strathspey@strathspey.org:52637

Bob McArthur

RE: No more sword dances?

June 3, 2008, 2:21 p.m. (Message 52637, in reply to message 52636)

One has to look closely at what traditions are under threat - if
Morris dancers have to dispose of their sticks to comply with the
proposed law what exemption has been applied to allow Black Rod to
summons the House of Commons to the House of Lords in such an
aggressive manner?
 
Why should the civic elite be allowed to wear ceremonial swords when
traditional dancers would be banned from performing?
 
There have been far more vicious assualts with riding crops and whips
in hunting ban confrontations but I do not see a ban on carrying them.
 
Even the dance teacher carrying a radio mic could be said to be
holding an offensive weapon ie a cudgel when approaching a set of
dancers.
 
A person working on a hedge with hedging shears from the public
pavement could be said to be in possession of an offensive weapon but
yet be equally prosecuted for not cutting back the hedge by the local
highways authority.
 
Bob McArthur
Christchurch, Dorset