Punished For Being A Couple.

Stay at home mums and couples ARE penalised by the benefit system, economists find.

Couples with children and mothers who stay at home are being penalised by the benefits system which favours lone parents.
The respected Institute for Fiscal Studies found that while the number of couples with children in poverty shot up last year, the numbers of poor single parents came down.
And a third more families with just one parent working are below the poverty line than in 1997.

On Tuesday, the Government was forced to admit that the number of children living in poverty was on the rise for the second year running.
The IFS found a large difference in the fortunes of children depending on whether they live with two parents or just one.

Poverty among children in couple families has gone up by 145,000 over the last two years, while poverty among children in lone parent families has fallen by 14,000.
The biggest increase was among families with one working parent – usually the father – where poverty increased by 111,000.
Twenty per cent of children in these families now live in poverty compared to only 15 per cent two years ago.

Conservative work and pensions spokesman Chris Grayling blamed Gordon Brown's tax credits system, which gives more money to single parents than couples with children.
"It's hardly surprising that we have such a high level of family breakdown when the Government's policies have left couples with children behind,. We have a benefits system that encourages people to live apart and a tax system that no longer recognises marriage. We can't go on like this."

People are said to be in poverty if their household income is less than 60 per cent of the median, or midpoint figure.
This equates to an income of less than £226 per week based on a couple with no children.

Welcome to my world.

MMR - News Of The World Newspaper.

PUPILS FACE SCHOOL BAN OVER JABS.


Sunday May 11, 2008. News Of The World Newspaper.
By Lucy Johnston


CHILDREN could be barred from school unless they have been given all their vaccinations.

The controversial proposal, to be published next week, has been drawn up for Labour’s next election manifesto.
A further proposal suggests that parents who refuse to have offspring immunised could lose their child benefits.
The plans have sparked fresh accusations of “nanny state” government and outraged health campaigners and doctors.

In other words how dare the ignorant people we rule over dare to believe they can think for themselves or have any say in their or their childrens lives. The government will tell us what to do and when and we will not be allowed to think or act for ourselves. George Orwell was closer than he thought when he wrote 1984, his only error was being twenty years or so wrong about the date.
Not only does this government incorporate as many vaccines as possible into one (because it's cheaper that way) but it is also going to penalise any parent who wants to put their child first and limit the risk of side effects and autism through not getting this triple vaccine. I know of many parents who are more than willing to immunise their children with the single vaccines, however the government has made this option impossible to find in the UK with those parents rich enough having to go abroad to get them.

The plan was last night condemned by leading author Dr Richard Halvorsen as “unethical, immoral and entirely wrong”, while a support group for vaccine-damaged children accused Labour of imposing its will on families.

The government can't force those parents unwilling to take the cheapest option so they will use blackmail to force it on them instead, not only by removing any other option such as single vaccines but also via financial means and education.

The plan to bar children from schools was drawn up by the influential Left-wing think tank, the Fabian Society, for Labour’s manifesto.
The plan had been based on systems in the United States where school authorities are responsible for vaccination. “It would be up to local authorities to deal with individuals who refuse to vaccinate.”
The Wakefield MP added: “There would have to be exceptions, children who would be at risk from vaccines like those with cancer or those who are HIV-positive and those with parents with strong religious beliefs.”

The proposals come as Sir Sandy Macara, former chair of the British Medical Association, is calling for the uptake of vaccines to be linked to child benefit.
His justification, also to be published next week by the the Fabian Society, is that childhood vaccines are for public good, not just individual benefit.

That's all very well for him to say as it isn't him who would have to live with the knowledge that the vaccine triggered their childs illness nor would he have to live with all these adverse reactions would entail. It certainly wouldn't cost him any sleepless nights specially as there is next to no help for parents od disabled / seriously ill children as it is. It may be the case that this is for the public good and we shouldn't be so worried about the individuals but for me even one child being affected badly by this innoculation is one child too many.

However, the proposal would almost certainly lead to a legal challenge, with non-religious parents arguing they had as much say on their children’s well-being as those with religious convictions.

Dr Halvorsen, author of the book The Truth About Vaccines has just opened a Harley Street baby clinic offering parents the choice of single vaccines. He said: “It is unethical, immoral and entirely wrong to force parents to have a medical intervention with known risks against their will.
“If I had to vaccinate my child or be barred from school I would make a legal challenge. It’s an abuse of human rights.”
He added: “The reason why we no longer have thousands of children dying from measles and other diseases is not because of immunisation but improved standards of living, nutrition and hygiene. Vaccines have made only a tiny contribution.”


