In the news

Let's remember that most (all?) of those opinions have been expressed by people completely and totally untouched by the riots in a hands-on way (their own property/family). If they are already calling for people to be "gunned down" you have to be worried. All it takes is a bit of fire on the TV and some shops being closed and a large swath of the population is ready to give the city over to the military?

Maybe I'm under-reacting. But let's at least we can discuss appropriate reactions rather than getting all mobby about it (and then shouting people who have opinions like mine down for being apologetic and liberal and therefore dismiss-able).

people involved directly in the riots have said similar. mostly very upset that the police weren't there (not sure if they were blaming them though) to do anything to stop it. I don't think people are calling for martial law and as i said before it is a reaction in the heat of the moment that translates as 'do something/anything to stop this' which is totally understandable. I'm encouraged that british people are angry about this mob. This is very different to political riots like the poll tax which we know will be quelled after a few middle class anarchists have smashed a mcdonalds or two. This is far more concerning because it has no political point. It is largely uncontrollable youth telling everyone in the communities that there is nothing we can do to stop them. the causes of that are up for debate.