Britain used to be like this
Discussion
The story seems to be indicating the opposite...Very noble. Respect to the man for his actions after the event. (Although questionable judgement for falling asleep at the wheel...esp. with others in the car who could presumably have taken turns...)
Sadly the whole of the western world is turning into one selfish mess...and (no I'm no socialist) "capitalism" has to take the blame...the consumerist culture that has built up over the last 50 (100?) years has turned people into "I want it now", posession-obsessed vultures...sad, isn't it?!?
Sadly the whole of the western world is turning into one selfish mess...and (no I'm no socialist) "capitalism" has to take the blame...the consumerist culture that has built up over the last 50 (100?) years has turned people into "I want it now", posession-obsessed vultures...sad, isn't it?!?
havoc said:
Very noble. Respect to the man for his actions after the event. (Although questionable judgement for falling asleep at the wheel...esp. with others in the car who could presumably have taken turns...)
Sadly the whole of the western world is turning into one selfish mess...and (no I'm no socialist) "capitalism" has to take the blame...the consumerist culture that has built up over the last 50 (100?) years has turned people into "I want it now", posession-obsessed vultures...sad, isn't it?!?
The point I was trying to emphasise is that in NZ they accept that accidents happen and that it was just a tragic mistake, no intent. Here the driver would have been sent down for many years.
WRT Capitalism. NZ is as capitalist as the UK. Why different?
s2art said:
The point I was trying to emphasise is that in NZ they accept that accidents happen and that it was just a tragic mistake, no intent. Here the driver would have been sent down for many years.
WRT Capitalism. NZ is as capitalist as the UK. Why different?
Good point to make - my girlfriend and I were talking about this driving back from Bluewater last night and she's amased how this country is with it's inability to accept that shit happens.
Capitalism isn't to blame - small minded pettyness and greed are. The gross assumption that the law is there to provide revenge is also a huge problem.
Minicity said:
An example of the soft, leftie/liberal culture that gets right up my nose. Bloke should be locked up for 10 years. People should take responsibility for their actions.
I assume a wind up here. But consider the case, say, 50 years ago. Not at all leftie/liberal attitudes in Britain (well before Woy Jenkins). The courts would have found as in NZ. In fact it is the leftie/liberals who modified our laws to create the current position.
s2art said:
Very noble. Respect to the man for his actions after the event. (Although questionable judgement for falling asleep at the wheel...esp. with others in the car who could presumably have taken turns...)
Sadly the whole of the western world is turning into one selfish mess...and (no I'm no socialist) "capitalism" has to take the blame...the consumerist culture that has built up over the last 50 (100?) years has turned people into "I want it now", posession-obsessed vultures...sad, isn't it?!?
The point I was trying to emphasise is that in NZ they accept that accidents happen and that it was just a tragic mistake, no intent. Here the driver would have been sent down for many years.
WRT Capitalism. NZ is as capitalist as the UK. Why different?
A major difference is the existence of the Accident Compensation Corporation in NZ. Basically, you are covered from cradle to grave against the effects of accidents - covered by the state. Theoretically, you would not need to use an ambulance chaser in NZ. Another difference is the attitude of NZ-ers - probably wouldn't want to act like an a%%ehole in any case. All IMHO
The liberal democrats are to blame for our "let off the criminals and persecute the car driver culture". They are currently debating the fairness of a trail of terrorist suicide bombers due to press publication. They claim you are innocent until proven guilty and this must be the case for terrorists too. Motorists on the other hand are all guilty of ruining the environment and should be shot on sight.
iaint said:
Capitalism isn't to blame - small minded pettyness and greed are.
could it not be argued that capitalism when unchained encourages small minded pettyness and greed among the general populace?
and don't worry about labelling me, i'm a dyed in the wool capitalist, I work in finance!
when I was in NZ i did get the opinion that they operated a socialist version of capitalism if possible.
Yes trade and commerce but also a very collective responsibility to community and individuals.
Lots more small shops and independent cafe's, resteraunts and such like.
they care about their country a lot more i think, a lot of pride. the complete lack of litter was one clear indication as was the attitude to smoking in bars, if no one else was smoking the smoker would generally move away from others or ask those around if they minded.
this general attitude i think is reflected in this court case, what benefit would gaoling this man brought? he is not violent or defrauding anyone, he made a serious error of judgement and now has to live with it.
Yes trade and commerce but also a very collective responsibility to community and individuals.
Lots more small shops and independent cafe's, resteraunts and such like.
they care about their country a lot more i think, a lot of pride. the complete lack of litter was one clear indication as was the attitude to smoking in bars, if no one else was smoking the smoker would generally move away from others or ask those around if they minded.
this general attitude i think is reflected in this court case, what benefit would gaoling this man brought? he is not violent or defrauding anyone, he made a serious error of judgement and now has to live with it.
nonegreen said:
The liberal democrats are to blame for our "let off the criminals and persecute the car driver culture". They are currently debating the fairness of a trail of terrorist suicide bombers due to press publication. They claim you are innocent until proven guilty and this must be the case for terrorists too. Motorists on the other hand are all guilty of ruining the environment and should be shot on sight.
You are innocent till proven guilty....
Don't start blaming liberals, lefties, whatever for the principles of our justice system that have stood the test of time since god knows when....
Funnily enough its the states we don't wish to mimic who didn't use that rule (stalinist russia anyone?)
I don't think that the present "Blame culture" is a "leftie" thing either, surely this is a product of the legal claim culture that expanded when the laws re: solicitors & advertising rules changed.
There is definately an "anti-car, greenist" attitude in this though since much of this is directed only at car drivers.
Muggers, robbers, rapists, and murderers seem to be left alone. Maybe it's because THEY don't have insurance for their "activities" from which their victims can claim from.
There is definately an "anti-car, greenist" attitude in this though since much of this is directed only at car drivers.
Muggers, robbers, rapists, and murderers seem to be left alone. Maybe it's because THEY don't have insurance for their "activities" from which their victims can claim from.
8Pack said:Nah, it's as likely to be two other things:-
Muggers, robbers, rapists, and murderers seem to be left alone. Maybe it's because THEY don't have insurance for their "activities" from which their victims can claim from.
- "ostrich syndrome" - "decent people" don't want to consciously acknowledge the existence of violent crime, as to do so is to realise that they might become a victim, and that could never happen in their lovely little cul-de-sac, could it?!?
So to their mind it doesn't affect them! - the same people feel they should be in control of their lives...and on the roads is the only place where many people feel any "competition" (yes, that's how some of them see it!!!)...and they don't like that, so they campaign to level the playing field by anti-speed ('cause they never speed...they do 40mph everywhere, 'cause that's a nice steady speed which could never be dangerous, and they know best!
) and anti-4x4 ('cause they could never afford a 4x4, and it's blocking their view and kicking out all that pollution because it's big and heavy and anti-social, and they need to get young Jeremy to school...) The problem is, most people don't have much common sense, and most people haven't been taught to think logically and dispassionately (hell, what schools teach kids to actually THINK anymore?!?)...consequently they can't assess things around them without skewing them with their own biases and prejudices. So you get a lot of people band-wagon jumping, as it's a lot easier to let someone else do your thinking and then agree with a soundbite than to do all that annoying research and thinking yourself!!!
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