Current Affairs

[Onelife]

I get more than a little annoyed when I hear people saying the rules are not clear. The rules are always clear but the "Media" interpretations and forecasts confuse the issue. I would surmise that most of the people demanding Clarity are really saying I don't like these rules as they are stopping me doing what I want.

The rules may be clear-ish but the messages this government give out are confusing…total shambles, with each spokesperson giving their own interpretation of the rules.

Try not be too annoyed with me

[Chalgrave4]

I get more than a little annoyed when I hear people saying the rules are not clear. The rules are always clear but the "Media" interpretations and forecasts confuse the issue. I would surmise that most of the people demanding Clarity are really saying I don't like these rules as they are stopping me doing what I want.

The rules may be clear-ish but the messages this government give out are confusing…total shambles, with each spokesperson giving their own interpretation of the rules.

Try not be too annoyed with me

Wouldn't be annoyed with you, we all see things differently, Wouldn't it be boring if we all saw it the same

[towny44]

I get more than a little annoyed when I hear people saying the rules are not clear. The rules are always clear but the "Media" interpretations and forecasts confuse the issue. I would surmise that most of the people demanding Clarity are really saying I don't like these rules as they are stopping me doing what I want.

The rules may be clear-ish but the messages this government give out are confusing…total shambles, with each spokesperson giving their own interpretation of the rules.

Try not be too annoyed with me

I think it's the lack of a coastline in Shropshire that causes the problem, it gives the residents an insular view of everything.

[Stephen]

Onelife will be sending you choccies next........RUN

[Gill W]

Nah!
It’s the schools.
Hardly anyone in hospital and an extremely low amount of fatalities in North Devon hospital.
The infection rate is not really that important now, it’s the individual severity that causes concern.

Jolly good

Hope there's not a long Covid problem being stored up for your area, or chronic illnesses that are later revealed from asymptomatic cases.

But I'll take your word that it's all wonderful

The rules may be clear-ish but the messages this government give out are confusing…total shambles, with each spokesperson giving their own interpretation of the rules.

Try not be too annoyed with me

That's the problem, the government messaging, and government figures flouting the rules.

[Mervyn and Trish]

A simple question Gill. Are you a sensible person behaving responsibly despite your perception of confusion and rule breaking at government level? My guess is you are.

Did you rush off to Barnard Castle because Dominic Cummings did? I doubt it.

Will you be inviting 50 friends to a Christmas party because the Daily Mirror says Downing Street did? Again probably not.

That's pretty much my point. Sensible people don't need leading by the nose. The problem is idiots who have had exactly the same information as you but choose to use an excuse such as 'mixed messaging' to flout the rules. If it wasn't that they'd find something else.

The government has chosen to implement some specific rules, such as masks. But in other areas, such as how we celebrate Christmas, has been less prescriptive and expect us to use a little common sense. Maybe they've had an eye on other countries where more draconian diktats have been greeted with riots. Can't win.

And of course today I've read criticism from different quarters that they've over reacted and that they've under reacted.

[Manoverboard]

I get more than a little annoyed when I hear people saying the rules are not clear. The rules are always clear but the "Media" interpretations and forecasts confuse the issue. I would surmise that most of the people demanding Clarity are really saying I don't like these rules as they are stopping me doing what I want.

Try not be too annoyed with me

Wouldn't be annoyed with you, we all see things differently, Wouldn't it be boring if we all saw it the same

Be annoyed with him ... he's a chicken fancier and a trouble maker with a dodgy roof

[Stephen]

And if you keep sheep lock them away now............and your wellies

[Onelife]

I don’t feel like smiling but you two have at least put a smile on my face this evening

[Gill W]

A simple question Gill. Are you a sensible person behaving responsibly despite your perception of confusion and rule breaking at government level? My guess is you are.

Did you rush off to Barnard Castle because Dominic Cummings did? I doubt it.

Will you be inviting 50 friends to a Christmas party because the Daily Mirror says Downing Street did? Again probably not.

That's pretty much my point. Sensible people don't need leading by the nose. The problem is idiots who have had exactly the same information as you but choose to use an excuse such as 'mixed messaging' to flout the rules. If it wasn't that they'd find something else.

The government has chosen to implement some specific rules, such as masks. But in other areas, such as how we celebrate Christmas, has been less prescriptive and expect us to use a little common sense. Maybe they've had an eye on other countries where more draconian diktats have been greeted with riots. Can't win.

And of course today I've read criticism from different quarters that they've over reacted and that they've under reacted.

Yes, no, and no.

But in a situation where we should all be pulling together for the common good, government figures have demonstrated time and time again that it’s one rule for them and one rule for the rest of us.

By all means condemn the idiots that flout the rules, but that includes people in government too

[oldbluefox]

It's not only those in government who flout the rules. There are plenty of others who not only flout the rules but boast about it on TV and in the printed press.

Mixed messaging is their excuse for flouting the rules. Tbh I couldn't give a damn what they do. I know what I must do to give me the best chance of staying safe and having overcome a couple of serious illnesses in the past couple of years I won't be changing any time soon.

To my mind it's much ado about nothing.

