Ok, not football at all, but it matters, eventually.

[WTF11]

Look on the outside it is easy to judge another country and I'm sure Spaldy and other's view things differently we are just small players in a pawn game. I have no doubt Trump has good intensions the border for one but does not have the skill to run things proper. The world has and always been at war no matter what country and will never change till the end of poor little earth which won't be able to take it anymore.
Most Americans i have come across and there has been a few are very nice and decent people and than there would be others. Anyway i try to look at things the World is in a mess and there is no way out of it no matter if some in power had good intensions. This little old man's time is limited I just think of the future and what world we are living the upcoming generations.

Wouldn't disagree with most of what you say Oz, I'm just sad and disappointed that Trump has been able (for the second time let's not forget), to persuade enough of the nice and decent people you speak of (and I'd agree that the vast majority of Americans I have met and worked with fit that profile), that he and those he surrounds himself with are the ones to recreate the great America they make so much of, and how disasterous it will be for them (and the rest of the world) in the coming weeks and months.

[spaldy]

I know that you loathe Trump. I think the majority of Americans have great unease/distaste for his behavior. As a country we prefer our strongman to be more subtle and tasteful in their dealings. Maybe the same results but want a little more finesse and tact. He is a real estate baron in NYC and you don't get to be that way being nice or tactful. It's offensive to my midwestern way of conducting business.

However, put yourself in his shoes for a moment and think about the hand you have been dealt. Not sure where you even start but you sure don't have the luxury using finesse, tact and charm to protect your countries interests.

The borders wide open and has been for 3+ years. Many countries have dumped their most violent criminals as well as other "less desirable" citizens. They aren't sending the best and brightest. Horrible to say that brusquely but it's the reality. None have been vetted and you have no idea who's here and where they are at. It requires immediate action and you hope that by saying everyone that is illegal is being deported triggers them to some self deport. They are all criminals since they are in the country illegally. You focus on the criminals, terrorists and drug cartel/gang members that are in the country. The local law enforcement often know about these but can't deport them because the feds didn't alllow it. The open border has opened up the drug pipeline and the Chinese are shipping fentanyl into the country in massive quantities. Thousands of Americans are dying of overdoses or addicted. You also have thousands and thousands of people being brought in for the *** trade. Many are children and the abuse that is happening to them would get you jailed for life if you did it to a farm animal.

We are afloat in oil but the current administration won't allow it to be extracted, refined or moved by pipeline. We end up importing billions of dollars of oil from countries that use the money for terrorism. Even countries that get along with the US have enormous trade surpluses that weaken our currency and minimize our control of the oil supply. It's totally illogical.

You have rampant crime and violence in larger urban areas. You have demoralized and understaffed police forces in these cities. You also have judges and prosecutors that worry more about the criminal more than the victim. You have entire areas of big cities that are "no go zones" for anyone that isn't a criminal or protected by the local cartel. The cities are rotting from within and the crime is spreading out to the suburbs and rural areas.

Finally, and probably most importantly. You have public school systems that don't even teach basics like Reading, Arithmetic or how to effectively think or communicate. They are little more than propaganda factories. These are controlled by unions that care more about padding their wallets than actually teaching kids. In many areas you have no school choice and often the poorest city schools have the worst teachers. This is in spite of the fact that these schools get the highest allocation per pupil but their is so much corruption or incompetence that they end up giving the worst education. The US is one of the highest spenders on educational dollars but produces results not much different that third world countries. As a parent you have little or no choice as to where to send you child. You are stuck with whatever some bureacrat assigns your kid. it's all controlled out of DC and they are clueless on the differences between educating rural kids in farm country vs urban city kids. It's one size fits all and it shows. No reason that education should be run out of centralized location. Each state should run their education system.


These really should simple common sense issues that everyone should agree upon are unacceptable. However that is very far from the truth in the USA right now. It's going to take a strong willed person unafraid of what others think of him to solve these basic problems.

[WTF11]

I know that you loathe Trump. I think the majority of Americans have great unease/distaste for his behavior. As a country we prefer our strongman to be more subtle and tasteful in their dealings. Maybe the same results but want a little more finesse and tact. He is a real estate baron in NYC and you don't get to be that way being nice or tactful. It's offensive to my midwestern way of conducting business.

