yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Apr 26, 2010 11:48:10 GMT
Well florence, to answer the question about why don't I vote for the Greens of the LibDems. In short it's because I agree with the Conservative ethos of delegating as much power as possible from Central Government to people, while looking after the poorest in our land.
The Greens have lurched to the left, and from my experience of a councillor, I know how contrary and ineffective Liberal Democrats can be. I don't want to be controlled even more by Europe, I'm against this country having the Euro, and the LibDem policy of an amnesty for approx. 600,000 illegal immigrants is barmy.
As for homophobia I've found from personal experience that the most homophobic are some older people and some people from the lower social economic groups. It takes time for people's attitudes to change.
Some, but not all, people who call themselves Christians, and Moslems are opposed to homosexuality on their interpreation of the holy books. I believe in the Christian ethos of loving my neighbour as myself, and I do not interpret writings by St. Paul, or in the Old Testament, as meaning that Jesus was homophobic or preached against homosexuals.
There are older MPs in all parties. Candidates / MPs are chosen by the members of political parties, (except those Conservatives chosen by open primaries). Left wing gay rights campaigners often mention that Cameron did not put a whip on Conservative Lords to vote for Lord Alli's amendment on Civil Partnerships being able to take place in churches. What they fail to mention is that all parties allowed a free vote on this amendment, and that as well as some Conservatives voting against it there were Liberal Democrats and Labour peers voting against it.
The alleviation of poverty. When Cameron took over he institued a series of Policy Groups within the Conservative Party. One was the Social Justice Policy Group which was chaired by the former leader Iain Duncan Smith (IDS), who himself had set up the independent think-tank, the Centre for Social Justice. In a speech with IDS gave to the "Labour" think-tank, the Smith Institue, (named after the former Labour leader John Smith), IDS outlined the research which had helped to inform new policy intiatives.
"Over 18 months we consulted in excess of 2,000 individuals and organisations, held around 3,000 hours of hearings and, through You Gov, accessed approximately 50,000 demographically selected people on the key issues. We spoke to drug addicts and people who grew up in broken homes, taking evidence and costing our findings."
This research found that there are 5 "pathways" to poverty: The five pathways are: Family breakdown. Educational failure. Economic dependency and worklessness. Addictions to drink and drugs. Serious personal debt. The Conservative mainfesto addresses all these pathways.
As for education, only 2 of the Conservative front bench went to Eton. The others went to a variety of schools, mainly in the state sector, including comprehensives, high schools, and grammar chools. Some went to fee paying schools.
Your earlier post refereed to Margaret Thatcher - privatisation , Miners' strike. The Miners' strike came about because Arthur Scargill refused to hold a ballot of his members, instead calling them out to strike over a policy to close uneconomic pits. The previous Labour Government had not wanted to alienate the miners, although they knew the pits were uneconomic, so they just kep paying for them from taxation and borrowed money. Thatcher had to cut out waste in order to get rid of the massive national debt that Labout had left.
I see nothing wrong in privatising companies, as long as worker's rights are maintained. Publicly owned companies tend to be less efficient than private ones.
We shall have to agree to disagree on politics.
Let us hope that from May 7th the make-up of Government is such that the triple A credit rating which Britain has on the internation markets is maintained. If, as in the case of Greece, our credit rating goes down, then the country will have to pay higher interest on the money it borrows, which will mean more taxation and more cuts for us all. Alistair Darling has already said that the cuts he intends bringing in will be tougher and deeper than those Thatcher brought in.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Apr 25, 2010 23:30:24 GMT
The main interference I endorse is helping to alleviate poverty.
