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StrictlyPickled

Listed below are comments made by StrictlyPickled between Wednesday, 25th November 2009 and Friday, 27th November 2009.

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Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 12:21pm on 27 Nov 2009 372 dempster

"The only people with an interest in education are mums and dads, kids, and those who work in the education sector. "
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Directly and short term perhaps this true, but long term education affect us all. Where are the future doctors, dentists, engineers, scientists, manufacturers, IT specialists, designers, technologists, military personnel etc (many other professions could be added here I know - but no saga, not traffic wardens!) all going to come from ? They affect us all both directly and indirectly, and we should have a serious interest in the education system that turns out such people.

I also that education is not exclusively a matter for schools as well. Parents also have repsonsiblity for the educational development of their children. Various industries also rely extensively on the education and should support educational development where they can.

"Anyway if the Government doesn't have to fund their education, it wins again. They're not going to reduce your council tax if you don't go to state school."
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True. And they don't reduce your council tax if you have no children either. But earlier taxpayers paid for my education, and as I said above, education affects us all. So I don't mind not getting a rebate in this instance!
Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 8:30pm on 26 Nov 2009 Sagamix,

I agree with your subjects for schools etc, but what I was trying to get across as well is the importance of interpersonal skills which do not necessarily fall into particular subject "box" but are vital across the board.

By interpersonal skills I mean ability to express yourself, ability to listen to others, respect for other peoples views, ability to question things, to work on you own if required or with a group if required, personal responsibility, willingness to learn, leadership skills, motivation, determination, commitment, focus etc.

The ability to communicate and work with other people is vital in todays world.
Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 8:20pm on 26 Nov 2009 296 sagamix

"teach children how to think"

Don't like the above, however. Don't think "how" to think can be taught. Certainly not by the average schoolteacher.
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I don't agree with you there. How to view situations comes with experience and can be incorporated into many subject. Usually by encouraging the creative side of people, and by team building type activities. This encourages interpersonal skills as well, which are vital in all walks of life. There are many ways of looking at situations and these need to be explored. Not everything is always as it would seem.

Otherwise, you may end up with people who's views are fixed and can see no further than them. Such as :

"Gordon Brown/New Labour = Good, David Cameron/Tory = Bad"

Oh.................
Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 4:36pm on 26 Nov 2009 281 sagamix

"From any point of view. Hard Sciences, Social Sciences, Maths, Arts, History, Geography, Languages, Sport - that's about it as far as I can think of. Have I missed anything?"
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Computer skills ? Vital in todays world.

Also, teach children how to think, and not just what to think.
Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 8:19pm on 25 Nov 2009 76 sagamix

"I thought the very fact that he wasn't briefed meant he came over as spontaneous and thoughtful. Nice to see."
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Nice to see? Did you actually watch PMQs ?

The same cannot be said about the question put to him by Nick Clegg. Perhaps you could answer that one for us as well, as you seem to know everything else.
Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 8:16pm on 25 Nov 2009 86 sagamix

"Because buying a kitkat (or even an apple) doesn't serve to perpetuate the gross inequality in society,"

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It did during the 1980s - my University student union banned the sale of KitKats because Rowntree had dealing in South Africa - all in the name of anti-aparteid - and they won !
Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 6:17pm on 25 Nov 2009 9 sagamix

"the Tories are playing politics with a dangerous issue"

Hi Nick,

Yes, that is exactly what's happening here.
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I watched PMQs today, and whilst this may be a dangerous issue, Gordon Brown didn't give the impression that he knew anything much about it. Not very reassuring IMO, and it's certainly possible to make a case that this may be more dangerous. I wouldn't criticise Cameron for raising the issue, he is perfectly entitled to do so. I'm not sure about playing politics, it looks a legitimate question to me.

PS Nick, do tell us about the other polls which make up the "few" polls which you speak of. We'd all really love to know all about them.
Prime Minister's Questions: Schools 6:06pm on 25 Nov 2009 17 culverin

"David Cameron should not be using Question Time to make allegations about Muslim groups based upon hearsay. Is there not enough Islamophobia in this country already?"
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I think they are perfectly reasonable questions to ask, and Cameron (and anyone else) should be able to raise this issue with being branded in the manner that you have done. Gordon Brown didn't seem to disagree with him, but then again he didn't seem to know much about it.

Perhaps we should all just keep quiet about it as you seem to be suggesting, though this approach on other issues has actually helped the BNP cause.
Spot the difference 12:59pm on 25 Nov 2009 235 gothnet

Introducing a tax because of spite ? Are you Gordon Brown or just an avid fan of his methods ???
Introducing green cuts 09:25am on 25 Nov 2009 209 distanttraveller

"It is reported that people who recycle household waste would get up to £130 a year in shopping vouchers under the Tories."
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When my city council introduced recycling bins, there was a scheme with a traffic light system coloured sticker on the bin to assess how well each household was recycling.

Good recyclers were eventually given vouchers for various things. I think mine was for about £20/30 which I used at a branch of a well known restaurant chain. So it has been used for to some extent.

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