What do you think?

MoonpigMoonpig Posts: 659
edited August 2011 in A Moving Train
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/eu ... ml?start=3

Taking my tin foil hat off for just a moment, I must admit that when I hear all the media outlets churning out the same story, I become sceptical. Not always a bad way to think- as the Milenium bug, weapons of mass destruction, and the ever evil world conquering Muslims, would prove.

So when I listen to the what is going on in London, and other parts of England, it is hard for me to not also be sceptical of what we are being told. Do we believe the media, in that local thugs just decided to take advantage of a terrible situation? or do we believe that there is more to it?

I suppose I believe there are many different faces to this, not just the one that is being touted in the media (I believe when the media and the politicians are singing in unison, something may be a askew).

Can what's happening in England be written off as mindless opportunism or can it be likened to Greece, people fed up of tough austerity measures that are forcing people to the cliffs edge?

Mindless thugs or a section of society who have chosen to rage against the machine. Thoughts??
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    I have only heard bits and pieces, but from what it sounds like to me, its mindless thugs. And its making them look even worse that there are uprisings going on all over the world that actually have a purpose (govt protest).
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  • pandorapandora Posts: 21,855
    Moonpig wrote:
    http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/faces-of-riot-accused-students-wealthy-teenager-and-boy-11-2845474.html?start=3

    Taking my tin foil hat off for just a moment, I must admit that when I hear all the media outlets churning out the same story, I become sceptical. Not always a bad way to think- as the Milenium bug, weapons of mass destruction, and the ever evil world conquering Muslims, would prove.

    So when I listen to the what is going on in London, and other parts of England, it is hard for me to not also be sceptical of what we are being told. Do we believe the media, in that local thugs just decided to take advantage of a terrible situation? or do we believe that there is more to it?

    I suppose I believe there are many different faces to this, not just the one that is being touted in the media (I believe when the media and the politicians are singing in unison, something may be a askew).

    Can what's happening in England be written off as mindless opportunism or can it be likened to Greece, people fed up of tough austerity measures that are forcing people to the cliffs edge?

    Mindless thugs or a section of society who have chosen to rage against the machine. Thoughts??

    I would say both without being real up on all that is happening.

    People in general all over the world are fed up, well at least those struggling in these times.

    Amongst those people there are those that could not, would not show support for this type of reaction

    and others that would take the opportunity to jump on the band wagon....
    have a mob mentality... reaction.... thug or not.
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,157
    Raging against the machine usually doesn't involve 11 year olds stealing trash cans.

    Perhaps there was a social element that sparked the riot, but it appears to have spiraled into thuggery. Then again, I live across the pond so I'm just speculating.
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  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    edited August 2011
    Being in the midst of it, in this instance mindless thugs. Listening to what they have to 'say', seeing what they are doing.... plain ol' thugs, opportunists, etc. Nothing political. Not comparable to Greece at all. Supposedly, it started in 'support' of a man that has been shot by police (being investigated), there was a peaceful protest by family and friends at the police station because they were not getting the communication they wanted quickly enough. Naturally, some crowd gathered 'in sympathy', cops did to. A young girl threw a missile at the police and police retaliated a bit too forcefully (in my view). Then all of a sudden, you have hundreds of 'kids' converging to destroy (using their blackberries & social media to 'organise'). It would seem also hijacked by the EDL. Very brief summary but this is the jist of it. That video on youtube with the coloured lady giving the guys a piece of her mind sums it up!

    That does not mean there is no disfranchised youth, workers, etc. The previous demonstrations regarding cuts, fees, etc. which took place a while back (and which were also marred with violence but not riots), were something completely different and definitely protests with a 'reason', however they may have ended. These protests are usually infiltrated by trouble makers who's sole purpose is to create mayhem.

    But what has been happening these past few days was pure, wanton destruction and looting. I'm sure if it would have been the winter or raining buckets, not that many of these guys (and gals!) would have been out!
    Post edited by redrock on
  • Monster RainMonster Rain Posts: 1,415
    I think it's safe to generalize that the rioters are thugs looking for an excuse to grab some free stuff and destroy things. There were probably some legitimate peaceful protesters when it started, but those people have either stopped protesting or joined the rest of the assholes and started looting. People who riot just want an excuse to riot and take whatever excuse is available: soccer/football matches, the Stanley Cup playoffs, alleged police brutality, someone on Twitter said so, etc. The reason doesn't matter because it's just an excuse and they know that most of the people involved will get away with it because the police can't arrest everyone, so they play the odds and hope they make it home safely with that new TV.
  • Honestly, I'm surprised we haven't seen this kind of thing in North America (Vancouver Stanley Cup riots?). Anger and frustration can bring out some pretty negative behavior in many people. I actually suspect that most of the rioters are simply opportunists who took this as an opportunity to loot or vandalize without repercussions.

    I feel that we are an exceedingly spoiled generation with a complete indifference to social responsibility. A riot like this is bound to bring out those who are looking to get something for nothing. Heck, isn't this why most nations can't even manage their own debt issues. This is something that permeates through all economic and social classes. We're just that selfish.
  • IdrisIdris Posts: 2,317
    G8/G20 Riots in Toronto last year,

    http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2010-2011/yoush ... index.html

    an Interesting Documentary about that weekend,
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