It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

Red_Doe

I am really uncomfortable in general with people believing they have the right to take the law into their own hands.

I am sorry to haul this OT, so this is all I`ll say on this matter. But it`s something I feel strongly about.
A long time ago, a female relative was sexually assaulted. She did what she was supposed to do...informed a responsible adult, who then went with her to both social work and the police. Because the assaulter was an elderly man, and appeared frail (walking with a stick, shakily) he was believed when he said nothing happened.
She tried to take her own life.
She to this day suffers depression and self harm issues.
Everyone turned a blind eye to this incident. In fact it was found out the assaulter had a previous criminal record for just such incidents, yet the police did nothing.
Know what the powers that be did? Rehomed him, right across the road from a childrens playpark.
Know what someone else did?
Hired a couple of boys to pay him a visit and kneecap him, letting him know why.
Now, I can see why people don`t approve of taking the law into their own hands and maybe when we are talking the theft of milk, fair enough.
But what if it is something more serious, and still the powers set in place supposedly to protect the victim let them down?
What then? Turn a blind eye? Pick up the pieces, if they are able? What if they can`t?
Really, truly, it is rarely so cut and dried. In times past, in the very OS times that many people hark back to, communities took care of their own. When and if the law let them down, when nobody would listen or act, they would very often seek justice outwith the law and repay kind for kind or at the least, make sure the assaulter/thief/whatever criminal would be heavily discouraged from doing such a thing again.
Is that so bad?
And yes, you can say how far does one go?
But imo, doing something in such situations is a damn sight better than doing nothing which only contributes to the power the criminal feels in their getting away scot-free with it, and with the helplessness and despair the victim feels when there is nobody to champion their cause.
Ok, if this is deleted then I`ll understand why, but it`s easy enough for folks that haven`t been in some dire situations at the hand of criminals and then had no or little support from the police, to criticise.
Incidentally, I was told by the local police officer who visited after someone had wrecked my hen hutches and tried to break into my barn that I`d be the one in trouble if I whacked the hell out of anyone I caught doing so, and that the criminal would have the right to prosecute me. If that is indeed the case, then something`s seriously wrong with things and I for one intend to hark back to previous days when communities had a damn sight more common sense about such things.

[Deleted User]

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HariboJunkie

Red Doe I am truly very sorry that your relative went through such a terrible ordeal. Really I am and the perpetrators behaviour is inexcusable and indefensible. It is also really dreadful that justice was not forthcoming so I can empathise with your feelings on this one. However the matter that was raised on this thread was about berry theft so that is what I referring to in my response and I don't think the two crimes are in any way comparable.

kate1974

HariboJunkie wrote: »

I want to go mushrooming but no one will come with me in the rain and I have a tendancy to get lost in the woods. :rotfl:

Really want to dry my mushrooms this year and use as many as Christmas presents as possible. My family all love them so I do them dried in jars and bottled in oil. For personal use I just freeze them.

Need to make a proper Christmas list as I'm just randomly preserving and knitting at the moment with no real clue who is getting what.

Can I ask what area of England are you in?We used to live in South East then moved to South West and I've never seen a single wild mushroom here-well edible anyway.
On OS front-made about 9 litres of jam-mostly from blackberries but some from plums.We're lucky as we live in the area where nobody seems to be interested in foraging.
Also can I ask-can somebody give me an advice how and when pick up walnuts-there's huge tree nearby and it's loaded this year.

HariboJunkie

kate1974 wrote: »

Can I ask what area of England are you in?
.

I'm in Scotlandshire.

redlady_1

HariboJunkie wrote: »

Pigeon Pie.

Sorry I have no constructive advice. We have no pigeons here so there's another reason to move up. :beer:

Dont think I havent considered sitting in the garden with a shot gun!!!

Um, there are grumblings afoot of a recce around Chrimbo so who knows

Big news!!! Chav Central (my neighbours) are moving out next week!!! :T:T:T Only thing is that they will obviously have to have a party so the weekend could be difficult. Apparently the owners are moving back in and they meet with Mrs Buckets approval (next door but one) so that can only be good!!!

[Deleted User]

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kidcat

I thought it had been agreed to leave the discussionof thieves and deterrants alone yesterday, there is obviously a very clear division about what is acceptable and what is not, it is however each persons right to express their opinions freely - but in the last few days it has begun to feel almost attacking and that will lead to us being moved on again. It therefore seems a good idea to have a thread set up for such discussion on the relevant board (but I am not usre which one), if someone points me to the relevant board I am happy to post a discussion topic and then all the posts can be kept together for a reasoned debate.

On an OS note have been shopping today and am stunned at the prices yet again rising, but more stunning was the change in atmosphere within the shops themselves - people were helping each other and talking!! I usually race around grab my stuff and rarely get even a nod from anyone but today people were stopping to help others, helping load stuff at the tills etc, it was a definite change in attitudes. How long will it last? Who knows but maybe there is a glimmer of community starting to show.

For anyone struggling with things like opening tins etc, halfords are selling all their mobility aids at really reduced prices - I got a seat belt helper thingy for my mum who has arthritus for 99p, and they are offering free delivery too.


ETA - That sounds as though I am being really harsh and I have probably worded it badly - its said in my really peacemaking type voice.

Frugal_Dreamer

kittie wrote: »

Frugal_Dreamer wrote: »

How do you know no harm was done? Let's hope the thief did not give the milk to a baby or young child...
QUOTE]


:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

That milk was BOUGHT for young children by very conscientious parents. The ADULT thief stole directly from the mouths of babies.

What has developed since the 70s is a namby pamby do-gooder nanny state as typified by your very simplistic statement. You really have no idea

I need to edit this just in case FG didn`t understand. The milk bottle was replaced on the doorstep and on my parent`s property. If that thief hadn`t stolen it then he would not have had a taste of cascara. End of

I find your response very patronizing. I have understood fully what everyone has said on the topic and I am not sticking up for the thief in anyway. My only point is that 'poisoning' a thief to get back at them is the wrong path to take. My view is different to yours but there is no reason to belittle my view or get personal.

I shall not respond further and shall unsubscribe from the thread.

Red_Doe

Pigeons hate noise, so how about stringing up something that`ll snap in the wind? Old cassette tape reels used to work well at this, don`t know where you`d find them now though!