hypochondriac

People have been saying it for years. The election result just confirmed it.

I imagine he knew it was wrong, but I doubt he thought through the implications of his actions nor in my opinion is it likely that he understood fully just who and what he was disrespecting. Otherwise I just can't see how someone could do it.

I realise that but what is the alternative? Continue with the failed experiment? Ever closer political and economic ties? (because we all know that the only way that this will get even close to working is when we have a European superstate).i read an article last week that those countries who cannot afford all the bailout money will lose some Voting rights an that strikes me as an extremely dangerous centralisation of power (which is the ultimate game of Europe anyway.) Someone remarked that Merkel could possibly achieve through economic measures what Hitler tried to do by force. It's a worrying thought as we look to the future and it's why it would be best if the Euro Failed before this project goes too far and we can't turn back.

I think you have missed the point somewhat. If someone does something like this, then in my eyes they clearly didn't realise what they were disrespecting, otherwise they wouldn't have done it. We have two choices, either we condemn the teenager completely and say there is no hope, or we punish him but then as part of that punishment maybe do some community service for a war charity or work with veterans or something like that. If there is even a chance that he comes out of it with a better understanding and empathy for what those people went through (and what people still go through) then surely that is a worthwhile exercise isn't it? I think that some people get a bit too emotional because it is damage to something 'sacred' and do go a bit over the top. Sure it's a very upsetting crime to many but in my view, a punishment with some sort of educational aspect attached would be best here.

You know what I mean trousers. Unlike other posters I just can't get mad at you

This is what I have been trying to say but you phrased it a lot more eloquently than I could. That is why I struggle with people voting lib dem, because this seems so obvious to myself and others.

I don't disagree. What punishment do you think would be suitable.

I didn't say opinion I said the overreaction about the youth of today after one isolated incident of a young bloke being an uninformed idiot.

It doesn't so it is unrealistic. No point discussing it, it's not going to be on the agenda again for years and years.

Fantastic news. Short term pain for long term gain. The sooner the failed Euro project collapses the better for everyone.

Expressing your opinion is fine, but ultimately that has little bearing on anything. Far better IMO to vote if you think it will cause a change to policies within government. Voting UKIP keeps Europe on te agenda and pressures the main two parties into acting on it or face their voters deserting them. The Lib Dems do not present this same choice because IMO they don't stand for anything credible and meaningful. Voters said as much at the election and it's why Lib Dems didn't garner more votes, people were unsure what they really stood for. I could create a new party that expressed my views and voted so that there was one person who voted. It's not going to change anything.

I think being inquisitive and interested in politics is fantastic. What I object to is the hint of 'knowitall' that pervades some of the young people on here. They are very opinionated which is fine (I certainly was at that age and still am) but I also accepted that I was still young and I respected those with more life experience than myself.

That's all very nice but completely unrealistic. This is an example of how young people are too idealistic. Life isn't like that.

Again, I never said anyone should be ignored. I would be more inclined to listen to my grandfather, an intellectual who has been through a world war and has a ton of life experience when it comes to things like Europe than a teenager.

I still think you're a good poster. Wish you would stop using words like prat etc. It's not particularly helpful and you're turning into some of those awful posters on the main board.

Voting UKIP will put pressure on the two main parties over Europe so I can see the point. As I fail to see that the Lib Dems stand for anything meaningful, I still don't see the point.

I agree. He's a 16 year old who probably gave no thought to what he was doing. Would be good to give him some education about it and hopefully he wouldn't be so foolish in the future. All the overreaction about the youth of today is amusing.

I take back what I said that lib dem voters know nothing about politics. I believe that quite a few do not but that some may do. I still don't know why people vote for them as a credible government though.

I never called you retarded, I simply said that in my opinion your views will change an awful lot when you have had time as an adult fending for yourself and that in my experience this is the case an awful lot of the time. Therefore your views whilst valid, come with this caveat.

I deliberately didn't reply to you because I had no desire to continue something when I had already outlined my view. Also I don't really want to talk to someone who continues with abuse.

Legend, I took those!

Who is they? Isnt it you? Didnt you want to address my other points?

Well that in itself is extremely silly.

And not silenced no, but their views should come with the caveat that due to their age they have had little life experience and thus are less able to make informed judgements on certain matters. When I was your age I accepted this and whilst I held certain views, I respected those with more life experience. Some views I was certain of back then I now have completely opposing views and most of that is because I have had first hand experience of life and these issues rather than simply reading about it and thinking I know a lot when really I knew very little at such a young age.

Glad you can admit it!