Clegg Courage

Nick Clegg calls for drugs law review

It is encouraging to finally see a person in Government talking sense on drugs, rather than after they've left office, as seems more usual. Sadly David Cameron talks a lot about responsibility and yet shows the usual cowardice on this important issue. Cameron shows contempt for the facts by rejecting the Home Affairs Select Committee's report and no doubt fears the recommendations of a royal commission. Clegg sums up any informed view on this matter by arguing "If you are anti-drugs you should be pro-reform." This is such an important message to get across.

Cameron rejects decriminalising drugs

The comment by Owlsoflaughter is typical of the ill-informed who fail to grasp Clegg's sentiment. What they misunderstand is taking the market away from criminals makes children more safe, not less so. I'm not a parent but if I was I would implore my children to stay away from drugs. If they chose to ignore me, I would want the safest possible supply of drugs available to them. The argument that stiffer sentencing is the answer suggests they clearly haven't even listened to the drug user who said the threat of prosecution was not a concern. Nor are long sentences a deterrent to criminals, merely an occupational hazard. The drugs market has an abundance of willing suppliers and users, so time and again we're left with only one question, who should the supplier be? It's the lesser of two evils, that's all the drugs issue boils down to.

Disgrace and Honour

Pakistan acid attack parents 'feared dishonour'

The parents feared their child would dishonour them so they thought infanticide was the solution? They have brought disgrace on their family and country. Pakistan needs to get a grip on a culture that somehow normalises this abhorrent behaviour. There is NO honour in murdering your child because their values are more enlightened than yours.

How pathetic the parents appear whining that neighbours talk about them. They should stand up for their child and disregard the ignorance of others. Their elder daughter shows so much more courage and honour than her parents can possibly comprehend.

Too Little, Too Late

David Cameron: Safe passage for Syria's Assad acceptable

Britain always had the perfect rationale to cut a deal with Assad as his wife is British. Now we've tried and been rebuffed. Why wasn't a clear offer made to Assad at the start of the conflict? It became very clear from the outset that Russia and China were going to veto anything vaguely resembling military intervention. Sometimes life only offers unpalatable choices.

Assad vows to 'live and die' in Syria

The West's concerns of Islamist extremist involvement are now coming true.

Syria Islamist fighters in Aleppo reject new opposition

If Assad is to remain in Syria and well funded extremists are gaining in strength, then all efforts must be directed at bringing moderate opposition groups and Assad towards a compromise. If not the opposition and West could be facing a more extreme and oppressive State than the one they began with.

Syria crisis: Discord grows between Islamist and secular rebels

Although somewhat tarnished, I wonder whether his wife Asma might offer a more a palatable Head of State during a transition phase to a more democratic Syria?