A boy died last night just a few miles from my home. He is another statistic in the rising numbers of knife killings in the UK.
A posting in a martial arts forum asked, 'What to do about knife attacks?'
I replied (because I am qualified) that every martial arts teacher should have defence against knife attacks in his curriculum and the training should be as near as realistic as possible.
I couldn't believe my eyes when an instructor replied, 'Nonsense' and went on to talk shite about the subject. He justified his reasoning by saying it doesn't really happen where he lives.
This underlines the fact that many suberbanites think everyone is like them and everything in the world is rosy.
'Nonsense' lives somewhere in the south of the Emerald Isle.
I hope he doesn't visit downtown Liverpool at night.

Remind be to avoid Liverpool at night if I ever go to England.

avoid liverpool at night, certain areas of manchester at night, wigan and ashton for definite.

they're all painted up prettily, but there's a severe undercurrent of violence and drinking that you can't see...

My concerns are the same as Chris and Insomniac. This is where we are now. Unbelievable!

In 1950 Liverpool was a tough city, like Glasgow etc. But I sailed into these places as a kid, played hard, and when the pubs closed I often walked back to my ships alone through these areas. Liverpool from the Locarno and Grafton dance halls to the Pier Head, and then from there right along the dock road to bearth 97, a long cobbled mile or so. Sixteen years old and safe, perhaps a little drunk. Same in Glasgow, Hull, Middlesborough, Swansea, Newport. London was always a doddle, no problem.

We have been sold down the river by the neglect of weak- bellied politicians, and it is gonna get worse I am afraid, through divisive multi-culturalism.

The suicide of a culture. I just hope we can get our act together somehow and clean up our act.

Time to rethink next summer's trip to England.....

Don't think like that Sevens. Just do what we Brits do when we go to Florida and other such holiday destinations... avoid the obvious.
Come and see my beautiful country before it changes too much. Come and see the history and culture before it changes to suit the invading hordes of Islamics.
One day I hope our Monarch appoints a real leader of this fair land before it is too late.

ChrisChance, try joining ARRSE (british ARmy Rumour SErvice)

it's a great forum... and there's certain political elements on there you may like.


Sevens, it's not that bad. just generally keep away from dark alleys and large gangs. The usual tourist stuff. And wigan is a great place to visit if you have an interest in industrialism etc, but again, avoid groups of people and Wigan Park at night.

If you're daft enough to come up north where it's cold ;p

I've been to England many times and I still have a few friends there, though hung out mostly around the West Midlands.
Just avoid stuff at night. Avoid places where people don't go. And yeah, especially parks. Night time is normally bad news unless you're going somewhere that's lit up well and full of people.
Wouldn't really be a frequent destination point for me if I didn't have friends living there. If you're interested in history, especially military history and history of colonization etc., England is a great destination. Lots of great tours and museums.
There's a popular chant... "What a bloody sh*t hole" sung by the away fans during football matches. They're usually right. Unfortunately.

Sevens - don't miss a visit. You wouldn't even notice what we complain of, because we want it put right. We have fantastic places to experience, whatever your interests, just like America has. It's just that we do not like to see it sliding downhill from such a high point.

Redneck, I have to admit that chant is a new one on me. Remember that most chants are humour based.

Well I know it's true because the Villa fans were singing it while away to Spurs. I had to be quiet because I was sitting in the Spurs section (bought the tickets at the gates so...)