However, put yourself in his shoes for a moment and think about the hand you have been dealt. Not sure where you even start but you sure don't have the luxury using finesse, tact and charm to protect your countries interests.

The borders wide open and has been for 3+ years. Many countries have dumped their most violent criminals as well as other "less desirable" citizens. They aren't sending the best and brightest. Horrible to say that brusquely but it's the reality. None have been vetted and you have no idea who's here and where they are at. It requires immediate action and you hope that by saying everyone that is illegal is being deported triggers them to some self deport. They are all criminals since they are in the country illegally. You focus on the criminals, terrorists and drug cartel/gang members that are in the country. The local law enforcement often know about these but can't deport them because the feds didn't alllow it. The open border has opened up the drug pipeline and the Chinese are shipping fentanyl into the country in massive quantities. Thousands of Americans are dying of overdoses or addicted. You also have thousands and thousands of people being brought in for the *** trade. Many are children and the abuse that is happening to them would get you jailed for life if you did it to a farm animal.

We are afloat in oil but the current administration won't allow it to be extracted, refined or moved by pipeline. We end up importing billions of dollars of oil from countries that use the money for terrorism. Even countries that get along with the US have enormous trade surpluses that weaken our currency and minimize our control of the oil supply. It's totally illogical.

You have rampant crime and violence in larger urban areas. You have demoralized and understaffed police forces in these cities. You also have judges and prosecutors that worry more about the criminal more than the victim. You have entire areas of big cities that are "no go zones" for anyone that isn't a criminal or protected by the local cartel. The cities are rotting from within and the crime is spreading out to the suburbs and rural areas.

Finally, and probably most importantly. You have public school systems that don't even teach basics like Reading, Arithmetic or how to effectively think or communicate. They are little more than propaganda factories. These are controlled by unions that care more about padding their wallets than actually teaching kids. In many areas you have no school choice and often the poorest city schools have the worst teachers. This is in spite of the fact that these schools get the highest allocation per pupil but their is so much corruption or incompetence that they end up giving the worst education. The US is one of the highest spenders on educational dollars but produces results not much different that third world countries. As a parent you have little or no choice as to where to send you child. You are stuck with whatever some bureacrat assigns your kid. it's all controlled out of DC and they are clueless on the differences between educating rural kids in farm country vs urban city kids. It's one size fits all and it shows. No reason that education should be run out of centralized location. Each state should run their education system.


These really should simple common sense issues that everyone should agree upon are unacceptable. However that is very far from the truth in the USA right now. It's going to take a strong willed person unafraid of what others think of him to solve these basic problems.

And ALL of that relates to issues within and along your own borders. Deal with those before you start threatening military action in order to take the territory of another NATO member. Doing so is just rank stupidity of the first order and he shows his true bullying colours accordingly.

All this and the self-serving sh1te from Musk and Trump hasn't even been inaugurated yet, god help us all once he is.

[alfinyalcabo]

Never going to get agreement on a lot of the topics raised - just seems the thread is a vehicle for one person to argue with others often on things he seemingly had little knowledge or valuable insight into.

Who do you mean H ? 🤔

[joellufcprice]

Nothing funnier than watching people go to bat for two billionaires who are doing something for their own financial gain and interests.


But yea, sure, yer man Musk and Trump really got your back lads, keep at it

For what its worth, they're all liars and fake in politics, it just amusing how these two people have managed to get so many people to believe their drivel.

[Billyni]

When the mothership returns, it will all be irrelevant.
We are not alone.

Andy and Rev currently on recce.

[ozleeds]

Never going to get agreement on a lot of the topics raised - just seems the thread is a vehicle for one person to argue with others often on things he seemingly had little knowledge or valuable insight into.

Hey don't worry about politics just go to your predictions you missed one and fix it

[ozleeds]

When the mothership returns, it will all be irrelevant.
We are not alone.

Andy and Rev currently on recce.

Good on them someone has to stand and be counted Rev is in Greenland and Andy is in the Panama canal

[Monaco_Totty]

Mmmm, so every 4 years, Americans choose who will fill the world?s most powerful office & this year have selected a leader who touts as one of his greatest foreign policy strengths is his unpredictability.

