See, the thing is, just because something was specifically designed to cause death doesn't mean that people will be afraid of it. When you see crossed swords on a wall, do you fear for your life? Granted, a gun is better at killing people that are out of arm's reach, but a sword remains a deadly weapon, even more so nowadays when chainmail and cuirasses are so unfashionable. What purpose does a sword have beyond dealing death to others?
I would go so far as to say that there is a general fear of firearms in Britain.
I wouldn't say neccesarily a fear, but a general dislike and association with gang culture, i find it narrow minded myself, like most british opinions, if a small percentage of the british population does it, or abuses it, it suddenly becomes a massive problem and we must disassociate ourselves with it immediately.
Compared to the likes of america and the deaths due to shootings over there, i would say that this country is fairly peaceful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy Wolf
Any update on the riots/aftermath, you lot?
Not much, the obvious moaners who believed that the police took too long to respond, i feel that is absoloute insanity, due to the fact that the police really could not have forsaw it.
The looters that got caught by police are getting insanely hefty sentences, there has been some anger by some people at this, but that is mainly people who are associated with the people being convicted. everybody else feels that they have deserved it, including myself.
The complaints about "insanely hefty" sentences are mostly based around a couple of people who were convicted for posting messages inciting a riot on facebook, with a time and date for rioters to gather. Apparently they didn't consider that vast numbers of people would report the plan to the police, which resulted in the police turning up in strength at the RV and nipping it in the bud.
The "right" to freedom of speech in the UK is not absolute, and incitement to riot is a criminal offence under a great number of criminal laws dating back 12th century common law. The charge against the second lot of teenagers there says they committed a breach of the peace to the "fear and alarm of the lieges", a wonderfully archaic phrase that shows just how old the offence in question actually is.
Also; British law does not recognise incompetence as a mitigating factor. If you attempt to do something, you can be hit with the same punishments for actually doing it.
Sentences should be in proportion to the crime. You've got people getting sentences longer than if they'd beaten someone half to death, over a bit of looting. It kind of draws attention to how seriously broken the system is. The 75% conviction rate? Compared to the normal, what - 2%?
You know if I were planning a crime, seeing how sharply these sentences differ from the norm, I'd feel much better about doing said crime now.
I think that given that it's incitement to riot the sentences are entirely proportional. In fact, given that people lost their livelihoods and in some cases their lives as a result of the rioting these people wanted to emulate, i'd say all in all they are getting off pretty lightly with a couple of years imprisonment before being allowed out on parole. The sentences they did get aren't anywhere near the maximum available, either.
Did you know the maximum sentence is ten years and an unlimited fine? And that's excluding any other related offences that may be considered at the same time, like affray, criminal damage etc.
Sentences should be in proportion to the crime. You've got people getting sentences longer than if they'd beaten someone half to death, over a bit of looting. It kind of draws attention to how seriously broken the system is. The 75% conviction rate? Compared to the normal, what - 2%?
You know if I were planning a crime, seeing how sharply these sentences differ from the norm, I'd feel much better about doing said crime now.
Seems logical though that this is happening - you have a busy legal system suddenly getting swamped with lots of these cases and the public and politics expect harsh measures, partly to cover the asses of anyone who failed in preventing or stopping the riots.
You've just stated that Britain's society is secular. Even if you give these people a place in church you won't be giving them a place in society, which is what they clearly need.
It's a different ballgame when they continuously reject society and their place in society, they reject everything the government tries to throw them.
Thought you'd all be interested to know, I just came back from Croydon and it's not as bad as it's been made out to be; or not as widespread at least. It would appear that the rioting was constrained to a fairly small area of the town, there's no sign of any damage in surrounding areas that I could see.
This site is part of the Defy Media Gaming network
The best serving of video game culture, since 2001. Whether you're looking for news, reviews, walkthroughs, or the biggest collection of PC gaming files on the planet, Game Front has you covered. We also make no illusions about gaming: it's supposed to be fun. Browse gaming galleries, humor lists, and honest, short-form reporting. Game on!
The Pub 
14Likes
Re: UK Riots 
Linear Mode
