The NOT Gears, How Many is Too Many? thread

neptune

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 30, 2012
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Boston lincs
I think it would be a bad thing to ban politics from discussion. As long as it does not descend to the level of personal insults, I do not see a problem. As we grow older, and hopefully more mature, we learn that we can not expect everyone to share our views. I personally hated Maggie and what she stood for, but obviously a majority of people at the time had totally the opposite view. One of my closest friends was a very strong supporter. I think it is great if we can hold different views and still remain firm friends. I have heard it said that MPs of opposite persuasions can argue fiercely in the commons, and later enjoy a drink and a laugh together in the bar. I suppose it is easy to laugh when you are on that kind of money and have a subsidised bar..,
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
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Does anyone think we ought to ban politics from this site?
I have just come back from a few days away and was amazed to see where the gear post had gone.
Although everything is very amicable, strong emotions can be aroused, particularly where Margaret Thatcher and the union bosses are concerned.
If we carry on, inevitable there will be a falling out.

Personally, I dont think so Mike......at least not on my part.

I have four very close female friends, one of whom I have been friends with for 31 years, only one of these girls share my political views, but we have never ever fallen out over politics.

( I honestly dont think that has anything to do with them being too frightened to argue with me ) :p :D

Seriously, I enjoy hearing other peoples points of view......even if sometimes they amaze me.......sometimes it seems like we have been living in an alternative universe....hmmm.....maybe I do LOL.

I always said to my friends that I wouldnt live in the UK under a labour government again, especially Tony Blair, and when he got into power we all moved as a family to Spain.
Where I tried, but didnt manage, to stay out of Spanish politics, ending up as the local Partido Popular's party member responsible for Extranjeros in our town.
Campaigning and encouraging these foreigners to register to vote and hopefully vote for P.P.

My most favourite hobby whilst living in Spain was introducing the topic of Gibraltar into conversation in spanish bars.......an english woman daring to argue politics with macho spanish men, and in a foreign language, in a bar ........I tell you what , that really WAS great fun :D

Us Geordie women are nothing if not resilient........( and I have had to be, being born and bred in a real red labour hotspot...South Shields.....now David Milliband land ! )

Lynda :)
 

smudger1956

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2012
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Amazing diversion this thread, politics......my take, we had a General Election, everyone had vote, and nobody got what they wanted..............:D
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
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South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Amazing diversion this thread, politics......my take, we had a General Election, everyone had vote, and nobody got what they wanted..............:D
Well....lets just all try harder at the next election then and get the Conservatives in with a big enough majority to really get this country sorted out, instead of having their hands tied by the unholy alliance with the libdems :D

Lynda :)
 

timidtom

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 19, 2009
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Cheshire
GambiaGOES.blogspot.com
Amazing diversion this thread, politics......my take, we had a General Election, everyone had vote, and nobody got what they wanted..............:D
Maybe we got what we deserved? Maybe we should plead with Blair to return? If he could convince people that he was leading a Labour party he could con us into thinking we were happy in the best of all possible worlds?
I'll hold up my hand and admit to my share in the present disaster - not having anything resembling a socialist to vote for I cast my vote for a nice LibDem. Sorry, sorry, sorry.
In last week's local election I tore up my ballot paper as the officer looked on. I received a mild reprimand ...
If attending your local polling station were made mandatory maybe we'd have less to grumble about?
 

mike killay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 17, 2011
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Well I am going to back out of this because I feel so angry with some of the comments, it is best not to say anything and get banned from a Forum that I love.
Mike
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
52,869
30,416
Well I am going to back out of this because I feel so angry with some of the comments, it is best not to say anything and get banned from a Forum that I love.
Mike
You should not stay silent Mike, you have as much right to express an opinion as anyone else. As long as you do it without insulting another member there is no possibility of a ban.

Since Lynda has been alone with her opinion in this thread and I'm guessing you might be siding with her, she could do with the support.
.
 
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robelee

Pedelecer
May 11, 2009
40
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Flecc,

She is most certainly not alone - I agree most wholeheartedly with her views.

