Watcha Doin' - 2017.1 edition Showing 2,101-2,150 of 5,020

[Margo]

That makes sense. It would at least make people feel safer at least.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

But how do you make it under control without infringing on peoples' rights? And do you want to live in a society that has armed police/forces patrolling the streets? And which streets? As if it's one lot of streets, it will move to the other unmonitored ones.

I'm a professional cynic. I get that. But i find it very interesting she comes out all hard 4 days before the election, and softer a few weeks ago. Is it because it's the election? Is it because it's London not Lancashire? National Security threats are shown to make people vote more conservatively, and this screams to me as an outsider as opportunism, after her lead going from 21 points to 3.

As I am spurting criticisms, productively, I think there needs to be a lot more done for inclusion and support and anti-brainwashing. Here in Aus, we are seeing it is migrants' kids (second-gen) feeling disenfranchised and outcast from society, but don't belong to their own. So they clasp to anyone who wants to include them, and these groups are king at that. Britain looks like it's the same. It's not immigrants, it's the British kids, not British enough but not XXX enough. It's working with these kids and adults and making them feel included, working with community leaders to make sure that people aren't feeling disenfranchised in the wider communities as well as the minute ones, and working on diversity and multiculturalism in the wider community.

[Sandra, Moderator]

I totally agree with you about the second generation, Rusalka. Definitively there is a pattern. And unfortunately the attacks increase xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other phobias you can think of, what ends reinforcing the lack of inclusion. Track threats is important and has to be done, but it is also an urgent need to work on the causes, on why these guys decide to do this horrible things. They live among us, they study among us, we have the precious opportunity of teach them something different, but still we are failing.

[Lisa]

I would rather live in a society that has armed police/forces patrolling the streets if it meant people had a greater chance of being able to walk around and go about their lives in safety. These terrorists are taking away our right to live in a safe, peaceful society. If the price we have to pay is more armed security on the streets, I would be willing to accept that. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any real way to combat terrorism without infringing on peoples' rights. There are going to have be compromises along the way and I think people from all areas of society need to knuckle down and accept them if we are to try and make Britain and the rest of the world a safer place.

As for Theresa May, you could well be right about her timing, Rusalka. However, I also think that she could finally be realising that more needs to be done and that politicians have been burying their heads in the sand for far too long. I am no fan of hers, I can't stand her actually, but more needs to be done and seeing as she is meant to be our PM, it makes sense for it to come from her. Having said that, I'll believe it when it happens. She doesn't ever do what she says she is going to do and I expect this will be no different and we will just keep going round and round in circles.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Ah well, we'll see I guess in a few days time. She will either have to deliver or won't.

I just think that if we have to change how we live and exist and our society, the bastards win. Whether that is going to London (as the conversation with my mother went today. I pointed out she went there when the IRA was blowing it up), having armed people on the streets, data collection of the population, etc. We change how we do things too much, and live in fear, they win. I won't let them win.

[Lisa]

Yes, they do win if we live in fear and change things too much. However, I also feel they win every time one of these attacks succeeds and innocent people die or get hurt. It's just a vicious circle. They win if we change things because they are forcing us to go about our lives differently, but if we do nothing and carry on as normal, more attacks take place and innocent people get caught up in it all. The whole outlook looks pretty bleak right now. It's a case of "Stop world, I want to get off!".

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Indeed. I totally understand that.

Also. Isn't she not supposed to be campaigning, as they suspended that because of this tragedy? A 4 point plan in her speech seems very much like campaigning to me...

[Lisa]

Rusalka wrote: "Indeed. I totally understand that.

Also. Isn't she not supposed to be campaigning, as they suspended that because of this tragedy? A 4 point plan in her speech seems very much like campaigning to ..."

Well, she says campaigning has been suspended for the day... but we all know not to trust what politicians say, don't we? ;)

[Lilisa]

There was a discussion about Cherie's wherereabouts earlier in this thread - glad she's on vacation hopefully having a great time. The other person I noticed hasn't been around for awhile is Tasha - has she been around? Maybe I've just missed her since I come in and out!

[Sandra, Moderator]

I noticed Tasha was absent a while ago and checked her profile, and she left the group. I'm also not getting her updates, so I guess she also set her activity a little more private.

