Students

[ottery st mary]

Polis to be issued with machine guns...The only way to stop all this nonsense.

 

Or at least paintball guns..

[SuperMikey]

For what it's worth, I might put in some facts about an admittedly small minority of students, but a significant one at that.

 

I'm an arts student, a drama one. I go to an accredited drama school that's affiliated to the University of London. So being a specialised institution I spend more than 3 hours a week there. In fact I'm in from 830am til roughly 7/730pm 5 days a week. When there are performances on, I won't leave til gone 10pm, 5 days a week.

 

With the planned cuts to the arts institutions, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT CUTS to government funding, my uni will go under. According to the principal of the college, each student costs circa 15k a year to educate at my uni. £3000 is through fees, the rest from funding and private investors. So even at £9000, the uni will not function without the government funding, which has now been swept from beneath us.

 

The arts are bearing a significant proportion of the cuts, and it's going to be everyone that suffers for it. It might not seem important to most people, but we happen to lead the world in this field, and it's one of the few industries that we still do. We have been staging protests in London with the rest of the ULU and the NUS, but from what I've seen from the peaceful end of the spectrum, the minority have let us down.

 

Not all students are lazy, useless, ignorant people. But unfortunately too many are.

 

I will point out (again) that i'm also a student, that comment was made ironically.

People don't realise the impact of the cuts to funding, that's the bit that i'm really p!ssed off about. Paying up to £9000 a year is bad enough, but not having adequate resources with which to do your studies is not on. We're a world leading country for higher education, and a cut to the teaching funding of universities from £3.9bn to £700m is just going to be catastrophic not only for our reputation as a country with excellent higher education standards, but for the chances of survival for specialist institutions such as your drama school, arts colleges etc.

 

I believe (not sure, I will have to check) that the cut in funding for my course (Anthropology) and the social sciences subject area as a whole is also going to be subject to 100% cuts. Appalling imo.

[Um Bongo]

I don't see why we should sit down and shut up just because we decided to protest. The protest was largely peaceful until the police started kettling and intimidating. They planned to kettle from the beginning again... and as I said before indiscriminately picking people out and hitting them with batons is not on. Especially if people are just standing there doing not much. After what I saw on Thursday, I'm shocked only one poor kid ended up having to have a life saving operation.

 

The tactic needs to change, it's winds everyone up on both sides.

 

And as always, it's never the students fault. The police just 'suddenly' decided to lash out, for no particular reason? Give over.

 

If you focused on voicing your views properly instead of blaming other people for your ****ty actions, you might get somewhere.

[ericb]

Personally i say fair play to the students, at least they're one group that's getting off their arses and doing something about what's happening. The idea that these fees hikes is anyway related to the economy can be shot down immediately by the fact that they won't take effect until after the predicted end of the recession (that is if you believe the figures for when it'll end anyway).

 

Hopefully the Trade Unions will start to support them and vice versa, since the only way we're going to get any real change is through a mass movement and solidarity across everyone.

 

In the meantime i'm sure many will support a tiny amount of ex Eton members, elected by a minority of the country, cutting public sector jobs and making things like education for only the rich, whilst at the same time earmarking money for wedding of a hyper rich person.

 

21st century democracy, dontcha' just love it.

[RedAndWhite91]

I can't see how smashing up half of Central London, defacing War memorials and attacking police is justified by saying 'well, at least they're doing something about what's happening'.

[RedAndWhite91]

Do f*ck off,

 

The way (and i will admit it was the minority) your lot acted, smashing up the royal car, defacing famous monuments and attempting to break into the treasury as well as throwing missles and generally acting in a very violent manner has somewhat dumbed down the arguement towards police brutality.

 

As for them randomly hitting out etc, the police are not mindless robots, they are human beings too and ones that were, if it all got really nasty, completely outnumbered. The police acted in a way to attempt to quell the violence and attempted to stamp and authority on the proceedings. As much as anything else i expect a fair few of them were incredibly scared by the sheer size of it all.

 

And all for what exactly ?? Raising of tuition fees ? Get over it, it is barely going to affect the majority and as i have said a hundred times before you are going to be investing into your future. The main bulk of students will still go to university as they know they need to in order to progress in their chosen career path and will be rewarded at the end. What it will do, hopefully is remove a lot of the dead wood that will no longer be able to choose university as it enables them to steer clear of work for another few years.

