Hunting Ban & Sailing

Didn't Suzy Quattro sing about something similar?

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The latest missive from Hamble Harbourmaster states that they are to carry out "an environmental assessement of the effects of piling operations upon fish" ~ who the hell is going to fill in the questionnaire on behalf of the fish? Nonsense or what?

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This is a very sad day for our nation and the rights of people to live and persue their pleasures, so long as they don not adversley affect the safety, well-being and livelihood of others. It is the first time the Parliament Act has been used for anything other than a government-backed bill, which the hunting issue is not and as such it's legitimacy must surely be in question. Yet again, it will be the law courts which will have to decide the veracity of parlimentary legislation and that really is not right.

Whatever happened to the tradition of tolerence of others, even and especially, minorities?

Government is right to advise on issues which affect us, such as the dangers and anti-social aspects of smoking, unhealthy diets, lack of exercise and personal health-care but it is not for government to legislate to the extent is is so doing. Yes, shooting, fishing and other country persuits are now in danger, and minority activities such as yachting and boating, mountineering, pot-holeing, recreational flying, parachuting & gliding &c., &c., &c. will most certainly come under an increasing level of restrictive legislation. Parliament is there to hold the Executive to account not to proscribe how we live our lives. What , of course will happen is that more and more people of all ages will do less and less activity which in turn will clog up the health-care system.

Did anyone see John Mortimer on Andrew Neil's programme last night? Splendid !

Going back to the hunting issue, I thought the following comment made at the Windsor Castle demonstration was good.

"There are a lot of angry people here - people of all ages and from all backgrounds - who are fed up with being ignored," said Ian Agnew, chairman of the Surrey Union Hunt, near Dorking.

"We are here to point out to Mr Blair, yet again that we are totally against any ban," he said.

"This has now gone beyond the issue of animal cruelty and is pure prejudice and bigotry.

"Mr Blair and his Government do not understand country people and the countryside."

I agree and - je couche ma valise !

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<hr width=100% size=1>Khyber
 
The publicans are blaming the smoking ban for the drop in trade, but in reality they have priced themselves out of the leisure-recreation market, some pubs in dublin are charging 4.70 for a glass of sparkling water and 6.50 for a pint of lager, I live in Waterford on the south coast and the worst local offenders are charging 7.50 for a G & T, the only bar I frequent is in my sailing club as prices are realistic, I am in my mid thirties and ALL my friends who I used to meet in the pub now drink in each others houses or in private sports clubs, the majority of pub goers are younger people with no kids or mortgage, The smoking ban is a positive thing as non smokers can go to public buildings without being forced to breathe others smoke, and smokers who wish to quit can do so without temptation every time they go out. It amazes me that the publicans believe that a 300% gross margin is sustainable.

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Clive,

You almost have my sympaties..... Another subject for a healthy discussion down the drain.

Anyone thought up good alternatives for the girly-jacket industry?

Rene.

<hr width=100% size=1>I came, I saw, she conquered (the original Latin seems to have been garbled).
 
Mark

I think it is hardly fair that Gay Rights & Apartheid be bracketed with miners, printers and steel workers.

The first two had genuine cases of oppression and prejudice to fight whereas the latter were commercial and political causes. Certainly in the case of the printers, corrupt union practices led to the assault on them which was easy to justify. Both the miners and steel workers had a point to make, but this was based around politics and economic standpoint rather than prejudice and oppression.

It is a shame that those who support the Left, and the Right for that matter take on board the whole suite of issues that are fed to them as their cause rather than individuals looking at each issue on it's own merits.

In the end trade unions lost, and with a lack of power cuts, three day weeks and suspensions of public services, this was probably a good thing. Apartheid was defeated and gay rights have continued to increase, so all in all the just causes won out, regardless of where they drew their support.

Hunting and smoking are the issues today, however tomorrow it may be something you support. There is no question that at some point in the future the freedoms of anglers, drinkers, motorists, boaters and many others will all fall within the cross hairs of the interfering busybodies.

