Comments on: Get tough on the fear of crime http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/ "crass, boorish and more a bruiser than blogger" - Alex Wilcock Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:52:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: James Graham http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-88723 James Graham Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:50:36 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-88723 Oaten wrote a chapter on prison reform. I was referring to the first chapter in which David Laws basically slags off everyone who doesn't share his narrow vision of economic liberalism. Next time I remember to do so when I'm within arm's reach of a copy of the book, I will give you chapter and verse. Oaten wrote a chapter on prison reform. I was referring to the first chapter in which David Laws basically slags off everyone who doesn’t share his narrow vision of economic liberalism.

Next time I remember to do so when I’m within arm’s reach of a copy of the book, I will give you chapter and verse.

]]> By: Emmanuelle http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-88722 Emmanuelle Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:42:29 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-88722 Was it really Laws who was hectoring the Lib Dems for not doing enough to acknowledge how the fear of crime affects people’s daily lives? I recall that the chapter on crime was written by Mark Oaten (or more precisely, by his <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article767100.ece" rel="nofollow">researcher</a>). Was it really Laws who was hectoring the Lib Dems for not doing enough to acknowledge how the fear of crime affects people’s daily lives? I recall that the chapter on crime was written by Mark Oaten (or more precisely, by his researcher).

]]> By: Tristan Mills http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-88495 Tristan Mills Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:21:38 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-88495 Good post. As for Laurence and his 'anarchy as an insult' presumption, your comment made Brian Paddick more attractive. I too find the idea of anarchy attractive (at least anarcho-capitalism, mutualism and some proudhonist based thinking - those anarcho-syndicalists and anarcho-capitalists don't appeal at all, mainly due to their ). Indeed, in my more mischievous moments (as well as my more cynical or drunken ones) I suggest various anarchistic ideas to people to try and get them to rethink their state centred thinking. We do need to get people to take responsibility for themselves (and their immediate surroundings). The big error in collectivist visions of freedom is that they fail to take into account the pressures and responsibilities that freedom brings, they assume the collective can always take care of problems. Without taking care of your own problems (with or without help from others - this is not some desert island individual) you have no freedom because you become subject to every whim of whoever has the power. Good post.

As for Laurence and his ‘anarchy as an insult’ presumption, your comment made Brian Paddick more attractive. I too find the idea of anarchy attractive (at least anarcho-capitalism, mutualism and some proudhonist based thinking - those anarcho-syndicalists and anarcho-capitalists don’t appeal at all, mainly due to their ). Indeed, in my more mischievous moments (as well as my more cynical or drunken ones) I suggest various anarchistic ideas to people to try and get them to rethink their state centred thinking.

We do need to get people to take responsibility for themselves (and their immediate surroundings). The big error in collectivist visions of freedom is that they fail to take into account the pressures and responsibilities that freedom brings, they assume the collective can always take care of problems. Without taking care of your own problems (with or without help from others - this is not some desert island individual) you have no freedom because you become subject to every whim of whoever has the power.

]]> By: Nathaniel Tapley http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86994 Nathaniel Tapley Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:04:40 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86994 I'd just like to congratulate you on this post. I think it's brilliant. I believe our political class, along with certain sections of the media, have tried very hard to make us distrust each other. After all, we might all be paedophiles, terrorists, or whatever the bogeyman of the day happens to be. I would also argue that attacks on trades unions, and the sale of public assets are part of this attack. Realising that the greatest threat to state power is voluntary collective organisations they have been undermined as far as possible for the last 30 years. According to what appears to be the current government paradigm, there are individuals, who will 'choose' services from the state, which will then get private enterprise to fulfil them. Any other type of organisation would just be 'collectivist'. There's only so long you can spend telling people that 'there's no such thing as society', before they believe you, and begin behaving accordingly. I’d just like to congratulate you on this post. I think it’s brilliant.

I believe our political class, along with certain sections of the media, have tried very hard to make us distrust each other. After all, we might all be paedophiles, terrorists, or whatever the bogeyman of the day happens to be.

I would also argue that attacks on trades unions, and the sale of public assets are part of this attack. Realising that the greatest threat to state power is voluntary collective organisations they have been undermined as far as possible for the last 30 years.

According to what appears to be the current government paradigm, there are individuals, who will ‘choose’ services from the state, which will then get private enterprise to fulfil them. Any other type of organisation would just be ‘collectivist’.

There’s only so long you can spend telling people that ‘there’s no such thing as society’, before they believe you, and begin behaving accordingly.

]]> By: Laurence Boyce http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86602 Laurence Boyce Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:18:59 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86602 Oh sorry, I only read the last paragraph. But I thought that anarchism was something only espoused by the lunatic fringe of the libertarian fruitcake fraternity. And therefore not a good thing. Oh sorry, I only read the last paragraph. But I thought that anarchism was something only espoused by the lunatic fringe of the libertarian fruitcake fraternity. And therefore not a good thing.

]]> By: James Graham http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86599 James Graham Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:08:57 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86599 Brian Paddick was one of the most high profile - and senior - police officers in London. And I wasn't having a go at him, I was serious. I am attracted to a candidate who admits to finding the concept of anarchism appealing - I do too. Like Paddick, I fully accept that it isn't practical, but the underlying premise - that the onus should be on people to solve their own problems rather than leaving it to the state - is in essence what I've been arguing for in this article. Brian Paddick was one of the most high profile - and senior - police officers in London. And I wasn’t having a go at him, I was serious. I am attracted to a candidate who admits to finding the concept of anarchism appealing - I do too. Like Paddick, I fully accept that it isn’t practical, but the underlying premise - that the onus should be on people to solve their own problems rather than leaving it to the state - is in essence what I’ve been arguing for in this article.

]]> By: Laurence Boyce http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86598 Laurence Boyce Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:03:39 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86598 I think Boris is a twat. But I thought that <i>you</i> were having a go at Paddick. Anyway, I'd tell you everything that was wrong with him, only I really know very little about him. And therein lies the problem. The candidate needs to be widely recognised to stand a chance. It's the Susan Kramer factor. She's a bit better known now, but then it was Susan who? Same applies to Boff and co for the Conservatives. They're all just wasting their time. I think Boris is a twat. But I thought that you were having a go at Paddick. Anyway, I’d tell you everything that was wrong with him, only I really know very little about him. And therein lies the problem. The candidate needs to be widely recognised to stand a chance. It’s the Susan Kramer factor. She’s a bit better known now, but then it was Susan who? Same applies to Boff and co for the Conservatives. They’re all just wasting their time.

]]> By: James Graham http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86587 James Graham Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:26:36 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86587 Okay, I'll bite. So in what way is Paddick not a serious candidate? Anyway, I thought you'd already declared your support for Boris Johnson (never knowingly over-serious)? Okay, I’ll bite. So in what way is Paddick not a serious candidate? Anyway, I thought you’d already declared your support for Boris Johnson (never knowingly over-serious)?

]]> By: Laurence Boyce http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86486 Laurence Boyce Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:37:23 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86486 Fine, so we need a serious candidate. Not Paddick. Fine, so we need a serious candidate. Not Paddick.

]]> By: Will http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86472 Will Mon, 03 Sep 2007 22:08:16 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/09/03/get-tough-on-the-fear-of-crime/#comment-86472 Yes, there's nothing quite like giving up and going home before an election has even begun to convince people you're still a vibrant political force. I live in London and I'd like to be able to vote for a Liberal Democrat thankyouverymuch. Yes, there’s nothing quite like giving up and going home before an election has even begun to convince people you’re still a vibrant political force.

I live in London and I’d like to be able to vote for a Liberal Democrat thankyouverymuch.

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