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In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban
141–146 of 146 posts
Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban
#142Earlier quoted context omitted.
There is a distinction to be made here. Libya had a large proportion of protestors in comparison to rioters. More importantly, the motivation was solidly political. There was a clear goal and demand for greater freedom. In contrast, the UK rioters that spawned out of the initial protest was nothing more than an assortment of various criminal groups that used a political excuse to attack and rob ordinary citizens.
I don't know why you're being voted down. I'm in the UK and you're right. If the rioting was being spun as being somehow politically motivated in non British media, that's wrong. There were no political goals here. People wanted new trainers and TVs and a fun night out getting chased by the cops.
Peter,
I believe the police will have to do some soul searching here too.
In particular, the killing of the Jean Charles Menezes, and the way some members of the police force managed to get off scot free with the death of Ian Tomlinson means that the "me first" culture must stop with the police force as well.
There are rotten eggs in all sections of the society, and the arrest of people with stable jobs amongst the rioters proves this.
Of course this doesn't justify the rioting and looting which we have seen in London. Most of which smacks of opportunistic hooliganism.
However, I subscribe to the tenet that good example must come from the top, and it is this type of good example that has been found wanting leading up to the riots.
Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban
#143Earlier quoted context omitted.
What hard evidence is there that the public spending cuts led to the riots?
The best evidence for the reasons I've seen, as gleaned from the rioters themselves, is "fuck the rich" and "fuck the police" respectively.
No. The asian shops were targetted, just like in the LA riots. These are hardly rich, but the shopkeepers represented "model" citizens and what the ideal migrant looks like. The looters represent the reverse.
Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban
#144Earlier quoted context omitted.
The best evidence for the reasons I've seen, as gleaned from the rioters themselves, is "fuck the rich" and "fuck the police" respectively.
No. The asian shops were targetted, just like in the LA riots. These are hardly rich, but the shopkeepers represented "model" citizens and what the ideal migrant looks like. The looters represent the reverse.
What do you mean 'no'? The reasons for a bunch of ignorant kids looting doesn't have to reflect their actions. If they could realise who they're hurting they wouldn't be ignorant kids now, would they?
Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban
#145Earlier quoted context omitted.
How is it at all interesting if it isn't a fair comparison? What you are suggesting isn't what you are defending here: you're suggesting that we compare two entirely different scenarios and then defending it by saying it is worth doing an entirely different thought experiment. (For the record, I'm appalled that anyone would consider anything that could remotely be called "web censorship" as a response, I just don't t…
Sorry let me clarify. What I consider interesting is to ponder how another country (Norway in this case) would handle a situation that arises in another country. Naturally there are many variables to consider, however in general it allows me to look at the situation from a different perspective, or through a different lens. I find that to be a valuable exercise and one I feel isn't exercised often enough. Does this m…
I think it does make more sense. Does it make sense why those of us who have responded don't read your first comment that way?
(I appreciate the clarification, btw)
Re: In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban
#146Earlier quoted context omitted.
No. The asian shops were targetted, just like in the LA riots. These are hardly rich, but the shopkeepers represented "model" citizens and what the ideal migrant looks like. The looters represent the reverse.
What do you mean 'no'? The reasons for a bunch of ignorant kids looting doesn't have to reflect their actions. If they could realise who they're hurting they wouldn't be ignorant kids now, would they?
The rich don't open tiny shops down town. The people who got looted were the hardworking poor.