In the past folks used to be happy thinking about expanding their family I am told.
I have been recently reading that the number of people in the USA booking vasectomy appointments at Planned Parenthood health centers spiked by 1,200%.
IUD appointments by more than 760%.
Birth control implant appointments by 350%. Google visits to the Planned Parenthoods webpages on tubal ligation, vasectomies & IUDs has also surged by more than 1,000% for each surgical procedure.

Not just in the USA either in reconsidering whether to have children after further readings, with most prospective parents pointing to fears over the future of reproductive healthcare, the economy & the global climate in explaining their concerns.

A new published Survey by UNICEF calls for an urgent reset from the newly elected UK Government as 90% of UK parents are worried for their children's future life chances, too.

38% dread the holidays because of the financial strain they put on the family.
25% have had to borrow money/gone into debt to make ends meet/pay for the essentials.
87% worried for their children?s future life chances.
66% said the cost-of-living crisis had negatively impacted their family.
63% report struggling with their Mental Health while being a parent
62% say childcare is one of the biggest challenges facing parents.

I have waited over the years to start a family due to my Mental health issues being addressed which I am open about & have often shared my lifes journeys on here since 2010 alongside my LUFC opinions on our clubs journey of ebbs & flows. I have now successfully gone down the route of IUI treatments - to have & raise a child alone as a single woman. What I had not anticipated along this journey having no 24/7 partner, was the ways in which such limitations would also prove to be strengths for me to keep going no matter what.

The world seems a small dangerous place nowadays, for sure. USA, UK, France, Europe too, even in Russia whith young parents all struggling daily with the effects of Politicians in power today.

Maybe to a degree raising kids has always been tough but jeez, how tough will it actually get in todays world ?

Thoughts from the abundment of wisdom on here - anybody ? 😳

Just saying

[WTF11]

Mmmm, so every 4 years, Americans choose who will fill the world?s most powerful office & this year have selected a leader who touts as one of his greatest foreign policy strengths is his unpredictability.

In the past folks used to be happy thinking about expanding their family I am told.
I have been recently reading that the number of people in the USA booking vasectomy appointments at Planned Parenthood health centers spiked by 1,200%.
IUD appointments by more than 760%.
Birth control implant appointments by 350%. Google visits to the Planned Parenthoods webpages on tubal ligation, vasectomies & IUDs has also surged by more than 1,000% for each surgical procedure.

Not just in the USA either in reconsidering whether to have children after further readings, with most prospective parents pointing to fears over the future of reproductive healthcare, the economy & the global climate in explaining their concerns.

A new published Survey by UNICEF calls for an urgent reset from the newly elected UK Government as 90% of UK parents are worried for their children's future life chances, too.

38% dread the holidays because of the financial strain they put on the family.
25% have had to borrow money/gone into debt to make ends meet/pay for the essentials.
87% worried for their children?s future life chances.
66% said the cost-of-living crisis had negatively impacted their family.
63% report struggling with their Mental Health while being a parent
62% say childcare is one of the biggest challenges facing parents.

I have waited over the years to start a family due to my Mental health issues being addressed which I am open about & have often shared my lifes journeys on here since 2010 alongside my LUFC opinions on our clubs journey of ebbs & flows. I have now successfully gone down the route of IUI treatments - to have & raise a child alone as a single woman. What I had not anticipated along this journey having no 24/7 partner, was the ways in which such limitations would also prove to be strengths for me to keep going no matter what.

The world seems a small dangerous place nowadays, for sure. USA, UK, France, Europe too, even in Russia whith young parents all struggling daily with the effects of Politicians in power today.

Maybe to a degree raising kids has always been tough but jeez, how tough will it actually get in todays world ?

Thoughts from the abundment of wisdom on here - anybody ? 😳

Just saying

A large part of the concerns I have expressed in this thread relate directly to the points made in your post. I have three adult daughters, all with partners and my youngest and her husband have been blessed with two children (boy and girl), both now ****agers. I'm delighted to see my daughters happy and "coping" with the challenges of home life and career, but I am terrified of what lies ahead for my grandchildren. My wife and I raised our kids when there was no "social media", only the faintest beginings of the internet and (at least to outside observers at the time), only the occasional hiccup in the world of politics and governmental influence in day to day life. Simpler times, I'd suggest happier times too and not just on a personal basis but at a societal level and in a global level not just here in the UK.

