I think that teachers and other public employees would feel more inclined to make sacrifices were others similarly imposed upon. We all know about executive pay, the government refuses to contemplate an infinitesmal tax on financial transactions, yet demands that the public sector bears all the brunt. The average NHS pension is £8000 a year, by the way. A long way from being gold-plated. You'll remember how much we used to pay in betting tax, M.C.Newberry - 9p in the pound. What's the rate of the Tobin tax? .0001 %? It's all about priorities.

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Stella

been `0ff`

Lovely, little colourful poem

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

I wonder just how much of this has been the result of Gordon Brown's notorious plundering
of pension plans some years ago. These were
the envy of the world, it was said.
The Victorian politicians took as little as was
needed in taxes to run the country AND its empire. Today's politicians take as much as they can and fritter it away on things the
electorate don't want or ask for.

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

my fave bird Stella.

As also appreciatively described in my poem
'Monarch of the river'
lovely concise poem by you.

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

Well I don't know quite how the different pots are set up, but I do know a lot of people considered that the pension was one of the things that attracted them to the profession, when they were qualified for other work.

But there is a lot of misinformation about giving the impression that all these schemes require huge subsidy, when in fact the intention is in fact to claw back monies to cover yet more quantative easing.

I went through the comprehensive education system where what you wrote was more important than your spelling, it was for me, a positive experience. I am also yet to see a school that thought literacy or numeracy isn't important.

However, I believe in the truest sense of the word, teaching is a political act, as it is never possible to cover everything. But the decisions about what should be on the curriculum are so subjective. Additionally how you teach them can also give a hugely differing perspective. If any other country cuts the head of their king and forms a republic, it's called a revolution, but here it's merely a Civil War.

Educated people are often political, so the politicisation teachers is probably a professional hazard.

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Hello J.C. - your comment about "Arromanches" was generous indeed. What finer compliment might any verse-ifier hope for than having someone wishing they'd written his/her words?
Thank you!

Comment is about John Coopey (poet profile)

Original item by John Coopey

Mark - I referred to the online address yousupplied and found it informative. I can seethe thinking behind the reasoning that if apension pot/plan is pretty healthy then why should its members be penalised (along with others less thrifty perhaps?). In a wider sense, I wonder if the teaching profession hasdone itself any favours with the public bybeing seen (in the past as much as now) as overtly political. I recall this taking shapeback in the 60s and thought then that it wasa somewhat sinister step - as if was plannedto politicise the youngsters as much as teachthem the three "R"s (which seem to have becomeobsolete when reading much of what is writtenonline and elsewhere these days!).Cheers.

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Thanks Winston

Comment is about Grey (blog)

Original item by Matt Tilke

Thanks Winston

I look forward to using the site and dicovering some new poets.

Matt

Comment is about Matt Tilke (poet profile)

Original item by Matt Tilke

Hi Lynn.

Just popped on here to tell you
I replied to your kind comments
on my last two poems.

We have had P.C. probs
hopefully sorted now.

Our xx,s to you and yours.

Patricia and Stef.

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

oh you dreamy headed retire'ee!

a very nice read nevertheless!

keep well chuck.xx

Comment is about Dream Job (blog)

Original item by Lynn Dye

What an amazing write. Went to the Alice in Wonderland exhibition at Tate Liverpool yesterday and somehow this seems to connect. A Mad Hatter, Red Queen or March Hare wouldn't be out of place in this world.

Comment is about The Sound - Air (blog)

yes, clumsy surgeons..I thought there was something going on..I was a bit confused because i was thinking of your art..but having read the comments..whoosh..packs a punch Rach..x

Comment is about heart (blog)

Ray,

Pecksniff?

Bloody brilliant!

My only nit would be the second verse goes on a bit for me.

A corker of a write.