 

The violence was a complete and utter disgrace, and how any of those that attended can come out with the old clap trap that it was caused by the police is an equal disgrace IMO.

 

Spot on S_S.

[rocknrollman no2]

Personally i say fair play to the students, at least they're one group that's getting off their arses and doing something about what's happening. The idea that these fees hikes is anyway related to the economy can be shot down immediately by the fact that they won't take effect until after the predicted end of the recession (that is if you believe the figures for when it'll end anyway).

 

Hopefully the Trade Unions will start to support them and vice versa, since the only way we're going to get any real change is through a mass movement and solidarity across everyone.

 

In the meantime i'm sure many will support a tiny amount of ex Eton members, elected by a minority of the country, cutting public sector jobs and making things like education for only the rich, whilst at the same time earmarking money for wedding of a hyper rich person.

 

21st century democracy, dontcha' just love it.

 

Brilliant post.Totally agree.

[aintforever]

Personally i say fair play to the students, at least they're one group that's getting off their arses and doing something about what's happening. The idea that these fees hikes is anyway related to the economy can be shot down immediately by the fact that they won't take effect until after the predicted end of the recession (that is if you believe the figures for when it'll end anyway).

 

Hopefully the Trade Unions will start to support them and vice versa, since the only way we're going to get any real change is through a mass movement and solidarity across everyone.

 

In the meantime i'm sure many will support a tiny amount of ex Eton members, elected by a minority of the country, cutting public sector jobs and making things like education for only the rich, whilst at the same time earmarking money for wedding of a hyper rich person.

 

21st century democracy, dontcha' just love it.

 

Have to agree, it's not right that people stand by and do nothing while education and vital public services get arse raped while the banks hand out billions in bonuses to each other.

 

The bankers are predicted to are handing themselves £7billion this year, just a percentage of the cash the banks have sucked out of the economy this year.

[Gingeletiss]

Personally i say fair play to the students, at least they're one group that's getting off their arses and doing something about what's happening. The idea that these fees hikes is anyway related to the economy can be shot down immediately by the fact that they won't take effect until after the predicted end of the recession (that is if you believe the figures for when it'll end anyway).

 

Hopefully the Trade Unions will start to support them and vice versa, since the only way we're going to get any real change is through a mass movement and solidarity across everyone.

 

In the meantime i'm sure many will support a tiny amount of ex Eton members, elected by a minority of the country, cutting public sector jobs and making things like education for only the rich, whilst at the same time earmarking money for wedding of a hyper rich person.

 

21st century democracy, dontcha' just love it.

 

What an absolute load of tripe, how many times must you be told, any state funding for a Royal wedding, will be more than compensated, by the tourist impact of said wedding. As for cutting public sector jobs, it needs doing, Labour created these made up jobs, did things improve, did they hell. so once again, the wicked Blue witch has to come along and put to right, all the bad the Red devil has done. Make no mistake, you aim your anger at the banks, but we are where we are, due to thirteen years of gross governmental mis-management.

[aintforever]

What an absolute load of tripe, how many times must you be told, any state funding for a Royal wedding, will be more than compensated, by the tourist impact of said wedding

 

If the Royals funded it themselves it would still attract the same amount of tourists and would provide extra vital funds for the country.

[Thedelldays]

What I do laugh at.. Is how students think they have the mandate behind them to act like this...

 

The only party to promise to remove tuition fees was the liberals... IF they won the election out right

 

They came third

[rocknrollman no2]

What I do laugh at.. Is how students think they have the mandate behind them to act like this...

 

The only party to promise to remove tuition fees was the liberals... IF they won the election out right

 

They came third

 

But the Liberals now form a coalition so they do have a say in government policy.

To be fair,when they told the students that they wouldnt charge fees for their courses,i bet they didnt in their wildest dreams,think they would be in power.

But now they are,they should not be surprised that people are angry that they have not only broken their promises,they have indeed shafted the students and universities well and truely.

They deserve all of the grief they get.

[Lighthouse]

Personally i say fair play to the students, at least they're one group that's getting off their arses and doing something about what's happening. The idea that these fees hikes is anyway related to the economy can be shot down immediately by the fact that they won't take effect until after the predicted end of the recession (that is if you believe the figures for when it'll end anyway).

