[MrGunjMan_]

Analysis - London riots point to wider risks of youth unrest | Reuters

The article mentions unrest world-wide. It won't be terribly long before the thug swarms get a little bigger and uglier here.

I think most American cities are one incident away from this. While I don't condone what any of them are doing, it's important to realize the social contract in most western democracies is badly broken, and youth, who are pi$$ed off and frustrated by nature, don't need much of a push to go off.

[Uojeyak]

Analysis - London riots point to wider risks of youth unrest | Reuters

The article mentions unrest world-wide. It won't be terribly long before the thug swarms get a little bigger and uglier here.

Got Cloward & Piven?

[Uojeyak]

I think most American cities are one incident away from this.

Agreed

While I don't condone what any of them are doing, it's important to realize the social contract in most western democracies is badly broken, and youth, who are pi$$ed off and frustrated by nature, don't need much of a push to go off. What is this social contract you speak of?

[RaicickKida]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bV2QtMEkF4

[Trercakaressy]

The dangers of entitlement. Several news reports I've read quoted people involved in the mayhem at being upset that the UK is cutting welfare payments and public employment. How do they react to no longer being given something for nothing? They riot and loot. Maybe if they weren't sitting around getting paid to do nothing and actually working for their living they wouldn't have time to riot. Or at least not have an excuse to go nuts when the gov't realized they can no longer just give away money for nothing.

[Trercakaressy]

What is this social contract you speak of?

Well, contracts typically require that both parties provide something of value. I can't figure out what welfare recipients provided that was of value in exchange for their free money. Oh, wait, I get it, their contractual obligations were to not riot and loot, and in exchange they get paid. Since the gov't announced reduced payments, they no longer need to fulfill their half of the social contract. It's kind of like when Vinnie the Pagan asks you to pay him to protect your nudie bar. If you don't pay him, it's his right to f*ck up your stuff because you broke your contract.

[Uojeyak]

The dangers of entitlement. Several news reports I've read quoted people involved in the mayhem at being upset that the UK is cutting welfare payments and public employment. How do they react to no longer being given something for nothing? They riot and loot. Maybe if they weren't sitting around getting paid to do nothing and actually working for their living they wouldn't have time to riot. Or at least not have an excuse to go nuts when the gov't realized they can no longer just give away money for nothing.

Well if the UK would just force businesses to hire the youts at a living wage maybe there would be no riots ... lulz

The lie that is a Socialist Utopia is on full display in the UK

[medio]

The dangers of entitlement. Several news reports I've read quoted people involved in the mayhem at being upset that the UK is cutting welfare payments and public employment. How do they react to no longer being given something for nothing? They riot and loot. Maybe if they weren't sitting around getting paid to do nothing and actually working for their living they wouldn't have time to riot. Or at least not have an excuse to go nuts when the gov't realized they can no longer just give away money for nothing.

My thoughts exactly.

Who ever said anyone was *entitled* to this, and worse, generationally.

[Uojeyak]

Crazy siht on the other side of the pond

THE NIGHT RIOTERS TOOK OVER BRITAIN


Police lose control of London's streets for THIRD night...
Riots spread across UK...
MAP...
Rioters rob people on street, force them to strip naked...
'Showing the rich people we can do what we want'...
Cameron cancels vacation, recalls Parliament...
Plans to triple police...
Gloves to come off, water cannons to come out...
'Possible' will use plastic bullets...
IOC frets about 2012 Olympics...
GUARDIAN LIVE...

[bestgenpower]

I think most American cities are one incident away from this. While I don't condone what any of them are doing, it's important to realize the social contract in most western democracies is badly broken, and youth, who are pi$$ed off and frustrated by nature, don't need much of a push to go off.

Yup..maybe the flashmobs are the answer of the frustration of the young generation about politicians not to take action...

COMMUNICATION is the solution ....

We don't want this to happen again :

[RaicickKida]

They are also a hub for TLA of Philadelphia

London Riots: Independent Record Labels 'Devastated' By Fire

[Uojeyak]

Excellent piece on the "American Tinderbox"

American Tinderbox | Via Meadia

And where is the media in all this?

[gechaheritt]

Excellent piece on the "American Tinderbox"

American Tinderbox | Via Meadia

And where is the media in all this?

Well until now they're too busy covering dysfunction in Washington, Casey Anthony and stock market crashes.

But you're right Jack. The time is now to start covering this nonsense.

[Uojeyak]

When Other People's Money Runs Out ...

[MrGunjMan_]

What is this social contract you speak of?

It's the one between the masses and those with wealth and power. Generally it's understood as, "Don't abuse your position, and you get to keep your head." For further details, see the French Revolution. When it comes down to egalitarian libertarian notions and the angry mob, my money is on the torches and pitchforks 90% of the time.

[Trercakaressy]

It's the one between the masses and those with wealth and power. Generally it's understood as, "Don't abuse your position, and you get to keep your head." For further details, see the French Revolution. When it comes down to egalitarian libertarian notions and the angry mob, my money is on the torches and pitchforks 90% of the time.

Reducing welfare payouts is abuse of position? The abuse of position was the redistribution of wealth that they started cutting back on. Politicians have been stealing from the rich to give to the lazy and entitled in order to keep their heads and their jobs. Unfortunately, it turns out democracy creates government of and for the least common denominator. That is no longer sustainable. People will have to give up their entitlements, and now they're pissed.

[Yswxomvy]

Not reading through the whole thread but a guy on G+ had an image of this fire that was pretty nuts.

[MrGunjMan_]

Who ever said anyone was *entitled* to this, and worse, generationally.

But put yourself in the position of the young....what did they do to cause this mess? Did they run up the all this debt? The debt was largely run up by older folks, who got their's already. Meanwhile, kids are looking at cuts in education, rising tuition, an abysmal job market and inheriting huge government debt. They're being forced to sacrifice by a bunch of hogs who have been at the trough for decades, but even now can't bear the thought of having their Medicare means tested or their Social Security put off a few years. And they get that in the crappy economy we leave to them, they'll be stuck with the bill because we refuse to raise taxes to pay for all the unnecessary wars and prescription drugs we love so much. Are kids angry? Damn straight. The question is, why aren't the rest of us?

[Fuerfsanv]

Tottenham is one of the roughest neighborhoods that you'll find in London. In the grand scheme, I think that I've seen some soccer riots over there that have been as destructive....

seriously