Spring sprung?!

Was out at a meeting this morning, and when I drove back into the drive could hear a massive racket from the bush alongside the drive. When I turned the radio and then the engine off, I could hear it even better!! Could see a lot of movement from within the bush, and sat and watched a while. Over the next 30/40 secs, 3 or 4 robins and 6 or 8 sparrows hopped out onto some of the more exposed branches, all prattling away. Only as I opened the car door did they go in any way quiet, and only one flew away as I emerged from the car, closed the door and walked into the house!!

Spring has sprung - most definitely!!

Age of criminal responsibility

The Children's Commissioner for England has suggested that the age of criminal responsibility ought to be raised from 10 to 12. In view of the move in society generally to reduce benchmark ages should we really be looking to move the age of criminal responsibility down (perhaps to 8) rather than up (to 12)?

I would, however, agree with the commissioner that the focus of any such change should be restorative as opposed to simply punitive.

Internet - a fundamental right?

Following a survey of 27,000 people in 26 countries, the BBC World Service has come to the conclusion that 4 out of 5 people believe internet access to be a 'fundamental right'.

Just what does this say about our thinking about what is a right and what is a need? Surely the fact that huge numbers of the global population are still without even basic healthcare provision - let alone safe, clean (potable) water sources or basic education suggests that there is a serious mismatch of expectations and funding possibiloities?

By the way, I wonder whether the 27K interviewed were all from the educated classes of their respective nations?