Film, Media & TV1 min ago
'The Good old Days...'
109 Answers
I've been tossing this around in my head for a while, and I just can't work it out.
The question is, what exact time are people referring to when they harp on about everything being better in 'the good old days'? Seeing as fair few of such folk frequent AB, I thought I'd extend the question.
Be warned, though, I am shamelessly spoilng for an argument and will pounce upon any and all responses like a frenzied rabbit...
The question is, what exact time are people referring to when they harp on about everything being better in 'the good old days'? Seeing as fair few of such folk frequent AB, I thought I'd extend the question.
Be warned, though, I am shamelessly spoilng for an argument and will pounce upon any and all responses like a frenzied rabbit...
Answers
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by Kromovaracun. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
123 Changing the subject slightly, the point is that there are many things that ought to be addressed that aren't. Dozy Government ministers, without consulting the professionals, interfere in every aspect of life and set 'targets' for everything, which means various bodies are obliged to take the easy option to achieve those targets, and therefore the job doesn't get done as it should be done. Control is the name of the game - even to the light bulbs we use in our homes and the rubbish we put in our dustbins. Our freedoms are being systematically eroded. This government has no idea how many illegal immigrants are in the country, but the DNA of innocent people is being collected, and practically every aspect of our lives is registered on some government database or another - which they can't be trusted to look after and keep confidential anyway. We now have HIPs, so can't sell our houses without interference, and very soon faceless Council officials will be given powers to enter our homes and take pictures to ensure that we're doing our best to be 'Green'. Added to this, toll roads are in operation the world over, but that isn't enough for this government - they want satellite tracking on our cars. What nonsense! This government needs to stop interfering in things it knows nothing about, and get to grips with the job it ought to be doing, like sorting out the much abused benefits system.
cont....
cont....
...cont
It should allow professionals to do the jobs they were trained to do. Teachers know how to teach and how to run schools, medical professionals know how a hospital should be run, universities know which students are most able, police, who are not as you say, lazy, but take the easy option on crime because they are spending their time filling in forms to meet government targets, know how crime should be fought, and we know how we want to live. What do Government Ministers know about health, education, fighting crime, or even real life? On the whole, I would say very little, and yet it is they who hold the reins.
They are full of hot air and they stumble from one 'bright' idea to the next. In one breath they tell us that children must continue in education until they are eighteen, and a few days later they have another plan. They don't seem to know what to come up with next. Now we have Gordon Brown telling us that we will all be able to have major health screening, but the health professionals say they haven't been consulted and it just isn't possible since the staff and the resources aren't available. What an arrogant government this is. I listen to their spin and can almost see the light being switched on as they come up with yet another preposterous plan. Now tell me all this happened before New Labour.
Bye the way, I've struggled to pay the mortgage too, and I've known some very hard times - in fact there were times when I couldn't afford to buy a newspaper - but like you, I took responsibility for myself and got there in the end.
It should allow professionals to do the jobs they were trained to do. Teachers know how to teach and how to run schools, medical professionals know how a hospital should be run, universities know which students are most able, police, who are not as you say, lazy, but take the easy option on crime because they are spending their time filling in forms to meet government targets, know how crime should be fought, and we know how we want to live. What do Government Ministers know about health, education, fighting crime, or even real life? On the whole, I would say very little, and yet it is they who hold the reins.
They are full of hot air and they stumble from one 'bright' idea to the next. In one breath they tell us that children must continue in education until they are eighteen, and a few days later they have another plan. They don't seem to know what to come up with next. Now we have Gordon Brown telling us that we will all be able to have major health screening, but the health professionals say they haven't been consulted and it just isn't possible since the staff and the resources aren't available. What an arrogant government this is. I listen to their spin and can almost see the light being switched on as they come up with yet another preposterous plan. Now tell me all this happened before New Labour.
Bye the way, I've struggled to pay the mortgage too, and I've known some very hard times - in fact there were times when I couldn't afford to buy a newspaper - but like you, I took responsibility for myself and got there in the end.
