Sunday, August 05, 2012

British Shame to Olympic Gold

reblogged from i-thorts' i-Politics

Will Olympic Gold Untarnish London's Image a Year after the UK riots?

With London Olympics 2012 in the spotlight, has the country forgotten the last years's riots?
  1. The UK might me in an Olympic gold-rush, but it's only a year ago that London was in the spotlight because of rioters burning shops and using social media to wage a campaign of devastation across British TV screens.

    But why did it happen and will it reemerge this summer as predicted by British youths.
  2. That was the question on my mind, as I watched the spectacular opening ceremonies on 28th July. It completely blew me away how London had re-vamped its image within just 12 months.
  3. Stephanie Usher Maddox
    This time last year was the riots all over the UK - A year on everyone loves London / GB cos we win some medals.. Moral of the story if trouble kicks off award medals and calm is restored !!
  4. Charlotte Anne Brady
    Today is a year to the day since the London Riots and look how far we've come. From being completely ashamed of the future of the UK with scenes of greed, violence and utter pandemonium, to just experiencing a day of immense pride and patriotism for our little island of Great Britain. These Olympic Games have brought us back a sense of national unity and I hope it will have a positive effect on and teach all those kids I've spoken to at work about the Olympics, to be determined and strive to be the best you can be.
  5. We have become a proud nation, suddenly. And it doesn't seem to sit well with those who witnessed the devastation last summer.
  6. That said, can it happen again as predicted?
  7. tsfedchair
    England Riots: One In Four Young People Believe Last Summer's Disorder Could Happen Againhuff.to/OMSYJN via @HuffPostUK
  8. From the apathy that the youth of today show towards everything, it seems more than possible.
  9. Patrick Brett
    The riots are inevitable and we can all feel them brewing already, I only hope this time people don't loot shops or burn businesses because that's what was wrong with the last riots and turned the people against each other.
  10. With a reduction in police, and an influx of visitors to the country, and the trials of the looters in the news, and the world watching London (because of the Olympics), it would seem more than inevitable. It seemed absolute.
  11. Get Ready For Riots As Police Warn About Cutbacks
  12. M_Sharaf
    Reading the Riots: 'I have no doubt the riots will happen again': youtu.be/IF_AC0n_zjk via @youtube
  13. However, we're now a week into the Games and not a peep from the dissatisfied youths. This could mean we are in the clear. But I hesitate to accept this wave of euphoria that is sweeping GB.

    But when the Olympics end, will we return to apathetic Britain once more? 
  14. Will the post-Games euphoria (over gold) wear-off? With the BBC planning to broadcast this documentary once the Games ends, will this euphoria spin into a media-fueled revamp of last years' riots? And if it does, will we once more see riots taking advantage of this media attention and notoriety?
  15. Olloverkrumwall
    'Young people predict riots this year' if only cos '1 in 3 think sentences given to rioters last year were too "soft"'! t.co/krYoP0oE
  16. The 'soft' sentences handed out to 2011 rioters won't provide a deterrent for those so bore that the thought of a riot seems entertainment.
  17. Derek_ACZ
    You know last year riots was the most entertaining thing that happened that summer
  18. The question still remains... WIll we see riots in the UK this year?
from: Storify.com: cyberpunk65's Riot Article

4 comments:

  1. Oh, how I have not been so amused in the last fews weeks with the olympic atmosphere that is fast becoming a nightmare for me. It came to a head yesterday when I was told by security in my area (Canary Wharf) that I could not ride my bike past the expensive yachts docked next to me. Instead I had to get off my bike and walk it past. The 2 security guards made sure I adhered to their commands.

    If you happen to be standing on the streets of London, and take in what is going on around you, you will clearly see that it is only a matter of time before there is another riot.

    Everything that I use to do on a normal day has now become unknown rules and regulations attached for no apparent reason. If you breathe you are stopped by security if you know what I mean. Sounds stupid, but it is fact that since the olympics the police are most evident at that juncture where there is a split between those that have an have not. I'm sure I could find something for several police officers, Canary Wharf security and a van of police to do, rather than protect yachts!


    Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, East London has been closed between 10am and 5pm this weekend, to persons without an olympic ticket. Why? Beats me. It has nothing to do with security.

    It just seems that us locals are being forced out left, right and center.

    What really makes this a big joke, is that we are being treated like rubbish right now, but after the games we will be expected to continue shopping etc and take up the banner of supporting London. Hmm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rum-Punch Drunk,

      It's nice to know someone else is worried too.

      I agree. The dissatisfaction of residents in the location of the Games leaves a lot to be asorted by London council/mayor/government. I wonder if they realize how disenfranchised their citizens are feeling right now?

      And if they realize where it might lead?

      I'd like to believe that things for Londo would get better (with the Games) but I fear they won't. I shall be holding my breath in anticipation of the trouble that sees so inevitable.

      Regards Ray.

      Delete
  2. Hopefully the worldwide goodwill of the Olympic games being held in London will temper some of the local anger. It may be a difficult situation locally but I hope it matters that other countries are proud of you, your hospitality, and the effort that was clearly made to host us all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen Blessing,

      I hope so. But it's the people of London (especially the young) who seem so separate from the whole proceedings.

      We have a thing in Britain that if it isn't broke, then we find way to break it.

      Such is life!

      Thanks for your positive response.

      Regards Ray.

      Delete

Thanks for the comment, I'll leave proper reply soon. Thanks again CybaPunk65 for WAP

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