[Sarah]

I do not want armed military or police on the streets. It will not help. Temporary or permenantly. The recent attackers have all been UK born so travel bans are pointless. Perhaps if we didn't bomb other countries, stick our noses where it's not wanted, sell arms to regimes that support isis and present ourselves as superior to other countries people wouldn't want to bomb us. The recent US strikes in Syria etc have killed far more civilians recently then any of the recent UK terror attacks. Just saying...

[Travis]

A few members left from some of the political discussions earlier in the year. I have been keeping away from all politic talks or trying to not just here but on all social media. People's emotions have been running so high with it over the past year. None of it bothers me personally but I've just learned to bite my tongue on social media. Although at times it is really hard.

[Travis]

But the mystery is what ever happened to Marnie

[Sarah]

The risk of being caught up in a terrorist event is so small. Even right now. There is more chance of getting hit by a bus. Yes it's scary but the risk isn't high enough for us all to be living in fear. It's crap. People died. There are things that can be done to minimise it but guns on the street it isn't nor infringements on human rights. I am interested in what you have to say Rusalka on the disenfranchised 2nd/3rd generations. I'd not thought of that before.

[Sarah]

I'm not one for conspiracy theories. Well, ok, on occasions. Some have mentioned the convenient timing given that Labour are closing the gap on the Tories. May was looking really bad but now she's playing strong and you're right Rusalka, people vote conservatively when things like this happen. But a right wing government will just make it worse in the long run.

Right. I'll shut up now before everyone hates me.

[Travis]

Of course for me it started at home with my wife telling me to shut up about politics or stay out of the house

[Sarah]

I had to laugh that my rants were interlaced with Travis's about reigning yourself in on social media. Lol.

[Travis]

I noticed that too Sarah. Lol

[Sarah]

Sorry. I couldn't help it :-)

[Travis]

As I sit here at the play place in McDonald's I keep thinking wow this is not the place for someone in a toppler. Lol. The library it is not . Which is why I have so much time to roam Goodreads right now

[Sandra, Moderator]

It is true. I another GR group we agreed about not discussing on 3 or 4 topics that were provoking rude confrontations. It is a pity people lost the capability of discussing civilized about things that concern all of us after all, but I guess it is the best we all can do in a world of extremes as we seem to be living in right now.

Sarah, I agree with so many things you have just said... But I guess it is better not to make this snow ball bigger.

[Lisa]

The problem with discussing politics online is that it is such a personal thing for every individual. No one is ever going to completely agree with everyone else as we all have different things that are important to us within politics and differing opinions on how things should and should not be done. What's more, everyone is entitled to their opinion, it's part and parcel of the 'free world' we supposedly live in. Unfortunately, there seem to be a lot of people around, not in this group thankfully, who forget that and become rude and abusive towards others who don't agree with them. I can't imagine it ever becoming a problem in this group though as we all seem to respect each other and can agree to disagree, which is good :)

[Lilisa]

Sorry I had not realized Tasha had left the group. :-(

I agree that while there have been respectfuf discussions across the Internet, there have been so many uncivil ones beyond rudeness it's so shocking. I think folks in this group are good about expressing opinions civilly, but it's all in the perspective and how people feel.

This quote from Rules of Civility Is quite apt -- "..., let me observe that in moments of high emotion—whether they’re triggered by anger or envy, humiliation or resentment—if the next thing you’re going to say makes you feel better, then it’s probably the wrong thing to say.”

[Sandra, Moderator]

That is a great quote, Lilisa!

I agree about YLTO. I have seen many discussions here, but always constructive and respectful, and I am thankful for that. I hope it keeps that way. :)

[Janice, Moderator]

Travis sivarT wrote: "But the mystery is what ever happened to Marnie"

Yes, I wonder that quite frequently too.

Cherie, we know is on holidays. But, we haven't heard from Deborah or Joan in a while either.

[Travis]

The psychologist or psychiatrist or maybe counselor (I don't actually know what his job title is) at my wife's hospital was saying they could barely keep up with business coming in with politically driven issues. Everything from couples fighting from differing political views to families coming in for the same reason to people actually having severe depression and even a number of people with suicidal thoughts all from politics. This was probably early December when he mentioned this with the highest number of suicidal issues coming around election night as some people really felt the world was going to end with Trump's election. Now I'm going to guess you'd see similar stories near the Brexit decision and some of the other world elections that have taken place. While for most of us political debating is just that debating. For others these things go much deeper and affect them quite seriously.

