Do you wish you had been born in another country other than the UK??

Thanks foin , I didn’t know the poem .. it’s beautiful , and sad

It gallops along - actually the way it’s written reminds me of Bruce Springsteen and his lyrics
( I’m a big fan lol ) but he writes in long sentences much longer than most songs and the words tumble
one into the other in the same sort of way … it’s very distinctive

something interesting about Browning - his voice was recorded on the first Edison phonograph at a party
and Browning recited this poem - but forgot the words !
And he can be heard saying I’m sorry I cannot remember me own verses
but one thing I shall remember all me life is the astonishing ( inaudible )by your wonderful invention

Browning died a few months later and when the recording was played to a gathering of his friends
it was said to be the first time anyones voice ‘ had been heard from beyond the grave ‘

get to bed lfc...bingo tomorrow

Yes Sir

pecker I like that, you’re talented

laughing my clogs off
engerlish ejits quoting poems from a geyser who didnt want to live there
on  a thread asking which other country you would like to have been born in

FUBAR

No need lfc, thanks though.

It depends if you want to stay in the country you know but soon will not be that country any more.  You only have to look at the so called leaders in Scotland  England and London to see which way it is going.

Is it a commercial pop song Pecker? Looks professionally done.

It's meant to have the rhythm of the gallop,lfc, technically called onomatopoeia it adds to the tension of the piece. Effort beyond the call of duty by horse and rider, mission accomplished. Glad you like it it's an emotive piece of work and very beautiful.

I never put it to music Foin.

OK I think it's very good.

Reference discrimination , one of the organisations I worked for was the subject of an investigation and the report affirmed that discrimination had taken place over a sustained period . Strangely enough the instigator of that investigation was not a catholic , but he was a civil rights  sympathiser .

He voiced sympathy for civil rights activity shortly after starting work in the organisation , which drew the comment ( in public) from his boss "If I had known you were a civil rights supporter you would never have got a job here". I heard that comment .

Another employee in the organisation took them to court alleging ( blatant) discrimination . They settled with him for 100k and the main culprit took " early retirement " on mental health grounds .

Both these facts were widely reported in local press at the time , I still have the cuttings somewhere .

The only reason these cases came about were as the result of substantial work effected by representatives of the southern Irish government of the time ,backed up by one of our friends who became a Westminster MP subsequently .  locals would not have succeeded in obtaining justice given the setup here at the time .

I was never a civil servant , I always worked in the private sector . But I had to watch my playmates from my youth ( 90 % of them protestant and few of them with my ability or qualifications ) prosper in sinecure jobs while I was denied promotion . I left that organisation before the sh one t hit the fan , I still meet the 100K man regularly walking our dogs . The "whistle blower" sadly is deceased .

My brother in law ( deceased) graduated from Queens University in the fifties with a first in engineering and was advised by his prof to go work in England as he would not get recognition being a catholic in Northern Ireland . He took the advice ( which was common knowledge ) and went to work in England where he finished up in charge of a large division of the CEGB . He would not have prospered here in the NI of that era .

Since the GFA things have improved dramatically . Lots of the younger generation of level playing field supporters are getting the recognition their education and qualifications entitle them too . The education factor is a big worry for those of a fundamentalist unionist mindset , the working class among them are being left behind substantially education wise , the "catholic" schools outperform most of the the "state" schools continually and the knock on effect shows up every time you watch local TV.

Ok let’s take a look at this before I go and play golf

The first thing we notice is that there is zero evidence that Kelly ever faced discrimination
In fact , although for some reason he doesn’t make clear , the impression is he had a good
and secure job all his working life .. and never left N Ireland

Now his brother in law we have a lint more information , and he you will notice graduated
from Queens University ..  with a Free University Education - and in the 1950s ! Which in
itself was a very privileged thing .. and he whines about discrimination .
Then the advice of his prof .. well of course that again may be something that was said
or it may not … thousands of Protestants after graduation go to England or stay there
after uni and don’t return .. ( hence the drop in Protestants in NI )
That’s where the work is - and doubtless Kelly’s brother in law received the same advice as
Protestants did at university and from their own families - nothing to do with discrimination
Oh and by the way Kelly’s brother in law you might notice went to work in England - NOT
south Ireland .. and Kelly seems to believe he would have been better born in south Ireland
Deary me , they’re not thinkers

So there we have Kelly and his brother in law .. who both seem to have had a very privileged
and fortunate and  safe and secure upbringing in N Ireland - that’s the picture

