interesting article

They must have read your 'Inner Leftie' thread, Jude, or more likely the man who inspired the thread - Herbert McCabe. Must be nice to be part of "the heart of a heartless world"!

I am still struggling with my political affiliation after reading that McCabe book. I don't know which way I am going. I feel like a hormonal 14 year old trying to suss out their sexual identity.

Shouldn't worry about it, Jude. No rush - wait for the hormones to settle :o)

Why not just affiliate yourself with what your heart tells you is right, jude? Labels can be very limiting. I tend to swing across the entire spectrum, socially and politically (and sometimes have great inner conflicts about it): I've given up saying I lean this way or that. I just try to keep an open mind, and stay willing to change it. Maybe you're an inner leftie-centre-rightie?

Thats very sound advice. There were policies of all 3 parties I agreed with and disagreed with at the last election. With the "Make poverty history" campaign I support the "drop the debt" aspect but am unsure what they mean by "Fair trade" - what they actually want the government to do and this is not made clear on their website. I starting to suspect I am left on some things right on slightly more and halfway on others!!! I think it is best for me to say what feel about individual issues! You are dead right AG! jude

For Example this is what MPH say about trade.. "You may not be aware of them, but trade rules control how countries do business with each other. They are agreed at international level, and are supposed to make sure nations compete openly and fairly. In reality they don't. That's because the rules are rigged - loaded in favour of the wealthiest countries and their business interests. So no matter how hard people work in the developing world, or how much their countries produce, trade relationships benefit the rich world most. The result is misery for hundreds of millions of people who just want the chance to make a living, feed themselves, send their kids to school and create a better future for the next generation." They give no specific examples of rules that are wrong now and give no viable suggestion for an alternative. so I am just supposed to agree with them and say they're right without actually really knowing what they stand for. I DO THINK they are probably right - but until I am educated about the issue how can I have a valid opinion?????

Jude: you are on Holiday in Rome, for heaven's sake go and look at some fountains, or statues, or churches... and do the debating when you get back- have fun!

*skulks off towards the Vatican museum feeling thoroughly reprimanded*

:o)