[Margo]

Lisa wrote: "The problem with discussing politics online is that it is such a personal thing for every individual. No one is ever going to completely agree with everyone else as we all have different things tha..."

I was born and grew to my teens as a second generation irish in 70's outer london (ok surbiton wasn't rough but anyway....). This was at the heart of the ira bombing campaign and i hated those b*******! Yet I grew up hearing whisped tales of aquaintances being pulled off the street for questioning for the crime of having an irish accent. I resented this as I resented all the "paddy" jokes. At no time did I stop hating the IRA. I never felt I really english.
Now I live in ireland but I never the accent I grew up with so I am considered english - I just can' win lol

If I moved back to england tomorrow I guess I would have a vote (well, in the following election anyway - there is that pesky registration process!). All my life I have voted labour but do I want JC deciding security policy not to mention negotiating brexit (alone and naked - now there's an image!)? On the other hand do I trust TM the submarine (submerges in times of trouble).

I am almost glad I do not have that choice.

And will somebody please take Trumps twitter machine away :-X

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

I was 14 years old when my province held the Referendum to possibly annex us from the rest of Canada, my country. As an English kid in Quebec, which is like 85% Francophone mother tongue, I was a minority all my life, but GLOBALLY and within my own COUNTRY, I was a part of the majority- the world of Anglophones. Then, I traveled the world, and even taught English to non-native speakers in other countries.

Now, I have come back home, and the political stresses of the past are safely there- in the past.

At least HERE, they are.

However, much like my country at large, we Canadians are the SMALL population on the continent of North America. Hell, 90% of my media is made by/in/broadcasting from the United States. I feel incredibly anxious having THAT guy essentially running our part of the world at the moment. It's that old political anxiety of my youth, returning...

--Jen from Quebec :0)

[Sandra, Moderator]

It seems you mods will have some work deleting posts and threads today. Someone is messing up creating threads and writing nothing. :(

[Sandra, Moderator]

Margo, that is a good example of how someone feels in situations like this.

[Travis]

I was just going to comment on this group being hijacked

[Lisa]

Sandra wrote: "It seems you mods will have some work deleting posts and threads today. Someone is messing up creating threads and writing nothing. :("

I was also just about to comment on them. What is the point, I mean seriously?!

[Sarah]

Just seen this. Off to check what's going on.

[Sarah]

Sorted. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be. They are a new GR member so I'm guessing they were trying to figure things out but who knows.

[Sarah]

Thanks Jenn and Margo for sharing your experiences.

[Travis]

Way to go for giving people benefit of the doubt Sarah. I just assumed it was a turd being turd like

[Sarah]

Travis sivarT wrote: "Way to go for giving people benefit of the doubt Sarah. I just assumed it was a turd being turd like"
I at first assumed it was one person but I think it was actually three separate users although they all have usernames with 2 letters and are from the same place with very limited on their profiles with regards to books reading etc. So it could be that they are the same person.

[Travis]

That said in the book I'm reading Uhtred finds 90% of people to be turds so I may be influenced by my current literature

[Sandra, Moderator]

I thought the same Travis, but let give them (him) the benefit of the doubt.

[Margo]

Crap, one of the dead terrorists, a moroccan, lived in ireland for "some time" and carried an irish ID card.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Margo and Jenn, thank you for sharing your experiences. They both in different ways tie into what I was saying about second/third gen migrant peoples, and minorities feeling slightly outside. But, obviously, you differ greatly in how you have reacted to that feeling.

I love your wife's reaction Travis, made me laugh.

The biggest thing I value from this group, well besides your booklists, is the amount of respect you all show for each other. We come from so many different backgrounds, countries, ethnicities, religions, beliefs, political inklings, languages etc. But everyone takes the time to listen and explain. We don't always agree, but we are mostly respectful to each other, and when we rarely get heated we always apologise and it is never personal. I know others haven't valued this as much as I do or have felt attacked, but I think this is super important in life, to be challenged on what you believe and to talk about it.

