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I am really sad as i write this. All this week on  the new in the UK, there has been the case of a 17 month old little boy (named as Baby P) who dies at the hands of his mother, step father and house guest.

The little boy was on that at risk register and social services had seen him sixty times, it was clear that he was being neglected and abused, but still they did not remove this child from his mother even though it was obvious that she was an unfit parent.

links for the case are:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Baby-P-Timeline-Of-The-Toddlers-Tragic-Life-Haringey-Social-Services-Premature-Death/Article/200811215151356

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kol08/article/default.asp?article_id=51331

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2008/11/14/baby-p-mother-s-sick-online-boast-115875-20893276/

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/11/13/Baby_Ps_mother_has_child_while_in_custody/UPI-70511226599191/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_P

The pain and suffering that this poor child went through must  been horrendous. People are blessed to have children, there are many men and women all over the world who are infertile and would cut off their arm if they thought it would mean they would be able to have a child.

Social services failed this baby. Rather than take him away from his mother, they allowed her to keep custody of him instead of placing him with a family who would of loved him and taken care of him.

How the hell could a doctor not of noticed that the boy had a broken back? The child would have probably of been screaming in pain. That doctor needs to be struck off the medical register. The social workers in this case should also be fired.

Now news reports come out today that this vile 'mother' has had another baby whilst in prison and she wants legal access to them. She has got some nerve! She abuses one child and then wants to see another!

News reports have stated that she had another three children but she lived in a one bedroomed flat so there is a high possibility that she wasn't a full time parent to her other children. What is the point in having children if you don't bring them up and can't manage?

News reports also stated that the police described her flat as 'smelling of urine and a tip.' This woman lived in a flat with four dogs and a baby. The local council should have issued her with warnings about having that many pets in such a small abode. Four dogs may be ok in a house, but certainly not in a flat.

the social workers that where in charge of Baby P's case are incompetent. In 2000 there was another Little girl on their at risk register who died at the hands of her aunt. Again, the signs of abuse and neglect where obvious and again, social services did not act on them or calls that where being made by outside parties regarding the neglect of the little girl.

Links for that case are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Climbi%C3%A9

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2062590.stm

In the UK, one hundred children a year die to abuse or neglect and many more go unreported.

49% of these children's deaths is down to the child's father, stepfather or mothers partner. 33% are down to the child mother and 4% are down to the child's sibling (s). The remainder of these deaths are down to people who are unrelated to the child, but, provide care for them.

in America, 1300 children a year die due to abuse or neglect. I once seen a tribute video to Kelsey Briggs the American toddler who was killed by her step father. How could her mother stand back and let that happen? I thought my heart was going to break when I seen what that little girl had been through and how much she had suffered.

too many people turn a blind eye to what is going on around them. They may suggest a child is being neglected, but rather than act and contact social services or the police, they ignore it because they don't want to get involved. After the child has died, they then reveal that they suspected abuse. This is not good enough.

A child should not have to suffer any form of abuse. Anyone who suspects a child is being neglected needs to report it. The government need to give the police more power in these situations and social service need to act on obvious signs instead of just ignoring what is happening and then trying to cover up for themselves once a child has die.

Any parent who is found gilty in court of child abuse/neglect should be sterilized so that they cannot put anymore children through any suffering.

I despise bullies. Nobody has got any right to belittle others because they may be slightly different or because the bully thinks that they have got the right to upset other people.

Many bullies insult and attack people because they are trying to cover up the insecurities what they have about themselves.

There is a lad on my college course who is a typical bully. He is quiet on his own but when he has got his friends with him, his mouth goes into overdrive. I got quite sick of this lad, he was making people miserable until the other week until I stepped in! I have a friend on the course who is gay and this lad made a comment about my friend being gay and I don't normally say a lot in class but I started to get angry and told this lad that he has got no right to judge people because of their sexual orientation. I also told him that he is one of the nastiest people I have ever come across and he should be ashamed of himself. I also said a lot more but them words where mainly swear words due to my rage so I won't put them on here!

I'm glad to say that this person is now quieter and doesn't try and pick on anyone. It just goes to show that all it takes is one person to say something to put bullies in their place.

Whilst having a go, I done it in front of the whole class so he could realize how he makes others feel.

My voluntary work means i speak to women who put up with horrendous abuse from their partners. Their partners cleverly manage to isolate these women from their friends and family, and, grind them down so much that the woman believes she will either die if she leaves, or, if she does leave, no other man will want her. She is bullied into thinking she is ugly or useless or stupid.

Bullies play on people who are vulnerable or who they don't think will answer back to them.

