THERE is much concern right now about violence and poor discipline in schools, homes and on our streets. It is so easy to forget the broad view.
Before the Second World War vandalism was never heard of. Then came the Nazi horrors, and, on our side, Dresden, Hiroshima and more.
Then came TV and screened violence has slowly become commonplace, from napalm scattered over Vietnam to Baghdad being subjected to a terrifying bombardment.
The insensitivity of political life, and the dominance of the arms trade, have become part of our lives. Mr Blair has found himself unable to apologise - despite being questioned more than once - for the thousands of civilians killed, wounded and bereaved in Iraq.
A conscience is no longer a popular commodity.
No one talks about controlled international disarmament any more, yet it was a key topic back in the 1930s. So many major international figures seem to regard war, legal or not, as common coinage.
We now see it all on TV in full colour and on many channels, along with continuing global damage to the environment. Small wonder young people see violence as a normal part of life and act accordingly.
Roy Stevens,
Willow Bank,
York.
Updated: 09:34 Thursday, April 07, 2005
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