Cameron also claimed the riots showed there was something seriously wrong with society. "There are pockets of our society that are not just broken, but frankly sick," he said."When we see children as young as 12 and 13 looting and laughing, when we see the disgusting sight of a young man with people pretending to help him while they are robbing him, it is clear that there are things badly wrong with our society."
Cameron he believed the problem was a "complete lack of responsibility".
"People allowed to feel that the world owes them something, that their rights outweigh their responsibilities, and their actions do not have consequences. Well, they do have consequences.
"We need to have a clearer code of values and standards that we expect people to live by and stronger penalties if they cross the line."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/10/david-cameron-water-cannon-police-riots
Ah the UK riots. Were you not shocked by this? Appalled? Should we be surprised by this?
From teenagers as young as 10. Some people who tried to protect their shops from being looted or their houses from being trashed got killed. Why would normal "good" citizents who would not even consider stealing normally, go so far as to "just trash the place" of other civilians? (to the extent of killing them, accidentally or otherwise)
The riots were triggered by the apparent shooting of a civilian by a cop. Yet the outbreak rage riots weren't really directed at the government or the cops. It was just people pillaging to their hearts content. News writers still tried their very best to shine a good light to these rioters/looters. What I read were to the effect of:
- why would someone steal bottles of water? we may never know why.
- was it just lashing out for fun? Psychologists say that stealing is a very "in the heat of the moment" kinda thing
- we dont and may never understand why they did what they did.
- the person who is suspected to have been related to the murder had past criminal records.
There was 1 news article focusing on 3 people, a highschool teacher, a social worker and an 11 year old kid, stealing bottled water, make up and ...something i cant remember.
What of the other thousands? On youtube, I see heaps of people looting electronics. They weren't remorseful. They were rude. Teenagers looting PS3s and Nintendo DSes. (Thats why many electronic stores/designer brands were hit, not little sundry shops)
But news are either saying
1. that these people are "innately good", but it was just external pressure, the heat of the moment.
2. these people are bad, BUT there are many of the _____ (insert city) people are against this, backing up the police in whichever way we can.
1 says they are actually good. 2 says, a large majority of population is still good, these a few small pockets of baddies.
I chose the article above because its what the current prime minister of the UK (Cameron) thinks.
"Cameron he believed the problem was a "complete lack of responsibility.... People are allowed to feel that ...t
heir actions do not have consequences. Well, they do have consequences"
Those who are apparently on the side of the cops, being completely against this, I wonder if they had restrictions suddenly lifted like these kids had, would they also be looting at their workplace. If as a banker, transferring $1000 from a $100 million account wouldnt get you caught, then why not? "Nobody would get hurt. The value is insignificant. Like dropping a 1c coin", one would justify. But what's stopping them is the reality that there IS the law, the fear of being caught or losing their job or losing their position/pride/face.
Without that, I'd bet they would.
We shouldnt be surprised at what happened. To say they don't know why it happened? pftt.
Here is some stats to illustrate the relativism of morality/rightness and wrongness, something closer to home.
Is premarital sex wrong?-1965 men 65%, woman 69% thought that premarital sex is wrong.
-1990 men 6%, woman 6% thought so
We live in a society where we think porn is good & healthy/normal. We are very much normalized to it. I'm living in this day and age, and in sydney..I myself can testify to this. Its laughable and outdated to think otherwise (ie. Porn/Sex outside of marriage is bad). Its only been about 50 years and peoples opinions have changed so much. I'm not saying that people weren't as rotten 50 years ago and we're suddenly terrible now. I'm saying we are as rotten as we were 50 years ago, we're just getting better at covering up as a society..
Bits of Romans 3, speaking of humanity (from the bible)
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away..... 18“There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Chesterton's writings consistently displayed wit and a sense of humour. He employed paradox, while making serious comments on the world, government, politics, economics, philosophy, theology and many other topics.
When The Times invited several eminent authors to write essays on the theme "What's Wrong with the World?" Chesterton's contribution took the form of a letter:
Dear Sirs,
I am.
Sincerely yours, G. K. Chesterton
Chesterton here combined wit with a serious point – that of fallen human nature.
Do you agree with GK Chesterton? That you are the problem?
My next post will be more entertaining, promise!.. I think its because I have to be funny in the real world, that I have to be serious here in the e-world. haha.. I just thought i'd write this while it just happened...
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