Gardenman You suggested that, because of a horrific but highly unusual crime committed by two young people, it might be a good idea to introduce curfews for children. I think Lumpy's response that, using such reasoning, a curfew should be introduced for men, was a serious and sensible comment.
I feel that children who commit such terrible crimes cannot be considered to be mentally stable. I think it is possible that their emotional connection to other people and their grip on reality is so damaged that they will always be a danger to other people but, in any event, they should be treated humanely even if rehabilitation is unlikely.
I do think there is a political element to this sort of situation, but not necessarily a party political one because all governments, to varying degrees, have failed in providing proper support to individuals and families and in ensuring access to mental health resources when needed and on a long term basis, rather than responding primarily to "emergency" situations.
