Hi Russ,
Yes, I did delete the post, principally because I thought that the latter part may have been considered antagonistic – and that was not the intention. But I'm pleased that I, more or less, understood your position correctly. Thanks for the clarification.
I can understand, to a degree, your point of view, but coming from a different culture and background – we'll have to agree to disagree on a few points. [/smiley-face]. The notion of armed professors and guards in Universities (think Oxford & Cambridge) is so incongruous that, to Brits, it's tantamount to Disneyland on hallucinogens .
And yes, I'm a Brit, of European descent, Europe based.
Not sure if the West is getting wilder, as you put it, or rather there's an unpalatable swing to an extreme, far-right populism. Whatever it is, it'll be defeated – but not before there exists a credible opposition. Don't underestimate Europe. The EU ultimately won't fall apart, it's here to stay and, much as it pains me to say it, the Brits got this one wrong.
M