Forum Topics

Democracy under attack?

I have read a number of threads on this forum regarding traffic measures, which a number of people seem to regard as an assault on either basic democracy or their human rights. Having done some research I am unable to find any reference to the right of an individual to drive a car where and how they want, indeed limiting the use of cars to protect wider society seems sensible – you cannot drive after drinking, you can not drive in manner which is dangerous to others, you must obey speed limits, you must be insured, you must have an appropriate licence  – the list is extensive. Equally, in the UK there are many other things you do not have the right to do - you do not have the right to own hand guns, to use and sell class A drugs or harass and abuse those with whom you disagree – rights I am sure most reasonable people are happy not to have.   The Human Rights Act passed in 1998 by the first Blair government, protects your basic rights it does not give you the right to do whatever you want. Equally, democracy is not a vehicle to allow a vocal minority to dominate a debate; it allows for all citizens the right to lobby their elected representatives, in order to have their views represented, if they are unhappy with the way their views are represented periodic elections offers the opportunity to change their representatives. If your major concern regarding democracy and human rights is based on parking restrictions and restricted entry schemes perhaps a wider perceptive is required. Many infrastructure plans, especially transport, are initially opposed on the basis they will be disasters – the construction of the Underground was vigorously opposed – only for their real value to be realised once complete.

John Stroud ● 2233d45 Comments ● 2228d

Even the U.S. is writing about our infrastructure woes....

https://www.archpaper.com/2020/09/londons-hammersmith-bridge-is-at-risk-of-falling-down/

Jimmy Kim ● 2229d9 Comments ● 2228d

Chiswick High Road Closed signs?

The signs say CHR is closed this Sunday and that is all they say or have I missed something?It seems to me the only section that needs to close is between Goldhawk Rd and Chiswick Lane at the most.Urgent clarification is needed as to what's what.Perhaps someone knows?

Adrian Irving ● 2235d62 Comments ● 2228d

Front Page Story re Signatories

Of those who have written to Grant Shapps in support of this ludicrous transport scheme, how many live and work locally?  Looks to me like few are busy working parents, local traders or even local shoppers who also work.  Harley Street practitioners, retired people who have all the time in the world, people who sign themselves as 'consultant' - most of us including me could do that. Maybe we should compile a list of those who are against this with job titles, plus their relation to the area - eg 'live in Chiswick and run a full time business here'. The signatories to the letter in support of borough transport policies are:Dr Edward Seaton, DM FRCP, Consultant Dermatologist, LondonProfessor Jeremy Levy, Professor of Medicine, Imperial College LondonDr Mark Esler FRCA, Consultant Anaesthestist, Imperial College NHS TrustKate Frayling, Physics Teacher, Local SchoolDr David Game PhD FRCP, Consultant Renal Physician, LondonAndrew Hurn, Parent Governor, Cavendish Primary School, ChiswickDr Sheila Hunt, General Practitioner (within LTN area), retd.Dr Radegund Norbury MRCGP, General Practitioner, LondonDr Tran Seaton FRCR, Consultant Radiologist, Imperial College NHS TrustDr Anna Wilson MRCGP, General Practitioner, LondonDr Karen Liebreich MBE, Author, Director Abundance LondonPeter Murray, Architect, Chair Bedford Park Bicycle ClubProfessor Tom Pike, Professor of Microengineering, Imperial College LondonChristopher Richardson, ArchitectMichael Robinson, M.Eng C.Eng MIET, EngineerChristopher Blishen, Business MentorPaul Campbell, Managing Director, Consulting BusinessAndrea Carnavali, FilmmakerKeith Dickson, Emeritus Professor of Technology Management, Brunel University

Claire Moran ● 2229d1 Comments ● 2228d

The consultation for Grove Park, an interesting read...

Grove Park, sorry 'South Chiswick' consultation document. Makes for an interesting read. They used the survey site Commonplace to conduct a basic survey using an interactive map of the area. This appears to be the sum total of the consultation process. Together with traffic data, it informed all their decisions to close roads in the area. No other consultation took place that I'm aware of.High Level OverviewThere were 518 respondents349 said they lived here189 car drivers191 cyclists336 walkers(this appears to be the mode of travel in the area, not getting in and out - there were 53 joggers for example).https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s161399/Appendix%202%20-%20South%20Chiswick%20LN%20Report.pdf

Russell Pearson ● 2230d41 Comments ● 2229d

Where can I get flu jab

Despite being vulnerable myself (Hospital advised me to get a flu jab) and a carer. I am unable to get a flu jab at my local GP until November.  Can anyone suggest somewhere. Happy to pay.

