Like many readers, I was appalled that the administrators in the Northern Governorate, said they would no longer commit funds for the repair of vandalised facilities in a public park.
Toilets smashed or vandalised so that they could no longer be used.
Simply did no longer the funds for repeated repairs, to allocate from its budget.
Now the politically correct “enforcers” will condemn me for calling the perpetrators of these criminal acts, morons, and that if and when these morons are hopefully caught, that justice is swiftly dispensed, with some good strokes of the rattan.
People fearful of retribution if they report or identify the morons.
Security guards too. What has society come to? Well why not a bit of fear in the other direction!
Corporal punishment as submitted in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, although however, it is also related to religious persecution, which I believe, is unjust.
But the cane for people who wantonly commit a crime of this magnitude, to a public facility, meant for all people to enjoy, spot on – bring on the cane!
Bahrain’s prisons are already full of many people who have engaged in criminal acts, which they claim to be political in motive, yet often indiscriminate violent acts, like planting bombs, in which the unsuspecting public, are the victims.
Now in places of public gatherings, whether they be in Bahrain, in Europe, in Australia.
The sole object is to be afraid, very afraid and disrupt our lifestyle.
Now I fully understand there is a difference between vandalism and terrorism, one is wanton and indiscriminate, the other also indiscriminate ate but to kill, maim, disrupt.
But the park, is a place for all people to enjoy,.
Therefore wrecking facilities, and making people avoid such places of serenity, to rest after a day of endeavour, be it at school, offices, places of hectic engagement, just a place to kick back and relax.
Recharge the batteries.
Governments set aside such parks, even such as little Hong Kong or Singapore, where land is at a premium, places like London, New York, Paris and Rome, the list goes on and on, the lungs of cities, green and verdant.
There are special places within those parks, designated for people to speak on an assortment of gripes, especially to protest about matters of governance.
Yes, there are people who disagree with the method of governance in Bahrain, but there is the freedom to protest in an orderly and peaceful manner.
And the bulk of people in Bahrain, have it “pretty good,” no income tax, with welfare, healthcare, education and housing, the ability to raise concerns at the highest level, all provided by the state.
Whingeing when subsidies are removed, and a VAT is mooted, yet live a good lifestyle, drive their huge gas-guzzling 4WD’s, complaining about belt tightening, as the country tries to live within its means.
Inequality is a fact of life, some people are more prosperous than others, in all societies, wealth through privilege, investment, education, or the opportunity to take advantage of judicious endeavour.
As happens in many democratic or emerging democratic countries.
Get real!
Crowds, signage, banners and abundant media coverage of events and the ability to criticise process, as expected in all civilised societies, happens here.
And legitimate and proper response from the police, if the protest does not remain peaceful, gets out of hand, and violent action ensues, people are rightly arrested, carted off to jail.
Parks should be sacrosanct and these morons should be justly punished.
A bit more adherence to the old adage, spare the rod, spoil the child.
In my view, we have simply become too soft on punishing people who are a blot on society’s civility.
winfredpeppinck@gmail.com