A Rant

Postby xtc » Fri Nov 16, 2012 3:35 pm

We in England have just tried importing one of the more preposterous ideas from America. Try not to laugh but we’ve just been asked to vote for Police Commissioners.

I know that if you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain so, to my shame, I did vote.

The turn-out was about 16% and there were lots of spoilt ballots. So, enter the Home Secretary. She looked as if she’d been awake for three days and tried to imply that voters were too thick to understand how to vote.

It was the first time we had been offered the opportunity to vote for a second choice as well as a first. The ballot form was crystal clear and, uniquely I believe, my constituency votes needed to go to second preferences. (The gracelessness of the Tory candidate once he’d been given the bum’s rush was spectacular as was the departure of another Tory candidate before the official declaration of the results.)

Next year I think we’ll be voting for the dog-catcher. At least he’ll have to explain his function to his voters. None of the previous candidates did.

OK Nurse, I’ll take my pills and go and lie down in a dark corner now.
Last edited by xtc on Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

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Re: A Rant

Postby Chris12 » Fri Nov 16, 2012 3:47 pm

I don't see the point in electing Police Commissioners when we have no idea who they are and how they will work. How the police or any proffesion work is known best by the people who's job it is, everyone else has no idea what they are voting for or even talking about and thus shouldn't be allowed/forced to do so. Let the police decide who leads them.

Re: A Rant

Postby xtc » Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:11 pm

Thanks, Chris. I agree with everyting but your last sentence.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

Re: A Rant

Postby drawscore » Sat Nov 17, 2012 3:38 pm

Chris, it's too bad that philosophy is not applied here in the states. If our armed forces' votes were the only ones that counted for the office of Commander in Chief, Obama would be packing his bags for a return trip to Chicago.

But the concept of a civilian police commissioner is similar to our concept of civilian control over the military services, which is why the three service secretaries, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Coast Guard), as well as the Commander in Chief, are all civilians.

And, as a historical note, the US Coast Guard, while it IS a military service, was originally established as an arm of the Treasury Department, then was shifted to the Transportation Department, and, after 9-11, became a part of the Department of Homeland Security. It is controlled by the Department of Defense only during a period of war.

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Re: A Rant

Postby Jason Toddman » Sat Nov 17, 2012 10:21 pm

I wasn't aware that a police commissioner was an elected office; perhaps because Maine doesn't have any. The highest rank for police in Maine is police chief. The position for Portland Police chief is chosen by city officials not by popular vote. The position for Maine State Police Chief is chosen by the state senate. I am certain of that because we just had a new city police chief hired earlier this year and a new state police chief was selected last year.
We DO vote for who gets to be sheriff however, but that's a county position rather than a city or state position. Not sure why the difference otherwise. :geek:
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Re: A Rant

Postby cloud » Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:50 am

Well, apparently at one voting station no one at all turned up.... People care that much...


In my area the old police commissioner has been in the job for 21 years, people think he has done a good job but he has not gone into this, as it would cost him £5000 to attempt to keep his own job.... That is not right really.

Also you got to think, politics is now getting even more involved in the policing of this contery now, if your area is concertive then dose it mean the rich wont get arrested as much as they should compared to the working class? .... If your area has a lib dem police commissioner then will no one get arrested or charged in any timely fashion?

(i know examples are a bit too far, but you never know....)
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Re: A Rant

Postby drawscore » Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:18 am

"The law, in all its majesty, prohibits rich and poor alike, from sleeping under overpasses." (I think that quote came from William F. Buckley)

We have people in this country, and I rather suspect, in other countries as well, whose wealth and position cause them to believe they are above the law. Supposedly, they are not, but in practice, that concept leaves something to be desired. All too often, there are those that roam the "corridors of power" in both the business and political worlds, that are not called to account for their actions, when those actions are contrary to written law, and/or established custom.

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Re: A Rant

Postby Tieup1 » Sun Nov 18, 2012 8:35 am

I didn't vote here in the UK, thought it was a complete waste of time and money :roll:

Re: A Rant

Postby sarobah » Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:36 am

drawscore wrote:"The law, in all its majesty, prohibits rich and poor alike, from sleeping under overpasses." (I think that quote came from William F. Buckley)

"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich and the poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets and to steal bread."
- Anatole France, The Red Lily

Re: A Rant

Postby drawscore » Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:58 pm

>>>"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich and the poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets and to steal bread."
- Anatole France, The Red Lily<<<

OK, so Buckley stole it. (Or paraphrased it.) :big:

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