Alina Danford ● 2229d10 Comments ● 2229d

HELP A CHISWICK YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

Hello All,My start-up is part of a competition with Santander to see who can get the most backers.I desperately need as many donations of just £1 as possible - we even have 2 prizes of a PS5 and a E-scooter.please help it closes at midday!https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wyspr---everyone-is-an-influencer/backers

Oliver S Bourne ● 2229d0 Comments ● 2229d

BBC 4 Brilliant

I love BBC 4 for its brilliant animal programmes (freeview channel 9) but the revelations tonight about the outstanding contribution of black classical musicians, against all the odds, is truly outstanding.

Claire Moran ● 2231d8 Comments ● 2229d

RE Spitting Image & the BBC

I was initially really excited to hear that Spitting Image was being remade,  anything to make light of the dark times we find ourselves in.  If I have understood correctly though this programme will only be available through Britbox which you have to subscribe too and pay for despite it being a BBC programme (unsure of the level of involvement with ITV).I dislike the constant attacks on the BBC but I don't think charging licence fee payers again for a desired programme is going to bode well.  Thoughts?

Matthew Swain ● 2230d15 Comments ● 2229d

The Park Road protest is the definition of entitlement

The Park Road protest has nothing to do with the traffic island whatsoeverIt has everything to do with Park Road residents quivering with entitled rage at the thought of some traffic on the road.

Ian Philips ● 2236d102 Comments ● 2229d

Next Mayor of London, Shaun Bailey?

Wonder whether Shaun Bailey will focus his campaign on the traffic mess? A clear ‘Get London Moving Again’ message, or words to that effect, might just win it for him. All the more so, as people are more concerned about the person than the party, when it comes to electing a mayor...There’s a lot of very unhappy people out there, who might just vote for a Tory candidate for the first time in their lives, if he did.

Russell Pearson ● 2231d12 Comments ● 2229d

Petition against the closure of Fishers Lane and Turnham Green Terrace in Chiswick to cars

https://www.change.org/p/hounslow-and-ealing-councils-petition-against-closure-fishers-lane-and-turnham-green-terrace-in-chiswick-to-cars

Russell Pearson ● 2230d0 Comments ● 2230d

Covid protests London

So secions of the main stream media say they are all conspiracy theorists in trafalgar Square. Well ive just come accross this. Not sure they are such but have a varied view and have a reason as to why. Would not get me in trafalgar square but i think the video from an X journo i believe SKY has posted paints a varied picture even if you agree or not. The idea of numbers is irrelevant as on various talk radio shows many people agree with them. Will it grow in time is the question if we keep going in the way of opening,closing and changing as the months pass. Video Below

Julian Pavey ● 2231d13 Comments ● 2230d

La Suisse -Douze points

How refreshing that Switzerland has voted to reject the removal of freedom of movement within  the EU as they realise that it takes away their freedom of movement and they’re not even members.  It’s almost as if they knew they were on to a good thing.

Stewart Jones ● 2231d6 Comments ● 2230d

Social Media Marketeer  Needed - ASAP.

I am looking for a Social Media Marketeer who can assist me over the course of the next 10 days in getting the word out about a forthcoming Mindfulness course.  I would like to attract participants from across  Ealing, particularly Acton and environs, on FB, Twitter, Eventbrite, etc..  I am very poor at this I have realised;  what is a tag and is there such a thing as tag etiquette? Do I need a FB page or an FB Group?  Can I use Eventbrite without tickets?  How to make the most of Twitter? If you know the answer to these conundrums then you can probably help me a lot. I expect about 2hrs per day would be enough, but I would take your advice on this.I have recently set up a not-for-profit organisation called YARDO which has funding to deliver an 8-week online Mindfulness & Self-Compassion Training, at low cost, to the residents of South Acton and the surrounding neighbourhoods, particularly those who have never tried it before.The Course starts on 4th October.  It is evidenced-based to address depression, anxiety and stress with an enduring impact.  The teacher, Dr Caroline Hoffman, has superb credentials.  Here she is describing some of the benefits of the course: https://youtu.be/4_Cep6eezp4I have a range of social media flyers ready on Canva - just waiting to be issued on various platforms - some might need to be reconfigured for differing platforms which is not too hard on Canva. Part of the funding even allows for Digital Inclusion - whereby laptops and broadband will be provided for those participants who might require them.  (A BIG thank you to David from this forum for his help in this part of the project)I can pay a small fee for the right person. You can contact me at paula@yardo.co.ukFinally, I hope you get the chance to enjoy the sunshine and the breeze todayWith thanksPaula

Paula Gjesdal ● 2239d3 Comments ● 2230d

Please tell us the local causes you want to support?