Haven’t time to look at the other claims just now .. but just to say if I was the boss of a company
and someone at that time was involved in the ‘ civil rights.’ campaign ( alongside the IRA ) I
wouldn’t have employed them either

That’s a quick look at Kelly’s whines , and I must say it takes some gall when we see him and his
brother in laws back story - growing up in NI and going to university in the 50s and all that meant
at the time in terms of privilege and opportunity they should be eternally grateful and thankful to
N Ireland .. but no it seems not

Any way there we are  , I asked Kelly to let us know what discrimination he had faced , and the answer is zero , in fact just the opposite
He has been very privileged and fortunate ,
As I said you can’t trust anything an Irish nationalist says - necessarily

Have to go will take a look in later

good stuff kelly

the dumbsters are off with the fairies listening to poetry

A good post lfc, it's usually the better off who run this country down, the grass is always greener especially Irish grass. I too went to live and work abroad to boost my chances and I'm eternally grateful to the people who gave me opportunity and assistance. I'm also proud of my child and grandchildren who are well-educated French citizens.

Poetry and art are wonderful, aren't they? I'm glad you like the poem. It's a waste of time feeding pigs cherries, though, sad but true.

Sorry Foin, you are not making a fair comparison as you know well.

It's not the appreciation or lack of in a foreign land that's the subject of Kelly's post.

It's a very different situation when it's in you're own homeland, and an occupied one at that.

Let's be honest and fair with the comparisons.

Once again I'll repeat, the mindset of the oppressed is not the same, the mindset of the occupied is not the same, choice is not the same, opportunity is not the same.

Let's stick to the facts, the realities, and not the good fortune of those on the 'mainland'

lfc's handle on discrimination beggars belief . The organisation in question was run largely by 3 groups , viz The orange order , the masonic , and the old boys network ( protestant schools exclusively , catholics were seriously under represented in the work force) .  The result of the enquiry was front page news at the time .  Anyone who doubted systematic discrimination practices operating within the organisation  would be doubted mentally unstable .

Anyway lfc,s judgement on discrimination would be just as flawed as his overall application of sense and fair play .

The jibe about free education would pre suppose that my brother in laws parents were free loaders and did not pay their way in funding the "free " education .  Nothing could be farther from the truth , they always paid their way . But of course if you throw mud , some sticks , particularly in the minds of those who refuse to acknowledge the truth .

I'm not in favour of discrimination of any type Pecker although "occupied" with regard to NI is contentious.NI is occupied by its citizens who happen to be British, I don't consider the claim of Irish nationalists to be valid. They waged a civil war during the last century that still smoulders and you have to consider accusations of discrimination in that context. As for being mobile, it is a necessity unless you are prepared to work at a basic level. I couldn't find a suitable job in my home town and moved first to London and then to France to find what I had hoped for. Millions of people are currently doing the same thing.

Or would try France for a job had the half wits
not voted to prevent it.

Nobody has prevented it, you just have more bureaucracy to contend with. I got my residency and job before Heath foolishly took us into the common market. I had to queue up with Algerians who had a better residency claim than I and my prospective employer had to give assurances that he couldn't find an equally qualified local to do the job but I see that as normal.

Even while i was living there after joining the EEC I only ever met a handful of Brits working in France, mostly professional people. There is a significant language barrier and most Brits wanting to work overseas migrated to English-speaking countries. The so-called brain-drain was mainly to the USA which for its own reasons is not a member of the EU.

lfc asserts that NI was a great place to grow up in in the 70's and 80's . Tripe .

NI was essentially a battlefield from 1970 through to 1990 , everyone spent their time looking over their shoulder, wondering when their luck might run out .  My children operated on a very short lease , lots of areas ( and inhabitants) were off limits .  The only thing which kept us in NI was family , and we had enough relations / friends in the south of Ireland to make it easy for us to holiday etc regularly .

Moving to England was no way attractive , I had to spend lots of time travelling ( associated with work ) , mainly to London and Manchester . I did not see anything in those travels which made England attractive as a place to live in . Too many people , and the coasts were not within easy access , not to mention the lack of decent golf courses such as we have on our doorstep here .

Golf was the saviour of a lot of us in those turbulent years , the golf course was a haven of peace and tranquility and was a big escape route to normality for myself and my children who all played . One of our best players , an Irish international at the time , moved to outside London for work considerations . A year later he was back on holiday and I asked him about his golf .He said he had given up on golf as it took him an hour and a half to travel home from work from inner London , and then another hour to travel to a decent golf course . At home here that took 20 minutes in total . He more or less gave up his golf .

