The One That Doesn't Understand Why He's Done It. . .

Gordon Brown is to apologise for the UK's role in sending thousands of its
children to former colonies in the 20th century, the BBC has learned.

Right, let's get something straight what was done to these kids was unspeakable, they were treated in the most apalling fashion. That being said, and without wanting to sound glib, I should imagine the offspring of these people are quite happy to be in Canada, Australia or NZ.

It is a belief of mine that you can and should only apologise for something if you are the one responsible for what happened and you feel genuine sorrow for the results of your actions.

I'll give Gordon the benefit of the doubt and will accept that he understands what a hurtful course of action sending these kids away was and I would hope that nothing like this would happen again. It seems the Aussies are going to say sorry too, they've got form in this area anyway, with the social engineering of the 'lost generation'* another staggeringly insensitive practive that shows just how cruel and spiteful the Nanny State is.

However, Gordon cannot apologise for this. It is a simple fact that he was nothing to do with it. It is not his sin to atone for.

I don't mean this in a way to do these people down, and I really do feel for them, but it just isn't Gordon's fault. He, like me, can express deep regret at what happened, but he cannot apologise any more than Angela Merkel can apologise for the Holocaust, or Sarko can apologise for Napoleon's actions, or Berlusconi can apologise for the Roman usurpation of the Iceni lands from Boudica.

He'll be all too quick to fall to his knees declaring 'mea culpa!' He'll then find someone responsible and sack them. Wildly ironic, given the fact that there is so much which is his fault that he steadfastly refuses to apologise for.

*If you don't know about the Lost Generation, or even if you do, please read the linked account from the NSW Parliament. It is a most chilling testimony to what happens when people who think they know best get carte-blanche to waltz in and take over peoples' lives and dictate to them. Leg-Iron talks about this today and history is repeating itself here now. To misquote; 'We are all Aboriginals now'. The only outcome when The State inveigles itself into personal life is despair, hurt and destroyed lives. The State is incapable of love, that is an act which can only exist between two individuals.