If only Tony Blair had said.....

[Peter Ward]

What he did say:

Tony Blair said:

My view of this is very clear: we should have the same flexibility that other countries have and then we should come down really hard on those who abuse that freedom and don't show the responsibility. The law-abiding majority who want the ability, after going to the cinema or theatre say, to have a drink at the time they want should not be inconvenienced, we shouldn't have to have restrictions that no other city in Europe has, just in order to do something for that tiny minority who abuse alcohol, who go out and fight and cause disturbances. To take away that ability for all the population - even the vast majority who are law abiding - is not, in my view, sensible.

What he could have said:

ideal Tony Blair said:

My view of this is very clear: we should have the same flexibility on speed that other countries like Germany have and then we should come down really hard on those who abuse that freedom and don't show the responsibility. The law-abiding majority who want the ability, after going to the cinema or theatre say, to drive at the speed they consider appropriate should not be inconvenienced, we shouldn't have to have restrictions that no other city in Europe has, just in order to do something for that tiny minority who abuse speed, who go out and drive dangerously and cause disturbances. To take away that ability for all the population - even the vast majority who are law abiding - is not, in my view, sensible.

So, the approach towards drinking laws is, don't punish the majority because of a dangerous minority. The approach towards driving laws is, punish the majority because of a dangerous minority.

[mybrainhurts]

I think you've forgotten the tax take.....

[catso]

IIRC one of the reasons they decriminalised pot was that because so many people do it, it must be acceptable.

I would wager that more people exceed an arbitrary speed limit than use drugs, yet this is unacceptable.



And Brunstrom wants to legalise all drugs yet persecute motorists in his 'crusade' against real crime.

[james_j]

catso said:

IIRC one of the reasons they decriminalised pot was that because so many people do it, it must be acceptable. I would wager that more people exceed an arbitrary speed limit than use drugs, yet this is unacceptable. And Brunstrom wants to legalise all drugs yet persecute motorists in his 'crusade' against real crime.

Revenue.