Northern Ireland would be a very good place to live in if everywhere ( and everyone ) bought into the concept of a level playing field .  Unfortunately the residual politics of the state conspire against peace and stability , and no one has a magic wand to rectify that .

Northern Ireland is a British problem , created and maintained by the UK , only they can rectify any short comings .  Within the EU , as the UK and the Republic both were members , there were lots of things in common , not least in easy trade, but Brexit has changed that , particularly in the minds of the unionist population .UK  Voters were warned of the danger inherent in Brexit , affecting Irish / UK relationships , but the sage advice and warning was largely ignored "on the mainland" and by the DUP who actively campaigned for Brexit . The chickens have come home to roost.

ok , let’s take a look at that last paragraph from Kelly
Where did I mention or even allude to anyone being a ‘ free loader ‘
I said that anyone and everyone who went to Queens University
in the 1950s .. 60s … and did so with zero student fees and doubtless
a student grant , were by definition very privileged individuals
And when they left ‘ school ‘ had the opportunity to live and work
anywhere on these islands ,U.K. or south Ireland or indeed as foin
was brave and competent enough to do just about anywhere in the
world
So once again Kelly stop making up things in your head that are untrue
and dishonest and warped by your very , let me just say , not very intelligent
mindset … oh and stop whining

Oh and by the way , don’t believe his sh1 te about N Ireland
in the 40s , 50s , 6Os , 70s, 80s,….

Do you know Van Morrison grew up in the backstreets of Belfast
, just as the Beatles did in Liverpool
Oh , and although Van the man was a genius … he came from nothing
Say thankyou to NI .. and England .. and Britain

I agree with you about the stress of living in London. I had a long commute using buses and train and could only afford a tiny bedsit under the eaves of a terraced house with shared toilet and bathroom. I had to take an evening barman job to make ends meet. I was glad to get away after a few years but the work experience at a multinational was priceless.
With all respect you can't expect the preferences of NI to determine the future of the much larger population on the mainland. It's the EU that requires a customs border not the UK. The sticking point lies in the interpretation of the Belfast Agreement and the protocol is a botched job.

And he’s talking nonsense about ‘ turbulent years ‘
If you went to school , if you went to uni , or not by the way
You had every opportunity to ignore any bombs or assignations
by the IRA … oh and you could finish work and play golf And life
was good .. for everyone .  Don’t allow yourself to believe anything else
THAT , is the truth

The fact is .. N Ireland was a very good place for Kelly and his family
to grow up in …He was very very fortunate to live in that country ..  FACT

By the way … look at the way he dishonestly
twists things that are said ., such as ‘ free loaders ‘
Which were never said or even thought

That’s the problem with Irish nationalists .. you can’t necessarily
believe what they say ..

just saying …

Wherever you live, life is a struggle for most people and often unfair. You have to try and make the best of it you can, preferably without doing harm to others. Most of all, avoid the green-eyed monster if you want to be happy, make your own niche and leave others to do the same.

Very true foin .. now in intrigued
Let’s see how Kelly was impacted by these ‘ turbulent years ‘
Because so far I’ve seen no evidence of any such problems
for Kelly .. how did the troubles and the barbaric IRA campaign
effect him ..growing up , school , work and social life etc
Let’s see if we can get some facts from this Irish nationalist …..

Foinavon , reference the civil war in Ireland , that was fought mainly in the south and south west of Ireland between those who supported the "agreement" between Ireland and Britain which granted independence to 26 of the Irish counties and those who objected to that . It was brother versus brother , as brilliantly portrayed in the film " The wind that shakes the barley" .

In that agreement there was a provision that the "border" issue would be streamlined to facilitate local aspirations .  That never happened , shades of India/ Pakistan etc . The "nationalist" population of the remaining 6 counties of Ulster were isolated within a "Protestant state for a Protestant people" . Expecting the nationalist people to become British was a pipe dream , akin to expecting the DUP to become Irish if a "united Ireland " was voted for as contained in the possibilities of the GFA.

It never ceases to amaze me that English nationalism as exemplified by Brexit is deemed OK , while Irish nationalism is ultra vires . Ireland was a united island up to 1921 , albeit kept subjegated for 800 years by Britain . The last vote in that united island indicated that 85% of the population wanted independence for themselves . Wish not granted , and the smouldering referred to is largely due to the ignoring of that overwhelming vote  , as well as the ensuing civil war .