Allison Edwards’s son Jonathon was left handicapped after he had the combined MMR jab at 14 months.
Mrs Edwards, 44, from Telford, Shropshire, now campaigns for the pressure group Jabs. She said: “This Government seems hell-bent on imposing its will on everyone. I urge parents to think very carefully before agreeing to the single jab.
“This type of bully-boy tactic proves how out of touch this Government is, and why it is suffering in the polls.”

Shadow Health Minister Mike Penning said: “There is an appalling outbreak of mumps and rubella and tragically it’s because parents are not vaccinating their children.
“In some cases parents are too educated, rather than ignorant, and they have genuine concerns.
“By blackmailing parents in this way the Government would be running away from an important debate instead of educating people as to why they should be giving their children the MMR jab.”

British babies have one of the intense inoculation regimes in the world, with 25 vaccines before they are 15 months. This has nearly doubled over the past two decades.

Many experts say combined jabs can have serious side-effects and want parents to be offered single vaccines.

The government don't want to hear this because it would mean having to spend more money per child by giving single vaccines. The ministers themselves aren't affected by the one in a thousand children who end up autistic or ill in some way through this triple innoculation. It doesn't cost the government any extra money as they don't help financially or with facilities the parents are left to just get on with it.
Surely one child affected is one child too many when there is a safer option possible it just costs more money.

Mariah Carey - Stupidly in "love"

Blatantly Stupid!

According to the media Mariah has married her boyfriend of around one month. She wanted to marry him so much that she didn't bother to get a pre-nup drawn up either.

Nick Cannon (the groom) an actor / presenter / rapper (shades of K-fed ?) is said to have married Mariah in the Bahamas where she has a palatial home.

Now, I don't know about you but if I had the gazillions in the bank that I had worked hard for I wouldn't marry anyone no matter how well endowed fantastic after one month. Did she not learn anything from Britneys example? Her quick marriage sans pre-nup didn't work out financially beneficial to her although I'm sure K-fed doesn't regret a moment of it.

When you have that sort of money a pre-nup should be essential. It would not only protect her financially if things go wrong (and you never know what can happen in the future) but I think it would also prove that he isn't after her for the money a divorce will bring.

He's apparantly in showbiz and (yawn) a wannabe rapper yet I've never heard of him so success has been limited. I can see many benefits in this marriage for him just like K-fed had.

After only four weeks this isn't love it is lust like, maybe a strong liking but you can't possibly know someone well enough after a paltry month to be in love and certainly not the love that you need to have a lasting, loving and happy marriage.

He's done well for himself all he has to do is have sex with an attractive woman and treat her nice for a year or so and he'll rake in millions more than she will have already wasted spent on him during the marriage.

Then again though I don't think I could put up with being married to a "diva" and pandering to her every whim. It's hard enough doing that for my own child and he's my life.

Better Hidden

Is that or is it not something that shouldn't be on show even if you're name is Britney (or in this case Gwynneth)?

Look at the top of her legs, at the gap in the middle

Definately a full wax job, no Brazilian or natural look for her!

Money And Sense

Emma's one rich witch!

Harry Potter's sidekick Emma Watson turned 18 on Tuesday and finally gained access to the $20 million she's accrued from playing Hermione in the hit movie series.

I can't imagine having $20 million at any age such a young age. Just being able to spend without having to think twice or juggle bill payments would go to anyones head, even more so if you're only eighteen years old. It's not only a lot of money, it's a lot of power and arse kissers and fame and people running around doing your bidding.
How can anyone keep their feet on the ground with all that going on?

Her parents have made sure she knew a thing or two about money management before taking control of her fortunes. They sent her for finance lessons from Coutts bank, which also advises Queen Elizabeth, so that her jackpot doesn't quickly disappear into thin air.

Why isn't this done for every star who earns a lot of money in a short time? Maybe if they were taught how to handle fame and yes-men and were able to practice restraint when it comes to financial matters then we wouldn't see so many bad role models like Paris and Britney.

I think her parents have been incredibly wise in making their daughter do this and I think it's one of the best examples of parenting I've seen in a long time.

Survey Results For My Local Hospital.