In schools, bullying needs to be addressed more seriously. also, bullying in the workplace needs to be addressed more as people are often under the impression that bullying stops after school age when this is not the case.

In my views, a perfect world would be a peaceful world. There would be no wars at all.

People would respect the views of others and actually have time to properly listen to each other. There would be less arguing and fighting.

There would be no circus's or zoo's, animals wouldn't be cooped up, they would be in the wild.

Everybody would have a home so there would be an end to homelessness. The streets would be safe to walk down because there would be no crime.

Trees would still be standing and never cut down and there would be lots more flowers everywhere, particularly sunflowers and yellow roses as they are my favorites!

Bad people would be banished from the world and parents would not have to worry so much about their children. If people did commit terrible crimes, they would have a fitting sentence to reflect the severity of the crime, not like in the UK where life only means 15 years maximum. We should be more like America!

A better education would be provided for all and higher education would be free of charge.

There would be no lonely people in the world as people would be friendlier and make time to befriend people.

I think if the world was like this then it would be a lovely place to live.

I am an incredibly shy person. However, I see some strangers as potential friends. I'm not just talking about strangers on the street, but also strangers on-line. Some of the nicest people I talk to are on-line.

I think it's good when you meet someone new and they have total opposite interests to what you have. It maybe that they are interested in something you have never tried and you may try it and discover a new hobby.

Talking to new people can also sometimes change your outlook of life. I once met an elderly man and he had terminal cancer. I was feeling particularly sorry for myself this day until he told me he was ill. Looking at him, you wouldn't of thought there was anything wrong with him. I told him I was sorry he was ill and he must be very scared. His reply was that he wasn't. He had fought in a war, owned his own business, traveled the world and done numerous things for charity. he said he had lived a fulfilled life and obviously it was time for him to go soon. This brought tears to my eyes about how somebody who was so ill and couldn't have treatment was still so happy in life. I stopped feeling sorry for myself the minute that he told me his situation.

Strangers can also make you aware of issues that you where clueless about. They can also prove to be a good support to you in your hour of need as sometimes it can be easier to open up to a stranger rather than opening up to somebody you know.

1) Thou shall never bow down to a man or refer to him as "master.?
2) Women may not drive on a date.
3) Thou shall always have chocolate available for any unforeseen crisis.
4) Ben and Jerry should always be on call in case of a bad day.
5) Just because you're in a relationship, doesn't mean they are committed.
6) Cosmo = must read
7) Bad breath = no tongue.
8) Thou shall own at least one article of pink clothing.
9) Glitter, sequins, and rhinestones are fine in moderation.
10) Thou shall do hair and apply makeup at least once a week.
11) A hoodie, sweatpants, and pony-tail are completely acceptable, just don't forget rule #10.
12) You should not have to open your door on the first date.
13) Honesty is the best policy when your friend is trying on clothes, just be nice.

14) Confidence is sexy.
15) If you see cheek or crack, your skirt is no longer a skirt, it is a belt.
16) Thou shall give fair warning when PMS-ing.
17) Singing in your car is completely acceptable.
18) Women shall always have the last word in an argument. If a man proceeds to speak after woman has the last word, he then starts a new argument.
19) Thou shall not date a man 15 or more years older.
20) There's no such thing as over-packing, just preparation.
21) If a man is overly competitive, let him win occasionally, but don't be afraid to beat him.
22) Let them pursue you, don't pursue them.
23) Know your limit when drinking alcohol. Vomit is not sexy!
24) Women shall not chew tobacco.
25) When drunk, if the situation arises, go to his house, it's less complicated that way.
26) Never lower your standards or compromise yourself to please others.
27) Always have a spare tampon.
28) Bigger is not always better.
29) Shopping is always better in pairs.
30) If a guy wears girl pants, he is not of dating or relationship material.
31) Always go to the bathroom in pairs. (assumed woman law)
32) As a woman, thou shall point out if another female's zipper is down, has toilet paper on shoe, something in teeth, etc..
33) No car/working car = no date.
34) What happens on girls night, stays on girls night.
35) IT is your obligation as a woman to decorate and redecorate as you see fit.
36) Thou must not break plans with the girls in order to go out with a guy.
37) If a woman dates a man who is "not up to par,? she may take a Mulligan and therefore "it never happened.?
38) The "emergency phone call? is completely acceptable to prevent any further boredom.
39) The woman who approaches a group of guys gets the first pick.
40) Chicks before dicks. Guys come and go but best friends only come around once in a lifetime.
41) You should not date a man who takes longer to get ready than you do.
42) If you come together, you leave together, unless you or your friend is going home with an extremely hot, non-creepy guy.

