point of view to express then you could always elaborate.

classic example of greed

If maximizing profits is an example of greed, then will you be volunteering to take a pay cut in 2013? So that people might enjoy the products/services, which your employer provides, for a lower price?

There's no such thing as greed in voluntary trade. If the product isn't worth the price then it won't be purchased.

My weekly shopping bill has doubled in 5 years since I bought my house.

I work with a guy named Randy Sarah.

That's what zero percent interest rates get you : )

you can't of look very well http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/186787.php

What are the symptoms of Dyslexia?

A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, drowsiness may be a symptom while dilated pupils may be a sign.

so don't go saying someone got it wrong or making it up just because you cant find it

I don't think that the article is saying that dilated pupils is directly related to dyslexia. It's just trying to illustrate the difference between signs & symptoms.

Afaik dyslexia is often associated with ADHD, etc. And medications used for ADHD, such as ritalin, cause pupil dilation. I agree with your sentiment - why accuse semeone of being a liar when you could just ask them to explain. Expecially when you're a layperson yourself.

The supposed tourism boost is nonsense. It's the same nonsense argument for retail losses due to bank holidays; What you don't spend today you can spend tomorrow, and vice versa.

Boosting the economy from all the construction, etc, is nonsense too. It's the broken window fallacy in action.

The Olympics is a corporate fundraising event, and the local traders who are dealing with olympic brand police coercion will attest as much.

Considering that we're over £1 trillion in debt (excluding pensions, etc) it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Perhaps it might raise the profile of the country to encourage foreign investment, although I think they could have done more to make it less exclusively London focused.

I personally find the whole thing disgusting. It's a strong word I know. If the only times people can muster some kind of human spirit is in the name of nationalistic pride (an evil thing, as are all forms of collectivism), then perhaps the majority deserve the misery that is coming. Considering every penny you pay in taxes goes to pay a growing national debt, then selling your children into debt-slavery, to the tune of an extra £15 billion or so, so that you can have a party to celebrate our collective idiocy seems a particularly evil (another appropriately strong word) thing.

Yay! go team GB!

I prefer to get my news from somewhere other than the Ministry of Truth.

Hmm so if they didn't bomb us we wouldn't retaliate so they wouldn't need to retaliate for us retaliating now who's go is it?

Seems just as dumb a situation as religion on the whole!

Now what was the point of this thread

 

So basically Religion is like a pointles thread

If you didn't post, I wouldn't reply and you wouldn't reply to me for replying to you.

Got it now

But what happens if someone else replies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY-03vYYAjA

Should have posted this a couple ago (because it's off topic), but in the interest of balance, here's another Rand clip. Watch 'till the end where she explains why she is hard on the Arabs. The salient point for me is that the destruction of civilians, for which she condemns them, is exactly what we're doing now over 35 years later. I could attempt to rationalize Arab sentiments with regards to western foreign policy, ex post facto, in the light of more modern revelations, but that is besides the point:

Hmm so if they didn't bomb us we wouldn't retaliate so they wouldn't need to retaliate for us retaliating now who's go is it?

Seems just as dumb a situation as religion on the whole!

You make an excellent case for a rational response, rather than destroying nations in the name of retaliation and thereby perpetuating the cycle of violence which provoked such distaste in the first place!

Now what was the point of this thread

Here's some Ayn Rand because She's awsome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTmac2fs5HQ

And some George Carlin because he's awsome and fun at the same time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8jNKk-5Gy4

**edit** swapped Carlin clip for a better sound quality clip.

Exactly my point Polecat!

 

The best religion in the world is the one you never have to speak about , but carry out daily the actions of living without harming others,without greed and without prejudice and helping people less fortunate

 

...and that sums up how I feel about my beliefs

Me too (but probably a different atheist flavour of the same thing)

But how can these people say they are fighting 'in the name of their religion' when their religion advocates peace??

I still believe that any warmongers are using religion as a veil for their behaviour.

They aren't fighting because their religion dictates it anymore than British soldiers are fighting because their nationality dictates that they must. You might identify yourself as English or British. Jews identify themselves as Jewish regardless of where they reside. These Muslims identify with Islam, despite where they reside. Is your (assumed on my part) allegiance to your nationality, based on the little geographical region you happen to occupy, any more valid than a persons allegiance to the particular faith the choose?

