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Topic: Mike Oldfield quits Britain over smoking ban< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
Clodomir Offline




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Posted: Oct. 23 2007, 14:46

Quote (Olivier @ Oct. 21 2007, 14:03)
Mike Oldfield has quit Britain where he is selling his £3.5 million Gloucestershire mansion and is returning to Spain. This is London has an article where Mike explains he feels he lost his freedom because of the smoking ban and the health-and-safety culture.

I don't think you got the right house, I think this is the house Mike is selling.

You can also recognize the studio on the floor plan.


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Clodomir Offline




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Posted: Oct. 23 2007, 14:49

Quote (Clodomir @ Oct. 23 2007, 14:46)
You can also recognize the studio on the floor plan.

Btw, there's a picture where you can definitely see the studio !

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moonchildhippy Offline




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Posted: Oct. 23 2007, 18:00

Quote (Ratty @ Oct. 23 2007, 13:13)
But where does all this PC Madness stop? I am a lover of real ale, i love a pint as much as anyone, many of my friends loved a cig with their pint. This smoking ban has killed the traditional pub atmosphere. People dont socialise anymore because of these crackpot government directives. As a non smoker it never bothered me if people were smoking in the bar but it just looks shoddy with groups of peope stood on the street smoking. The age old debate is begining to rumble here, what kills more people smoking or drinking? How long is it before drinking is banned? Yes, it seems ludicrous now but if you would have said to anyone 10 years ago, "do you know you wont be able to smoke anywhere in England in 10 years time"  They would have thought you insane.

I think Mike has had enough of the whole politic correctness issue in this country like many others. There is too much pandering to the wishes of lilly livered liberals, the do gooders who dont want anyones human rights infringed!!! Ordinary folk in England have become second class citizens..you get mugged or burgled, god help you if you protect yourself, you`ll be sued by the criminal. Run someone over while disqualified and without insurance, under the influence and you get less of a sentence than a persistent parking offender.
Most of us are out working for a living all day, as a family support worker it makes my blood boil when i have to help able bodied men 18-25 years of age to claim as many benefits as possible because they claim to have ADHD or something. Do you know how they refer to receiving their benefits? "getting paid" and i have to bite my tongue.

So yes, you may think these examples are extreme but the smoking issue is just the tip of the iceberg and things are not going to get much better for a long time.

Drink anyone!!

I agree Ratty, surely I would have thougt that it would be up to the landlord or lady to decide smoking policy in his or her pub  :/ , not some government official with nothing better to do.
I do enjoy an occaisional tipple of real ale, and sometimes a roll up with it, (I find roll ups less addictive than conventional cigarettes. I opersonally would not feel safe in a UK town or city centre on a Friday or Saturday night , unless I was part of a largish group, or my boyfriend was with me (he's tall and has big biceps).
Venture into any town or city centre on a Friday or Saturday night and see the effects of people who can't handle their booze, people throwing up from binge drinking or violence.
I personally would much rather be amongst a group of pot smoking hippies.  However I feel pot smoking was something I experimented with in my youth, and I personally don't feel the need to do it these days. I know cannabis can maybe cause psychosis in some individuals. As a former carer to my ex husband(we remain friends),an MS sufferer, I can see the medicinal benefits using cannabis can have. I was often woken up to eight times a night.  I feel much of the problem is cannabis from drug dealers (the scum of the earth, along with child abusers) is often adulterated.
Why doesn't the government ban fattening foods as obeseity  is a growing problem. I try and eat healthily, but it can be a problem for people on limited incomes, as the cost of buying fresh fruit and veg can cost more than buying processed foods.  


Quote
TOBY   Posted on Oct. 23 2007, 17:19Keeping the debate general. Though political correctness is fairly abhorrent I also find the other extreme fairly abhorrent. Middle class people will moan on endlessly about their taxes vanishing off to pay for others needs and the intrusiveness of CCTV and health and safety paranoia. Until that is they need some sort of government benefit themselves ( from the NHS when lung cancer strikes through passive smoking in bars for example) or until they need that vital CCTV footage having just had their 4X4 broken into or indeed when they need to sue their local authority because they slipped on a crack in the pavement  thus fueling the health and safety paranoia that they so despise yet they themselves created in the first place.


Regarding the saftey and security of streets at night I don't think CCTV cameras really work. The introduction of Police  Community Support Officers I don't see works as they don't have the same powers of arrest as a police officer.   Yes PCSO may be able to advise me on how to keep my home safe and secure, but if I was unlucky to be a victim of crime  I would like to think that a policeman or woman would be able to  arrest the offender.  To be a CCTV camera operator, you need an SIA liceince (Security Industry Authority) The SIA is the regulatory body for the security industry, and I guess many employers  won't pay for the cost of employees to gain such a licence, and the cost may be prohibitive if an employee is expected to pay  for such training out of his/her own pocket. This is often the reason why so much CCTV evidence is thrown out of court  , as the camera operator doesn't have the proper licence, and the accused is let off. Makes a mockery of the justice system.

