Martial Law for London?

molested_cow

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Of course I am going to sound ignorant, insensitive and probably asking for trouble. I know not much about what's going on in London's riot other that what I read on the news. I don't live there, I've never been there. The only thing I can use is my imagination and references from other parts of the human history.

As far as I understand, the riot is not because of conflict in political ideology like the Chinese Tian An Men incident in '89, or the Libyan rebels against the Gaddafi rule. It's basically a bunch of losers who don't have the guts to stand on their own and took advantage of the situation, causing chaos like a bunch of roaches.

For Britain, a nation with one of the oldest contemporary justice system, this is not something to be proud of. It goes to show how fragile the system really is. Not saying that this is unique to Britain, the same can be said for many European cities with similar struggles.

So if you are the prime minister, or whatever the highest power is, would you call for Martial Law and put this thing behind in a swift and stern manner, in order to restore the confidence of the good people? Will this be more of an insult that can be seen as "oh, the British social system failed and they had to resort to martial law", or could it be seen as the British government's ability to recognize the appropriate necessary actions for the best long term out come?

I don't even know if martial law is going to do the job. Obviously martial law isn't going to resolve social differences and issues, but it keeps unnecessary noise to the minimum, a moment of silence for people to rethink the situation. Britain isn't run by crazy power hungry dictators or wannabies. I don't think martial law will be a threat to the British people. To me it is just very sad to see humans taking the route of causing pain in the others just for their ...... I don't know. There isn't even a good reason for the riot.

I see London as a cultural icon, birth place of the Beetles, and I hope the looters aren't taking any of this away.
 
It's 100% political. I couldn't give you a response without it being political.. much as i'd like too!
 
The danger in such riots is over-reaction from the police, which does not SEEM to have happened yet, which is very positive. Canada totally messed-up the G20 security in Toronto, by OPENLY abusing the rights of non-troublesome, average citizens in the area of the summit.

skieur
 
It's 100% political. I couldn't give you a response without it being political.. much as i'd like too!

I don't think that it is poltical at all. There seems to be a group that is into creating chaos and riots out of any demonstration that may start out peaceful and well-organized.

skieur
 
MC your basic understanding, paragraph two is correct. Point of detail: It's mainly occurring in London but also about six other cities too. The deeper who, how and why is IMO, very very political.
 
London's actually quiet tonight... the trouble has spread to other cities across the country, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Liverpool and lots of other places.

It all started when the Police in London shot some guy in the head, whilst he was in the back of a taxi. It's still unclear what exactly happened in that incident, the police's original account now seems to be incorrect. Whatever these mass riots are for now, they have little to do with that shooting anymore. It's basically the scum of society taking the opportunity to loot shops and hurl rocks at the police.

I live in Liverpool and as I type this there are about 200 yobs armed with petrol bombs and rocks not far from where i live. I keep having to check reports on twitter to make sure the rioters don't move along my street. It's going to be a long night.

Oh, and being from Liverpool, I can't let you get away with saying that London is the birth place of the Beatles, I'd be excommunicated.. Liverpool is! ;) ... Actually, Part of Penny Lane is right in the middle of where some riots are taking place.
 
That's two, totally contradictory sentences grouped together. The groups 'creating chaos and riots' out of the situation are political.

[h=3]po·lit·i·cal/pəˈlitikəl/Adjective[/h]1. Of or relating to the government or the public affairs of a country.
2. Of or relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics.


It's 100% political. I couldn't give you a response without it being political.. much as i'd like too!

I don't think that it is poltical at all. There seems to be a group that is into creating chaos and riots out of any demonstration that may start out peaceful and well-organized.

skieur
 
John, a couple of hundred tooled-up guys deciding to target a shopping centre or high street, is not opportunist.

Skieur, an 'instructional flyer' handed-out by a political agitators (Class War/ SWP types), to inform rioters in the last few days:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01968/21cxauf_1968242a.jpg

I
'm curious to know whether 1) you are vaguely familar with British domestic politics? 2) you would agree that a Marxist, Troskyite and National Socialists count as political groups?

If you are saying such groups have not already played a part nor will not involve themselves in what is occurring, you are more knowlegeable and informed than the thousands of British people directly affected and who are commenting on the websites of the UK National newspapers.


Not political at all? Lock this bullsh1t thread.
 
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John, a couple of hundred tooled-up guys deciding to target a shopping centre or high street, is not opportunist.

The term is perfectly applicable in this circumstance (Even though I didn't even use it).
 
I suppose it is a matter of interpretation. By their actions, we don't consider that anarchists, class war types etc. have any political legitimacy or excuse for their out-of-control behaviour.

skieur
 
If you read the Daily Mail you are not I repeat ARE NOT allowed to post in this thread.
 
I saw an interesting quote from a guy on the street that some journalist interviewed. I don't remember exactly, but he said something along the lines of "We demonstrated peacefully for years, and nothing happened. If we weren't rioting right now, would you even be here talking to me?"

That to me sounds pretty political, and not just someone looking to loot.
 
There's obviously underlaying social issues. If you reduce anything down far enough, then politics, in some form, will be at the root.

Some of the kids I saw taking part I swear were no older than 10, I bet 90% of them couldn't tell you who the prime minister is, or point to where they live on a map of the British Isles.

It's tempting to get all romantic about it and imagine they're making some conscious political statement, but they weren't, there was no Howard Zinn leading the march, they just wanted "free stuff" and to have a bit of fun.
 
I saw an interesting quote from a guy on the street that some journalist interviewed. I don't remember exactly, but he said something along the lines of "We demonstrated peacefully for years, and nothing happened. If we weren't rioting right now, would you even be here talking to me?"

That to me sounds pretty political, and not just someone looking to loot.

I don't see how that's political. People protest, doesn't get attention. People riot, get attention. All his quote meant was that violence draws more attention than rational arguments, which is no surprise by human's standards.
 
With all the rioting going on there, like what's going on in Lybia, shouldn't the UN be doing strafing runs through down-town London and propping up Al Queda supporters to overthrow this oppressive government?

Just sayin' :(
 

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