Provocation is no excuse

Just been watching the Sky news. It seems that there is yet another example of police brutality towards a member of the public. In the latest clip, we see a woman shouting at a Policeman, who decides to draw his baton and strike her on the leg. I've generally got a bit of sympathy for the police in these situations. It can't be much fun being abused relentlessly, especially when you probably don't think too much of some of the people you are protecting.

Having said that, I'm a bit old fashioned. I don't believe in hitting women. I think any man who hits a woman is a scumbag. This is just as true for a burly copper armed with a baton as a drunken slob having a row with his wife. Sure there is provocation, but this is the same argument that the drunken slob uses to justify his cowardly behaviour.

There is no excuse. Ever.