Link: Pensioner ordered to stop mowing grass because it’s too tidy – Telegraph.
The most interesting part of this everyday story of petty tyranny is the wording of the council’s comment to the press
"We apologise if he feels the letter he received from us is heavy-handed. We are happy to meet Mr Hubbard to discuss the issue."
Not, you note, "we apologise for the heavy-handed letter." The clear – and very disrespectful – implication is that Mr Hubbard’s feelings are irrational. Nor is this atypical. Consider this blog post for example. Why should any citizen be spoken to as the blogger’s professional referees were here by a civil servant who was neither very civil nor much inclined to serve?
Given the behaviour teachers in state schools have long been forced to tolerate, it is no surprise that their pupils carry on their arrogant, foul-mouthed disrespectful ways when they find their way into public employment. Private employers have competitors and must find ways to modify such behaviours or lose their customers. The state has no such need.
The Last Ditch by Tom Paine 
Leave a reply to Andrew Duffin Cancel reply