Cameron Shaming the Country

Speaking personally, I am a lovely peaches and cream. (I wish!)

Of course there is more afoot, merlotgran.
I have heard reports from those who take aid to the camps in Turkey that allegedly they have infiltrated schools in the camps.
Don't imagine that all the refugees are innocent souls fleeing persecution, although most will be.

Speak for yerself, niggly!

(and I have the scars to prove it!)

To be a Jackboot gran you would have to be aggressive, always right (forgive the pun!), and constantly browbeating others into agreeing with your way of thinking! For blue grans this just isn't the case, any difference of opinion is made timidly and tentatively, while being prepared to be metaphorically shot down in flames. We seem easily terrorized so silencing us is not a hard job.

They should know exactly how they come across Jane or are they lacking the 'wee sleekit beastie' gene?

No, they would be Blue Grans, of course...

Do tell nigglynellie , just what is a red gran? Is it a name given to people on the left in politics? If so those on the far right are jackboots yes?

That's certainly true Niggly! I don't think they know quite how they come over to other posters or would be posters. I don't doubt their sincerity though.

But they are Red Grans! and they at times intimidate other posters to the point of not posting anything even remotely contradictary to their views. Hence being wary of being shouting down!

Most countries in the Middle East are run by completely undemocratic authoritarian regimes. Saudi Arabia (and several other kingdoms) is ruled by its royal family and the treatment of other than its own citizens is appalling (even its own citizens, particularly women, don't have a great time). To place groups of Syrians into an Arab environment may be very unwise as the religious/cultural beliefs and practices of each group may be completely alien and unacceptable. Also, since Saudi Arabia and some other Arab countries are suspected of supporting ISIS, for the majority of Syrians it would likely be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire.

Though, apparently, the UK government has allocated money for, presumably, the construction and upkeep of the refugee camps on the Syrian borders, I guess many Syrians would be reluctant to go to such camps for fear of remaining there indefinitely. Poorer countries have no option but to house refugees in very basic camps and, due to lack of resources, these refugees may spend a lifetime there. Rich countries subsidising such refugee camps seems to me to be very much a case of "out of sight, out of mind".

Young men are not immune to bombs being dropped on them or being attacked by fundamentalists groups or being conscripted into an army on behalf of a government or religious faction with which they disagree. They may disagree with all "sides" and not wish to fight - and I don't blame them. Although I agree that families with young children should be prioritised, are young men not entitled to seek safety elsewhere?

I find the implication that lots of people who are fleeing their countries are somehow "working the system" very unpleasant. If they are reasonably well dressed or can afford to pay for transport/train tickets, etc., their authenticity is immediately called into question. But money can't save you from being bombed, massacred or of being unable to access food and water because your country is in absolute chaos.

Jane10 Using terms like "the red grans" is, in my opinion, unnecessarily provocative and just plain childish.

Sometimes ' The road to hell being paved with good intentions' comes to mind. I just hope this isn't the long term result of all this chaos.

You are right, nigglynellie. Could be a problem and rightly so. Anyone know what refugees (genuine ones) normally get offered. Someone at the pub told me accommodation and £30 a day?

This is an extremely good idea all round. The only thing that slightly bothers me is the fact that homeless people who are citizens of the UK who have been desperate for housing for an eternity never seem to have their problems addressed with the same enthusiasm, and I'm just wondering how this will be viewed by these homeless famillies! I'm sure I'll be shouted down for daring to even suggest that this could be a bone of contention, but I can't help feeling that long term it might be.

Looks like we'll be offering refuge to 4000 from the camps.

Wales offered shelter several days ago, if any refugees do come and settle with us hope they like rain

Lots of people now rushing vanloads of aid to Calais and I applaud their efforts.
I have been less concerned about them as they are relatively safe. It's the families and children that concern me most and I have to agree that transporting them directly from the camps is safer and generally more sensible.
I assume they'll be brought to UK and then be taken to wherever homes are offered.
I'm pleased that the Scottish government is offering refuge and an email from my local councillor assures me that the provision of homes locally is already under discussion.

merlotgran - you are right. Could all be part of a bigger plot.

Well said, POGS. David Cameron is right to address the situation by taking refugees from the camps - so we know what we're getting. We also expect our government to continue protecting our borders. I wouldn't put it past ISIS to have more terrorist activities on the boil whilst everyone is distracted by the crisis taking place all over Europe.

POGS et al. Could not agree more. Keep up the good work.

It puzzles me that when we are shown camera shots of crowds of migrants, most of them appear to be fit young men. I hope DC is able to weed out the families with young children as those deserving of refuge in the UK.

Not much has been said about allowing more Muslims into the country. I know this will be very controversial but don't we have enough trouble with that group without allowing numbers to increase?

I now duck below the parapet.

Wrong Jen, I was critical of Blair over Iraq, and I think calling posters Red Grans is offensive,

Of course I expect someone to post back and say... Celtic. Haven't you noticed that the crises - plural not a typo for once - seemed to escalate as soon as Mr BLiar WAS elevated to Envoy in the Middle East.

Gracesgran Embarrassing tan man! How did Mr BLiar get into this post. Oh. Of course. He is Envoy of the Quartet in the Middle East after all. He will sort out matters - just as he did when he was PM here.

Well said, POGS. A more heated discussion on DISQUS. Gransnet quite polite in all. And why aren't the Arab states rushing to help their own? Shame on them with all that land and all that money.

How do you know he changed his mind? How does anybody know?