43) Thou shall not call a guy first, unless he calls you first and you are returning the call for some reason.
44) Always make the guy make the first move, he should work for your attention.
45) Women do not date a friend's ex-boyfriend. Period.
46) Man's mothers are key. How they treat their mother is how they'll treat you.
47) No woman shall be "friends with benefits? to any ex-boyfriend.
48) If a man appears sexy, caring, and smart, give him a few days, he'll be back to his usual self, so don' fall for it.
49) Men play the game, women know the score.
50) Don't think you can change a man, unless he's wearing diapers.
51) No excuses, play like a champion.
52) If a woman doesn't remember it, it never happened.
53) Never let a man come between you and a friend.
54) It is ok to make a sandwich for a man if 1) he says please 2) you are already in the kitchen and are not going out of your way 3) there is something in it for you.
55) No guy is worth your tears and the one who is won't make you cry.
56) Crack kills and is not sexy whatsoever.
57) Short shorts must be worn appropriately. Preferably summer time. Winter time is unnecessary, unless participating in a sporting event that demands short shorts. Popping of collar is allowed as long as you wear it accordingly
58) When your friend picks up a hot guy...however the hot guy has an ugly friend...it is only right that you get rid of him. Or distract him from the main attraction. As women we are obligated to sacrifice yourself for friends and pay it forward for each other knowing that the favor will one day be repaid.
59) No woman should purposely let her thong hang out to attract attention. Other women have the right to stare and give nasty looks if you tend to break this law.
60) If two or more girls arrived at a party by a single car, and the driving female is hooking up with a guy, it is the responsibility of the other female hooking up to find other ways home for her friends.
(The exception to this law is if the driver is hooking up with her own boyfriend, the law is then void and the driver still holds full responsibility of driving her friends home)
61) Any man answering "Who was that on the phone?" with "Nobody" shouldn't expect that to be the end of the conversation.
61) A man should never let a woman walk anywhere alone after 11pm.
62) Women may joke with each other about being skanks and whores, but men may never do so.
63) There shall be no fat jokes between women and their friends.
64) Condoms are the man's responsibility. No condom, no booty.
65) Go ahead, change the oil yourself. If you get a little on you don't worry, some men like it dirty. And if they don't, they don't appreciate you for who you truely are and you should re-evaluate why you are with them in the first place.
66) Women should in no way be subjected or forced to "Man Law". Women have higher standards than that. Screw Man Law
67) No woman should ever have to put the toilet seat down. If this happens the guilty male party must put the seat down and then owes the woman an apology.
68) A true woman should not get dressed in the morning with the purpose of obtaining or impressing a man, you should look good for youself.
69)It is okay to be a t-shirts and jeans kind of girl (sometimes) if he really loves you he will love every part of you(but dont push it).
70) You should be comfortable with yourself, every part, comfortable enough that you can be by yourself. If you NEED a man you will begin to do anything to obtain or keep one. You come first a man is secondary.
71) Once a cheater always a cheater.
72) If a guy is carrying a "man-bag", this is a purse and, well is just out of the question.
73) It is completely okay to date a guy just for his looks and ask him to not talk at any point on the date.
74) As a friend you are not allowed to buy the same article of clothing as your girlfriend. But, you are entitled to borrow it as many times as you would like and she insists she is not going to wear it.
75) Men who claim they love to watch Soap Operas and Chick Flicks are lying. It is a ploy to get you to think they are sensitive and mature.
76) If man of intrest wears capris, strappy shoes, or has been previously been gay... said man should NOT be considered boyfriend material.
77) If said man comits an act of man, women should deem this act as "TYPICAL" ex: If said man cheated on his girlfriend one should classify said man as "TYPICAL"
78) If woman can't get her way act cute and give him your cutest innocent look & said man will do whatever you want.

I love how everyone is so friendly and welcoming here. Unlike some other social networks where people hassle you and insult others in public forums, everyone here respects each others views. It's kind of like one big happy family.

People here are non judgmental and have stories to share in their blogs. Some are inspirational and some are very funny.


When you join here you get a nice message that actually makes you feel welcome.

People here are concerned about real issues and many actually campaign about issues and try and fight systems in order to make the world a nicer place to live.

Everyone here is genuine and they don't pretend to be anything that they are not,  genuine people are very hard to come by.

I particularly enjoy the Questions and Reflections section as the questions are always really good and give me something to think about. I also enjoy reading other peoples answers too.

On Gaia, people actually take the time to read the blogs of others, on most networks, people don't bother but it's different here.

I haven't been on Gaia very long, but within a few days of joining, I decided that out of the social networks I'm a member of, this one is definitely my favorite!