""Or take the Salford MP Hazel Blears, who has been loudly calling for draconian
action against the looters. I find it very hard to make any kind of ethical
distinction between Blears’s expense cheating and tax avoidance, and the
straight robbery carried out by the looters. The Prime Minister showed
no sign that he understood that something stank about yesterday’s Commons
debate. He spoke of morality, but only as something which applies to the very
poor: “We will restore a stronger sense of morality and responsibility – in
every town, in every street and in every estate.” He appeared not to grasp that
this should apply to the rich and powerful as well....""...But the
rioters have this defence: they are just following the example set by senior and
respected figures in society. Let’s bear in mind that many of the youths in our
inner cities have never been trained in decent values. All they have ever known
is barbarism. Our politicians and bankers, in sharp contrast, tend to have been
to good schools and universities and to have been given every opportunity in
life...." (thanks Nu`man)