Thanks for letting me hang out with you all. You are pretty awesome.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Look at me getting all sentimental. Next thing we know, I'll be slurring things like "Youse lot can be on my cricket team anytime". (ultimate drunk male Australian compliment)

[Jen from Quebec :0)]

Rusalka wrote: "Look at me getting all sentimental. Next thing we know, I'll be slurring things like "Youse lot can be on my cricket team anytime". (ultimate drunk male Australian compliment)"

Hahaha! That is great-- when I was in the UK one summer, I often had 'my boys' telling me that I could be on their football teams, or rugby. Nobody PLAYED cricket, BUT it was ALL that they would watch on TV! Especially at the pubs! As someone who is also from 'the Commonwealth', I feel that I was woefully under-informed about cricket whilst growing up. (Too 'English' for the children of Quebec, I suppose...lol) --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Sarah]

You are right Rusalka about it being an important thing to be challenged on what you believe and to talk about it. Many people grow up with and hang around with people who have similar views to them and never explore or question the views. They read the same newspaper day in day out. We can only develop our views and our understanding of why we think that way by hearing the reasoning behind other's views and reading information from multiple sources.

I do not feel able to express my views on social media like Facebook for fear of being shot down or eventually the discussion turning nasty and then they cannot be brought back after that.No do I comment on my facebook friend's posts very often for the same reasons. I feel comfortable and able to express my thoughts here though. I know not everyone agrees with me but I know I won't be attacked on it. Whilst I can be quite blunt with how I word things on occasions, I would never attack someone personally for having a different opinion to me. I might point out things about the opinion or give facts to dispute the opinion but that's it.

I hope everyone feels as able to discuss their views etc. on here as I do. I have learnt a lot about the world since joining YLTO. As Rusalka has already said, you are all pretty awesome.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Travis sivarT wrote: "That said in the book I'm reading Uhtred finds 90% of people to be turds so I may be influenced by my current literature"

I have to say I must be kind of sensitive. I received three friend request with very inappropriate sexual content in two weeks, and had to report all of them. That was a couple of months ago, but still. I didn't think this happened in GR. Maybe my avatar is too sexy. o.O

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Sandra wrote: "I didn't think this happened in GR. Maybe my avatar is too sexy. o.O "

LOL

I make an effort not to friend males who only friend hot/attractive women avatars. Particularly when then have romance and more on their latest reads/added to their shelves or in their interests.

When you're interests are bondage, bondage, and more bondage, we're not going to be friends.

[Lisa]

Like you, Rusalka and Sarah, I feel comfortable with expressing my views on here. I may not always agree, but I respect everyone's views and opinions all the same and I never feel judged about my own opinions and views either. We are all adults and we all act like adults, unlike a lot of other social media platforms where a lot of people act like children having a tantrum if someone says something they don't agree with. This group and its members are a breath of fresh air and long may it continue :)

[Lisa]

Sandra wrote: "Travis sivarT wrote: "That said in the book I'm reading Uhtred finds 90% of people to be turds so I may be influenced by my current literature"

I have to say I must be kind of sensitive. I receive..."

I had something similar a couple of months ago. An author of erotic fiction sent me a friend request and said he wanted to be friends because I'm a sexy woman who likes hot, heavy and dirty action in books, just like himself. Needless to say I declined. Gave me a good laugh though.

[KimeyDiann]

This group is very tolerant of each other's opinions for the most part. The only time I've seen it get a little too heated was during the US elections last fall. And like someone else mentioned, apologies were made after the fact.
I've learned so much about other parts of the world since joining YLTO that I would never have known about otherwise. That is one of my favorite things about this group!

@Sandra, your avatar is definitely too sexy! I'm surprised you've only had 3 inappropriate requests!

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm feeling the love in this group even though the majority of the conversation was a couple of hours ago. LOL!

I was sad to learn that one of the victims in London was a Canadian. It demonstrates how far-reaching these tragedies are.

I feel saddened to know that there is so much hatred in the world right now. I remember a group called "New Civilization" who were working towards a critical mass of world peace and connectivity. It seems like we are moving to a critical mass of hatred and diversity instead.

Perhaps it's the catalyst that will move things towards a better world. You've heard the sayings - darkest before the dawn, worse before it gets better. Perhaps people will be appalled enough to try to work collectively towards making a change.