Grown Up Writing

I think many currently illegal drugs should be legalised. So does Shocko. But the difference is he can write about it beautifully, in the full knowledge it's not a cost free judgment call.

There should be more of this kind of writing - writing which acknowledges moral and political complexity, and yet still faces up to the need to come down on one side of an argument. I think the Fatman does it routinely, even if I don't always agree with every conclusion. It's grown up writing.

Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of...

Somewhere towards the end of 'The Great Crash of 1929', JK Galbraith makes the point that after a Crash all sorts of crimes and misdemeanours come to light. Rich and powerful men are revealed as low fraudsters and promoters of financial scams. In America, legal action follows.

Despite missing this news the first time round I'm very glad to see our native Probation Service is readying itself for this prospect.