Democracy

[Ivan Cloherty]

Brian has mentioned the Daily Mail. This used to be a very good newspaper as it was printed on large pages. Once it was cut into squares and hung in the kharzi it could last a family of five for a week.

Well Louis, I have a great deal of respect for the Daily Mail as it was the only paper that printed big articles which I wrote about the Merchant Navy, their losses in peace and war and also the 3rd of September Merchant Navy Day, they printed it on two occasions in two seperate years including the international editions as I had phone calls from readers in Spain and Cyprus, as well as the UK about the articles. No other paper bothered to print a goddam line. So just think that you may be wiping your a*se on articles about your colleagues who made the ultimate sacrifice, how does that make you feel.

[Jim Brady]

#34, 'By all accounts' that's a cop out You didn't address the issue Jim We are not talking ship owners here, it's a third world country being used a by a so called socialist......some socialist!! Think cappy would have given him a discount

I don't cop out of anything,Ive only just noticed this post.For a start he did not pay 49pfor the t shirts maybe he paid £9.00 with the art work who knows.It makes me laugh when people twist the story,49p is the going rate per hour in that country just like 20p an hour was the going rate for overtime when I was at sea.The man didn't have the t.shirts made in the factory,a Canadian outfit owns the factory and Corbyn bought them from whatever source,who said he knew where they were made? It's like comparing apples with oranges people imagine 49p per hour and imagine the people are living on the cost of living in this country.I don't know what the issue is that I'm supposed to address.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[vic mcclymont]

Jim, you are always on about the money paid to you when you were at sea, pray tell us how much you earned a week?
When I completed my apprenticeship, I was on £20.00 a week in 1968.
I joined B&C for £19.10s a week in 1969, no overtime payments.
I received a raise towards the end of 69 when I was promoted to second leckie on the Vaal (can't remember how much).
In 1970 I sailed as Chief Leckie on the Ranald, receiving £45.00, no overtime.
When I left the sea to join IBM, my salary dropped to £20.00, and paid overtime.
I don't think or believe that my wages were poor, whilst at sea, they were definitely above the national average.
Regards
Vic

[Jim Brady]

Whats this pray tell me business???? All I will tell you is this I don't think any of us went away to sea for the money it was more for the adventure we would never have been rich out of it.Five hours overtime to earn £1.00 how about that for starters.If you were married and left your wife £7.10.0d per week that left you £6.0.0.per MONTH in the ship.The £6.00 was to pay tax,insurance,your ciggies and a few lousy bob sub to go ashore.It's a good job we called at places like where they are getting 49p ph today,most probably 3pence an hour then so beer etc was cheep.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[John Pruden]

this whole thread is about democracy how can we have it when we still have a them and us society millionaires telling the poor how to live and bleeding tax to give to more prosperous lands countries rely on us to supply water dig wells crops failing get the white business farmers to take on and organise the land again countries that were plentiful food wise are now starving we cant spread our economy that thin sort our land out first?? jp

[vic mcclymont]

John, I remember when I was growing up in fifties and the sixties, the country was encouraged to develop the land for farming. The aim was to become more and more self sufficient, now we turn it over to great big ugly solar farms.
Farmers are paid subsidies for these farms, whilst the land for growing is diminishing.
Its called progress, sadly.
Vic

[Captain Kong]

If I gave ten people One million pounds each and told them to come back in two years to see how they are. then One man would have ten million, invested wisely, another one or two would have maybe five million again invested wisely and the rest would have spent the lot on booze, fags and or drugs etc. big holidays etc, living it up any which way, and back to being skint again.
They would then complain, why should they be millionaires and I have nothing, They should share it out again or pay more taxes to keep us who have nothing.
So you cannot please everyone. some one will always complain that others have more than they have
Every one is in charge of their own destiny..
Brian.

[Jim Brady]

Brian I've got to give it to you you come out with some crackers.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Captain Kong]

Thanks Jim
it keeps posts alive. Keep the brain working, it helps to keep dementia away, I know, my ex Seafaring brother is in a care home with it.
Cheers
Brian

[Jim Brady]

Sorry to hear about your brother Brian,is that the chap who called into the P&W after he had been on parade carrying the flag.Sorry I know its not the flag whats it called,not ensign is it.Yes you've got to keep the brain going,I do a quizword and crossword every day.The quizwors is a bit to easy now with having the laptop.
Regards.
Jim.B.