I think the vast majority of benefit claimants wish to work, but cannort find work or are signed of sick by a doctor. I've been trying to find work since December, as since stopping caring my work situation has been at best erratic, and then I've eneded up only being able to find employment doing care work.  I hate having to exist on sickness benefits , it's no fun.  I'm currently trying to find meaningful work. I've applied to volunteer with Victim Support, as I'm trying to retrain as a counsellor, youth  or social worker, but have been advised when enquiring about courses at the Jobcentre that the cost is too much, I know the System often gets me down,and I know I'd rather do work that I enjoy, rather than end up in the wrong job and end up back on benefits again.
On a positive note I feel I'm getting there slowly, even if  I seem to be taking thew windy scenic route rather than the "fast lane" of the motorway. I know a move is on the cards for me next year, roll on '08             :D


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Harmono Offline




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Posted: Oct. 23 2007, 19:42

So Mike is moving to Spain.
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Ratty Offline




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Posted: Oct. 23 2007, 19:55

Yes Toby, you are right regarding my previous post by pointing out it was extreme. However all those examples i gave were real and come up daily in my line of work. I also appreciate the points you make and agree that PC correctness affects all classes.

The beauty about these discussions on tubular.net is that we can all have our own opinion which is respected, whether we agree or not. You couldnt do that on some other forums without been shot down in a tirade of abuse.

Now, that Tequila, that rounds on me when we finally all meet up!! (in a smoked filled, real ale boozer)   :)


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bee Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 03:46

Whatever his reasons are, Mike's move to Spain has prompted a lot of people (mainly form 'Great' Britain) to respond to this thread. That in itself makes me feel that talking about the state of this country has hit a nerve, but no one any where seems to know quite what to do about it. Least of all the politicians. We all want our freedom and safety, but it appears to come at a cost. The country appears to have become bland and aimless, not at all like we were in the past. We seem to be agreeing with and accomodating (to) everyone, everywhere. I'm sure there are many reasons for his wish to move, though it's a bit strange it seemed to take a relocation to the beautiful countryside fairly recently to decide things for him. ( And what a fantastic house to leave, think I'd find that very hard to do! )

I think we must also remember that Mike is married, perhaps his wife sees things differently? They have a young family to consider too, their future is naturally very important to them. Every parent feels this, I know I look at my sons and wonder what kind of country will they be living in in twenty or thirty years time. I'm not in the fortunate position of being able to get up and go, maybe they will before it's too late.

And I also think this won't be his last move. He seems restless for whatever reason. But good luck to him in his new home/life wherever it is. I am very, very sad he's going but always wish him well.


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Matt Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 05:15

A few of my opinions on the various things already said:

1) I agree Mike probably had many reasons for his move and only some of them have been said or reported. Saying he has left just because of the smoking ban is naive. Also some of the reasons for going might be more personal than he wishes to discuss and we must respect his privacy if that is the case.

2) Mike is a human being with faults as he has readily admitted himself in Changeling and other places. Assuming everything he says is going to be perfectly logical and consistent with everything he has previously said in his life is also a wee bit naive. We are here because we love his talent for making wonderful music, not for his political opinions.

3) The litigation and blame culture in this country is driving me a bit bananas as well. The emphasis is all too often on covering legal butts or making money rather than any interest in actually keeping people safe and secure. Personal responsibility seems to be a concept that has gone for good.

4) The word "extreme" has popped up a few times in this thread and I think that is what many people have a problem with including Mike. OK to try and reduce smoking in restraunts and workplaces but as Mike pointed out, exactly why must that cover the single businessman in his workshop.


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CuNimb Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 06:48

I can’t blame him. This big brother, nanny state that we seem to have drifted into, drives me crazy too. If I were able to, I would be off like a shot.

Sorry he’s going, but good luck to him.  :/


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ingresman Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 06:55

in the words of on Horseback.
If you feel a little glum,
to Hegest Ridge - you should come !

Not spain !
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bee Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 07:18

Quote (ingresman @ Oct. 24 2007, 06:55)
in the words of on Horseback.
If you feel a little glum,
to Hegest Ridge - you should come !

Right now, at this very moment, I think I'd do anything to be there, and not here. :/

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moonchildhippy Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 07:50

Quote (bee @ Oct. 24 2007, 11:18)
Quote (ingresman @ Oct. 24 2007, 06:55)
in the words of on Horseback.
If you feel a little glum,
to Hegest Ridge - you should come !

Right now, at this very moment, I think I'd do anything to be there, and not here. :/

Yep me too :)  :D .  I love England and so wish it wasn't going to the dogs :(  :O .

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I'm going slightly mad,
It finally happened, I'm slightly mad , just very slightly mad

If you feel a little glum to Hergest Ridge you should come.


