Time to toughen up

According to a report today, the UK's treatment of asylum seekers falls seriously below the standards of a civilised society. The findings state that we treat genuine asylum seekers badly, and let too many non deserving cases stay. Apparently it's a 'shameful blemish on the UK's reputation'

As far as I can see nowhere in report is there a comparison to other countries with 'civilised societies'. While there are undoubtedly many genuine asylum seekers who are grave danger if they stay in their own country, the UK doesn't have to be the first option to them. Indeed, many travel through several other 'civilised' countries to reach the UK.

Let the French, Germans, Spanish etc etc take their fair share of these unfortunate people. It is not only the tens of thousands of immigrants to the UK who think that we're a soft touch, we're also having the piss taken out of us by other EU countries who dutifully protect their taxpayers with tighter regulations.

Ashamed of our reputation? Indeed, but not for the reasons outlined in the report.

Certified madness in Liverpool

Liverpool City Council has backed a move to slap 18 certificates on all films shown in the city which include scenes of smoking. Andy Hull, the city's head of public protection, said an adult rating on movies that depict smoking will reduce the number of young people lighting up.

Smoking is, of course, the main social problem in Liverpool. Not the gun crime, the knife crime or the drugs scene. In a week where a cyclist was pulled from her bike and stabbed to death, Liverpool City council have decided to target the completely legal pastime of smoking.

The Bourne Ultimatum, with all its violence, was given a 12A certificate. If Liverpool's officials had their way it would be given an 18 certificate, not for its violence, but for the smoking scenes.

Maybe this highlights the deep routed problems within the city, and the total ineptitude of the council to deal with the city's real challanges.