On the Riots

I’ve been in a temporary state of ex-pat-hood for the last 10 days. Sweating in the South of France, longing for the grey drizzle of Hove. From here, along with Lord Sugar (he never responded to my request for a ride on his boat) we’ve been watching the events in London and around the UK through the mediums of Twitter and BBC News Channel.

My initial response was to ask where the water canon was? Why the police didn’t get the batons out and release the hounds. Perhaps naive from my sweaty armchair.

I guess as the scenes have unfolded my thoughts of wanting the police to kick some butt have turned more to sadness. Sad at the stories that have emerged, sad at politics over people, sad at the state of our nation… and I look at the rioters and think “there go I, but for the Grace of God”…

Here’s some more well thought out and articulated thoughts… have a read/listen:

Mike Ovey – Looters: them or us?

Pete Woodcock – Gangs, Greed and God

Glen Scrivener – Jesus came not for the righteous, but the riotous

Russel Brand – Big Brother isn’t watching you