Rob
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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As I said Rob, alone in this thread, but I know Margaret Thatcher has many supporters. Thanks for expressing your support, Lynda must have been feeling rather isolated.
 

mike killay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 17, 2011
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Thank you Flecc,
But I think to argue about Margaret Thatcher is pointless in the end. It was a long time ago, and your views would probably be coloured by where you lived in the UK at that time.
I for one was glad to see the back of Trade Union bullying and intimidation, 'Beer and Sandwiches at number 10' and the TUC being the real power in the land, not the Government.
If you never lived in a pit village, you would have no idea of just how bad things were.
There was no freedom of speech, one word against the Union and you would be ostracised for life, your children bullied in school etc. There was no other option than to move away.
Of course, now we have swapped the Unions for the Banksters!
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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30,416
Actually I agree with all of that Mike and although not personally involved was aware of some of the abuses you mention. But any conservative government would have ended that silly 1970s era trade union domination, as proven by Edward Heath's prior actions which the electorate rejected. My disagreements with Thatcher concern those terrible damaging policies of hers which we still suffer from today and will continue to suffer from for at least another decade.
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
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South Shields, Tyne & Wear
As I said Rob, alone in this thread, but I know Margaret Thatcher has many supporters. Thanks for expressing your support, Lynda must have been feeling rather isolated.

Awww....Flecc, nice that you care lol .....but dont worry, the power of my convictions carry me through any feelings of isolation I may, but in actual fact, wasnt, feeling :D

And I had absolutely no doubt whatsoever that many on here actually do agree with my sentiments, after all, why on earth wouldnt they.....she was a great leader of this country.

Lynda :)
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
52,869
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Awww....Flecc, nice that you care lol .....but dont worry, the power of my convictions carry me through any feelings of isolation I may, but in actual fact, wasnt, feeling :D
I know that you are more than strong enough Lynda, but I always hate to see anyone in apparent isolation against many voices, especially when I know that they are not alone in their views.

And I had absolutely no doubt whatsoever that many on here actually do agree with my sentiments, after all, why on earth wouldnt they.....she was a great leader of this country.
Ghenghis Khan and Attila the Hun were also great leaders.
 

funkylyn

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 22, 2011
3,172
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South Shields, Tyne & Wear
Ghenghis Khan and Attila the Hun were also great leaders.

I have to say Flecc......you usually manage to bring a smile to my face.... and sometimes hysterical laughter........whether it is from admiration or sometimes just sheer utter disbelief, or sometimes because I just think you are deliberately and mischievously trying to wind people up :D

I would love to have these discussions in person with you one day :)

Lynda :)
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
52,869
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Yes, those two comparisons were mischievous Lynda, typed with a smile on my face.

Life is fun, or it darned well should be!
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
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Cambridge, UK
My experience is that the older you get the more funnier life becomes, or is that the more it becomes a joke ?

Regards

Jerry
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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Dead on Jerry, how can anyone treat this mad world as being in any way serious.

Life is either a dirty trick or a sick joke played upon all of us, and it too often consists of something like 5% pleasure, 5% misery and 90% humdrum tedious routine.

The only logical life options in those circumstances are to end it or treat it as a joke.
 

jerrysimon

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 27, 2009
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Cambridge, UK
For me flecc a lot of fun has come in the last couple of years discovering ebikes and commuting on them to and from work. Makes the tedious worth while. I do actually enjoy my job mainly for the social contact which I would miss :)

Now way off topic, but I am convinced so much is down to a mind set, (though **** does happen), and we are authors of out own happiness/contentment/peace of mind etc.

I wasted so much energy in my younger days taking offense, when clearly I had the option not to!

Regards

Jerry
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
52,869
30,416
Right on the nail again Jerry, too many waste time searching for happiness when it's source has been within them all the time.
 
C

Cyclezee

Guest
OK, so far we have had politics and some philosphy in the this thread, what about religion and sex............not at the same time you understand:eek:
 

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