A yellowbelly is a native of Lincolnshire. I was born in a rented house (now demolished under a slum clearance programme) in Lincoln. I went to college in Leeds, worked in Leicestershire, and West Sussex, and then Bradford. I've lived in Thornton for the last 28 years.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Apr 25, 2010 22:34:02 GMT
Une Fois De Plus - by Le Pre ou je suis mort (sorry accents are missing). I will be seeing them and La Dispute in June in Leeds
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Apr 25, 2010 22:31:24 GMT
I always wonder what people have against the Conservatives, and thank Florence for her views. As well as being nearly 65 I am a Conservative, and was a Conservative councillor for 19 years. I am also gay, and in favour of same-sex marriage. I believe that people are entitled to their own opinions, but they should get facts right, and not confuse facts with opinions. Yes I'm biased but I don't sling mud. I don't judge anyone's abiloty to do a job on their appearance. Just as the Labour Party has moved away from Clause 4 and nationalisation, so the Conservatives have moved away from the right wing. I consider myself a libertarian, and the Conservative Party to be a centre-right party. It's easy to be selective about Party funding. The Labour Party has rich business donors, including the non-Dom and Privy Councillor Lord Paull. The Lib Dems received £2.4million from a guy later convicted of fraud, but have made no attempts to pay the money back to those who were defrauded. Between elections the majority of donations to the Conservatives come from ordinary members . As for education and background of Conservative supporters I am not untypical. I grew up in a financially poor family of a large Council estate. I went to the local state schools. If we look at the Leadership of political parties, we see Harriet Harman, deputy Leader of Labour, whose uncle was the anti-gay Labour peer, Lord Longford. She went to a private fee-paying school. The LibDem's Nick Clegg, who's ancestors were Russian aristocracy, went to prep school and the fee-paying Westminster School, as did LibDem Chris Huhne. Caroline Lucas, the Leader of the Green Party, also went to an independent fee-paying school. Personally I think every Prime Minister should have had a good education. "The family" policies of the Conservatives specifically include civil partnerships. There are 2 openly gay MPs in the Shadow cabinet. The family policies are based on extensive research about the causes of poverty. See the work of the Centre for Social Justice, an independent think tank set up by former Conservative Leader Iain Duncan Smith: www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk The tax policies are not directed at the super-rich at all. Some of the policies in the Conservative Party manifesto are: We will stop paying tax credits to better-off families with incomes over £50,000; We will cut government contributions to Child Trust Funds for all but the poorest third of families and families with disabled children; We need to make work pay, so we will keep the minimum wage and work to reduce the very high marginal tax rates faced by many people on low incomes who want to return to work or increase their earnings. To help Britain’s families further, a Conservative government will freeze council tax for two years, in partnership with local councils. We will introduce a health premium – weighting public health funding towards the poorest areas with the worst health outcomes; Education’s real power lies in its ability to transform life chances, but we can’t go on giving the poorest children the worst education. That is why we will introduce a pupil premium – extra funding for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Historically the ideology of the Conservative Party has been to keep what works, but to change what doesn't. I could never vote Labour, despite their gay-rights policies, because they concentrate all power at Central Government level; they've taken power away from local councils, and created a mass of unelected, unaccountable quangos. I believe, from my involvement in the Conservative Party since 1959 at local, national, and regional level that the next Conservative will restore power to people, to local councils and community groups.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Apr 12, 2010 23:39:47 GMT
I understand totally what you say, Jay, but it would be fantastic if he were at Leeds / Reading. I was hoping to start a 2 year Foundation Degree (in Furniture Making) this year, but following my interview I realised I'm not ready to after speaking to the course tutor withdrew my application, to resubmit next year. That means I have loads of free time to go to any of Patrick's concerts, events, etc in western Europe. I have a total fear of flying so am limited to places you can get to by ferry and rail, or car, but these days I prefer rail.
Sorry I ramble.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Apr 12, 2010 23:24:23 GMT
Thanks for the answer(s). They reinforce what we all know, that Patrick is a really lovely person. I look forward to going to his gigs.
I also liked the answer on shorts and I know what Patrick means as my inside leg measures 37" and it's impossible to get anything in the least bit fashionable.
(I know I'm nearly 65, but age is just a number and I'm not going to conform unless it's absolutely necessary)
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Dec 26, 2009 22:54:39 GMT
Thank you, Patrick. Your music is fantastic, and I look forward to seeing you live. In the spirit of "There's nothing you can't do" I'm applying to go to college in 2010 to do a degree course on Furniture Making. I am 64 but that's just a number. It's attitudes that matter.
