I have become thoroughly angered and depressed reading this thread because, like Growler I would love to be out on the streets kicking heads until a bit of common decency returned to our country.
But wait! I can?t do that any more, ? I forgot - I am a pathetic disabled pensioner, I get so worked up about it that I forget to account for the fact that I couldn?t punch my way out of a wet paper bag. And that makes me even madder, when I was young and fit enough to do something about it there wasn?t a problem, a good talking to dissolved the gangs.
So what happened? Ah yes I know, we oppressed the youngsters, we made their lives miserable by laying down rules and enforcing them with an occasional clip around the ear. So we went and banned it all, in out usual ham-fisted manner we went too far ? we went overboard in fact and now they are untouchable, safe and sure that the law will protect them because adults abuse children and kids are only having a little fun, they have nowhere to go and nothing to do ? they have to hang on corners.
We can?t touch them and they know it! If a particular person becomes an annoying problem just kill him! The problem goes away and there isn?t much of a chance of getting nailed for it because they have rights. You can?t torture them can you?
That is where we are, kids with rights; it has often been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Well, we have watched it happen in front of our eyes now, so believe it! It has always happened in politics but the effect tends to be a bit more subtle and so we let it go. This I think I a matter of survival of our country.
So where do we go from here?
It has always been easy to give power. The anguish is caused by taking it away again; witness the differing attitudes of government parties coming and going to affirm that.
A government in power in a democracy is mandated to serve the whole country - not just the ones that voted for them, they are obliged to act in our best interests regardless of allegiance. When laws are passed or positions held to the detriment of a majority of the population of the country then that democratic government is democratic no longer and should be challenged by everyone that feels aggrieved by it. If necessary demand a change of government or a referendum to change the law.
The real rub would be ? how to change to law? To overreact and swing the balance the other way would be just as bad ? imaging a society where you could beat up anyone that stood still or looked ?suspicious? ? that would be no better.
Here is a chance to air your feelings about bringing about sensible change with the aim of restoring peace and safety to the streets without victimising any group that is lawfully entitled to be there.
If we can cobble together a creditable plan to achieve that then maybe we can make a start towards a national protest and pressure forum. The only way to make government listen is to threaten their home comforts and future. Growler languishing in a Liverpool jail and me in a Cardiff jail would achieve nothing except disgrace and lost credibility, so get thinking ? I?m listening.