Friday, July 11, 2008

Let’s Play Global Thermal Nuclear War

You can’t turn on the TV these days without seeing some C list celeb adding their twopenneth-worth to the National anti-knife campaign or some appropriately austere politician promising tougher sentencing for those caught carrying knives or other catering based weaponry on our streets.

And on the whole I’m not complaining. Something does need to be done. And yes tougher sentencing is the answer. For those caught carrying as well as those caught using knives. Cos it’s all the same in my book.

What worries me most though is the justification that these knife wielders frequently put forward in defence of their need to carry knives. Twice this week I’ve heard the phrases “self defence” and “deterrent” used by some hoodie when asked why he has to carry a knife.

Kind of reminds me of the justification that our politicians used years ago (and still use) whenever they were questioned about the massive stockpile of nuclear weapons that they were building up. Why do we need such weapons?

- Because they maintain the peace; they deter outbreaks of war, blah blah blah.

But did anyone ever believe that?

Isn’t it a case that possessing any kind of weapon is actually an unspoken threat of war not a deterrent to ensure everlasting peace? There’s a big difference.

Tooling yourself up as an act of self defence is a complete fallacy. Wearing body armour – that’s self defence. Carrying a can of mace or a personal alarm – that’s self defence.

Shoving a 12 inch carving knife down the front of your baggies is an act of war.

And there is no justification.

11 comments:

MOTHER OF MANY said...

When I did my nurses training in the 90s we were given a self defense lecture by the police and I clearly remember the policeman telling us it wasn't illegal to carry a penknife/swiss army knife on our key ring.I also remember him telling us if walking in a dangerous situation not to brandish it but to hold it in our hand ready to use and just to use it without warning an attacker.
It is a very difficult situation and I personally would not advise anyone to carry a knife.
Did you see the episode of CSI Las Vegas where Greg saw a group of youngsters beating and kicking a man.He turned his siren on and all the youngsters but one ran off.The remaining youngster ran at Greg to attack him and he drove his car into the youngster only trying to deter him however the boy died.I know it is only a story but many of the story lines are based on true events.A split second decision.....what would I do?
I hate living in a world that has so many grey areas.I know that my children call me a Bleeding Heart Liberal but is it is wrong to want to live in a world where people are just nice to each other?

Steve said...

It is a difficult one, Allie - on the whole I think that if you carry a weapon it is inevitable that one day you'll end up using it. The police may have advocated women carrying knives years ago but I doubt they'd do so now. To cut or stab someone is a horrific thing to live with - regardless of the fact it ups the ante if you're being attacked. Also, can you depend on the law to back you up afterwards? It's tricky. If Karen or the kids were being attacked I just know I'd use whatever I could grab as a weapon and use it. The thought of how much damage I could inflict is frightening... if I carried a knife I could end up killing someone. For that reason alone I choose not to. I really do think there is always a choice - and to choose to carry a weapon is a bad choice.

Inchy said...

My self and Mr Jaggy have debated 'the nuclear deterrent' many a time. He advocates buying as much 'New Trident' as we can get our hands on. I, on the other hand, think that they're pointless. You could just tell other countries that "we've got loads and loads of dirty bombs" and it would have the same effect. We surely don't have to prove that we've got one prior to an invasion, do we?

As for knife crime, well my thought on that particular thorny wee problem are well known. Saying that you need a knife for self-defence is a cure, curbing anti-social behaviour in the first place is prevention, and we all know how the old saying goes . . .

The Poet Laura-eate said...

But some colleagues require self-defence of course (sic your previous posting)

TimeWarden said...

We were promised zero tolerance years ago and yet the namby-pamby liberals still have their way. If someone takes a life, by whatever means, then the murderer's life should be forfeit. Also, vandalism is an act of terrorism as far as I'm concerned.

I don't believe in rehabilitation and don't care if an offender claims to be the way they are through circumstance, abused by a father for example. No excuses. Everyone has a cross to bear but not all of us waste our lives mindlessly destroying as a consequence!

Steve said...

Hi Inchy, I'm sure a many pronged attack on the causes of anti-social behaviour is necessary but a strong attack on the possession of knives is also a must. The rot needs to be halted before it speads further... then we can deal with treating the existing damage.

TimeWarden, strong words indeed but you do make a very good point. There are no excuses or justifications - a lot of people suffer awful experiences and tragedies but not all end up roaming the streets taking out their anger on others. It is very much down to personal choice and I think everybody knows the difference between right and wrong. Personal choice equals personal responsibility in my book - you can't blame others for the path you have chosen.

Andrew Glazebrook said...

I used to carry around a 3 inch blade Swiss Army knife when I was at school in the 80's, used to sharpen my pencil in art with it, the thought never crossed my mind once ever to use it as a weapon, even the teachers knew I had it.
Knife's have been carried for years by people,Teddy Boys had flick knifes and I'm sure some of the Mods and Rockers did, but getting knifes off the street is going to be hard when all anybody has to do is open the kitchen drawer at home. I do think there should be an immediate 2 -3 year prison sentence for anyone found carrying a knife without good reason these days though.

Daisy said...

i don't know about the UK but here the problem is the sentencing...they get charged with the offense and get probation 3 of 4 times...then when they do get sentenced it is reduced by so much it is a joke to most...they plea people down so they get misdemeanor offenses which are basically nothing...it really is a travesty of the justice system...

Steve said...

Andrew, Daisy, I quite agree. Tougher sentencing is surely the main way forward - one strike and you're out. No second chances. No mitigating circumstances. The policitians and the law have got to show that they mean it - otherwise who's going to listen?

The Sagittarian said...

Truly a universal issue, Steve, haven't seen any news reports that exempt many countries from this scurge.

Steve said...

Not sure if that's a consolation or not, Amanda... or just an indication of the world wide feeling of hopelessness and aggression felt by today's youth...