Last September I wrote an article in
this section entitle 'Pathetic, Really' after listening to a load of rubbish
on a phone in about Pedophiles.
Now In the year 2000, the subject has
become a hot topic again with the News of the World publishing names and
photographs of 'sex offenders' When mob rule then results in suicides,
burned cars and innocent people having their lives threatened, the good
old News of the World washes it's hands of responsibility.
Now pedophiles are a menace and a nuisance.
Most however, do not kill children. Over the last twenty years about eight
children a year die at the hands of strangers. That is eight too many but
it is not increasing and probably has to be accepted as one of the risks
which exist in life. The majority of children who are killed every year,
die at the hands of their families or people well known to the family.
It is the fact that consevative campaigners hate to be faced with. Families
kill children, not dirty old men hiding behind the bushes near children's
playgrounds.
It is adults with children who need
education about how to treat their children, how to cope with their tempers
and their nasty side. How to control their own sexual feelings. Most families
do in fact represent no danger to their children, but many do. Social workers
often know who they are but can do little to prevent the too common
tragedies. neighbours often turn a blind eye. Wifes refuse to face up to
a partner's behaviour. Mothers protect their sons.
The problem is that as gay men when
the shit hits the fan, some of the mess lands on us. Any man living on
his own can become a suspect, so smash his windows, burn his car, just
in case. Once mob rule takes hold, no one is safe. The News of the World
should be ashamed of it's campaign which at the end of of day was only
started to sell more newspapers.
Personally, there are all kinds of people
I don't want living near to me including drug dealers, alcholics, wife
beaters, burglars, terrorists, News of the World journalists and
so on. Where do we stop. Lets have public lists of everyone who has committed
any kind of offence. Then we can pick and mix our neigbours. In reality
of course, it isn't practical and nor is it possible to have a 'Sarahs
list' or a 'Megan's list'
We do have to trust the authories to
keep tabs on all kinds of unpleasant people. They may not always do a good
job but the alternative of mob rule just isn't acceptable in a civilised
society.
