A Yank view of the UK (long)
Discussion
Saw this, maybe some truth in it.
Banning Guns Isn't Enough for the Brits
By Nicki Fellenzer
It appears the Brits have climbed the Cliffs of Insanity and taken a collective nosedive into the River of Outright Absurdity. My friend, author Michael Z. Williamson, and I used to laugh about Britain, their unreasonable ban on armed self defense and their hysterical attempts to further correct the problems caused by said ban by implementing yet more stringent and bizarre restraints on people's rights. Mike was born in the UK. I used to kid him about the future of Great Britain. I used to tell him that soon, sharp implements will be banned, and people will be forced to purchase pre-cut food rather than risk the chance of some unstable chef losing control and hacking some unsuspecting Brits to pieces with a knife. These were jokes. I didn't really think it would ever happen.
I was wrong.
The UK's home secretary David Blunkett has announced a slew of measures that are meant to address the rising knife violence in not-so-Great Britain. Yeah - right on the heels of their wildly "successful" gun ban (pay no attention to the fact that there's a gun crime happening every hour in the UK), Mr. Blunkett has announced that shops will be banned from selling knives to people under 18 years of age, and that he would like to see a stiff, five-year jail sentence on any poor bloke caught in possession of a knife. God forbid a 16 year old decides he wants to cook sliced turkey for dinner! He'll be out of luck in Blunkett's Britain. Sorry, chum. You're going to have to rip the meat into chunks with your hands.
Why is this happening? Well you see, guns are, for the most part, banned. And even though gun crime in Britain has risen dramatically since the 1997 ban on self defense, so have other types of violent crimes, including knifings. As a matter of fact, a spate of recent stabbings has prompted the families of the victims to demand justice in the form of stiffer penalties for mere possession of these horrid sharp objects. Because believe it or not, knives are so prevalent in Merrie Olde England, that every two weeks, "someone loses their life as a result of being stabbed."
Apparently it's not enough that victims are prohibited from defending themselves, get punished for mere ownership of a firearm or a similar method of defense, such as a stun gun. Now, they won't even be able to purchase a kitchen implement of their choice without some emotionalist hack screeching that they're a danger to society and must be imprisoned for wanting to hack apart a side of beef for dinner.
What is going on over there?
Well, crime is out of control, and the government - instead of using logic and common sense to deal with criminals - is bowing to the reactionary histrionics of emotionally overwrought victims' families and attempting to ban the offending object rather than address the source of the problem - the criminals. But if you're thinking that their extremist reaction to crime comes from genuine goodness and authentic attempts to lower crime in Britain, you might want to think again.
In a recent report, England's top lawyer - Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith - was quoted as saying that criminals' rights need to be protected as well as victims. (emphasis added) Apparently, the esteemed legislator believes that everyone has the right to live their lives free of violence - even those who make violence their life's choice! Who cares if victims of criminals spend time in jail for daring to protect their homes and their families! Apparently in Goldsmith's eyes, the lives of those who choose to violently victimize others, to stab, shoot, rape and assault them, are worth just as much as the victims. Therefore, it's apparently advisable, in Goldsmith's eyes, for a woman to simply spread her legs and wait for her rapist to finish rather than fight back, because - God forbid! - her attacker's right to rape and sodomize her in a safe environment could be compromised!
No, it's not fallible, human overreaction that is causing the Brits to attempt to control and outright ban every implement that may be used to cause harm. I'm convinced that their society has become so impossibly savage, that they can no longer tell the difference between right and wrong, justice and injustice, victim and criminal. Their warped sense of socialism tells them that we're all the same - that our lives are all equal - regardless of the choices we make or the lives we lead. That's why in their twisted world, it's important to protect the rights of violent thugs and disarm the righteous victims. That's why they think so little of life, liberty and property - because those concepts can only truly exist in a just society - a justice that the UK has lost.
They are beyond help. We can no longer ask the question, "How can we help them? How can we make them see?" The question we should be asking ourselves is, "How can we ensure that we do not become like them?" My answer is this: only by safeguarding the sacred concepts of life, liberty and property can we ensure that our sense of justice never becomes skewed by the savages in three-piece suits and jack boots who claim authority over us. Only by never giving up an iota - by fighting until our knuckles are bloodied - by never allowing ourselves or our leaders to forget those sacred principles, can we hope to preserve them. Only by fighting against the incremental destruction of our basic rights, can we hope to avoid becoming another Britain.
Because once a society forgets justice.
As soon as government leaders mar the line between right and wrong.
The path will be clear for them to enslave the sheep who have allowed them to do so.
