Attack on bookmakers by Harriet Harm-Men

[Iron]

Taking a friday night for example, there are some people who would (some do) go to pubs and drink themselves into such a state that they pass out etc. They are unable to make sensible decisions so that decision has been taken out of their hands as much as is possible and they should no longer be served when drunk.

I can tell you from experience that it's very easy to get served when blind drunk!

I wouldn't outlaw Betfair either and I wouldn't out law the machines. Measure need to be taken to govern their use and the current rules are not sufficient imo.

I can understand someone being for banning slot machines because of the problems they are perceived to cause. Ditto an anti-restriction libertarian stance.

But your position amounts to 'Well, I'd restrict them, but only a bit', which is inconsistent...

Another good example of people being stupid are people speeding, rules are put in place about how fast you can go but if you removed those restrictions and made it a free for all as you seem to imply you prefer you would get people going at 70mph+ in built up areas, past schools etc.

If I speed, I risk killing other people. If I use slot machines, I risk depleting my own bank balance, but that's it...

What do you mean by Health and Safety.

I don't think I need to define 'health and safety'!

Cars are very safe.

Define 'very'.

Safe relative to what?

Statistics would suggest that driving your car carries more risk than sitting on your sofa...

To misquote Theo P who said on Dragon's Den this year, cars don't cause accidents people do.

Slot machines don't ruin lives - people's inappropriate use of them does...

Jeff

[andyfuller]

Slot machines don't ruin lives - people's inappropriate use of them does...Jeff

Exactly. There aren't many things I can think of that ruin lives when used appropriately, inappropriate use of them does. Hence why we have rules etc to try and curb the inappropriate use of them which takes us back to the article and what Harman was saying.

Cars are very safe.

Define 'very'.

Safe relative to what?

Statistics would suggest that driving your car carries more risk than sitting on your sofa...

Do you find yourself sitting in an empty room on your sofa arguing with yourself at times?

Can you forward the link to said stats

[Iron]

I see you chose to ignore my other points!

You are advocating protecting people from themselves, which I don't think is government's role.

Apart from anything else, nanny states are expensive to run, and frankly there are better uses of state resources at a time of austerity...

Jeff

Exactly. There aren't many things I can think of that ruin lives when used appropriately, inappropriate use of them does. Hence why we have rules etc to try and curb the inappropriate use of them which takes us back to the article and what Harman was saying.

[andyfuller]

I see you chose to ignore my other points!

I thought you said them as a joke as I didn't think they warranted a response. I will reply to them after racing.

[pdupre1961]

There aren't many things I can think of that ruin lives when used appropriately, inappropriate use of them does....

Guns

[Iron]

Do you find yourself sitting in an empty room on your sofa arguing with yourself at times?

When you are in two minds about something, you can be said, in a sense, to be arguing with yourself, so I guess I do... But I think that's a bit off-topic!

Can you forward the link to said stats

I think we both know that lots of people are killed in car accidents, so I see little point...

Jeff

[Iron]

I thought you said them as a joke as I didn't think they warranted a response.

Touche!

The truth is often to be found in apparently ridiculous ideas...

I will reply to them after racing.

Fine, although I wasn't having a go, just in case you thought I was.

Jeff

[andyfuller]

Plenty of people die from not getting their arse off the sofa and doing some exercise

Don't worry Jeff, it is just a forum I know better than to get upset by things on them. We have enough discussions to know you mean no harm and I am sure you know likewise about my comments.

[Iron]

Plenty of people die from not getting their arse off the sofa and doing some exercise

True.

Don't worry Jeff, it is just a forum I know better than to get upset by things on them. We have enough discussions to know you mean no harm and I am sure you know likewise about my comments.

Ditto.

Jeff

[Groovyelms]

Hi all, betting,,, gaming, smoking, drinking,diets, exercise et al! bring back prohibition! Oh the list is endless... All interesting posts and opinions posted, is this not another old chestnut doing the rounds, gambling, gaming, wagering, sports trading! call it what we will is going to happen whatever. I am informed that bookmakers ect do better in recessionary times, and the sales of baked beans apparently peaks. I was in the NE recently visiting a small town at the mouth of the tyne which many years ago I worked at... On one street we counted 9 curry houses All next to each other, terrible terrible state of affairs sublimely influencing people against their wills to part with their cash and order take aways!!!
groovy