I dont find that picture remotely amusing to be frank.

who’s Frank? He should get a sense of humour.

Danjama.

You asked how the rioting/looting could be both organised and opportunistic. It is and was all to do with communication. The rioting and arson was a good cover for those who wanted to steal to supply criminal gangs. Evidence came to light earlier this week that organised gangs were putting their differences to one side in order to take advantage of the situation. Youths interviewed on Sky today said that they ‘knew people that knew people so I got a van.’ In fact they filled the van and then went back for another load. It was also reported earlier in the week that children and youths were being organised and led by adults.

The opportunism was encouraged to act as cover for those engaged in wholesale looting. Whilst the Police Nationwide are chasing people who took the opportunity to steal a pair of trainers, a phone or a tv, others were taking large quantities of high end goods. it would be interesting to be given an idea of the value of property looted. How much went to the opportunist and how much went to the organised gangs?

Regards,

kev35

Very interesting theory, and one I hadn’t even considered. Thanks.

No. The Police shooting of Mark Duggan, justified or otherwise, was the excuse for the rioting to start. There was never any chanting in support of Mark Duggan, no banners, nothing. It was all too well organised. PM out of the Country, Mayor of London on holiday, Parliament in recess. People weren’t running around nicking 42″ plasma tv’s in memory of Mark Duggan. They weren’t stealing trainers and sportswear in memory of Mark Duggan. It was opportunistic greed and because of that at least 30 families have lost their homes and everything but the clothes they were wearing. Businesses ransacked, burned destroyed. A 68 year old man critically ill because he was attacked after trying to stop rioters setting fire to a bin. And now three young men in Birmingham have died as a result of this greed.

Mark Duggan never came into it.

Regards,

kev35

How can it be organized and opportunistic?

I’m fairly sure it’s the latter – the former is giving the scum way too much credit.

Robert – the UK is still one, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

I can confirm that on the UK mainland ie England, Wales and Scotland Police routinely do not carry arms. Nothing to do with morality or religion. Look at most of the video footage of the last few days – much on BBC and CNN and within these posts on this thread.

I agree that there are still some rural parts in the UK where you can leave your keys on the outer side of your front door and could safely leave your engine running while you go get a few quick items from a shop. The second item could attract an environmental nutter though that starts ranting about the carbon emissions.;)

Other than that we have an overall peaceful democracy in the UK (problems like everywhere else in the world – sure) – possibly the original Western democracy while your Country the USA is the world’s biggest democracy.

You should visit UK sometime and you can safely leave your ‘piece’ at home – and I am sure you will return safely in one piece.

Repeating what I said before – as it stands today the situation of riots and looting in UK does not call for a first line armed intervention. Albeit it may seem strange to you.

I believe it DID on Saturday/Sunday/Monday though. Now, not so much.

Can I ask for some opinions? I want to ask, who do you think is in the wrong in this video?

A friend on facebook, a black girl, posted it. She’s constantly on a war against the police, writing about the uniformed bullies. I am now at the point where I will delete her from my friends list, because it seems clear to me that the camera guy should not be talking to the police with such an attitude! They leave him well alone, until he starts talking to them in that way! It’s like she can’t distinguish a bad attitude from her ****! And yes, I do think he deserved to be handled, especially in the current environment. If I was that officer, I would have felt threatened.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo65wFKIpXY&feature=player_embedded

Very interesting post Jay, if a ‘little’ bit idealist.

What do you all make of this?

http://www.solfed.org.uk/?q=north-london-solfeds-response-to-the-london-riots

For the most part, the scumbags rioting over the last few days have claimed no future… well, there are plenty of jobs out there. I’ve turned down two this week alone! They claim that they cannot get into college…. bollox. All under 18’s get free courses (first at any level is free), with a replacement for EMA in operation they can easilly get said useless bit of paper. If they try really hard and prove that they are worthy of recognition, they will get a glowing reference which will assist in getting a job. What they lack is social discipline because of the culture that their PARENTS have accepted as normal..

For over 18’s it is slightly different – most, it appears, have a mis-spent youth and only now realise that they’ve ******** their own lives up. Still can’t get to college?… rubbish. Most Job Centres will be able to find free or very cheap full or part time short courses which can lead to bigger and better things. Can’t get a job? …. bollox too. Try working as a building site labourer, plenty of manual jobs around which don’t need quals. What they need is discipline, ie. turn up, do your job, go home. One issue is that they can claim more in benefits than they could earn on a minimum wage. What they lack is also social discipline because of the culture they have accepted as the norm.

Spanners. End of.

This is all oh too true man. Really. Especially highlighted.

I realise I didn’t do as well as I should have at school, but i’m not out rioting, i’m trying to better myself. I could easily have fallen in with this crowd (and almost did at school) but i’m a decent person at the core. These people are simply rotten at the core.

There are simply no excuses for their behaviour. There are hundreds of job/training agencies across London. All offer steady activity/income. I know because i’ve been forced to turn to agencies several times for removal work. It’s hard graft and made me value my current job, and gave me a really good work ethic.

What’s stopping any of these people from doing the same? Who said to them, don’t try to pass your exams at school? Don’t do your homework. Ignore the teachers who try to help you. Sign on. Forget about sixth form. Your parents don’t care. They had every single door available to them as every other person in this country does (albeit, maybe not all the same quality). The difference is, they chose to turn their backs on those doors, and thus chose a ****ty life.