In the news

So the question is- how to respond as Londoners- and as a sort of community ourselves.

What is there to do that we can achieve?

Or to put it another way- how as a Londoner do you respond to these fuckheads to show them that their paltry and pathetic activities don't have your support.

-And naturally I don't mean vigilantism or anything like that, just a calm and measured- fuck off.

Won't someone think of the Olympics!

It's OK Col Gadaffi has offered Tripoli as an alternative venue for 2012 to the IOC.

Make the Hour of Power a 'riots protest' Hour of Power?

how so? they trot out someone from some youth project and parade them as a 'leader' for 5 mins of air time, for a few soundbites? 'community' is just a mediated catch all term

+1

Make the Hour of Power a 'riots protest' Hour of Power?

Boudica spikes on wheels, viking helmets and so on?

**

Renmin Ribao, China **
"The Olympics will be hosted next year; the security situation in London, which has always been a first-choice site for terrorist attacks, will be even grimmer. British police now face two main problems. First, as the government cuts police funding in order to reduce the deficit, British police will carry out massive layoffs. With insufficient manpower and financial resources, they will inevitably be overwhelmed with problems in maintaining social order. Second, after the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, the credibility of the British police has declined and there is still a very long way to go in rebuilding the credibility of the police and restoring public support, says Qu Bing, Institute of European Studies, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations."

Oh dear.

how so? they trot out someone from some youth project and parade them as a 'leader' for 5 mins of air time, for a few soundbites? 'community' is just a mediated catch all term

Community youth workers are leaders of sorts, or should be. They can play a role in backing up parental guidance (or filling in for lack of it) which teaches young people that, as members of a community, their actions have a cause and effect beyond the attempted short-term gratification of their own urges. And, if they earn some respect being community leaders, they also provide a role model which is an alternative to the ones thrown up by the media.

Lee HIgh Road was smashed to pieces last night it seems but most of the glass was cleared and shops being borded up by the time I got there. Very little to do to help.

Shopkeepers were saying that the security shutter companies were fantastic and were turning up to secure buildings while the looting was still happening!

Man I never felt so cut-off from London (currently in copenhagen), really want to be there and do something (positive naturally) about the whole fuss.

No text from my parents or workmate, seemed like Wimbledon isn't quite affected.

@ BMMF:
What if "they" see their "community" as being "thugs 4 life" (or someshit)? Then what? How do you change this? I blame hipitty hop music (seriously waiting for this).
(by "they" I mean those that are doing this)

Ed: There's only so much peace a brown bike can bring to London.

how so? they trot out someone from some youth project and parade them as a 'leader' for 5 mins of air time, for a few soundbites? 'community' is just a mediated catch all term

I'm in agreement about community "leaders" 8ball. But I have a fervent belief of a community which I inhabit.

here's a good insight

http://kenanmalik.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/five-quick-points-about-the-riots/

Ed: There's only so much peace a brown bike can bring to London.

what brown bloody bike??

Can't be arsed to debate it but yes there are communities in London. I live in one. All the local shopkeepers and many of the local residents know each other, occasionally socialise together and look out for each other.

what brown bloody bike??

Your moulton is brown.

Wimbledon had a few smashed windows and thats it from what I can tell.

I'm in agreement about community "leaders" 8ball. But I have a fervent belief of a community which I inhabit.

here's a good insight

http://kenanmalik.wordpress.com/2011/08/09/five-quick-points-about-the-riots/

Good. Good words. Especially 3.

+1 the video is public so if you have facebook you can share it. Absolutely disgusting.

what was that vid? can't access FB here at work.

@ BMMF:
What if "they" see their "community" as being "thugs 4 life" (or someshit)? Then what? How do you change this? I blame hipitty hop music (seriously waiting for this).
(by "they" I mean those that are doing this)

You have to glamourize real life and real jobs*. It helps if people already doing those jobs get some respect for their efforts (which could come in the form of reasonable wages, or not over-paying those in less ethically sound / worthy jobs - you'll have to go with me on that one, I know it sounds completely outlandish).

I do love the hippity hop music though.

*does help if those jobs haven't been cut :/

Man I never felt so cut-off from London (currently in copenhagen), really want to be there and do something (positive naturally) about the whole fuss.
.

One of the weirdest posts you've ever made, and you've made millions

what was that vid? can't access FB here at work.

Pisti re-posted a youtube version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=327J3ISiVOU

albino looter robbing little kid should be easy to find ...

They've just shown that video on the BBC live feed too.

BBC News coverage showing footage from Liverpool/B'ham at the moment.

You have to glamourize real life and real jobs*. It helps if people already doing those jobs get some respect for their efforts (which could come in the form of reasonable wages, or not over-paying those in less ethically sound / worthy jobs - you'll have to go with me on that one, I know it sounds completely outlandish).

I do love the hippity hop music though.

*does help if those jobs haven't been cut :/

While we're both dreaming, to hippity hop music, can we bring back neighbours who help sweep the street?

Also: Cretins and Morlocks who commute to London from Woking etc. Please stop talking about "water cannon" near me.