ITK is rather looking forward to this ....

Personally I hope it dumps so much snow on the UK that the country grinds to a halt for the next 2 weeks.

Maybe then people will think about the true meaning of Christmas - rather than the commercialism.

Well I'm sat in a hospital not far from you I believe ITK with my son who has yet another infection but is slowly getting better. For me Christmas is getting him home safe and well.

PS And the NHS, what a team. Our local hospital doesn't have childrens ICU, so an ambulance was sent at 2am in the morning to collect him and rush him to the ONLY CHILD BED left in the country at the time, which thankfully isn't far from me.

In The Know wrote:
people will think about the true meaning of Christmas - rather than the commercialism.

I agree.

Its all about helping infirm, disabled and disadvantaged people.

My brother (a UNICEF chap) will spend the festive season in Somalia.

No turkeys there.

Just starving people.

Stock up today - the Beast will hit on Monday (with, according to Sky, East Anglia to be "obliterated" !!!!) before it spreads across the UK.

Fortunately most people will be well stocked (for Christmas) with only fresh items needed.

In The Know wrote:
Fortunately most people will be well stocked (for Christmas) with only fresh items needed.

Not the homeless or those in Somalia, ITK!

I hope you're thinking of helping those less fortunate than you.

In The Know wrote:
Personally I hope it dumps so much snow on the UK that the country grinds to a halt for the next 2 weeks

Isn't that a bit selfish when so many have to work, visit relatives (some infirm and/or in hospital) and travel. Will you enjoy their struggles as they pan out on TV, from your warm living room?

John wrote:
I hope you're thinking of helping those less fortunate than you.

My dear John ... everyone is less fortunate than me.
I have been blessed in so many ways - which is why my beliefs are so important to me (and also why I can empathise with my ancestors - many of whom suffered terribly through religious persecution).

The beast has landed (in Europe)! -

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegallerie...ing-for-Britain.html

steveimp wrote:
Well I'm sat in a hospital not far from you I believe ITK with my son who has yet another infection but is slowly getting better. For me Christmas is getting him home safe and well.

Best wishes, Steve

Just think of all those people that have to work in blessed damn Department Stores, from Boxing Day...2 foot of snow & they get Christmas off, for once. They'll be praying for it to snow (as they do every year).

No

19,000 are living on the outside in the UK

But all the smug ITK wants is the old/traditional Christmas for himself - and hopes it snows on everyone else

Please come to the REAL world of poverty - and don't blame everything on someone else

As a woman, I feel very sorry for Mrs ITK

In The Krap is a sad Tory-turkey voting for IT's own Xmas.

And so was raving-Right/Wrong-un, 'Xmas Carol' Scrooge !

Mary wrote:
No

19,000 are living on the outside in the UK

But all the smug ITK wants is the old/traditional Christmas for himself - and hopes it snows on everyone else

Please come to the REAL world of poverty - and don't blame everything on someone else

As a woman, I feel very sorry for Mrs ITK

What crap !

There is NO poverty - ALL are given what they need NOT what they want !!!

And why are some homeless? Forgot to pay the mortgage? Spent the money on scratch cards instead?

Snow? What snow? Usual media hysteria about absolutely nothing.

Mary wrote:
and don't blame everything on someone else

That's rich !!!!

Its always someone else's fault that they didnt do well as school
Its always someone else's fault that they got no qualifications
Its always someone else's fault that they cant read / write, and speak in monosyllabic grunts
Its always someone else's fault that they have no experience
Its always someone else's fault that they have no motivation, no skills, no talents
Its always someone else's fault that they have no interpersonal skills - and are abysmal at interviews
Its always someone else's fault that they have a criminal record
Its always someone else's fault that they have a house full of bastards which they cant support
Its always someone else's fault that they cant get a job ("The JobCentre wont find a job for me" LOL !!!!)
and .... IF they do get a job Its always someone else's fault that they got the sack !!!!!!!!

ANY problem which they may have is almost certainly self-induced and self-inflicted

WHEN will these people accept some responsibility for their lives and STOP blaming everyone else?

Jerome A wrote:
Isn't that a bit selfish when so many have to work, visit relatives (some infirm and/or in hospital) and travel. Will you enjoy their struggles as they pan out on TV, from your warm living room?

Sorry, Jerome, I missed your post.

In the circumstances which you describe, yes - but that is a very tiny minority indeed surely?

I'm speaking of the people who see Christmas as nothing more than a money-making, getting drunk experience.

Mary wrote:
No

19,000 are living on the outside in the UK

Giving money or food to a homeless person won’t do them any good, the housing minister has said, as welfare charities launch a “homelessness hotline” billed by the Government as an alternative to hand-outs.

“Most people know that giving money or food won’t help a rough sleeper find a home, get the healthcare they need, or simply put them in touch with the support available to make sure they don’t become entrenched in the lifestyle or living on the streets,” Mr Prisk said. The Government is providing £250,000 funding for the helpline.

Case Study -

I had to move in to a bed sit and then moved from one friends home to another. I was depressed and drinking too much. I wasn’t happy in the home I was living in but had nowhere to go - so I moved out and slept rough.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/...-launch-8399590.html

In The Know wrote:
steveimp wrote:
Well I'm sat in a hospital not far from you I believe ITK with my son who has yet another infection but is slowly getting better. For me Christmas is getting him home safe and well.

Best wishes, Steve

Thanks ITK. He was discharged on Tuesday. Unfortunately the real bad weather up here meant I've spent about £100 in train fares over the course of the last week, but worth it of course. I did get to know the tram system in Sheffield inside out, which is going to be useful.

In The Know wrote:
Mary wrote:
No

19,000 are living on the outside in the UK

But all the smug ITK wants is the old/traditional Christmas for himself - and hopes it snows on everyone else

Please come to the REAL world of poverty - and don't blame everything on someone else

As a woman, I feel very sorry for Mrs ITK

What crap !

There is NO poverty - ALL are given what they need NOT what they want !!!

And why are some homeless? Forgot to pay the mortgage? Spent the money on scratch cards instead?

I've got to say, in our local rag today there is someone complaining about his dole money and the photo of him is of someone covered in tattoos.

Now I'm no Einstein, but I can't see many tattooists doing intricate artwork on someones appendage without getting paid a fair whack for it.....

steveimp wrote:
I've got to say, in our local rag today there is someone complaining about his dole money and the photo of him is of someone covered in tattoos.

Now I'm no Einstein, but I can't see many tattooists doing intricate artwork on someones appendage without getting paid a fair whack for it.....

Too true, Steve

Have you also noticed how they can all afford to smoke / have the latest handset? / probably a 42" plasma TV (but no carpet) / and all walk around without a coat (because they haven't got one?)