London Riots Put Spotlight on Troubled, Unemployed Youths in Britain [Liberal 'Logic' Alert]

New York Times ^ | August 9, 2011 | LANDON THOMAS Jr. and RAVI SOMAIYA

[annie laurie]

LONDON — “I came here to get my penny’s worth,” said a man who gave his name as Louis James, 19, a slightly built participant in the widening riots that have shaken London to its core. With a touch of guilt on Tuesday, Mr. James showed off what he described as a $195 designer sweater that he said he looted in Camden Town, a gentrified area of north London.

...

In many ways, Mr. James’s circumstances are typical. He lives in a government-subsidized apartment in northern London and receives $125 in jobless benefits every two weeks, even though he says he has largely given up looking for work. He says he has never had a proper job and learned to read only three years ago. His mother can barely support herself and his stepbrothers and sisters. His father, who was a heroin addict, is dead.

He says he has been in and out of too many schools to count and left the educational system for good when he was 15.

“No one has ever given me a chance; I am just angry at how the whole system works,” Mr. James said. He would like to get a job at a retail store, but admits that he spends most days watching television and just trying to get by. “That is the way they want it,” he said, without specifying exactly who “they” were. “They give me just enough money so that I can eat and watch TV all day. I don’t even pay my bills anymore.”

[dhs12345]

Yup. It is happening now.

Both the Democrats and the people on welfare will not be happy when there is no more money.

[MoochPooch]

Isn't it strange how this guy, who has never worked or bothered to educate himself, feels entitled to other people's money--& property, like designer clothing.

Notice they never go after essentials, like food? I might have been more sympathetic had I seen people starving.

Does socialism breed moral relativism? Apparently anyone can rationalize the need to loot.

[Vermont Lt]

An awful lot of people are going to die before this gets better. And it hasn’t even really started here.

And I am amazed because it has been on helluva hot summer.

[Razz Barry]

In many ways, Mr. James’s circumstances are typical. He lives in a government-subsidized apartment in northern London and receives $125 in jobless benefits every two weeks, even though he says he has largely given up looking for work. He says he has never had a proper job and learned to read only three years ago. His mother can barely support herself and his stepbrothers and sisters. His father, who was a heroin addict, is dead.

IMHO, this explains the problem. The stupid and lazy people have been paid to breed for to long. They now outnumber us.

[roadcat]

And it’s the so-called rich store owners that provide the jobs these idiots are burning out.

My first real job was sweeping floors in small stores on a retail strip. I was 14. It never occurred to me to burn it down. I was proud to earn my money thru my own labor. Previously had done odd jobs like selling newspapers and mowing lawns at a younger age. Those black yobs are lazy demons.

[Inyo-Mono]

Why do news stories like this focus on the “poor” looting criminal. What about the hard working shop keeper who lost everthing to these “yobs?”

[StormEye]

"I honestly don’t think Britain can be saved at this point. I am not even sure America can be."

It's depressing -- I know.

Personally, I think Britain and America have been wrecked so badly by liberals and their communist collaborators that we've reached the point of no return. Now it's just an ever quickening spiral around the drain.

[Prole]

Street rabble is as street rabble does.

[dfwgator]

"See, I told you so."

[wac3rd]

I see high school and college kids now and they really think there is global warming, that abortion, healthcare and jobs are a right and that Obama is cool.

They have been so innundated since Kindergarten that the US is bad and the Marxists are good, that they know no better.

[ApplegateRanch]

I hope the purpose of the spotlight is to allow snipers to identify and neutralize targets.

Need to start shooting looters on sight, especially if they are also involved in arson. Survivors can be prosecuted.

[cornfedcowboy]

Agreed. A lot of people were flat broke “no boot to pour piss out of” in the 1930’s and they didn’t turn to crime.

[NoLibZone]

The guy in the story should be used as an organ donor for those that want opportunity.

[ballplayer]

Sounds Like a Typical Obama supporter here in the Good Old USA

[New Jersey Realist]

And it hasn’t even really started here.

---

Maybe because our cops carry real guns and would probably use them if things became desperate enough.

[Vermont Lt]

Not only the cops carry guns.

Plus, at least in the Eastern US, the people that would be marauding are physically distant from the suburban stores. They would have to walk ten miles to get to my neighborhood.

And, if they went to the place where the stores are: The malls, it would take some sort of massive transportation.

So, if they want to burn their neighborhoods, have at it. They would be met with fierce resistance if they stepped out of their world, into the ‘hoods right next door.

But, I can envision riots in the large cities (NYC, Philly, DC.)

[jimt]

Don’t forget the rest !

I’d love to change the world...

But I don’t know what to do...

So I’m leavin’ it up...

To you.

Ten Years After

[dhs12345]

I really hope that you are wrong. And call me foolish, but it will take a lot for people to drop to that level.

Then again, I remember the LA riots and Katrina. Complete anarchy and in a very short period of time.

Do you have any predictions?