Easily seen the schools are back...

[gizmo]

Sorry GG. I guess I was wrong. Still, at least he didnt mention The Mail..

[Coxy]

Takes a deep breath...... .

Got to agree with you a wee bit, 'though the flag gives the wrong message'. I live in Campbeltown, their are certainly little brats going around (i've a couple of my own) but i think in a small community we take it for granted that we know most of them, or their parents, or their uncles and aunties and it doesn't become a huge issue because we'll speak to someone.

Im sure its a different world in the cities and we read and see on the news what is happening in some communities and it is quite scary.

Their 'Is a lack of discipline'

'it's not being addressed'

their 'Is too many goody goodys'

but the buck at an early stage has to stop with the parents.

[ionnsaigh]

Nobody is suggesting there isn't a problem with some unruly kids. The problem lies - as the Bernardo's campaign film rightly points out - with unruly adults. I find it absolutely disgusting - that our Children are painted - by these misguided individuals who blame the young - for just about everything - that's wrong with their own miserable shallow lives.
Social problems have social solutions - punishment as a deterrent alone - fails to address root cause. However don't get me wrong - where I stay in Maryhill there are good and bad. The bad ones usually appear about once every Eight weeks or so - and yes - before you say it - I should count myself in some way fortunate - in comparison to some. However - you generally hear them - as they are drunk and drugged - creating a trail of fear - and destruction in their wake.
Now I'm not the type to hide behind the curtains - waiting for the threat to pass. However some of our neighbours are getting on a bit now - widows staying on there own - we have four single people up our close - three of whom are elderly. There is no way I'm going to sit back - and watch a bunch of neds create havoc - in my street. They usually turn up in a wee team - of five six or seven - they are much more dangerous - if they have their girlfriends with them - young boys showing off.
The problem is - I react badly to the situation - I jump up without thinking of the consequences of my actions. I shout and confront them face to face in the street. Now sometimes this works - they completely shite themselves - and disappear like sun drenched snow - on a dyke. However on the last two occasions - they have stood their ground. Throughout my thirty three years here - this has happened roughly - about a dozen times ( standing up to me ).
About three weeks ago - a group came into the street smashing bottles - tearing up wee plants - and shouting obscenities - the usual stuff. I ran out - at first they are in shock - and appear to begin to disperse.
Then the group mentality sets in - only one of me and six of them - they don't require qualifications - to work out the odds.
I quickly found myself drawn in - one of them approached - hand in waistband - the others quickly surround you - from all directions - very similar to a wolf pack. Then your back is exposed - your attention to your immediate danger - is diverted by the group. Bricks and bottles begin to fly - from all directions - if your hit your down - if your down - your getting your head kicked in. So you have to devise a strategy to survive - and get back to the relative safety of the close. As I mentioned previously - on the last two occasions - i've barely escaped by the skin of my teeth.
Are all young people like these idiots - no of course their not. I cringe with embarrassment and shame every time I hear otherwise. Lets give our young people - the support and love they deserve - remembering that being young - means only basic immaturity - in terms of years - hardly a crime. What's our excuse as adults?.
Next time - I'm phoning the police.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

Sorry GG. I guess I was wrong. Still, at least he didnt mention The Mail..

I didn't mean to imply that people who read the Mail are stupid. I just have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about some of their so-called journalists opinions. I don't buy a paper, but if you put any one in front of me, I'd read it. To be honest, I think all mainstream media is very similar anyway, and why wouldn't it be if they're all owned by so few people.

On the subject, I can actually see where Martin is coming from, but I don't particularly agree with what he's saying as the right course of action. Not really sure what that would be either to be honest.

[gizmo]

I'm not too sure why the Union Flag should give the wrong message (cue Ionnsaigh )... It is after all the national flag and not solely owned by the BNP and their ilk.. ... As for the Daily Mails stance on Emo, I didnt know it had one, probably dont read those pages, but I believe he always got a bad press. I think myself, that Rod Hull used to wind him up.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

I'll give you that one.