Gay

Still looking for votes on On the Declaration of War. 1 day 15 hours left!
http://z3.invisionfree.com/Region_of_Gay/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=2344

@Justin Fashanu I agree we shouldn't be smug. We shouldn't forget that some countries are sliding backwards, e.g. Russia and Greece.

@Taboa - firstly an International Pride event would be cool and doable - the NS 'Stonewall Alliance' nations would be a good place to find out who's interested. Secondly on the watered-down bill - it's a shame but I would be content with it. Yes, it would fall short of full equality. But compromise is reasonable, IMO, when the opposition to equal marriage are not going to change their position at any cost. Also, the situation seems analogous to abortion IMO. Doctors are allowed to conscientiously object to providing abortion (except where the mother's life is in danger) but they must make sure the patient can seek an abortion from some other doctor. One could argue that all doctors should be forced to provide abortions, but that would be an attack on the professional autonomy of the medical profession. I'd be content with the balance between 'religious freedom' and equality that the government is attempting here.

I'm surprised the Tories are going with that kind of compromise. The Coalition front benches certainly seem eager to pass the bill in spite of opposition from the back benches, surely Labour votes could be available in order to pass the bill without much compromise.

Of course, I'm working under the assumption that we're simply looking for a majority of Parliament to pass it, as opposed to th ridiculous need governing parties have to make sure at least a majority of their own caucus supports whatever gets passed in a legislative sitting. If that's the case and Cameron is attempting to uphold some British version of the Hastert Rule (US House concept; belief that bills should not be brought forward unless a majority of the majority party will support the damn thing, not actually a required rule of US governance, but often followed for fear of being too reliant on opposition votes to govern), then it would make sense to find a compromise that avoids a mass Conservative exodus.

On the other hand, these being Conservatives, they may simply be doing this to reassure the public that they're still capable of being intentionally nasty without any kind of provocation whatsoever. They may simply be calling for this compromise because they are, in fact, assholes.

bleh,politics

I'm thinking the UK should adopt an Australian-style immigration system, this will not only make sure that more jobs are open to people with British Citizenship but it will also mean that people will trust the government more and it will improve the economy as the welfare bill will be reduced because people will be working, instead of just cutting it and making people even poorer and in one case, making someone want to commit suicide and actually commit it. It would also be good if they actually offered grants to people wanting to start their own business with a good business plan instead of just loans as this puts people off because they'll never be able to pay it off if the business fails. I have also received little or no career advice in what to do on creating a television programme by the government or the job centre which means that I had to go into a low level job which has little pay and still keeps me below the breadline, whereas I should have been put in contact with someone who could help me or I should have at least received advice on how to do it. That would have helped me make a lot more money than the job I'm in now and it would have made sure that I was above the breadline and it would have created jobs as I would've needed staff and people to be on the television show. This shows what's wrong with the UK government, they're not in touch with the people and they don't reach out either. During the County elections recently, NO ONE came to see me in order to persuade me to vote for them and I received no manifestos either, I didn't even know who was running and they clearly had no idea on what I held dear and they never put enough information out there for me to tell if they did think the same way that I did.

^What exactly is 'tornado weather'? It sounds dangerous. :-O

@Taboa - with respect, I don't think it's the government's job to inform you on things like how to create a TV programme and I don't think it's always the politicians' responsibility to inform you of their policies. In Discoveria at least, the citizen is expected to be proactive in doing this sort of thing (in real life, there's a compromise). Citizens ought to be interested enough in the political process to cast informed votes, rather than expecting to be persuaded or coerced to vote. Good careers advice is really valuable, though. While I certainly won't be recommending that anyone study at my last university, I will say the careers adviser there has been very helpful and knowledgeable, and probably made a significant difference to how things have gone so far.

People say that around 70% of new businesses fail, so maybe that's why there aren't grants rather than loans.

An Australian system would be a more sensible way of managing immigration. I do think it's a shame that the world doesn't have true freedom of movement, but then I guess national economies/labour markets would be too unstable if it did.