At Our High Road (ourhighroad.com), we're a Chiswick family and have just launched the app to shop local, with almost 20 independent Chiswick retailers in the same app already (you can download the app from the app stores too) We really want the platform to benefit Chiswick as a whole, so as well as helping people shop with local businesses, we've built a loyalty scheme where for every pound spent with the independents on the platform, customers earn points, which can be redeemed for special offers or donated to local initiatives. We're just starting to build this element of the platform, so please can you share some of the local causes you care about? If you are involved in a local charity/ school etc and you'd be interest in being supported in this way, please let us know either here, on our social channels (we're @ourhighroadhq on all of them) or on e-mail: hello@ourhighroad.comThanks in advance and remember to #shoplocal!

Chris Cole ● 2230d0 Comments ● 2230d

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse.

Brentford TV‎ to Brentford Today & TV: #Debate Not Hate#5h · "I'D LIKE TO BE COUNCIL LEADER FOR EVER," SAYS CLLR STEVE CURRAN, "BUT THERE ARE ELECTIONS IN 2022. IF RE-ELECTED I'LL BE PUTTING MY HAT IN THE RING." Of dealing with the coronavirus crisis Cllr Curran, 65, says: "There are days when you think this is tough but I always think about the people who've got it tougher than me and there are thousands of them in the Borough, who haven't got a job, can't put food on the table, can't pay their rent or mortgage. I can deal with my own stuff."Of the Council's response, he says: "I think we've done everything we could with the resources we've got, and we're learning all the time. One of the real benefits, if there is a benefit, is it's brought our community together, and it's helped the Council understand how our communities work down to a micro level. Hundreds of our staff kept working to support our residents and I'm very proud of that, and I'm proud of the work the councillors have done – although we're not popular sometimes."

Vanessa Smith ● 2231d5 Comments ● 2230d

All our so called savings

Some of us have savings - we have saved all our lives- now the going rate has gone down to 0.01 percent- banks did this a long time ago but this has happened to other places -  this is thieving- I wonder what next - always been told that they were 100 percent safe - I wonder if that is true-  Feeling very unsafe now- I think we are all feeling this who have saved all our lives.

Helen Bamberger ● 2232d34 Comments ● 2231d

For the Conspiracy theorists...

Conspiracy theories are baked into human nature, they do not only affect the fringes.  All people naturally seek patterns to make sense of the world’s randomness and develop in-group, out-group prejudices that make them vulnerable to all kinds of propaganda, paranoia and extremism.  People are often led by intuitions and overestimate their ability to understand complex subjects, that, coupled with the natural tendencies to seek truth, meaning, and belonging, can make even the most well-intentioned and intelligent people vulnerable to conspiracy theories. Research shows that social conditions and personal traits can make some more vulnerable to conspiratorial thinking, such as lower analytical thinking, lower education, schizotypy, being distrustful, narcissistic, powerless, alienated, anxious, or prone to projection.  It is important to understand the potential factors that make people extra vulnerable to conspiracy theories, but just as important to recognise that everyone is vulnerable to some degree.  Studies and polls repeatedly show millions of people believe in them in some form or another.There’s a difference between ‘conspiracies’ which are covert plots that can be uncovered through reasoning and evidence, versus ‘conspiracy theories’ which are metaphysical narratives based on prejudices, sensationalism, and flawed assumptions made outside of material reality.  There is no universal way to bring people back from conspiracy theories, some take months, some take years, others stay gone.  Some need relationships, some need isolation, and some need an ‘aha’ moment.  Some prefer debate, some conversation, and others need to find their own way.Be kind and stay skeptical, but don’t get lost down the endless brain-breaking rabbit holes that separate people from reality.  The world is crazy and has enough problems in its observable form.* Here are sources on the psychology of conspiracy theorists for anyone interested:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0963721417718261https://sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2014/04/13/our-need-to-belong/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/pops.12568https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010027714001632https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13546783.2015.1051586?journalCode=ptar20&https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/mobile/view/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199351800.001.0001/acprof-9780199351800-chapter-6

Kayte Martin ● 2235d14 Comments ● 2231d

"Bell on a Bike"  - an Ealing Comedy

Lets see if embed works on a 1st post, if not then there's Guido Fawkeshttps://order-order.com/2020/09/24/third-senior-labour-figure-calls-for-party-to-take-advantage-of-covid/

Russell Pearson ● 2233d9 Comments ● 2231d