I think that the only solution to the "Northern Ireland" problem is for Northern Ireland to become essentially an independent entity , with ties to the UK and to the Republic , somehow subject to legislation jointly agreed by both those parties .  In time the independent entity would be allowed to realign with whatever was acceptable to  a comprehensive majority of its citizens . However any concept of the Irish state having a say on behalf of those living in NI who would prefer to be governed by the Republic is anathema to the DUP  , so my scenario seems very unlikely .

ps he has already told lies about what I said
As I’ve explained

Ah the civil war ..  that was before Kelly was born
So is neither here nor there
Let’s see if he can come up to date …

I see my last post has been removed as well.

Yet the offending line which I quoted from someone else's post, can still be read in their original post.
So the line is only offensive if it's delivered by me?

Lol.

Let’s get this clear .. whatever anyone might have wanted or wished
100 years ago … is of no importance
It’s what people living today want ..  that is of greater value
So cut the nonsense about the civil war .. they’re all dead

Dr C , I can’t understand why that has happened either

Waiting for Kelly to tell us how he was impacted
by the iRAs campaign of murder and bombing …

I'm not suggesting there's any bias in the moderating.

I'd never suggest that, despite the total imbalance in what is removed and what is not.

lfc as usual spouting nonsense . Governments spend OUR money , nationalists marooned in Northern Ireland were subject to the same tax regime as those of unionist persuasion , both of the paid their taxes etc to the UK government.  Education and other facilities were paid for by US , not due to the generosity of the government .

lfc conveniently forgets that there were more involved in the Troubles than the IRA . Hence why both protestants and catholics lived in constant fear of falling foul of any of the parties involved who had guns and bombs at their disposal. Including those colluding with state support .

Most of us learnt how to duck and dive and avoid trouble , but sometimes peoples luck ran out and they became innocent victims . Translated to the UK population , the more than 3000 who died in the Troubles would represent 120,000 on the "mainland" . Think about it .

Well I must say I’m surprised most of my posts
aren’t removed dr c .. because they are honest and truthful and fair
as are yours . But for some reason I seem to escape
Doubtless they will get mr eventually

120,000 on the "mainland" would represent a quarter of all those who died for Britain in the second world war( 480,000 approx , which included Irish citizens who joined up but were classified as British in death toll counts as officially they were not at war).

Perspective .

Yes we know the Republican bombing and terrorist campaign
caused horrific suffering …and continued despite the fact that m
the majority wished to remain part of the U.K.
Now despite that fact YOU , have not told us of how you suffered in these
‘ turbulent years ‘ … because I get the picture that you had a very privileged and good life
Now go ahead , tell us what you are whining about ….

Oh and tell us what your brother in law
who went to Queens in the 1950s is whining about …

Oh , and a retraction that I referenced
yourself , or anyone in your family or indeed anyone as being a ‘ free loader ‘
Go ahead Kelly a retraction or an apology
Or is that just another Irish nationalist lie ? …..

Let’s see ….

I don't know about me being born in a different country but I sincerely wish lfc had, he's an embarrassment to the UK.

^ yawn , now charlie standing in his underpants ,
that would be embarrassing

Let’s see if we get a retraction and an apology  from Kelly
for his lies ….

Most people dream of coming to live in the UK so I suppose being born here we miss out on that.

Do you wish you had been born in another country other than the UK??

No.

Ackbula stuck in his time warp bubble.

1.1 million job vacancies that no-one is dreaming off taking.

Anyway never mind all that
to get back to op despite all the present day
problems that the U.K. faces ,if we think carefully ,   is there
any other country that is more appealing really ?

Truthfully I don’t believe there is

You really think a yank,Frenchman,German, Swede,etc etc etc would swap places? Nope everyone thinks their one countries are best unless 3rd world or basketcase.

Those countries have many problems
yes at one time they might have appealed , not now

And all the other countries,Norway,Ireland Italy,Holland, Canada,Australia etc etc?

I imagine sone in that list of countries would say the UK was alright years ago but is a political basket case with a poor economic outlook now, sometimes you remind me of Dougal!

Kelly, with the hindsight of a century it would be rational to think that de Valera was right, there never has been peace. If you lived there at the time you would have to agree that the large protestant - unionist majority in the 6 counties had a good case. They did agree to hand over the three non-majority counties of Ulster. The sheer cost of the present situation is ridiculous but we are a democracy as is the ROI and the decision to let the people of the province decide their future by referendum was enshrined in the Belfast Agreement. That should have satisfied everybody but obviously not.

