infoxicatinglady

 I've been watching the London (now UK) riots with interest, not least because of where they started. Quick background story is that my grandfather is rumoured to have played for Tottenham Hotspurs. 

Thing is, I understand the original riot. I do not condone it in any way shape or form, but I understand it. Police shootings are such a rarity in the UK, mostly because their police do not ordinarily carry firearms. And so, when a shooting does occur, it does create a great deal of controversy.
And when it is a parent who is shot, it makes it even more horrifying.
Now, I am not saying it was justified. Nor am I saying it wasn't justified. I wasn't present at the tragedy, and I am not in judgement on the case, so I do not know the facts. That isn't my place (thankfully).

What I can say and judge is the behaviour of the rioters since that first night. Destroying the store on the corner, the one where Mum and Dad buy milk and bread on their way home from work, is not justified, nor justifiable. As for burning down KFC and McDonald's, I get why you would want to. What I do want you to consider is the 16 or 17 year old kid who works there after school so s/he can save up to buy a car, or the 19 year old who works there to have a bit of extra cash while at uni. Where does their income come from now? 

As for the cops not reacting until the last 24 hours to the rioters, I've been doing some reading. It turns out that a report was released around 10 years ago. It shows that people in poorer areas of the UK see the police as a "white mans" job, and that only middle class background (and higher) people make it in. There's a definite "them and us" sentiment in regards to areas like Tottenham. 
Add to this the ethnic diversity, and you have a whole swathe of the police force who are afraid to arrest people because they don't want it to be labelled as "racially motivated", and thus thrown out of court.
The same report also discussed that the police should (simultaneously) regard every arrest as valid as any other, and they should also exercise caution when apprehending someone of a non Anglo-Saxon background. 

This is what has allowed the riots to continue for so long. The constabulary are afraid to act either way, and so they don't. This allows the criminals (that's what these rioters are, let's not kid ourselves) to get away with so much, and get a slap on the wrist at the end of it. It now is a case of too little too late.


And now we get to the rioters.
I do get it, honestly. I get the fact that you are so frustrated, angry too, that you want to destroy things. I don't get that you think it okay to wilfully destroy other peoples property. I don't get that you think it okay to injure others. I do not understand an 8 year old participating in the riots - where were his parents? If his parents were also rioting, that's a great example you've set for your kid there. 

I know what it is to grow up with little money - I had a heap of friends whose parents were much wealthier than mine. It doesn't mean I would have been destructive. It meant that I was determined not to be the same. And I'm not. I'm not wealthy by any means, but if my girls want new shoes, or a new shirt, they get it. I have enough. And I have it because I worked to get out of there, and my mother encouraged that. Don't blame delinquency on a lack of money. Manners cost nothing, nor does consideration of others. 


The whole thing is a comedy of errors - unnecessary reactions and lack of reactions has caused this, and funding needs to go to the right places. And I tell you now, I'd willingly pay an extra $5 a week in tax to have properly equipped recreation facilities, police, socialised health, etc. 

  I've found myself to be a stay at home mum, and in a bid to save a bit of extra money, and maybe even make some, I want to take up knitting and crocheting. I live nowhere near any family (my mother in law is my closest family member, as the crow flies, and she's a 2 hour drive away), so I know I'll likely have to teach myself. There's a knitting circle at the local library who donate all works to local charities, but to start with, I want to make some simple things for my children - scarves, beanies, etc. 
Anyone on my f-list have any books that are easy to follow and easily available outside of the US that they can recommend? Books with DVD instructions (I don't mind using my computer to help as a tutor ;) ) would be even better.
Thanks :)

After 2 months of toilet training, and over a week of dry nappies at night, Babette is now completely toilet trained - right in time for Christmas and Summer (if Summer ever arrives *glare*).
I was a bit apprehensive of losing the night nappies just yet. It's rained for 13 of the last 14 days, so washing and drying sheets is impossible (I don't have a dryer), but so far, so good.

For those following the farce that is the current non-Government that is Australia

It includes such insights as As of now, Julia Gillard is still Prime Minister and therefore chief adviser to the crown. If the Opposition signed an agreement, it is within the power of Ms Gillard to advise that Tony Abbot be called by the Governor-General to form a government. But in the current circumstances, Ms Gillard is within her rights to advise the Governor General that any agreement by the Opposition be tested on the floor of the House of Representatives to determine who should form government.

My sister just MMSed me this photo, which I immediately bluetoothed to my laptop, and uploaded to Photobucket.
This is my two brand new nieces. They're still in hospital, so she arrived this morning to see this


Lenora and Nathalia.
Nora (as I call her, but Bast calls her Lenny) is on the left, Thalia is on the right.

 So, I was Stumbling, and came across this article which outlines the several different reasons for autism "clusters".

 I went out with a friend for her farewell dinner and drinks on Saturday night, and crashed at her place afterwards.
She's staying at her mum's at the moment, until she leaves for Canada.
Anyways, I realised while I was at her place that I miss my mum. PJ's mum is great. she's kind, understanding, sarcastic, funny, and generally tolerant. And she listens. Like my mum - and not like Ian's.
*sigh*

 Jim Bonnie had been a member of the NSW Fire Brigades Band for 32 years.
( Today, there is to be a Requiem Mass for him at his Church. )
Jim, you always were a gentleman. May you be remembered as the man who ran past the gossiping police to help up the elderly lady at the RSL, as the gentleman who would drive the seniors to bingo, as the man who didn't judge.

Requiescat in Pace, Jim.

 I'm guessing it works?