Happy Birthday KabirT!

Love the Bombardier Globals. Where’s my chequebook?

It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come, DC-3 to Embraer 190.

Some lovely close shots too Robert!

Kev, if your post was directed at me: I wouldn’t encourage employers to offer jobs just to those with a criminal record but I would be encouraging every employer to employ as many people as they can. Perhaps some sort of tax advantage could be brought it for new businesses setting up shop is those “broken” areas?

Aah, misunderstood that bit.

I would also add that if you are on job-seekers allowance, after x number of months you should have to do community based work, such as removing graffiti, repairing bus shelters/telephone boxes, etc.

Jay, as nice as it was for you to write all that, you only got to the question I asked in your second-to-last paragraph. It is nice to think about the end results should be.

Yes, encourage employers to offer jobs: A paid position of regular employment. Otherwise, it is slavery and you are just sending the wrong message. Why should “miscreants” working for nothing? They need to see work as a worthwhile pursuit, something that provides a worthwhile life and financial stability.

Pete, I am not disagreeing with you, because I have been brought up that way. Even though I am contradicting what I am said above about respect be earned.

The point really that I am trying to make is: how do we fix the broken parts of society? Broken parts of society which will still exist even after the rioters are locked away. How do you get children to respect parents, who didn’t respect theirs? Parents who are not enforcing right or wrongs, or respecting others or the police. How do you change that mindset?

The answer lies somewhere between totalitarian rule and namby-pamby-PC-cuddliness.

And sometimes, I think some of them just need a kick up the arse…