A question

Originally from: Ron
                        
I've just been having a discussion with some one who is involved with the fuel protest. Amongst other things I pointed out the ambiguity of the farmer with "Buy British Beef" in the back window of his foreign built vehicle. Also, the lack of support by the farming community for the miners, steel workers, fishermen, and all the others who have been savaged over the last years.

"Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee".

And then, a point struck me, where were all these protesting farmers when the murder of nearly 12 million animals took place in 2001?

It seemed to me that, at that time, most of the organising, the financing and protesting was done by little people, many of whom had little or no connection with farming.

Are not the big sheep breeder/farmers worried about the latest insane pronouncement, the potential murder of 25 million sheep, if BSE is found in one sheep.

Or is it, as in FMD, the compensation cheque cures a lot of pain.

By the way I am being paranoid in thinking that this totally mad theory has two possible sources, a. research funding, and/or b. the animal welfare organisations.

The animal welfare organisations proved in 2001 that they did not regard the mass slaughter of healthy farm animals as a welfare problem. They would like to get rid of them anyway.

I feel belligerent today, Ron.

**********************************************
The country life is to be preferred,
for there we see the works of God,
but in cities little else but the works of men.

Originally from: frances fish
                        
Only one, Ron ? It is my experience over the years that many people will complain but VERY few will ever stand up and be counted when it comes to the crunch. These individuals are as rare as hens teeth and worth their weight in gold if they are on your side. Do not forget how difficult it was just communicating during the 2001 holocaust and how Defra/Seerad kept it that way(even their own didn't know what was going on most of the time).I suppose its human nature to think that your cause should be supported more, forgetting that you did not support others in their fight. We all tend to think that our cause is just, often it is but is not that important to others who may not be directly involved.We probably all have a selfish streak in our nature and a "don't want to get involved" attitute, unless we have to.Whether you can attribute that to modern living or not I do not know. But we have to cope with the hand we are dealt not the winning card we may think we are due( hey, what would you do with all that money anyway ?) O.K. a few things occur !!! So, some keep on fighting for what they believe in. I am an admirer of Mr Handley. Whatever you say of him, he's a fighter and probably always will be. As for the "Buy British" and driving a foreign car ? Realism not hypocrisy ? Feeling charitable today.
Frances

Originally from: Bill
                        
Where would one buy a British car today? The new Rover is going to be manufactured in India, the Mini is made in Germany. I suppose you could settle for an X-type Jaguar from the Ford plant at Halewood.

I'll stick with my aged Volvo that was manufactured in Belgium.

Bill.
                        

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
Sorry Bill! –

I understand that all Minis are made at Cowley in Oxford!

BTW all Rovers, including Land Rover and Range Rover (now Ford) except the new one are also made in the UK as well as a few other classics ie Aton Martin, TVR etc.

but.. so good to know you too are an old Volvo owner – I mean the car NOT you and me!

Jane

Originally from: Ron
                        
I'm talking of a time when there were several British car makers, and tractor and implement manufactures. We still had a several local shops, garages and Post Offices. All closed due to lack of local support, and that's in a very rural area. At that time we were a 'townie' family, and we supported them. Then Tescos opened in Carlisle, followed by ASDA, (I thought ASDA was started by farmers?). So off to Carlisle went all the farmers wives, in their foreign cars. So the little people closed one by one.

As for fighting, my first preparation for a fight was in 1941; by the time I was eleven years old I had experienced things, seen things, and had been taught things that an eleven year old boy shouldn't have known of. I came out fighting, and have fought ever since. Usually, the fighting was not for my benefit, usually for people who couldn't or wouldn't fight for themselves. Many of our age came from a different era, that's why remembrance of times like D Day is so important too us, and why we are intolerant of much of the whinging and complaining that goes on today.

As for cars, I must admit that I finished up buying a Beetle, purely and simply because it was air-cooled, anyway it was a British Army Major who saved Volkswagen, Austin and Morris didn't want it. They thought it wouldn't sell! Then I switched to Ford, the Escort was entirely British, they were so good, that is why Jaguars are made there now.

I always wanted a Morgan, but " 'er in doors" didn't think much of the idea, and any way it's a bit difficult to take a sheep to the Vet's in a Morgan
:-).

Regards, Ron.

P.S. It wasn't David Handley I was talking about, but he is a bit single minded isn't he. I can think of several characters who fit the bill. R.

Originally from: frances fish
                        
There you are, you are a hen's tooth ! This is a compliment, please take it as such ? We have made many friends on Jane's site, including that wonderful lady herself. Most of these we have never met in person and maybe never will but the contact, support, exchange of ideas has been, and continues to be, an enriching experience. Cheers,Frances