100 years next month the UK celebrates still being uncivilised!
"The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilisation of any country. A calm and dispassionate recognition of the rights of the accused against the state and even of convicted criminals against the state, a constant heart-searching by all charged with the duty of punishment, a desire and eagerness to rehabilitate in the world of industry of all those who have paid their dues in the hard coinage of punishment, tireless efforts towards the discovery of curative and regenerating processes and an unfaltering faith that there is a treasure, if only you can find it in the heart of every person – these are the symbols which in the treatment of crime and criminals mark and measure the stored up strength of a nation, and are the sign and proof of the living virtue in it".
(Winston S. Churchill, July 1910, speech in House of Commons)
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
2 comments:
Really good to see this quote in full. Astonishingly liberal for 1910. Even more so now. See how far we've come!
Charles: I prefer the full quote as it says a lot more than just the normally published brief quote. Even so, the quote is from a much longer speech.
It is a shame, given how often it is quoted, that it appears to fall on deaf ears.
Churchill, as Home Secretary, reduced the prison population by 50%! Every other one has followed an expansionist agenda.
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