 

Hopefully the Trade Unions will start to support them and vice versa, since the only way we're going to get any real change is through a mass movement and solidarity across everyone.

 

In the meantime i'm sure many will support a tiny amount of ex Eton members, elected by a minority of the country, cutting public sector jobs and making things like education for only the rich, whilst at the same time earmarking money for wedding of a hyper rich person.

 

21st century democracy, dontcha' just love it.

 

1. They're getting off their arses and doing something pointless. The country is skint, cuts need to be made and they are not exempt from this.

 

2. After the projected end of the recession? Quite possibly. After this country has wiped out it's MASSIVE amount of debt? Not on your nelly.

 

3. A bit of an ironic statement since the students are actually protesting AGAINST a change in the status quo. The changes that need to be made involve cutting costs and increasing income. A reasonable portion of that will have to come from education, same as any other sector.

 

4. So they went to one of the best schools in Britain and this got them a top government job. If you flip the coin and slated some "pikey" MPs just because they went to a basic comprehensive school, you would be labled an arrogant snob. Yet for some reason discriminating against the well educated is fine.

 

5. It was hardly a minority of the country. It wasn't enough of a majority to win the election outright, but it's hardly as if the Monster Raving Looney Party is running the show.

 

6. How many times does it have to be said. THIS NEW TUITION FEE PLAN DOES NOT PREVENT POOR PEOPLE GOING TO UNIVERSITY. There is no up front fee. You don't have to pay ANYTHING back until you are earning a salary. You can't "not afford" to pay £0, no matter how poor your upbringing. Gordon Bennett...

 

7. Yes we have a Monarchy. They have been living in luxury at the taxpayers expense in principalities accross Europe for several millenia. What the feck has it got to do with tuition fees now. Yes it will cost a bit. It will also draw in big revenues in terms of tourism, TV coverage and souvenir mugs. How many people do you reckon will line the streets of London for the wedding? A couple of hundred thousand maybe? All wanting food, accomodation, transport, souvenirs etc.

[ericb]

What an absolute load of tripe

 

really? Can you point out to me which bit isn't true? The only arguable point is my use of hyperbole about education for the rich (though even exaggeration to prove a point rather than out and out lies).

 

In fact you even go on to agree, in principle, that the government is funding the wedding here,

 

any state funding for a Royal wedding

 

Now i'm not saying don't let them get married, hell they even have a big grandiose celebration in a country where people are losing there jobs for all i care (at the very least it'll show how out of touch they are with the rest of us). But don't ask us to pay for it.

 

As aintforever said they can pay for it themselves and we'll still get the benefit through the tourism. Perhaps then some of that money can be put towards something useful like cutting the fees or investing in creating jobs for people and keeping the public services.

 

What I do laugh at.. Is how students think they have the mandate behind them to act like this...

 

So they're supposed to sit and except their lot? Despite the fact that it's hugely arguable that the government doesn't have the mandate of the people for this since they're only elected by a minority of the country?

 

Or instead are saying that decisions like this should be put to a referendum to guarantee a public mandate? That's a very honourable view you know, pure democracy that takes true decision making out of the hands of the government and puts it into the hands of the people. Some might even say call it anarchism

 

Still i'm going to busy myself with waiting for the new prudent "we're all in this together" government to go after Vodaphone for tax evasion, or to crack down on bankers bonuses, or even to look at the super rich taking money out of the country to avoid paying taxes.

 

We are all in it together after all............

[Jonnyboy]

Oh poor you, bless!!

 

Guess the TV pictures were all made up.........on all three occasions you have blessed the capital with your yobbish presence. Our future, God help us all!

 

get back to your shell, everyone has the right to protest, just cos you dont care doesnt mean others cant exercise their rights

[Jonnyboy]

What I do laugh at.. Is how students think they have the mandate behind them to act like this...

 

The only party to promise to remove tuition fees was the liberals... IF they won the election out right

 

They came third

 

Whne the liberals sat down they shouldve said the only way we are selling our souls if is we get tour number one policy - no tuition fees.

They havent so they should never have joined the government

[aintforever]

6. How many times does it have to be said. THIS NEW TUITION FEE PLAN DOES NOT PREVENT POOR PEOPLE GOING TO UNIVERSITY. There is no up front fee. You don't have to pay ANYTHING back until you are earning a salary. You can't "not afford" to pay £0, no matter how poor your upbringing. Gordon Bennett...

