My local bank has started stuffing its cash machines with fivers…

Thanks, 5×5, for putting it so succinctly.  As a parent, I find in inconceivable (not to mention incomprehensible) that someone could commit such atrocities in their own home to their own, innocent flesh and blood.

The death penalty just isn’t enough for some people.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7560535.stm

Here’s hoping…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7252746.stm

The headmaster has confirmed that a knife was not involved. Maybe I’m just being naïve but I should hope the hell not – no-one needs to carry a knife. And now Jacqui Smith, schools minister, has said that we need new laws to give teachers the power to deal with these thugs.

Now, I know nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, but this kind of thing never happened when I was at school… which, in the scheme of things, isn’t really that long ago. Sure, there were playground scraps and even some run-ins with other schools, but it was all good ol’ fisticuffs. Very gentlemanly, really.

Personally, I believe that things have never been the same since corporal punishment was abolished. The threat of the cane was enough to make you think twice. Not to mention that fact that the local, community bobby (remember them? They normally did your school disco, for some strange reason) knew who you were, where you lived, and your parents. Who always sided with the police instead of retaliating.
When I read stories like this I really worry about the world that will greet our new-born.