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[concordancia]

"Youth" usually applies to people up to the age of 25. Please stop referring to them as kids. Just like the arguments that only white people can be racist, your insistence on infantilizing the rioters takes away their agency.

[frogfactory]

"Youth" usually applies to people up to the age of 25. Please stop referring to them as kids. Just like the arguments that only white people can be racist, your insistence on infantilizing the rioters takes away their agency.

Most of the rioters I've heard described have been described as being 'around 13".

I will continue to use the word 'kids' unless I learn differently.

[prytania3]

"Many of the rioters who marauded through the streets of London, Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham and Birmingham, smashing and grabbing whatever took their fancy and threatening lives and livelihoods, were under 18: school kids on holiday."



http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/frustrated-and-angry-britains-youth-have-turned-on-their-own-20110809-1ikz8.html

[kaysixteen]

These rioters, or at least the instigators thereof, have to realize that, whether in the UK, the US, etc., more or less anywhere, if they did head for (the equivalent of) Beverly Hills, in order to riot there, they probably *would* get shot by the cops.  Or the expensive rent-a-cops.

[frogfactory]

These rioters, or at least the instigators thereof, have to realize that, whether in the UK, the US, etc., more or less anywhere, if they did head for (the equivalent of) Beverly Hills, in order to riot there, they probably *would* get shot by the cops.  Or the expensive rent-a-cops.

They did start some sh!t in Chelsea, but apparently it didn't have much momentum.

[prytania3]

These rioters, or at least the instigators thereof, have to realize that, whether in the UK, the US, etc., more or less anywhere, if they did head for (the equivalent of) Beverly Hills, in order to riot there, they probably *would* get shot by the cops.  Or the expensive rent-a-cops.

But at least it would make statement.

[chaosbydesign]

I don't think they're doing this for political reasons. That could be why it started, but it's not why it is continuing, in my opinion. Kids are doing it because they can now.

And people might think the use of force is inappropriate, but really, what else can they do? The riots are hardly appropriate either -- as a BBC reporter, not sure which one now, said "this is far from a satisfactory state of affairs" -- and if water cannons and rubber bullets are all that's going to stop them, then that is what should be used before these people completely destroy their neighborhoods (no, I don't understand why they're trashing their own neighborhoods either, other than that I'm pretty sure *none* of them are aware of the consequences of their actions).

[prytania3]

I don't think they're doing this for political reasons. That could be why it started, but it's not why it is continuing, in my opinion. Kids are doing it because they can now.

And people might think the use of force is inappropriate, but really, what else can they do? The riots are hardly appropriate either -- as a BBC reporter, not sure which one now, said "this is far from a satisfactory state of affairs" -- and if water cannons and rubber bullets are all that's going to stop them, then that is what should be used before these people completely destroy their neighborhoods (no, I don't understand why they're trashing their own neighborhoods either, other than that I'm pretty sure *none* of them are aware of the consequences of their actions).

In the US, they'd have the water cannons and the tasers out.

[concordancia]

"Many of the rioters who marauded through the streets of London, Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham and Birmingham, smashing and grabbing whatever took their fancy and threatening lives and livelihoods, were under 18: school kids on holiday."



http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/frustrated-and-angry-britains-youth-have-turned-on-their-own-20110809-1ikz8.html

From the same source:

"Many, also, were not under-age"

[frogfactory]

I don't think they're doing this for political reasons. That could be why it started, but it's not why it is continuing, in my opinion. Kids are doing it because they can now.

And people might think the use of force is inappropriate, but really, what else can they do? The riots are hardly appropriate either -- as a BBC reporter, not sure which one now, said "this is far from a satisfactory state of affairs" -- and if water cannons and rubber bullets are all that's going to stop them, then that is what should be used before these people completely destroy their neighborhoods (no, I don't understand why they're trashing their own neighborhoods either, other than that I'm pretty sure *none* of them are aware of the consequences of their actions).

In the US, they'd have the water cannons and the tasers out.

Hopefully not at the same time

[concordancia]

I don't think they're doing this for political reasons. That could be why it started, but it's not why it is continuing, in my opinion. Kids are doing it because they can now.

And people might think the use of force is inappropriate, but really, what else can they do? The riots are hardly appropriate either -- as a BBC reporter, not sure which one now, said "this is far from a satisfactory state of affairs" -- and if water cannons and rubber bullets are all that's going to stop them, then that is what should be used before these people completely destroy their neighborhoods (no, I don't understand why they're trashing their own neighborhoods either, other than that I'm pretty sure *none* of them are aware of the consequences of their actions).

In the US, they'd have the water cannons and the tasers out.

Hopefully not at the same time

I don't doubt that some fool would.

[chaosbydesign]

The UK police refusing to use force is just encouraging the rioters to continue. If the police won't do anything, why would they stop? And it's going to get to a point where there are so many kids involved (in fact it's probably already at this point now) that the police won't even be able to arrest and charge all of them because there are just too many. I don't know how they're going to deal with that, or stop the ones who don't get caught from doing it again.

[scotia]

(no, I don't understand why they're trashing their own neighborhoods either, other than that I'm pretty sure *none* of them are aware of the consequences of their actions).

My friend who grew up in the East End of London has suggested that it is because the rioters don't have the geographical awareness to enable them to move outside their own area. This may be a touch unkind, but getting to the West End requires a rioter to purchase a ticket/get on to public transport without being caught not paying, and then to navigate the public transport system with a modicum of intelligence.

The UK police refusing to use force is just encouraging the rioters to continue. If the police won't do anything, why would they stop? And it's going to get to a point where there are so many kids involved (in fact it's probably already at this point now) that the police won't even be able to arrest and charge all of them because there are just too many. I don't know how they're going to deal with that, or stop the ones who don't get caught from doing it again.

The view in this (currently very damp) part of the UK is that all the police need to do is to use the water cannons to simulate rain: no-one can remember any incidences of rioting in the UK during a wet weather.

[prytania3]

The UK police refusing to use force is just encouraging the rioters to continue. If the police won't do anything, why would they stop? And it's going to get to a point where there are so many kids involved (in fact it's probably already at this point now) that the police won't even be able to arrest and charge all of them because there are just too many. I don't know how they're going to deal with that, or stop the ones who don't get caught from doing it again.

And you know what? If they're looting their own hood, the police probably don't care that much either.

[anthroid]

The UK police refusing to use force is just encouraging the rioters to continue. If the police won't do anything, why would they stop? And it's going to get to a point where there are so many kids involved (in fact it's probably already at this point now) that the police won't even be able to arrest and charge all of them because there are just too many. I don't know how they're going to deal with that, or stop the ones who don't get caught from doing it again.

And you know what? If they're looting their own hood, the police probably don't care that much either.

After the Rodney King verdict, I remember very clearly that groups of rioters went to Rodeo Drive.  In the midst of all that horror, it was one of the funniest things I ever heard of:  they broke into Frederick's of Hollywood.  Just priceless.  And I thought to myself at the time, good for you folks.  I hate that you're rioting but I love that you're getting boa-encrusted bras.