No one has explained how this helps children. Pure guesswork, but here'sone possible explanation.
Since electronic monitoring began in earnest in 1998, some 200,000offenders have been tagged. As the Daily Telegraph points out, extendingelectronic tagging in this way will add considerably to that number.
So perhaps the plan is to encourage children to invest their child trustfund in shares of electronic tagging companies. It's admittedly indirectand a long shot. But has anyone got a better idea of how tagging theirdads is supposed to help children?
- One of the worst bits of bad luck is to have the same name as a wantedterrorist. It means that if you get on an aeroplane, especially in theStates, you risk tiresome delays and questioning until your identity issorted out.
It happened, irritatingly, to Edward Allen. He is innocent of terroristactivities. But he does have the same name as someone on the federalauthorities' "no-fly" list.
So he was held for hours recently at two US airports, according to theDaily Mirror, until his ID was checked.
The odd thing is that this Edward Allen is four years old. His motherthought it was ridiculous. She says it is obvious that he is not aterrorist. "Would they let a terrorist in infants' class?"
- "Forget the Tudors ... and teach transvestism", the Daily Mail headedone article outlining some recently suggested classroom activities forteacher.
In another, it advised its readers how children "as young as seven"could be "taught gay history in a campaign that urges teachers tointroduce pupils to sexual and swear words".
Could it be that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month issomething that the Mail isn't entirely happy about?
SOUNDBITE
"We must not become an Asbo land where it is a crime to be irritating orto be a child" - Shami Chakrabarti, director of campaign group Liberty.
