Riots in the UK

[Jeppe]

This isn't about political activism. This is about bullies preying on the weak and looters grabbing what they can. Shameful.

Exactly. The lootings are not political in any sense of the word. Of course there are some underlying socio-economic problems behind the events, for which there hopefully is a political solution, but to call them political in themselves is not only wrong, but bestows upon them an unwarranted sense of legitimacy. They are essentially the same actions as those taken by regular criminal youth gangs on a much grander scale, and a majority of the perpetrators seem to be simple opportunists. They lack any of the sense of purpose that historical riots such as the bread riots or the political unrests in nineteenth century Europe had (or even the previously mentioned anti-globalization marches), and I think that charatcerizing them as a a branch of class struggle is not only to employ an outdated political theory, but also to categorize them with much more coherent and non-opportunistic events.

[FASTorSLOW]

Exactly. The lootings are not political in any sense of the word. Of course there are some underlying socio-economic problems behind the events, for which there hopefully is a political solution, but to call them political in themselves is not only wrong, but bestows upon them an unwarranted sense of legitimacy. They are essentially the same actions as those taken by regular criminal youth gangs on a much grander scale, and a majority of the perpetrators seem to be simple opportunists. They lack any of the sense of purpose that historical riots such as the bread riots or the political unrests in nineteenth century Europe had (or even the previously mentioned anti-globalization marches), and I think that charatcerizing them as a a branch of class struggle is not only to employ an outdated political theory, but also to categorize them with much more coherent and non-opportunistic events.

TRUTH.

[Julian Lytle]

Julian, there are a lot of poor Old White Dudes out there.

Sometimes a little revolution is a good thing. But when the poor are preying on other poor it's sad and depressing.
March on the government. Assemble in demonstration. Don't mug poor students.

This isn't about political activism. This is about bullies preying on the weak and looters grabbing what they can. Shameful.

There is a bunch of poor white people. But most of the people in power are old white dudes.
The poor was preying on the poor before. Nobody gave a shit then.So they give a shit now?

[Phillies64]

I'm surprised something like this haven't sooner.

Old white dudes been eating too long.

I ain't condoning but I ain't surprised.

This shit ain't no different than Do The Right Thing.

This sentiment is surely in the background, but I've been unfortunate to have lived through a smaller riot before. There's nothing political about it. It's terrifying to see the mob mentality at work. The worst in people comes out, and at the end of the day people use social unrest and politics as an attempt to excuse their actions. I guarantee you most of these people are simply rioting to riot. I guarantee you quite a few of them are white and have money. Also if it was an attempt at a political statement, how come the targets are always the same? Mom and pop bodegas are always the first to get smashed.

People went nuts in Vancouver after they lost the Stanley Cup. I've seen people here in New York smash cars and mug people during the Yankees World Series parade. I've seen girls get their clothes ripped off during the Puerto Rican Day parade. It all stems from the same thing. They happen in crowds. Rioting isn't about political statements. It's about madness. They always start with someone who has no political agenda at all. It's about weak people giving into the mob mentality. It's about animals acting like animals.

[BoomerZ]

This sentiment is surely in the background, but I've been unfortunate to have lived through a smaller riot before. There's nothing political about it. It's terrifying to see the mob mentality at work. The worst in people comes out, and at the end of the day people use social unrest and politics as an attempt to excuse their actions. I guarantee you most of these people are simply rioting to riot. I guarantee you quite a few of them are white and have money. Also if it was an attempt at a political statement, how come the targets are always the same? Mom and pop bodegas are always the first to get smashed. Rioting isn't about political statements. It's about madness. They always start with someone who has no political agenda at all. It's about weak people giving into the mob mentality. It's about animals acting like animals.

Well said!!!

[Michael2402]

This sentiment is surely in the background, but I've been unfortunate to have lived through a smaller riot before. There's nothing political about it. It's terrifying to see the mob mentality at work. The worst in people comes out, and at the end of the day people use social unrest and politics as an attempt to excuse their actions. I guarantee you most of these people are simply rioting to riot. I guarantee you quite a few of them are white and have money. Also if it was an attempt at a political statement, how come the targets are always the same? Mom and pop bodegas are always the first to get smashed. Rioting isn't about political statements. It's about madness. They always start with someone who has no political agenda at all. It's about weak people giving into the mob mentality. It's about animals acting like animals.

