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The Spectacle Blog
I think Martin Luther King was on to something when he observed that protest is, at bottom, the language of the unheard. Given this assessment, it appears we live in an age unprecedented for its hard-of-hearing political functionaries.
The Arab Spring’s first wave of peaceful protests toppled dictators in Egypt and Tunisia before mounting violence dragged Gaddafi’s Libya into civil war, displaced Yemen’s strongman with rocket-fire, shattered Bahrain’s superficial tranquility and triggered a bloody crack-down in the Syrian police state. Despite the crescendo achieved at the end of Mubarak’s abridged presidency-for-life, a rapidly escalating revolutionary process was at hand.
In Albania, 20,000 people rallied outside parliamentary buildings in the capital of Tirana to call on the conservative government to resign. Hikes in food prices and unemployment drove Algerians to the streets. Leftist activists in Argentina’s Jujuy province organized the jobless and landless to protest land seizures, which police confronted with rubber bullets, tear gas and gunshots. Violent riots rocked Bangladesh as evictions forced by government construction prompted a running battle between security forces and ejected villagers. Months of constitutional deadlock in Belgium nearly fractured the country in half…
But allow me to cut to the chase. Beyond those countries already mentioned — and literally off the top of my head — Canada, Chile, Cuba, Cypress, Greece, Honduras, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Tunisia, the UK and Venezuela all experienced sustained expressions of public discontent that rattled their respective societies. I’m positively certain there are more that I’m forgetting. Frankly, one could probably list most of Western Europe as thousands rallied to declare war on austerity cuts…
Initial manifestations of this year’s demonstration contagion appeared contrived in U.S., as union bosses manufactured an artificial sit-in at Wisconsin’s state house, but it’s nearly impossible to watch as London burns and not wonder “Who’s next?”
Consider the circumstances that prompted the riots in Great Britain. Sure, Mark Duggan, a man of questionable integrity, was shot by police under similarly questionable circumstances in a racially sensitive neighborhood that has experienced similar public unrest in the past. But the underlying factors — high unemployment in the inner cities (especially among minorities), government cut-backs on benefits and public services, mounting racial tensions — were instantly metastasized by the simplicity of text messages and social media to organize opportunistic people in “spontaneous” mobs.
What’s alarming is these circumstances aren’t unique to the UK. How many American cities are packed with the same tinder? How fragile is our political culture when the most patriotic thing one can do at the moment is sell short?
2011 was originally billed as the year of the peaceful protest. At present, it seems to be trending toward the year of the riot. Clearly we’re a long way from the Arab Spring when thugs armed with cricket bats can force entry into high end restaurants in the business district of an international financial capital before demanding diners hand over their wallets and wedding rings.
Regardless, this tremulous sense of over-arching, transnational unrest and political dissidence seems to be nearing an all-time high. Here’s hoping it stays across the pond.
ncatty| 8.9.11 @ 4:49PM
1776, 1828, 1848, 1870, 1905, 1917......there is nothing new under the sun.
David W| 8.9.11 @ 4:58PM
Are we not experiencing this already with the "flash racist mobs" attacking people of other races? How much egging on by the race-baiters will it take for them to go all the way? and then, what happens when those who believe in the second amendment decided to protect themselves in the only way they can?
Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 8.9.11 @ 5:25PM
You know the trouble's coming here, you can feel it growing in the air with every passing day, and it's only a matter of time before the fuse is lit. It won't matter who or what sets it off, that'll just be the empty excuse they'll use for violence (Rodney King anybody?). The truth is, they want a new free TV, that's the real reason why they'll riot. It's not because of the Debt Ceiling, or the Tea Party, or the poor homeless guy that the Police have yet to rough up, that'll just be the excuse they use to turn to violence, but it won't be the truth. I hope that our Police don't wait a second to respond to it when it happens, or the Governors of the States where the problems break out, don't hesitate in releasing their Nation Guard on these thugs, to crack their skulls. This type of violence has to be met with an even more powerful organized force, it's all that the mob will respect. This isn't the 60's anymore, and the future rioters won't be looked upon as heroes like they tried to make them look like back during the Vietnam era. They're no heroes, not back then, and not tomorrow, they're a mob, they're criminals, they're looters, treat them as such!!
Lock and Load!!
