Reporting unlicenced boats

[mayalld]

OK, the thread on this subject has brought out some polarised opinions, so lets see what people actually think

[RLWP]

What are you trying to prove, Dave?

 

Richard

[denboy]

You forgot the" why bother as nothing will get done" option

[Chertsey]

What are you trying to prove, Dave?

 

Richard

 

To see what the balance of opinion is without the rhetoric?

[RLWP]

To see what the balance of opinion is without the rhetoric?

 

Will this get a representative set of returns though. I wouldn't use the new reporting website because I don't think it is any of my business. I haven't voted here for the same reason. So, if you are keen on the website you will probably poll here, if not, you won't.

 

What would that prove?

 

Richard

[mayalld]

What are you trying to prove, Dave?

 

Richard

 

The thread on the subject has ended up with the most vociferous contributors (on both sides, and I include myself here) making a robust defence of their views.

 

As such, it is likely that many contributors will not wish to nail their colours to the mast in an attributable fashion, lest they suffer the wrath of the other camp.

 

The poll gives an opportunity to gauge the feeling in an anonymous fashion

[sueb]

Will this get a representative set of returns though. I wouldn't use the new reporting website because I don't think it is any of my business. I haven't voted here for the same reason. So, if you are keen on the website you will probably poll here, if not, you won't.

 

What would that prove?

 

Richard

I am against the web site but I voted. What does that prove?

[carlt]

lest they suffer the wrath of the other camp.

I have no wrath to make any individual suffer, for their views.

[mayalld]

I have no wrath to make any individual suffer, for their views.

 

Nor do I, but let us be realistic here!

 

You and I have been forthright about our opposing views here. Such is our style, and we are comfortable with it.

 

Others are not comfortable with taking a public attributable position on controversial issues. This is an opportunity for them to have their say.

[chris w]

I always felt that those against the website or "snitching" in general, would tend to be more vociferous on this forum than those who would report apparently unlicensed boats. The latter being more reticent in publivc for fear of rebuke from the "mob".

 

However, if one analyses the poll results so far, there is a slight majority (>50%) in favour of those who would or may be more likely to report people. I will definitely use the website to report boats not displaying a licence. I detest some of the scum who decide not to pay and get away with it probably through intimidation of BW personnel, while the rest of us (the hugely vast majority of us) may moan at the price but pay because that's what we've metaphorically signed up to do when we bought a boat. Anyone who has boated through parts of Milton Keynes will see the long rows of clapped out boats, displaying no licences and habituated by people sitting round a campfire drinking cans of lager and smoking weed at noon..... and that's just the kids and the dogs.

 

If someone can't afford to live on a boat then b*gger off and find a damp cave.

 

Chris

[grahoom]

I detest some of the scum who decide not to pay and get away with it probably through intimidation of BW personnel, while the rest of us (the hugely vast majority of us) may moan at the price but pay because that's what we've metaphorically signed up to do when we bought a boat.

 

as you only detest some of the scum, what are your feeling towards the rest of the scum that you don't detest?

Edited October 23, 2008 by grahoom

[carlt]

Do the rich pay 40% tax on their entire income, Chris? Or have they got an accountant, who helps them dodge their taxes?

[chris w]

Do the rich pay 40% tax on their entire income, Chris? Or have they got an accountant, who helps them dodge their taxes?

 

I don't set the tax rules buddy. Tax evasion is illegal but tax avoidance is not. I break none of the tax rules; I use the tax rules to minimise my tax liability just as everyone is allowed to. I also don't use a tax consultant but have studied the rules sufficiently myself to save the money on that expense too. If you're not mitigating your tax liability then you are a fool. The tax authorities are very helpful in clarifying what's what if you would just talk to them. If you're not clever enough to do it, or not "bovvered", I can understand where your resentment comes from, for those who want to get on in life.

 

as you only detest some of the scum, what are your feeling towards the rest of the scum that you don't detest?

 

The good-looking ones with big knockers, I'm prepared to parley with. Unfortunately they usually have a few teeth missing but it's OK in the dark I guess.

 

Chris

[carlt]

I don't set the tax rules buddy. Tax evasion is illegal but tax avoidance is not. I break none of the tax rules; I use the tax rules to minimise my tax liability just as everyone is allowed to. I also don't use a tax consultant but have studied the rules sufficiently myself to save the money on that expense too. If you're not mitigating your tax liability then you are a fool. The tax authorities are very helpful in clarifying what's what if you would just talk to them. If you're not clever enough to do it, or not "bovvered", I can understand where your resentment comes from, for those who want to get on in life.

I wasn't enquiring about your status, Chris, though, now you've told me, I'd be interested in your opinion of income tax evaders.