 

That's ******, whilst if you go to Uni you don't have to pay it back unless you earn a decent salary, the prospect of getting in at least 30K odd of debt will put off many students, especially from a poor background.

 

Chances are, an 18 year old from some inner city slum will look at the debt and think they will be better off being a manager at mcDonalds getting 25K a year from tomorrow rather than study and be poor for 3 years, get 50K in debt, then leave and probably only earn 25K a year anyway.

 

If you're dad's a millionare and you've been bankrolled through Eton, going to Uni is a non brainer but to 18 year olds from deprived backgrounds these fees are just another barrier in their way.

[Johnny Bognor]

Personally i say fair play to the students, at least they're one group that's getting off their arses and doing something about what's happening.

 

No, they are a bunch of ****ing hypocrites like most of the Lefties on here. When Labour introduced tuition fees (in the middle of an economic boom BTW), not a murmour, whisper or single voice could be heard. Nil, zilch, zip, nothing.

 

Just becuase it is the tories, they have a problem. You can't be against the tories for raising them when you are not opposed to Labour introducing them.

 

Another pure example of the hypocracy of socialism.

[rocknrollman no2]

No, they are a bunch of ****ing hypocrites like most of the Lefties on here. When Labour introduced tuition fees (in the middle of an economic boom BTW), not a murmour, whisper or single voice could be heard. Nil, zilch, zip, nothing.

 

Just becuase it is the tories, they have a problem. You can't be against the tories for raising them when you are not opposed to Labour introducing them.

 

Another pure example of the hypocracy of socialism.

Labour said if they were still in power,then fees would have risen around the £100-300 per course.

This is of course not acceptable,but at least it was manageable.

Under the condems,instead of a few hundred pounds more in debt,students will be three times more in debt.

No wonder they want to protest!!!!

[ericb]

No, they are a bunch of ****ing hypocrites like most of the Lefties on here. When Labour introduced tuition fees (in the middle of an economic boom BTW), not a murmour, whisper or single voice could be heard. Nil, zilch, zip, nothing.

 

Yup that's right everyone was totally silent and it's only left wing people that are hypocrites...........

 

Good to see that there's no hyperbole or generalisations there at all. Nope a sound reasoned response to people's arguments, instead of petty name calling and and an air of superiority.

[Johnny Bognor]

Labour said if they were still in power,then fees would have risen around the £100-300 per course.

This is of course not acceptable,but at least it was manageable.

Under the condems,instead of a few hundred pounds more in debt,students will be three times more in debt.

No wonder they want to protest!!!!

 

 

..... and where were the protests when the fees were first introduced (in an economic boom)?

[Jonnyboy]

No, they are a bunch of ****ing hypocrites like most of the Lefties on here. When Labour introduced tuition fees (in the middle of an economic boom BTW), not a murmour, whisper or single voice could be heard. Nil, zilch, zip, nothing.

 

Just becuase it is the tories, they have a problem. You can't be against the tories for raising them when you are not opposed to Labour introducing them.

 

Another pure example of the hypocracy of socialism.

 

You are just plain wrong, there were protests in every city just not on the scale of these ones and with much less media attention.

Edited 11 December, 2010 by Jonnyboy
beer

[Johnny Bognor]

Yup that's right everyone was totally silent and it's only left wing people that are hypocrites...........

 

Good to see that there's no hyperbole or generalisations there at all. Nope a sound reasoned response to people's arguments, instead of petty name calling and and an air of superiority.

 

 

When people take the moral high ground and rub peoples noses in it, they open themselves up to accusations of hypocracy.

 

Now, can you tell me what you did when the fees were first introduced (by Labour)?

 

Let me guess...........diddly squat.

 

Unless you protested when Labour introduced them, you have no right to complain now and if you do, it makes you either a hypocrite or someone who is finding their grapes a little sour.

[Jonnyboy]

..... and where were the protests when the fees were first introduced (in an economic boom)?

 

There were plenty of protests against Labours other policies, Irraq war, countryside alliance, left and right.

 

Tuition fees were at the start of Labours tenure and people were probably also waiting to see what else they would do, eg introduce a minimum wage (bloody fantastic).

