Voting TaKtiX

Remember this? What about this? Remember the whole ‘yob culture/we’re all doomed’ scare stories all over the papers? Steve’s random and often belligerent Journal -

Steve’s Politics update!

Boring sounding UK politics issue of the day:
Recently, the UK has brought in laws to allow pubs and bars to serve alcohol after 11pm. Before that, we were still using the rules brought in because of WW1. At the time, idiots more conservative members of society screamed that 24-hour drinking would lead to drunken chaos, rising crime and drink related deaths for everybody!!

The facts:
As reported in the Independent today, Serious Violent Crime has fallen 21% (some towns 42%) and there are 14% fewer injuries. Pub owners report that people aren’t buying 20 pints at 10.58pm, and huge crowds don’t hit the streets at 11.30 anymore. So in fact, the predicted apocalypse that the “liberalisation” of these laws would bring, didn’t happen. And the benefits everyone else expected, did.

Conclusion:
Well, duh.

Independent article.

To fellow bloggers: Isn’t it annoying when you get home all full of the great post you’re going to write, only to find some other bastard has done it already, but better? Still, worth quoting methinks.

Look, given this blogs tagline, I couldn’t let a blog post titled Nanny State go without comment, could I? Cicero’s Songs: The Nanny State:

Life should contain some risks- all of us have an unwritten expiration date on our birth certificate. The key is the find a balance- the “something must be done” brigade are driving our society to expect the impossible: complete safety, and to sue when this is not the case.

Agree completely, naturally, the rest is rather good as well.

4 posts in one night? Time to turn in methinks…

Well, I wouldn’t go that far…
United Irelander: Top Ten Tuesday - The English:

7. Fairly objective towards Ireland’s north - The English seem fairly apathetic towards the North these days and when the North is brought up, they tend to approach things with an open mind. In fact, according to recent polls, the English actually favour a United Ireland at this point.

Not yet, anyway.

For those paying attention, yes, the logo at the top combines three flags. Two crosses and a Dragon. No St Patrick to be seen. And yes, that is deliberate. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I’m British, not UKish. While I instintively distrust the likes of McGuinness and Adams, I’m not that keen on Paisley and his ilk either, both sides were out of order throughout the conflict. British Govt regularly touts the ’self determination’ mantra. Anyone ask us? Keep 1707, that one made us Great. Get rid of 1800, we were never really United, were we?

Now is not the time, no idea when it will be, but I just don’t care about 6 counties and the protestanct ascendancy. Never have. Not just because I’m an atheist. Orange landed at Brixham, doesn’t mean I like the Orangemen much…

In a comment on Rachel’s blog, Steve echoes a question also asked by DK: “Where are the moderate Muslim voices? “. Well, Biodun’s found one for me…

BBC NEWS | UK | Muslim leader condemns protesters:

Mr Bukhari told the BBC News website: “The placards and chants were disgraceful and disgusting, Muslims do not feel that way.

“I condemn them without reservation, these people are less representative of Muslims than the BNP are of the British people.”

I’m going to mail a few contacts next few days, possibly I may be able to get one to go on the record. Possibly…

And yes, Blogger is still playing up, there are two posts in the queue to publish, not having a problem elsewhere, just here. Gah!