Pat| 8.9.11 @ 5:46PM
High unemployment, cuts in government handouts, eliminating the attractive toy within Happy Meals – those boring and politically correct reasons justifying modern day riots under socialist or “wannabe” socialist systems. But the actual reason? No one in government authority can stop the rioters, the rioters realize that, so does everyone else possessing half a brain. Solution: withdraw “official” police forces to fortified safe houses in the remote suburbs, let them protect the politicians. Allow all other concerned citizens a “No Questions Asked” amnesty period for dealing with the rioters. Don’t investigate who did what to whom afterwards, leave sleeping – or dead- rioters lie undisturbed. When it’s safe, in about a day or two, the police and politicians can reappear and once again establish “order”.
The rioters depend on the police for their personal safety; they loot, burn and maim knowing they will be “fairly” treated when, and if, they are caught. The average citizen hopes to get safely out of Dodge and allow the authorities to handle it, although it never works out that way. But if the local Citizens’ Committee for Public Safety handled the situation, the riot would be quickly over or never begin.
And riots are inherently unfair, the guilty go unpunished and the innocent are beaten and sometimes killed. So, we “law abiding citizens” should share this unfairness equally with the rioters in hopes the message will become crystal clear. No, a modest bounty won’t be offered for the ears of rioters, too barbaric and quite unnecessary. But mention of establishing such a bounty can have a chilling effect on the jubilant moods of potential looters.
Webcanto| 8.9.11 @ 5:59PM
This is what happens when there is a class war. Anyone who dismisses these riots as nothing more than hooligans looting and robbing is just as guilty in perpetuating this violence. When a group of people have no productive outlet to challenge their frustration and when peaceful protests no longer calls for change, riots will happen. Being more violent will only cause more people to participate in violence. We need to look at what is causing this type of suffering and correct it.
Pelligrino| 8.9.11 @ 7:06PM
Please show me where these people were "peacefully protesting" prior to the current events of burning down buildings, smashing shop windows, overturning cars, burning cars, haranging and harrassing bystanders, and YES, looting (stealing) wantonly.
When and where did these peaceful protests take place?
When did a few of them pen well-worded "letters to the editors?"
Webcanto, you are a big part of the problem. You contort and twist human decency and logic to justify mayhem.
These people live in Britain. Hard to really say that anyone "suffers" in Britain. Sure, you may not be driving a Maybach and you might have to bust your butt for a good job, but no one is "suffering."
For goodness sakes, they're coordinating their efforts through their Blackberries.
Webcanto| 8.9.11 @ 11:03PM
You need to read my comment and not jump to conclusions. There is always an underlying cause for these type of riots. What I'm saying is not to ignore it but to examine it and correct it. To pass it off as just hooligans is just as dangerous as the hooligans themselves.
There is a class war happening, in the boardrooms and on the streets. Regarding the peaceful protests and letters or any signs of why this may have happened, if it is important to you and you genuinely would like to know without prejudice, read the news or search for it.
If your world view is to use severe action to put these "youths" ( I hate quotes but you seem to like them) in their place, that will just motivate more people to participate.
Should people who looted, stole and damaged property be punished according to law? Yes. Should their skulls be cracked for it like what one poster said? No. If we don't behave lawfully and conduct ourselves accordingly, how can we expect others to do so? Violence will only motivate other people to participate in more violence.
We reap what we sow, all of us, politicians, cops, rioters, rich and poor alike.
Pelligrino| 8.10.11 @ 12:26AM
Webcanto, in your first post, you wrote (at the very end), "We need to look at what is causing this type of suffering and correct it."
Um, what suffering?
Suffering?
In London? Liverpool? Nottingham? Manchester?
Sure, these are metropolitan areas with problems like any other. But...suffering?
You are an excuser.
And very poor at reasoning.
Example from your first post. You wrote: "Anyone who dismisses these riots as nothing more than hooligans looting and robbing is just as guilty in perpetuating this violence."
"Just as guilty?" Really?
Try defending that as rational thought in formal rhetorical debate or, well frankly, anywhere.
You got weird thinking in that cranium yours.
Better to spend your time on reading real-world quotes, facts and information from REAL PEOPLE on what is occuring. And the photographs that don't lie. Focus on what the shopkeepers are saying/speaking.
From the Telegraph:
[from a conversation between the Telegraphs's Harry Wallop and JD Sport's Peter Cowgill]
"Many shopkeepers feel they have been abandoned to their fate. I've just got off the phone to Peter Cowgill, the executive chairman of JD Sports, which has been one of the worst hit companies, said: “I feel like being physically sick. The way it has gone viral is so depressing."
