Although I have no issue with the 'cunt' assessment, I wasn't 'telling you off'! I just thought it was time to apply some 'post-colonial theory' to the situation. I actually find this less depressing than the student protests, for reasons I'm not quite sure about yet.
I'm not dismissing the prospect of a right-wing crackdown, but I'm also not dismissing the coherence or 'objectives' of those rioting. I think a lot of commentary has been subject to a pretty entrenched class/race chauvanism, even some of the most working-class 'Left' stuff out there.
Coming soon: Previous riots - and their part in my downfall!
my guess as to why the riots are less depressing than the student demos might have to do with the way in which the latter has more to do with asking than telling. When you ask the relations of power are maintained. All the people who can't afford to go to University but want to should just show up, and continue to do so. That would be an action that could marry the more "civilized" commitment to nonviolence with a rejection of current relations. Loot a fucking education!
Personally I would prefer it if people realised what the universities' true function is - social bar-setting via the black magic of "qualifications", and campaigned to close them all down.
Checked out today’s Mail? Muslims as voice of sanity and proud British heroes standing against the thieving underclass?
It seems that in the battle between islamophobia and class hate, class hate has triumphed… and leapfrogging Abu Hamza to take his place at the top of the Folk Devil charts it’s that long time stalking horse, an eleven year old in a hoody!
Let the cry ring out through every truly British city-centre! “I’d rather be a rag-head than a chav!”
> "I think a lot of commentary has been subject to a pretty entrenched class/race chauvanism, even some of the most working-class 'Left' stuff out there."
Funny you say that, Wayne; because it's the impression I was getting earlier in the week. (And I say that admitting that I've had a difficult time following events from the U.S. -- with getting my head around what's happening based on all the unhelpful "coverage.")
'Party lines' and other considerations have got bit more sober and humane now. Maybe the 'panic' aspect overwhelmed some - but we're now seeing what the Right/media are doing with that 'panic' and it aint pretty.
@ Wayne: Well yeah, as someone who remembers the disgusting (and deeply infuriating) parade of U.S. news coverage of the L.A. riots and of New Orleans in the days following Katrina, I know that "panic aspect" well. It's usually a time when you see the media and politicians show -- while they scuttle to collect their wits -- how they truly feel and what they really think of certain parts of the population, in which they lay all their bigotries and phobias out on the table for everyone to see. Which is why with such things, the picture of what actually happened, what the event was really "about," only emerges well after the fact.
actually the Panic is really interesting, if you feel that you or your loved ones are vulnerable in some way (i'm non property owning, non car driving and i don't even pay rent at the moment so all i have to worry about is vreious peoles lives and limbs)and hardy in a flaspoint, Deptford which saw a few burned out cars and buildings...and if teher's agenerally surpressed hsyteria running through your workmates then yeah it does cloud your judgement....or at least makes you less immediately critical of the lines you're being fed as those faculties are too absorbed in processing the threat, and thinking about the possibilties of escalation etc...
so yeah, distance in time or some distance in space definitely helps....
Take it from me - 'loner' status helped me see things so much clearer! If you care a little less about getting a job/house/laid, your brain gets much less cloudy.
Nah she'll be too busy beating up African toilet attendants, like in the good ol' days of Girls Aloud. Before Max Clifford arranged a marriage of convenience to a gay footy player to make her the nation's sweetheart after Posh Spice's retirement from that role.
Mr. Clifford: "Tell you what - leave it with me. I'll feed the tabloids stories of you being a randy dogging love rat. People expect that from footy stars, but gay? That could harm your career."
Sorry - I forgot *allegedly*. Should be careful slandering gangster's daughters.*
Reminds me of when Britt Eckland revealed that Rod Stewart was a geek who spent his time watching soap operas and playing with his model railway (true!), and his publicists had to feed the tabloids with made-up stories of his three-in-a-bed romps with Scandinavian pole dancers etc.
Ah Britt - she was 70s institution. Lot of misogynist bad press in the day, but she survived some monsters in her time. She deserves the George Cross for enduring Peter Sellers.
Used to have these little arguments with teens now and again - to become a rock star, hiphop producer etc. requires a great deal of nerdish devotion. Check out photos of the young Dr Dre for proof.
