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Anarchy in the U.K.

Edgy DC Aug 09 2011 08:28 AM

2011: Young man shot and killed by elite British squad. Police say he shot first. Friends say no way. Makeshift gun recovered but ammo consistent with police ammo. Britain, with a mood already tense and anti-authoritarian from recent newspaper scandal, explodes in riots, starting in London, but spreading quickly to other cities. As if the world needs another reason to be edgy. Film at eleven.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 09 2011 08:30 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

I don't know whether people here in the good old US of A have the wherewithal to riot but man it must only be a matter of time. I'm a little concerned.

Edgy DC Aug 09 2011 08:34 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

I sure hope not. The potential bloodspill aside, it's not as if the end-of-days survivalists need support for the position that Godless people are putting the world under siege.

Edgy DC Aug 09 2011 09:08 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

On the other hand, London cleans up after itself:

SteveJRogers Aug 09 2011 09:55 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

Aaaaaand I think we just found our next picture to use for the next Metly sweep!

Willets Point Aug 09 2011 10:09 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

I guess I didn't have my finger on the pulse of the U.K. but I'm freakin' shocked by the extent of the rioting. It's not only spread across London but to Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool as well. It's like the early Thatcher years all over again. There's obviously something bigger underneath all of this than the police killing Mark Duggan.

Willets Point Aug 09 2011 10:38 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

I wish the media would stop bringing up the 2012 Olympics as if that's all that matters to these riots. I fear that concern over looking bad for the Olympics will lead to more of an authoritarian crackdown rather than addressing root causes.

Edgy DC Aug 09 2011 10:42 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

Oh, my fear is similar but worse, that anti-authoritarian riots will lead electorates to turn to more authoritarian governments.

metirish Aug 09 2011 10:49 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

Most of these thugs wouldn't know who Mark Duggan is. I have three friends from home living in the Tottenham area and they are to say the least scared shitless.

Frayed Knot Aug 09 2011 02:47 PM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

Yeah, like the Rodney King riots, there was a trigger but then various groups and individuals used that trigger as an excuse to blow off steam for all sorts of complaints both real and imagined. That doesn't diminish the severity of it all and could even make it worse seeing as how "fixing" the original problem won't satisfy those who were never really pissed off about that in the first place.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 09 2011 08:09 PM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

metirish wrote: Most of these thugs wouldn't know who Mark Duggan is. I have three friends from home living in the Tottenham area and they are to say the least scared shitless. My cousin and her 10-year-old son are over there for a two-week youth soccer camp. We're a little concerned.

Edgy DC Aug 10 2011 07:56 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

In one BlackBerry message circulating around London on Monday, a rioter called others to arms in the famous shopping district of Oxford Circus: “Everyone run wild, all of London and others are invited! Pure terror and havoc & Free stuff. Just smash shop windows and cart out da stuff u want!” On a street corner in Hackney, site of some of the worst riots Monday, Sivaharan Kanbiah, a 39-year-old Sri Lankan immigrant, stood shell-shocked outside his ransacked convenience store as residents packed bags and fled in fear. “You work all your life, and in one night, they come and destroy it,” he said. “They did not just steal everything. They tore out the ceiling. They broke up the floor. They ripped out the shelves. I don’t understand such hate.” He paused, turning to one side and silently gathering himself. His voice cracked as he continued: “I have a wife, two children and a mother to support. Now I have no way to do it. They took my life, and I can’t replace it. We’ll be turned out on the street. I want to know why. Why?”

metirish Aug 10 2011 08:08 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: metirish wrote: Most of these thugs wouldn't know who Mark Duggan is. I have three friends from home living in the Tottenham area and they are to say the least scared shitless. My cousin and her 10-year-old son are over there for a two-week youth soccer camp. We're a little concerned. what a memory of their time there, hope they stay safe and get something out of t all.

Willets Point Aug 10 2011 08:14 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

My friend who lives in Camberwell apparently is happily participating in an archaeological dig in the countryside of Derby right now, so that's good.

Willets Point Aug 10 2011 09:08 AM Re: Anarchy in the U.K.

I read this morning that the police in London have been unable to suppress the riots partially due to massive government spending cuts that have left them severely understaffed. Hooray for right-wing ideology!