Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Cars without plates - what does this say?
Traveling on my way to Kempton Park on the R21 from Pretoria, it once again struck me how many cars - expensive luxury cars - displaying no registration number plates, are being driven around our country by affluent looking men and women. Ostensibly this appears to be to avoid being caught by a speed trap camera.
Now, I know that this might seem picky but run with me for a second. I would be willing to stake a little wager that if you were the proverbial fly on the wall at a dinner party or in the office - you'd hear these very same people complaining about the rising levels of crime in our country, and the general lawlessness they've witnessed.
Yet, what example do they set for their children? What message do they convey to their employees if they are business owners? Or to their friends and colleagues? - Do they respect the law and other road users? Do they demonstrate support for law enforcement? Are they upstanding citizens to be respected? Do they have good ethics and morals?
Recently (as in the month of January 2006), a neighbour-friend, and fellow director of our local HOA was peacefully spending time with his family in the early evening. Their peace was shattered by armed robbers entering their home and tying them up with cable ties, and robbing them of many possessions including cars, computers, appliances, and anything easily sold. This was traumatic for him, but more so for his wife and young children who now struggle to sleep.
These incidents may seem unrelated. But are they really? We have many "law abiding" and well-off citizens who show a flagrant disregard and disrespect for the law and law enforcement. Why should others, who would rationalize that their need is greater, then not do the same?
Surely as people who would like to live in a law abiding country, the observance of even the simplest of by-laws should start at home (like charity).
How else will we build a country free from crime? Instead of burning the rainbow.
Now, I know that this might seem picky but run with me for a second. I would be willing to stake a little wager that if you were the proverbial fly on the wall at a dinner party or in the office - you'd hear these very same people complaining about the rising levels of crime in our country, and the general lawlessness they've witnessed.
Yet, what example do they set for their children? What message do they convey to their employees if they are business owners? Or to their friends and colleagues? - Do they respect the law and other road users? Do they demonstrate support for law enforcement? Are they upstanding citizens to be respected? Do they have good ethics and morals?
Recently (as in the month of January 2006), a neighbour-friend, and fellow director of our local HOA was peacefully spending time with his family in the early evening. Their peace was shattered by armed robbers entering their home and tying them up with cable ties, and robbing them of many possessions including cars, computers, appliances, and anything easily sold. This was traumatic for him, but more so for his wife and young children who now struggle to sleep.
These incidents may seem unrelated. But are they really? We have many "law abiding" and well-off citizens who show a flagrant disregard and disrespect for the law and law enforcement. Why should others, who would rationalize that their need is greater, then not do the same?
Surely as people who would like to live in a law abiding country, the observance of even the simplest of by-laws should start at home (like charity).
How else will we build a country free from crime? Instead of burning the rainbow.
