Guestbook

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Name: Gerry
City: Douglas

The comments by Andrew Jessop are correct,as a Braddan Commissioner he knows that all council houses could be fitted with solar panels connected to a gas boiler,Braddan has done it so what are the rest waiting for,I checked with E.M.S at Hills Meadow they fitted them for Braddan,the saving would cut peoples bills by 80% or more.
Wind power is another option to generate electricity,or the other type of solar panel which generates electric.

Name: Andrew

"We have the politicians we deserve" - Having a bishop in Tynwald to provide "moral perspective", an outsiders view untainted by the desire to be re-elected, a greater world-view, better management skills etc. should surely lead us to ask "Just how competent are our politicians?" and "whose fault is that?".

It appears that Manx politicians are not yet ready for "Real Government" and need to keep the stabilisers on for a bit longer. We do need an independent press but also some independent thinking MHKs and MLCs.

Maybe one day!

Name: Stuart Hartill
City: Ramsey

I'd have to agree with Roy.
I came quite prepared to hear a case for the Bishop's political role, but didn't hear one and was quickly bored by a small, privileged minority who lack the common courtesy to either hear another view of the world or understand those putting it.
By comparison, I have read many of Robert Paterson's contributions to theological discussions ranging from sexuality to interchurch dialogue and exchanged letters with a man I respect as the leader of his church but do not agree should hold political office without a democratic mandate from the Manx people - and only the Manx people.
As I wrote to him just days ago, our conversation started awkwardly from necessity but I hope it will continue.
Amusingly it is Isle of Man Freethinkers, alone amongst Manx civic groups, which has an unblemished record for defending the right of all to worship or believe according to their conscience where that right does not infringe on others. Anyone doubting that may find evidence of a typical case on our website. For that reason, the prevalence of sectarianism, anti-semitism and intolerance of non-Christian faiths on the island were amongst the topics I raised with Mr Paterson, also expressing the hope that he would take a stand on such issues and assuring him of my group's support if or when he breaks with tradition and tackles the subject of interfaith and inter-belief dialogue on the island.
As I also said to him, this is a small island and in the 21st century we must start respecting each other.

Name: Roy
City: Douglas

In recent months when walking with my children along the promenade I have been approached by strangers of the Presbyterian and Jehovah's Witness faiths. Despite my polite assurances that I did not want to discuss and had to attend to my children, they would not leave me alone.

I put this cussedness down to them being members of the Christian lunatic fringe until last night. However at this PAG meeting I was most perturbed to find that the lunatics are not alone. Christian speaker after speaker had the sheer effrontery to shamelessly claim to represent my and all others morality on this Island. Please!

I have always respected other people’s beliefs no matter my private opinions. It is disappointing to see that Isle of Man Christians do not feel the same.

Name: john sheppard
E-mail: j.n.sheppard@manx.net
City: Onchan

I listened as always at a PAG meeting with great interest to the two guest speakers last night on the subject of the Bishop in the legislative council. Leonard Singer impressed me with his tolerant and balanced approach to the issue and aptly expressed my own opinion to the effect that while the system of government we live under is far from perfect it is currently all we have. The presence of the Bishop in recent years has it appears had a generally positive effect on the process and on that basis alone should be allowed to continue. Andrew Dixon self professed humanist failed to impress me with his argument or behaviour during the meeting. IOM Freethinkers claim to be against ' intolerance and discrimination on the grounds of beliefs, race, gender, age, sexuality, disability or lifestyle' and yet sadly I saw little in his performance to justify this grandiose claim. In the face of reasoned comment from obviously commited christians within the audience he snorted and bulged like some demented intolerant bull facing up to a challenger for the favours of his cows. I would suggest that he looks long and hard at his purported beliefs and moves towards a true understanding of the aims he and his group claim to support. Maybe the church should equally throw open the appointment of its representative to all religions and let the people appoint the most suitable candidate. JNS.