I commend your courage in starting in the journey you describe. I'm sure you will get the support you will inevitably need, balancing raising a child as a single parent and continuing with your career, from friends and family, be kind to yourself and realistic in the steps along the way and when they can be achieved.

The very best of good fortune.

[spaldy]

Oz, certainly don't hate you! I think healthy political discussions are one of the big things missing in todays world. Yelling, screaming pointing fingers saying one man is "bad" while another corrupt politician is "good" with no real substantiation of that other than emontion does nothing for solving the problems. We should be able to state our positions and defend them. Just like in family discussions or work discussions you get your chance to present and you don't always win. Sometimes your point really is wrong and you hope others come to that conclusion.

The panama canal was the worst decision made by a president in my lifetime. It's one of the most critical transportation items in the world and definitely on of the most ***** strategic asset in the Americas. China is nearing functional control of it and the US can't allow that. The chinese know that so they'll press the issue. The fallout is that since we took control back of the canal (by force if necessary) then we've given cover to the chinese to take Taiwan. "Moral equivalency".

Greenland isn't the same but obviously if the Citizens are given a choice they'll always vote to be a US protected territory versus Russia or China. Trump's forcing the issue. it's going to happen one way or another with the opening of the artic channels. Denmark's incapable of defending them and the Russians/Chinese don't ask if you want to join them. They just take what they want and you submit to them or become a slave like the Uyghurs. The US is no saint but the options are much worse.

Canada is just a spoof. No chance of anything happening. it's a smokescreen to distract what's really critical which is the panama canal. Unfortunately, that's "stand your ground" including military force. FWIW, there is a legally executed treaty signed by Panama and the US that stipulates terms and conditions. Panama has broken that contract.

[spaldy]

MT,

I'm probably not the right person to ask such heavy questions on parenting! However, my 2 cents. Has any generation of potential parents thought it was going to be easy??? I know I thought my kids would have it tougher than I did. However, I have three grown children with 2 grandkids. They are doing fine. They were very scared to start a family but went ahead. I think it's tougher since the advent of birth control since you actually have a choice to have a family or not. That didn't used to be the case sometimes!

Sounds like you have a great support group in your family and find the right partner. That's a strong building block to success. Have a strong family presence and minimize dependence on others such as government. Their interests are not always the same as yours as a parent. You'll make a lot of mistakes but we all do/did. It's controversial to say these days but.... The bible and 10 commandments does really kind of simplify forming them and helping them determine right from wrong.

Just my 2 cents

[ozleeds]

Mmmm, so every 4 years, Americans choose who will fill the world?s most powerful office & this year have selected a leader who touts as one of his greatest foreign policy strengths is his unpredictability.

In the past folks used to be happy thinking about expanding their family I am told.
I have been recently reading that the number of people in the USA booking vasectomy appointments at Planned Parenthood health centers spiked by 1,200%.
IUD appointments by more than 760%.
Birth control implant appointments by 350%. Google visits to the Planned Parenthoods webpages on tubal ligation, vasectomies & IUDs has also surged by more than 1,000% for each surgical procedure.

Not just in the USA either in reconsidering whether to have children after further readings, with most prospective parents pointing to fears over the future of reproductive healthcare, the economy & the global climate in explaining their concerns.

A new published Survey by UNICEF calls for an urgent reset from the newly elected UK Government as 90% of UK parents are worried for their children's future life chances, too.

38% dread the holidays because of the financial strain they put on the family.
25% have had to borrow money/gone into debt to make ends meet/pay for the essentials.
87% worried for their children?s future life chances.
66% said the cost-of-living crisis had negatively impacted their family.
63% report struggling with their Mental Health while being a parent
62% say childcare is one of the biggest challenges facing parents.

I have waited over the years to start a family due to my Mental health issues being addressed which I am open about & have often shared my lifes journeys on here since 2010 alongside my LUFC opinions on our clubs journey of ebbs & flows. I have now successfully gone down the route of IUI treatments - to have & raise a child alone as a single woman. What I had not anticipated along this journey having no 24/7 partner, was the ways in which such limitations would also prove to be strengths for me to keep going no matter what.

