Hear no evil, see no evil
I know this is going to sound frightfully liberal - sandal-wearing or whatever witty epithet we’re using at the minute - but this kind of thing bothers me:
BBC News: ‘Dog whistle’ to control youths
A high-pitched “dog whistle” device is to be used by police in north Staffordshire to stop groups of nuisance youths hanging around shops.
I suppose it’s cheaper than a water cannon or a barrage of rubber bullets. It’s literally the 21st Century’s clip round the ear - it (hopefully) won’t do them any harm. Most of the news outlets are treating this as a gleefully sadistic “and finally…” story. The fact is, this is yet another of those “tough on crime” while not giving a toss about “the causes of crime”.
The inventor of the device was on PM on Radio 4 last night and he actually said, “…what about the human rights of the shopkeepers?” He’ll go far that one, A New Labour peerage can’t be far away. What about the nice children and their rights? What about the A-grade, never-said-boo-to-goose, model child sent out for a pint of milk?
Once upon a time latchkey kids were something to be pitied, now they’re a control group for technocratic social engineering. Never mind why these children are hanging about, let’s just corral them like animals. Why not give them collars that explode if they stray into a designated area as in the movie Battle Royale?
Adults can’t hear the siren, although I bet the technology could be adapted to drive off, oh I don’t know, let’s say unauthorised protesters around Parliament. I wonder how easy it would be adapt the technology so that instead of emitting a high-pitched whistle it sent messages, “CONSUME. OBEY. PROCREATE. BE CONTENT.”
We’ve been shown, most recently in the Tory leadership campaign, that age and experience are embarrassing liabilities. We’re also told to fear the youth - hooded, rutting, drug addicts that they are. It seems the only age worthy of respect is complacent, condescending, comfortable, careerist middle age. And yet look at the carnage the forty- and fifty-somethings have caused since 1997. Won’t anybody think of the children?
Posted on February 17th, 2006 at 11:47 am
| See also • Whither Wetherspoons? • Beyond the wit of mortal man • Observer: Kelly accused of hiding key evidence on school reform |
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I thought playing classical music was the hooded-youth deterrent of choice these days?
This advertisment masquerading as a news item was on BBC1 / ITV / Channel 4 News and Newsnight as well as Radio local and national and the demonstration site in Rochdale is some 1/2 mile from my house. This Online discussion site will allow you to learn more …..
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3536
The Mosquito sends out a pulsing 80-decibel frequency noise which can usually only be heard by teenagers and those in their early 20s.
What’s it going to have on it, pop music lyrics?
Obviously this little device is a bit harsh, and the chances of it being used sensibly are minimal, but you seem to be forgetting that it’s WAY COOL.
You bastard, Davies. I bet you pop little kids’ footballs with your garden fork when they come over the wall, don’t you?
Fascist.
It’s getting to the stage that a mulleted Rowdy Roddy Piper and his magic sunglasses are our only hope of salvation. Which would, let’s face it, be quality. Especially if he managed to get Mr T in on the act. The two of them, skipping hand-in-hand down Whitehall to do a tag-team beat up on Blair and Brown, while Hulk Hogan repeatedly body-slams Charles Clarke round the back of the Treasury to prevent him from throwing a flimsy metal chair into the ring. Smackdown. Word.
Liquid lunch again, NM?
Bloody brilliant!
Where can I get one?
I cannot believe that as a signed-up member of the Tory Party I agree with your sandal-wearing point of view… What’s happening?
I was listening to Today yesterday morning and thinking, this can’t be right…
As well as Mr R.R. Piper* and his special sunglasses that expose the alien Reaganites, we can look to the future as portrayed by another mock-Scot, the Highlander himself Christopher Lambert. He wore an explosive necklace in Wedlock. As, I remember, did Arnie himself, which means that we will need Mick Fleetwood to help us take over the satellite and gain our ‘freeeedom!’ To quote another mock-Scot.
Andrew ’80s Sci-Fi’ Bartlett
*Apparently, as a brash supporter of Reagan, Piper was upset when the ’sub’text of They Live! was explained to him. D’oh!
I’m glad someone said this. I’m a shopkeeper and the kids of this area aren’t little angels but by and large they are decent, hard-working, polite people that half the adults could learn a lot from. This kind of device and attitude just stink. I’ve only once in 3 years had to ask “2 kids in at once please” with one particular group. The rest are welcome to come and go as they please. Why are we so scared of children all of a sudden? Because of the bloody Daly Mail and its panic-mongerers.
My mum is close to a nervous breakdown because the local youths have targeted her over 2 years after she asked them to stop using her disabled ramp as a skateboard park. The police are not interested and unfortunately both her sons have responsible jobs so the baseball bat option is ruled out.
I think anything legal that would stop these sociopaths from congregating under the lamppost next to her house would be welcome.
The problem with some liberals is that they love the working classes but in reality would not like to live next door to them.
Oh by the way…this one
http://www.respectcoalition.org/?ite=992
slipped under the radar …any comments on your position on this Justine and Nosemonkey?