[Skyhook]

So you're an expert on Kevin Rudd now, on the road ? WTF are you on about ?

The Howard Govt ( liberal ) installed anti sedition laws ( Sept 2006 ) that have muzzled the press, it also set aside 1 billion AUS budget for anti terror security hocus pocus operations/upgrades, as lead by the hand, by none other, Dr Condi Rice under the Bush administration. It's the Bush legacy, and well orchestrated master plan, that our civil liberties globally, will be further encroached, our every move monitored and our lives scrutinized..

All freedom infringing roads extend from Washington District of Columbia, welcome to the 21st century of negative utopia.....

[ontheroad]

From The Age:

ONE of America's greatest failings in the past decade was the response of its Department of Homeland Security to the human tragedy that followed Hurricane Katrina.

Now Kevin Rudd wants to mimic this flawed framework by creating Australia's own department of homeland security and, in the process, dismantle one of the most effective national security systems in the world. Along with the new department, Rudd proposes to centralise decision-making by appointing a national security adviser and creating a new office of national security that will sit within the prime minister's portfolio.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinio...766672037.html

[Sigga]

Originally Posted by shilo507

I don't think that is what most Brit expats think. I just think the UK they left was very different to the UK now. I now live in HK but had been coming to Asia frequently (including HK) on businesses since the mid-90s and many expats I met during that time spoke fondly of the UK as home and did not discount returning once their stint was over. In the mid-90s UK property was affordable and any expat who had made a bit of money abroad had an incentive to return.

There is now no way I would return to the UK to live however well remunerated I was. I may not end up in HK but I will certainly remain in Asia.

I take your point, but it does seem that many expats are unduly negative about the UK. I also have no desire to live there again, but that's purely down to the weather. I miss draft real ale, though...

[KnowItAll]

>> I miss draft real ale

The Dickens in the Excelsior used to do Real Ale nights ... not sure if they do them anymore.

[shilo507]

Originally Posted by Sigga

I take your point, but it does seem that many expats are unduly negative about the UK. I also have no desire to live there again, but that's purely down to the weather. I miss draft real ale, though...

Self-deprecation is a British trait and this may partly explain the negativity. I agree about the weather but that applies to much of northern Europe. Can't say I miss draft real ale though...

I am a 'lifer' in Asia and very happy with my life as it is now. Spent too many years trying to get out of the UK. Now I have done it I won't be going back any time soon.

[Alexander Crowe]

You know the front of Kowloon Park, on Nathan Road? From there to the front of Chungking Mansions looks pretty much like many city centres in the UK right now. If you haven't been back to the UK for a few years, you are in for one very big shock: the England that you knew HAS GONE.

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by Alexander Crowe

You know the front of Kowloon Park, on Nathan Road? From there to the front of Chungking Mansions looks pretty much like many city centres in the UK right now. If you haven't been back to the UK for a few years, you are in for one very big shock: the England that you knew HAS GONE.

Another Daily Mither reader I guess? I returned yesterday from a week in the UK. What had changed from my last visit? Big new shopping centre, roads had been done up, a few new bars and restaurants, the motorway had been improved. Wasn't swamped by illegal immigrant muggers with guns posing as security men or beggars in the street. Seemed better to me overall. Weather was shite though and fags and petrol way too expensive. Oh and that was in the city named as the second worst in the country.

P.S. and I wasn't asked any questions going in or out

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by hullexile

I returned yesterday from a week in the UK.{...} Seemed better to me overall.

Well yes, but if we're talking about Hull then the only possible way was up!

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by PDLM

Well yes, but if we're talking about Hull then the only possible way was up!

Too true. Can't remember where the place named as worst was. Still for Hull it was a promotion as they used to be bottom.

The moaning mentality in the UK does piss me off though. On the TV while I was there was a pensioner complaining that her FREE central heating boiler had broken down and it was taking ages for the government to fix it. She was in what looked like a lovely house with all new looking furniture and behind her you could see a newish tv, satellite box, dvd player, etc etc. If you can afford satellite tv you can afford to fix your own boiler IMHO. Of course this was given as a "the government doesn't care about old people" story. The Daily Mither would have blamed it on illegal immigrants using up all the plumbers no doubt.