Comment is about The Sound - Air (blog)

:)

Comment is about Roving reviewer Isobel Malinowski (photo)

Very powerful, MC.
I wish I'd written it.
I agree with Philipos. Among the excellent lines the one he quotes is superb.

Comment is about ARROMANCHES - 1994 - D-Day plus 50 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Thanks, Winston - and good luck for the future.

Comment is about Performance or page? Meeting of minds at Lumb Bank (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

Hi again, Slips his niche, liked that

Winston

Comment is about Grey (blog)

Original item by Matt Tilke

Hi Matt

Welcome to Write Out Loud, looking forward to seeing more of your words.

Winston

Comment is about Matt Tilke (poet profile)

Original item by Matt Tilke

Hi Martin or Richie :)
Thank you for nice comments on Impossibility. Any advice/constructive critism always welcome. Lynn

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Agreed, there are certainly times we have to make a stand, and this is one of them!

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

I liked the 'uselessness of mine' bit and your explanation helped me understand the poem better.

Comment is about heart (blog)

I agree with Greg, Win. Sorry we never met as I am such a recent addition to the team but would nevertheless like to add my good wishes along with the others and thanks for all your hard work.

Comment is about Bowing out: Winston's message to all his friends on WOL (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

life in a northern town, dream academy...i like that song.

which one dyou mean...stepford?

Comment is about heart (blog)

Thanks M.C., I had hoped for the 'distant drone' would signify that the plane had continued, and thus the participants in the combat could have no idea of the effect of the skirmish.

Comment is about Zwartboek (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

many thands RM for the Great reply to In Hope of Wonder..gosh..I would faint if I ever met Stephen Fry. I would hide behind you as you told him he talked bollocks LOL.. :o)

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Hello there Cate :o)

Many thanks for taking a look at Indian King and for the lovely comment..appreciated :o)

Comment is about Cate (poet profile)

Original item by Cate

Hiya Lynn :o)

Many thanks for comments on my Kingfisher poem, there were so many Lynn, truly a beautiful sight x

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

I support your stand too Mark....well said indeed :)

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson

Hiya RM :o)

If you want to comment on someones poem put the comment under the poem..if on the other hand you want to thank someone for their comments on your work click their name and it will take you to their blog where you can say ta..this will appear in their email..hope this helps somewhat :)

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Lots of imagination gone into this and rhythmic too. Enjoyed especially the rondo 'Deep fry, beef stew, burgers, chips and ketchup too'.

.

Comment is about The Food Chain (blog)

Original item by Jack Pascoe

'Arromanches' very poignant and almost a one word poem in its own right. Especially enjoyed 'And the memories of those who stayed Return upon the tide'. How evocative is that!!!

Comment is about ARROMANCHES - 1994 - D-Day plus 50 (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Best wishes for whatever you choose to do in the future. WOL's loss is someone else's gain - but, hopefully, mainly your OWN!

Comment is about Bowing out: Winston's message to all his friends on WOL (article)

Original item by Greg Freeman

This has the feel of a real incident in the telling. However, I'm somewhat confused about whether the life-changing damage was caused by falling engines from a damaged (presumed doomed) Wellington and/or jettisoned bombs from the same - at the hand of the German fighter 'plane.

Comment is about Zwartboek (blog)

Original item by Christopher Dawson

your sister - she's a great gal :)

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Steven Fry talks bollocks - free verse makes great poetry and here's the example I'd make him eat.

Comment is about In Hope of Wonder (blog)

'Forest green bejeweled
with the call of rainbows' - as lush as the scene it describes. Where is it? Can I go too?

Comment is about Indian Kings (blog)

I too have probs negotiating for eg where do I post thanks for comments? I keep getting emails telling me I've got a comment only to find it's referring to comments I posted about others' work. Confusing.

Comment is about Is Anyone Else Having Problems Navigating WOL?? (blog)

After years of being NHS, I went "private" after a tooth broke one Christmas (why is it that sort of thing happens at such times?!).
My own main memory is the pain suffered by my bank account.

