Wednesday 10 August 2011

What Can You Say?

I'm sure like everyone else you've seen the terrible news reports of the last few days about the rioting and looting that has taken place in parts of London and other cities.

Sadly Tuesday night there were three deaths.

We've been fortunate in Nottingham in not having shop frontages smashed and the contents looted. Yes some of our police stations were attacked and one firebombed Tuesday night; cars have been damaged and people arrested but it doesn't compare to what has happened elsewhere and for that I'm grateful.

But my deepest sympathies do go to all those who elsewhere have lost their homes, their businesses, and also to the families who have lost relatives- whatever the circumstances.

It seems bookshops escaped major damage. Perhaps because they don't tend to be located among the big high street names that have attracted attack. Compared to the price of the goods they are taking, books are cheap...

In the 18th and 19th centuries the riots that took place had a valid cause (in retrospect)- agitation for political reform, near starvation and high prices among them.

Very different from now...



7 comments:

Jennifer Lee Thomson, Jenny Thomson said...

It is all very worrying. Thnkfully, we have never seen anything like this is Scotland where I live. I've been very worried about my relatives who live in London. Their local Asda's was looted.

Diane Fordham said...

Hello Carol - I've been watching the dramas unfolding on the news here in Australia. Very sad. I too watched how the people banded together to clean up their streets. Hopefully all will return to 'normal' soon.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

It's beyond belief when watching the news at the moment. I feel so sorry for all those in the affected areas.

Carolb said...

I hope your relatives are okay Jennifer.

The volunteers who turned out to help clean up have been brilliant- three cheers for them.

Fortunately it was raining in many places yesterday so there didn't seem to be much trouble last night, plus there were a lot of police out and visible.

Hopefully normality will return quickly, but the after-effects of everything will be around for a long time to come.

Thanks for commenting Jennifer and Diane.

Carolb said...

I agree entirely Rosemary.
The sad thing is that one of the first people before the courts yesterday (shown on the national news)was a teaching assistant who is supposed to be a mentor to children in the school where he worked.
Very, very sad.

Helen Baggott said...

Shouldn't generalise, but these idiots seem to have no pride or interest in society - our good and positive society.

Society begins at home - if you're not proud of your roots, you won't be proud or protective of your environment.

And the cause of that? Can't begin to unravel that one, but communities need a sense of identity and maybe that's what these folk have lost - or maybe never had?

Carolb said...

I understand what you're saying Baggy.
The extended family-living close to one another-no longer exists to the same degree as it did in the last century.
But it has been good to see that there are communities that care enough.