Saturday, 27 August 2011

Britain’s Sick Society

Watching the ferocious criminality displayed during the riots in British cities during the past weeks, one might be forgiven for thinking that this explosion of mob violence was taking place in some dilapidated god-forsaken Third World country. The horrific scenes of homes and businesses of ordinary Britons going up in flames will not be easily forgotten. Property was smashed up with brazen impunity, cars burned, and there was looting on a truly massive scale. Not only businesses, banks, post-offices, off-licenses, newsagents and luxury-goods shops but also restaurants, pubs and cafes were comprehensively trashed. The video-recordings often show hooded looters replete with bundles of “free” sports goods under their arms, emerging from shops with big grins on their faces. Looters helped themselves to everything from flat-screen TVs and mobile phones to iPads, laptops and a wide variety of electronics.



Give Me Luxury Or Give Me Death

Duly Noted

Not the event matters. Its spin is what counts.

England’s riots have earned much deserved publicity. A trend is discernible behind the occurrence that does not stop at national boundaries. The impressive pictures created by the rioters and the well-formulated reactions of PM Cameron have guaranteed the world’s attention. At the time of this writing, it seems that the event –not the government’s reaction- finds imitators. At least on this level, the individuals that form criminal gangs demonstrate an ability to be creatively enterprising. Some of the interpreters that are telling us what “really” happened fall into the same category. You are urged by them not to believe what you see but the contrary of it. Here we detect a remarkable PR construction. The more so, since some will go along with the fact defying pronouncements manufactured in the PC factory. These people would sell left shoes to left leg amputees. Even worse: they pander their product without any remorse.