What now for our broken society?

Since the civil disorder and looting which took place in a number of English cities last week, the pundits,  politicians and media commentators have been queuing up to tell us why they happened and what we need to do in the future to prevent a re-occurrence.

It is tragically clear from their many comments, that they don't have a clue, either about the undoubtedly complex causes of the civil unrest, or about what may prove to be effective solutions to prevent a future outbreak of  violence, arson and largely unchallenged looting in our major cities.

From the predictable bleating of the liberal elite, I see no evidence that any of them comprehend the part their dogmatic support for the morally bankrupt doctrines of multiculturalism, political-correctness, cultural relativism and 'human rights' legislation has played in the decline of respect and consequences in our society.

Predictably, the morally relativist BBC has been in the forefront of promoting the views of those who fear that the consequences meted out by our judiciary in response to some of the most disturbing civil unrest in our history, may be excessively harsh.

The police have been more robust in the defense of their failure to immediately challenge and arrest the lawbreakers than they were in confronting them. Yet this should not surprise us. Our liberal legislators have created the conditions under which, those charged with our protection, are more frightened of the consequences of  confronting the forces of chaos, than they are of personal injury or enforcing the law.

My fear, is that although extremely serious, the lawlessness and unrest will not prove serious enough to result in a genuine change of direction or attitude. Unless we manage to re-establish a society where we can, without liberal censure, restore adult authority, hold people, (especially children) to account for their actions, allow our teachers to discipline their pupils without fear of dismissal or worse, then the lessons of these tragic events will not have been learned and the opportunity to change the values of our deeply dysfunctional society will tragically be lost, leaving future generations to sink in the quagmire of our cowardice and good intentions.



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The Riots 

I had resolved not to write about the outbreak of criminal rioting and systematic thieving that has been occurring in many parts of London and numerous other (so far) English cities. I made this decision because I thought, that with so many pundits of all political persuasions and agendas already pontificating about the problems, the causes and the solutions, I would not have anything new or different to say.

However, having read many comments and listened to countless commentators expressing their views about all aspect of this situation, I realised that I may after all, have something to contribute.

First, let me admit that I'm of a generation which has unfortunately, witnessed the steady and relentless decline of serious consequences for criminal activity in our society. This political failure to confront criminality, particularly among the young has created a culture where there is neither fear, or respect for authority. The current penalties for wrong-doing are woefully inadequate and most punishments do not fit the crime.

The inexorable rise of multiculturalism, political correctness and the deeply ingrained moral and cultural relativism in much of our our media and which is endemic among the political classes, has led to a society, where serious consequences for criminal and anti-social behaviour have been significantly eroded.

We now live in a society, where liberal and relativist values have led to a genuine fear among the general population, and a disinclination of those charged with protecting us to engage with the forces of chaos in case they themselves are prosecuted for taking the kind of action necessary to ensure our safety. This is not just evident in the police's reluctance to engage with criminals and others who bleat victim-hood at every opportunity, it extends to the unwillingness of teachers to confront unruly pupils and the total fear of the average member of the public to confront or reprimand any anti-social behaviour they may unfortunately encounter. 

Sadly, I have not been surprised or shocked by recent events, In fact, I have been predicting them for years.. It does not take a genius to realise, that if one creates a society where 'human rights' take precedence over 'human responsibilities' and where the rights of criminals are more closely monitored and valued than the rights of victims, then people will grow up with no fear of consequences. Couple this with the clear evidence, that even when the police do their job and bring an offender before the courts, the punishment they receive is all too frequently perceived to be totally inadequate.

The assertions from politicians and senior police that the perpetrators of these crimes will face the full force of the law is quite clearly a joke. Firstly, many of them will never be identified, secondly, of those that are arrested, few will be charged and lastly, those very few who are charged will be tried and sentenced by a criminal justice system which will fail to adequately punish them.

From what I've heard so far from our political leaders, senior police and media commentators I have no confidence that any of them have either the will, intelligence or courage to take the measures necessary to deal with the immediate threats. Even more concerning, I don't believe they understand the historical responsibility they bear for the current state of our deeply fractured and dysfunctional society.


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