These are the results for my major local hospital and although the results are disgustingly bad they aren't as bad as I had expected. Bear in mind that many potential patients refuse to be treated there.

GWH slammed over lack of care
PATIENT satisfaction is on the slide at Swindon's hospital.

That's the findings of the Picker report from July 2007 to assess patient perceptions of the NHS up and down the country.

Almost 500 in-patients at the Great Western Hospital completed the questionnaire. And compared to the 2006 report, the hospital performed significantly worse on 18 questions.

The Swindon and Marlborough Trust, which runs the hospital, said steps are now being taken to address the concerns raised.

"This is not a flattering report," said trust spokesman Chris Birdsall.

"We're disappointed with it but things are improving and have improved since last summer."

Compared to other hospital trusts in the country the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust ranked above national averages in four area's questions and significantly below it on 37.

Some of the areas the trust performed poorly in included a perceived lack of nurses on duty, ward cleanliness and a lack of explanation on getting to a room, ward or bed.

Another problem was doctors' lack of respect for patients and the lack of opportunity to discuss treatment with them.

BUT it is not all bad news for the hospital. Figures from the Healthcare Commission's national 2007 survey reveals the hospital has a workforce that feels supported by management with a good work and lifestyle balance.

Although hospital staff did raise concerns about being overworked, harrassed, bullied or abused by patients and relatives.

I could add so much to this list from substandard and inedible food, to uncaring and neglectful staff, litter and general unhygienic wards and staff not forgetting the patients who have died needlessly in recent years through lack of care or being given the wrong medicines because medicines weren't stored or even checked correctly.
Recently a lady giving birth was given an epidural drug through an iv drip in her wrist and died. The drug was not only "stored" in an unlabeled cardboard box dumped in an unlocked room but was administered wrongly with no checks and caused her death.
Sadly this is just one example of it's substandard care and a "public apology" just doesn't cut it somehow.

I wouldn't trust this hospital to look after vermin let alone human lives.

Boris - The Buffoon Tribute Song

Be nice to me and I'll sue!

More Ridiculous Laws For The U.K

From next Sunday it will be an offence, punishable by unlimited compensation orders, to allow customers to chat up bar staff.

Now to me this has always been part of the job. You serve drink, sometimes food and try to make sure the drinker enjoys his time in the pub by talking to him and yes that involves looking interested and accepting / giving compliments.


From April 6, employers will risk being sued if a bar worker or waitress complains of being called "love" or "darling", or if staff overhear customers telling sexist jokes.

Sexist jokes are par for the course and asking for "another pint please love" is just a general, day to day phrase. It's just a name and let's face it most of us have been called worse.
I can't imagine asking for compensation because some person (with alcohol in them) dared to call me "love". It's hardly in the same class as inappropriate touching or falling and breaking a leg. It definately isn't an insult either

Lawyers are advising pub owners to cover themselves by displaying warning notices declaring: "Harassment is not tolerated."

I can't see a name such as "sweetheart" or "love" being a form of harassment.
To me, harassment is nastyness, violence maybe, just general unkindness really. It has never been a nickname plopped onto the end of a sentence with no malicious thought behind it.

WTF !

I bet she'd rather have had something to improve her life or make things a bit easier.

Flower Power

In Iran, a woman known only as Hengameh took her husband to court for being stingy.


"Shortly after marriage I realized that Shahin was very cheap. He even refused to pay for my coffee if we went to a cafe or restaurant," she says.

When I first read the paragraph above I thought WTF? Why doesn't she just divorce him and buy her own damn coffee?
Then I noticed this is in Iran, where it's almost impossible to get a divorce (if you're female and you're the one that wants it). The same Iran where so I believe married women (or is it ALL women) aren't allowed to work. So she has no other option open to her as most likely she has no money of her own and is entirely under his financial control.

The court ruled that her husband must buy her 124,000 red roses as a fine (and punishment).

It's very sad that a romantic gesture like the giving of roses is a punishment. It just shows what little regard or respect he has for his wife and most likely women in general.

Authorities have seized the husband's apartment until every last rose is purchased.
Hopefully Hengameh wouldn't prefer chocolates.

The court should have asked her what punishment she would like to see happen to him as he's probably taking the money from the household budget for her personal needs or groceries. It's obvious he wont be the one going without to pay for them.

