Robert McNeil - I'm all for persecuting the nation's bloaters, but not in public places

THIS column has called frequently for more state interference in the lives of our fallen citizenry. Human beings, by and large, are untrustworthy and sleekit, forever manoeuvring to get one over on their fellows. You say: "Maybe it's just the company you've kept, Bob. You cannot judge everybody by a few bad apples. You would like me. I'm decent and kind."

Well, I'm sure there are some exceptions, but they only prove the rule. Human beings are a ghastly crew, who must be made to be more ethical. In particular, the state must make greater efforts to infiltrate that most anti-social of phenomena, the fam...