isham bracey

Santerme - I do understand that there is nothing new under the sun, I accept that violence and bullying have been a consistent feature of many of our lives and those of our parents and ancestors where ever we have lived. My conjecture is that today we see a more brutal and casual display which may well be exacerbated by the media but is still very real. The use of knives and the attendant gangster culture is not what I witnessed going through a similar secondary modern "education" in South East London at around the same time as you. With regard to conscription being used only in times of Total war, my questions would be: Did we not re-introduce National Service in 1947 through to 1960? Did not the Edifice of the Armed Forces benefit from this period of additional man power? Is it inconceivable that we all might be better off (including those who have nothing better than a Gang to nourish their lives) with this option? You are clearly better qualified to judge the benefits to the millitary than I but many people I have spoken with maintain that this experience served them well and benefited our country. ps: I didn't make the scrote comment and wish no offence to either you or the Army.

Santerme wrote: "The army is not reform school and it's strength lies in it being of a volunteer nature" Conscription in a time of War can make a difference between victory and defeat. National Service in peace time can add value to society and offer a rout out of ignorance and poverty. Hanging around the streets beating up innocent civilians doesn't contribute to either. Colonel chips wrote: "First of all, it is awful that someone has been mugged. But we live in a very safe area, at a time when, nationally, just about every crime is at a historical low. The most pervasive way in which crime affects society is through the way in which these stories are reported and the discussions afterward which perpetuate the idea that there is a mugger on every street corner and that 'the rap music' is turning youths feral. And to suggest that music will turn someone into a mugger is an easy way to ignore the hundreds of other more powerful influences on a child, particularly parenting. It is awful that someone has been mugged, but you could find exactly the same stories in newspapers forty years ago and you would just need to change 'hoody' for 'mod'". Poppycock! This is not a very safe area and anyone who's lived outside London (or even in many other parts of London) will confirm this for you. DJKQ is right. There is a new phenomenon of agrevious violence for the sake of it and it's seen as fashionable. I'm afraid that we need to get realistic and confront this with harder law enforcement AND enforced service to society, old fashioned but I don't mind that really.

Yet why spend three years keeping them alive at our expense? Straight to the Gallows then. Or perhaps this is just to easy an answer and we need to wrestle with our tortured souls, wring our hands and wonder about what we've all done wrong. This man could have died and these ignorant twats are walking around free while we ponder what's wrong. I'll settle for birching them as a solution AND revenge.

It's very sad and I don't normally comment but this example of the ignorance of some children (young adults?) has to be a reflection of their parents and upbringing. Thick, stupid, waste of time, they (and us) would be better off if they were conscripted in to the army. There, I've become my father, but that is what I now believe. To use an old fashioned term they and their parents should be thoroughly ashamed (but none of them will be reading this).

Southwark Council are making a lot of money from this outrageous scam. Originally these wardens were employed to HELP the community but are now just tax collectors. I don't condone any abuse but that is a separate issue to the cynical use of commercial wardens who's remit is to maximise the councils revenue by hindering it's citizens. It is really quite disgusting. Perhaps we should remind our selves that the council is there to serve US and not just "dip their beaks" where ever they see opportunity.