I joined the merry throngs doing their Christmas shopping in town yesterday and as I got to the junction of High St and Victoria St I was shocked to see armed police hanging around among the crowds. Two officers in their 'SWAT' outfits were carrying their modern rifle-type weapons; one beside a Securicor van parked on the pavement and another on the other side of the road. A Police vehicle with other officers was parked facing them just in High St. I have no idea why they were there, there was nothing conspicuously occurring.
Their casual stance added the the disquieting effect. I kind of assume that if they are carrying lethal weapons it is because they consider they may have to use them. In which case why wasn't the area cordoned off to the public to reduce the risk of injury to passers by? I can only assume that they did not consider there would be any need to use their weapons, in which case why were they there?
I have a very real and genuine concern that such incidents contribute to 'gun culture' because it desensitises us to the presence of guns in our everyday lives. So I now feel less safe on Nottingham's streets after yesterday's experience.
PS A survey is currently being conducted (by the Police Federation I think)asking all police officers for their views on all police being armed.
Their casual stance added the the disquieting effect. I kind of assume that if they are carrying lethal weapons it is because they consider they may have to use them. In which case why wasn't the area cordoned off to the public to reduce the risk of injury to passers by? I can only assume that they did not consider there would be any need to use their weapons, in which case why were they there?
I have a very real and genuine concern that such incidents contribute to 'gun culture' because it desensitises us to the presence of guns in our everyday lives. So I now feel less safe on Nottingham's streets after yesterday's experience.
PS A survey is currently being conducted (by the Police Federation I think)asking all police officers for their views on all police being armed.
bang bang
24.12.2005 04:27
"INNOCENT", England, 2005. RIP, and also to the young police woman who
was killed a few months later. We can be more.
Don't be fooled; copswith guns ain't there to make the streets safer, but to put people offfrom attending demonstrations against capitalism, same as ID cards.
Don't let fear dissapate the growing voice of the people. 'They' are on
the rocks, and they'll do all they can to maintain their control. But
it is slipping, and one day we will be the ones who control our
destinies. And when we do, will we have the compassion to take in those
who spent so long trying to keep us in fear and moral poverty?
But in the here and now, remember, we are no 51st state, and we at least have
some illusion of democracy. It is our stupid leaders who go around
booting hornets nests. The vast majority of humans hope for a time when
we can live in freedom and fairness, and international compassion.
Remember this, and if it is not alien to your modern code, at least try
voting. Those who spread fear and pain are lacking in vision of hope
and love. Perhaps they need help as much as anyone. We might be able to
find 'em something to do at the ASBO Centre.
We are not a commodity.Look how we treat animals, the chickens without beaks, the calves onthe bonfires, the badgers in the target finder. Every living thing
should and maybe soon will be free.
What do you reckon Bill?
"England,where no-one has guns; fourteen deaths [from guns,1991]. United States-
and I think you know how we feel about guns; whoo! I'm getting a
stiffy- 23,000 deaths from handguns. But there's no connection... and
you'd be a fool and a communist to make one. There's no connection
between having a gun and shooting someone with it, and NOT having a gun
a NOT shooting someone. There've been studies made, and there's no
connection at all there. Yes. It's absolute truth. You know, fourteen
deaths from handguns- probably American tourists too. 'Call this a
sandwich? (three gunshots) You don't boil pizza!' (two gunshots)
'That's the way we eat it here! S'way we eat it here' (three gunshots)
'This food sucks!' (three gunshots)"
"Ah... yeah, I did'nt know 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' had a footnote... but apparently it's 'Thou Shalt Not Kill asterisk'
-oh, unless you really want to. Yeah, so it's a very
flexible religion, very yoga-like. But ah... I didn't find it ironic,
cos after all, if it weren't for the death penalty... we'd have no
Easter!"
"The time has come to air the Voice of Reason,
In a world gone gone mad, adrift on banal seas,
For all who feel that lies have had their season,
And whose Hearts CryOut, instead for Honesty,
For all the weary souls grown bored with
dreaming, Whose thirst for Knowledge and for Beauty goes unslaked,
For all who long to wake from what is seeming,
And know what's Real, and what is Real, to embrace.
For all who've sat and watched with mounting horror,
Evil's reign upon this world grow ever clear,
For all who've sought invain, Emancipators,
Wielding Swords of Truth, and laughing without fear.
For all who've ever asked themselves in reference to the world,
'Is it just me, or does this suck?', Take Heart! It does suck, but you
are not alone in thinking so. Sleeper awaken to the cry of players as
they call forthe Voice of Reason in every mind to come forth in choir
and sing hymns to Beauty and Truth."
"I LOST AN ALIEN CULTURE WHO WANTED TO TAKE ME TO THE PLANET ARTUROS! FUCK YOU!"
Okay Mr Hicks, three quotes will do just fine...
We are the players of today. Sing, and Hold on to love.
Come on 2006!
tim
e-mail:
timvincible@yahoo.co.uk