He estimates that up to 30 of his stores have been damaged, some seriously so, and that the financial impact for his chain alone is “a substantial multi-million pound bill” probably in excess of £10m.
He expressed frustration that not only had looters had the temerity to try on shoes before stealing them, they had also calmly queued up at tills to take off the security tags, before popping them into JD Sports carrier bags.
“It just shows a high level of confidence that fundamentally you are not going to get apprehended."
But will there be enough cells to hold them?"
And a quotation from a shopkeeper just for you, Webcanto:
[from an e-mailed commentary by the Telegraph's Nick Britten]
"Sham Sharma, who owns a shop selling information technology equipment in Broad St, Wolverhampton, described how he was attacked by thugs and said he felt like he had had “a heart attack” after being looted.
He said he had received a telephone call from police warning of trouble in the town and began cashing up having locked the doors and put down a grille at the front door.
He said: “We were locking up when I saw a lot of people smashing the door down and smashing the window. The door was locked twice they smashed through the glass and grille and came pouring in, hundreds of them.
“I feared for my life. One grabbed me by the neck and said 'where’s the money, where’s the money?' I opened the till and ran out to the police. I asked for help and said I was being looted.”
He said the shop was “completely trashed”, adding: “They have taken everything of value, and all the stock in boxes from the back. They seem well to do. They’re not weak people, they’re not hungry people. They are well fed.
“I can’t see why these people have to destroy businesses. I have spent £300,000 building it up. They are mindless thugs and ought to be locked up for good. A lot of these people say they haven’t a future – they have a future if they’re willing to work.
“Yes there is a certain part of society that is deprived but look at other countries of the world where people are much more deprived than we are in this country. They don’t have this mindless thuggery. Why are we having this in this country?”
Then please see the photographs with captions in the Daily Mail link posted below at 10:51 p.m.
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 3:52AM
Pelligrino - Why do you think these riots happened? What do you think we should do about it?
beebop| 8.10.11 @ 5:32AM
It has happened because fools like you listen to the intellectual bullying of folks like Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Barack Insane 0bama who decry "millionaires and billionaires." The stated dependent thugs that support the gimme candidates are on the front lines. WAKE THE HELL up!
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 6:14AM
So enlighten me, do you think it's just senseless violence. Please clarify why you think the riots happened?
Pecos Pete| 8.10.11 @ 8:10AM
Greed, my liberal friend, greed is the answer you seek. Something for nothing. They want it, whatever it is, and they want it now. Breaking things is fun. There is nothing rational about riots and mass hysteria. Try as you might, you will never rationalize random mob violence.
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 9:16AM
I agree it is greed but not just on the part of the looters? I think we're all guilty of that sin, greed. If it was an individual committing these crimes, I would agree that it can be random and have no meaning behind it. When it's a large group of people, it makes me think something else is going on. By the way, my world view is not exclusively liberal, conservative or whatever political labels you wish to assign.
tatosian| 8.10.11 @ 12:59AM
How exactly would my calling these black rioters hooligans and robbers make me equally guilty in perpetuating the violence?
If I call a rapist a rapist am I equally guilty of that crime too? Is it your opinion that I, as a law abiding citizen, should feel empathy for your forever-victimized-by-class-warfare perp rather than outrage at the savage barbarity of a crime? Am I permitted to condemn a criminal if his victim is what you consider to be a victim of class warfare? What if both victim and perp fit your class warfare victimhood definition? What's the correct action in that example? Look the other way? Blame myself for perpetuating the violence?
You state that violence happens when people have no productive outlet. What stopped the rioters from obtaining an education, getting work and having productive lives? Certainly not the people whose property, businesses and persons the rioters have attacked.
Isn't it a fact that you have to want to be a productive member of society in order to be a productive member of society?
You state " If we don't behave lawfully and conduct ourselves accordingly, how can we expect others to do so? Violence will only motivate other people to participate in more violence." But, the thugs aren't behaving lawfully. They're preying upon those that do. And it's the thugs who are motivating other black thugs to join in the violence. Not the local government.
Crime is crime. The more of it a society allows the less civilized, safe and productive that society becomes. Right?
