tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post6240810275703391447..comments2023-08-19T01:49:00.707-07:00Comments on The Lot Sporadically: The Hopelessness of the London RiotsLot Grundyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618200650162112678noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post-14672696477559654742011-08-17T13:10:04.178-07:002011-08-17T13:10:04.178-07:00Thanks, Vapour, I was uncomfortably aware of that ...Thanks, Vapour, I was uncomfortably aware of that particular problem with my conclusion, but feel that if you don't take a shot, if you don't have any skin in the game, you aren't really playing and you're not adding anything of value to the debate. The fact is there are problems similar to these in many societies and those societies see riots, too. However, to cover all in the same brush would be ill-advised.Lot Grundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01618200650162112678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post-85408986158560556022011-08-12T11:18:16.995-07:002011-08-12T11:18:16.995-07:00Ha! That's the best commentary I've heard....Ha! That's the best commentary I've heard. Especially on the WRONG conclusions. Your conclusion could be accused of the same leaps to something that sounds convincing to the author as the others, but I think it's a pretty good shot: Especially if you substitute civilisation for other similar possibilities, like the morals of the developed world. After all, society is different at every nation and not every nation experiences riot. Since these riots were isolated to English demonstrations too, one would think it wasn't society in general but a quintessentially urban-English disquiet.vapourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03734004341470017099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post-31170015927150379092011-08-12T09:37:25.398-07:002011-08-12T09:37:25.398-07:00I agree with you about smoking bans as a symptom, ...I agree with you about smoking bans as a symptom, Tai De. But those kinds of hyper-sensitivities can be found all across Europe. Political correctness taking turns with shows of "unity" (see British parliament the other day), taking part in a war in Afghanistan, but building a "peace museum" in Dresden (see Germany). You need to respect "peoples' feelings", no matter how silly they may be. You don't get things done without some sobriety.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post-52762849481105440792011-08-12T03:43:27.015-07:002011-08-12T03:43:27.015-07:00@Taide - This might seem a rather trite, but Heath...@Taide - This might seem a rather trite, but Heathrow was basically designed by the same people who designed Britain's inner-city estates, and it has much same clunkiness, inhumanity and police-state-like atmosphere. It is my least favourite airport in the world (Frankfurt running a close second), Taiyuan (ex-CKS) on the other hand, has always been a wonderful reminder of the way things were before 2001.Gilman Grundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06607416440240634159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post-21997932123321687592011-08-12T01:58:00.816-07:002011-08-12T01:58:00.816-07:00It is easier to get a passport than to comment her...It is easier to get a passport than to comment here. Blogspot sucks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post-32815068882135355132011-08-12T01:56:17.127-07:002011-08-12T01:56:17.127-07:00I saw England some times in the beginning 1980s, w...I saw England some times in the beginning 1980s, when I was a teenager. Some of the problems at the time were not so different from now, but most people had a more relaxed attitude, although times were tough. Some aloofness (not arrogance) was a British characteristic, especially military officers stationed in our town in Germany, and that wasn't bad, but useful. <br /><br />Last time in England was on Heathrow airport, after a long plane flight. I'm a smoker, I didn't smoke on the plane, and there was no single space on the airport to smoke. I can cope with this, but it was a stupid and unrelaxed way, especially for a logistically-challenged airport like that one. How about doing their homework first? <br /><br />Smoking can help to control aggression, too. Maybe both the former and current governments are too busy with token gestures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1597348752799805836.post-1662643393419909112011-08-12T00:48:44.369-07:002011-08-12T00:48:44.369-07:00True. I'd agree that there are loads of reason...True. I'd agree that there are loads of reasons behind the riots and that each person involved had a different motivation for being there. <br /><br />And yes, a lack of belief in this society stops people from deciding not to riot. <br /><br />Food for thought... I'll probably write something about it at the weekend as well.Wisaal Zanubiya Mustafahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13030948574728380603noreply@blogger.com