Could you honestly say you would not have joined in?

[gingerjedi]

At 15 I tuliped myself when I got pulled over for not having any lights on my bike so I can safely say I wouldn't have been involved in arson and looting.

[Mich the Tester]

Have you ever heard the expression "Two wrongs don't make a right"?

Yes. In fact two wrongs often end up not as 2w where w=wrong, but w^2. But you can't just go hammering an underclass for their lack of a moral compass (some of them) while ignoring the lack of morality among some of the wealthiest. Both wrongs multiply each other.

[shaunbhoy]

Stealing food because your family is starving is not the same as stealing a TV because it's bigger than the one you currently "own".

All shouted over the haunting strains of "The Fields of Athenry"!!

Ya big softee Churchy!

[Churchill]

Yes. In fact two wrongs often end up not as 2w where w=wrong, but w^2. But you can't just go hammering an underclass for their lack of a moral compass (some of them) while ignoring the lack of morality among some of the wealthiest. Both wrongs multiply each other.

Underclass? Is that the "label du jour"?

You're just making excuses for illegal behaviour.

Oi Shauny, I was invited to the local "Catholic Club" a couple of days ago.

[Mich the Tester]

Underclass? Is that the "label du jour"?

You're just making excuses for illegal behaviour.

No I am not. I am trying to understand what is happening.
Understanding is very different to condoning.

[Mich the Tester]

All shouted over the haunting strains of "The Fields of Athenry"!!

Ya big softee Churchy!

Just can't get away from gloating Munster fans.

[Churchill]

No I am not. I am trying to understand what is happening.
Understanding is very different to condoning.

I concur. What are you finding difficulty in understanding?

A "man with a gun gets shot", the Police can't comment immediately about the incident as it's under investigation.

The family of the "man with the gun who got shot" are unhappy about the lack of information and protest.

This protest gets hijacked by thugs and thieves and "trouble" starts, this trouble escalates to localised theivery and violence.

The so called "disaffected" see reports of the theivery and thuggery and the lack of response from the authorities and decide "**** this I'll have a go, I've f*cks chance of getting caught!".

The violence and thuggery spreads. Not for a cause, but a perceived lack of retribution and punishment.

If a mob thinks you're soft, then you're a target, it has ever been thus.

Crack a few skulls and this will be all over!

Btw, let's not forget, the man who got shot had a gun. Live by the gun, die by the gun.

[EternalOptimist]

Stealing food because your family is starving is not the same as stealing a TV because it's bigger than the one you currently "own".

If we're playing the "name and shame" game, aren't you the one who lacked the backbone to remonstrate with a group of 12 year-olds?

I can answer the OP accurately, because I have been there. I was with a gang of about 25 'mates' who went into Liverpool town centre, as soon as I found out they were targetting students for a thumping and a robbing, I and a couple of others left.
On another occasion I was caught up in a disturbance that turned into a riot, and I beat a hasty.
So I may have had a very colourful and mispent youth, but I can say no, I wouldnt have joined in.

I think I have always preferred single handed rather than mob combat. So if there are any fat, loudmouthed, peabrained nasty sub-intellectual peabrains around, who want their teeth knocking so far down their throat that they will have to stick a toothbrush up their @rse to brush their teeth, please step forward and make yourself known

[wobbegong]

I can answer the OP accurately, because I have been there. I was with a gang of about 25 'mates' who went into Liverpool town centre, as soon as I found out they were targetting students for a thumping and a robbing, I and a couple of others left.
On another occasion I was caught up in a disturbance that turned into a riot, and I beat a hasty.
So I may have had a very colourful and mispent youth, but I can say no, I wouldnt have joined in.

I think I have always preferred single handed rather than mob combat. So if there are any fat, loudmouthed, peabrained nasty sub-intellectual peabrains around, who want their teeth knocking so far down their throat that they will have to stick a toothbrush up their @rse to brush their teeth, please step forward and make yourself known

Bzzzzzzt!! Repetition; "peabrain".

[xoggoth]

I did, got a great Sony 37" plasma. Anyone know how to get boot polish off the face?