| I say," Yes, they should!" Why do innocent victims have | | | | Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not an advocate of |
| less 'human rights' than those who commit crimes? I | | | | bringing back hanging or the birch or anything like that! |
| remember when you could walk safely in the darkest | | | | No, there are more humane sanctions that can be |
| of places and even if a shadowy figure emerged from | | | | used. Detention for short periods so that a desired |
| the darkness, you didn't feel any fear. That was in the | | | | activity cannot be enjoyed, for example. "But, what |
| good old days when Carmarthenshire had a long spell | | | | about his/her 'human rights'?" I can hear. What about |
| of no murders for years, when violence was a scuffle | | | | them? If it were made clear from the outset that if a |
| outside the pub or club, usually at closing time. This | | | | certain set of rules were not adhered to, then certain, |
| was more often than not sorted out by the respective | | | | defined sanctions would be applied, how can anyone's |
| mums, wives or girlfriends before anything serious | | | | human rights be abused? The offender has chosen to |
| occurred. And if Constable Evans was seen on patrol | | | | carry out certain anti-social actions and has therefore |
| at 10 o'clock at night, on his own, unarmed, everyone | | | | chosen to put up with the consequences, i.e. a certain |
| would dive for cover or just stand perfectly still until he | | | | punishment. There cannot possibly be any abuse of a |
| had gone by. A barely audible, "Everything alright, is it?" | | | | person's human rights in that case. If, for instance, it |
| would bring silent nods all round and on his way he | | | | was decided and made clear and part of the 'Law of |
| would go. | | | | the Land', that if anyone enters a building uninvited, for |
| That seems to be a story from a different planet! | | | | whatever reason, then they have chosen to give up |
| Somebody seems to be killed every day now a days. | | | | their 'human rights' in that situation, the incidences of |
| What on earth has gone so tragically wrong? Well I | | | | breaking and entering would surely fall fairly quickly. |
| have a theory about actions and consequences. I used | | | | Once the idea that they do not have any 'human rights' |
| to teach science and especially physics for many | | | | in those circumstances and whatever happens to |
| years. I always thought I was lucky to do so, rather | | | | them, they have no recourse to 'human rights' |
| than teaching 'desk bound' subjects like maths or | | | | legislation, then surely they would think twice before |
| English. Both of which I have also taught, by the way. | | | | breaking and entering? Why is it that the 'human rights' |
| But in the science lab., I felt I had an inbuilt sanction that | | | | of criminals is paramount? It should not be. Silly |
| worked well, since the majority of pupils wanted to be | | | | 'do-gooders' who plead that criminals should not be |
| doing things rather than just writing. They enjoyed the | | | | victimised because they 'had a hard upbringing', 'did not |
| relative freedom of experiments. If there was any | | | | have this or that when they were young' or whatever |
| silliness, I would say something like, "If you can't behave | | | | excuse is trotted out, should start thinking about the |
| yourselves while writing or listening, then it's far too | | | | law abiding people who have had equally deprived |
| dangerous to allow you to try experiments." But the | | | | upbringings, but don't take it out on the rest of society. |
| clincher was this, "You know the score, if you choose | | | | Yes, we have laws in this country and we have |
| to be disobedient, then you have chosen not to do | | | | sanctions, but there doesn't seem to be any |
| experiments. It's your choice." A perfect example of | | | | consistency. What are we about as a country when a |
| actions and consequences. | | | | poor pensioner gets put in prisoner for not paying an |
| Now, of course, it had to be followed through, | | | | outrageous Council Tax, while a person who causes |
| otherwise there would be absolutely no discipline what | | | | grievous bodily harm gets away with a caution? Police |
| so ever! But if it was followed through with a new | | | | should be out on the streets for at least 90% of the |
| class, and there was some times a little trouble at the | | | | time they are on duty. There should be zero tolerance |
| beginning of the school year, especially at the beginning | | | | and clear sanctions, fully implemented. |
| of my teaching career, then discipline could safely be | | | | "Oh, it will never work," people cry. Not immediately, no |
| left to the members of the class who wanted to do | | | | doubt, but if the rules are applied, without fail, no |
| experiments! After a while, word of mouth ensured | | | | excuses or special circumstances taken into account, |
| that I had very little trouble in or out of the classroom. | | | | then in a very short time law and order would be |
| It's a bit like Saudi Arabia. Not many thieves there. | | | | restored. It's about time the 'human rights' of the |
| Why? Well they chop off your hand. Rather a drastic | | | | law-abiding citizen were taken into account and the |
| sanction, I'll admit, but you can't say it doesn't work. | | | | 'law' of actions and consequences was rewritten in |
| These days, sanctions are really down to strength of | | | | favour of the victims of crime rather than the |
| character, because if the truth be told, there are very | | | | perpetrators. Thanks for reading, and may the |
| few real sanctions available, whether it's in the | | | | unforeseen consequence of my action in writing this |
| classroom or on the street. There is no fear of | | | | article be an improvement in society! |
| retribution. Something I feel is all wrong. | | | | |