Pressure grows for ban on drinking in street
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Link: Pressure grows for ban on drinking in street - Telegraph.
We really have to worry when our policemen and MP's favour the notion of collective punishment. The majority of drinkers, young and old, behave responsibly. Why should they pay more for their alchohol, because a minority misbehave? Why should they be banned from drinking in public places, because a minority are irresponsible? Once again, the authorities want to punish the decent and law-abiding, rather than confront the behaviours of the delinquent.
Responsibility is the key. "I was drunk" is no defence. Drinking is a free choice and those who do it remain responsible for their actions while in drink. There is no earthly reason, however, why we should be responsible for the actions of others - drunk or sober.
To me, the saddest aspect of the British "drinking culture" is the way it reveals the weakness of British friendships and family relationships. The photograph illustrating the linked article could never be taken in Poland or Russia (where hard drinking is rather more prevalent). The young woman's friends would not leave her in such danger. Euan Blair's little incident could never have happened there, because his friends would have seen him safely home. The Welfare State in Britain has hacked away at our humanity for so long that we are no longer, as a nation, to be trusted to look after each other.
"Something must be done" is the cry of the man at the apron strings of Mother State. "I must do something" is the cry of the Free Man. I know who I would rather have as a friend.
Funny it doesn't seem to happen in other countries.
Everytime there's a problem there needs to be a tax, they think, and yet they don't get down to the underlying problem -- which is not going to be solved by tax -- but then that is the usual fix Labour has. It's tried to deal with other policies in the wrong way and look where that got them.
Posted by: Mountjoy | Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 08:03 AM
You are right. We have lost the idea that we should look after each other.
Posted by: Welshcakes Limoncello | Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 04:27 PM
As smoking should have been dealt by Heath & Safty legislation with Proprietors liable for the safety of their employees and customers. That is if, of course secondary smoking in public places is bad for you. In Communist UK we read signs "Smoking is Illegal" I'm waiting for the fist and the sickle in the background.
So to drinking in public places...
Every dictatorship needs a war and a scape goat at home to take away your freedom. Give drinkers 24hrs opening times, create the chaos, then solve it by criminalizing and DNA testing them. And if you were a passer-by, well that is just how the Community Police Officers of the Polit Bureau like it. Name, ethnic background, swab.
375 new Community Police Support Officers to patrol London's Transport network. http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=9387 375 non jobs. 375 Communist Party Members and their private army.
Posted by: Kinderling | Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 10:01 PM
To me, the saddest aspect of the British "drinking culture" is the way it reveals the weakness of British friendships and family relationships.
To me too.
Posted by: jameshigham | Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 07:31 PM
Sadly I feel the same way now. Although in some areas I would still do something in many I wouldjust walk away and leave it for someone else.
The repercussionsof doing the right thing in the UK can easily lead to the removal of your freedom.
It is not worth the risk to find out.
Posted by: Dave Petterson | Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 04:34 PM
"Something must be done" is the cry of the man at the apron strings of Mother State. - "I must do something" is the cry of the Free Man.
:) And SOME people - no matter whereto pigeonholed - would not just cry but DO IT.
And now for something completely different:
Still a dilettant in the blogosphere, I am not sure if being considered as a harasser - which is definively not my intention.
Sure I am, though, you could happily live without the following. Still, I take the liberty (sic) to let you know that, in a way, it's all your fault - :) , as stumbling over your site, reading quite a few posts and getting impressed without agreeing to each tiny detail, finally I decided to start a blog, myself.
And here I am, maltreating the language of Shakespeare, Sterne and, well ... Paine.
Have a relaxing and inspiring holiday then.
Posted by: Sean Jeating | Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 11:32 AM
When Daughter was about 17, she and a friend went clubbing. Friend got very drunk - as was her way - but also seemed to have had her drink tampered with, as she practically collapsed. Daughter who was relatively sober phoned friend's father who blamed her for his duaghter's condition. 'Look at you with your piercings and purple hair' type thing. I was so angry I could have gone and slapped him. Hard. Thinking about it, I should have.
Posted by: Liz | Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 08:42 AM