 

Also I believe the rise of the Internet in the 2000s has increased political activism in the youth and increased disillusionment also.

[Johnny Bognor]

You are just plain wrong, there were protests in every city just not on the scale of these ones and with much less media attention.

 

 

So anyone who said nothing then (if they were in a position to do so), has no right to say anything now.

 

Of course those that did voice opinions of discontent then, have every right to voice them now and if anything I wil respect them for consistency. The rest, I will pass off as hypocrites.

[Jonnyboy]

When people take the moral high ground and rub peoples noses in it, they open themselves up to accusations of hypocracy.

 

Now, can you tell me what you did when the fees were first introduced (by Labour)?

 

Let me guess...........diddly squat.

 

Unless you protested when Labour introduced them, you have no right to complain now and if you do, it makes you either a hypocrite or someone who is finding their grapes a little sour.

 

so if the tories made them cost 100K you still couldnt protest?!!!!

[rocknrollman no2]

When people take the moral high ground and rub peoples noses in it, they open themselves up to accusations of hypocracy.

 

Now, can you tell me what you did when the fees were first introduced (by Labour)?

 

Let me guess...........diddly squat.

 

Unless you protested when Labour introduced them, you have no right to complain now and if you do, it makes you either a hypocrite or someone who is finding their grapes a little sour.

 

You make a good point.

There were protests,but because there was no violence it wasnt reported too much in the media.

The thing is,now we have fees foe education,where does it stop?

This year students have to pay back £3000 per year,but that will change in 2012 to £9000.

This is so wrong.

If all of us had a price rise of 300% on the things we buy,wouldnt you be angry??

[Jonnyboy]

So anyone who said nothing then (if they were in a position to do so), has no right to say anything now.

 

Of course those that did voice opinions of discontent then, have every right to voice them now and if anything I wil respect them for consistency. The rest, I will pass off as hypocrites.

 

Also as many on here have pointed out, they majority of protestors would have been aged under 10 years old when Labour introduced fees.

Hardly old enough to go to London for a demo eh?

[Jonnyboy]

Another points that I havent seen raised is how does the small print work?

 

Whats to stop successive governments to changing the deal

eg the Interest rates or rates of repayment?

 

"Hold on chaps, our banker-induced recession is coming around again, lets get a bit more cash out of the nurses. Thay can pay it back in 20 years at 5% interest"

All in this together!

[Lighthouse]

That's ******, whilst if you go to Uni you don't have to pay it back unless you earn a decent salary, the prospect of getting in at least 30K odd of debt will put off many students, especially from a poor background.

 

Chances are, an 18 year old from some inner city slum will look at the debt and think they will be better off being a manager at mcDonalds getting 25K a year from tomorrow rather than study and be poor for 3 years, get 50K in debt, then leave and probably only earn 25K a year anyway.

 

If you're dad's a millionare and you've been bankrolled through Eton, going to Uni is a non brainer but to 18 year olds from deprived backgrounds these fees are just another barrier in their way.

 

Any students who think this are just a muppet plain and simple. If you're thick enough to just go "aaaaghh, debt" without actually looking at the wider picture, then you probably shouldn't be going to uni anyway. There is no possible scenario under this scheme where you could ever end up paying back loan repayments you can't afford.

 

I'm not sure exactly which degrees cost £50k in tuition fees and will only put you level on salary with a McDonnalds burger flipper, but I'd probably give that course a miss too.

 

Maybe I just can't get into the mentality of someone from a deprived background, but if it was me I'd be saying, "great. I can go and do a degree that I can't pay for at the moment and I will only have to pay it back when I've got a decent salary coming in".

[Verbal]

The reason fees have increased by up to 300% is that the government decided to cut the teaching grant to universities by 80%. That figure FAR exceeds cuts made anywhere else in the public sector. The reduction is so large - eliminating teaching funds to arts and humanities subjects altogether - that this is not so much a cut as a fundamental change in philosophy regarding higher education. It is a transfer from public to private. If the government wanted to argue their case for this - fine. But they haven't. They've simply glossed over it with such ludicrous platitudes as that we 'all have to make sacrifices' - with not a word as to why large swathes of higher education are no longer funded at all.

 

So here's an idea: since the bankers created this mess, why not a higher education tax on bankers - the funds can easily be raised to reinstate the teaching grant without any pips be squeaked.

