For several days now I've been listening to a radio advert on Talksport.The advertisement advises everyone to look out for people who don't talk to their neighbours; people who pay cash because they don't have a bank card, and people who close their curtains because they live on a main road.
Know somebody like that? You probably do - and it's probably your grandmother.
The advertisement is Government generated and intended to alert everyone to the existence of potential terrorists. God only knows what lunatic thought it up - and how many completely harmless people are going to be reported by their neighbours simply because they prefer to keep themselves to themselves, don't appreciate fumes and noise, and have decided that paying on tick is a lousy idea.
Naturally, we should all be on our guard against terrorism - and God knows, thirty plus years on we should be good enough at that by now! - but I very strongly disapprove of the Government inviting people to spy on their neighbours and take part in something that could very easily become a witch hunt. And I think we should all beware of becoming part of something like that - either willingly, or by default.
Obviously, if you've a genuine concern you should report it - but forget the advert. Use your own common sense, your own local knowledge, and your own criteria.
I'm sorry that this post isn't about redundancy or staying solvent. I do think, though, it's about staying sane!
Emily - http://www.therapypartnership.com/
Unfortunately, this advertisement reminded me of the instructions given to German children in the 1930's. They were encouraged to report their neighbours - and even their parents - to the authorities. And we all know where that led. Don't go there.
Geoffrey - http://www.metlissbarfield.com/
This sounds less like an injunction to love thy neighbour than to dump thy neighbour. Don't like it at all.
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