From the Guardian:
Two police patrol cars, a passenger bus and several shops were attacked and set alight in north London as violence erupted following a protest to demand justice over a fatal police shooting.
Police on horseback and officers in riot gear clashed with scores of rioters armed with makeshift missiles in the centre of Tottenham as thick, black smoke swirled through the air.
At one point, rioters broke through police ranks and attempted to storm Tottenham's police station, pelting officers with bricks and bottles.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the trouble began when "missiles" were thrown at parked patrol cars at 8.30pm. He said one was pushed, blazing, into the middle of Tottenham High Street. Neither of the two officers who had been driving the cars were injured.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/06/tottenham-riots-protesters-police
Interesting how I went to a police killing protest today across the pond in calm as a cucumber America. I have been in crazy protests in Athens so I know first hand what a real protest looks like. Today roughly 500 protesters gathered outside the Fullerton Police Department. People held signs, said their chants and cars honked as they drove by. But the permit expired at 3:00 pm and then everyone had to go home. No worries for the FPD. Now contrast this scene from the one in London where the people got angry and tried to storm the police station. They even lit two police cars on fire. God forbid someone threw a coke can at the FPD station today. Could you imagine the police response? I bet everyone would be told to disperse IMMEDIATELY AS PLAYTIME WOULD BE OVER! Oh sure here in the US you can have your little few hour protest, hold your sign and then go home. But that doesn't leave a message.
Instead of the government fearing us we fear the government. Sometimes a smashed window leaves a far deeper message then a sign that says "no more police brutality." Sorry guys but I will say it Americans have turned into a bunch of pussies. Even the boomers let the establishment have it with their protests back in the 70's. They would literally battle with the police, get bruised up and all that good stuff. If any of you have been to a recent American "protest" then you know what I'm talking about. Curious to see when some passion and emotion comes back into the American soul.
Subprime JD: A blog dedicated to exposing the law school and higher education scam.
"A powder keg waiting for the proper spark" would be how I would describe the situation here in the states.
ReplyDeleteImo, the public has become desensitized to violence. To the point that even a robbery taking place in front of them will barely cause a raised eyebrow.
It is a struggle anymore to get a response from people. Even the intellectuals that are moved by the spoken/written word hesitate anymore to voice their own opinions about issues for fear that what they say 'might offend someone'.
To which I have replied "You sir, are a fucking pussy."
While I am aware of the riots taking place, and the social unrest that underlies current society, I fear a repeat of the French Revolution.
Much can be said for getting ones point across without the violence, without the chants, without the protests.
.....but then again.....violence HAS gotten more accomplished in a faster time-frame than any statesman's speech, written edict, or campaign.....
Personally, I am torn. I would fear that a movement's purpose would be hijacked by those that would use the personal for other reasons...
At any rate, that's my 2 cents.
America has always been a country founded by people who, when the times got hard and opportunities diminished packed up and emmigrated. There is nowhere else to settle. So yes, there will be a French styled revolution in the USA within my lifetime.
ReplyDelete"Off with Joan King's head!"
ReplyDeleteOne of the problems in the US is that too many people are debt slaves of one kind or another. To get any kind of a decent job, you have to live be living a certain kind of lifestyle, or appear to be. If you can't afford it, of course, you have to put it on one of those little pieces of plastic. And most people have to take out mortgages in order to buy a house.
ReplyDeleteThe situation is even worse for recent (and some not-so-recent) college graduates. Most have taken thousands of dollars in loans that are not dischargable in bankruptcy.
People who are saddled with such financial obligations are naturally worried about losing their jobs. And they rightly fear that if they were to lose their jobs, they would not find new ones.
Every totalitarian ruler would love to have such a way of keeping people in line!
Then, of course, we have religious fundamentalism that conflates obedience to Caesar with submission to God and a consumer culture that equates buying with power. The latter is another reason why there has been no youth rebellion since the time of the Vietnam War/Civil Rights protests: Even hip-hop artists, who have done more than anyone else has done to expose the conditions of the urban underclass, make it a point of flashing the brand names they wear, drive and otherwise consume.
Things change only when enough people lose their wealth, or illusion of it. That is an unfortunate fact of history. Until then, as long as people still have their electronic toys, let alone know where their next meal is coming from, they continue to wallow in their warm anaesthetic bath.
Barack Obama starring in "Blacula 2, Revenge of the International Bankers".
ReplyDelete[Cut to trailer]
"I was raised by my white grandmother who always addressed me with the 'N-Word'. 'Do your homework 'N-Word'. Eat your vegetables 'N-Word'. Take out the garbage 'N-Word'. Then when I was in Chicago I had to put up with all their stupid shit! Now I'm gonna get even with all y'all!!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26jvG4THLIE