I hope that you and your loved ones have a really happy and healthy 2010.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Dec 15, 2009 23:56:50 GMT
Just to get back to the thread. When I first heard Battle the conservative, I did wonder whether it had a capital C or not. Politically I am a Conservative, with libertarian leanings. I am openly gay. I was a Conservative councillor for 19 years, retiring last year to get on with the rest of my life. I know many conservative people of all party political persuasions and of none. People who judge others on outward appearance; people who never think of the future of our planet; people who never think of the plight of others; people who make silly rules about what they find acceptable in other people; people who think that the young should be seen and not heard; people who live in their own cosy bubble; people who are prejudiced against homosexuals, non-whites, Jews or Catholics or Muslims etc, or anyone who dares to say "fuck" in a public place, or anyone with unnaturally coloured hair solely because they're different from those people's norms; and people who just don't respect other people's points of view. Life is finite; it's about respecting people for who they are, and loving all our neighbours.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Dec 15, 2009 21:48:28 GMT
Thanks to you both, but I'm just an ordinary guy. I had loving, though financially poor, parents who ensured that I got a good education. The only thing we're sure of about life is that it's finite, so I like to be happy, and to help people less fortunate than me whenever I can. I'll enjoy Christmas with my sisters, who are both single as I am.
I'm probably not your typical 64 year old musically, as I like a wide range of music. I went to this year's Linconshire International Chamber Music festival, and to Leeds Festival. On Sunday I saw Modest Mouse live (they were good but they didn't inspire), I'm seeing The Horrors tomorrow night, and Enter Shikari on Saturday night, Enter Shikari twice again in January, and then Baroness, Enter Shikari twice, Mastodon and Lostprophets in February, and Underoath in March.
I look forward to PW's next UK gig. I've not yet seen him live. I think PW exudes love himself. I'll certainly be at his next UK gig unless it's on a Thursday in term time, as I go to an evening class on Thursdays on making furniture, and am currently filling in UCAS forms in the hope of getting on a 2 year Foundation Degree course in Furniture Making.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Dec 15, 2009 13:34:00 GMT
50 years ago (when I was 14) my parents were going through hard times, and I agreed with my sisters that we'd persuade them not to buy us Christmas presents. Although times improved we realised that we didn't actually need presents at Christmas, and since then have not exchanged any, witihin our family, and we've persuaded friends not to buy us presents. You don't need to buy friends and family Christmas presents at all. You can show your love for them in other ways 365 days a year. Instead of spending money on presents we do give donations to charities. As Patrick has said there are so many worthy causes. Those who are UK taxpayers should always Gift Aid your donations. It costs you nothing but the charities get 28p for every £1 you've given from the Exchequer. This year I'll be giving my donation to the Shannon Trust www.shannontrust.org.uk/index.asp which helps prisoners who can't read to learn from fellow prisoners who can, using the Toe by Toe reading method . Over 90% of all employment in the UK requires employees to be able to read yet half of all offenders leaving prison are unable to do this. I know that my donation will give some prisoners both the opportunities to do what most of us take for granted, reading, and to improve their chances of further employment.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 18, 2009 18:32:03 GMT
Thanks to all who've posted photos or YouTube videos. Having only discovered the awesome and multi-talented guy who is Patrick Wolf relatively recently I didn't find out about the Palladium show until it was too late to get a ticket to fit my very long legs. I dare hardly book a holiday in 2010 for fear of missing his 2010 gigs. I suspect I shall become a regular attender. For those who don't know a yellowbelly is a native of Lincolnshire, although I currently live in Bradford, West Yorkshire. the seats were difficult for me, I'm 6'3/6'4 and my legs were very cramped, i suspect you must be taller though In shoes I'm 6'7" with 37" inside legs. If I'd known about the Palladium show earlier I could have booked an appropriate seat, but I didn't know about it until it was too late. I'm now signed up to Wolf mail so will know in future.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 18, 2009 0:57:08 GMT
Thanks to all who've posted photos or YouTube videos. Having only discovered the awesome and multi-talented guy who is Patrick Wolf relatively recently I didn't find out about the Palladium show until it was too late to get a ticket to fit my very long legs. I dare hardly book a holiday in 2010 for fear of missing his 2010 gigs. I suspect I shall become a regular attender.
For those who don't know a yellowbelly is a native of Lincolnshire, although I currently live in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 13, 2009 13:02:47 GMT
I am sure that PW will put you all in the magic position on Sunday. I wish I could be there.
