Originally Posted by Uncle Ebenezer

I'm sure all the unnecessary CCTV cameras make them feel safe.

It's nice to know that unemployment has disappeared and everybody is well-off now, though.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Actually, that isn't something you could accuse him of, in fairness.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Look at a photo of Belfast city centre from 1986 and then compare to one from now. Royal Avenue and Lower Garfield St are still generally derelict and grim but in and around the city hall area it's a totally different city.

I can see how some parts are worse, without a doubt, but some parts have, indeed improved. Of course, I go on a google street tour of the old street I lived in and not one thing has changed down that way! Good old sleepy Carrick

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Actually, that isn't something you could accuse him of, in fairness.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

I can understand where the view comes from, I just don't personally agree with it.



Yep. I love flying when I'm on the plane but I hate the bit you have to do beforehand.

Originally Posted by Ethelred_the_Unready

You seem to be longing for the UK of a bygone era, but you're missing a point I made earlier that times change everywhere and such changes (whether drastic or just perceived as so) are not mutually exclusive to the UK. I bet if you asked an American of your age bracket who has lived in the US for the duration of his or her life, they will tell you that the US has changed drastically since the 60's and 70's. Society in general has changed, maybe for the better, maybe for the worse. I'll hazard a guess that it's just that you're more detached from it now than you were in the UK, where it's a lot harder to ignore the ills of society, which exist in both countries, only one does a better job of sweeping them under the rug.

What is it you miss so much from the 60's and 70's anyway? Endless strikes, fuel shortages? Or are you one of those who can't stand the fact that Britain is now multicultural?

Originally Posted by Ethelred_the_Unready

That's why I asked him what he misses about the 60's and 70's specifically and how Britain has changed into such a cesspool since then, according to him.

Originally Posted by Leslie

Oh now you've gone and set off World War 3. Thanks a lot.

Originally Posted by cindyabs

Saw a very interesting docu on the building of the Titanic and Belfast then and now, along with mention of course, of the Troubles. That new museum which reminds me of DFW (homage to Leslie's airport) terminal, but in a good way.

Originally Posted by Uncle Ebenezer

Well, Eth, you're certainly quick on the uptake, aren't you??!!

Originally Posted by Ethelred_the_Unready

...because there's no such thing as unemployment in the US, of course. All those states with double digit unemployment figures must be making it up.

Originally Posted by Leslie

That's a pretty sleazy stretch considering the fact he's only complained about chavs and not any ethnic groups.

Originally Posted by Uncle Ebenezer

Why do you keep building straw men? Sally was talking about the UK ... I commented on that. What has unemployment in the US got to do with that?

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

Saying 'Britain is not the same as it used to be' is often a code for 'too many Pakis now', that is not what Eb is saying but I'm not totally clear what he feels has changed. Maybe more kids in the town centres at the weekends, I agree that is not such a nice phenomenon.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

Saying 'Britain is not the same as it used to be' is often a code for 'too many Pakis now', that is not what Eb is saying but I'm not totally clear what he feels has changed. Maybe more kids in the town centres at the weekends, I agree that is not such a nice phenomenon.