baldysblog.co.uk

To be honest, I find the very question preposterous: “How do we stop children drinking…” we shouldn’t even be discussing this as the “issue” or even in this way. The fact that we do seems to indicate that our common-sense has been overwhelmed by “Human Rights” and a daft New Labour agenda.

Instead of a stream of endless and badly drafted legislation that says specifically, “You may not do this or that…” why don’t we just get back to effective and simple legislation that targets both behaviour and the personal responsibility for that behaviour ?

Where I live, we have a seawall and a broad promenade as a consequence. Of recent times, notices have appeared to say that “Dogs Must be kept on Leads” and “Cycling is Forbidden”.Some people have suggested that a local councillor has a brother-in-law who does signs but, I will have no truck with such malicious suggestions.

However, there is no mention of banning Roller Blade, or Skateboard use, Spitting, Shitting, Shagging, Drug Dealing or just getting blind drunk on Cider in the seaside shelters as our local youth are wont to do. I also notice an absence of notices banning burning or shooting people, the carrying of knives, guns, Samurai swords, Assegais or just plain farting in public, the list of ‘missing notices’ is as long as the …err…List I guess !

Personal Responsibility

The only way that you can get people to alter their behaviour is via “peer pressure” – it really is not a “Cool Thing to Do…” A good example of this concerned smoking. The big drop came from the middle classes – actual or aspiring through peer group pressure, never an outright ban but, light up in the garden darling.

The drop in smoking between the mid 70s and mid 90s was astounding, the ban on smoking in public places was typical of “New Labour thinking” – after the horse has bolted, being kind or, more likely “We can bully you so, we will because we are the Government and your arse is ours… peasant !

Reckless Behaviour

Leave aside the literal society with its copious and ineffective laws and just concentrate on one simple issue – “Reckless Behaviour”. If you or I behave in a manner which is obviously “reckless” then we should face the consequences whether by Civil Suit or Criminal prosecution.

If I have a malevolent dog and choose to take it out minus muzzle or lead and it then attacks someone, I am responsible because I was supposed to be “in charge” of the situation, the same applies to parents and their drunken/violent off-spring. There are some but relatively few shopkeepers who will knowingly sell alcohol to under-aged people; most of these ‘children’ get their ‘fix’ courtesy of their parents or elder siblings.

Introducing “Reckless Behaviour” as the charge is little different to the Military and “Behaviour Unbecoming…” it is a catch-all that can be modified to suit the circumstances. Something minor can be dealt with harsh words and a fine, something major, a severe custodial sentence or, the Police turning over their collected evidence to a Lawyer instructed to bring a Civil Case in the matter on behalf of a Plaintiff.

The principle is simple. hit them where it hurts and hit the first few very hard if only to “Encourage the others !” If a parent is that stupid as to supply his/her under age children with alcohol then perhaps it is only by them being made homeless that they will wake up