Re: Reality of the UK
 

I wouldn't wipe my arse with the Daily Mail if you paid me.

The UK isn't the worst place on earth!

Re: Reality of the UK
 

I couldn't give a flying whatsit if the government chooses to listen to my conversations, phone calls, or read my emails. I've got nothing to hide, and they'd soon get bored anyway. :lol:

Re: Reality of the UK
 

I must be the odd one out because for all the moaning I hear about immigrants, I think the country is infinitely better for the influx of new people from different backgrounds. It's such a cosmopolitan place now, even in the smallest towns, and if you don't think that's because we opened up our doors to people from other countries, then you're not paying attention.

Of course there are some criminals among the immigrants to the UK. Lord knows there are plenty of British criminals, so there's nothing new there. But if a study was done, I'd bet a lot of money that the crime rate would be higher among homegrown Brits than among those coming into the country for a better life.

But blaming immigrants is nothing new. As someone else said, in Japan they blame white Westerners for all crime and discriminate against them quite openly. Imagine moving there and suddenly being viewed the way some Brits view Eastern Europeans or muslims. Might give a different perspective.

Re: Reality of the UK
 

We've been back in the UK 4 years & 3 months and it has been a battle to survive; financially, emotionally and phsyically. :ohmy:

I beleive that you have to remember where ever you are is that the grass may appear greener and that your problems stay with you; better faced than run from. :o


We are now looking at going back to Canada for a holiday initially - but I am shocked by the cost of flights, I guess thats the global economy! :unsure:

Re: Reality of the UK
 

This is a wonderful post Sally, thank you.

Re: Reality of the UK
 

I hear Somalia's quite nice at this time of year. :)

We are being observed as much as we ever have, all that's changed is the technology. CCTV cameras are taking the place of plain-clothes policemen and security guards in town centres. Email interception sits alongside snail mail interception, and is subject to the same requirements (court order). And, if you're chatting in the park, and you're a "person of interest", all that's changed is there's someone training a directional microphone on you instead of a man in a mac standing behind the nearest tree listening to you.

Also, you'll only run into CCTV in town or city centres, or on rich people's houses. Basically, places where crimes happen, or where large numbers of people congregate. If you live in a village or in the country, it's unlikely you'll ever be filmed.

Britain has various societal problems that are significantly more problematic than any issues people may have with their privacy. As far as the internet goes, for most people, you're as private as you choose to be - you can make your Facebook account private, you can stay off the likes of Twitter, and you can choose not to use your real name when posting on forums (like this one), etc.

Re: Reality of the UK
 

Watch the TV series 'Person of Interest' for what could be/is possible.

Re: Reality of the UK
 

That's like saying watch "Enemy Of The State" to see that satellites can see the colour of your shoes from space, or that a DNA analysis can be done in 30 seconds because you saw it on "CSI". Fiction.

Re: Reality of the UK
 

Not saying it's happening now, but it could be, never say never in the world of technology.