Balance is the dirty word Carl...not rights. We all should have rights, as we all might need them. I think the cases of Stefan Kiskow, Barry George (what is happening to him is disgraceful)as just two examples. The point being is that there are things in place to try and prevent baddies from hurting us. There is nothing can be done if the system tries to hurts us. It is their word against Gods. And God I'm afraid doesnt exist and has no say in the matter. Well, he might and then they'd say you were mad and bang you in Broadmoor.

Interesting discussion.

I note when The Cat says that we are all capable of committing crimes, Pete argues against him, then goes on to say ". Every crime is justifiable in the mind of the one who commits it, but killing criminals is itself a crime, so Pete you shot yourself in the foot there.

Carl, I think some victims would agree that their attackers seem like nice chaps, because that's often how the offender got close to them in the first place. Everything gets more black and white in hindsight.

I also doubt that prison is a deterent. If it was, we wouldn't be seeing the same people returning time after time. With more prison places we are still witnessing a rise in crime. Even making prison tougher probably wouldn't make much difference because I doubt any criminal sets out with the intention of being caught. The only deterent is to have an active police or security presence. This wouldn't stop the most hardened criminal, but it could cut down on chancers and the small timers who would otherwise grow into big timers. I'm sure most people would prefer not become victims in the first place rather than be told the offender will be given a tough sentence. Too late then.

The Human Rights Act protects the innocent more than the guilty. While it might help some guilty to escape conviction, that's more to do with the authorities not having prepared their case properly than anything else. If you are ever wrongly arrested you'll then appreciate your human rights being protected. Remove them from one person and you remove them from everyone. No point in crying after you've willingly spilled your milk.

I mean to say 'balance might be the dirty word'...not 'balance is the dirty word'.

Al wrote:
Interesting discussion.

The Human Rights Act protects the innocent more than the guilty. While it might help some guilty to escape conviction, that's more to do with the authorities not having prepared their case properly than anything else. If you are ever wrongly arrested you'll then appreciate your human rights being protected. Remove them from one person and you remove them from everyone. No point in crying after you've willingly spilled your milk.

Right On, Brother ! - Just ask the Guantanamo folks what its like having no rights !(Very good comment, btw)