Five car thieves killed whilst driving a stolen car.

[Ding-Dong]

Don't know whether this news has gone countrywide, but dahn sarf over the weekend five people (15 to 16 year olds) were killed whilst racing along in a stolen car (they all knew it was stolen and were there voluntarilly). Now call me harsh, but I really couldn't possibly care any less if I tried - I feel sorry for the families, but couldn't give tinker's cuss about the people who died, as they died in the furtherance of a crime.

So, the question is, am I a heartless uncaring bar steward? I suspect I probably am, but I genuinely can't conjure up any sympathy at all.

[january_bug]

So if one person does it it's ok for you to sink to their level to? I thought more of you than that.

And again, don't bother. You are intelligent and knowledgeable enough to know that the phrase is "legal eagle" so the added B was BLATANTLY a dog/bitch reference. Don't bother to dress things up - you haven't done in the past, I'm surprised you want to now!

[Ding-Dong]

Well that's fair enough, believe what you want - I can only re-iterate that the connection, as far as I'm concerned, wasn't there.

But as you don't believe me, I'm not going to try to fruitlessly defend myself any further.

Fair point about the Daily Mail/Guardian thing BTW.

I'm going home now - have spent far too long on this website today!

[Gef]

So dingdong (referring to your answer at 0906) it's OK to drive at 100mph in a reckless manner and kill yourself and 4 of your pals if mummy has lent you her car and you are insured.

[january_bug]

I suspect Ding-Dong will say no, as the recklessness and the speeding are crimes. By Ding-Dong's crude logic (which I think he may almost be prepared to modify a little), the person then deserves no sympathy if they die as they would have died in the course of committing a crime.

[Ward-Minter]

ding dong i wouldn't worry about it. i am still with your answers. {edited by AB Editor}

[Andy008]

Alright

[dotjhawkes]

Ding-Dong my bloke is doing his Padi Dive Master now, did it take you away on courses and night dives and Decompression trials loads like it is him?

[mimififi]

If this is the one I think it is (and I haven't had time to read all the posts! apologies if I'm repeating) I know some of the policemen invovled. It was a high speed chase which lasted all of about 2 mins. The car was asked and flashed to stop but didn't and just got faster and faster....etc etc we know the drill, we've all seen it on TV.

The problem is is that these kids were a notorious gang, the things that were just part of their initiation into the gang are horrific (I can't say what, but it's awful) and so it is hard to feel sorry for them the police time they have had used on them since they started their lives of crime is terrible and now they are still using up police time.

it is especially hard to feel sorry for them as it is the policeman who tried to stop the car and get them to pull over and then decided to persue until further back up units could get there in a very understaffed police division (who's fault is that?) who is under investigation as the persuit went wrong. Obviously it is not his fault, but house to house invest has had to happen to get witness (more police time) copious paperwork has had to be done (more police time) and the poor copper who saw it all and could do nothing is living in torture reliving the scene every time he closes his eyes, opening the car door and seeing 5 dead children in the car. (one less copper at the station).

So yeah, it is really sad, I'm sure the mums are wishing they had kept a closer reign her their kids and actually knew what they were doing when they went out, and I'm sure they will blame themselve if they ever stop blaming the police.

We want more coppers on the beat keeping us safe arriving when we need them; yet what incentives are there for them, they can't do right for doing wrong.

[mimififi]

And just to add, yeah I was a very naughty, very wayward teenager, I was rude, obnoxious, and just frankly foul (ask my mum), but, and this is the big but and I'm not tryin to come across as arrogant or anything, and I'm sorry if I do, If I was ever told by a copper to stop; I would have stopped. Somethings in this life, however naughty you are, you just DONT do. Some people do. You reap what you sow.

[mimififi]

I just wanted to add aswell though, That the whole thing does make me sad. it is a terrible tragedy that these youngsters have wasted their life and indeed felt that their life was nothing they were willing to gamble it. I am not saying by my previous posts that I am glad they are dead, Im just saying that I have mixed feelings and sadly, my own human nature is such. I feel sad that they appear to have been poorly parented, left and neglected to make such poor choices and put themselves in the grave and to have hurt so many other people's lives.

The situation is tragic even if it feels to some as though it is justified. It is illustrative of the ugly world we live in, and that makes me feel sad.

I have hugged my own children a little tighter tonight, and will keep them a little nearer tomorrow.

[netibiza]

Would just like to concur with Buddy's thread. It is a shame for young life to be snuffed out, even though they were doing wrong. It could have happened to a lot of teenagers. I went off the rails for a while and I come from a very loving and intelligent family, same for my daughter. One does not think of the consequences at that age. One doesn't think of death.

[Ding-Dong]

dotjhawkes - I haven't got my Dive Master certification, I've got my Master Scuba certification.

Basically, my certification is the hightest you can go as a leisure diver - the Dive Master certification, from memory, is a way to get your dive instructor certification. Don't quote me on that, because I've only ever been interested in the leisure side of diving, not the 'professional' side of diving.

[the>one]

well now....i've just read through this thread and found it very interesting......a good mix of banter, argument and conversation.............for my own part on this subject and speaking as a parent....i couldn't care less about these little brats......just so long as it doesn't happen to my kids.......which it wouldn't....