Sweet and Tender Hooligan

This song raises many interesting questions. The most potent being - just how many times can you forgive someone? Here we have a tale of someone who is repeatedly re-offending, yet the judicial system is always giving him a second chance.

As many of us agree, it is generally right to give someone a second chance, even if they have wronged you. Yet at which point do you call it a day and say enough is enough?

Those of us of a religious nature are told that we should always forgive. However, after each time it does become harder and harder to do so. Sometimes it is always too easy to give up on someone who seems totally inept at going the right thing. For instance, take your everyday GP sitting in his office. Each day he must have numerous patients that have time and time again come to him for help with aliments that have been brought on by themselves and the life they choose to lead. It could be the smoker with lung problems or the fat man with diabetes. Both of whom could easily solve their problems with simple changes in their attitudes or life style, yet does not have either the will power or the desire to do this, yet still want the help off the doctor. Now, as you can imagine, the doctor would become a little despondent and feel like giving up on these individuals, as they are nothing more than time wasters. However, these are the people that need our most help.

The people that when told they need to change, and stop doing the things they have been doing are the easiest to help. As all that needs doing is some to point out the error of their ways. Those that are suborn are the ones that need the most help - yet we are most likely to turn those away, as it requires a tremendous mosts will power, patience and determination to help them - virtues that most of us do not possess.

So maybe we should not give up on our sweet and tender hooligan, he just needs at lot of time and dedication to him, so one day he can break away from his cycle of crime.

Of course, on a more superficial level, this song highlights the failings of the current judicial system, letting criminals getting away with murder, which is even more relevant now than it was back in 1987, with the news of full prisons and rapists and murders being set free well before the end of their sentences.

Album: Louder Than Bombs (1987)