Nice People Thread No. 14, all Nice and Proper

Generali

GDB2222 wrote: »

11 people were injured in a shootout in a bar in Greenville on 27 September. It didn't even make the news.

These mass shootings are just the tip of the iceberg. There have been 39650 incidents so far this year and 9992 deaths.

I thought that number had to be rubbish so I went to this website:

http://www.gunviolencearchive.org/

They certainly agree with your figures.

The problem is that Americans like American gun laws as they are. If there was a genuine appetite for change then things would change. I simply don't believe that the NRA is holding the whole political process to ransom.

Foreigners might not like it but quite frankly it's none of our damn business.

One thing I do find interesting is that Switzerland, for example, has a much higher rate of gun ownership yet doesn't have a massive murder rate.

GDB2222

Generali wrote: »

I thought that number had to be rubbish so I went to this website:

http://www.gunviolencearchive.org/

They certainly agree with your figures.

The problem is that Americans like American gun laws as they are. If there was a genuine appetite for change then things would change. I simply don't believe that the NRA is holding the whole political process to ransom.

Foreigners might not like it but quite frankly it's none of our damn business.

One thing I do find interesting is that Switzerland, for example, has a much higher rate of gun ownership yet doesn't have a massive murder rate.

There are some economic differences between the US and Switzerland. For example, there is much less income inequality- the Gini Coefficient is much lower. However, it's possible that social differences are more important. Switzerland strikes me as a socially cohesive society, where all citizens feel their voices are heard.

GDB2222

The other reason is that the Swiss tally of guns includes the militia's weapons, which are kept at home. However, ammunition is not kept at home.

Spirit_2

silvercar wrote: »

We (and I take personal credit for all this as he isn't interested) transferred sky TV and BT phone to virgin (already have their broadband). 3 new boxes, superfast broadband and all inclusive calls, for £35 less a month than we were paying before. All went smoothly apart from the landline that got delayed by a week. (No doubt upsetting the scammers).

Am currently transfering gas and electric to e.on with the MSE energy club switch. Think its going ok, though e.on and BG have both asked for meter readings this week. Supposedly saving £55 a month.

Mobiles (all 4 iphone 6) are split between EE and O2, currently all in contract. All insured with my bank account, £24 a month that includes worldwide travel insurance for 3 of us.

Mortgage is lifetime base rate +0.5, so currently pay 1.25%.

I feel that I have everything sorted for the moment and paying about £100 a month less compared to a few months ago. Just shows what a few more spare hours in the week can produce.

The drop in oil prices has been brilliant for us . Filled the tank last month for 33.5p litre. Down from 64p litre a couple of years ago. Our monthly oil dd was £187 /month it dropped to £110 we had a refund of over £700 a couple of months ago and are still £1100 in credit. Which I will ask them to return. we moved our landline and internet from BT to plusnet and dropped from £87/m to 29/m.... service is no worse than BT ( only degrees of dreadful here) mobile is voda £15 month for very poor signal. OH paid cash for my phone so we get little for this £15. Will investigate MSE energy club.

We pensioners need to husband the pennies too.

Generali

GDB2222 wrote: »

There are some economic differences between the US and Switzerland. For example, there is much less income inequality- the Gini Coefficient is much lower. However, it's possible that social differences are more important. Switzerland strikes me as a socially cohesive society, where all citizens feel their voices are heard.

I suspect that the problem in part is that America has a quite violent culture. Look at US TV programs for kids: those Warner Bros cartoons for example and contrast with the output for kids in the UK.

I'm watching the thugby. Oh dear (but there is still hope).

Generali

All hope is gone, dashed against the Green and Gold shores. Thank goodness I'm not in work for a few days.

Doozergirl

Generali wrote: »

All hope is gone, dashed against the Green and Gold shores. Thank goodness I'm not in work for a few days.

Doozer was very unhappy. I was distracting him, however and just managed to book family holidays to Portugal and Canada next year.

Booked Portugal and then found my 'wildest dream' price to Vancouver - and on school break up day next summer :j

Back on your topic, they say the British economy will be missing half a £billion as a result of the outcome of this game

tom9980

Just goes to show how good that 2003 group were, you look at the last 4 years and how many of this current crop of players match up and it certainly is no surprise to me.

Generali

There was some bloke banging on about how it was all about how the Welsh were drawn in England's group (Guscott maybe???). Twaddle! If you can't beat the Aussies then why would you imagine you can win the WC?

CKhalvashi

GDB2222 wrote: »

The other reason is that the Swiss tally of guns includes the militia's weapons, which are kept at home. However, ammunition is not kept at home.

It would mean less snap decisions, I'd say.

I personally don't own/want a gun, but my respite is below, and IMO far more expensive, but far better. Our share in it was purchased for the same money as a 3 year old Mondeo, so certainly not out of reach for the 'everyday man', if not particularly moneysaving.

It's not going to 'accidentally' fire off in someones face either, is it?