[Mervyn and Trish]

People in government, on all sides of the House, are no better or worse than anyone else in society. Over the years there have been thieves, child molesters, perjurors, fraudsters, adulterers, and much more. And now we have some who struggle with Covid rules. A leopard doesn't change its spots just because it gets elected to parliament.

But most are good honest people. But of course the media aren't interested in them.

And as I said above the sensible of us will follow the good guys. Those who were never going to conform never will and will find any excuse. If it wasn't for the well publicised, though in many cases unsubstantiated, examples of poor behaviour by MPs they'd find something else.

[towny44]

But in a situation where we should all be pulling together for the common good, government figures have demonstrated time and time again that it’s one rule for them and one rule for the rest of us.

By all means condemn the idiots that flout the rules, but that includes people in government too

Gill, it has always been one law for the rich and influential, and even if you turned wealth and influence on its head I believe it would still be the same, just different people enjoying the privileges.
I dont set my personal morality by what the wealthy or privileged do, and I doubt you do either. I may shake my head at some of their antics, but I am enough of a realist to understand that I would probably be just as susceptible to similar temptations if I was in their position.
OK, I am more of a cynic than Merv, but I suspect the majority might agree with me, after all what is the point of wealth, if you cant enjoy its advantages, even if it's only getting the best tables in restaurants.

[Kendhni]

Well, here is a really evil woman. Emma Tustin. Jailed for life, she tortured her six year old son before murdering him. She refuse to come up to the dock to receive her sentance. If it had been my choice I would have had her dragged to the dock screaming and shouting. Let's hope a bit of punishment may be dished out once she is in prison. As for her partner Arthur Labinjo-Hughes he was just as bad, justice may still come his way when inside.

Looks like they have already tried poisoning Tustin in prison ... probably the first of many attempts.

[Stephen]

Poisening is too good for her.

[david63]

Poisening is too good for her.

Unless it is very slow and painful

[oldbluefox]

I wonder if she likes plenty of salt........

[Onelife]

But in a situation where we should all be pulling together for the common good, government figures have demonstrated time and time again that it’s one rule for them and one rule for the rest of us.

By all means condemn the idiots that flout the rules, but that includes people in government too

Gill, it has always been one law for the rich and influential, and even if you turned wealth and influence on its head I believe it would still be the same, just different people enjoying the privileges.
I dont set my personal morality by what the wealthy or privileged do, and I doubt you do either. I may shake my head at some of their antics, but I am enough of a realist to understand that I would probably be just as susceptible to similar temptations if I was in their position.
OK, I am more of a cynic than Merv, but I suspect the majority might agree with me, after all what is the point of wealth, if you cant enjoy its advantages, even if it's only getting the best tables in restaurants.

I think you are probably right John, although I do think the wealthier you get the more you think you deserve it so in the long run it probably makes you a poorer person.

[Kendhni]

It looks Raab is in the firing line today ... and any hope he might have had of cowering behind the word 'hindsight' has already been blown out of the water.

[screwy]

Very easy to criticise when your not the one making the decisions. As for the ‘Whistleblower’ senior desk man, looks like he’s not old enough to shave yet,totally lacking in experience of any kind.!

[Mervyn and Trish]

Very easy to criticise when your not the one making the decisions. As for the ‘Whistleblower’ senior desk man, looks like he’s not old enough to shave yet,totally lacking in experience of any kind.!

I agree. It's a fact we didn't get everyone our. But having seen the scenes at the airport I doubt that was ever possible. I'm not going to take the word of one disaffected employee. I could tell you some tales about some of my former bosses, which may reflect on me rather than them! I'd like to hear all the evidence before drawing a conclusion. But I never will because I'll only get the version the media choose to give me.

[david63]

Why are all these folk bleating on about having to have Covid tests before travelling or having to go into quarantine when they come back from a country that has just been added to the red list? Do they not understand that foreign travel is still a precarious business and the rules can, and do, change overnight.

One thing to be said about cruising is that if you are on the ship when the rules change then the cruise line will be there to sort it out and you are not left on your own.

[Kendhni]

I agree David, we pay our money and take our chance. I was fortunate enough in being able to curtail my trip and got back last week rather than this week. I think travel will probably remain a bit dodgy well into next year (if not beyond) and we will all have to follow whatever rules we are asked to. Hopefully you are right about cruise lines.

[Onelife]

Why are all these folk bleating on about having to have Covid tests before travelling or having to go into quarantine when they come back from a country that has just been added to the red list? Do they not understand that foreign travel is still a precarious business and the rules can, and do, change overnight.

One thing to be said about cruising is that if you are on the ship when the rules change then the cruise line will be there to sort it out and you are not left on your own.

Agree David,

As Ken says …you pay your money you take your chance no point squeaking after the event.

[david63]

Excellent comment today from Sir Hindsight

The opposition leader says we "are in a race now between this booster regime and the new variant" and the government should have acted weeks ago, adding that the programme needs to be ramped up immediately.

The government should have acted weeks ago - the government did not know about the latest strain "weeks ago" - perhaps with the benefit of his crystal ball he can tell us all when the next strain will appear!!