Name: Jim Hawkins
E-mail: jimhawkins@manx.net
City: Douglas

I was amazed at the irrelevant arguments that were mustered this evening in support of the bishop retaining his seat (and vote) in Tynwald.
Nobody speaking in favour of retention addressed the fundamental issue of democratic accountability. Perhaps because if they did it would become all too clear that the whole upper chamber is elected undemocratically.
The argument that for me really took the biscuit was the one about the other honourable members being so dreadfully dull and boring that the bishop is needed to introduce some semblance of intellectual discourse!
For me, the whole idea of a place as small as the Isle of Man needing an upper chamber at all is a bit ridiculous. It would be much better if we had instead an enlarged Keys, but that's another
problem.

Name: Joe Duffy
City: Douglas IoM

The PAG Lectures are gre....at, but more time needs to be allowed for audience participation and questions when there is obvious strong interest in the subject matter. A 9pm cut-off is not always appropriate. As the Room is reserved for PAG, no extra cost is incurred.
This is particularly relevant if: (a) preliminary PAG house-keeping announcements or equipment set-up problems consume time at the start of the meeting or (b) certain PAG questioners have entered into follow-up questions, thereby reducing the time remaining for other new questioners.

Name: John Sheppard
City: Onchan

A stimulating lecture and subsequent discussion with Colin Hay. While time
prevented me from voicing my ideas during the meeting I took the opportunity
to mention them to Colin later.

My family were very active in the labour movement in the 1940's and 50's
and I remember with pleasure the hours that were spent with my extended
family and friends in ongoing and lively political debate. With the limited
media of the time it was everyones favourite pastime and extended into
group family holidays sadly now extinct.

My personal belief is that the over exposure of politics with all its warts has
for many placed it in the position of just another soap. It fails to compete
effectively against its competition and just as a bad soap dies through poor
ratings politics is dying by lack of interest amongst potential voters.

I believe the Island is with its small jurisdiction in the perfect position to
carry out through the involvement of PAG an experiment in motivating
young people to once again engage with politics galvanizing the tired old
system that we currently enjoy.

My suggestion is that PAG investigates the possibility of with the
cooperation of as many MHK's as possible to fund a project within sixth
forms throughout the Island for a period of possibly three months where
individuals from each school are elected by their peers and work
alongside the politicians during that period. The debate in schools before
during and after the event could I believe dramatically change attitudes
amongst young people and also one would hope their parents. Personally
I will offer a contribution of £100 towards such an initiative and look forward
to receiving your feedback.

John.

Name: Martin

I attended the meeting on the 31st March at which Mr Rimmington spoke on
renewable energy issues; and enjoyed it very much.

The report on the Island of Samso was particularly inspiring.

Such meetings can only work positively in stirring up political will in these
matters, and it was good to see the present present DLGE Minister and
government officials in attendance.

Many good sense proposals were made from the floor as well. Particularly,
the reform of the Electricity Act as suggested at the meeting would be a
great step forward in encouraging use of renewables by business, on farms
and by domestic users.

Hope to be able attend on the 21st.

Name: David Talbot
City: Dalby

Alcohol debate.

Whilst this is a complex problem we cannot sit back without a debate as to why
people prefer chemical oblivion to discussing their problems.

The social cost of chemical dependency is increasing at an alarming rate, a fact
that should lead our politicians to take note, particularly when the drain on the
public purse is catching up with the income derived from tax and duty receipts on
alcohol.

It is not unreasonable to expect that there should be an additional tax either
collected from the brewers or retailers which is payable to those agencies charged
with the responsibility of drawing attention to the problems that over consumption
leads to and offering counselling to those affected.  This would be similar to the tax
on betting whether on horses or on-line gaming.

Easy availability of alcohol, sometimes sold as a loss leader, is a key factor.
Supermarkets should be policed to ensure that alcohol is sold in a specific area
of the store with its dedicated till and manned by staff who are charged with
ensuring that no sales are made to underage drinkers. If a change in the law is
required to bring these changes about then so be it!