I read this article in MCN. Given our general negative disposition towards bike thieves I thought you might like to see it. Petition calls for tougher punishment A petition has been launched online to have a five-year minimum prison sentence introduced for stealing a motor vehicle. The petition has almost 1000 signatures at the time of writing and was created by Aleksandar Stoilov who says: “We believe current sentences are inadequate, as the consequences for the victim can be huge. People can struggle to get to work, which can lead to reduced income or even losing a job, and it can have a significant impact on families with children in particular.” You can find the petition at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/600561 Edit: Think the link is fixed now. Edit 2: Here’s one about automatically upgrading A2 licenses after two years. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/593355
In my mind all sentences are inadequate, but not sure that this one will get the attention it deserves.
These petitions may have a negative effect on good ideas. Politicians will only do stuff if they think enough people care (even if it’s a good idea). If an idea for a petition doesn’t get enough votes (and who looks at this stuff normally) the Politicians can simply say there’s no public backing and go back to fiddling their expenses and second/third jobs/wife/mistresses (delete as appropriate).
Can't see this even getting desk time TBH. The prisons are overcrowded as it is and vehicle/property theft is relatively low priority compared to other factors like escalating knife and gun crime etc.
Guest mode probably means he’s decided to leave… there was, within his madcap warblings, suggestion that he was in the middle of a hard time, which brought about a spiky response to a thread… outside of his normal “find a joke in anything” sense of humour… leading to a misunderstanding. It has blown over, but if he’s left… then he’s hurting more than he obviously was letting on. Cyborgbot - should you read this… take whatever time you need to yourself to regroup, come back when you’re ready… you’ll be reet!!!
I didn't see the altercation in question, but would be very sorry to see him leave. I would miss his 'madcap warblings' and odd sense of humour, and, of course, our occasional sparring matches. I would echo your last line and say: hang in there mate, we need you on here.
Yes Cyborgbot is a good team player and i hope he is just like me in the past taking a time out. But do come back and keep us all amused mate. Sometimes quite innocent things get taken the wrong way. But we are all grown ups smile and get over it what ever. Joe.
He and I kind of clashed a couple times, but I dug the guy. It was mostly a case of not fully getting each other's sense of humor. He brought a lot to the table. He was kind of the "court jester" of sorts. No matter what his deal is, and obviously I don't know him personally… I wish him all the best.
