mm

Let me first say that I believe in democracy. I want to have my say in who is in charge of my country's affairs and how they achieve objectives. But let's be honest, democracy has its flaws. It is largely a system that allows people not to vote at all if they can't be bothered (not universally the case), and whereby, out of the people that do cast a vote, 1 genius can be out-voted by 2 idiots.

So, how does one address these flaws? Is it possible to have a system of government that is efficient and progressive, and advocates a society that is fair and just (without persecution or discrimination of any groups), but which may not necessarily be democratic?

Who would win in a fight? A duck-sized dog, or a dog-sized duck? I don't want to be too specific about size, but let's say midway between poodle and Great Dane.

I'm starting a college course in Fleetwood College May this year for about 9 months, and will shortly be looking to rent a flat for the time I'm there. I hear there's not very much in Fleetwood itself, so looking for a place in a decent area somewhere between there and Blackpool. I'll have a car, so public transport isn't much of an issue, but needs to be within about 20 minutes drive of the Fleetwood campus. Any suggestions for a good area to look for accommodation? Thanks.

More often than not when I come on Yahoo! Answers there is at least one question about spontaneous human combustion, and if it's very late at night (UK time) there are sometimes half a dozen!

Is this really such a big issue today, does anybody know? Why do so many people seem so worried about it? It's beginning to bore me now.

Incidentally, I am aware that this question is effectively about that very subject, so no need to point out the irony of it thank you very much!

Can anyone recommend a Rangers-friendly pub in Aberdeen to watch an Old Firm match? Never exactly welcomed in Aberdeen with open arms I know, Rangers fans, but there must be somewhere.

Anyone thinking it funny to send me to a Celtic pub - don't waste your time, I will be checking out any recommendations beforehand.

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I'm going on holiday to Hong Kong next month, but am unsure about how best to take spending money. Obviously I don't want to change a wad of Sterling into $HK and take it with me in cash, nor do I want my bank to charge me an arm and a leg for using ATM's abroad. Are travellers' cheques still used nowadays, or is there a more modern way of going about it?

Tried this yesterday but got no replies, so giving it another go.

I am 2nd Mate on PSV's and AHTS. Currently doing 4 weeks on/off in North Sea, salary approx £38-40k. Which companies offer better salaries and conditions? Looking for similar trip rotations, 6 weeks maximum. I hold a UK CoC (OOW unlimited). Qualified 2004, been on offshore vessels since 2009.

I am 2nd Mate on PSV's and AHTS. Currently doing 4 weeks on/off in North Sea, salary approx £38-40k. Which companies offer better salaries and conditions? Looking for similar trip rotations, 6 weeks maximum.

My girlfriend and I are going on holiday to Hong Kong next month. Looking for some ideas of things to do and places to see, best nightlife spots and anything else people can come up with. Thanks.

The UK government are planning on closing a number of coastguard stations around the UK as part of their cuts. It is my view that a lack of understanding by politicians of what the coastguard does will lead to a loss of life in British waters.

With the Scottish elections coming up next month, it's time to start thinking about which way I'm going to vote. Whatever one's political views are, it is never a clear-cut choice of who is best to vote for when the time comes. Needless to say all parties make their grandiose promises, and whoever gets power will deliver a few of these promises.

But what is best for Scotland today? Bar once, I have always voted SNP. Not that my convictions of achieving independence are that strong, but I've always felt they were the party for me - best of a bad bunch perhaps, who knows!

I am interested to know what people's views are on an independence referendum, and how Scotland would fare as a sovereign nation. Would seceeding from the UK ultimately be to our detriment, or would we be cutting all our restrictions? What are the pro's and con's for such a move?

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We have been together for 3 years. My birthday is on the 11th May. She's booked the day off work on the 5th because she thought that was my birthday (bizarrely!).

