Friends

10 February 2018

A FAMILIAR GROUSE... MINE


I remember the war days quite clearly, and I remember upsets and arguments in following years, but all that was a distance away from me and my life. Not so anymore, now the fighting and arguments, beatings and murders are practically on the doorstep. It no longer feels safe to leave the house. I live in what used to be known as a ‘respectable and peaceful area’ but attacks are happening here as well and I fear that title is rapidly disappearing. 

I have commented on this before but I swear things have worsened. It’s all happening just up the road! Murders seem to be commonplace; no longer family rows or heated arguments, now the knife has become popular with the louts that inhabit my part of the world. Even school children carry knives and use them to kill.

Who are these people who think murder is a game to be played out at any time, with no thought for their possible incarceration when caught. It wasn’t like this when the death penalty was in force.  Many people were against the barbaric treatment of criminals but at least it acted as a deterrent.

We banned hanging way back but I am beginning to wish we could reinstate it and get back to a more peaceful way of life, the sort of life where we are happy to walk out without fear. 

We didn't have such vivid television then, but look at what we have now: films showing murder - in detail - committed by modern folk, not the cowboy stuff of yesteryear. Television has long been used to teach the people and it's making a good job of it. Then we had a cursory scene, now we have full visual details of cruelty and murder. So, yes, I do blame television for a lot of our problems. 

Now people have the freedom to kill. Parents kill their offspring, and the offspring kill parents, friends and neighbours depending on who is around at the time they feel like playing with lethal weapons. Flippancy? Yes, but surely to God we have got to put a stop to it all. 

15 comments:

  1. The killings are horrendous, but having the death penalty doesn't seem to stop them. There was a 12 year old killed last week trying to break up a fight at a funeral. Unbelievable

    ReplyDelete
  2. Janet, no respect for mourners either it seems. It gets worse.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am morally opposed to killing as a punishment to killing, though I don't lose sleep over it, I'm not sure it is an effective deterrent. I think that people with no regard for life, people who will kill if they are disrespected have always existed, they are now more mobile and have have access to more lethal weapons. Disputes that used to be solved with a fist are now solved with a gun or knife. I also think drugs are the major cause, especially Meth which apparently makes people violent and crazy while under the influence.

    I wish someone knew a good answer to the problem.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You're so right, Valerie. And it's everywhere, all over the world.

    "but look at what we have now: films showing murder - in detail - committed by modern folk, not the cowboy stuff of yesteryear."

    Exactly! Here in America, it's Hollywood that glorifies all the violence, which then perpetuates more and more because it makes it seem normal. Hollywood is so two-faced because they're always talking about how open and accepting they are, yet they are the ones promoting segregation and violence from SO MANY of the movies they make. They're so hypocritical.

    The only thing that's glamorous about Hollywood is how much of "an illusionist" it is.

    Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend, my friend!

    X to you and Charlie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Ron. It really worries me when I read of killings, especially those within families. Violence prevails! Older people are in danger now that killings are rife in their own homes, by strangers and people they know. What a world we live in!

    ReplyDelete
  6. A thought provoking post...... Death at what cost.
    .........display of violence ....to incite more violence.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello Haddock, it does indeed incite more violence.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Joeh, I agree with you about drugs.

    ReplyDelete
  9. A very thoughtful post Valerie. If it was possible to move from a violent area I would do so. I think the majority of people would not harm anybody.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You are 100% correct Valerie, there is no respect for life anymore, our children see way too much around them, on TV, in the social media accounts forever within their grasp, and in the video games they play, and not just out children...everyone has become so numb to seeing blood and guts and killing for no reason. I could go on and on so I will stop by saying that I agree with you and at this point in our society we sure could use a deterrent like the death penalty, another deterrent would be to allow parents to discipline their children.

    ReplyDelete
  11. The increase in knife crime here in the UK scares me, and acid attacks. I'm not sure that bringing back hanging would help but I I think the games and TV that people now watch has had a massive impact on people. I think Mary Whitehouse wasn't as out of touch with reality as people made her out to be.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You're right, Dave, but I have growing concern over the teenagers who think nothing of stabbing. The problem is that they grow up thinking it's normal.Unfortunately its getting that way.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LL Cool, I had temporarily forgotten the acid attacks. Is there a way round that? Maybe stop shops selling it? I agree about Mary Whitehouse, she certainly knew what she was talking about.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes were progressing in more violence and depravity. Back in the early sixty's the head of the American Federal Communications Department call Television a "vast wasteland. I wonder what he call it now. My wife and I prefer to sit on our porch and watch a several families of goats across the road as we find it superior to what on TV these days..:(

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have thought for decades that ever more depraved films and entertainment would result in this. However I think it might be partly human nature, a lot of things which were widespread and bad in the old days are better now and the admittedly rare murders and attacks have become worse. The most ghastly sexism and racismy is far less acceptable now - but it used to be widespread. Reading stuff written 60 years ago is quite shocking to many young people.

    ReplyDelete

If you're new to A Mixed Bag you might find something to interest you, a bit of mirth, a story or two, or some pictures. I'm so pleased you popped in, do leave a comment if you have time.