Rioting in UK capital

[Limehouse]

the rioters are to blame
the government is to blame

But once again-who pays the price?

The innocent and hardworking middle class. Typical.
And I am freaking sick of it.

Well that's it right on the head Abby. Many people who should know better have set poor standards for others to follow and the people with decent standards not only pay the price but carry the blame on their consciences.

[Abby Normal]

the rioters are to blame
the government is to blame

But once again-who pays the price?

The innocent and hardworking middle class. Typical.
And I am freaking sick of it.

[Limehouse]

Once again, boo freaking hoo. Cry me a river about the greedy rich and the poor disadvantaged first world youth.

I know it's really hard to respond to the bare facts that fully half the world would trade places in a heartbeat with the most disadvantaged that your country or mine has to offer, but please. Attempting to argue that the disadvantaged of London or the US have anything to complain about is pure BS. Their kind of "disadvantage" would be considered luxury in most of the world, and their so-called "poor start" would be considered a magnificent opportunity by millions of others living in real disadvantages.

Once again, if they don't like their lot, they can go to Somalia or Rwanda or one of those places and learn about real disadvantage and the powers that be taking advantage.

What a bunch of pansy cry babies.

I hear what you say Ally but poverty is relative and although few in this country endure the deprivation experienced in many parts of the world - particularly the Horn of Africa - they are still very disadvantaged by comparison to the most wealthy in this country and America.

David Cameron has acted with complete disregard towards those people and communities most affected by the cuts whilst his friends in the banking world and the sold-off 'puiblic utilities' industries cream off huge bonuses and rewards. What message does that send out ? Most decent hard working people will just get their heads down and carry on with things - trying to make the best of it - but a significant minority won't . My MP didn't 'loot' in the same way that these rioters did but he claimed money for things he wasn't entitled to claim for - a bloody swimming pool if you please. A good number of the 'rich' have been 'mugging' the poor for too long.

[Ally]

Once again, boo freaking hoo. Cry me a river about the greedy rich and the poor disadvantaged first world youth.

I know it's really hard to respond to the bare facts that fully half the world would trade places in a heartbeat with the most disadvantaged that your country or mine has to offer, but please. Attempting to argue that the disadvantaged of London or the US have anything to complain about is pure BS. Their kind of "disadvantage" would be considered luxury in most of the world, and their so-called "poor start" would be considered a magnificent opportunity by millions of others living in real disadvantages.

Once again, if they don't like their lot, they can go to Somalia or Rwanda or one of those places and learn about real disadvantage and the powers that be taking advantage.

What a bunch of pansy cry babies.

[Robert]

So, the rioters have been copying the MPs and bankers, have they? But wait a minute : haven't we been told that the problem is the gang mentality, which means rioters copying each other? It looks like the rioters can only get through life by copying someone or other. In other words, they're a waste of space.

BTW, Sadly I haven't noticed any MPs serving long-term prison sentences. They are actually being let out early.

[harry]

I think it was Krushev who said there was no need for war,capitalism would destroy itself.Riots in London,and I see the sharemarkets taking another dive.Prophetic words.

[brummie]

person coming out of this with most credit Tariq Jahan, father of man killed protecting his community.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-14481061

least credit goes to David Cameron our so called leader.Ordinary people on twitter took 8 hours to organise a clean up of Birmingham after the riots,4days before we get a word from Cameron.
And the other Chuckle Brother Nick Clegg who was apparently supposed to be in charge while Lord Snooty was on holiday, though you'd never know it,way out of his depth

Note to Cameron dont saunter back in and proclaim 'the fightback has started' it started while you were still sunning it in Italy. And Cleggy don't waste time saying police cuts are manageable because after selling your soul to the tories nobody believes a word you say anymore.

[DirectorDave]

When rioting was occuring all over England, in Scotland's largest city 50000 odd football fans turned up for a charity match to raise money for the East Africa Appeal.

Still Scotland has sent a few riot police down to help them, perhaps if the tartan rozzers get a bit jiggy with the locals in their spare time it might help to water-down the English uncivilized blood.

[Chris]

... MP's stealing from us via bogus taxation claims to pay for the cleaning of their castles and moats and the purchase of their second homes?

To be fair, if I were a Tory MP, I think I'd be making sure my moat was in full working order just at the moment ...

[Natalie Severn]

Do wake up and read what has been going on in parliament and with bankers in the past 18 months!
We have examples not only from those born with a silver spoon in their mouths --- our London mayor and prime minister have hit the headlines causing just the sort of riotous behaviour we are witnessing ob a somewhat smaller scale ---when , in their "student days" -- they took great pleasure having fun smashing up pubs , breaking windows ,strewing broken bottles and chairs around Oxford streets as was the case when they held court at the Bullingdon club---the violent playground of the rich and privileged---- why is it so 'unexpected' from the pooreer members of society?

More importantly when theft to the tune of millions of pounds is the hobby of the greedy rich ---as for example witnessed by certain bankers [who we as tax payers have bailed out for their anarchic gambling on the stock exchange], when we the tax payers have to witness theft after theft, dodge after dodge by MP's stealing from us via bogus taxation claims to pay for the cleaning of their castles and moats and the purchase of their second homes? What sort of an example is all this from those who govern us?
Ok some are now gradually being brought to justice and are now serving long term prison sentences but what can people expect with this sort of an example is this from those at the top of the social and economic tree?What sort of example? When large numbers of your government are guilty of criminal activities on such massive scale?

one rule for the rich---another for the poor

[Limehouse]

Really? So the UK doesn't offer free education to everyone? Basic education isn't mandatory?

There aren't any jobs to be had there? Not even cleaning toilets or washing cars for the rich people?

It's an absolute truth that - if you grow up in the care system in the UK - you are more likely to end up in prison than at university. Absolutely true.

Yes - it is possible to recover from a difficult start in life (I've done it myself) but you need a strong network of people prepared to help you out a bit. Sadly - today - that network is fragile and many people end up in situations that just get out of control.

As I said before - I am not excusing this disgusting behaviour - but there are people in genuine need - there really are - and they need compassion and a hand up - not hand outs. However - as my daughter pointed out - "Mum - however poor you are - you would never go out and smash up the town and steal things - and neither would your parents have done so" This is true - and that's because I have a strong moral compass. That partly stems from my up-bringing in a close-knit working class community. I am afraid those strong networks have been erroded and materialism is more important that community values.

Who has taught our young people about morality? The MPs who were caught with their noses in the trough? The policemen of senior ranks who had top resign because they were found to be corrupt? The newspaper owners and editors who invaded the privacy of people in their most desperate hours and then lied about their involvement? The footballers who flaunt their wealth and cheat on their partners?

[mariab]

There might be some good that comes out of this whole thing.

As in what? Urban renewal?

[Chris]

I suspect a lot of you will have been worrying about this, but now I can set your minds at rest : the MPs won't be losing out.

"MPs who still have much of their holidays remaining after Thursday's debate could also be reimbursed for the cost of returning to their destination, he added."

Never let it be said that our legislators are out of touch with the realities of everyday life.

A quick photo-opportunity with a broom, and then back to the villa in Tuscany ...

[Robert]

I suspect a lot of you will have been worrying about this, but now I can set your minds at rest : the MPs won't be losing out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14474423

[Robert]

It's crowded enough in these shopping malls, without a police car on the escalator.