'Grand Theft Auto' blamed for London riots

[Novocaine]

Right now I think more people in London and other cities in the UK are more concerned with the safety of their streets than their tax dollars, but each to their own I guess.

Ironic though that if the muli million/billion dollar companies didnt avoid tax payments there would probably be more or better trained police on the streets to keep them safe!

[Jez]

I view the socio-economic issues behind the riots as a partial explanation for the riots, but never, ever a justification. The looting of a local shop, the mugging of a young boy, setting fire to random cars, bashing other people serves no purpose other than for personal selfish gain and gratification. As Jez pointed out, it wasn't just bogans (or "Chavs" as Tas has used the local terminology) participating in the riots, there were also employed middle class people joining in.

The sad thing is that these people were looting, destroying property in their own neighbourhood, depriving the local, (some) struggling shopkeepers and workers of the means to dig themselves out of the poverty cycles.

Indeed. Acknowledging the socioeconomic causes for at least the core nucleus (as well as the event that triggered) the rioters does not require ignoring the need for those who are guilty to be caught and prosecuted. But merely tracking down those who were responsible this time around will not stop another generation of rioters from developing.

The UK has had problems associated with its housting estates and poorer suburbs for decades now. Personally I'm unsure as to what measures they can take that will actually make the demanded amounts of progress within an election cycle. Blaming GTA (or any popular culture for that matter) is absurd, while condemning them all as monsters is representative of the kind attitude that led to these sorts of problems in the first place. People who have very little to gain by obeying the law and making an effort in life often have very little to lose when it comes to making the decision to break the law or stop trying.

[skitzor]

the interesting thing is going to be what becomes of these events.

will society just brush it off as a a bunch of youths **** **** up for fun, with a quick note on the political beginning?

or will they look a bit deeper and think about the causes of this behaviour? will they realise that the current situation in England isn't sustainable?

I've talked about the situation to quite a few people today, and most of them seem to only recognise the mindless destruction. there is a bit of work to be done to change the story into what it should, and needs to be.

one of the aljazeers articles HandsomeSandwich linked seemed to be on this point, but unfortunately they are not very wide reaching (as I said, unfortunate. they seem to be the pinnacle (or close to it anyway) of actual journalism these days).

[Mekon]

Russel Brand is a twat of the highest order... but has written a surprisingly eloquent and insightful article on the recent events:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/1 ... vidcameron

[skitzor]

Russel Brand is a twat of the highest order... but has written a surprisingly eloquent and insightful article on the recent events:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/1 ... vidcameron

that was really well written. I knew the guy was talented, and had decent language skills, but nothing like that.

anyway, that's the type of thinking I was talking about. not just brushing it off as "mindless", but actually thinking about the real causes. I don't imagine too many politicians in the country will be able to think like that as they haven't had the experience of being in a similar situation, so it will be left up to people like Brand to bring it up. that article is a really good start.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Politicians will continue to describe this behaviour as criminal opportunism because they want to avoid dealing with the underlying social issues. They don't have the money to fund badly needed public services and I laughed when the PM said they would compensate affected property owners. I wonder if they're desperately hoping the 2012 Olympics will inject some much needed money into their economy, but we all know any profits from that event will not be going to the lower classes.

[Jez]

Politicians will continue to describe this behaviour as criminal opportunism because they want to avoid dealing with the underlying social issues. They don't have the money to fund badly needed public services and I laughed when the PM said they would compensate affected property owners. I wonder if they're desperately hoping the 2012 Olympics will inject some much needed money into their economy, but we all know any profits from that event will not be going to the lower classes.

Living in Sydney there have certainly been a lot of comments made to the effect that a lot of the money spent on the 2000 olympics could have been better spent on infrastructure and services, I imagine similar things will be said about the games in London.

[Dinwiddie]

The sad thing is that these people were looting, destroying property in their own neighbourhood, depriving the local, (some) struggling shopkeepers and workers of the means to dig themselves out of the poverty cycles.

It always happens this way, everywhere. A version of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. That's why the media uses,
'the situation has boiled over', and similar statements.

[Fred Ward]

http://www.news.com.au/world/pictures-s ... 6125636970

Still a lot of unrest over in London, the quality of the photographs in this article, I don't think it will be hard to identify the guy with the knife.

[FryzieDelta]

As usual, the old man with the shopping bags tries to save the day

[ChainsawMcP]

I bet those people who stole TVs will soon be committing other crimes as well... It's really just the first step on a long slippery slide...




If they watch their new TVs without buying a license they could be up for a thousand pound fine... the dirty rotten criminals.

"A colour TV Licence currently costs £145.50 and is required by anyone watching or recording TV programmes as they are shown on TV, whether they are using a TV set, computer, or any other equipment. Anyone watching TV illegally risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000."
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/medi ... 11-NEWS40/

[cyclobs]

wow tv licensing still exist?.. i thought that died out in the 50s

[BBlunt]

wow tv licensing still exist?.. i thought that died out in the 50s

It's how the BBC is funded. TV licenses existed in Australia until 1974.