The world seems a small dangerous place nowadays, for sure. USA, UK, France, Europe too, even in Russia whith young parents all struggling daily with the effects of Politicians in power today.

Maybe to a degree raising kids has always been tough but jeez, how tough will it actually get in todays world ?

Thoughts from the abundment of wisdom on here - anybody ? ��

Just saying

I'm sorry Totty I can't help you on your question as I fear for the new ones born and what will happen to them in the near future. The world is already burning Floods everywhere earthquakes at a level never seen before and politicians more like warlords than anything else. Here in Australia we have so much violence deaths and increasing by the day with authorities handing out Bails which are free in this country like candy. one example A man charged with manslaughter over a horror fatal truck crash in Footscray was on six counts of bail at the time of the incident, a court has heard. and like you say births are down by record amount here people divorcing and this is the outcome of court cases instead of kids Sophie and her ex broke up five years ago. They’ve been sharing their dog ever since The world is on it's last legs and all of the powers be want more power, wars and money in there pockets. But don't worry the population won't drop the Afrikaans Indians and Chinese won't let it happen as they all ready breed like rabbits and can lift there game. What in Gods name, a modern city on fire in the middle of Winter when has that happened before?
Wish Einstein was alive maybe he can help out with the question.

[ozleeds]

MT,

I'm probably not the right person to ask such heavy questions on parenting! However, my 2 cents. Has any generation of potential parents thought it was going to be easy??? I know I thought my kids would have it tougher than I did. However, I have three grown children with 2 grandkids. They are doing fine. They were very scared to start a family but went ahead. I think it's tougher since the advent of birth control since you actually have a choice to have a family or not. That didn't used to be the case sometimes!

Sounds like you have a great support group in your family and find the right partner. That's a strong building block to success. Have a strong family presence and minimize dependence on others such as government. Their interests are not always the same as yours as a parent. You'll make a lot of mistakes but we all do/did. It's controversial to say these days but.... The bible and 10 commandments does really kind of simplify forming them and helping them determine right from wrong.

Just my 2 cents

I think her question is Should you bring a child to this world the way it is eg expensive, she wants to raise it solo who can blame her people are just not the same anymore, is lucky she has a loveable family and she's a nice woman as well and I'm sure she will be fine.

[WTF11]

Oz, certainly don't hate you! I think healthy political discussions are one of the big things missing in todays world. Yelling, screaming pointing fingers saying one man is "bad" while another corrupt politician is "good" with no real substantiation of that other than emontion does nothing for solving the problems. We should be able to state our positions and defend them. Just like in family discussions or work discussions you get your chance to present and you don't always win. Sometimes your point really is wrong and you hope others come to that conclusion.

The panama canal was the worst decision made by a president in my lifetime. It's one of the most critical transportation items in the world and definitely on of the most ***** strategic asset in the Americas. China is nearing functional control of it and the US can't allow that. The chinese know that so they'll press the issue. The fallout is that since we took control back of the canal (by force if necessary) then we've given cover to the chinese to take Taiwan. "Moral equivalency".

Greenland isn't the same but obviously if the Citizens are given a choice they'll always vote to be a US protected territory versus Russia or China. Trump's forcing the issue. it's going to happen one way or another with the opening of the artic channels. Denmark's incapable of defending them and the Russians/Chinese don't ask if you want to join them. They just take what they want and you submit to them or become a slave like the Uyghurs. The US is no saint but the options are much worse.

Canada is just a spoof. No chance of anything happening. it's a smokescreen to distract what's really critical which is the panama canal. Unfortunately, that's "stand your ground" including military force. FWIW, there is a legally executed treaty signed by Panama and the US that stipulates terms and conditions. Panama has broken that contract.

"Greenland isn't the same but obviously if the Citizens are given a choice they'll always vote to be a US protected territory versus Russia or China"

The citizens of Greenland have no need to "make a choice" as they ALREADY have the protection of NATO, as citizens of Denmark, one of the organisations founding members. Under the NATO doctrine, aggression against any member would incur the response of the whole treaty membership, including the USA (unless of course Trump decides to renege on that, given his wonderful track record on keeping his word and honouring international commitments).