Quinlad Come now, that's no way to hold a civilised debate. I don't say the NHS is on the slide because my husband had a bad experience - I was simply giving an example of the poor management and the false economy of the NHS. The fact is that, whether you like to admit or not, the NHS is badly managed, and hospital-acquired infections are rife - and for the reasons I've given. Additionally, I don't have a fixation with home ownership. You're putting words into my mouth. If you look a few posts back and actually have the courtesy to read and digest what I've said before you jump the gun, you will see that I was against the sale of social housing. If you think I sound like Norman Tebbitt in a dress, you clearly haven't read what I've written at all. I could most definitely be described as middle class now, but you really ought to be careful in what you assume, so just a bit of background to enlighten you. I was born, brought up and educated in London's East End, lived two families in one two bedroom flat on the ground floor of an old Victorian house, with no heating, no hot water, an outside loo, and no bathroom. My brother and I slept on a sofa bed in our living room, we wore nothing but second-hand clothes, and I can remember having to put cardboard in my shoes to stop the rain coming in through holes in the soles, so I think I know about being poor. Yes, I am very well educated, since my parents, although hard-up, didn't allow us to roam the streets, but encouraged education, and I was lucky enough to pass the 11 plus, and to gain a place at an excellent Grammar School - something that I will be eternally grateful for. Sadly children from backgrounds like mine don't have that opportunity any more, do they?
cont....
cont....
....cont
As for single parents, what makes you think I want certain schemes to be scrapped? I haven't suggested that at all, but you seem to have assumed it. Yes, those who need it should be given help - there's no doubt about that - and I'm quite aware that all are not educated enough to hold down a reasonable job which pays sufficiently - but I do object when people continue to give birth to children even though they can't afford to keep those they've already got - and expect society to pay for them. I'm all for the welfare state and I haven't said otherwise, but the system is abused, and badly abused - and not only by some single parents - and that's another thing that needs seriously overhauling.
I think it would be fair to say I have experience of life - don't you?
As for single parents, what makes you think I want certain schemes to be scrapped? I haven't suggested that at all, but you seem to have assumed it. Yes, those who need it should be given help - there's no doubt about that - and I'm quite aware that all are not educated enough to hold down a reasonable job which pays sufficiently - but I do object when people continue to give birth to children even though they can't afford to keep those they've already got - and expect society to pay for them. I'm all for the welfare state and I haven't said otherwise, but the system is abused, and badly abused - and not only by some single parents - and that's another thing that needs seriously overhauling.
I think it would be fair to say I have experience of life - don't you?
Government interference in education is nothing new, my teachers were forever going on strike.
I've been witness to (stuck in the middle of) virtual riots, 15-20 people fighting inches away from me whilst I'm stuck in the cab. Numerous 999 calls and the operator says "can you get the people to stop shouting?" I replied "it's not the shouting you wanna worry about. Its' the fighting!" several minutes later, skin and hair everywhere, the Police phone me "they're on their way" the Sergeant tells me "they're just finishing their cup of tea". I witnessed an an aggravated theft a few months ago spoke to the Police heard nothing since, spoke to the shop worker (the intended victim, it did'nt kick off because he turned away) and he told me that the same thing happened last month, the Police said they'd be around, he'd heard nothing since. No word of a lie, if your house got targetted by thugs how confident would you be that the Police can protect you? I could go on and on about the Police.
With regard to targets, I personally think we need them, these are unwieldly organisations with huge budgets, if the public has a concern then the government needs to show an initiative to reflect it. The problem with the Police is that they're policing to the targets, a clampdown here a clampdown there. It's a motivation and management matter, or rather the lack of it.
Road pricing (I'm against) was a proposed Tory policy (under Major), norovirus is a visitor borne infection (was I right about the other 2 cases?), and the form filling of the Police is due to the lawyers who will find the slightest proceedural pretext to acquit their client, the poorly managed hospitals require the same paper work in order to absolve it's managers of any blame should something go awry. You can only start from the beginning, and the beginning was poor.
How many children live like you did now? Is that not progress? Is this government at least trying to address that problem?
I've been witness to (stuck in the middle of) virtual riots, 15-20 people fighting inches away from me whilst I'm stuck in the cab. Numerous 999 calls and the operator says "can you get the people to stop shouting?" I replied "it's not the shouting you wanna worry about. Its' the fighting!" several minutes later, skin and hair everywhere, the Police phone me "they're on their way" the Sergeant tells me "they're just finishing their cup of tea". I witnessed an an aggravated theft a few months ago spoke to the Police heard nothing since, spoke to the shop worker (the intended victim, it did'nt kick off because he turned away) and he told me that the same thing happened last month, the Police said they'd be around, he'd heard nothing since. No word of a lie, if your house got targetted by thugs how confident would you be that the Police can protect you? I could go on and on about the Police.
With regard to targets, I personally think we need them, these are unwieldly organisations with huge budgets, if the public has a concern then the government needs to show an initiative to reflect it. The problem with the Police is that they're policing to the targets, a clampdown here a clampdown there. It's a motivation and management matter, or rather the lack of it.
Road pricing (I'm against) was a proposed Tory policy (under Major), norovirus is a visitor borne infection (was I right about the other 2 cases?), and the form filling of the Police is due to the lawyers who will find the slightest proceedural pretext to acquit their client, the poorly managed hospitals require the same paper work in order to absolve it's managers of any blame should something go awry. You can only start from the beginning, and the beginning was poor.
