The world according to me (General)

Member Name: freediveheaven

Product:	General
Date:	20/09/05 (102 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I get to rant

Disadvantages: You get to listen

Thus speaketh Mistress Murphy: ´I thought we might all like to play lazy debating. So here are a few issues for you to think about - and write about. By filling this in, we get to distil our views into just one paragraph. I rather like this idea, because I am a lazy opinionator, who doesn’t like to plan or research, but just likes to type as the mood takes her. I have lots of strong opinions on current debates, but I’m just too lazy to sit and properly structure an entire piece on any of them. A few gut reactions in one paragraph is a format that suits me fine. So, here goes . . . ´

With that in mind and sharing similar strong views on many of these issues here is my two pennies worth of an opinion.

Do you believe in life after death?

If this refers to reincarnation then the answer is no. I do believe in God and therefore believe that after death we go to a better place but I certainly do not see myself coming back as a gopher although it would be cool if I was like the dancing one in the movie Caddyshack.


Should smoking be banned in public places?

Definitely as I hate the smell on my clothes after a night out on the lash. The local hostelry near me recently went with a no smoking policy and while it mainly concentrates on food it is a much more pleasant experience. Sadly a few months later there was a fire which removed most of the roof, so the no smoking policy did not last. To make matters worse the day after the fire was put out some enterprising villain turned up and stole the fruit machines and a large quantity of alcohol so if you get offered a wood smoked bottle of Smirnoff at a car boot sale you will know where it came from.

Having worked in pubs and restaurants as a student I can appreciate the effect smoking has on workers as I would often awake after a nights work with a sore throat and red eyes. The health benefits of a reduction in smoking would be enormous and would free up NHS resources to treat those who are not suffering from a self inflicted disease.

Is capital punishment wrong?

In my heart I know that to take a life is wrong and having served on a jury I would not be confident in any group of people making the decision to take another’s life. The recent shooting of an innocent man on the tube in London bought to light a policy that in effect is the state sanctioning the killing without trial of an individual and, while I have no pity for those whose purpose is to bring terror to others, such a policy does worry me as it is a small step closer to bringing back capital punishment.

There have been so many miscarriages of justice in the past, at least with these the wrongly convicted do at least get their freedom back, with capital punishment there is no second chance.

Also capital punishment can increase the risk to the police and public. Someone who has killed once and knows that they face the death penalty is not likely to think twice about killing again to maintain their freedom.


Should cannabis be legalized?

In a society that is prepared to allow the consumption of alcohol and tobacco I struggle to see the problem with legalizing cannabis however in reality neither of these would have been legalized in the first place if their effects had been fully understood at the outset.

The Dutch example is often held up as a shinning example and it can provide statistics to support either argument. Certainly he average age of heroin addicts has risen in Holland since legalization suggesting that young people have not graduated onto harder drugs however I have also noticed that a number of younger Dutch people frown upon cannabis use and when on hockey tour it was the English teams who seemed to indulge the most.



Is beauty only skin deep?

I believe that you can fall in lust with someone on first sight based upon their looks (or the amount of alcohol consumed) but to full in love you need to know that there is an inner beauty that eventually will outweigh the outer appearance.

Studies have shown that symmetry of features often has a greater influence on people’s choice of partner and the ideal that they have in their own minds.

Increasingly the rise of cosmetic surgery and its availability has seen a more image conscious attitude with people deciding how they would like to look based upon those in Hollywood and seeking to emulate them under the scalpel. Soon everyone will be walking around with eye bows raise to the heavens and a permanent smile from skin stretched tight.


Do animals have rights?

I think we have a duty of care to animals an in particular species of animals have a right to exist. At present there are less than 1,600 panda’s in the wild and the destruction of their natural habitat continues to reduce their number. Similarly Bengal tigers and many species of shark face extinction along with many others.


Does Britain still need a monarchy?

I see no real reason to change the current situation. The royal family acts as a draw for foreign tourists and is part of our national identity. Whilst some of the royal family is hardly a credit to the nation others such as the Queen, Princess Anne and even Charles are well meaning individuals who help the country exert an influence beyond these shores.



Should fox hunting be banned in England and Wales?

This must be an old debate as it has now been banned in both countries. Certainly I could see no benefit is allowing such a cruel “sport” to continue to exist in a civilized society. Why is it that we as humans believe that we have a right to exercise control over another species, if a fox attacks a farmers chickens it is probably because the land that the fox would want to hunt on has been cleared and ploughed to grow the farmers crops. At the end of the day this was an excuse for a wealthy few to demonstrate their lord of the manor existence and rampage around the countryside while at the same time providing those on the other side of the debate that look to continue the “class war” with an easy target.

Should Britain join the Euro?

Even as an Economics graduate I do not begin to claim to fully understand all of the arguments for and against membership of the Euro zone; however as a tourist I certainly see the benefits of not having to carry huge varieties of currency on trips around Europe.

I certainly think it is a mistake not to have joined however this view is in the minority in this country and I see little hope for us joining unless the government imposes it rather than having a referendum.


Should all fire arms be banned for private use?

Definitely, just look at the mess America is in with their right to bare arms. The increase in gun crime in this country is very worrying particularly amongst the young. Whilst guns will always be available to criminals reducing their availability can only be a good thing whilst ensuring that those caught carrying serves long and full sentences.


What is your opinion on legal prostitution?

Legalisation will bring greater controls and protection however it will continue to be those most vulnerable who get caught up in this seedy trade. Even in Holland which I believe has a licensing scheme there is still exploitation as there is always those whose tastes will be outside the norm and will be prepared to pay to satisfy them.

Taking it off the streets would be a positive step however there will always be the NIMBY attitude wherever it is accommodated.


Are we living in rip off Britain?

Not sure if we can label the whole country as a rip off but certainly at the moment when filling up my car I feel I’m being bent over the bonnet and well and truly shafted as I see the cost spiral. Friend in San Francisco was moaning that he now pays almost $3 a gallon; my reply is not printable on such an esteemed website.


What is your opinion on pornography?

I love it!

Catch my latest movie at www.hunglikea........:)

Is genetically modified food right?

I have a lot of concern over this issue and most of this concern is about the lack of knowledge of the long term effects such agricultural practices will have on the environment and also on us the consumer.

As a consumer I will not knowingly buy such products however my concern is in the quality of the labeling and the knowledge of the supply chain.


Well there you have my shortened opinion on a number of topical issues, thanks for reading.

Summary: Short opinions