In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=juliancoll]
Wild tangent or not, surely a welcome relief from some of the no brainer posts/topics recently (guilty as charged). IMHO (how I dislike that term, whats humble about an opinion and so why do I use it?) I doubt "chipping" kids will really catch on anyway, but I wonder which brand of chewing gum you would recommend for extra sticking power?[/quote]
why do you doubt it will catch on? (a) it plays to the mass hysteria that is gaining momentum with every new incident; (b) it will be profitable business for private clinics who'll happily play on that fear (c) it's been on telly now, so joe public will assume it's the right thing to do (d) UK govt. Plc. ar erather keen on national ID schemes, surveilance cameras etc. ... just another little tool in their armoury if it becomes mainstream!
Oh - bazooka joe from my 70's stockpile would be my gum of choice, it had great sticking power
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Didn't see the programme but do feel that - rightly or wrongly - parents are not allowing kids the freedom that enables them to become confident about the world they live in.
My inlaws live in the south east and wouldn't allow their kids to go out unsupervised until 14/15. We on the other hand lived in a small village where the whole community looked out for everyone's children - the kids camped out/climbed trees/rode their bikes around the village and were allowed (with some provisos) to go into town from quite a young age. As a result our kids are confident, know how to cross the road, what to do if they need help and have always been happy to travel by themselve and interact with adults and other kids of all sorts. My inlaws kids have become frightened of the area they live in and this has certainly been detrimental to their development.
Our first summer in Italy we met a family from New York who had teenagers. We expected them to be pretty streetwise but their father said that they wouldn't join in with anything gong on in the village because they were too shy/nervous of meeting new people. Now this may have been part of their character but I can't help but think that it had something to do with their "cocooned" upbringing.
Obviously I am not advocating that children are left to wander the streets of New York alone but too much cosseting isn't good either.
Jackie
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=juliancoll;87591](followed Pigro)
IMHO (how I dislike that term, whats humble about an opinion and so why do I use it?) [/quote]
I like to think of it as "in my HONEST opinion"... see! No humble pie in sight!
[quote=juliancoll;87591]I doubt "chipping" kids will really catch on anyway, but I wonder which brand of chewing gum you would recommend for extra sticking power?[/quote]
Soap worked well enough in the da Vinci Code film.
Sorry. [I][SIZE=1]Gets coat...[/SIZE][/I]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I think you're right Jackie - "streetwise" is a great expression, and you really do NEED to spend some time actually on the streets (so to speak) in order to develop the ability to spot a psycho from a fool, a harmless drunk from a dangerous junkie etc. etc. I think too many people get their life experience 2nd hand from TV these days, and real life is soooo different.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;87595]Soap worked well enough in the da Vinci Code film.
[/quote]
damn! did I get that from the movies ... the subliminal thoughts are controllling my brain again!! Still fancy the bazooka joe if it came to a contest though ... two puddles and your soap's history
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Having worked with men who have offended against children, I would say that chipping will not make a jot of difference. If they intend to abduct a child very little will stop them and all it will do is make it easier to find the body - sorry to be brutal but it is true.
It is a good idea to try and instil confidence in your children because these awful people tend to prey on vulnerable kids, however it is a fine line to tread and the 15 year old left on her own n a bar in Goa is a demonstration that being streetwise is not always a deterrent.
Although the statistical chance of your child being abducted is very low it is no consolation if your child is the one in a thousand or hundred thousand.
Remember the ‘Three Strikes’ initiative? I worked with a man who had been convicted of rape and I am utterly convinced that when he is released at the end of his sentence, he will rape again only this time he will not leave a witness. It sounded a good idea but I am sure will turn rapists into murderers. Chipping may have a similar effect.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Does 'streetwise' include knowing how to shove a potato up an exhaust pipe? That could scupper any fiendish plan to abduct the Cotton Wool Kid.
I believe most parents are sensible enough to realise that the fears they have for their children are in the main part, exactly that - just fears, but 'what if' creeps in through the hyped up media reports that [I]every[/I] street corner is full of drug dealers and pervs. Even parents who are prepared to allow their children to play outside are somewhat defeated, as there are no other children playing outside for their children to play with anyway.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Chipping a great idea, its makes you stronger faster,and better MPG........sorry wrong type of chipping.
I soppose its on the side of a good idea, a microscopic transmitter,but then will some kids not start complaining about a breach of their human rights?
Being as the trasmitter can tell you where they are all the time.
Wouldn't be too worried about abductors being able to find the chip and remove it,
bullet proof hoodies
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 10:02In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Saw this in a english magazine today
Bullet proof hoodies 300gbp.........you could not make it up .........:yes:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
let's get this into perspective folks - hubby is in Italy but I'm sitting in the UK watching kids playing out on bikes, scooters etc outside my window , no adults in sight. The government seems to think that we all live in cities with gun crime and chelsea tractors taking the kids to school - my son rides his bike the 2 miles and others walk. My 14 year old is well aware of paedophile danger (could be anywhere, any country) but it doesn't rule our lives. The popular press has a lot to answer for - I teach in a normal comprehensive in the UK and what I read in the press seems to be on another planet.
(followed Pigro)
Wild tangent or not, surely a welcome relief from some of the no brainer posts/topics recently (guilty as charged). IMHO (how I dislike that term, whats humble about an opinion and so why do I use it?) I doubt "chipping" kids will really catch on anyway, but I wonder which brand of chewing gum you would recommend for extra sticking power?