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shitsu_tonka
offlineMember
Why do people use a riot as an excuse to loot their local branch of Currys? Surely if you find yourself in the middle of riot then your first instinct is to very quickly get somewhere where it is not, not go and steal a plasma screen.
I don't understand urban behaviour. We can't do civil unrest here in rural Devon because we just don't have the numbers and the cows aren't interested in teaming up.
thisisall1word
offlineMember
From the tv footage on the news I saw earlier I assumed that it was just Tottenham that saw looting... find out now that Wood Green got hit as well, couple of burned out cars, the high road is now full of coppers and glazing companies.
Now, as with many crimes, we should look to see who is benefiting from such crimes to find out who might be responsible... is it too far fetched to think that Autoglass might be behind all this?
Wood Green is generally and 'end of the line' shop - the Matalan is even a reduced/budget version full of faulty, ill fitting tat. The Mighty Big Green bookshop is still standing, and very much open thankfully... maybe we should be improving the literacy levels amongst the rioting community?
Fucking bah. very much hope that tonight is more quiet!
Corrigan
offlineMember
I've spoken in the past to a few people who were present at(but not involved with) the Toxteth riots.
It seems like, as with any large gathering of people, individuals are there for their own reason. Some to protest, some to show frustration through violence, some because they want to nick something under the cover of the chaos (apparently during Toxteth people were travelling from different parts of the city to get involved), some because they want to battle the police with less chance of getting caught, and some because they just like kicking the shit out of someone/something.
Unfortunately as with all human behaviour, you can't package it up in a neat explanation. (don't bother with any Liverpool jokes, I'm not a Scouser so I won't bite)
thisisall1word
offlineMember
HMV has been well and truly gutted in Wood Green. I'm sort of surprised that they have remained open for so long really, what with the rise in cheap on-line music and free downloading... also I'm shocked that they could remain in business when the exact same goods are on sale close by for far far less. I managed to pick up an X-box and 20 or so chart CDs this afternoon from a local entrepreneur in my local boozer, all for the sum of £60. The same goods would have cost over £300 from HMV so why people still shop there I can't fathom.
The All New Jeni B
offlineMember
I think it's time we returned to traditional values.
We should be looting local shops, selling local goods.
thisisall1word
offlineMember
@shitsu_tonka - to help improve yr impression of the rioters; the deputy mayor said a charity shop in Tottenham got looted too... nice.
The All New Jeni B
offlineMember
A black market trading in Jackie annuals and incomplete Top Trumps sets will spring up and the gangs will be sporting a nifty line in tweed jackets and skirts which have an unmistakable, yet slightly unpleasant odour about them.
The All New Jeni B
offlineMember
With trousers which actually sit on the waist as opposed to the underside of their arse-cheeks?
Lots of dapper young thugs terrorising pensioners dressed in the same clothes.
rickwestwell
offlineMember
They might have thought the charity shop got looted, but have they checked that the rioters didn't break in just to donate stuff? "Chooting", to coin a word?
And is it just me, or has the Christmas looting started even earlier than usual this year? It's getting ridiculous - there's still 130 looting days to go!
thisisall1word
offlineMember
a good sub and a really long summer... wood Green quietened down when it started raining... up the road in Enfield 100s of kids are smashing shop windows and looting.
Looks like the bullet that shot the police radio was actually police-issue which then raises a lot of other nasty issues. Nth London is getting fucked up by botched cover ups and a bunch of angry thieves taking advantage of the situation...
...last week or so they closed 75% of the youth clubs in Haringey, no EMA for all the kids round here, this isn't 'nice-london' and it feels like there's been a very slow reaction from police/government cus it's a more hidden london thing... helicopters, sirens, windows twitching from any flat near, or above a shop, people arguing with strangers they think might be something to do with something... paranoia becoming standard issue... thisisall1word digs out 'The Specials' cassette... journalist twitter feeds going dark and you wonder if they've been got... people looking for some direct cause and effect that doesn't really even exist... this isn't a weekend thing now, unless you want to believe that you're dealing with people with jobs... more rain is needed!
The All New Jeni B
offlineMember
From reading that, thisisall1word, I feel as though I've been transported back to the early 80s again.
In which case, I'd better get to bed, I'm only 10 you know.
shitsu_tonka
offlineMember
Just listened to the World Tonight and like all members of my left-leaning middle class tribe I do of course read the Guardian, but I have to say I'm still not entirely sure why people are rioting other than it's hot. And also Ramadan might be a factor for a few of the rioters as not even having a sip of water during daylight hours must have a bad effect on one's temper and reactions.
I'm not stupid. I'm not naive. But I really haven't got a clue what's going on.
fernandomando
offlineMember
Why do we never hear about butchers shops being looted. Are most rioters vegetarians?
The All New Jeni B
offlineMember
There could be something in that. Was there not a study done which suggested that higher levels of iron led to a greater passivity?
Can't remember exact details, but recall something of that ilk.
On the other hand, thank God they don't loot butchers' shops, think of the sharp implements!
A Wagonload Of Monkeys
offlineMember
How those involved in the Arab uprisings must be kicking themselves now that they have been given a lesson in rioting by the British. It is all very well having lofty ambitions to overthrow autocratic regimes with peaceful protest, but it isn't going to get you a new pair of Nike Airs and a flat screen television is it. The kids do still wear Nike Airs don’t they?
A capitalist riot gets you much more tangible and immediate benefits than a politically motivated one. And it is sponsored. I don't know how much Sony spend on sponsoring the champions league, but what better advert can there be for your product than a man risking his life rushing into a burning store to steal one of your televisions.
thisisall1word
offlineMember
I hope some of the Debenhams looters also had the foresight to steal the 5 year extended warranty forms alongside the flat screens. It's amazing how much piece of mind one small bit of paper can give you, especially with technology that is still fairly new and anecdotally prone to faults.
thisisall1word
offlineMember
thisisall1word
offlineMember
The Bullingdon Club Chaps were not so much bally shocked at the level of damage more so that the London rotters had the damned cheek not to cough up for the repairs afterwards.
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