Islam is a religious identity in this case, just as Britain is (again, assumed by me) a nationalistic identity you choose. These men, regardless of whether you think their grievances are valid or not, are fighting to defend the people that they identify with (" ...until you stop the bombing, gassing, imprisonment and torture of my people..."). He's saying right there that if you stop committing aggressive acts against Muslims then they will stop retaliating. Nowhere does he say that the Quran says that he must kill non-muslims simply because they are infidels.

Apart from that their religion most certainly does not advocate peace in the face of aggression. And even if it did, citing as much in order to vilify them for defending themselves would be a particularly sick and twisted bit of propaganda.

Intelligent, evil people, use religion as a tool to manipulate less intelligent people, sure. But in this particular case, in my opinion, blaming the 7/7 bombings on their religion falls under the same category as the "they hate us for our freedoms" nonsense, which is intelligent, evil people, using nationalistic pride and patriotism as a tool to manipulate less intelligent people.

Do you believe that 7/7 had anything to do with religion? Or do you suspect that when you oppress a people with such overwhelming military, and economical might, such that they have no hope at fighting back, then terrorism is the only avenue of retaliation left open to them?

 

The videos made by the bombers seem to paint a different picture....

No they don't. Here are the salient points, from wikipedia (emphasis mine):

Two of the bombers made videotapes describing their reasons for becoming what they called "soldiers". In a videotape broadcast by Al Jazeera on 1 September 2005, Mohammad Sidique Khan, described his motivation. The tape had been edited and also featured al-Qaeda member — and future leader — Ayman al-Zawahiri:[8]

“ I and thousands like me are forsaking everything for what we believe. Our drive and motivation doesn't come from tangible commodities that this world has to offer. Our religion is Islam, obedience to the one true God and following the footsteps of the final prophet messenger. Your democratically-elected governments continuously perpetuate atrocities against my people all over the world. And your support of them makes you directly responsible, just as I am directly responsible for protecting and avenging my Muslim brothers and sisters. Until we feel security you will be our targets and until you stop the bombing, gassing, imprisonment and torture of my people we will not stop this fight. We are at war and I am a soldier. Now you too will taste the reality of this situation. ”

A second part of the tape continues

“ ...I myself, I myself, I make dua (pray) to Allah... to raise me amongst those whom I love like the prophets, the messengers, the martyrs and today's heroes like our beloved Sheikh Osama Bin Laden, Dr Ayman al-Zawahri and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and all the other brothers and sisters that are fighting in the... of this cause. ”

On 6 July 2006, a videotaped statement by Shehzad Tanweer was broadcast by Al-Jazeera. In the video, which may have been edited[9] to include remarks by al-Zawahiri who appeared in Khan's video, Tanweer said:

“ What have you witnessed now is only the beginning of a string of attacks that will continue and become stronger until you pull your forces out of Afghanistan and Iraq. And until you stop your financial and military support to America and Israel. ”

Tanweer argued that the non-Muslims of Britain deserve such attacks because they voted for a government which "continues to oppress our mothers, children, brothers and sisters in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq and Chechnya."[10]

Noone has the right to vote away another man's freedom, so if you believe, like I do, that religion is a corrupting and ultimately evil institution (because it's the willful abandonment of reason) then the way to fix it is education. Stop telling your kids ghost stories about the imaginary man in the sky, and drumming fear into them by telling them that if they don't behave a certain way they will burn in hell forever, and they will likely grow up to be well reasoned and less mentally damaged individuals who will raise their own children in the same way. Peaceful parenting is the key to changing the world.

 

If some people choose to use their religion to bring their children up to be able to respect others as well as themselves ...

The point is it doesn't, generally speaking at least. You might have a religion that is built on logic & reason, which necessarily leads to rational (reasoned and optimal) behavior, but then that wouldn't really be a religion in the usual sense; it would be philosophy.

Lying to children to abandon reason leads to grown ups in possession of malfunctioning moral compasses. How can a person derive a valid (internally consistent and non-contradictory) moral code without the faculties of logic and reason?

I've less of an issue with a more abstract feeling of spirituality; but spirituality has nothing to do with morality or ethics.

Do you believe that 7/7 had anything to do with religion? Or do you suspect that when you oppress a people with such overwhelming military, and economical might, such that they have no hope at fighting back, then terrorism is the only avenue of retaliation left open to them?

Noone has the right to vote away another man's freedom, so if you believe, like I do, that religion is a corrupting and ultimately evil institution (because it's the willful abandonment of reason) then the way to fix it is education. Stop telling your kids ghost stories about the imaginary man in the sky, and drumming fear into them by telling them that if they don't behave a certain way they will burn in hell forever, and they will likely grow up to be well reasoned and less mentally damaged individuals who will raise their own children in the same way. Peaceful parenting is the key to changing the world.

