I'm simply thinking that we saw some awfully depraved garbage happening during that unrest by the citizens, not the cops. The non-violent mugging in the parking lot where the kid meekly gave over whatever the guy asked for comes to mind, but nothing quite tops the poor kid that was robbed blind by a small crowd while thinking he was being helped on the street.

I'd sure want to see WHAT powers England thinks would help prevent that kind of base behavior from running rampant again, but it's hard to argue that whatever authority they had, they needed more of it. It doesn't need to be gunships and body armor to match a storm trooper like OUR cops have fallen in love with...but something more. I must say, after what we watched..I'm not nearly as comfortable about going there as I once would have been. Cops with the stones or the willingness to DO something about "hooligans" as I think I've heard the term used over there, sure would help make people feel better about being there and staying safe....since self defense is apparently illegal.

Of course they are not going to look at the cause of the riots, just at how to shut us up.

Doesn't surprise me in the least. It will just make everyone angrier.

This is exactly why they stood yards away from people who were looting at will.
They let them get away with it for days.

They dont need any more powers as they will just abuse them even further.

First you say this:

Originally posted by Dr Cosma
Does anybody get the feeling that this is exactly what the plan was to introduce more powers to those who already have it?
It seems to me that step by step were heading for a totalitarian police state.

But include this in your OP:

Originally posted by Dr Cosma

The consultation will also consider whether it should remain an offence to use insulting words amid concerns from some MPs that the law is being used by activist groups and over-zealous police officers to undermine free speech.

So it begins.

The consultation will also consider whether it should remain an offence to use insulting words

What does this even mean?

How can this be a "slide to a totalitarian state" when they are actually looking at repealing a part of the Public Order Act which has basically allowed the Polcie to arrest anyone they please for uttering "offensive phrases".

The part they are on about is section 5, which enables a Policeman to arrest anyone for "using words or phrases likely to cause alarm or distress". So getting shirty withn a Policeman over a perceived injustice can land you in trouble should you say one swear word or get agressive and start spouting off. Now though, latest guidance say's that the Police cannot be offended and they have to demonstrate that members of the Public are "offended" before they arrest you. The change is to make this guidance legal.

well i for one hope they choose the power to fly


or x-ray vision

cool. I can't wait for 'thought crime' to be made into a punishable offence.

dare I say it, but if Hitler had won the war we would have more human rights (unless you are Jewish).

My harsh comment on life being better if Hitler won WWII is based on a comparison to the failed coalition (and Labour governments) in the UK.

Everyone in the UK has had their 'rights' eroded over the past 10 years.
We now have less rights than ever and bills / policies were all sneaked in via the back door of politics.
Within ten years the right to demonstrate will be removed.