Owlish

I do see your point, and it's incredibly hard to arbritrate. Nonetheless, GSDSian has very eloquently raised the point that the example you lead is not aesthetic, but essential. We could go through many examples here with people saying 'well that's essential, that's cosmetic' and so forth. But to me, the real issue is that no-one has an automatic right to a child which should be indulged by the state. The technology is available, yes, so if it's wanted, then they should have to pay to fulfil their desires.

It's a desperately sad and complex subject, and I feel split on both sides. I shall try not to put this in a way that will hurt anyone. As a society, we now seem to have this idea that we should be able to have exactly what we want. And if we can't have it, then the state should provide it for us. I can't help but feel that this is a destructive attitude for society to have. I feel ambiguous about IVF, but it exists as a solution, and people will want to utilise it. Fair enough. However, I don't think it's appropriate for the state to fund what is, after all, a personal desire.

Awww Rosie that's great news

Thanks Ange - all sorted!

Hello I've got a cheque for the oldies club from someone who got something from me on DP swap shop. I couldn't see an address where I could send it to on the site - could anyone give me an address to send it on to, and I'll stick it in the post next week. Thanking you

I'm loving the 'chase me' pics Jules - that sums up the weekend for me - lots of mad happy dog games It was lovely to see them being so brilliant together - now we just need to plan on getting the happy couple (Jess and Bailey - awwwwww) back together again. I do love Ollie's smiley, bouncy pic Edited as I've only just noticed Bailey's ears in the background of the photo of Jess - he's pretending to be a GSD for his daddy ;)

Not just that though... I've found a link now. "MI5 enabled UK pair's 'rendition' Telegrams sent by the British security service led to the "extraordinary rendition" of two UK residents now in Guantanamo Bay, BBC News has learned." BBC Link I was hoping to find a bigger link to an article the Independent ran a few months ago, detailing the relationship M15 had with these men, and its role in their eventual captivity in Guantanamo Bay. I don't have time to find the full thing right now, but it was pretty damning.

I may be remembering this wrong, but the words 'extraordinary rendition' are coming to mind. M15 threw a couple of British Muslims to the American wolves and they ended up in Guantanamo. Annoyingly, I can't remember any details, but I think one of them was released the other day....

Are you concerned about the ethics of this particular rescue? I think sometimes you get a 'feeling' that something isn't right, and often it's wise to trust that feeling and at least investigate, to see if things are being done well. Then you might have the relief of finding out you were wrong. And if things are being done in a way which negatively affects the dogs' welfare, then you can perhaps try to get on board and help them resolve matters if you can I'm not a rescue, but I can imagine they're saddened by this. But Many Tears, for example, take heaps of ex-puppy farm dogs, and if they didn't wordlessly take them from the farmers, then future dogs might meet a whole lot more grizzly end Perhaps this was a dog who had previously lived with kids? If not, and this is a dog with no history, then that's definitely worrying!

I think the NHS does a startlingly good job in extremely difficult circumstances. Get behind th NHS people - before we see it privatised... NOT unlikely at all

If you believe this, then perhaps you should trace back exactly how Saddam was empowered. Then talk about the death penalty for George Bush Snr, senior CIA officials and so on...

I am against the death penalty, therefore I can't possibly agree that he should die.

It's probably not the sort of school I'd want my child (if I had one ) to go to. However, the school I went to (a public - i.e. fee-paying - school) had fairly strict rules on uniforms. My mother had to sign a contract when I was accepted into the school stating that she would ensure I abided by their rules. Fair enough I reckon - you go to a particular school, then you abide by their rules. If you want to change them, then get on the student council, or start a student council if needs be, and get it changed! Only just seen this bit - and I agree. It democratises students - rich or poor, trendy or not, clothing is taken out of the equation as an issue, which must be a good thing

Depends how much you want to be with her really. To see things in perspective, a couple of e-tabs doesn't make her a junkie, and it is very much the norm for large groups of people. But I wouldn't want to date someone whose idea of fun was taking tabs and all the related stuff all the time, so that's the decision you need to make. And I totally second Richard - don't nag. Perhaps an honest conversation about how you both feel. If she likes you more than a night out clubbing, she'll limit it to when you're not there. If she doesn't, then there's your answer!

I hope that she's not pregnant too, poor love Sending her lots of good thoughts