A grim tale of the British underclass. It is gruesome to think that minds can become so alienated and vicious.
(The news story to which this account is related is here.)
Posted by James Bartholomew • Indexed in Behaviour & Crime
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I’m in complete agreement with Rory – a very clear message is needed. The scariest thing about these attacks is that I really can’t empathise with the individuals involved – I mean why do such an unpleasant act, an act that is both planned and reviewed with pleasure? Is this behaviour symptomatic of a general slide towards amorality? If so, I find it deeply disconcerting.
Posted by: Alec Hodgson at December 16, 2005 03:36 PM
Perhaps we should make them wear hats, as suggested by last week's Spectator...
Posted by: Alec Hodgson at December 16, 2005 09:48 PM
If they have spent all their lives up to 16 being told by our wonderful system that they can effectively do what they want without sanction this is the result.
It is normal for children to try to push boundaries. The boundaries should push back, thus they learn a kind of equilibrium/balance.
At present, the advocates of "Childcare" are limiting as much as they can the powers of the boundaries on some fanciful theory that they will never admit has failed ; it is New Labourism again, if they just tweak it, have a few new systems and quangos, and waste a bit more public money it will all suddenly, miraculously work.
It won't.
Posted by: Paul at December 17, 2005 09:57 AM
This reads like something out of Dickens. Which was, of course, when there was no such thing as the Welfare State - just charity, moral rectitude, religion and self help.
Posted by: Tabman at December 21, 2005 04:33 PM
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I'm not usually one to incite violence (be it state-administered or otherwise), but on this occasion the 6-12 month community rehabilitation orders they'll likely get is simply not the answer. A clear signal needs to be sent to people who are under the impression they have no personal/social/moral boundaries/obligations/duties.
Putting aside the whole "human rights" issues, why can we not just save ourselves a whole lot of time, energy, bother, money, and LIVES by purging such individuals from our society?
And don't anyone dare suggest (seriously, anyway) that the criminals in question were "too young" to understand that 'happy slapping'/murder/robbery/etc. is unacceptable behaviour.
Where's Charles Bronson when you need him?
Posted by: Rory at December 16, 2005 12:47 AM