I'm challenging  taboos surrounding mental health


"Part time hippy"

I'M SUPPORTING OUR SOLDIERS

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!
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3Wheeler Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 09:47

Mikes been Cornered by the Sheriff of Nottingham and hes off to ply his Trade on the Spanish Maine... Always thought the new robin looked a bit like Mike :cool: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/robinhood/characters/robin.shtml

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hairy old hippy Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 14:06

Would that bow be equipped with poison arrows,

oh my god I'm in pun mode again, someone please stop me before I embarrasse myself.


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bee Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 14:37

Quote (3Wheeler @ Oct. 24 2007, 09:47)
... Always thought the new robin looked a bit like Mike

Yes, I agree, I've always thought that too, about the time of Incantations?!!

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bee Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 14:40

Quote (hairy old hippy @ Oct. 24 2007, 14:06)
Would that bow be equipped with poison arrows,

oh my god I'm in pun mode again, someone please stop me before I embarrasse myself.

Oh dear, this is tempting...

but I mustn't.







Oh, why not, just a couple then...

Out of Sight
Our Feather
Airborn ( it's what arrows do )
Arrowval (bad)
Flowers of Sherwood Forest

I feel better now. ;)


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hairy old hippy Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 15:03

I must say, 'Arrowval' is surely scraping the bottom of the barrel, mind you, who am I to talk?

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Listen to Mohribold; an epic musical tapestry that weaves between a multitude of genres.

Andrew Taylor's Mohribold album has proved very popular with fans of symphonic-rock, prog-rock, psych-folk and indeed Oldfield's classic albums!

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moonchildhippy Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 16:08

Quote (3Wheeler @ Oct. 24 2007, 13:47)
Mikes been Cornered by the Sheriff of Nottingham and hes off to ply his Trade on the Spanish Maine... Always thought the new robin looked a bit like Mike :cool: http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/robinhood/characters/robin.shtml

I thought that new Robin Hood looked quite like a shorter haired version of Aragorn in Lord Of The Rings  :D , but hey MIke looked quite like Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn especially round the Tubular Bells-Ommadawn era :D .


--------------
I'm going slightly mad,
It finally happened, I'm slightly mad , just very slightly mad

If you feel a little glum to Hergest Ridge you should come.


I'm challenging  taboos surrounding mental health


"Part time hippy"

I'M SUPPORTING OUR SOLDIERS

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!
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Tubularman Offline




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Posted: Oct. 24 2007, 22:20

Quote (Ratty @ Oct. 24 2007, 01:55)
The beauty about these discussions on tubular.net is that we can all have our own opinion which is respected, whether we agree or not. You couldnt do that on some other forums without been shot down in a tirade of abuse.

indeed! like the pink floyd forum a fleeting glimpse..
everything over there is about who's best and who is pink floyd..
And no one respect each other.. so i almost quit the place.
What's the reason of reading shit and just get no respect comments...


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Dirk Star Offline




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Posted: Oct. 27 2007, 11:11

Mike wants to try and work an 8 hour shift without being even able to go outside for a smoke,which is what I have to do.And believe you me it`s a right old pain in the backside.The only good thing about it is on the rare occasions that I actually do go out of an evening,I`m used to going long periods of time without one.

My own personal opinion is that I felt something had to be done for the sake of all you ex passive smokers out there.Given the increasing medical evidence on it,there was no way it could have continued as it was.Although you`re obviouslly all still free to  go outside and breathe in those exhaust fumes.Mmmmm that`s good air maaan.Having said that I don`t see why we couldn`t still have designated smoking areas in the workplace.Or divided areas in some bars and restaraunts as well.Granted a lot of places have got heated areas outside now but it`s hardly the same though is it.Obviously though that was just gonna` be way too complicated for some people, and would also mean you would have to exercise some freedom of choice.Just not this government`s style at all.They decided instead to just royally shaft over 20% of the population.

As far as the health thing goes.All I`ll say is it`s just as well everybody didn`t decide to pack in smoking when the ban came in,or the NHS would now be dead on it`s arse.Your average smoker through tobacco tax alone puts in 9 times the amount he takes out of it.And even then they wont even let half of them in the bloody place,untill they`ve packed in for a while.They are also a lot more likely just to drop down dead anyway,and not hang grimly on for decades on end.You gotta` realistically ask yourself who is the bigger burden on the state here.Well it ain`t me daddio,if I make it to retirement age it`ll be nothing short of a miracle.(insert smoking face emoticon here.)      :p

The question is though has Mike left the country becouse of the smoking ban?...Well I think given his past record it wouldn`t in the least bit suprise me.
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Posted: Oct. 27 2007, 11:29

Quote (Tubularman @ Oct. 24 2007, 22:20)
indeed! like the pink floyd forum a fleeting glimpse..
everything over there is about who's best and who is pink floyd..

Perhaps because the question "which one is Mike" rarely pops up. And if it does, it's easily sorted out.

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