Finally. You mention class warfare. Surely the most active proponents of class warfare are Obama appointees and the democrats. Are the wildings and flashmobs that victimize whites here at home a result of that class warfare? I believe so.
Am I perpetuating that violence by calling them thugs and criminals too? Are all criminal acts the fault of those who decry them rather than the criminals themselves?
Really?
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 3:59AM
Please read my comments above again.
beebop| 8.10.11 @ 5:34AM
What? For a coded message? You are a fool and fools say ridiculous things. When is the purpose for breaking into someone else's property to STEAL anything other than a crime? In a Democrat universe?
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 6:13AM
Huh, which part of my comment "Should people who looted, stole and damaged property be punished according to law? Yes." did you not understand?
Pelligrino| 8.10.11 @ 6:49AM
It is not good to talk in the abstract -- for any of us. Let's read an eyewitness account, shall we?
http://www.spectator.co.uk/cof.....oars.thtml
The link is from a London-based writer. Thankfully -- for him -- that scene he witnessed was not violent. Cannot say the same for Nottingham or Manchester last night. Note that public events are being cancelled left and right, sporting events, etc. And, leave it to the Chinese government: They are calling London's ability and qualifications for hosting the Summer Olympics 2012 into question.
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 6:58AM
Also what do US political parties have to do with what's going on in Britain?
Your hostility by calling me a fool just because you think I'm a Democrat (which I'm not since I don't live in the US) proves my point. People who do not wish to examine the causes of these riots and just write it off as hooligans are just as bad as the hooligans themselves. They're out to antagonize and cause more mayhem and suffering, not for peaceful resolutions.
In what's happening there everyone suffers, not just the people involved in the riots but also the business owners and the poor schmucks who have to keep order. All for what? I've got my thoughts on it as stated in my initial comment. What is yours?
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 7:19AM
Also check out some of these articles:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2.....nts-police
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14463452
tatosian| 8.10.11 @ 5:55PM
Well yes you said that, but you imply the crimes are to an extent, either justified or forgivable due to the perp's status (which you have bestowed upon them) as victims in the class war being waged against them "in the boardrooms and on the streets"
Is the welfare state "class warfare" against those who benefit the most (the beneficiaries of social programs and taxpayer funded cash payouts and such)?
I thought all those programs, all that taxpayer monies, (the welfare state) were the results of past efforts to not ignore but examine and correct the underlying causes of previous rioting.
tatosian| 8.10.11 @ 6:29PM
"Also what do US political parties have to do with what's going on in Britain?"
Correct me if I'm wrong but you have suggested we go beyond characterizing the hooligan-thug rioters as such and understand that they themselves are victims of the ultimate evil, class warfare.
If the current destruction and societal mayhem in great Britain is, as you say, the result of class warfare (the international language of the left) rather than unadorned criminality, shouldn't we examine and wonder at the intentions of those who promote it here in the US? I think we should.
And aren't obama, holder, clinton, napalitano and the democrats the most enthusiastic proponents of class warfare?
I hope that answers your question satisfactorily.
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 9:50PM
Yeah, I don't really care about the Democrats or Republicans. I call them Republicates because they're basically the same in my eyes. You obviously have your thoughts on why and I think you're saying it's not class warfare right? So what are the other reasons that masses of people cause senseless destruction for four days (maybe five) straight. Maybe it's just a bunch of people being senselessly greedy, pointlessly violent or maybe, just maybe it's something deeper and we shouldn't write it off so quickly. This is my last post because I seriously feel like at this point I'm just repeating myself or having people put words in my mouth. Read the comments above and take it as you will.
Webcanto| 8.10.11 @ 9:38PM
Read previous comments above, I don't think crimes are justified. I'm just saying we should look at why and honestly, did not expect such an overwhelming response. Frankly, I'm tired of repeating myself. Just read the above and take it how you'd like it.
Occam's Tool| 8.9.11 @ 6:17PM
Our POTUS is evil and incompetent. I bet not at this time.
Timothy L. Pennell| 8.9.11 @ 6:21PM
Have you SEEN the stories coming from Philadelphia?
Have you seen the stories coming out of MILWAKEE?
What about, Atlanta?
Miami?
Baltimore?
Charleston?
Charlotte?
David Dinkins was once the Mayor of New York City. He was the FIRST Black Mayor of New York City. Does anyone remember how that worked out?
