I wasn’t aware we had a shortage of lawyers that required the introduction of foreign personnel to fill the gap.

One of many problems with current immigration policy is the allowing of cheaper foreign labour into the country – IT has suffered badly, with many UK residents forced out of the industry or forced to emigrate elsewhere precisely because of the introduction of cheap (often Indian) personnel. Having seen first-hand the relative quality of work from cheap labour, I can object not only on the classic “they are taking our jobs” line, but also on the “…and they’re crap at it” basis. Businesses, of course, only care about profit and so lower wage overheads beat quality of final product every time.

Would you therefore advocate mass immigration from, say, China, with them all accepting 5% of the wage of UK nationals to do the same jobs? What’s your job? Want to lose it to somebody cheaper? At what point do you say enough is enough? When the population of the country is twice what it is now?

Having limits on immigration is not about racism. It’s about realism.

There isn’t a shortage of lawyers in this country – believe me I’m trying to get a job! Thing is though, historically immigration is what has made this country what it is. Multiculturalism has provided us with the rich and varied culture we have today and I would be very sad to see that go because of this apparent right wing backlash.

In this country we have a well-established system in place that decides whether a person is allowed in or not. Normally it works. It is just sad that in a few cases it seems to stumble a little. My friend is a good example of this. He had to get a degree in India before he could be accepted as an ungrad in this country. Now he is doing a further 3 years here at university and then will have to do a final one year Legal Practice Course. This is followed by a two year training contract at the firm before qualification. In short, it will take him 9 years to become a qualified solicitor. It just makes me sad that the system doesn’t seem to be valuing his commitment and effort – he obviously wants to be here pretty badly!

Another interesting fact that is worth considering is that the number of people leaving this country compared to the people entering was about equal last year. Therefore, this ‘flood’ of illegal immigration politicians carp on about is a complete fabrication. In my view, immigration is an issue because Michael Howard thinks it is a vote winner.

I would also urge people to remember that many immigrants arrived here during the 20th century to do the jobs that the English people didn’t want.

Congratulations!

I think it is just that – scaremongering. By talking up the problem the politcians think they can win votes – that is what is behind Michael Howards “it’s not racist to impose limits on immigration” malarky. Makes me mad when I have a friend who is Indian and training to be a lawyer – he is having massive trouble getting a work permit. We should be welcoming people with open arms not pushing them out. You know what the moral of the story is though don’t you? Vote Labour – it’s the only rational choice! 😀

I have just looked down at my watch and realsied that it has IIII – have never noticed that before!!!!

To throw my twopeneth in: surely none of these anti American arguments are really relevant? People should be entitled to a defence, they should be entitled to being treated fairly and they should be considered innocent until proven otherwise.

If the Americans are disreagrding the above I find it hard to accept their taking the higher moral ground. If not – great.

It’s nothing to do with being anti or pro American. I consider myself neither.

I think it’s quite funny!

Hey Folks,

This thread wasn’t about the IRA was it No it wasn’t so to bring in the IRA on a subject which is dealing with some folks in Cuba is’nt right. For the record I’ve stated before I think the IRA is Terrosit Group then again so are everyone in Northern Irealand who go and plant bombs.

Now back to the topic, the Geneva Accourd and that is what it is called not Convention read your history folks. States that only Combative Uniform Soldiers are accourd privalges end of subject.

RER

You Yanks are so cute sometimes! I just feel that humanity should come into this somewhere along the line. I could argue with you all day about Geneva – like any other legal document its interpretation can be debated endlessly – but arguing the toss about it wouldnt really further this debate.

Call me old fashioned but I believe that there are certain things that justice is founded on that are absolute. Innocent until proven guilty (beyond all reasonable doubt) is of course one of these. Hence, I do not agree that we should be allowed to lock up terror suspects indefinitely without trial in Britain. We should not be scaremongered by politicians into destroying the system of justice that our country is based on. I apply the same reasoning to Gitmo. I hate to think that supposed ‘civilised’/Western nations think it is reasonable to act like the regimes they claim to aim to depose.

I have to admit I think the Americans have just freaked out a little bit (for want of a better phrase) since 9/11. In Britain the threat of terrorism is something we have lived with for many years but I think it came as a huge shock for the Americans that they had been attacked in their own backyard. It is something a lot of them had never conceived of before and they reacted
in kind. This is why George Bush’s sweeping Hollywoodesque statements had the desired effect – he was able to play to his stunned audience effectively. All we’re seeing now is the fallout from the psychological state 9/11 created.

I don’t really blame the Americans either. 11 September 2001 was a day that shook the world and one I am sure none of us will ever forget. However, four years on I think it is time to get the fear under control and grasp a concept of justice and humanity once more. If we don’t, we are in danger of losing the vital cornerstone of society for ever.

More to the point – Am I scared to walk down the road in London because of the potential terrorists that might be around – no.
Does the concept of being blown up on the underground enter my head now more than before 9/11? – no.

At the end of the day being blown up by the IRA or Al Quaeda is no different – if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time you still end up dead.
Simple really.

Hey Folks,

Now back off you all saying that the Folks in Cuba are SOLDIERS well they aren’t neither are any so-called hired out-source former US Soldiers and under the Geneve Accourds Mercs. aren’t accourd the same rights so before you jump down my back read the Accourd once and awhile 😡

As for the US crime rate its been on a decline for the pat 25 years and this include murders.

As for Madrid isn’t Spain part of the EU, and as for the IRA bombings of London well thats a whole different Cup of Tea wouldn’t you all agree not saying there not murders but they aren’t part of the topic.

Like I said these fine outstanding Citizens where caught in and around know Training Camps so as Moggy said in the second post they shouldn’t been their in the first place.

RER

Gosh, you’re nearly as articulate as your president 😮