The Soviets didn't release them.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/4285587.stm

I'm not saying it shouldn't have happened in the first place, but it's not a fair comparison.

Just being Patriotic. We are your Allies, you know.

Good point, Sally... but. Still. And the Soviets did release them now and again... usually somewhat worse for the wear.

That's the mailed fist that also hides inside of socialized health care... we pay the bills, so we decide. Whether or not you want to.

"Sectioned..." there's a bit of Brit-speak I hadn't heard before. I assume it refers to a 'section of' some civil code or such.

NOT what comes to mind for me, which is along the lines of "sectioned for display".

Ah, yes - two peoples separated by a common language!

And, Allies or no, we can criticize, too, eh? Not like it stops your lot! 8^)

Well, he's suing, and I hope he wins. Social Services are constantly screwing up. They'll do something mad, like this, yet fail to protect children at risk because the Social Workers "feel threatened".

I'm not sure how far "Sectioning" is related to the N.H.S. All governments have to have some system of getting people with mental illnesses to get help. There'd be a lot of dangerous people out there otherwise.

I have no idea what "sectioned for display" means, either.

As for criticising, that's fine. I don't do it because I've never lived there, so I don't feel I've a right to. My husband has, and he'll frequently compare our two nations.

I've never lived in France, but then, I don't have to have a reason not to laugh at the French. It's my birthright ;-)

By the way, I'd never have guessed you two read "The Scum"! Now that's a "news"paper worthy of criticism...

We don't read it - Drudge does for us... we just link.

"Sectioned for Display" - take a mechanical device (in my case, several of the guns in the basement) and cut away material to reveal the inner workings not usually displayed.

Like these two. (open the link by right-clicking and open in new window)

Here in the US, public officials can also come take people away - but unless they are an imminent threat to themselves (such as standing on the ledge about to jump) they can't just drive up and take you away without a hearing... and other forms of due process.

As for criticising... feel free. I never lived in the USSR, but I never felt that prevented me from having opinions. And expressing them.

And if I'm wrong, I'll listen to people repair my ignorance, if they can do it civilly.

And you were "the mother country," right? What mother *doesn't* have opinions on "the kid's" behavior? Even if the kid is now 73 and Mom is 95...

You know, when something is wrong - it's just wrong. Whether it happens in the UK, USA, Russia, China... or anywhere else in the world. From the text of the article, it looks like this is very wrong indeed. However, considering how often the news media give us a bogus story... I'm not sure whether to believe what they've written or not.

I am reminded of some of the stories here in the states, usually involving "children" being suspended from school for what seems to be an extremely stupid reason... only to find out a week or two later... oops we didn't have the whole story and the "child" is actually a juvenile delinquent and actually did way more than the original story stated... you know the stories I mean I'm sure.

So, yes, on the surface this is very bad. And if they were acting in this manner - he should be able to sue them for everything he can get. But maybe keep your eyes open for updates that may tell a different story... Just a thought.

More good points. It was a one off screw up. These things happen all over. It's not about to be U.K policy to lock up the obese.

I dread to think what would happen if it were. We'd need mental institutions the size of Texas ;-)