By contrast, those that are currently restricted will fight for their freedoms and rights and someone will rally to their cause. As each wall is crumbled, the march to the next one is relentless. I is impossible to predict where they will come from, but for sure they won't all be good.

Bill

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Never heard the verse before, very thought provoking

Iota

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Just thought of a alternative job for all those poor souls who will soon be out of work. You know, the ones who look after the dogs and stuff.......
Replace said dogs with Rottweilers and Alsations, let loose said poor souls in a muddy field (give them a minute of two head start) then chase after them on horses using said Rottweilers and Alseations to slowly run them ragged then rip them apart. What do you think?
Kills two birds with one stone - keeps the faggots in the red coats happy and increases the nations average IQ by getting rid of some of the inbreds. /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/45/99/10714599.s.jpg?ch=97&rr=16:00:39>Nirvana</A>
 
Banning the Banns will also have the effect of flooding the whole of Northern Ireland as Lough Neagh will no longer be able to drain into the North Channel. Depending on your views, this may be a good thing or a bad thing - it would certainly put a damper on any hunting in Northern Ireland!

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<In my area (very pro hunt - but mainly populated by city lawyers / brokers rather than farmers!)>

bet you live in a safe tory constituency then. fat lot of good any protests there will do towards getting labour out!

and if they take their protests to the cities, will they make the voters there support their cause or just get up the noses of labour supporters.

i think they're on a hiding to nothing. so what will they do - shoot their horses and sit at home moaning or get out and do some drag hunting?

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Oh goody, another 1,000 post hunting thread /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

I don't have a great deal of time for the hunting fraternity. I lived in the country for years and, by and large, my recollection was of a bunch of arrogant plonkers who trespassed on other people's land and damaged their property. There are other, more humane methods of vermin control (and foxes are vermin, before we get too upset about cuddly Mr Reynard and his horrible fate).

I'm nevertheless somewhat disturbed at the way this has been pushed through, in that it sets an undesirable precedent for the Parliament Act to be used for non constitutional matters, but I also accept that banning hunting has been an item in the last two Labour manifestos, and that legislation has been repeatedly blocked by opponents of a ban, so one can hardly argue that it's undemocratic to force it through.

I don't agree that fishing or (probably) even shooting are next in line, partly because they are both sports where there is a perceived food gathering purpose to the activity, (even though this is not always the reality) whereas the point of hunting is purely the thrill of the chase and the kill. In addition, fishing, in particular, is a mass participation sport in the UK and any Government that proposed to ban it would be stark staring mad. As for legislation about boating, I don't see any connection with hunting nor do I think there is any likelihood of a government using the Parliament Act to force through legislation on greater controls - though I think some kind of greater regulation through legislation is probably fait accompli in due course, whatever the political hue of the Government that introduces it.

What they really need to do is introduce legislation banning racing dinghies from the fairway in Chichester Harbour and .............(Cont'd P 94)

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
Don't be too sure about fishing, the govt don't care about mass participation, there are far more smokers than anglers and they aren't afraid to tackle (pardon the pun) them.

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Smoked Fish

Fair point, but the difference, to me, is that even full-on, 60 a day fag fiends accept that their hobby is smelly, unhealthy and antisocial, so nobody leaps to their defence, whereas fishing is silent, environmentally friendly (hmmmm....), encourages good countryside stewardship, gets you out in the fresh air etc. so is widely perceived as a good thing and people don't feel defensive about defending it. So to speak.

All imho

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
Re: Smoked Fish

I agree with you, it seems logical. But to many fishing is seen as just as cruel as fox hunting. Coarse fishing certainly has no pretentions of catching for food as is merely done for sport.

Neve mind that coarse fishing do a lot for the habitat, environment and fish stocks, the anti brigade have them firmly in their sights.

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Re: Smoked Fish

I know what you're saying, but my instincts still tell me that fishing is probably safe. It might be interesting if there were to be a ban - a civil disobedience campaign by the (?)4 million(?) people who go fishing would be the biggest thing since the Poll Tax campaign.

But my belief is that a ban ain't gonna happen.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
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