London Riots (ETA post #23: Brits, please sign the petition to axe rioters' benefits)

[Alysser]

I've been seeing alot of videos on the news and on the web, mostly from Tumblr. It really is disgusting what people do. They're destroying their own cities for in such a senseless way. It's one thing to FIGHT for something you believe in but this is ridiculous. I saw a post about how a Police Dog was seriously injured after being attacked by a group of rioters. It's a sad state when a group of people will attack an innocent animal (and innocent people, businesses, etc.) with such senseless acts of violence. They should all be ashamed of themselves, really.

Did you hear from everyone you know in the area, Zara?

[Miss Z]

Did you hear from everyone you know in the area, Zara?

Thanks, Alyssa. Yep, they, and their property, have escaped unscathed thus far, and we're hoping it stays that way.

I was almost too embarassed to post some of these, and I'm not sure if the video links will work for everyone, but just to give you an idea of the 'level' of people we're talking here...

Youths telling a reporter that they'll keep rioting, because no-one's going to stop them:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today...00/9560646.stm

(He was a bit out with his estimate of 10 arrests... try 1000. Let's hope it's soon 1001, eh?)

Some drunk girls describing the chaos as 'brilliant', and just about remembering what party our prime minister belongs to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14458424

Possibly some of the worst footage and currently one of the most popular clips on the BBC I believe - an injured Malaysian student is mugged by thugs who pretend to help him:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14456065

And one of the saddest stories; three men who were killed in a hit and run attack whilst defending their property in Birmingham.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ngham-14471405

I also saw some footage on BBC News 24 of a man who owns a jewellery shop which had been destroyed and looted. You could hear the emotion in his voice as he struggled to make sense of the damage. I'll keep looking for it and post it if I find it.

On the flipside - there is apparently a national petition to axe benefits to caught and convicted rioters. No people who have such disrespect for their government and communities deserve handouts from them. I would LOVE to see this come to fruition. A real life lesson in not biting the hand that feeds you!