The world is in one helluva mess and so is this country

[The Large One]

I'm afraid it was impossible to get a world view or any other view on anything from reading the Sunday Sun.

So I presume you think all's well with the world? Oh well.

I know all is not well with the world. But you're posting like this is a new phenomenon.

Once upon a time, people used to get angry about this sort of thing, and try (usually in vain) to do 'something' about it. The thing that's more rubbish about all this is the inherent apathy regarding world events.

Incidentally, I quite like windfarms.

 

[Norman Potting]

Barber - it is all his fault.

 

[goldstone]

I know all is not well with the world. But you're posting like this is a new phenomenon.

Once upon a time, people used to get angry about this sort of thing, and try (usually in vain) to do 'something' about it. The thing that's more rubbish about all this is the inherent apathy regarding world events.

Incidentally, I quite like windfarms.

Firstly, I don't believe anything in my post suggested that this was a new phenomenon.

And regarding your comment about windfarms, I presume you don't live near one? Or for that matter pay tax?

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Nothing wrong with windfarms but I do agree that they're inefficient.

 

[The Large One]

Firstly, I don't believe anything in my post suggested that this was a new phenomenon.

Then what are you doing posting the bleedin' obvious?

And regarding your comment about windfarms, I presume you don't live near one?

No. Who around here does live near a windfarm? Do you?

Or for that matter pay tax?

Wow.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Just to be clear on this matter. I am in TEAM WINDFARM.

 

[BLOCK F]

Nothing wrong with windfarms but I do agree that they're inefficient.

That is one of the main things that is wrong with them!

 

[Superphil]

Need to watch out for Muslamic Ray Guns though

Muslamic Ray Guns - The EDL Anthem - YouTube


As for windfarms, if there were enough of them built, they would be efficient in generating electricity. There are people who complain their view of the sea would be ruined, FFS, it's the f***ing sea, there's loads of it, we are an island nation, it goes all the way round, it's not like they are lining the entire coastline with the things. If you spot a windfarm in the sea, and you don't like it, look a bit further along the coast, hey presto, no windfarm. As for it ruining the countryside, I think they are rather elegant, striking, and a tribute to mans endevour not to ruin the planet, install more, I say. The French have them lining the motorways, complimenting their superb nuclear power network, they run virtually no coal, gas or oil fired power stations, and use thousands of wind turbines, as well as hydro electric and tidal power generation. In this respect, the UK is truely in the dark ages, and we'll never emerge as long as people bitch about what should be done about energey generation.

 

[sten_super]

That is one of the main things that is wrong with them!

There's two central planks to the arguments around renewables;
1) Do we accept that i) man-made global warming is happening ii) that it's a bad thing and iii) that we should do something about it?
2) If the answer to the above is 'yes' - how do we develop efficient renewables technology?

One of the primary routes the government has gone down the road of subsidising people to use renewable generation methods - assuming that over time increased take-up of these devices will drive demand and increase private sector R&D in the sector. They could alternatively have simply invested in R&D, but the danger in that strategy is that you end up with a 'white elephant', at least until total supplies of coal and gas run out (by which time we're probably well past any kind of 'tipping point' in terms of climate change).

 

[soistes]

All these crazy Islamists in Africa creating mayhem at Allah's bidding (apparently).

More of them (under the guise of Al Quaeda) doing exactly the same in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Civil war in Syria.

The Israel/Palestine problem still ongoing.

Tehran ruled by mad mullahs and maybe building a nuclear bomb.

The gun lobby (NRA) in the USA refusing to back down over gun control.

Overpopulation.


And in the UK:

The obscene amounts of money EU membership costs the UK taxpayer.

Immigration.

Welfare costs.

The ridiculous move to build more windfarms.



I have seldom felt so negative about the way things are going in the world or in the UK. One big fecking mess. Why the hell can't we live together in peace and harmony?

Maybe NSC has the solution to all the world's ills.

On the UK points:

1) By any rational estimate, the economic benefits to the UK from being part of the EU have always greatly outweighed the relatively small net cost (around 1-2% of GDP) if I remember correctly

2) The UK has always been a country of immigration. Again the recent evidence, despite what you read in the Mail etc, suggests that the economic benefits of recent immigration have been positive -- it has added to GDP (and even to GDP per capita), and surprisingly to some people, it has had little or no downward effect on wages or upward effect on youth unemployment. There is a lot of good research literature on this topic.

3) Welfare costs in the UK, in comparison with most successful developed economies, are not high, either in absolute terms or as a % of GDP. Most benefit levels are extremely low in comparison to average wages in this country, and (again contrary to what you read in the Mail), the vast majority of benefit expenditure goes not on the unemployed, or so-called benefit scroungers, but on state pensions. With a decently progressive income tax system (ideally supplemented with a wealth tax) the country could easily afford the current welfare bill, and indeed could be more generous to the unemployed, disabled people and pensioners. As a higher rate tax payer, I would happily pay more in tax to contribute to this, alongside better public health and education.