[Johnny Bognor]

so if the tories made them cost 100K you still couldnt protest?!!!!

 

 

I didn't see anyone protesting when Labour removed the 10p tax band hitting low income workers the hardest. I bet if the condems pulled that stunt, there would be riots on the streets, thus making the purpotrators hypocrites.

 

.......

[Johnny Bognor]

Tuition fees were at the start of Labours tenure and people were probably also waiting to see what else they would do, eg cut the 10p tax band for the lowest income workers.

.

 

So tuition fees are done at the start of the tories tenure, but they don't get the same slack. Don't you think that this is a bit hypocritical? Or is it political mobilsation by the sour grapes brigade?

[Thedelldays]

Whne the liberals sat down they shouldve said the only way we are selling our souls if is we get tour number one policy - no tuition fees.

They havent so they should never have joined the government

 

They came 3rd.. Not 2nd or indeed win the election...

 

The Tories have given loads of ground to the libs... Voting reform being one... Being soft on crime another..

 

The libs can't get their own way on everything ..

 

Also , if this was such an important issue.. Why did the liberals come.. Err. 3rd?

[Thedelldays]

So tuition fees are done at the start of the tories tenure, but they don't get the same slack. Don't you think that this is a bit hypocritical? Or is it political mobilsation by the sour grapes brigade?

 

It is because the dirty, nasty Tory party are involved..

[Johnny Bognor]

It is because the dirty, nasty Tory party are involved..

 

I think it is because the boo hoo, nasty wasty, they're behind you (oh no they're not/oh yes they are), boooooooo, hissssss tory party are involved.

 

Meanwhile they've been ****ed over by the magic fairy, but don't seem too bothered by it. There is one thing worse than being ****ed on by the other side and that is being ****ed on by your own side.

 

I still cannot fathom why they tolerate it...........or defend it. Each to their own I suppose.

[Weston Super Saint]

The reason fees have increased by up to 300% is that the government decided to cut the teaching grant to universities by 80%. That figure FAR exceeds cuts made anywhere else in the public sector. The reduction is so large - eliminating teaching funds to arts and humanities subjects altogether - that this is not so much a cut as a fundamental change in philosophy regarding higher education. It is a transfer from public to private. If the government wanted to argue their case for this - fine. But they haven't. They've simply glossed over it with such ludicrous platitudes as that we 'all have to make sacrifices' - with not a word as to why large swathes of higher education are no longer funded at all.

 

So here's an idea: since the bankers created this mess, why not a higher education tax on bankers - the funds can easily be raised to reinstate the teaching grant without any pips be squeaked.

 

Isn't it a touch hypocritical to blame all bankers - it's like saying all students are rioters!

 

I agree a lot of banks, and thus bankers, are to blame for the financial meltdown - RBS being the biggest culprit - but a whole lot more of the banks have continued to perform well, have not had any hand outs from the Gov't, have made some healthy profits, all of which have been taxed, and that tax money been spent by whichever party has been in power.

 

To blame the 'banks' and 'bankers' for the recession is wrong.

[aintforever]

Any students who think this are just a muppet plain and simple. If you're thick enough to just go "aaaaghh, debt" without actually looking at the wider picture, then you probably shouldn't be going to uni anyway. There is no possible scenario under this scheme where you could ever end up paying back loan repayments you can't afford.

 

I'm not sure exactly which degrees cost £50k in tuition fees and will only put you level on salary with a McDonnalds burger flipper, but I'd probably give that course a miss too.

 

Maybe I just can't get into the mentality of someone from a deprived background, but if it was me I'd be saying, "great. I can go and do a degree that I can't pay for at the moment and I will only have to pay it back when I've got a decent salary coming in".

 

The 50K is just a guess but Tuition Fees are only part of the costs of being at university, you have rent and living costs as well. When I went to uni it was free, I had a job and grant, plus my parents helped with the rent and I still got into debt.

 

You obviously have trouble getting into the mentality of someone from a deprived background. If someone is from a family on benefits, earning 25K at Mcdonalds could be quite appealing when the alternative is spending 3 years skint and leaving with 30K+ debt and still maybe not getting a decent job.

