Britain riots: my two cents (or rather a rant)

[alexandral]

I rarely rant about political matters, but I do so occasionally. This is the day for ranting because I have not seen anything as scary as current British riots in my life (and I lived through the fall-out from the collapse of USSR which at the time I thought to be the scariest time of my life). I do find it doubly-scary because I have always thought that the level of life and opportunities existing in Britain (even now), even in the poorest places, are much higher than in many many places in less developed countries. So I can not quite understand: why? When there is rioting in third-world countries, like China, it is often attributed to the countries' "regime". What are we to attribute the British riots to? Democracy?

I find the situation scary and I find it appalling. But the thing I do not understand personally is what is happening with the Police and other forces responsible for keeping the peace in the country. Where are they?

For example, there is an article explaining "What could the police do to stop the rioting?" on BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14459127. What it says is that Britain is not comfortable with the use of Water Canons, Baton rounds or Army forces. This is a typical phrase: "British policing traditionally did not rely on such methods" and that "In other countries they'd be deployed in the blink of an eye" (meaning Army forces). But seriously, may be this is the time to reconsider?

Comments

[kittyhawk03.livejournal.com]

'When there is rioting in third-world countries, like China, it is often attributed to the countries' "regime". What are we to attribute the British riots to? Democracy?'

Yes. Democracy, by itself, is not a good thing. Pure Democracy is nothing but gang warfare: my gang is bigger than yours, so I win, and you lose. The loser isn't going to be happy. That's why what's necessary is a constitution that guarantees individual rights, and democracy is only used to choose who enforces the constitution.

What we are seeing in Britain, as in Greece, is people used to living off of the government dole being told they will have to make do with less. They've grown used to the dole, and pulling the rug out from under them makes them angry - so they riot.

It won't stop there. Every Western country is in the same situation. We've promised people more than we can deliver, and the chickens are coming home to roost. We can't give what we don't have.

I just watched what I assume was a British movie the other day, Harry Brown, with Michael Caine. Ever see it? Maybe the government just needs to turn him loose on the rioters for a day or two, and things will settle down. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

These are such bad times. And yes, I am a @take their heads off@ person at times. :D

In the happier news , I am watching "Jewel in the Palace" . I am still in the clidhood episodes, but what I have seen is really really good. Thank you for reccomending it. I think "DOng Yi" took a lot from "Dae Jang Geum", though.

[kittyhawk03.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Dong Yi, but I think it did have the same director as Dae Jang Geum, and possibly a lot of the same actors.

Isn't the little Jang Geum adorable? This was the first K-Drama I ever watched, and I just fell in love with that little girl. I wanted the whole drama to be about her as a child. But then when Lee Young Ae appeared as the adult Jang Geum, it got even better. Just the best character I've seen in any drama.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think they did Dong Yi almost as a re-make of Dae jang Geum. But it is not as if I am complaining - Dong Yi is a very good drama.

I loved the little girl that played little Dong Yi (and she is really good in King of Baking too, hopefully she will grow into a good actress). But I like the adult actress very much too, she is excellent. I had to Google her name because I had a feeling I remember her from somewhere, and I remembered where - she was great in "Lady vengeance" and "Joint Security Area" too.

I am in the episode 15 now and I can safely say - this is going to be a big drama love for me.

A Jewel

[fleurdeleo.livejournal.com]

Hi, there! I just finished Jewel in the Palace today and don't know what to do with myself! Have just gotten into these dramas. Oh, what a wonderful series! And yes, young JG is the cutest little girl ever!!

I had to fill the void, so watched one episode of Queen Seondeok. Have you seen that? Was thinking about watching Dong Yi instead next. Can you advise? Enjoy!

Re: A Jewel

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

YAY! I am so glad someone is watching it too!

Dong Yi is really close to Jewel (if you want a similar thing), but Queen Seon Deok s exceptionally good too!