Forgive me if I've misunderstood but I haven't seen anyone excusing the actions of the rioters. I'm sure every person who has posted on this topic feels for the victims of the crimes.

Personally I find it hard to believe that happy citizens would riot. If that's the case then does politics not have a place in this?

[Phillies64]

Forgive me if I've misunderstood but I haven't seen anyone excusing the actions of the rioters. I'm sure every person who has posted on this topic feels for the victims of the crimes.

Personally I find it hard to believe that happy citizens would riot. If that's the case then does politics not have a place in this?

You're right. No one is excusing the rioters actions, but people are quick to point out the politics behind it. I call BS on that. As I've said, I've seen people riot at sporting events when their teams win.

I won't say politics have absolutely nothing to do with it, but I think the media and people in general use it as an excuse to better understand the situation. I think we over emphasize the political importance of it. These are scumbags looking for an excuse to be scumbags.

[Former Poet Laureate]

When 400 people control more money than the bottom 150 MILLION in the US, there's gonna be a reckoning.

If you took all of these menacing 400 people's money, you wouldn't come close to closing the current deficit the U.S. gov't has run up.  I too rue the day the people realize the fantasy of the welfare state they have been sold by those very same people.  We have simply run out of other people's money to take and spend.

Which might mean good or bad things. But it means things are gonna change, somehow, and someway. Hopefully it will happen peacefully.  It will around me, if my shotgun has anything to do with it.

[LoadofBS]

the US media has surprised me with the reports that i've seen on the riots. i was expecting sped up footage with the benny hill theme playing.

[leafinsectman (Dan)]

A bit of distraction to lighten up the mood around here.

[Tempo House]

When 400 people control more money than the bottom 150 MILLION in the US, there's gonna be a reckoning.

Not in the US. Here the second 400 people who are just below the top would turn around and kick the remaining (150 million - 400) people further down and find ways to belong with the top 400 above them.

The whole class things works very differently in this country. Class relations are driven by envy rather than resentment. If there is any resentment it's the higher class that resents whoever's a step or more lower. I think it's going to be a while before Americans realize that the American Dream is a thing of the past and each generation will no longer be guaranteed to do better than the one before.  What you said will be true only after that realization sets in, which I think is a couple of generations away at this point.

[Richard]

Another death...

Mr Bowes, of Haven Green, Ealing, is believed to have been attacked after remonstrating with some teenagers who were setting fire to two industrial bins on Spring Bridge Road....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14500869

Disgusting.

[judekill]

"We have simply run out of other people's money to take and spend."

You're not thinking like a CEO, there is always a way to take other people's money. 

[Former Poet Laureate]

You're not thinking like a CEO, there is always a way to take other people's money.  Wink

No CEO on Earth has the ability to take your money before it ever hits your pocket, like the gov't does. A CEO can only dream of having such power.

[Tempo House]

No CEO on Earth has the ability to take your money before it ever hits your pocket, like the gov't does. A CEO can only dream of having such power.

Actual money? Who deals with actual money these days?  A lot of value changes hands on any given marketplace today (not the one at your street corner, but where the big boys and girls play) that is based on promises, assumptions, and perceptions without a dime physically changing hands. I am sure CEOs get a piece of that action too.

[William Joseph Dunn]

circling this back to comics, the window of Nostalgia & Comics, Birmingham:

http://forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2011/and-this-about-sums-it-all-up/

[jdudley]

I've already said it on this thread but I think it bares repeating. Scarlet Book 1 really does a great job illustrating how one event can ignite festering resentment.
It highlights some of the distinct differences between these types of riots in the UK and political/revolutionary rioting—the book is particularly topical when weighed against revolution in Egypt. As it relates to these current riots, Scarlet really does show how these things can spin out of control and potentially lose all sight on politics. Highly recommended comics reading for those interested.
Hope everyone in the UK remains safe and that this all settles down!!