So, you are having dinner......

[Kaz]

I know, Frank. It's emotive stuff, my friend xx

[Kaz]

Crommers, you have a point. So many see things in black and white these days xx

[medsec222]

These are certainly troubling times and people inflaming the situation, however unintentionally, such as Jo Brand have a lot to answer for. No-one can be sure it will only be an egg or a couple of tomatoes that are thrown at politicians with a different point of view and I take the point that no-one can be sure. However, it was horrible to look at as it was a very forceful reaction. I wasn't comfortable watching it, but I accept the view of all those who have expressed the concern that it is better be safe than sorry.

[cromwell]

These are certainly troubling times and people inflaming the situation, however unintentionally, such as Jo Brand have a lot to answer for.

True. Much of today's humour seems very nasty. Sneering and mocking.

[Suff]

True. Much of today's humour seems very nasty. Sneering and mocking.

Not much recourse left to either side I'm afraid.

Time was that when someone transgressed in what was deemed a "misguided" way, taking them by the scruff of the neck and summarily "turfing them out" was considered both benign and educational. It was considered much less punishment than detaining them, taking legal action, sending them to the courts and the eventual punishment which would be meted out.

Today this has all changed. You can't just "turf someone out" because that's "violence". If you detain them and wait for the Authorities, the consequences are, in reality, inconsequential.

So you are left with the risk that the intruder may actually reach the speaker and throw acid in their face. When that happens, the defence of "Oh I couldn't touch here it would have been sickening abuse of a poor defenceless woman who was half my size" will not hold much weight with the press. The same press which is lambasting that hugely aggressive "monster" who took that "poor defenceless woman" by the scruff of the neck and frogmarched her from the room.

I'll tell you what is sickening today. It is the depths to which our society has plunged. Snide and hissy, sneering and mocking is all we are left with. Speaking the truth is either racists, elitist, misogynistic or any other ist you can find.

You can be certain that if the "security" forces had handled her in any similar fashion we would have been treated to the "brutality" press. Never mind the fact that she would not have stopped without being restrained. Because she is "totally certain" of her "right" to do whatever the hell she wants because she has a "cause". Animals are dying you know. Hell, yes I know, people are dying too but they're not important enough to mention are they???

I tell my Grandson, regularly, that Climate is his issue. That if he doesn't get off his Ass and start engaging and doing something, then he is going to live the consequences. If he had done what this woman had done I would have slapped him round the lug for it. BRUTALITY you shout. Right, my Grandson is 24 and nearly 6'5" and makes me look diminutive. Must be OK then....

So where does this go in the end? WM's original concern cannot be denied. There is far too much chance that the intruder will carry something lethal and will use it even if they do not survive the attack.

So let's arm all the security with Tasers. Excellent, it's humanitarian, accepted part of policing equipment. It doesn't damage the intruder (much), can be licensed more easily than a pistol which is offensive.

Excellent, problem solved. MUCH nicer than grabbing someone by the scruff of the neck and marching them out of the room.

Now take a look in the mirror and tell yourself that your reaction was right, proportionate and where we want the country to go!

[jenniren]

I'll tell you what is sickening today. It is the depths to which our society has plunged. Snide and hissy, sneering and mocking is all we are left with. Speaking the truth is either racists, elitist, misogynistic or any other ist you can find.

Sadly too true

[Workingman]

Now that it has all died down I am wondering what the reaction would be if it was a young male in a hoody ejected in similar or even more forceful fashion.

I kind of suspect that would be fine with everybody.

[Suff]

I kind of suspect that would be fine with everybody.

Indeed and if the young male with a hoodie had a point? Lost in the noise.

I will die within the next 20 years or so. Maybe 25 if I'm extremely lucky. I don't have to live this insanity. But I won't let my progeny succeed me without understanding the basic hypo-criticism of the press coverage today.

Even if I would like to slap the young male with the hoodie round the lug. Not for caring. Not for doing what they did do. But for being so stupid as to make themselves the enemy.

[TheOstrich]

As a slight aside, Extinction Rebellion or whatever the movement is called were holding an "inaugural meeting" at the Church Hall in town tonight. It will be interesting to learn what the attendance or support for it was …...

[Suff]

It would, however the demographics of the attendees is a much more interesting factor for me. How many middle aged, middle income, people actually attended. Because whilst ER is currently heavily biased to the student population, it needs to get some real support from those who have most to lose if ER recommendations go ahead.

If you are interested in the whole thing there is a whole thread on the Arctic Sea Ice forum.

My take is that Germany is a far, far, better target than the UK for ER. France is fairly low for emissions per capita, but is also fairly stable. The UK is middling but dropping. Germany is middling high and getting higher due to their reliance on coal after mothballing their Nuclear reactors. Regardless of the fact that Germany is, today, one of the largest producers of renewable energy!

Anyway, I digress. Back to Boris/Tory bashing...