Shockadelic I guess I'm just lucky to have come from such a brilliant generation. We weren't confused, despite similar variation in ages to attain certain privileges.

We had to be 17 to get a drivers licence, 18 to join the army, & 21 to get married, without parental permission, or sign a contract without a guarantor.

We didn't have shooters licences back then, but we used to issue WW11 army 303 rifles to the school cadets to take home, walking, riding, or on the school bus without any legal problem. Of course those kids had to be 14, a ripe old age.

I had been carrying a 22, & a mattock, when the mates & I went rabbeting since I was about 12, so that must have been OK too. We didn't shoot many rabbits, skins with a hole in them weren't worth much. We preferred to dig them out of the warrens, as those skins had to pay for things like bicycles, foot ball boots, & for me, even a horse. All the things our parents could not afford to buy us, but we wanted very much came that way. Funny, we never thought of pinching someone else's stuff, may be because we weren't confused.

Yes I guess I was lucky, but mostly because if a local cop had found us being antisocial in any way, he would have sent us on our way, off the toe of his boot. Somethings you have to have experienced to appreciate.

o sung wu

the problem is that ex coppers like yourself who have seen things first hand never get to affect policy. Often it is high paid public servants living in leafy suburbs and exempt from the effects of crime that have most say. Often they bang on about rehabilation whilst being in denial of its hopeless failure in the vast majority of cases.

You're quite right there RUNNER. Nevertheless, I'm of the belief, police should be encouraged to articulate their OPINIONS and VIEWS on certain matters more often, rather than observing the official line or position of 'no comment' ?

Of course, particular details specific to the 'facts in issue', cannot be spoken of,('sub judice') before the conclusion of all court activity, otherwise it could harm the Crown's case. Or, inhibit the accused person from mounting an effective defence, or alternatively furnishing exculpatory evidence, of his or her innocence ?

The criminal law is a real quagmire of technicalities, as I'm sure you appreciate RUNNER ?

Cheers...Sung wu.

Hasbeen, "We had to be 17 to get a drivers licence, 18 to join the army, & 21 to get married, without parental permission, or sign a contract without a guarantor."

The drinking age was 21. I would argue for a return to that. Excepting for soldiers serving on active duty, where the age should be lower.

I like that we differentiate between adult and child and punish accordingly. I'm horrified at the inadequate sentencing handed down on various cases but we've got to remember these are kids and up to a point they should be treated that way. If the crimes are bad enough then bang on their door when they're 18.

Onthebeach,

I heartily endorse that, and they should have to provide i.d. to prove they are over 21.

Unfortunately, many of the drunken louts are even older than that, so what to do about them?

I started work immediately after my 15th birthday, and stayed fully employed from then on.
I have personal knowledge of one of the aforementioned louts who is 29, and hasn't worked hardly at all since leaving school. Still living at home, not contributing, and uses his dole money to binge drink every weekend. His parents are much more tolerant than I would be with him. He'd have been shown the door long ago. His is not an isolated case either. The crowd he hangs with are all a bunch of no hopers, and this is what are taxes are supporting?

Not relevant to this thread in any way - but have you heard Andrew deLeon sing? A voice so different in I couldn't even guess how many millions.

o sung wu,
Our police are frustrated at not having a greater say regarding their vital role. One has to feel sorry for them - they [pardon the pun] cop far too much abuse and flak these days. They are grossly underpaid for the job they do!

Hasbeen,

Do share, just what did you do to feel the copper's boot?

A threat from my parents that they would even call the police was enough to keep me on the straight and narrow. We need to give the police back some authority to be able to deal directly with kids, and then to be backed up by the judiciary. No wonder their morale is at an all time low. They have a thankless task - not a career I would want to persue in our present times.