Sunday, January 18, 2009

Barbarians vs citizens

A short philosophical post.

The struggle to keep the barbarians at bay has been going on for millennia.  In Roman times, they wore furs and waved swords above their heads.  Today, they wear hoodies and wave spray cans above their heads.  There is little difference in the mindsets between the vandals of 455AD and today.  Bad behaviour and mindless destruction of private and public property is the order of the day.

This blog is not about reaching out to the barbarians in an effort to change their ways, or about seeking social change or social justice or engaging with youth.  I've steered clear of discussing policing and sentencing and the justice system.

This blog is about what citizens can do.  I haven't called for the formation of policy forums, inter-departmental study groups, committees or sought a government grant.  I'm not particularly interested in law reform in this area.  

It's simply about what you, as an individual citizen, can do.  You have a choice.  You can ignore bad behaviour, or you can step up and do something about it.  The barbarians aren't going away.  They've been with us since we stepped out of the caves.  Someone needs to man the ramparts against them, and I hope that someone is you.  Someone has to do it.  

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