UK Riots

In no way do I condone their activities, but do we actually think the best way we can handle a situation like this is through tough military support and a few sliced throats?


It would seem to me that the best way to handle the unrest is by allowing them a forum to have their voices heard, and perhaps some action from their elected representatives to alleviate their concerns.

It seems that the rioting has little to do with politics, the recession or concerns. Thugs and the criminal gangs do not like the rule of law and and are showing how criminal gangs behave against authority and the law of the land. Opportunists are diving in to loot and get some distorted fun in causing damage and ruining the community they live in.

So far there is a lot of speculation in the media with some saying police were fired upon, others stating the guy was unarmed & harmless & again, others stating he was a drug dealer.

Until the facts come to light, there really is no point in trying to analyse the hows & whys.

However saying that, the areas in London where its all kicking off is well known to me, as I grew up there & even back in the 60's the areas were well known for gangland activity, even the carrying of arms.

The difference between now & then is that we had respect & care for our communites even though times were hard - a lot harder than what they are now.

Personally I think its down to a lack of morals & principiles.
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From the BBC: Was Tottenham's riot a cry of rage?

"Was Saturday night an orgy of mindless violence or a cry of rage from a marginalised, disaffected part of society?

Riots polarise opinion and instant analysis is a dangerous game.

The images of youths torching buildings and cars, attacking police and laying waste to a community rightly anger. Never mind the sight of adults old enough to know better filling their cars with looted TVs and stolen clothes.

But it took place in a part of London where resentment by some against the police had been building for days after a 29-year-old man, Mark Duggan, was shot dead by officers in an incident the circumstances of which may not be fully understood until an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation is completed.

... "

On Thursday evening, Mark Duggan was shot dead in by police officers in Tottenham. The IPCC immediately announced they would investigate; unusual for an organisation known for its inefficiency. The media were told that a non-police issue firearm had been recovered from the scene, and that one of the police officers had been injured. Later reports revealed a bullet found lodged in a police radio.

But it turned out that it was in fact a police bullet lodged in that radio. Presumably, ‘friendly fire’. The recovered firearm was in a sock. Mark Duggan didn’t fire a single shot. Another man executed at the hands of the police, and more misinformation from the IPCC.

...

Until the facts come to light, there really is no point in trying to analyse the hows & whys.

"When you cut facilities, slash jobs, abuse power, discriminate, drive people into deeper poverty and shoot people dead whilst refusing to provide answers or justice, the people will rise up and express their anger and frustration if you refuse to hear their cries." - "A riot is the language of the unheard." Martin Luther King.

When people come from poor disenfranchised backgrounds they simply don't have the wherewithal to make themselves heard in a productive or meaningful ways. It's not lack of morals & principals, it's lack of education, or opportunities and a feeling that they don't matter to society.

One is not born with morals or principals, they are achieved via education.

As for continuing analysing so it can be better dealt with? In that case, it seems that all the analysing already done has failed miserably!

Brixton April 1981 & September 1985, Toxteth July 1981, Tottenham October 1985, these were not pleasant to witness or see on one's tv, but they have similar reasons as this weeks riots, so it looks like society hasn't learnt its lessons well.

As for the April 81 riots in Brixton, our squadron actually drove through there on our return from exercises & the best thing I had seen was the rioters vacate the road to let us pass - I wonder why? Considering we were armed soldiers maybe?

Unfortunately, in this case I agree with the politicians here - no troops! I don't wish to see the mainland turn into another Northern Ireland fiasco.

The problem here is that there are or will be too many committees/quangos with bleeding heart liberals discussing the hows & whys rather than debating the fundamental reasons behind these occurences & attempting to force the authorities to act accordingly.

As for cuts, the past has already shown that these do & will continue to occur whenever there are financial crisis' occuring, BUT, the corruption still goes on, so as always it become a "chicken or egg" situation & we as ordinary folk will never be able to change that.
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One is not born with morals or principals, they are achieved via education.

As for continuing analysing so it can be better dealt with? In that case, it seems that all the analysing already done has failed miserably!

As for the April 81 riots in Brixton, our squadron actually drove through there on our return from exercises & the best thing I had seen was the rioters vacate the road to let us pass - I wonder why? Considering we were armed soldiers maybe?

The problem here is that there are or will be too many committees/quangos with bleeding heart liberals discussing the hows & whys rather than debating the fundamental reasons behind these occurences & attempting to force the authorities to act accordingly.

1: Yes true as its then down to the individual making that choice & in doing so, MUST know that they are going against the laws of society.

2: Totally agree, but again, we can't make that happen & should we try, we get labelled a dissenter, so where will it end?

3: Oh very true. Had they attempted to attack our vehicles or us, most of the lads would've delighted in joining in as that was what was in our minds & as we did not have ANY officers with us...what made us NOT DO SO? That is easily answered - A) Education B) Training C) Discipline D) Morals

4: No, they are not trying to rationalise or attempt to get to the route of the problem, they are only in it for the money & the kudos of being in that position as history has already proven that.

Until we get genuine people into positions that do want to serve the community & make life better for all, rather than just for the gold plated salaries they can achieve, then the gap between the haves & have nots will only increase.

Take a look at your own politicians actions over the last week or so....Are they really acting in the best interests of the USA? From what's been seen this side of the pond, all that can be seen are politicians arguing amonst themselves like little schoolboys, just like our own parliament & I'd guess the rest of the world as well.
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Heard on the radio driving home, a looter saying he was taking back his taxes in stealing and wasn't ashamed to do it.

I'd say there has been a colossal failure to educate. Perhaps they know the 3 r's but they are devoid of any moral education.
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I see that many are believing that its a lack of education....sorry but that is wrong. There are brilliant teachers in our schools & how they manage to succeed with both hands tied behind their backs amazes me.

It's not an education problem but an authority problem. How can either police or teachers deal with Pupils/Hooligans that laugh in their face when they know that the courts either won't do anything or hand out trivial sentences?

THAT IS THE PROBLEM!
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One can not rule by fear long term.

They were taught that there is no reason to be moral. They learned that before they set foot in a classroom. The failure to educate was their parents weren't taught how to raise a child. If the child is bright a school teacher may be able to turn their thinking around to be moral, if the parents don't undermine that. But only if there is an obvious better life to be gained by being moral and a significant chance that abetter life is a real possibility.

We have lost two generations and likely three.

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Rule by fear? Where did that come from? For a society to exist in a civilised rather than a barbaric manner, there must be laws.

Parents weren't taught on how to raise a child? I think you will find that many parents weren't taught that, & many of those parents raised decent law abiding citizens.

However, if you're saying that authorities must take the initiative in providing all aspects of life for every individual, that'll lead to a total nanny & also total police state...do we want that?
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Another point to consider as some are calling for troops to patrol the streets.

What troops? Our forces are being decimated & currently our armed forces are fighting on 3 fronts, Libya,Iraq & Afghanistan.

Northern Ireland has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that using troops as police does not work & to see it here on the UK mainland will be an admission of defeat & therefore the anachists will have won.

No, the best way forward if the politicians & the police cannot handle the situation is to declare Martial Law, that gives the army a hell of a lot of leeway.
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Why are seven year olds allowed in the streets after 6/7 PM?
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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Cash Donation Specialist

Why are seven year olds allowed in the streets after 6/7 PM?

... the best way forward if the politicians & the police cannot handle the situation ...

PM Cameron has just said that last night there were 6000 police on the streets of London, tonight there will be 16,000. Police reinforcements being called in from all over the country. Parliament is being recalled for Thursday. No mention of troops, water cannon, or curfews being used. He said that sufficient and robust policing is what will be used.