Frank---
f
Banning Guns Isn't Enough for the Brits
By Nicki Fellenzer
It appears the Brits have climbed the Cliffs of Insanity and taken a collective nosedive into the River of Outright Absurdity. My friend, author Michael Z. Williamson, and I used to laugh about Britain, their unreasonable ban on armed self defense and their hysterical attempts to further correct the problems caused by said ban by implementing yet more stringent and bizarre restraints on people's rights. Mike was born in the UK. I used to kid him about the future of Great Britain. I used to tell him that soon, sharp implements will be banned, and people will be forced to purchase pre-cut food rather than risk the chance of some unstable chef losing control and hacking some unsuspecting Brits to pieces with a knife. These were jokes. I didn't really think it would ever happen.
I was wrong.
The UK's home secretary David Blunkett has announced a slew of measures that are meant to address the rising knife violence in not-so-Great Britain. Yeah - right on the heels of their wildly "successful" gun ban (pay no attention to the fact that there's a gun crime happening every hour in the UK), Mr. Blunkett has announced that shops will be banned from selling knives to people under 18 years of age, and that he would like to see a stiff, five-year jail sentence on any poor bloke caught in possession of a knife. God forbid a 16 year old decides he wants to cook sliced turkey for dinner! He'll be out of luck in Blunkett's Britain. Sorry, chum. You're going to have to rip the meat into chunks with your hands.
Why is this happening? Well you see, guns are, for the most part, banned. And even though gun crime in Britain has risen dramatically since the 1997 ban on self defense, so have other types of violent crimes, including knifings. As a matter of fact, a spate of recent stabbings has prompted the families of the victims to demand justice in the form of stiffer penalties for mere possession of these horrid sharp objects. Because believe it or not, knives are so prevalent in Merrie Olde England, that every two weeks, "someone loses their life as a result of being stabbed."
Apparently it's not enough that victims are prohibited from defending themselves, get punished for mere ownership of a firearm or a similar method of defense, such as a stun gun. Now, they won't even be able to purchase a kitchen implement of their choice without some emotionalist hack screeching that they're a danger to society and must be imprisoned for wanting to hack apart a side of beef for dinner.
What is going on over there?
Well, crime is out of control, and the government - instead of using logic and common sense to deal with criminals - is bowing to the reactionary histrionics of emotionally overwrought victims' families and attempting to ban the offending object rather than address the source of the problem - the criminals. But if you're thinking that their extremist reaction to crime comes from genuine goodness and authentic attempts to lower crime in Britain, you might want to think again.
In a recent report, England's top lawyer - Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith - was quoted as saying that criminals' rights need to be protected as well as victims. (emphasis added) Apparently, the esteemed legislator believes that everyone has the right to live their lives free of violence - even those who make violence their life's choice! Who cares if victims of criminals spend time in jail for daring to protect their homes and their families! Apparently in Goldsmith's eyes, the lives of those who choose to violently victimize others, to stab, shoot, rape and assault them, are worth just as much as the victims. Therefore, it's apparently advisable, in Goldsmith's eyes, for a woman to simply spread her legs and wait for her rapist to finish rather than fight back, because - God forbid! - her attacker's right to rape and sodomize her in a safe environment could be compromised!
No, it's not fallible, human overreaction that is causing the Brits to attempt to control and outright ban every implement that may be used to cause harm. I'm convinced that their society has become so impossibly savage, that they can no longer tell the difference between right and wrong, justice and injustice, victim and criminal. Their warped sense of socialism tells them that we're all the same - that our lives are all equal - regardless of the choices we make or the lives we lead. That's why in their twisted world, it's important to protect the rights of violent thugs and disarm the righteous victims. That's why they think so little of life, liberty and property - because those concepts can only truly exist in a just society - a justice that the UK has lost.
They are beyond help. We can no longer ask the question, "How can we help them? How can we make them see?" The question we should be asking ourselves is, "How can we ensure that we do not become like them?" My answer is this: only by safeguarding the sacred concepts of life, liberty and property can we ensure that our sense of justice never becomes skewed by the savages in three-piece suits and jack boots who claim authority over us. Only by never giving up an iota - by fighting until our knuckles are bloodied - by never allowing ourselves or our leaders to forget those sacred principles, can we hope to preserve them. Only by fighting against the incremental destruction of our basic rights, can we hope to avoid becoming another Britain.
Because once a society forgets justice.
As soon as government leaders mar the line between right and wrong.
The path will be clear for them to enslave the sheep who have allowed them to do so.
Frank---
f
s2art said:
Well, crime is out of control, and the government - instead of using logic and common sense to deal with criminals - is bowing to the reactionary histrionics of emotionally overwrought victims' families and attempting to ban the offending object rather than address the source of the problem - the criminals.
Seems to be how they come up with most of their policies, not just crime.