Although I think as this happened in Iran it's nothing short of a miracle that she was not only able to take him to court but also that the verdict went in her favour.

Suddenly Robin doesn't seem so bad lol.

** Full article is here

Baby Born On Train

The scene:

A train in India.

A pregnant woman goes to the restroom and "unexpectedly gives birth," reports CNN.
The woman loses consciousness; the newborn falls through the toilet and onto the train tracks.

Two stations later, the woman's brother-in-law knocks on the door of the restroom and finds her soaked in blood.
She tells him the baby fell to the tracks; relatives pull the emergency brake.
Station guards are alerted and find the baby, who's been on the tracks for almost 2 hours, and she is still alive.

The child was about 8 weeks premature and weighed only 3 pounds; she is doing well and currently "sleeping peacefully" in a hospital. [CNN, LiveLeak]

Now is it just me or does the baby's foot look really, really long? like three times the size it should be?

Is she going to be called Louise?

Hairdresser Abuse Advice.

Now this has the potential to be a real help to many women.

Online magazine Jezebel has an article today on a new volunteer scheme to help provide suspected victims of abuse with the information they may need to get help. This will be done by providing hairdressers with various information to give to those they suspect may need it.

Now this scheme is like many things good in theory but there are some glaring problems like:

* Many domestic abuse victims are expert at hiding the signs of abuse.
* Many victims find the abuse hard to admit to themselves let alone to someone else.
* How many women would be happy having their life discussed in a hair salon with
their neighbours listening to every word?
* Could anyone take advice from a hairdresser about anything other than hair?
* How can a giggling teenager advise an older woman on an issue like this without
being insulting or degrading?
* How many typical hairdressers could sensitively handle a subject like this?

I know there are organisations, charities and shelters to help abuse victims.
I could not take advice from a giggling girlie hairstylist no matter how well meant.
I realise I'm stereotyping here but well, you know what I mean.
Many hairdressers can't conduct a conversation more intelligent than "where are you going on holiday?" so a deep, complicated topic like this isn't going to be handled well.

Holiday Rooms.

Fancy spending New Years in a funky new kind of hotel room?

How about one of these select choices?

Beagle b&b in America.

Old Wine-making Barrel in Holland.

Igloo In The Swiss Alps.

Or maybe not lol.

National News.

Another Lost Chance To Help Mothers.


Many mothers are denied a full state pension as they don't have sufficient National Insurance contributions.

Why is this Government so determined to discriminate against mothers who take time out to bring up their children?

At the moment, 90 per cent of men in Britain retire on a full state pension, but only 30 per cent of women do so.
This totally avoidable inequality happens because many mothers don't have sufficient years of National Insurance contributions.

Now it has emerged - and only because of a pointed question tabled by a peer - that Labour has decided not to bother helping these women.

How typical of a Government that makes billions available in childcare subsidies to mothers who go back to work, but does nothing at all to help those who wish to stay at home to care for their own children.

What a pity that yet another opportunity to help marriage and motherhood has been squandered.


Why Not Just Hand Out The Nations Details With Every Value Meal, It Would Be More Secure!

The Government lost the child benefit details, including bank accounts, of 25 million people.
It mislaid the personal details of three million learner drivers, but didn't bother to tell us for six months.
Half of family doctors don't believe that their patients' records will be safe in the coming £20billion NHS database.

And now they want to collect yet more highly personal data.

Town halls have been told to spend up to £55million of our money gathering information about council taxpayers, including everything from sexual orientation to mortgages.

And there are no guarantees that this information won't be misused, or even sold to the private sector.

Add this to plans to push ahead with ID cards come what may, and it's clear that ministers care nothing for people's grave concerns about the security of their data.

The answer must be a detailed examination of every piece of personal information held about its citizens, with ministers obliged to explain in each case why they need it, who has access to it, and what measures have been taken to secure it.

Any database that can't be justified and secured should be scrapped.

Finding A Soft Target.

Violent crime is on the rise.
Conviction rates are falling.
The police are considering whether to strike.
Our prisons are full to bursting.

Now they plan a two-year jail sentence for using a mobile phone at the wheel of a car.
Putting on make up or fiddling with your iPod could lead to the same penalty.

There are parts of this change in the law that should be applauded.

The dangerous driver who kills an innocent pedestrian will in future face up to 14 years in jail.

Such a change was long overdue.
Too many killers have escaped lightly.

