I've been a keen cyclist and avid follower of cycling for over 40 years, racing, touring, audax, commuting, track, cross and mtb, but I often feel I don't fit in on this forum. It's probably because I drive a car and vote Tory.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Homecoming ?
(66 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
-
It's probably because I drive a car and vote Tory.
So that's who did it.
Should have picked Murdo for leader. He had some ideas. Ruth might be pleasant enough but she would struggle in a school debate. At least she laughs when she gets skelpt.
Posted 11 years ago # -
But you do/can 'fit'.
Being 'the same as everyone else' might be harder - but then everyone else is different too...
Many drive cars, some vote Tory (and all/most other parties as well).
Posted 11 years ago # -
@Charterhall - I've not been following cycling for years, and barely call myself a cyclist! I've mostly just needed to get from A to B quickly and cheaply. Indeed I've always been a bit suspicious of folk that cycle for fun...
However, I've bought a tandem and been on a couple of cycle tours over the last few years, so it may be a slippery slope to actually enjoying it!
However, I do drive a car and have voted Tory - although more recently I've been voting Green locally, possibly even under the dastardly influence of this forum... I'll probably still be nationally Tory for a bit yet. Can't say I've often returned my first choice!
So, politically we might be closer than in cycling terms!
Robert
Posted 11 years ago # -
Don't worry, I'm even more 'confused'.
I have Tory values, but am also a strong believer in Independence. Perhaps it's that Tory value of standing on your own two feet, and just getting on with it which leans me towards independence, but then Alex's socialist views and big government and free everything, oh no....?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Unusually on this forum I continue to find segregated paths to be rubbish. I tried out the new bridge to no where yesterday and was dumped onto a shared use footpath on Waterloo St. Its a one way west bound street and I was trying to go east. I'll try to get some photos tomorrow or next week. After that I'll probably ignore it and go back to the normal roads. I find roads are easier to use, other people seem to avoid them as much as possible.
I did do my more or less annual trip across the Isle of Wight last week and they have improved the signage and route in Newport. I use that one because it goes from the boat at Cowes to my auntie at Sandown.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I don't vote for the Tories, I don't especially like jazz but I do like Ken Clarke and sometimes listen to his radio show. The BAT thing annoys me but, by and large, Ken has always seemed like a payed up member of the human race which I couldn't say for all other MPs or MSPs.
Alex doesn't have free everything, just education and health. With those you can go where ever you want. I wouldn't want to go the way of the USA or the post Blair England.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Not sure Alex salmond is socialist? He is all over the place-ist.
I never feel people agree with me on here but I am not too bothered
I am sure there are nice people who vote Tory,I just don't move in those circles
Posted 11 years ago # -
Political compass has the SNP well to the left of Labour. This was done in 2010 so the Lib Dem position might need to be re-evauluated.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Nice link, it has BNP left of labour. Man I know edinburgh is further west than Carlisle but that is tommyrot.
I took the personal test and am in the box with mohandes K
I see that thatcher is to the right of hitler
Posted 11 years ago # -
That might tell you more about Labour since Michael Foot than it does about the BNP.
They explain the position of the BNP near the top of the page.
Ghandi isn't always popular with Sikhs.
Posted 11 years ago # -
And I was quite surprised to find out last week, as a result of camera GPS and boys jumping into the River Dee, that Llangollen is east of Airdrie (can't say about Eden).
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yes, I get that the Labour Party has moved to centre right. But the compass is a little wonky with fascists if they are national,socialist types as will be advocates of a planned economy. Which moves them left on the compass. They also explain the concept of left and right is shaky so they have induced another axis. So makes for interesting discussion but not much more than that?
SNP only get onto compass but they don't get an analysis. For me on day SNP leftist, next day free marketeers. Not consistent so tricky to put them anywhere specific on X-Y axes?
Posted 11 years ago # -
@gembo - I am sure there are nice people who vote Tory,I just don't move in those circles
Good job "nice" isn't a trait for which I usually strive...
:-P
Robert
Posted 11 years ago # -
gembo - agree on all counts (esp re SNP) . nice to have company in that quadrant too :)
Posted 11 years ago # -
Even China is a free market now. Ish.
I'm happy with the education and health policies.
I find it hard to differentiate Labour and Tories anymore. It seems Ed does too as he is going to keep the current policies if he gets into Number 10.
