Author Archives: thebigqs

>"The toxic memo"

>In 1992 a memo signed by Larry Summers (President Barrack Obama’s top economic adviser) signed a memo saying that “The economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable.” The memo said that there would be mutual benefits: one country would get rid of its waste and the other would be paid.

What do you think?

>Should we let them vote?

>In many countries around the world certain groups of people are barred from voting. In the UK this list includes:

  1. Those under 18
  2. Certain prisoners e.g. those serving “intermittent custody” (meaning that they are in prison some days and home on others) can vote if the election falls on a day when they’re at home but not if they’re in prison.
  3. Hereditary members of the House of Lords
  4. People convicted of electoral malpractice are banned for five years.
  5. Those permanently detained in psychiatric hospitals
  6. Members of the Royal family can vote but do not do so as it would be considered unconstitutional.

Why do I tell you this? The Economist recently published an article asking that we give the vote to prisoners. I disagree. But do you think we should change who can vote in the UK or any country? In some US states anyone who goes to prison loses their votes for life.

>Can there be a journey too short to use your car for?

>”Before I write the question I must state that I am in no way an eco-nut. However, I was somewhat appalled this morning to see my girlfriends mum car parked outside the bakers in town (not 400metres from our house) as she was going to church (some 500 metres from our house). When I confronted my girlfriend about this she excused this action because:1) There is a substantial hill from church to our house (imagine if you will a gentile incline that only enhances the landscape rather than a Scottish mountain) – she believed that by using a car time would have been saved compared to walking2) She had been cooking lunch and was in a hurry3) She was wearing high heels4) She has short legs and it would therefore take more time for her to walk there and back than a person of more average height.(I dont want to complain too much because I would benefit later on from point number 2)However, it got me thinking. We are hearing nowadays about trying to use your car less and less to help the environment.What therefore in your opinion is too short a journey for which you should use a car? – If you save only seconds or minutes is this really worth it?Are their any exceptions to this?Do governments do enough to encourage people to use their cars less and promote the alternative modes of transport?”

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