National Identity Cards

I hear today that the Government are releasing information on the timetabling of Identity card introduction.  Today, Ministers were selling the scheme as a way of preventing fraud (whereas up until now it's been touted as away of preventing terrorism.....so a bit of a change of heart?) Most of this country's citizens are law abiding and I'm at a loss as to why the majority should have their civil liberties impinged upon because of a minority criminal element.  Mores to the point, determined fraudsters will find a way around any system put in place because they always do....and let's face it.....our sensitive information isn't safe in the hands of the Government anyway.  They'll just leave it lying around for the next fraudster who wants it!- think child benefit records)

As the most surveyed nation in the world, I hardly think we need more restrictions.  I also can't believe that people are buying into the Governments propaganda that they are doing this to 'protect' us (if not against fraud then against terrorism.....or any other excuse they might deem necessary to persuade us!)  I also find it hard to swallow that people are lying down to take this infringement of civil liberties.  I for one will not be giving up my personal data for the Government to use or abuse in any way they see fit.  If this doesn't feel scary enough for people then maybe you should be having a look at '1984' by George Orwell.    

"Binge Drinking Britain"

Today the Government released their report on the effects of the 24-hour Licensing Law.  The change in law was meant to be an attempt to introduce a "cafe culture" to Britain according to the Government.  Critics claim that the Law, which was introduced in November 2005, has led to an increase in binge-drinking.  This in turn, it is claimed,  has created an up turn in violent street crimes involving young people and also an increased demand on the Emergency Services.  

However, Ministers have concluded that there are no adverse effects from the 24-hour Licensing Laws.  Their results show:- no increase in drinking and no increase in alcohol-related crime.  This is despite the police telling us that services are suffering because staff have to be moved from day time duty to cover drink hot spots at night,  Ambulance Services reporting a 12 percent increase in alcohol-related calls and A & E staff reporting an increase in abuse and violence towards nursing staff.  

I think Ministers need to walk along some of our City streets on a Friday and Saturday night to see the results of extended Licensing hours - where people are fighting, vomiting or falling about from the effects of excessive alcohol and where most citizens fear to tread least they become victims of abuse or violence.

Friday 29th February 2008 - "Plastic Carrier Bags!"

The supermarket, Marks and Spencer, yesterday announced that it would no longer be providing free carrier bags to it's customers.  They are hoping the newly introduced 5p charge will deter customers from adding even more plastic bags to landfill sites.  Of course, they could be really radical and 'get rid' of them altogether and customers would have to do exactly what my parents did when I was a kid (and I do now) and take their own reusable bags to the supermarket to put their shopping in.  If carrier bags weren't available this would have to be the case.  And of course, if something has to be available maybe it should be an alternative to the plastic carrier bag. When I was a kid, supermarkets made available the used cardboard boxes so that customers could use them to load their groceries into.  Or what about the States? Where all their grocery bags are paper?