A story in the news got me thinking about deporting criminals.
I don't see why it has such bad press, it's a great idea!
Okay, so maybe it was a mistake to send people to the other side of the world for stealing an apple, but if we had somewhere to send our worst criminals we wouldn't have to pay for prisons, or face them being released for "good behaviour".
And there is hope for them. I mean, look at Australia. This is a nation made up of criminal convicts and they are nearly civilised now, after 200 years. Another hundred or so and they may have developed some manners.
And just so you don't think I'm totally heartless, here is one of my favourite songs, which would bring tears to a glass eye:
Black Velvet Band, Traditional
In a neat little town they call Belfast
Apprenticed to trade I was bound
And many an hour's sweet happiness
I spent in that neat little town.
Till bad misfortune came o'er me
That caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations
To follow the black velvet band.
Chorus:
Her eyes they shone like the diamonds
You'd think she was queen of the land
And her hair hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band.
Well, I was out strolling one evening
Not meaning to go very far
When I met with a pretty young damsel
Who was selling her trade in the bar.
When I watched, she took from a customer
And slipped it right into my hand
Then the Watch came and put me in prison
Bad luck to the black velvet band.
Next morning before judge and jury
For a trial I had to appear
And the judge, he said, "You young fellows...
The case against you is quite clear
And seven long years is your sentence
You're going to Van Dieman's Land
Far away from your friends and relations
To follow the black velvet band."
So come all you jolly young fellows
I'd have you take warning by me
Whenever you're out on the liquor, me lads,
Beware of the pretty colleen.
She'll fill you with whiskey and porter
Until you're not able to stand
And the very next thing that you'll know, me lads,
You're landed in Van Dieman's Land.
Originally posted by VargDeportation? Pure nostalgia on your part, Varg. The super-cons could be shipped out to super-clinks in space, but that would be costly, and there would always be the risk of their escaping--perhaps to return to Earth & wreak a terrible vengeance, like the replicants of Blade Runner.
If we had somewhere to send our worst criminals we wouldn't have to pay for prisons, or face them being released for "good behaviour".
I'm not sure that England's worst criminals were actually deported--they still live in Buckingham Palace.
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI was actually thinking about a space-borne prison.
Deportation? Pure nostalgia on your part, Varg. The super-cons could be shipped out to super-clinks in space, but that would be costly, and there would always be the risk of their escaping--perhaps to return to Earth & wreak a terrible vengeance, like the replicants of Blade Runner.
I'm not sure that England's worst criminals were actually deported--they still live in Buckingham Palace.
Why should we sit in our cold, rainy, grey northern country and send our crims to live in a nice warm, sunny paradise?
Originally posted by ShonkytonkBetter beer? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Hey hey hey c'mon now. Just because Australia has better beer, women, weather, food and geography than England, there's still no need to whinge about it. Oh sorry, i forgot, it's all you poms know how to do well.
I - no, I'm sorry - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
You got us on the rest though....
Originally posted by VargOh me name is Jamie Raeburn, from Glasgow town I came
A story in the news got me thinking about deporting criminals.
I don't see why it has such bad press, it's a great idea!
Okay, so maybe it was a mistake to send people to the other side of the world for stealing an apple, but if we had somewhere to send our worst criminals we wouldn't have to pay for prisons, or face them being released for "good behaviou ...[text shortened]... tand
And the very next thing that you'll know, me lads,
You're landed in Van Dieman's Land.
My place of habitation I'm forced to leave in shame
From my place of habitation I noo maun gang awa'
Far frae the bonnie hills and dales of Caledonia
It was early in the morning, before the break of day
We were wakkened by the turnkey, who unto us did say
Arise ye hapless convicts, arise ye ane and a'
This is the day ye are to stray from Caledonia
We all arose, put on our clothes, our hearts were filled wi' grief
The friends wha stood aboot the coach could grant us no relief
Our loved ones broken hearted to see us gang awa'
Far frae the bonnie hills and dales of Caledonia
Then farewell, me ain dear mother, I'm vexed for what I've done
I hope none will upcast on you the race that I have run
And I pray the Lord protect you when I am far awa'
For I maun leave the hills and dales o' Caledonia
And farewell, me aged faither, you are the best o' men
And likewise my ain sweetheart, it's Catherine is her name
Nae mair we'll walk by Clyde's clear streams, nor by the Broomielaw
A stranger tae the hills and dales o' Caledonia
But oh, perchance we'll meet again, 'twill only be above
Where hallelujahs will be sung tae Him wha reigns in love
No earthly judge will judge us there, but Him wha rules us a'
Far frae the bonny hills and dales o' Caledonia
- Traditional -