Now, I don't care that she got the date wrong, my birthday isn't that big a deal to me. What annoys me is, if it was me who forgot the date of her birthday I'd be the biggest arsehole that ever walked the earth. But since it's the other way around, it gets brushed off as a hilarious mix-up!

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this, as women are quick to complain about male chauvanism, yet certain similar viewpoints on their part seem to be generally acceptable.

Note to the PC brigade before they come out in droves with their pitchforks and torches: I am not a chauvanist or sexist, nor a woman-hater - simply interested on what people's views are on situations such as the above.

Could say the same for British Airways, whose choice of catering staff are susally old hags and gay men.

Myself and a couple of friends (we live in Glasgow) regularly do this thing on a Saturday afternoon where we jump on a train to a mystery destination for a day of drinking around all the pubs of said destination. We then normally get a late train back into the city and go to one of our regular haunts until the we small hours.

We've had a few cracking days out in the past, previous destinations include Stirling, Helensburgh, Largs, Troon, Ayr, Prestwick, Hamilton and Motherwell. We are planning to do Perth, Edinburgh, Millport and Rothsay, but would rather leave them for the summertime.

So, does anyone have any other suggetions that we might try in the meantime? Criteria are thus:

- One hour or less from Glasgow (Queen Street or Central)

- Low risk of getting stabbed by locals

- A good selection of pubs

- Accommodating dose-free women (desirable but not essential)

Thanks.

They have been utterly abysmal lately. I know the weather hasn't been favourable, but that excuse is wearing pretty thin now!

I bought tickets to see a gig recently. When I was wondering why they had not shown up (2 days before the gig) I contacted the agent, who said they were dispatched on 5th Dec (gig was on the 12th). Luckily I went into the box office on the afternoon of the 12th and they gave me a duplicate so I got to see the gig. The tickets did show up - on the 13th!! 8 days for what is essentially a letter to go from one UK location to another??

A couple of weeks earlier I bought some tickets off a guy I know to see another gig, and sure enough they never showed up. He sent them recorded delivery and, when I got him to chase it up, it turned out they were sitting in his local sorting office! They hadn't even sent them!

My work takes me all around the world, but I have to say possibly my favourite place I've been is Hong Kong. I'm looking to take my girlfriend there for a holiday for 10 days or so in May 2011. But I'm struggling to find an affordable package. For the flights and a decent hotel I'm struggling to find anything for less than £1500. My nearest airport is Glasgow, but I'm prepared to fly from any UK airport for the right deal. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm buying a new car in the near future, but I'm specifically looking at a BMW 120d, perhaps M Sport.

I currently drive a 2003 VW Golf 1.9 TDI, which I've been very happy with since I got it, but it's at an age now where I want to sell it whilst it's still worth something.

I wouldn't think twice about getting another Golf normally, but I've always wanted a BMW. I would only get a 1 series as I live in the city and wouldn't want anything bigger. It is also unlikely I would get anything but a diesel, preferably the model I mention above.

What are the pros and cons of the buying the car I'm looking at? I'm talking about performance, reliability, drivability, etc, not concerned about insurance costs and stuff like that.

I am unable to connect to the internet via wi-fi on my iPhone 3GS. I've had the phone for about a year, but have had no wi-fi problems until this morning (04/01/11). I am working offshore so therefore cannot presently compare the problem with internet via 3G. I am able to connect to the local network, but not the internet. I believe the problem lies with my phone and not the local network or router, as I do not have any connection problems with my laptop. The problem has thus left me with no access to Skype, Facebook, email, etc via my phone, which is inconvenient as I am often unable to use a computer depending on what I'm doing at work. I have tried the following with no success:

- Turned phone off and on again

- Disconnected and re-connected to network

- Switched wi-fi off and on again

- Reset all network connections

- Searched for iPhone software updates (all up to date at time of writing)

- Switched router off and on again

I've heard people talking about some iPhone problem cropping up after the New Year - could this be related?? Any help appreciated! Thanks.

mm