Perhaps I should have put a disclaimer... Of course I don't think that state sponsored beatings are a good idea. The post was hyperbole, with the exception of the last bit - where I suggest that drunken abusers of the NHS get a fixed penalty fine. I suspect that most of the people who read this blog will realise that I don't *actually* think that beating people up is a good idea. If they don't understand that then I would hope that they stop reading any form of media more challenging than a tabloid newspaper. (I've never agreed guidelines with the LAS - I just write and hope for the best...)