Thoughts of Eggcup

Mike M said:
Saturday, September 7, 2013 @ 6:31 PM

Nice thought but I don't think it is a solution and would open up a can of worms with other countries in conflict...especially the african continent, what would we do.... take them all in? I have no idea what the solution is but this sounds like it won't actually solve any problems at all even if Assad rules over a depopulated country.Given that oil, natural gas and gold are some of the countries main resources for export I think it would be an opportunity for him to get even richer...mind you, funny how Iraq, now America's ally, happens to be Syria's biggest customer, accounting for over 50% of its exports....

eggcup said:
Saturday, September 7, 2013 @ 9:07 PM

I'm not saying Britain should take all refugees from the whole world, including Syria. I'm saying that countries world-wide should take Syrian refugees in - it beats them getting killed or living forever in a refugee camp and it beats a situation where America and Russia are at war (and therefore the rest of us). This whole thing could escalate very quickly.
As we are not taking a military role, Britain could take a lead in developing this constructive approach towards helping the Syrian people. And (God knows if it's possible), Russia could be persuaded to also take in some refugees, it could help to smooth things over between the East and West. If America were to quickly adopt this approach, too, it could save face over the military option and maybe put it on the back-burner. There definitely needs to be an alternative approach to the Syrian crisis; a military solution is going to lead to all-out war.
The population of Syria is not that great - about 10% have already fled I believe. If one consequence is that Assad becomes richer, so be it; maybe that's the price to be paid for world peace and security and stopping loss of life on a level that is unthinkable.

Ed charles said:
Sunday, September 8, 2013 @ 8:24 AM

You said - 'There would be many complications, not least ensuring that dangerous rebels and/or others gain access to our countries'. Hmm I dont think thats the best idea Ive ever heard!

Sorry but its pie-in-the-sky thinking and credit to you for thinking it though. Mind you - they could be good for your rental business! Ever thought of taking a few in yourself as an act of goodwill? Free of course.

Still not sure about importing terrorists though - unless Im missing something.

eggcup said:
Sunday, September 8, 2013 @ 9:21 AM

Ed, whether we adopted my idea or not, we're already in a very dangerous situation, with the threat of war looming. And one thing I'm not is pie-in-the-sky. I'm actually trying to think of practical, workable alternatives to all-out war. Obviously the alternatives not going to be easy, as I said.
In terms of your bringing it down to the personal level of my business, I could take in some rent-free (I've given enough low-lifes rent-free accommodation, when they've stopped paying the rent; it would make a nice change to give it to the deserving - I think about half of the refugees are children - so talk of terrorists is a bit of red herring). And also in terms of me paying, of course I would be paying anyway, as a tax-payer, and I would be happy if my taxes went up in order to fund it.
But I'm trying to make a bigger point here - it's not about me and my rental business. It's about a macro-political approach to a major world crisis.

billywhizz said:
Sunday, September 8, 2013 @ 4:48 PM

What a great idea lets start with you and your family housing and feeding the first ten, the uk is packed already.

eggcup said:
Sunday, September 8, 2013 @ 5:38 PM

Some people are all heart. They'd rather risk a world war than help out a million children who have had to flee their homes, many of whom must be orphans. Doesn't anyone have anything constructive to contribute to this debate? Instead it's always nasty, personal attacks, like a bunch of bullies in the playground. Doesn't anyone have any good ideas?

billywhizz said:
Monday, September 9, 2013 @ 8:17 AM

It is because of people like you that the Uk is bust what about the orphans in this country, the old people that will die of cold ,the old people dying on trolleys in A & E, if you want to help out try the Chinese or some Arab countrys that are sat on mountains and mountains of cash and are next door a bus ride away, and by the way asylum is the neasrest country to where there is safety not the place that gives most freebies and that is where they are

eggcup said:
Monday, September 9, 2013 @ 9:19 AM

I agree all different countries should do their share; that's my point - the international community joining together and sharing the load. We're not a small selfish island; we are a country which takes a role and helps with humanitarian crises.

Ed Charles said:
Monday, September 9, 2013 @ 10:45 AM

You seem to totally ignore my comment on you wanting to ensure that dangerous rebels gain access to the UK. What do you mean by that? My comment about you housing them was a valid one. You keep telling us how much property you own (far more than most people) so I was thinking that you could lead by example - thats all. Talks cheap as you know. If you could house just a few then it would be a start. Just think of how it would trigger other peoples thoughts. The govt would have to cave in tot he red tape demands if enough ordinary brits took your stance. Im sure, having read your other blogs, that you are always looking to find conflict in your life.

eggcup said:
Monday, September 9, 2013 @ 4:33 PM

How am I supposed to house people when my houses are full? Do I evict current tenants? However, this does lead to a valid point, which is that perhaps the UK doesn't have enough spare housing. In that case, maybe countries like Spain which have a massive supply of empty housing could help to house people and countries like the UK could help to fund food-banks for refugees? I don't know - I'm just trying to think of what would work and which different contributions each country could make. My husband says that Russia is under-populated and who knows? Maybe they would be willing to take in some if the West agrees to not make a military strike on Syria? That would be a great piece of diplomacy.
As for the point about you reading my blogs and your implied criticism of their content, please don't read them, as I'm sick of people who don't like what I write continuing to read it week after week and then insulting for me for my efforts - for which I receive no income and many of which are designed to help people avoid the many mistakes I've made.