For 3 days and nights, Blacks roamed the streets of Crown Heights, LOOKING FOR JEWS.
Dinkins response?
He ORDERED the New York City Police Department to STAND DOWN.
For 3 Days and Nights, the Police did NOTHING, as Blacks combed the streets of Crown Heights, LOOKING FOR JEWS.
Enter the 1st Black President of the United States.
We have Blacks RAMPAGING through the streets of America's Cities. Stealing, Rioting, pulling WHITES from their cars, and BEATING them.
The response from the 1st Black President of the United States?
NOTHING. SILENCE.
The response from his Black Attorney General?
NOTHING. SILENCE.
Does anyone think that this would be the response if this was WHITES pulling BLACKS from their cars, and BEATING THEM?
Anyone?
The message has been sent, LOUD and CLEAR, that if you are Obama's and Holder's "PEOPLE", you can get away with MURDER. You can DO what you want to. TERRORIZE anyone who doesn't look like you, because you are "MY PEOPLE", as Eric Holder likes to say.
Let's stop looking around the world, for RIOTS, and MAYHEM, and outright RACIST BLOODSHED. We have it, RIGHT HERE, courtesy of a RACIST PRESIDENT, and his RACIST A.G.
Pelligrino| 8.9.11 @ 7:22PM
One has to sometimes really tip toe with established academics when discussing the real events of the day, I prefer no PC garbage distorting the truths, but they, alas, often revel in disillusionment.
So it was when I engaged in several discussions with a visiting German professor.
However, my concerns that the man would mince words evaporated one day when he related a story of his son flying to Florida, renting a car, and exploring the Sunshine State. Apparently the trip was superb for the young man in his early 20's until he erred on his driving one afternoon.
What happened? He exited the freeway a bit too early (near Tampa? Memory does not help) and needed to pull over not far from the highway exit to reorient himself on the map.
The lad was quickly surrounded by big, overweight, gang member types. Six or eight. All with obvious ugly, violent intent.
(Yes, they were all black.) Surprised?*
The lad said he indeed feared for his life. He knew that simple robbery was not the only thing on their minds.
This was mid-day on a work day. Both father and son were asking, "How can big young men of working age be so idling their time away? How can they be doing nothing?"
We've overlooked this for, what, easily 40-45 years in America.
Why?
*Lest someone think this a slanted comment against just one type of skin color, please. This same incident can occur on any given day pulling off the wrong exit or entering any "wrong" street in greater Miami or LA.
LiveFreeOrDie| 8.9.11 @ 7:08PM
Mr. Smith,
What bubble do you live in? It's happened here, on this side of the pond, recently.
TruthSpeaker| 8.9.11 @ 7:50PM
The Coming Insurrection has arrived. Just as outlined in the book.
Pelligrino| 8.9.11 @ 7:51PM
The sad thing is that one of the underlying "causes" of what is now in 7-8 cities of England is:
Too many "youths" (a misnomer, for sure -- they're much older than "youths") look at news reports or YouTube-like videos of Paris, Lyon, Lens, and Marseille car burnings, shop smashings, etc. and say, "Hey! That could be us! That could be here! When can we do it here?!"
Right? Yes, they do.
That's why the city destruction and mayhem is being copied right now in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Wolverhampton, and Liverpool. Is Leeds next?
These reprobates/thugs-with-pulses are literally sitting around and waiting for the tiniest of "provocations" to enact their wild fantasies.
They know that if they do it in numbers, 1) the likelihood of being caught is low, 2) the violence spreads, 3) looting opportunities increase tenfold.
So where is the downside?
No risk. Big rewards, i.e. being able to brag about being in the vanguard, the very first night of the Tottenham-London riots of 2011.
I agree with a poster above who openly states that the punishments, if ever given, are so meek as to be laughable.
Don't think "youths" in LA, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, Oakland, San Jose, and Boston aren't also watching.
Occam's Tool| 8.9.11 @ 9:43PM
I lived through the LA riots. I now live in rural Minnesota, for a reason.
Margie| 8.9.11 @ 9:46PM
"..And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end will be saved.
And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come." Mt. 24:12-14.
Pelligrino| 8.9.11 @ 10:51PM
This article from the Daily Mail is a long one. But filled with many good, large, full color pictures. If you don't want to read it through, just read the captions under the many photographs as you scroll down.
What a first taste of anarchy and mayhem look like:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new.....shops.html