6th minute tribute to Arthur

The wee lad nobody loved.

 

I'm really sorry but I totally disagree with football being used in this way, it's becoming a parody of compassion, not compassion itself.

People absolve themselves by applauding the next cause, at a football match, and believe they've done something.

If they really want to do something then get involved with your local community, report things that are suspicious, volunteer.

I deliver for a local charity, North Cotswolds food bank, and always keep an eye out for any kind of abuse whether it's domestic, child, animal, whatever. I don't just report it, I'll openly ask questions and put people on the spot.

I'm not being sanctimonious or holier than thou, I just don't agree with these big empty gestures. Publicly announcing that you're having a big clap at the match might make people feel self righteous but it's nothing but a minute's clapping. People who toil away in social services, volunteer to help children in their own time and foster them are the heroes, not people pontificating on Twitter and claiming 'we won't stop there, we want other clubs to clap along'.

Sorry but, big deal, you posted on social media and clapped for a minute.

 

That’s a very good point Smug. Never thought about it in that way before.

Bart

 

Good point marra, I'm going to clap for Arthur, but as I'm retired, you've made me question what else I should be doing. Doffs cap.

 

The story is absolutely heart breaking and sickening in equal measure. It REALLY makes you question the society you're living in. In cases like this I always think back to the self policing pit villages I grew up in. Other adults, but your relatives, had carte blanche to give you a clout and people never hesitated to pull someone up for getting out of hand.

It may have been harsh at times but I don't believe a six year old would ever be starved and tortured.

 

Agree, reminds me of the story I heard regarding a Police Sergeant 30 year retirement do... The Head Constable said they'd received a complaint in the last month or service.. On further investigation, the complaint was regarding a juveniles arrest the previous month, the Sergeant hadn't slapped him about a bit, which 30 years prior had kept the complaintant on the straight and narrow when he'd been stopped by the same policeman..

 

I can seriously relate to this. Growing up in Horden, you always knew that if you played up there was always someone there who knew who you were and your mam and dad would get to know about it! These days there's always someone banging on about rights and that and basic common decency and respect goes out the window. But with this little lad, my heart goes out to him and I feel sick just thinking about what he went through so much so that I can't watch the news or read about it.

 

You're quite correct mate it's sadly true that some people seem to know all of their rights but none of their responsibilities.

As for living in Durham villages, it got me laughing tbh.

The bush telegraph was so efficient that we'd do summat daft, almost get caught and run home ...

... but somehow yer mam would be waiting on the doorstep and already knew what you'd done

 

Wether it's right or not is another discussion-- but I think those two may experience 'a bit of suffering' whilst inside

 

Rest in Peace little fella.

And those 2 can rot in hell for eternity.

 

Hope they get brayed all over, every day, for the rest of their pathetic existence.

 

The ever present threat of violence will grind them into the dirt.

 

Reminds me of an incident when I was kid, playing in the street and I can't recall what I did but the next doors father was walking past and kicked me up the backside. I ran home bubbling and told my mother, expecting a warm cuddle but she gave me a clip with the words ..'you just have been doing something wrong..'. Never ever forgot that, even 70+ years later and whilst I was upset at my mother's lack of compassion at the time, I realised later on that it was simply part of the community spirit of looking out for each other and it certainly didn't do me any harm. Such a pity this little lad didn't have such good neighbours.

 

At first I thought they should be taken into the town centre and shot, so others know what would happen if they did it, then I thought but imagine being in prison for 30 years. Still not sure which is best, but I know people will keep doing it as they will forgot about them being locked up, I don’t think they would forget the other way.

 

He pleaded for help, but was ignored, shameful indictment on so called professionals, these monsters should have been obvious abusers hearing about their backgrounds. .

 

I’ve read the same, sorry but we’ll learn lessons, for as long as I’ve been able to read, nothing changes, but it’s hard to blame social workers who are working flat out.

 

Spot on mate.

It is the quiet hordes who do the unsung work who are a tremendous benefit to the country. And better that way too IMO, than the state dictating everything.

I do a bit myself, and hopefully more soon when I have some more time, butI have seen some amazingly self sacrificing people who do it all under the radar. Really humbling.

By all means, let's all remember the horror of what happened to that little lad, but, like kneeling down before a football match, it doesn't mean much or achieve much to clap for a bit.

 

The person or child couldn’t give a toss what anybody does now, they’ve been murdered.

 

I do a bit mate but my life's too chaotic for me to be much use.

I've always done bits for the Salvation Army but they're not big in the Cotswolds hence the foodbank stuff. I used to sell poppies but the internet has lessened the need and it's too rural here to make it worthwhile. But there are people who just work away, all their lives, simply because they're decent people who care. I once did a Christmas Day meal, with the Sally Army, for the homeless and there were dentists, chiropodists, barbers, etc, all giving up their time to help in whichever way they could, really humbling.

 

We need people with a bit of real life experience, not more Uni trained career professionals.