SeanMacGabhann

What I noticed about Keegan in interviews yesterday was that he had the look of a man who has just realised things are worse, much worse, than he thought...

before I square up to you again quids (I know, I know...) you were missed on Friday night. More than a couple of people were asking after you aaanyway... So if I've read you right, you believe the correlation between the crime stats falling and the prison population rising is linked? Prison works and all that. I'm sure it does for many people I suspect that in the longer term it's going to breed many more problems than it solves - people come out hardened, drug-dependant etc. And f@@@ me it's expensive If the prison poulation was comprised of knife-wielding manica hell bent on my family and yours, quids, I might support your view a bit more. But it's not is it? In fact the types of violent crime you worry about are on the increase - prison isn't an effective deterrent for these people anyway But if the recession hits, then regardless of who is in power, what policies are in place and however much capacity we have in prisons - crime WILL increase. And that I suspect, is the reason behind any increase-decrease in crime rates at any given time The sort of society which has a zero-tolerance approach to crime exists - but unless we fancy living in the likes of Saudi, pre-war Iraq etc I don't see it as an option

lol - it's not exactly set the world alight tho has it? No post on that thread for weeks. If it was about ED v somewhere else we would be up to page 29 by now

well, left and right wing are a (very) simplified way of trying to orgnise the world People who say life is hard are bang on the money. It is hard. Especially in it's raw forms - it's why we have build civilisations and cultures - to try and insulate ourselves from the harsh realities of life But whether it's food, money or land - resources are bound by limits. And everyone wants as much as they can get for themselves (and theirs). I would argue that if we stopped panicking for at least one generation and figured out a better way of using our intelligence, life might be a bit better. But as everyone points out to me -- "get real macgabhann"... so I just plough my lonely furrow hoping to find a few like minded souls..

Brendan - I TOTALLY agree. I'm not making a case for tolerating crime. But to move things forward and improve things we have to better understand where we are. If we can't properly judge a situation or put it into perspective we will most likely implement the wrong steps to improve things I was going to include a caveat in my last post around the lines of "obviously one person murdered is one too many etc" but I thought that was a given. I'm not looking to the past - I'm refuting arguments that things were better in the past. I'm more interested in looking around the globe and comparing how we stand compared to other countries. But I would also argue in any society that defines itself by competition rather than co-operation, crime - and particularly violent crime, will always have a solid footing. That's not me advocating a change in the way we live (necessarily) - or that we should just accept crime - but let's not pretend it an act from outside.

My cynical take on that would be it was kept in people's back-pocket until things had quietened down and a new "scare" was needed My slightly less cynical take on it is that I quite often hear people double-counting incidents - ie something happens and it gets reported the next day and people go "that's terrible" and then when the whole thing hits the front page several months later when sentencing is handed out, some people think it's yet another incident I think louisiana has given some excellent context above. We live in one of the world's major cities, in a country where half the population believes Richard Littlejohn (ie it's gone to hell in a handcart) and yet, and yet of the getting on 2000 unique users of this forum, very very few incidents get reported. Some burglaries and I remember the poor girls who were confronted by the school some time back. But in the bigger scheme of things nothing to make us think the world has gone mad Put it another way - let's say burglaries (already down) were to be genuinely reduced by 50% in the next 6 months alone. That would be an unparalleled achievement. But some people would still get burgled. South London Press would still front-page the trauma. And the average person on the street wouldn't believe that burglaries had been reduced at all. It's a wonder the police force can be bothered to get out of bed some days, the amount of cynicism they face

And how are MR & MRS MW74 this morning hmmmm?

Thanks for the pics Andrew - the speed of their arrival suggests a level of guilt over the Christmas ones ? ;-) Oh - and what's with the Andrew-in-third-person description?

