“Dear David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire, apologies for accusing you of making a racist remark about D Milliband. Unfortunately it was originally reported that you were the person who had said it. I now understand it was "David, Leicester", whoever that is.

@m, le3 - whilst you are correct that I did not see the whole post, I did see the offending part of it quoted in another post which has since been removed and what I saw was highly offensive. To me, a comment like "..... bring the *** to me and I'll...." is completely out of order. And that is why it was removed.

@ jon, aylestone The link I posted was to the Leicestershire Police website. I wouldn't actually call them
"hate-speak police". As for re-education, I think it is you who needs that. Whilst I am in favour of free speech I would never condone the sort of remarks I saw repeated here on this website. This doesn't make me an intolerant "leftie", it makes me a decent human being who abhors bullying via hate speech. The "word" used was not offensive, the way it was used WAS ! And as for police states, I think you'll find most of these are right wing. And you seem so wound up about defending the comment made, I'm beginning to wonder if you might be "David, Leicester" !”

“jon, indisputably to blame is not the same as exclusively to blame. While I am not going to comment on the main argument (although reading with interest), Reuben's statements don't seem contradictory.”

“Reuben, Let me remind you of what you posted previously:

Reuben posted 26/03 13.35: "it was New Labour policies that got this country into the mess we are now in". Thus claims David, Gt. Easton. What utter nonsense and attempted brain-washing. It was indisputably the bankers !

This was your post.

It was "indisputably the bankers" i.e. Far from being Labour's fault it can not be disputed that the bankers were responsible.

Indisputably? I rather doubt that.

But hang on...." I personally lay very much of the blame at their [the bankers]doors"

So it has gone from indisputably to mostly?
Next, you comment on my posting elementary statements, whilst having previously questioned" Should it really be necessary for them to be controlled by government ?"

Bit of an elementary question to ask whether banks require regulation don't you think?

Finally ,
"One little bit of the article you failed to comment on so I will is this. It states "According to a Guardian/ICM poll, more people now think George Osborne is doing a bad job than a good one".
If we are expected to give credence to the poll figures, can we agree to give equal credence to the statement I refer to ?"

Certainly. That statement is actually a journalists strapline underneath the photo. What the article actually says is this:
"Coalition leaders are becoming more unpopular too. Cameron continues to be an asset to his party with a net positive rating among all voters of +5. But more people now think George Osborne is doing a bad job than a good one: a net rating of -2. Nick Clegg trails in with a net of -18.

Ed Miliband is also much more unpopular than Osborne, with a negative of -13

Now, for these for the results for these 4 people to be comparable, they must have been asked a similar question. "Is so-and-so doing a good job or a bad job?" or alternatively, "Is so-and-so and asset or a liability for his party?"

Results were:
Cameron +5
Osborne -2
Miliband -13
Clegg -18

So as you say, more people think Osborne is doing a bad job than a good one. Even more people think Miliband is doing a bad job than a good one.More people think Cameron is doing a good job than a bad one.”

“jon. Just read your 13:18 post of today.
You can be hard work you know ! Please read more carefully what others write.
I didn't say they (the electorate)," were" disillusioned ! I "suggested" that might be the case with some. I also honestly said "Sorry, I just do not know". I pointed out to you that contrary to your intimation of my possessing "enormous wisdom", I've never laid claim to such.
Unfortunately Jon you do tend to generalise quite a lot, which doesn't help in a debate. e.g. In your today's post you write "everybody thinks it's the banks fault alone". Everybody ? I rather doubt that, although I personally lay very much of the blame at their doors.
You also tend to preach too much for some. e.g. "The purpose of the bank etc. etc.". Most of us really do know this rather elementary stuff you sometimes dish out. I'm not a genius, but neither am I illiterate and in need of on-line teaching.
I do try to be polite in my posts generally, but as I said in my opening of this one "You can be hard work", (to debate with).”

“" I cadged that particular name from Miliband from the "Order Order" wesbite.."

And you thought this piece of wit was worth re-using and passing off as your own? :D :D Dear me.”

“jon. Having visited the link you provided I will now comment.
I have read the whole article: guardian.co.uk, Fri.25 Mar.2011.
That the poll shows 28% of the 1,014 adults polled as thinking the government has found the right balance (in making cuts), and 29% thinking the cuts are not severe enough, is not enough in my opinion to claim that therefore 57% support current cuts - or more.
Obviously I do not know, but I would suggest it highly probable that the 29% declared to think the cuts are not severe enough, are people who positively will not themselves be adversely affected. - I don't think turkeys would vote to be killed at Christmas, do you ?
Thus, I still cannot agree that "We, the people do not have a problem with the cuts", purely on the basis of the findings of the Guardian/ICM poll.
One little bit of the article you failed to comment on so I will is this. It states "According to a Guardian/ICM poll, more people now think George Osborne is doing a bad job than a good one".
If we are expected to give credence to the poll figures, can we agree to give equal credence to the statement I refer to ?”

“"Another case of mistaken identity, as the previous allegation was from a Peter West of Northampton?" - well who knows?"

Well, if you don't know perhaps you should not be jumping down his throat? And no I'm not 8 and three quarters as you put it - I cadged that particular name from Miliband from the "Order Order" wesbite. Probably not on your reading list, but you should try it sometime.

@Reuben: "enough of the electorate being disillusioned at the time with their particular personal circumstances"

Again, you've not really asked yourself why they were so disillusioned. I say they were sick of Labour's economic mismanagement and wanted a brighter future.You say they were disillusioned because........? And secondly, if a large part of the electorate are disillusioned for the same reason then "personal" circumstances become "communal" circumstances. It is the same with criticisms of the banks - every body thinks it's the banks fault alone, nobody asks why the banks did what they did. They did what they did because they could....because of a failed regulatory system than did not constrain what is the number one priority of all businesses; to make money.

The purpose of a bank is not to provide banking services. It's purpose is to make money. The way it does it is by providing banking services and by speculation. Just as an insurance company is there to make money using insurance underwriting as its method. It is no good blaming a fox for being a fox. But it is correct to blame the last government for constructing a regulatory framework that left the hen house wide open.”

“jon. Thank you, apology accepted. That part of my post was really of less real importance though than my other comments.
I hope you are able to accept the answers to the questions you put to me as being fair comment,although I do not expect you to agree entirely with the reasons I have suggested for Mrs Thatcher gaining power.
Your post of 28-Mar-2011 23:55 I think is deserving of a response because on the face of it I cannot agree that "We, the people do not have a problem with the cuts". I must read the link you have provided though before commenting further.”

“"Another case of mistaken identity, as the previous allegation was from a Peter West of Northampton?" - well who knows? But the posting style is the same and the poster is pompous enough to enter their precise geographical location, whether it is France, Spain or Northampton.


"Wonder what Mr Milipede..." - are you aged eight and three quarters?”

“Reuben, apologies for the mis-spelling of your name, I do indeed not proof read my posts as well as I should.”