Yes very topical.

In most of the other examples you can rationalise the control aspect "oh, it's to prevent stupid people injuring themselves" or "it doesn't stop law abiding people from..."

In the topical spikes example there is no such rationalisation that we can do and this is why there is such outrage. Because it hurts psychologically, because we cannot pretend it's not there. The outrage is not really about homelessness - it's about our shame.

And a reply from an ex homeless outreach worker: http://imsorrythatimlikethis.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/the-sp...