Shirt sponsorship is a sore point - what is it? 5-10 mil a season or something - which is the cost of a squad player. Screw it - how cool would it be if one club just said "we are classier than that - let's just wear club colours and be done with it" That club isn't going to be` Arsenal unfortunately, but the first club to do so will have a place in my heart forever

it's like my post was run through DULWICHMUMTRANSLATOR software ;-)

darn tootin Atila. Although I wouldn't have minded being in the H&W dressing room either. I mean, they must have know the would lose, and lose well in the end - but to go into half time 2-2.. those guys will be dining out on that for years

good start bignumber5 - we hide that scary stuff prettttty well don't we?

I have heard so much about the Romanian film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days that I'm not sure if I want to see it or not I enjoyed this article about it - but then absolutely GASPED when I saw a paragraph drawing parallels with one of the finest albums of the 90's about half way down 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days if only someone, SOMEONE out there had heard the album in question..

Awful to hear about xanthe - thanks for posting Rhona and, along with everyone else, glad he has been so lucky. On the (frivolous) upside, I suspect he won't have to buy a drink when he does turn up at a do ;-) I forgot to mention Azul's lovely gesture to tina last night - bless. But learn the lesson - this man is not to be trusted with a secret! And If I should die horribly, brutally in an "accidental" shaving accident may I suggest the forum check for annaj's fingerprints? Ta muchly KalamityKel - bless your boundless, youthful energy but suggesting that people meet up again tonight suggests you are not yet aware of the "recovery process" which comes to us all. You going to that new pub in Penge (sister to the Rye hotel and the Mansion?) Georgia - thanks for organising again. Despite the oppostite-of-welcoming hosts it was a good un wasn't it? Wish I had gone to the African pub and played bowling as well mind... :(

Isn't Amy a bit of an easy target? And if we look at the old-skool legends (your Keef Richards et al) isn't Amy just a modern version.. She lives as she sings, by and large, and has gone a bit too far and needs help Britney on the other hand - hmm. I'm never happy with the Little Miss Sunshine (great film btw) world where parent's push kids into "stardom". See also pretty much any of the Jacksons. But despite risque early singles Britey has portrayed a "wholesome" image which was untenable. As it falls apart I feel for the human being - but the values that put her there may be under a smidge more scrutiny I said as soon as she had an early single out - was it something like "Lucky"? - that she was in trouble. I don't think someone that young in that position has many real allies

tis true isn't it Steve? As for the brogue, I never had much of a one anyway, although a couple of people pointed out that it "came back" after a few drinks last night

yeah, the name is a bit of a giveaway there H

I've only had to do it once, after which I got a letter saying I probably wouldn't be asked again - bonus! I was dreading the whole thing - but as Asset says it was easy peasy. I was almost impressed I hear your concerns woodie, but I wouldn't trust old-fashioned mail much more - and I doubt the royal family do either

DulwichMum - you are gorgeous (obviously) and much missed last night but *whispers - "It's Graham, not Brian Linehan*

The Red Dawn reference makes me chuckle It's a radio advert for a fictional (but spookily similar) store in grand Theft Auto

paragon - couldn't agree more. And from reports, both ladies in question have reason to be hacked off with him

I was seduced by their sales patter ": The store leading the fight against communism is having a blow out sale! Ammu-Nation has a wide array of peacemakers! Come by Ammu-Nation on Militia-Mondays, exercise your second Amendment right and get 10% off all armor piercing bullets. We?re the only gun store that let?s you try before you buy it! Need anti-tank missile? We?ve got?em! Flamethrowers? Oh yeah! No credit, no problem! No money down, 90 days, same as cash. Shot now, pay later! If you?re in the 10 minute waiting period fire off a few rounds at the Ammu-Nation gun range, featuring faces of commie pinkos! Come by Ammu-Nation and register to win an anti-aircraft gun actually used when we whooped Australia?s ass! This weekend is the Ammu-Nation Film Festival with free screening of the documentary Red Dawn! Ammu-Nation protecting your rights! "

she's out of the country - he's all yours ;-)

Kel - easy now... Lady MacGabhann has a soft spot for Dom as well...