If you feel the need to belong to something - to believe in something - then believe in the potential of humanity. Join the cult of reason. Abandon the religion of violence being a rational way to solve problems.

@Nman - I don't think that science claims to explain how the universe got here. The big bang theory is just an explanation of why we observe certain characteristics inherent in the universe. How did the universe before the big bang get here? Who knows. It *could* be God, or it could equally likely be the flying spaghetti monster (as Dawkins would say). Humans have an innate curiosity, which is probably what has gotten us this far, and naturally we want to know all about how we got here! To abandon reason and contrive a God in order to answer the question is awful. It is self-delusion and the antithesis of all that is great about humanity.

It depends on what value you place on the job.

If you *NEED* the job, then who cares what you're contracted for? If you *NEED* the job, then you would have accepted it even if the contracts said you have to work weekends.

If you don't value the job that much, then just don't go; you stated that you weren't available.

Too many people think that employers are doing them a favour by employing them. In a free market you are both exchanging capital (his money for your labour) for mutual advantage. As long as the trade remains advantageous to you then stay. If and when it is no longer advantageous then it's time to renegotiate the trade, or end it.

So what I'm saying is that if you don't get angry, and look at it for what it is, then you'll be able to get the best deal you can. If you let emotion cloud your judgement then you're missing the point and may not get the best result.

If you then get the permanent job you can examine your contract, and if it implies that overtime is voluntary, THEN it could be rational to hold them to the contract, as is your right.

Why wouldn't everyone want to celebrate their unelected officials?

I hope the barge sinks and the bitch drowns ; )

And her little dogs too!voice>

 

I would much rather celebrate what HM does for this country and what she stands for than I would celebrate what a nest lining, trough swilling 'elected' (but not necessarily by majority) politician stands for.

But then I did work for her for 23 years so I suppose I am biased.

There's an implied distinction in there which I can't quite make out...

Anyhow, enjoy celebrating your subjugation to a family who view you simply as cattle !

I've got a puncture so I can't take advantage

Offended ? No.

More like laughing our asses off at the stupidity.

what's so stupid about having a good time with getting together with the family and celebrating our countries heritage..?

 

Exactly that.

This country's heritage.

Corrupt to the core.

Why wouldn't everyone want to celebrate their unelected officials?

I hope the barge sinks and the bitch drowns ; )

And her little dogs too!voice>

I doubt it will happen, to be honest, because it'll be such a huge ball-ache for all concerned.

1) Do they keep using the pound? They've said they will, which means they're subject to the control of the Bank of England. That's not financial independence.

2) We'll have our nukes back, ta v much.

3) Do we withdraw our armies from their land, or let them stay and become the 'Scottish' army?

4) International Treaties; they're not a successor state to the UK, as the UK will still exist, therefore they'll have to negotiate and sign again the hundreds of treaties that Britain has had to. Same goes for embassies, they can't use ours, they'll have to withdraw any Scottish Foreign Office staff and set up their own.

5) National debt - as rightly pointed out above, they'd best take some with them. But how much? Scotland makes up only a small percentage of British population, therefore has a low income, YET is actually OVERrepresented in UK parliament, therefore they can take quite a bit of blame, politically. How do you work out a 'fair share'?

6) Free NHS and Free Higher Education; things they can kiss goodbye once they stop being subsidised by London. I'm reasonably sure that the population will not be happy about that.

7) Warships and Aircraft; following on from my army point above, what happens here? The MOD is not going to give away £billions to Scotland in fighting equipment...

8) Are they automatically a member of the EU? If they're a NEW country, then no - they'll have to apply. Even if this is fast-tracked it may take years. Also, new countries MUST use the Euro. Seeing as the Euro is in the shit, this does bode well for Scotland's financial future...

And on and on and on and on....

Such a massive, unbelieveable ball-ache, that if explained the facts, I really don't expect the majority of the Scottish population to go with it. But, if they do, they're in for a long, hard road.

You could shrink that list down a bit. An independant scotland wouldn't need defense, just as the UK presently doesn't need anything like the defense capabilities it currently has (now that we have the Ministry of Defense, rather than the old Ministry of War/War Council). Scotland could probably get a good deal renting out Faslane, etc.

In that case good luck. Choose the path that makes the most sense and live regret free knowing you made the sensible choice. You can be ready to take advantage when fate smiles upon you, and prepare for when she decides to kick you in the nuts. Beyond that there is nothing you can do.