How many children live like you did now? Is that not progress? Is this government at least trying to address that problem?
One has got to have lived during the "Good Old Days" to be able to comment on them.
I think the late George MacDonald Fraser, goes a long way to explain it in this essay.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=506219&in_page_i d=1770
I think the late George MacDonald Fraser, goes a long way to explain it in this essay.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=506219&in_page_i d=1770
-- answer removed --
Good link. And this is just an edited extract too.
For those of you who don't have the time or money to spend the day listening to the grumblings of white van drivers, drunks and cabbies, George has helpfully collated their tired old rants into a handy book. Which you can buy here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lights-Signpost-George -MacDonald-Fraser/dp/0007136471/ref=sr_1_1?ie= UTF8&s=books&qid=1199811365&sr=1-1
The perfect gift.
For those of you who don't have the time or money to spend the day listening to the grumblings of white van drivers, drunks and cabbies, George has helpfully collated their tired old rants into a handy book. Which you can buy here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lights-Signpost-George -MacDonald-Fraser/dp/0007136471/ref=sr_1_1?ie= UTF8&s=books&qid=1199811365&sr=1-1
The perfect gift.
the good old days happen when you do not appreciate them. they are the days you look back on with fond memories . it is only life experience can make you aware of them
people in their late teens & early 20s are now living what is to be their good old days but they do not realise it.(as we all have done)
people in their late teens & early 20s are now living what is to be their good old days but they do not realise it.(as we all have done)
To be fair Naomi you're loathe to answer any questions, alot of heat very little light, alot of criticisms very few soutions.
Don't take it personally but you come across to me (at times) as an "anti", you ask people what they think, how they feel and to venture an opinion and when they do, you seek to discredit it. Which is fine, so long as you offer something else to bear the same scrutiny, it's easy to criticise.
You sure you're not my ex? All of em! ;-)
Don't take it personally but you come across to me (at times) as an "anti", you ask people what they think, how they feel and to venture an opinion and when they do, you seek to discredit it. Which is fine, so long as you offer something else to bear the same scrutiny, it's easy to criticise.
You sure you're not my ex? All of em! ;-)
123 I've answered your questions and I've given my ideas of what I think would help to solve the current problems as I see them - for example, I've said the government should leave the professionals to do the jobs they're trained to do, and they should overhaul the benefits system to cut abuse. I never 'seek' to discredit people, and I think this thread is long enough for you to know that I'm very willing to answer questions. However, because I disagree with you, your response is now to fall back on personal slurs, which means that your argument is lost immediately. If you truly believe in what you're saying, then it's best to shake hands and agree to disagree with someone, rather than resort to dissecting, or attempting to undermine your opponent's personality. In intelligent debate, it's a cop out, and with intelligent people it doesn't work, since they're not that easily intimidated.
I haven't taken it personally - I have more sense than to take anything personally on AB - and I'm absolutely sure I'm not your ex.
I haven't taken it personally - I have more sense than to take anything personally on AB - and I'm absolutely sure I'm not your ex.
So which shower of lawyers are you going to vote for?
Is norovirus a patient borne infection?
Did the 2 women who died in the maternity unit die from a non-hospital borne infection?
If thugs targetted your house do you think the Police could (would) protect you?
Has the standard of living in this country improved since you were a child?
The point I'm trying to make is to say something is'nt good enough is fine to formulate an answer is entirely different.
Targets were introduced because the N.H.S had huge waiting lists and an equally large budget with no discernible results. The answer was to identify points of concern (a target) and focus on that. The Police, huge budget high crime the answer, identify a point of concern and focus upon it. The Police were failing to cope before, they're failing to cope now and are just trying to shift the blame for their own failings. Which is why we now have P.C.S.Os. What would you do differently?
It's no different in essence to what you asked of quinlad, I've heard you speak often against Christianity but never for your own spirituality, I don't view them as personal slurs and I'm happy to agree to disagree I'd just like to know what I'm disagreeing with. And yes I know I'm not your ex as the C.S.A would've been onto me by now!! ;-)
Is norovirus a patient borne infection?
Did the 2 women who died in the maternity unit die from a non-hospital borne infection?
If thugs targetted your house do you think the Police could (would) protect you?
Has the standard of living in this country improved since you were a child?
The point I'm trying to make is to say something is'nt good enough is fine to formulate an answer is entirely different.
Targets were introduced because the N.H.S had huge waiting lists and an equally large budget with no discernible results. The answer was to identify points of concern (a target) and focus on that. The Police, huge budget high crime the answer, identify a point of concern and focus upon it. The Police were failing to cope before, they're failing to cope now and are just trying to shift the blame for their own failings. Which is why we now have P.C.S.Os. What would you do differently?
