I would, perhaps misguidedly, rely on the same techniques to keep my children from getting alcohol or cigarettes in school.

I would also hope that their upbringing would give them an educated standpoint on such matters.

(Rob, even foglights, as I got told by the nice policeman that took twenty pounds from me for the pleasure of seeing him and turning them off. (you saw me and turned em off, you know you were in the wrong - correct - doesn't change the fact it was foggy over the tops!)

all of the above apply to glue/ speed(i mean as a property not a drug) / vodka / slot machines etc...

sorry nic but its all the same.. soft/hard/legal/illegal...

people have weaknesses... its their problem not just the product?

most of it is bad parenting?

You are obviously NOT a parent, Paul. When you have children of school age, they are out of your sight for a good part of the day. Peer pressure will make children do things that they know are wrong/silly/dangerous etc. even though they know damn well their parents will disapprove/be shocked at that behaviour (if they find out).

An unscrupulous drug dealer will play on this peer pressure, play up the thrills of drugs and dismiss the harmful effects, and persuade children that it's a glamourous thing to do to try drugs, with free sweeteners to get them hooked. Making drugs legal will not stop this behaviour, it's still in the interest of the dealer to have lots of addicted customers.

Children do need protection from some things, and they are, by law where most of the things you mention as alternatives are concerned. Slot machines are kept in arcades where the age of entry is 18. Vodka cannot be sold to minors. Glue sales are controlled today too. I realise all these things can be circumvented by those determined to do so, but there is a level of control imposed by society. You are free to vote for the reversal of all this legislation if you so desire but it's been developed over time by pressure from society.

Guys, lets stop it here. Or start a new thread in the Lounge.

Originally posted by Tavia4x4 in this post

Rob (witchfinder - ok, actually, I have never, but it has always bothered me - where did that name come from?)

From Blackadder I:

"And what did you mean by milk?"

"I meant milk! Bloody milk!"

"Bloody Milk! He used a mixture of milk and blood!"

I've always been fascinated by the Spanish Inquisition, and religious fanatics like the Witchfinder General.

As far as driving is concerned - I've barely been driving 4 years, so I'm still learning a lot. Hopefully I'm getting better, quicker and safer all the time. However, I don't have quite the confidence to perform some of the overtaking maneuvers that others might try, and some of those hill crests demand respect - especially when you don't know what's on the other side!

Thread getting out of hand - closed.