 

I have no resentment, though, I am not interested in any individual's tax status, be it income tax or boat tax.

 

I am comfortably off, financially, and rich, beyond my dreams, in every other area of my life (which I am getting on with nicely, thank you)..

Edited October 23, 2008 by carlt

[Jason Wilson and Family]

So so far, 25% of respondents would sell off their neighbour without a second thought. That's a scary thought this day an age. Perhaps I could recommend some reading for those of you, it's a loverly book titled 1984 that gives us a glimpse at the potential future you're leading us too.

 

Disgraceful, at least there were 17% who would need some sort of bother first.

[chris w]

.................. I'd be interested in your opinion of income tax evaders.

 

They should be punished under the law just as boat licence evaders should be too. No double-standards here pal.

 

Chris

[carlt]

They should be punished under the law just as boat licence evaders should be too. No double-standards here pal.

 

Chris

As I thought.

 

All we disagree on is who should report and enforce it.

[chris w]

So so far, 25% of respondents would sell off their neighbour without a second thought. That's a scary thought this day an age. Perhaps I could recommend some reading for those of you, it's a loverly book titled 1984 that gives us a glimpse at the potential future you're leading us too.

 

Disgraceful, at least there were 17% who would need some sort of bother first.

 

Get a life Jason. Wake up and smell the napalm.

[US Marines]

I always felt that those against the website or "snitching" in general, would tend to be more vociferous on this forum than those who would report apparently unlicensed boats. The latter being more reticent in publivc for fear of rebuke from the "mob".

 

You see, you've gone and only thought through half the argument again Chris.

 

Normally, the people against Big Brother are less willing to come forward in public than those in favour - for very obvious reasons....

[Jason Wilson and Family]

Get a life Jason. Wake up and smell the napalm.

I'm frequently finding my whole trouble is I already have one. I wish I could go through as an ignorant sod but I can't shake the feeling that I give a damn what the world is like when I'm done with it.

[chris w]

You see, you've gone and only thought through half the argument again Chris.

 

Normally, the people against Big Brother are less willing to come forward in public than those in favour - for very obvious reasons....

 

If you translate from Alabaman to English, you will see that what I was saying actually agreed with you.

[US Marines]

If you translate from Alabaman to English, you will see that what I was saying actually agreed with you.

Errr...nope...

 

You said that you always feel that people against snitching would tend to be more vociferous on this website....

 

Whereas I was pointing out that, normally in life, its the guys that are for the 'regime' that are more likely to air their views publicly.

 

As it happens, I'm interested in the results too (Thanks Mayalld) and I'm aware that there might be reasons for people on both sides of the argument not to post publicly.

Edited October 23, 2008 by US Marines

[Nine of Hearts]

I always felt that those against the website or "snitching" in general, would tend to be more vociferous on this forum than those who would report apparently unlicensed boats. The latter being more reticent in publivc for fear of rebuke from the "mob".

 

However, if one analyses the poll results so far, there is a slight majority (>50%) in favour of those who would or may be more likely to report people. I will definitely use the website to report boats not displaying a licence. I detest some of the scum who decide not to pay and get away with it probably through intimidation of BW personnel, while the rest of us (the hugely vast majority of us) may moan at the price but pay because that's what we've metaphorically signed up to do when we bought a boat. Anyone who has boated through parts of Milton Keynes will see the long rows of clapped out boats, displaying no licences and habituated by people sitting round a campfire drinking cans of lager and smoking weed at noon..... and that's just the kids and the dogs.

 

If someone can't afford to live on a boat then b*gger off and find a damp cave.

 

Chris

 

One comes across this Daily Mail vitriol quite a lot these days (quite often in the Daily Mail, funnily enough), and personally I've never understood it. I'm not one of the people with no licence smoking weed in the afternoon, but that's only because I choose not to be. I know the consequences of that choice and am as happy with it as with all the other choices I ever made. Why the animosity to people who made the other choice? Jealousy? Do these people really want to not have a licence and smoke weed all afternoon but feel in some way that they can't or daren't?

 

Answers on a postcard...

[Sir Nibble]

Interesting that the options include "yes if they were causing me a problem". That suggests to me that someone is being reported for rubbing someone else the wrong way, not for any lack of licence.

[sueb]

I wasn't enquiring about your status, Chris, though, now you've told me, I'd be interested in your opinion of income tax evaders.

 

I have no resentment, though, I am not interested in any individual's tax status, be it income tax or boat tax.

 

I am comfortably off, financially, and rich, beyond my dreams, in every other area of my life (which I am getting on with nicely, thank you)..

I did wonder if your life was on this forum?

Sue