My best wishes to all going and performing for a great evening. I shall have to wait for the next UK or western European gig.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 12, 2009 1:04:20 GMT
I feel old because sitting is becoming preferable. No longer am I young and eager enough to battle battle battle it out for front row places, so I end up miles back surrounded by abnormally tall men. As I'm 6' 7" tall I always stand at the back or at the side at gigs, so as not to be inyone's way. Please don't feel old. I'm not old, just a bit older, 46 years older than you, but not old. Age is only a number, and an attitude of mind. I wish I was going on Sunday. I'm sure you're all going to enjoy it.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 12, 2009 1:03:14 GMT
I feel old because sitting is becoming preferable. No longer am I young and eager enough to battle battle battle it out for front row places, so I end up miles back surrounded by abnormally tall men. As I'm 6' 7" tall I always stand at the back or at the side at gigs. Please don't feel old. I'm not older, just a bit older, 46 years older than you, but not old. Age is only a number, and an attitude of mind. I wish I was going on Sunday. I'm sure you're all going to enjoy it.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 12, 2009 0:24:54 GMT
what color is cherry garcia ice cream in England/europe??? I'm so ignorant I haven't a clue what cherry garcia ice cream is, apart from ice cream. I have no sense of smell, so my sense of taste is very poor, although in answer to this question, that doesn't affect my eyesight, but I just don't eat flavoured ice-cream as I can't taste the flavours. Sorry that's not much help in answering your question.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 6, 2009 10:38:08 GMT
Yesterday, Thursday, it was my evening class on furniture making. Yesterday was only the 6th week out of 30, and although we haven't made anything yet, learning to make furniture out of what was once a living tree is very satisfying.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 5, 2009 23:34:56 GMT
First before the question I just want to thank you for your music, your songs, and your obvious love for people, not just those close to you. You radiate love. I hope one day soon to see you perform live. If I could guarantee that I could buy a seat with copious legroom I'd be at the Palladium Show - I'm 6' 7" tall and my inside leg measirement is 37", so I find normal seats very painful.
The question is a bit complex. If we just look at the UK there is still, in the 21st century, loads of prejudice and ignorance. People are too often judged by their outward appearance. There are too many rules and conventions. Young people have to wear uniforms at school as schools say it leads to them learning better, but other countries have no school uniforms and better educational results. I recently told some friemds, after another friend's funeral, that I was getting my hair dyed an unnatural colour (I'm 64). Several of them said "But what if you have to go to another funeral when you have red or blue hair?", as if the colour of my hair is of any importance. If, as a gay guy, I kiss another guy in Old Compton Street, no one would bat an eyelid. If I did the same in my village street, I'd certainly be verbally abused, my house would be egged, and I may be the victim of physical abuse. I don't understand why we can't all stop judging people by their outward appearance and lifestyle (as long as that doesn't encroach on other people's lives, e.g. by playing loud music all night to the detriment of your neighbour's sleep), and why we have to have stupid rules and conventions.
Here comes the question: what one thing can we do as individuals to change minds, so we can be ourselves, caring for each other out of mutual respect and love for our neighbours?
What causes me the greatest offence is prejudice, hatred, war, hunger, disease, poverty, ignorance, greed, and exploitation, all of which could be eradicated if there was more love and respect in the world.
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 3, 2009 16:17:28 GMT
So, including anna's and lovecat's it's:
Teignmouth - 5
Paris - 4
Penzance - 3 Wind in the Wires - 3
Augustine - 1 Blackdown - 1 Empress - 1 Pumpkin Soup - 1 The Gypsy King - 1 Theseus - 1 This Weather - 1 Vulture - 1 Wolf Song - 1
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yellowbelly1945
Empress
An Elephant Hawkmoth from my garden, released alive
Posts: 157
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Post by yellowbelly1945 on Nov 2, 2009 23:16:04 GMT
I bought a ticket for Leeds Festival this year before I knew the line up. When checking who was on when I came across PW, listened to him on Last FM and his Myspace, and saw some YouTube videos, and was just bowled over by his talent, his attitudes, and his fantastic personality. Throughout the 3 days of the festival there was only one clash of performers I wanted to see and that was PW with my favourite band, Enter Shikari, and I'd already promised other ES fans that I'd see them, so I missed Patrick. If there's another clash in the future I won't miss him to see any other performers / bands. I have since bought all his albums, and can't stop playing them - see my Last FM - ctr1945 for proof.
(The 1945 in my user names refers to my year of birth - I really am 64)
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