[Saintandy666]

I won't condone the violence, but I am sympathetic to why many did it(some because of anger at tuition fees, some because of intimidation by the police, and some because they are 'the usual suspects). This policy will lead to many university closures and less graduates in the subjects we need to compete in the future world. This issue only became headline news because of the violence, no-one listens to a peaceful protest. I wish people would stop ****ing moaning about a few windows and look at the issue at hand and the devastation it will cause.

[Saintandy666]

The reason fees have increased by up to 300% is that the government decided to cut the teaching grant to universities by 80%. That figure FAR exceeds cuts made anywhere else in the public sector. The reduction is so large - eliminating teaching funds to arts and humanities subjects altogether - that this is not so much a cut as a fundamental change in philosophy regarding higher education. It is a transfer from public to private. If the government wanted to argue their case for this - fine. But they haven't. They've simply glossed over it with such ludicrous platitudes as that we 'all have to make sacrifices' - with not a word as to why large swathes of higher education are no longer funded at all.

 

So here's an idea: since the bankers created this mess, why not a higher education tax on bankers - the funds can easily be raised to reinstate the teaching grant without any pips be squeaked.

 

 

Great post.

[Saintandy666]

Also, I get annoyed when Clegg and Cameron take the moral high ground on this kind of stuff.

 

Cameron youth: Trashing restaurants and getting daddy to pay for it. Cause: Because he could.

 

Clegg youth: Burnt down a conservatory containing RARE cacti. Cause: Prank.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Dune and his boyfriends should hold fire blaming supposed UAF (which there is no credible evidence for, but when has that stopped the right wing eh?) instigators of violence until we see the events of the upcoming EDL demo in Luton, I'm sure that will be billed as peaceful protest, let's just wait and see how it's put into practice. I anticipate there will be the usual tripe of the 'UAF started it by protesting against us'.

 

Oh dune my boy, you'll be pleased to hear my UAF membership lapsed the other week and I haven't got round to renewing it yet: any advice to give on my next course of action regarding this conundrum I find myself in?

[Thedelldays]

Lol Intimidation by the police lol

 

Did they bring their snooker ball, golf balls. Paint pellets and other objects/weapons/missiles by accident?

 

 

Did they also forget to leave their fireworks at Homs.. It is an easy mistake to make... Walking around more than a month past bonfire night with a pocket full of bangers

[Thedelldays]

Dune and his boyfriends should hold fire blaming supposed UAF (which there is no credible evidence for, but when has that stopped the right wing eh?) instigators of violence until we see the events of the upcoming EDL demo in Luton, I'm sure that will be billed as peaceful protest, let's just wait and see how it's put into practice. I anticipate there will be the usual tripe of the 'UAF started it by protesting against us'.

 

Oh dune my boy, you'll be pleased to here my UAF membership lapsed the other week and I haven't got round to renewing it yet: any advice to give on my next course of action regarding this conundrum I find myself in?

 

Be careful.. At this rate, the UAF will be listed as a terrorist organisation (like one or two animal rights groups).... How would parents feel about that??

[tedmaul]

It seems the state are so concerned, they are using anti-terror laws and sending the (Objective) Police to arrest 12 year olds in school.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/10/schoolboy-quizzed-cameron-office-picket

[tedmaul]

A 15 year old (Terrorist) giving probably one of the most lucid and heartfelt off the cuff speeches.

 

[Jonnyboy]

It seems the state are so concerned, they are using anti-terror laws and sending the (Objective) Police to arrest 12 year olds in school.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/10/schoolboy-quizzed-cameron-office-picket

 

that probably pleases delldays and dune

[tedmaul]

"Speaking about the youth club, Phelps, a mother of three added, "Over the last few months, the kids have been trying to keep the youth club open, raising money by cleaning cars. They've raised £140. Through the club they've been had all sorts of experiences that I couldn't afford to give them myself."

 

A 12 year old ... talking to his mates on facebook at school, get's a visit from from the police. The Stasi would be proud.

[Smirking_Saint]

I see that we are just going to post unrelated b*llocks in order to forget about the smashing up of buildings, the attempted assault of royals and the violence we have seen in each and every so called 'protest' ?

[rocknrollman no2]

I see that we are just going to post unrelated b*llocks in order to forget about the smashing up of buildings, the attempted assault of royals and the violence we have seen in each and every so called 'protest' ?

 

So whats wrong with that?