The language of leadership
Discussion
None of us on PH are unaware of how political correctness has damaged this country's way of life, but the language of the last few days has really reinforced, for me anyway, just how our eroded language has removed the first, and arguably most potent, weapon of those who purport to defend us.
I missed the build-up to the 'unrest' - incommunicado for the weekend - and the first I heard was a radio news report as I was driving home yesterday.
It ran along the lines of: 'The Home Secretary, Teresa May, is returning from holiday early to discuss the issue with senior Metropolitan Police officers'
Really? If I'd been Home Secretary, I'd too would have ended my holiday early, but I would have made no bones about letting the media (and therefore, the people it is my job to protect) know that I would be seeking immediate reports from Police and demanding to know why this issue had escalated thus.
I was utterly bemused; faith was lost from the start. She was going to discuss it? Over tea?
A few minutes ago, I watched some footage of riot police in Clapham last night, on Channel 4 news. They had been called in after local bobbies were overrun.
Riot PC gets on his PA system: 'Please move along or force may be used'.
Uh? 'may'?
What is wrong with our protectors? Surely something along the lines of 'Go home! Disperse or face immediate arrest' would have been better? Something which said 'we mean business'; something which says 'enough is enough; your nine lives have been used'?
No-one has any respect for the Police or Government these days, and they perpetuate that demise by not talking like leaders. I think that any cultural change needs to be within our protector agencies as much as in these rancid communities.
I missed the build-up to the 'unrest' - incommunicado for the weekend - and the first I heard was a radio news report as I was driving home yesterday.
It ran along the lines of: 'The Home Secretary, Teresa May, is returning from holiday early to discuss the issue with senior Metropolitan Police officers'
Really? If I'd been Home Secretary, I'd too would have ended my holiday early, but I would have made no bones about letting the media (and therefore, the people it is my job to protect) know that I would be seeking immediate reports from Police and demanding to know why this issue had escalated thus.
I was utterly bemused; faith was lost from the start. She was going to discuss it? Over tea?
A few minutes ago, I watched some footage of riot police in Clapham last night, on Channel 4 news. They had been called in after local bobbies were overrun.
Riot PC gets on his PA system: 'Please move along or force may be used'.
Uh? 'may'?
What is wrong with our protectors? Surely something along the lines of 'Go home! Disperse or face immediate arrest' would have been better? Something which said 'we mean business'; something which says 'enough is enough; your nine lives have been used'?
No-one has any respect for the Police or Government these days, and they perpetuate that demise by not talking like leaders. I think that any cultural change needs to be within our protector agencies as much as in these rancid communities.
ExChrispy Porker said:
No point threatening what you can't deliver in a loudhailer announcement. Unless you are certain you have the resources to arrest everyone, there is no point threatening to do so.
That's all right, just arrest the ones that are still standing after you've shot/tased/gassed the rest.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff