What peter and Steve have said appears to be poles apart, and yet you both believe your position to be right BECAUSE of facts/statistics. I find this kind of thing interesting but totally frustrating. The same arguments are put forth in the States nightly on talk shows. How can one person's information be SO wrong? Is it because you read radically different newspapers or follow polls in which completely different questions were asked of the respondents? Either the crime rate IS higher or it's not. Are either of you using 'specific' types of crime to bolster your argument. On TV I can't ask Politicians HOW they get their information, but here at least I CAN ask Mudcatters. I really am interested in your feedback.

marty