How can we be sure that the police won't use the changes to waste more of their time pursuing the law-abiding over their driving habits or use the laws to ban smoking in all forms of transport?

Rape Victim PARDONED for being the CAUSE.

Saudi king pardons female rape victim:

RIYADH (AFP) - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has pardoned a teenage girl sentenced to six months in jail and 200 lashes after being gang raped.

So if you are raped in Saudi it is YOUR fault and you deserve to be whipped and imprisoned because it is YOU that is to blame. YOU made this happen, YOU WANTED this to happen.

The girl, who was 18 at the time she was raped, was attacked at knifepoint by seven men after she was found in a car with a male companion who was not a relative, in breach of strict Saudi law.

You are in the company of a male you are not related to, a teacher for example or next door neighbour. That obviously makes you a complete slut and you deserve to be raped not once but 7, yes 7 bloody times.

In October 2006, a judge sentenced her to 90 lashes for being with the man -- a taboo in the conservative Muslim kingdom which imposes segregation of the sexes.

You deserve to be whipped 90 times for being with a male friend and gang raped.
Why did the friend she was with do nothing to save her?
Or was he one of the 7?

She appealed against the sentence but despite her ordeal the court ruled that her punishment should be increased to 200 lashes and a six-month jail term.

They have to be kidding here: 200 whippings and 6 months for going through the ordeal of gang rape.
How dare she force 7 men to rape her by knife point one after the other.
(god, I can't believe she has been made to go through this by law. What sort of men can decide this is suitable?

The judges decided to punish the woman further for "her attempt to aggravate and influence the judiciary through the media,"

How dare she try to not be whipped or go to prison because of her ordeal?
How dare she contact the media to try to get justice.
I'm so proud of her for taking a stand, it must have took so much courage, more than we will ever know.

The rapists were initially sentenced to one to five years in jail, but those terms were also toughened in November to between two and nine years.

A rape conviction carries the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, but the court did not impose it due to the "lack of witnesses" and the "absence of confessions,"

I'm guessing this would be MALE WITNESSES definately NOT FEMALE because what use is a womens word. They're second maybe third class citizens and they obviously don't count for anything.

The court also revoked the licence of the woman's lawyer, who has also been summoned by the justice ministry to appear before a disciplinary panel.

Would this be the lawyer losing the right to practice law because he supported her appeal to stop the imprisonment and whippings?
I bet it is and I am proud of this man for doing what is right.
It is wrong that it will cost him so much.

The king had to intervene once international media and groups like Amnesty International got involved. If they hadn't he would never have pardoned this poor woman (whose life and marriage prospects are now non existant because she is not a virgin and is a slut.)

He would have agreed with the punishment.

Crazy About News!

Sometimes even lunacy is newsworthy.


AFP - Wednesday, December 5 05:37 pm



LONDON - A British pensioner has been ordered out of his local social club for breaking wind too loudly, which "disgusted" fellow members.

Maurice Fox, 77, received a letter from Kirkham Street Sports and Social Club in Paignton, south-west England, about his overly-audible flatulence, asking him to go outside when necessary.



"It's only a little bit of wind -- it doesn't really hurt anyone. I sit by the door anyway and try to get out when I can. But sometimes it takes me by surprise and just pops out," he said.
"I think someone has complained about the noise. I am a loud farter, but there is no smell," he added, noted that "there is no smell at all since I gave up the cider.



The letter from the club committee confirmed that others had been disturbed.
"After several complaints regarding your continual breaking of wind (farting) while in the club, would you please consider that your actions are considered disgusting to fellow members and visitors, You sit close to the front door, so would you please go outside when required. So please take heed of this request," it added.

Press Assoc. - Saturday, December 8 12:30 pm



Paddington Bear will be arrested by police and interrogated over his immigration status in a book marking his 50th birthday, it has emerged.




The novel, to be published next June will see the stowaway from Peru interviewed about his right to remain in England.
The new book is again set around their home at 32 Windsor Gardens, Notting Hill, and revisits the stalls in Portobello Road where Paddington shared cocoa and buns with another immigrant, Mr Gruber, the Hungarian antiques dealer.

After being arrested, Paddington has no papers proving his identity because his Aunt Lucy had arranged for him to hide on a ship's lifeboat from Peru after she went to live in the Home for Retired Bears in Lima.