Politically the U.K. has been the most stable country in the world
for at least 2 or 300 years
That covers our lifetimes

And the most powerful

That is one of the great attractions and blessings
of Britain … it’s stable and peaceful and free way of life and democracy

Hold your heads up British people ,
of course perfection is not possible but Britain comes close
And all those who might leave the U.K. how many have given up
their British passports ? They will not do so , just in case
That’s all you need to know

Re the opening post

The U.K. is NOT a country. It is supposed to be a voluntary agreement of a province and 3 other countries making up a “kingdom”.

Of course it’s not voluntary at all as Scotland is forced to remain under the Tory jackboot whatever the views of her people.

Will you give up your British passport CoT ?

Like a shot if Scotland was free of corrupt odious and disgusting Tory sleazy rule.

That’s good , put it in the next referendum
and we will see how many agree with you - not that I don’t trust you of course

If Scotland were free they would be mad to let anyone as awful as you even near the border ifc.

I’ll tell you now … there will never be a vote to leave the U.K.
if it means losing your British passport … never

Well that is your opinion.
which is about as valid and intelligent and a dog turd.

That’s fine .. put it on the referendum ballot
In large print … and we can see who is right

I believe in a promised land

cryoftruth • April 21, 2023 10:55 PM BST
Well that is your opinion.
which is about as valid and intelligent and a dog turd.


Harsh ...but true

The same applies to N Ireland
Tell them they will have to give up their British passport
and there will never be a United Ireland

In fact there would never be a south Ireland
If they had to give up their British passport

....take it you got a full house in the housey housey today lfc

keep off the port

^ still creeping

go on mate ...vent yer spleen


Illegitimi non carborundum

Britain is the best country to live in

But we can make it better .. keep people like Iris out

Go on Irish creepier , keep creeping …

If you blow your nose too hard, you can potentially send enough pressure up the tubes that connect the ears to the back of the nose and rupture your eardrum, but you’d have to blow pretty hard to do that. The main thing with blowing your nose too vigorously is that it can cause it to bleed – too much pressure can cause blood vessels to burst – but it’s never usually dramatic. You may just notice some bloodstains on your tissue.

Good night ma lord .....if you find yourself asking, “why do older folks sleep so much?” it might be a health problem.

your organs are slowing down, and they have less energy. As a result, your body needs more rest to work effectively. When people grow older, they also spend more time sleeping because they can’t do as many things as quickly as before. Sleep signifies the end of one’s day and enables the body to make quick repairs.

Very true, now you’re entering the final part of
your life Iris when you become unable to look after yourself ,
soon ?be kind enough to pull your own plug . Caring is only
for someone who will get better ..

Have you removed your bath and had a walk in shower fitted
Downstairs of course just to make it easier and safer now you’re older ?

keep yer head down if nursey takes uou out today LFC

Seven people have been hit by fruit and other projectiles apparently thrown from a vehicle

The unprovoked assaults - involving tomatoes and apples - happened in Eastbourne and Hastings

Two of the attacks resulted in serious injuries..

Thanks Iris , be careful in dublin if you’re out and about today
There are people in that lawless city who could decide to rob old people , or worse
You need to be ready and if you have dementia at your age that’s going to help them ..

take it you wont be entering your local triathlon today lfc ?

Careful Iris , don’t give up on life there might not be any beer in the next one
Just look at as if you’re in another phase of life .. have you a had a proper lift fitted.
If you cannot afford a bungalow in south Ireland ?

imagine an irisbigot displaying his ignorance waving the trickiler
not a good look

Note to all
LFC is very old and its good to get his fingers banging away on the keyboard and his brain working.
Winding him up is very beneficial to his health

Keep biting

A geriatric iris bigot shouldn’t be waving flags you might do yourself harm
You’re old enough to know better

In any case let’s be honest

some kinds of flags such as the trickeler are frankly boring

.....you see.... as predicted

.....also beneficial in that if you have him blocked you dont even have to read his bu11shit

Name this "wish I was born elsewhere" born in Splott Cardiff ,travelled thru Europe and wishes to retire back there.
17.2 million also wish he would return back there.
Noisy ,obnoxious ,hypocritical,slow and as much use as a chocolate teapot. ?

Funny name "Splott"

but it won't be 'your country'  one day - you only have to look at who is at the head of parts of it

Tut , tut Iris that’s more Irish lies

they’re mounting up on this thread , where’s Kelly ? lol

difficult concept ?

Flat 16....can you explain your remarks regarding "Splott" as I know this place quite well...cheers