I think we?re asking the wrong questions. If somehow we can muster a thousands-strong army of police to attack, harass and abuse largely peaceful and law abiding people why aren?t they on the streets letting their aggression out on criminals instead? The police are basically thugs (I know this as 2 of my best mates are police. Coincidentally, one of them will agree with me on this and the other will want to have a barney) but they are supposed to be thugs who are on our side. They are supposed to be out there giving what-for to the thugs who aren?t on our side. We can, quite rightly, blame parents etc. but we employ this paramilitary style police force. Why aren?t they working for the public good? Having to shoot someone yourself because there is no functional or interested police force is not the answer in a civilised country no matter how much of a bonner the idea gives some people.