In the news

What could the police do to stop the rioting?

they're not particularly poor economically, they're poor socially. But they like it that way.

now that is a +1

You connect to society by smashing shop windows? Bullshit.
I feel no connection with football teams.. I don't stone their buses as they head into Wembley.

I didn't say they were trying to connect to society by rioting. I said there seems to be a complete disconnection between them as individuals and society (something of which they are meant to be a part of, and have a stake in).

don't these people know there are millions of quids worth of gold and diamonds on bond street
yet they head to lidl in hackney and greggs in lewisham

You connect to society by smashing shop windows? Bullshit.

They're probably not trying to connect to society.

they're not particularly poor economically, they're poor socially. But they like it that way.

Underclass... Thatcher's Britain finally unravelling...

Yes, agreed, people are taking a very reductionist approach to all this, it's complex, are these people cunts, yep, cunts they are, is there a reason for their cuntish behaviour or was there suddenly an outbreak of monsters last night, I'd guess there are underlying reasons for them being cunts.

that's because underlying reasons are easily and wrongly interpreted as underlying excuses.

Seems it was a meeting point as they've sped off in convoy with at least 5 riot vans in there. More sirens heading west on North Circular. Can't be starting this early can it?

it started about 4pm yesterday.

Anyone wanna buy a widescreen?

hippy's TV is fat.

Mine's only 26".. I feel so ashamed..

Which is exactly how these 'yobs' have to live their lives every single fucking day, it's little wonder they are fucked off and ready to smash shit up. Constant fear, constant police harassment, no jobs, no freedom of movement, risk of mugging or robbery etc etc etc....More equality is what is needed, not more water cannons

A big part of me is drawn to what you are saying. Although the last bit is confusing tackling the current control of law and order with long term solutions.

Oh do come on. "Constant fear" of each other. "constant police harassment" whilst going around, minding their own business and causing trouble. "no jobs" - really? Why do we have so many migrant workers? why are there jobs advertised? ... but really. "no freedom of movement"... FFS. They live in the UK NOT FUCKING GAZA. Get a grip

I'm also drawn to this sort of statement.

The problem is it's about perception. To anyone who's been to a seriously deprived country, it must seem fucking amazing that anyone here can complain about living conditions. But that's not these kids point of reference.

What worries me is the truth of the matter is this whole situation highlights the true freedom people have. If society decides to reject the normal social contract, then there is nothing anyone can do. If you now have a whole section of society that didn't really give a fuck about any consequences before, and now they realises that they aren't any consequences, why stop?

that's because underlying reasons are easily and wrongly interpreted as underlying excuses.

Yes, that's because.

[goes off for a shit]

it started about 4pm yesterday.

it isn't scheduled, it's just whenever they get out of bed.

I'm getting seriously angered at journos calling these people rioters.

"Relative poverty". Seriously WTF.
I don't own a Bentley - should I start stealing from bankers?

You either can't afford to eat, go to school, get medication or you can.

How many regular homeless people were stealing shit last night?

Perfect example.

I bumped into a bloke I knew of as a coke dealer when I was a kid recently. Hadn't seen him in ten years. He drives a convertible Bentley Continental but is quite happy to live in a council flat on the estate round the corner from me. He was dressed like a pimp.

Different priorities to me. If I was loaded, however I was earning my money, I'd be spending on somewhere to live rather than something to drive.

there are millions of quids worth of gold and diamonds on bond street

are you directing your minions from a secrect location?

Seems it was a meeting point as they've sped off in convoy with at least 5 riot vans in there. More sirens heading west on North Circular. Can't be starting this early can it?

I've already shit in the bath and opened my first can on Stella.

It's really all about the chavs and the chav-nots.

go outside, spray slogans on the road surfaces.
get your peaceful message on the news via the choppers.

..

So now we're arguing how poor do they need to be for it to be OK?

People who keep banging on about them being able to afford things therefore must not be that badly off: There is more to life than buying stuff! Maybe the issue has more to do with not feeling any connection to the society they live in, and less to do with wanting shiny things? If you think you can riot and loot and smash up your own neighbourhoods it's probably because you have no feeling of connection with those neighbourhoods.

Less greed/desire + more gratitude and contentment = happy people/society.

It's really nice to see that people are getting together to clean up the streets. It's wonderful actually.

it isn't scheduled, it's just whenever they get out of bed.

I'm getting seriously angered at journos calling these people rioters.

Hmmm.. I find myself struggling to come up with a term to use.... I've been using rioters most, I think... What do you suggest?

it isn't scheduled, it's just whenever they get out of bed.

I'm getting seriously angered at journos calling these people rioters.

I doubt my more accurate description would be acceptable anywhere other than here.

looters