tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456611623448834500.post3971593340774379476..comments2023-12-18T15:03:52.326+00:00Comments on Jim's Loire: Riots and looting in England: who were they?CRMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12356808627188214016noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456611623448834500.post-83059237592417901742011-08-14T07:58:40.137+01:002011-08-14T07:58:40.137+01:00Luc and Jean. Thanks for your comments. I think in...Luc and Jean. Thanks for your comments. I think in this instance that many of the looters are likely to receive substantial sentences as the magistrates have referred many of the cases to Crown Court who can pass stiffer sentences.<br /><br />Obviously we will have to see what the actual sentences given turn out to be.Jim's Loirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06696024920441263899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456611623448834500.post-8812342033901066972011-08-12T11:54:41.368+01:002011-08-12T11:54:41.368+01:00Jean, the « strong arm of the law » makes for crue...Jean, the « strong arm of the law » makes for cruel outlaws. <br />I don’t advocate laxism, but sending absolute youngsters to jail only teaches them how to become real bandits. It is much more difficult for the police to lay their hands on the real “big guys”, but it is worth the effort. Same holds true with drugs. <br />Make “low jobs” a better paid activity, and make them available – I know THAT is easier said than done – and all will improve. Poverty and absence of education is the culprit, not the colour of the skin, the age or lack of authority. On the other hand, make sure all those who get some aid or another from public money HAVE to contribute a few hours a day to common well-being. It costs energy and manpower to ensure that, and it is not a big favourite with progressive minded people – I count myself amonst them, though - but the return would be astonishing. It has not been tried to any large extent.Luc Charlierhttp://coumemajou.jimdo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456611623448834500.post-39892249399250869262011-08-12T09:18:41.481+01:002011-08-12T09:18:41.481+01:00I heard an interview with a couple of female loote...I heard an interview with a couple of female looters, who thought it was a good lark, good fun and great to get something for nothing. When pressed for a deeper reason, they said it was against the government and the rich people. <br />The larking and good fun cost scores of people their livelihoods, some their lives, all of us no doubt increased insurance premiums and our reputation before the rest of the world - who now know we have a huge problem with youngsters who are out of control.<br />I don't think there is any room for being soft, or it will happen again before too long. If I want a new telly I wait until I can afford it but we now know that you only have to get a few mates together and it's yours for the taking. I will be surprised if all this huffing and puffing from the politicians actually punishes more than a small fraction of those involved.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09726164724131916224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456611623448834500.post-760480422449047352011-08-12T08:08:00.641+01:002011-08-12T08:08:00.641+01:00You ask the right questions, Jim.
I would be very...You ask the right questions, Jim. <br />I would be very “soft” on the punishment of first-time offenders: as you say, one’s behaviour in a large crowd is often unpredictable. I attended Reading Music Festival around 1976, and Peter Gabriel – who had recently left Genesis – did a great gig, inviting Phil Collins on drums for the occasion. The set was splendid, the atmosphere very close to mass-hysteria and the organizers interrupted the show half-way the second “encore”, on behalf of running out of time for the next performance ! We all got mad and I, for one, found myself spitting, and yelling, and throwing everything at hand, not quite my “normal” attitude: a hooligan on the make. <br />On the contrary, I would be heavy-handed with proven “organizers” and recidivists. But you then need strong evidence.Luc Charlierhttp://coumemajou.jimdo.comnoreply@blogger.com