Agree with the sentiments entirely ,and maybe this should be forwarded to some of our politicians and national newspapers ................. but
if it's published , can I drive round to the author's home in my car with LRP fuel in it , sit in his lounge and comfortably light up a cigarette ?
It's the dogooders and health fascists who are shaping our country now , but the time is coming when we have an opportunity to get rid of them !!
if it's published , can I drive round to the author's home in my car with LRP fuel in it , sit in his lounge and comfortably light up a cigarette ?
It's the dogooders and health fascists who are shaping our country now , but the time is coming when we have an opportunity to get rid of them !!
Nail on head!
Reason: The UK started the industrial revolution; money and social progression was made. Some bright sparks soon realised the UK in general was a fairly dangerous place to live/work, so standards and regulation was born. Others saw this area as a great job opportunity, so an industry based around regulation arose. The UK is now a safe place to live/work, but these people refuse to give up their cushy jobs. They blast us with sensationalist propaganda to justify their continued existence. The resulting red tape and cost burden (regulation does not exactly make money) has greatly contributed to the demise of our real industries. Our jobs are now being outsourced to low cost countries where their lack of regulation has made them highly competative.
The rot has begun!
Reason: The UK started the industrial revolution; money and social progression was made. Some bright sparks soon realised the UK in general was a fairly dangerous place to live/work, so standards and regulation was born. Others saw this area as a great job opportunity, so an industry based around regulation arose. The UK is now a safe place to live/work, but these people refuse to give up their cushy jobs. They blast us with sensationalist propaganda to justify their continued existence. The resulting red tape and cost burden (regulation does not exactly make money) has greatly contributed to the demise of our real industries. Our jobs are now being outsourced to low cost countries where their lack of regulation has made them highly competative.
The rot has begun!
s2art said:.........And by bombing (as a nation) or shooting (as an individual) anyone who disagrees with us.
"How can we ensure that we do not become like them?" My answer is this: only by safeguarding the sacred concepts of life, liberty and property can we ensure that our sense of justice never becomes skewed by the savages in three-piece suits and jack boots who claim authority over us. Only by never giving up an iota - by fighting until our knuckles are bloodied - by never allowing ourselves or our leaders to forget those sacred principles, can we hope to preserve them. Only by fighting against the incremental destruction of our basic rights, can we hope to avoid becoming another Britain.
Agree with some parts, but much is just a rant. Whats all that stuff about not using knives to eat our food? has he done his research into which knives are banned?
Steve
parrot of doom said:
Hang on.....isn't this an American saying this? Living in an America where 30,000 people a year die from gun related incidents?
Yeah, sounds like an expert to me.
People kill people. Never forget that. Whether by a knife a car a gun or whatever method. Its not the object, its the person behind it thats doing the killing. Objects dont demonstrate intent, they dont have motives, thats a domain inhabited entirely by *people*.
Themoss said:
I'm sorry, but the US cannot in any way give patronising statements about Great Britain.....Look to themselves for examples.
I am bloody glad I live here.
USA is a big place. There are plenty of places in America which make the UK look like a dangerous place to live.
But that wasnt the point of the rant was it.
MMmmh! The figures I think for gun crimes last year was around 60 IIRC, for the whole year! compare that to the American figures. As for knives, a recent introduction to our country, and where from? The drug gang rapping American scene, thanks guys, our misguided kids have taken your message.
Sometimes we get things wrong sure, and we do need to look again at our softly softly approach to criminals. But we have an awful lot of catching up top do to decend to American levels.
Sometimes we get things wrong sure, and we do need to look again at our softly softly approach to criminals. But we have an awful lot of catching up top do to decend to American levels.
8Pack said:
MMmmh! The figures I think for gun crimes last year was around 60 IIRC, for the whole year! compare that to the American figures. As for knives, a recent introduction to our country, and where from? The drug gang rapping American scene, thanks guys, our misguided kids have taken your message.
Sometimes we get things wrong sure, and we do need to look again at our softly softly approach to criminals. But we have an awful lot of catching up top do to decend to American levels.
I think you are missing the point of the rant.
And there are indeed some parts of the States which I would not want to venture into. But New York is a safer place than London these days. I think it is more likely the Yardies from the Windies that introduced the gun and knife culture into Britain.
The USA has always been a more violent culture than Britain, but the trends are bad for us.
The point is that something went wrong with the British criminal Justice System about thirty years ago, and the reduction in pro-active policing coupled to stupid lentilist philosophy is to blame.
towman said:
I think it is more likely the Yardies from the Windies
s2art said:
something went wrong with the British criminal Justice System about thirty years ago
Could the two be related? Race relations board anyone? Start of the PC era?
Standing by for a good flaming.
Steve
Started earlier than that I think, similar things happened to the education system.
A well written polemic on this subject is Hitchens 'The Abolition of Britain'. Makes grim reading.
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