Comment is about NO ONE LOVES A DENTIST (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hola
dentists eh? Can't live with 'em, can't...use their bones for soup without attracting the attention of the authorities [although, it has to be said, my dentist is a gorgeous and v. professional Portuguese beauty who, to paraphrase John, I'd marry in the twinkling of an eye.]

Comment is about NO ONE LOVES A DENTIST (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

J.C. - thanks, as always, for the chuckle. It's always a pleasure to read your posts.
Laughter is the best medicine, they say!

Comment is about Advancin' Back (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hi Ant
'My Blow Up Doll' is a cracker of a read; well constructed, humourous and rich imagery. Your way with language too was a joy. In the words of that great and good man and sensitive poet, Arnie Schwarzetc, 'I'll be back' [to read more.]

Comment is about ant (poet profile)

Original item by ant

Ah - Sussex by the sea! I can see where you're
coming from, so to speak. A beautiful part of
the Queen's Realm.

Comment is about ABROAD (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Hey, thanks chap! No one ever commented on it at the time! :D Cheers :)

Comment is about Richie Muster (poet profile)

Original item by Richie Muster

Happy is he...or maybe a she
Who is content with their own com..pan..eee :-)

Comment is about JOY OF BEING ALONE (blog)

Original item by NICK ARMBRISTER

Hi Dave
thanks for the great comments. Just read 'Only Fond' etc and it's great; it speaks for me too. Hope to read more soon but for now, back to waiting for Her to write to me again.

Comment is about Dave Bradley (poet profile)

Original item by Dave Bradley

Hi there,
'She's Mine Tonight' - really rather very good! Breathless, just like being there, hip against hip, skin against skin, lip against lip. Sin? What sin? Lust is good, love is real; speak the way you feel.

Comment is about Laura Taylor (poet profile)

Original item by Laura Taylor

This is a very laudable contribution to what I consider to be the "carol" genre. My own thought is that carols are best when they
have a simple memorable tune & "lift"/chorus
to follow - and in that vein I think that the tune held in the "italics" would make an excellent main theme. I don't think that going off "at a tangent" so to speak in the opening stanza(verse) as written/sung e.g.
in the line = "A trough in a stable" helps as
it sounds wayward to my ear rather than keeping
with the essentials of any carol - tuneful
and "regular" familiarity.
I think the work would be better served by keeping to a 4-line style and using a line like "Came the Rich and the Wise" to rhyme with
"skies" - then seek a change in tune for the
"lift"/chorus after each stanza and re-write accordingly. There is certainly a great opportunity to add a tuneful "lift"/chorus)after each verse/stanza - with words adjusted as necessary. But that's purely a personal
view. I can certainly hear that theme I heard
in the italics being sung full blast by a choir...an excellent basis for any carol.
HOWEVER - if I am wrong and this is merely intended as some personal Christmas "thoughts" and not a carol, then fine. Ignore the above!
I write as a songwriter/lyricist and wish only to pass on a few observations, no more.
Best wishes.

Comment is about Christmas Sung Simply (Chants from Walkabouts - 18) (blog)

Original item by David Franks: Walkabouts Verse

Hiya
I like 'Impossibility' - it speaks directly to me right now. Are you inviting comments on structure etc? Won't say anything yet just in case...

Comment is about Lynn Dye (poet profile)

Original item by Lynn Dye

Hi M.C.
The piece was not written with this in mind but when I reread it last week I thought it apt.

In terms of what is on the table, as qualified teacher I know most about that particular pension dispute. While there are pension shortfalls in many situations (Royal Mail had an awful one I seem to remember) the teachers pension scheme is sustainable without government support for the next fifty years, but instead they want workers who have paid their dues to work longer and collect less. This article from a Conservative voting anti-strike head says it all for me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15909788

Comment is about Make a stand (blog)

Original item by Mark Mr T Thompson