I don't ever expect to forget the BBC Radio 4 news saying that Tony Blair's first Gov was going to charge for education. I was sitting outside a tent in Glencoe (Forestry camp site as was). It wasn't really what I expected. I checked the date on Wiki. The Dearing report was published on 23 July '97 which sounds right as I remember I was on Islay the following week when the new R registration plate came out.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Weber of the Dead White males axis (Durkheim, Marx, Weber) would have a field day with all this discussion, status being the bag Weber was in to rather than class, if I recollect correctly.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I think it is good that tuition fees are paid in Scotland and that care for the elderly is also free. Would also be willing to pay higher taxes to fund this but at the moment it appears to come from the Barnet formula, so we appear to be benefitting from staying in the UK. Just my take on this.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I'll listen to any Marx if their mum's name was Minnie.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I find harpo a bit creepy
Posted 11 years ago # -
What time does the Centre open tomorrow?
Posted 11 years ago # -
That's what my Facebook timeline largely consists of.
Might not agree with lots of what is said on here, but even so, far more interesting, and people are leaving?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Barnet is set to go down. It's already fiddled so that projects in London are UK projects and thereby attract no Barnett consequentials. As identifiable and actual English spending on health and education drops so will Barnett.
No in 2014 will not get you the status quo. The bargaining chip will be gone.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@ baldycyclist, good one, but this is the centre and it is aways open, also loving your comment on the tent dress Arthur's seat thread
Posted 11 years ago # -
Really? I've heard him speak, he sounded a lot like Groucho but slowed down.
I would love to know how he could have a lit blow torch in his pocket. I'm not going to try it, just curious.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Interesting to do the political compass - I'm smack on the libertarian/authoritarian line, and mid-left.
Still, my voting has tended to be issue-based rather than based on political theory!
Robert
Posted 11 years ago # -
Harpo made good use of the honk honk horn but his attitude to women was quite sinister (in the movies) and any scene with him playing the harp was very boring compared to the rest of the film.
I did not know he could speak?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Even the character in the movies can speak but chooses not to.
There are a few instances when he makes sounds and some people reckon he is singing at the start of Monkey Business. You can't see him because they are in barrels but apparently there are four voices. I can't tell.
I like the harp playing especially "Alone" in A Night At The Opera.
I don't think he ever gets anywhere with women and he's not too nice to guys either.
Posted 11 years ago # -
My2c. I tend to mainly ignore replies to stuff that I think are a touch off, but then again I also tend not to bring anything contentious to the table - mainly because I don't want to get dragged into the "someone is wrong on the internet" argument.
I guess my thoughts are put down what you think. I find that interesting. I'm probably not going to try and change your mind.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Without wanting to appear condescending, if anyone thinks this forum is in some way extreme, unfriendly or otherwise hostile then you have lead an almost unbelievably sheltered internet life. This place is the height of civility compared to even your typical forum to say nothing of some unmentionable sites.
Anyway since we're talking politics here's my views ripe for the slaughter:
I'm in the mythical 16-25 age bracket that all the political parties are desperate to reel in to keep their voting base solid as time goes on. If I had to put myself on the spectrum I'd go for centre-left but it's never that straightforward. I'm currently voting SNP but I have to say I have more than a fair number of problems with them that have already been touched on in this thread, not to even start on their 'green' transport policies. I have an very dim and cynical view of politics in general, the SNP should consider that there are likely many like me who vote for them because they are the least worst option and haven't yet proven themselves to be quite as bad as the rest of the bunch. Speaking of which...
I've previously voted Labour as I believe somewhere in there amongst all the new-age farcing about lurks a party that probably closest represents my views. Maybe one day I will again.
I'm not touching the tories in a million years. It's not because of partisanship, it's because to me they represent everything wrong with politics even more so than labour, and for an alleged right-wing party they're perfectly fine with big government and subsidy scrounging as long as it's for their own little moneyspinning causes (hello privatised railways etc). An actual, genuine rightwing government that practised what they preach and understand some things do need to be nationalised and didn't give the impression of being completely uncaring towards suffering I could live with. Maybe not happily, but I could respect that position, certainly moreso than most of what passes for politics these days.
While we're here, I did once vote for the Libdems as I bought in to their promises, as in my defence so did many others. However godawful I might think the politics is in this country it still brings a smile to my face to see just how thoroughly they've been annihilated recently.
Posted 11 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
