Too Much Attention Paid to Wrong Things ; Letters

Summary

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I see that there is much wringing of hands over the fact that ASBOs are quite ineffectual. Why didn't we try whacking the offenders and stipulate that if they re-offend there is double the punishment for them? This would cost us very little without the necessity of providing extra prison space. I realise that this remedy would bring us into conflict with human rights and civil liberties and would not be sanctioned by Brussels, so let us withdraw from Europe and save ourselves millions of pounds per day.

The economy is in a terrible state and we are all advised to draw our belts in, so what about raising the retirement age and free bus passes only when over 70? This no doubt would bring howls of protest and derision but it is an unescapable fact that you cannot keep paying yourself more than you have coming in. How is it that the banks which were on the point of collapse and had to be bailed out are suddenly making millions of profit? I was a pupil at a school run by the Christian brothers; admittedly there was not much Christian about some of them but at least they taught us all to have a wholesome respect for authority and discipline. Unfortunately the wheel has now turned full circle. The media today thrives on the next bit of sensational nastiness and gives priority to the alleged misdemeanours of cricketers and overpaid footballers. Who is really interested? What about the terrible floods? Hardly mentioned. What happened to the earthquake victims in the Himalayas, Haiti, China and all the starving people in Darfur? Yesterday's news all brushed aside and forgotten, not worthy of comment as we all wait for revelations from some untrustworthy MP or odious pop star.

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Too Much Attention Paid to Wrong Things ; Letters

While I am on my soap ...

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