COUNCILLOR CATCHES FLACK FOR TALKING SENSE ON KNIVES

For the last few months on and off, I've been reading the blog of the recently elected Councillor for Pontefract Northt, Philip Thomas.  Philip's a pretty sound guy, a libertarian in all but name, but for some reason he's a member of the Conservative Party (we all make mistakes).

Not long ago, Philip wrote a very sensible post on the subject of knives and knife crime (to summarise: knives aren't the problem, violent scumbags are, so let's find ways to deal with the scumbags).  Anyone of good sense will agree with this - naturally the statist borderline illiterates at the Daily Mirror don't, and they have printed a typical tabloid smear piece slagging off Philip for his common sense post.  The whole thing seems to have escalated, with the local press and radio getting involved and calls for Philip's resignation/sacking coming from Labourites and "Lib" Dems.  On the other hand, quite a few real people seem to be supporting him, including Yours Truly.  I hope Philip doesn't end up being pressurised into issuing some kind of apology - my impression of his character based on his writing is that he probably won't, although I'm sure he'll get some grief from some in his own party.

Personally I think we need more politicians like Philip - politicians who don't mind thinking outside the statist box and talking sense, and who regard the voters as responsible adults, not sheep to be herded about.  If you feel the same way, why don't you pop along to Philip's blog and leave a message of support?

Hat tip to the Lib Dem Lib "geo-mutualist" blogger Jock Coats for bringing this one to my attention, by the way.

 
9.8.08 16:41


RANDOM SHAKEDOWN

Some people still foolishly insist that the UK isn't a police state. They should pop along to Samizdata and watch this video (I tried putting the video on my blog, but the code didn't work for some reason). A peaceful citizen going about his lawful business is stopped and searched by two coppers, even though they admit that they don't have any reason to suspect him of any wrongdoing.

I respect the cool way in which Citizen Eden handled the situation. Lucky he had one of those fancy newfangled mobile phones that can put video onto the internet. In his position, I probably would have been turning the air blue to no effect. By what right do these scumbags think they can pick on peaceful travelers at random?

 

 
21.8.08 07:41