individual,

The problem being that in modern times, children are brought up in a very competitive environment. They are taught to compete, not to cooperate...and if a community service is required, they are taught that this kind of service emanates from an institution, not from spontaneous action by individuals getting together as in the old days.

Part of the problem is the "loss" of community, especially in big urban areas, where services have become centralised. So we lose the thread that binds us, and also the feeling that we're connected and that what helps someone else indirectly helps us also.

It's part of the paradigm that dictates how we live. In a fortunate consumer society, mainly concerned with its material well-being, this is the way things go.

(Just add here, that in place of the news at 5:30, we've been making our way through the Dad's Army series. This might seem a bit off beam, but apart from being funny, it's has been instructive on the sort of service that was inherent in the psyche of people earlier last century. Lot's of good community values coming through in that show - not to mention it's been an excellent vehicle to to teach an eleven year-old the history pertaining to WWII on the home-front in Britain)

Dear Suse,

Thank You for explaining your position so clearly in
this discussion. It clarifies things learning the point you
were trying to make. We all receive criticisms on
this forum and as I stated earlier that seems to go
with the territory on a public forum such as this one.
People tend to see things from a viewpoint of
subjectivity - and often may interpret things in very
different ways. However, it is important not to be
afraid of speaking your own mind.

Of course we might say to ourselves - "Gee, I shouldn't
have said that, or maybe I should have said it differently."
Well okay, maybe sometimes we all need to work on our
presentation - I've always felt it important to be
conscious and compassionate and act with great civility.
(Which doesn't always work when the right buttons are
pushed).

Keep on throwing down the gauntlet. The only path to
happiness is to really be all that you can be.
Secure and unafraid of speaking your own mind.

Lexi to her 'Suse',

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPtIHwbguO4

The thread always had potentual.
We in one form or the other have talked about it often.
We never reached a decision, a way to move forward.
A current affair, last night? maybe the one before.
A 60 year old shop employee ran after a theif, getting the goods back.
He was sacked for his efforts.
There is modern Australia, even I have while escorting a pay roll saw the gun locked away and been warned let them have it!
Courts back that up, with bond after bond, who would want to be a cop?
Mums and dads see stolen goods in the kids room, but say nothing about it.
Some crimes need fixed terms of imprisonment, not short but long enough for criminals to fear.
Bashing of unarmed folk should be 12 months no early release first offense 3 years second.
Too late to want change after a death on the street at the hands of thugs.

Belly,
In my day bashing (AGH) used to be 2-3 years in the High Jump 2nd 3rd offense 8 to 10 years. If the offense took place after dark and in a private home them life imprisonment was available.
The cost of prisons caused the offenses to be either remitted or bounced back into the Petty Sessions where beaks can only give 12 month sentences and then only 2 cumulative.

Here's another link on Australian crime
facts and figures:

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/australian-crime-facts-figures-report-shows-teen-are-the-most-violent-australians/story-fncynjr2-1226645615303

It shows that teenagers are the most violent Australians and gives
some plausible reasons for their behaviour.

onthebeach,

For some people irritation is a way of life.
The rest of us have to work at it. (smile).