Disgusted

I like many other people, am shocked and out raged by the violence, the crime and the criminality that has swept through the streets of London and other places around the UK.

The destruction and devastation caused to properties, businesses, livelihoods and homes is simply unforgivable and unjustifiable. I have to say that my heart goes out to all the Police officers, Special Constables, Fire Crews and Paramedics who have to be on the streets in such tough conditions (some of whom are friends).

Aside from this I cannot quite believe the reactions of people whom I thought would be level-headed through all this. People who I (in some cases) are my peers, people who are educated and privileged.

I was both shocked and dismayed that one such person found the Google Riot Map which plots areas where there has been trouble (or is trouble) – they used this as a vehicle to gain people’s attention and to make fun of the panic and trouble that was unfolding on the streets. The noise and the commotion that was created by such a thing made me realise that all this anger and criminality had been turned into some sick middle class game show.

I spent the day on meetings and when I left someone joked with me that the rioting had made it to my area and I should think about running home. This I find distasteful and unnecessary – especially as many people have been robbed, made homeless or beaten up during the disturbances.

What may be some middle class joke to some is all too real for others and all parts of society should pull together to appreciate the gravity of what is happening on the streets of London.

Another notable source of anger (which was directed unfairly at me) was from Cocknbullkid. As you may know I have written about her and raved about her live shows and her music.

During my commute I previewed the tracks of her new EP and commented that the remixes weren’t very good…

This was the conversation that followed:

Me: Oh my word the remixes of @cocknbullkid Yellow are dreadful 😦 #missedopportunity
cocknbullkid: @keith1974 really don’t see the point in you tweeting me that
Me: @cocknbullkid didn’t tweet you. Tweeted about the mixes. Such a shame as Yellow is a fantastic track. Possibly I think it can’t be bettered.
cocknbullkid: @keith1974 you did tweet me. How else did I see it?
Me: @cocknbullkid I used your tweet name to talk about the song.
Cocknbullkid: @keith1974 yes, knowing I would see it. I’ve got other things on my mind today. Not getting into further negativity.

Now I understand that she is a Londoner and I understand that she is upset about what is going on in London but was her kick back justified?

I made a simple observation that the remixes were poor – yes I used her name as I was talking about her music. Should she have taken it so personally? Does she respond to people openly all the time?

I meant no malice – I was simply voicing my opinion. Yellow is the stand out track from her album and the remixes are terrible.

How can someone whose just breaking into the music business use the London riots as a way to attack a fan? What kind of pre-madonna has the woman become already. If I didn’t enjoy the album so much I would stop listening to it out of protest.

I doubt I will be buying any more of her music though.

So it would seem that whether you are rioting, stealing, luting, observing, committing, trying to avoid the chaos or just trying to go about your business; you have been affected by what is happening on the streets of the UK. It is such a shame. This is a great country and a wonderful society and yet the few have decided to ruin it for the rest of us.

We need to get back the British spirit and deal with these thugs now before it’s too late.