The quickest way to feel ashamed.......

[Blackdog_kt]

I think that going about with the quick solution that helps people vent their anger causes more problems in the long run (aka the "let's shoot them" deal).

I'm all for punishment befitting the crime, but punishment alone without an explanation about why it comes didn't really help anyone "get it" as to why they're being punished in the first place.

Like others have said, things like that are first and foremost results of social/family and educational issues in our societies.

Also on the terms of national service, i think a lot of the sabre-rattling and cavalier attitude towards starting wars would go away if some of the major world powers re-instituted conscription.

In my country it's mandatory and while it is a pain in the back, i'm glad it is that way for a variety of reasons.
Although it's not that hard to get excused due to medical reasons, the vast majority do some army time at some point in their lives, depending on if they get a suspension of conscription for university/studies/family reasons we've got from 19 year old to 35 year old conscripts actively serving in all three branches, along with professional military men of all ranks.

For me this is like "money in the moral bank" and that's why i went ahead and served my 12 months when it would be easy as pie for me not to due to a back condition that i have: i learn some skills to defend family, friends and the people's collective property if the need arises, i have a sense of being owed to or at least being on parity as opposed to owing to society so that i can demand certain things from the state (i put my life on hold for a year to defend the state, so the state is indebted to protect me in a similar fashion), plus a true citizen army in the interest of the citizens is the best means to apply pressure within the state in case of corrupt governments and so on.

For example, it's hard for a government to make an army of 90% non-professionals oppress their civilians or justify sending the army to fight wars abroad when there is no tangible gain from it and there are more immediate threats closer to home, especially when they will be going back to a civilian life and voting against you in the event of an election. Long story short, i see it as the people's tool both in guarding against external threats as well as internal ones, because it is made up of the people themselves

[Ze-Jamz]

Capital punishment is the way forward...

Bring it back = deterant

@ Madfish.. I wouldnt go as far as to say were not friends as I dont even know you, I will however say that OUR views on this matter and the comments you have made in your post puts our views a millions miles apart from one another

[Jatta Raso]

Originally Posted by BadAim

Gets harder to be idealistic as you get older dunnit? I think life just kinda beats it out of you.

completely agree on that, shame and honor don't measure fairly and equally among different ppl who go through different paths in life... there's a huge disparity in opportunities and life quality that ppl get these days, and a lot of anger and disgust towards social concepts as a consequence. as much as i don't like these kind of actions, if we start shooting ppl for this we'll have a bloodbath on our hands

there are certain groups of individuals that i would press against a wall and take the shot myself, but not for this alone, i wouldn't be so extreme

[drewpee]

[QUOTE=Skoshi Tiger;327170]I guess your right. If we shot all the unthinking, selfish, self-centered, disrespectful people in the world there wouldn't be many of us left.

That's rite and who would run the country?

[retrojet]

[QUOTE=seaeye;327243]Maybe National Service ought not be brought back. I served with the FAA a few years ago, and I can assure you there are already enough d**kheads within the military organisation without drafting in a load of criminals as some form of social rehab.

I think alot of what this guy says is correct. Do the rest of you solve all life's problems with a gun? QUOTE]

???????
Only if the problem requires one...?! Why should the target of violent crime not have the right to fight fire with fire? I come from the UK where owning a gun is not allowed, except for the authorities, rich gits, and criminal types! I live in the USA, where the common man has the right to protect himself and his property... That makes sense to me, even though I despise the fact that gun-ownership exists at all, in everyday life... Ask Norway, for crikey sake!!! Nut cases can get a gun or three too easily, but if you think you can reclaim the streets, you're welcome to ask nicely... Just be well-armed when you try...!

[seaeye]

Originally Posted by retrojet

???????
Only if the problem requires one...?! Why should the target of violent crime not have the right to fight fire with fire? I come from the UK where owning a gun is not allowed, except for the authorities, rich gits, and criminal types! I live in the USA, where the common man has the right to protect himself and his property... That makes sense to me, even though I despise the fact that gun-ownership exists at all, in everyday life... Ask Norway, for crikey sake!!! Nut cases can get a gun or three too easily, but if you think you can reclaim the streets, you're welcome to ask nicely... Just be well-armed when you try...!

Ok, certain situations and circumstances require the use of firearms. I am well aware of that, I joined the Royal Navy so that fact is not lost on me.

What I was trying to say was that when these guys defaced a war memorial, the didn't and aren't threatening anyones life by doing what they did, so to suggest they should be shot for their crime is a bit overkill. Ok, what the did was bad, but if you really, really think it's ok to kill them for it, then you aren't much better yourself.

The plaque will be replaced, and eventually the d**kheads responsible will be held to account in one way or another.

[Ze-Jamz]

Originally Posted by seaeye

Ok, certain situations and circumstances require the use of firearms. I am well aware of that, I joined the Royal Navy so that fact is not lost on me.

What I was trying to say was that when these guys defaced a war memorial, the didn't and aren't threatening anyones life by doing what they did, so to suggest they should be shot for their crime is a bit overkill. Ok, what the did was bad, but if you really, really think it's ok to kill them for it, then you aren't much better yourself.

The plaque will be replaced, and eventually the d**kheads responsible will be held to account in one way or another.

Ok to clear at least my end up...

No I wouldnt shoot them if i had them infront of me, its a term but i would expect them to be punished for it..the laws here are far to soft for most crimes..

The prisons are a doddle, have what you want...No deterant what so ever for most hence why they re offend and why people will 'do the crime' cuz they know they CAN 'do the time', I know its not like that elsewhere but it is here, always has been..

As for catching them and holding them to account?...probably never happen and if it did and we punished them, the punishment dished out wouldnt stop them doing it again Im pretty sure of that

[ATAG_Doc]

It is a proven fact that capital punishment is 100% spot on at preventing recidivism. No one has or can prove that it does not do this.

[Rattlehead]

I thought the 'shoot them' comment was tongue in cheek? Ah well.

Shooting copper thieves is obviously too harsh, but seriously, six good strokes with a cane across their bare backsides by a police constable is fitting...and then let them spend some time behind bars for good measure.

[Madfish]

Glad some at least are now saying they don't literally mean killing them but are just saying it because it appears to be a very cool and mature thing. Probably on a much different, most likely philosophical, level than those guys stealing copper.

Well, I'm still getting the impression most would want to punish them harshly, for stealing objects of minor economical value and not hurting a single living soul with it.

Actually what's really giving me the chills is that those people to be remembered died in a war that started with similar bickering and crap. Over people's political and religious ideals for example.

It might be YOUR ideal to have these memorials preserved for eternity - I for sure can tell you I respect the fallen but I, and I'd bet them as well, could care less for a plate of copper. It's just really not a big deal and can be re-created in a minute or two.

Again, it's wrong to steal - but it's just so much more wrong to pretend this is the end of the world.
There are children and girls out there, abused or forced into horrible conditions. There are animals and people suffering from the plaque called humans. There are certainly a billion more important things to do than threaten the lives of copper thieves. If you want to do something good join greenpeace and make sure animals (we humans are animals as well) get treated fairly e.g. or go and help unstable countries, help people grow and develop. But sitting here and insulting those guys won't help makes it sound like you have double standards. The world will NOT become a better place if people will be punished or killed for stealing copper.

Oh and memorials are for those who forget - if you really are what you say then I'm sure you belong to the kind of people that won't forget - even without a memorial you wouldn't, now would you?