It's no different in essence to what you asked of quinlad, I've heard you speak often against Christianity but never for your own spirituality, I don't view them as personal slurs and I'm happy to agree to disagree I'd just like to know what I'm disagreeing with. And yes I know I'm not your ex as the C.S.A would've been onto me by now!! ;-)
123 We've already covered all these topics, but the one thing I don't understand is why you have such a bad opinion of the police?
If you've never see my posts about my own spirituality, then you haven't looked properly. In fact I posted one this afternoon if you'd care to have a look.
What are you talking about? What did I ask Quinlad? Who is this honest man he mentioned? I asked because I would like to know. Why else would I ask?
Why are you arguing if you don't know what you're disagreeing with?
Finally, if I was your ex, you'd be wrong. You wouldn't be tormented by the CSA - when I was a single parent, I worked and kept my home together myself - and that's the way I liked it.
Theland, you old devil (sorry, relatively young devil) - you sneak in everywhere. I can see you now sitting there chortling with glee!! :o)
If you've never see my posts about my own spirituality, then you haven't looked properly. In fact I posted one this afternoon if you'd care to have a look.
What are you talking about? What did I ask Quinlad? Who is this honest man he mentioned? I asked because I would like to know. Why else would I ask?
Why are you arguing if you don't know what you're disagreeing with?
Finally, if I was your ex, you'd be wrong. You wouldn't be tormented by the CSA - when I was a single parent, I worked and kept my home together myself - and that's the way I liked it.
Theland, you old devil (sorry, relatively young devil) - you sneak in everywhere. I can see you now sitting there chortling with glee!! :o)
Glad to see you smiling again.
You should try a carreer in politics as you keep asking the questions and ducking your own! ;-)
I'm unimpressed by the Police because day in day out I expeience and see crime (read about even more) and know people thus affected and they do nothing. I was witness to an agravated theft, they did'nt want to speak to me, I was stuck in the middle of a fight, they were having a cup of tea, I was involved in an assault, told them were they were and what they looked like I had the victim outside, did'nt want to know (was'nt his area, would'nt ring Stanley Road because it's not his job! and "that's sector policing) their mugshots were on Crimewatch (drug dealing) 2 weeks later. An old colleague of mine was murdered (sorry manslaughtered) a few months ago, and you put words in my mouth about crime, Naomi you protesth too much! But I still like you, I'll try an insert a signal so you'll know when I'm tongue in cheek.
You make a point about dirty hospitals (we agree that the cleaning should'nt have been contracted out) but you say that visitors don't bring in infections (but they screen new patients for M.R.S.A) and then there's norovirus, you talk about the awful cases in a maternity ward but I seem to remember reading that it was'nt a hospital acquired infection.
You still have'nt offered any solutions to anything or ventured as to which way you're going to vote.
My style of posts revolve around stating my starting point, stating my case and adding my reason (I'm always happy to concede were I'm deficient) but generally on current home affairs I'll speak from experience (or from people I know who've had the problem) I don't read the tabloids if it's not in the Metro or the People I won't be likely to have read it. I prefer T.V news.
You should try a carreer in politics as you keep asking the questions and ducking your own! ;-)
I'm unimpressed by the Police because day in day out I expeience and see crime (read about even more) and know people thus affected and they do nothing. I was witness to an agravated theft, they did'nt want to speak to me, I was stuck in the middle of a fight, they were having a cup of tea, I was involved in an assault, told them were they were and what they looked like I had the victim outside, did'nt want to know (was'nt his area, would'nt ring Stanley Road because it's not his job! and "that's sector policing) their mugshots were on Crimewatch (drug dealing) 2 weeks later. An old colleague of mine was murdered (sorry manslaughtered) a few months ago, and you put words in my mouth about crime, Naomi you protesth too much! But I still like you, I'll try an insert a signal so you'll know when I'm tongue in cheek.
You make a point about dirty hospitals (we agree that the cleaning should'nt have been contracted out) but you say that visitors don't bring in infections (but they screen new patients for M.R.S.A) and then there's norovirus, you talk about the awful cases in a maternity ward but I seem to remember reading that it was'nt a hospital acquired infection.
You still have'nt offered any solutions to anything or ventured as to which way you're going to vote.
My style of posts revolve around stating my starting point, stating my case and adding my reason (I'm always happy to concede were I'm deficient) but generally on current home affairs I'll speak from experience (or from people I know who've had the problem) I don't read the tabloids if it's not in the Metro or the People I won't be likely to have read it. I prefer T.V news.
