Monkeys Fist

You’re making the assumption I’m advocating that it’s voluntary I.e. unpaid. I’ve said it must be the opposite to even get past the first “idea” stage. Edit; for it to work, it has be properly funded by the state, it’s basically a Socialist concept- state funded work for the good of the community and participants. I wouldn’t call it National Service either.

Not something anyone of potential qualifying age needs to worry about though, is it, since the Muppet version he’s on about won’t be happening? I hope they don’t persist with this, and choose some other half-arsed desperate idea to help them on their way out, tbh. I’d hate to see the idea become toxic by association with them, since I honestly believe it’s got potential.

According to Wiki, her English mam helped ABBA translate the lyrics for the album Waterloo from Swedish to English. She’s on the cover of their next album, to the left of Benny Speaking of actresses called Rebecca who we “admire”…Rebecca Hall. Giddup!

There are certain holiday companies where 90% of their “coalface” workforce are teenagers, working 6 days a week minimum for relatively low pay. I would, however, banish accountancy firms from any future NS programme on the grounds of terminal boredom.

I meant to reference this above, but previous National Service wasn’t voluntary work, you were paid an equivalent rate of pay as “regulars”.

I’ve not thought too deeply on the subject tbh, but the mandatory part could even be addressed by having it as an option in the now-mandatory education until 18yrs old. If someone wants to leave education at 16, 12 months of participation in a branch of service of their choice at that age could be a positive way in to the world of employment, whilst giving them a chance to try something off their normal radar, and they get to be independent at 17, a year earlier than those that choose to stay in education. Also, it’s worth remembering that the National Service of old wasn’t a volunteer scheme- people were paid for their time in whatever they did. Any new version must also be paid work for the participants- you could even include some basics lessons on personal finances management. Anyway, the Tories can fuck off as I’ve put more thought in to these few posts than they have with their announcement.

Aye, if it was thought out and implemented by sensible adults not motivated by profit or political grandstanding, I’ve thought for a long while that it would be a positive thing. So many , currently absent, community projects could benefit hugely from the investment and participation. For example, community kitchens, if done right, could help address the massive amount of food poverty we have today, and perhaps remove the attached stigma that goes with it. Basic cookery classes, breakfast clubs, lunch clubs etc. Parks and nature reserves, beach wardens, sports coaching/summer classes etc, community libraries. There’s loads of things it could be a very positive influence for, without feeling like some kind of penal sentence. The point being, only things which contribute to enrichment of communities should be able to recruit National Service intakes. Sending spotty youths off to some Army camp for a year will do fuck all for them or their local community imo.

I’m not opposed to the idea of a modernised form of national service* tbh, but this is clearly just a desperate vomit of nonsense from a party in its death throes. * I’d say that military service doesn’t/shouldnt even need to be a part of it- 12 months of some form of community based work. Sports coaching, library work, grounds and maintenance, community catering work, conservation and environmental work etc. It doesn’t even need to involve Plod, NHS, or emergency services work, although that could be an option. Make it from ages 16-20 for example.

Would.

That’s awful news mate.

Rogue One is the best of the new crop of Star Wars movies by some distance I’d say, although I agree that Solo was good fun and didn’t deserve the panning it apparently got.

Fish and Meenz were drinking buddies in that there Lahndan. Meenzer gave up booze. (I’d have a pint with Fish though.)

Totally stealing this , cheers.

First job for Starmer- sack the proof-reader.

Someone should ask them to write “3-0” in Arabic numerals, see if they protest.

A new trattoria has opened near me, run by an Italian American lad from New York. We went the other night and it was excellent, but the portions were mental and we couldn’t finish even half of our dishes. The gaffer, Mario, asked ” Ho- you wanna box for them leftovers?” I said ” No mate, I don’t do combat sports”.

All I have to say to you heathens is … … Chapel fucking hat pegs!

Gemmill TDan

Instead of that Yank interloper, the Hash Brown? Wor Lee hasn’t thought this through, has he?

Those mushrooms look like Tollund Man.

Little bit of Stunt guitaring from Mr. Via, playing with Dweezil Zappa. Solo starts at 3:00, it’s absolutely ridiculous By ridiculous, I mean “how the fuck is he doing that? “ One of the comments under it says “ Vai’s whammy bar needs a cigarette after that!”

I’m on day 2 of a week’s company training to get on to the Class 1 ( articulated) wagons. Still getting to grips with the Dark Arts of reversing the trailer, waiting to back out of a yard in Washy then 90° on to a road. Hopefully going on to 4-on-4-off next week, run down to Kent then back twice over the 4 days. Hookers beware!

We know how it feels Adam, we really do.