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Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

I agree with every word, Dedicated, and thank you for the first-hand insight.

eurobound · Joined: 04 Apr 2011 Posts: 155

scuba066 · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 34

The political spin the Iranian government is putting on the situation is very interesting. They have volunteered to send human rights investigators. Shocked

My favorite part are the comments after the articles.

http://www.presstv.ir/

johnslat · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:10 pm Post subject:

I love this headline, coming from the Iranian government:

"UK turns to a suppressive regime?"

Well, at least they had the "decency" to use a question mark (and the wrong preposition, of course.)

Regards,
John

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:43 pm Post subject:

johnslat · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:26 am Post subject:

Dear Isla Guapa,

Assuming you're referring to "suppressive," well, it's probably OK:

"Adj. 1. suppressive - tending to suppress; "the government used suppressive measures to control the protest"

although the alliteration of "repressive regime" would, I'd say, be preferable

Very Happy

Regards,
John

artemisia · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 875 Location: the world

I liked a twitter comment I saw. I can't remember the exact quote or who wrote it but it was along the lines of: The Arab youth rise up during the Arab Spring to claim basic freedoms. The British youth rise up during the British Summer to claim a flat-screen TV.

When I lived in the UK, I was often struck by the sheer numbers of disaffected people, some possibly mentally ill, out on the streets that you'd have to exercise caution around. Years ago I talked to teachers who'd worked in poor inner city London schools and had feared walking through the school on their own. I wondered what would happen when enough of those feral kids were let loose on the streets. As far as looting goes, supposedly many people will take advantage when they see an opportunity such as a broken window and jewellery inside - there for the taking. They just won't break the window themselves.

While plenty have undoubtedly taken advantage during the rioting in London, the concept of 'looting' is an interesting one. During Katrina when many were trapped in malls etc. in New Orleans and took food to keep themselves going, it was reported as an a necessary action. What's happened in London obviously isn't a natural disaster and helping yourself to other kinds of goods is not generally seen in the same light. But some of the rioters do come from deprived backgrounds and have little chance of getting out of a situation that is as much defined by class as it is by money.

I taught in some schools where it felt as though some kids were already beyond helping and weren't going anywhere in life. It's far easier to grab a TV than a university education and qualifications, not that this excuses such behaviour. It's just that it seems inevitable when you have sufficient numbers of people going nowhere. They're the ones who join gangs.

Captain_Fil · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:20 am Post subject:

When seconds count, the police are just minutes away...

Shocked

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

It seems most are ok when it is a place like Syria, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia...but when the same thing hits in the backyard it is not ok. Rioting and looting is wrong. Period, full stop, wrong.

I hope the people in the affected communities can rally some support. Whatever has gone wrong it does not permit this. The government can't help, maybe the best word is helpless.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14506159

England riots: What's the meaning of the words behind the chaos? a look at language.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:31 pm Post subject:

Watching too many episodes of The Wire on their wide-screen TVs?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:11 pm Post subject:

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

ancient_dweller · Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Posts: 415 Location: Woodland Bench

it is only by civilised people setting a civilised example that people will learn how to live.

the looters will notice that the police didn't run in and hit people. They looked on as the looters trashed shops and stole tvs.

It's a shame for the looters. it makes the looters look bad - not the police.

unfortunately, te UK has more CCTV than people, (though fortunately in this case) and GCHQ can all well and good find out who was sending 'encrypted' messages on blackberrys.

the point it is - let primitive people behave primitively, why not have a good joke about it too - then put them in prison afterwards.

it is quite amusing to read some newspapers who have found for example 1 person who they consider 'middle-class' and then said 'middle-class' in riots! Razz

(daily mail hint hint)

i'm with the reaction of the police on this one. Why risk your lives to stop idiots stealing 3D tv's - you know they were too stupid to steal the glasses. (few months of GIRO i think for the glasses - especially on the SONY sets)

johnslat · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:

Dear ancient_dweller,

"vigilantism is wrong. life is more valuable than any materialistic objects."

While I agree with your point, I think you may be simplifying matters a bit. It's not JUST the loss of material objects (although one's livelihood, as in, say, a shop, is not exactly petty,) it's also the violation of MY rights, the callous disregard for MY welfare, that is galling.

Vigilantism is wrong and so are wars. So, for that matter, is anything that involves the possibility/probability of harm to another. But humans are complex, psychologically-motivated animals.

And so, if some hooligans tried to, say, burn down my home or shop, I, for one, wouldn't stand idly by and watch.

Regards,
John