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I'm not sure if it is within the bounds of human competence to design an administrative body to impartially arbitrate between parents who do not live together with their child/ren. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that if an agreed access/maintenance arrangement can be put together then, with good faith and some common sense on both sides, the chances of relative harmony are reasonable. If there is no agreement then the opportunities available to both parties to continually frustrate any imposed regime are legion and it is virtually impossible for any third party to impose civility on warring parents. There appears to be a complete absence of understanding on the part of many parents that there is moral (and a legal) obligation to support their children. Parents who refuse to maintain their children exploit the unwillingness of any civilised society to punish children for the sins of their parents. The absolute guiding principle is that very case should be considered on its own merits. However, it is my almost universal experience that non-custodial perents genuinely fail to appreciate the recurring and real costs of maintaining a child or children.

The original decision of FIFA not to permit the wearing of the poppy by players during an international match was correct. I regret that they have altered their ruling. The comments by the PM and a member of the royal family are short sighted and ill considered. The issue of wearing such insignia or symbols by sportsmen representing their country is potentially divisive and the backing down by FIFA makes more likely the probability of a serious dispute in the future.

The OP labours under a misapprehension. "Great Britain" is not a member of the European Union. However, the United Kingdom is and should remain so.

Ignore the nay sayers. Get any sort of half decent soil and then add plenty of organic matter. Manure if at all possible or if this is not possible then well rotted compost. If the soil is in any way rough then plant potatoes the first year and then your choice of veg thereafter. Spuds will break up any soil. Make sure not to plant the same crops in the same place in successive years. Growing your own food is very fulfilling. Good luck.

The ref did not make a mistake. Red card offence. Sending off justified. This is not to suggest that Sam harboured any intent or malice. The rules require neither. This is a player welfare issue. Simple.

Also, be very careful what you wish for regarding the penal system in the USA. The prison population in the States is around 2.4 million. This amounts to approximately 1% of the resident population. The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world. As of year-end 2009 the rate was 743 adults incarcerated in prisons and jails per 100,000 population. This has clearly increased. In England it is around 154 persons per 100,000. In the USA the prison industry is BIG business and many prisons are privately owned and controlled. Many prisons are currently being built by private companies because they perceive that it is a growth industry. There is something rotten about a system that relies on locking up this percentage of its citizens to enforce social stability/control.

Public service workers have a right to strike in an effort to protect their pay and pension entitlements. Good luck to them. Those who continually attack public servants forget that many of them are on very low wages and pay every penny of tax that is required of them. There are no invisable advantages to being a public servant. No self assessment, no benefit in kind, no "under the counter" overtime, no perks. If there is a culture of laziness or evasivness within the public service, as has been suggested by some posters, that should be addressed. To attack basic terms and conditions of public servants is not the way to do it. In addition, anyone who suggests that the trade union movement, for all it's ills, has not been a source for social progress does not know anything of their history.

Sir William Gage's report makes very uncomfortable reading for anyone who holds dear the reputation of the British armed forces. A very sad say.

"I think on the mainland they are mostly if not all civie staff. I would want to see identification if it was another FEO who "dropped by without an appointment"." Where exactly is the "mainland"?

No. It should not be reintroduced. Mark of a civilized society and all that. In the recent past there have been a number of Irish people convicted of high profile murders at times of heightened public emotion and I have no doubt they would habve been executed if the law had permitted it. Many have been acquitted on appeal in circumstances where it has been shown that there has been a conspiracy of the part of the police and others. It is too easy to judicially kill people and then repent at leisure. I do not believe it is a real deterrent and the evidence, I believe, supports that view.

Thanks John-r. Missed that thread.

I am fairly new to shooting and what little i know is about shotguns. I have been offered a .22 Browning T Bolt which I would be using for rabbit. I'm tempted. Anyone got an opinion of this gun? Thanks

It is galling to see that at least some of the aid sent to developing nations is siphoned off by corrupt government officials and elected representatives. However, in my opinion, is is right that developed countries attempt to alleviate poverty in these under developed states. I take the view that it is not charity that they require but fairer trade agreements so that they can compete at an international level. To some extent the money given comes back to the West in the form of payment for necessary imports which these countries cannot provide from their own resources.