4) er... isn't NSC a massive wind farm par excellence??

And what's it all got to do with peace and harmony.

PS: I agree that the growth of radical Islam in some parts of the World is a bit of a worry...

 

[Gwylan]

Nothing wrong with windfarms but I do agree that they're inefficient.

And right on cue, here's the New Scientist pointing out that that's a load of nonsense

Wind power delivers too much to ignore - opinion - 21 January 2013 - New Scientist

 

[CheeseRolls]

Goldstone - so many happy memories.

This poster one of a small band of miserable ****** who think the world would be a better place without any foreigners and never tire of telling us.

 

[beorhthelm]

No. Who around here does live near a windfarm? Do you?

nope, because no one will let them build any. there was a plan for a half dozen between Polegate and Hailsham, only a few dozen people would see them other than when speeding down the A27, but the objections have won the day for now apparently and its postponed.

And right on cue, here's the New Scientist pointing out that that's a load of nonsense

Wind power delivers too much to ignore - opinion - 21 January 2013 - New Scientist

however, they are economically inefficient. what that article fails to note is the cost of contracts for wind power. they have contracts that assume x amount of windpower can be produced regardless of whether it is or not. and if there isnt enough wind, or ironically too much (they have to shut them off) then we pay for the wind power any way and pay for the replacement gas generated power. added to this, you have to build a load of spare gas turbines to cover the short fall, which themselves expect minimum service contracts. result? well you've seen the increase in energy bills, this is mostly due to this increase in infrastructure and minimum price related to renewables.

 

[User removed 4]

On the UK points:

1) By any rational estimate, the economic benefits to the UK from being part of the EU have always greatly outweighed the relatively small net cost (around 1-2% of GDP) if I remember correctly

2) The UK has always been a country of immigration. Again the recent evidence, despite what you read in the Mail etc, suggests that the economic benefits of recent immigration have been positive -- it has added to GDP (and even to GDP per capita), and surprisingly to some people, it has had little or no downward effect on wages or upward effect on youth unemployment. There is a lot of good research literature on this topic.3) Welfare costs in the UK, in comparison with most successful developed economies, are not high, either in absolute terms or as a % of GDP. Most benefit levels are extremely low in comparison to average wages in this country, and (again contrary to what you read in the Mail), the vast majority of benefit expenditure goes not on the unemployed, or so-called benefit scroungers, but on state pensions. With a decently progressive income tax system (ideally supplemented with a wealth tax) the country could easily afford the current welfare bill, and indeed could be more generous to the unemployed, disabled people and pensioners. As a higher rate tax payer, I would happily pay more in tax to contribute to this, alongside better public health and education.

Little or no downward effect on wages or youth unemployment ?? Are you f***ing sure ?? As for your comments on GDP , they are disingenuous to say the least , HERE is some research which says so

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldselect/ldeconaf/82/8206.htm

 

[User removed 4]

Goldstone - so many happy memories.

This poster one of a small band of miserable ****** who think the world would be a better place without any foreigners and never tire of telling us.

And you're one of the large number of tosspots who thinks immigration and foreigners are great, just as long as its not where you live.

 

[Bodular]

I don't think wind farms look to bad, Shirley they have to do something eventually

Is it not all for the greater good

 

[HastingsSeagull]

There were just as many problems around the world throughout the entire last century. World wars, cold war, and loads of smaller conflicts. Not to mention all the stuff that wasn't reported on constantly by 24 hour news. Yes this country is far from perfect but so is every single country in the world. That's life.

That said I still plan to retire before 35 and move to a cheaper, warmer country and chillax

 

[goldstone]

Goldstone - so many happy memories.

This poster one of a small band of miserable ****** who think the world would be a better place without any foreigners and never tire of telling us.

I have no problem with foreigners as long as they live in their "foreign" countries.

If they wish to live and work elsewhere for a while then the Gulf countries have got it spot on. Allow them in as "guest workers". When their jobs end they go home. Perfect.

 

[The Large One]

however, they are economically inefficient. what that article fails to note is the cost of contracts for wind power. they have contracts that assume x amount of windpower can be produced regardless of whether it is or not. and if there isnt enough wind, or ironically too much (they have to shut them off) then we pay for the wind power any way and pay for the replacement gas generated power. added to this, you have to build a load of spare gas turbines to cover the short fall, which themselves expect minimum service contracts. result? well you've seen the increase in energy bills, this is mostly due to this increase in infrastructure and minimum price related to renewables.

We happen to be living in a time when we are at the outset of using renewables (well, the UK is - much of the rest of the developed world seems way ahead of us), and the technology is in its relative infancy.

It has to be paid for at some point by someone. Unfortunately, it's us, now.

As with all things, it's in everyone's interests to make these things more efficient (e.g. solar panels which can produce energy by starlight), and I don't think it's too fanciful to say that this will happen, and we'll look back on now thinking 'Jeez, how inefficient was that stuff then?'

 

[MattBackHome]

What a mental thread.