One of the weird things about showbiz tho' - the ones who cultivate a reputation as wild edge-dwellers (e.g. Vince "Alice Cooper" Furnier, Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Keef) are really nice-guy pussycats, and the family-orientated light entertainers (Arthur Mullard, Hughie Green, Michael Barrymore) are fisting paedo-monsters.
I think Britt found Rod a bit dull after Peter Sellars. Just as anyone would find Iggy Pop a bit dull after the Reverend Jess Yates.
Been meaning to read Bob's autobio - heard it's quite 'saucy'. As a guess it's either the mysteriously 'asexual' Benny Hill or Ted Rogers - just cos I hated him.
Well my chief suspect is fairly predictable: the debauched one-man Led Zeppelin that was Hughie Green.
Anyway, getting this kind of back on-topic, I wonder if we could get Rod to use his modelling skills to create a H0/00 scale diorama of the London riots?
It could include the storming of Footlocker, Nick Clegg's "surprise" visit the morning after, and the parade of broom-wielding Nimbys. Rod has probably got Clapham Junction set up in his attic already.....
26 comments:
Although I have no issue with the 'cunt' assessment, I wasn't 'telling you off'! I just thought it was time to apply some 'post-colonial theory' to the situation. I actually find this less depressing than the student protests, for reasons I'm not quite sure about yet.
I'm not dismissing the prospect of a right-wing crackdown, but I'm also not dismissing the coherence or 'objectives' of those rioting. I think a lot of commentary has been subject to a pretty entrenched class/race chauvanism, even some of the most working-class 'Left' stuff out there.
Coming soon: Previous riots - and their part in my downfall!
A very good look at the wider picture here, kidz:
http://logosjournal.com/2011/farewell-to-democracy/
Multi-blog conversation...
my guess as to why the riots are less depressing than the student demos might have to do with the way in which the latter has more to do with asking than telling. When you ask the relations of power are maintained. All the people who can't afford to go to University but want to should just show up, and continue to do so. That would be an action that could marry the more "civilized" commitment to nonviolence with a rejection of current relations. Loot a fucking education!
Personally I would prefer it if people realised what the universities' true function is - social bar-setting via the black magic of "qualifications", and campaigned to close them all down.
Checked out today’s Mail? Muslims as voice of sanity and proud British heroes standing against the thieving underclass?
It seems that in the battle between islamophobia and class hate, class hate has triumphed… and leapfrogging Abu Hamza to take his place at the top of the Folk Devil charts it’s that long time stalking horse, an eleven year old in a hoody!
Let the cry ring out through every truly British city-centre! “I’d rather be a rag-head than a chav!”
If you want to be both, then you're a real enemy of the realm. Or very useful to MI6.
Why can't we all just be cunts, like in the good old days?
> "I think a lot of commentary has been subject to a pretty entrenched class/race chauvanism, even some of the most working-class 'Left' stuff out there."
Funny you say that, Wayne; because it's the impression I was getting earlier in the week. (And I say that admitting that I've had a difficult time following events from the U.S. -- with getting my head around what's happening based on all the unhelpful "coverage.")
'Party lines' and other considerations have got bit more sober and humane now. Maybe the 'panic' aspect overwhelmed some - but we're now seeing what the Right/media are doing with that 'panic' and it aint pretty.
Particularly liked Owen H's take on it:
http://www.versobooks.com/blogs/660-something-has-snapped-and-it-has-been-a-long-time-comingRioting
He is becoming rather 'venerable' - for such a whippersnapper!
@ Wayne: Well yeah, as someone who remembers the disgusting (and deeply infuriating) parade of U.S. news coverage of the L.A. riots and of New Orleans in the days following Katrina, I know that "panic aspect" well. It's usually a time when you see the media and politicians show -- while they scuttle to collect their wits -- how they truly feel and what they really think of certain parts of the population, in which they lay all their bigotries and phobias out on the table for everyone to see. Which is why with such things, the picture of what actually happened, what the event was really "about," only emerges well after the fact.
actually the Panic is really interesting, if you feel that you or your loved ones are vulnerable in some way (i'm non property owning, non car driving and i don't even pay rent at the moment so all i have to worry about is vreious peoles lives and limbs)and hardy in a flaspoint, Deptford which saw a few burned out cars and buildings...and if teher's agenerally surpressed hsyteria running through your workmates then yeah it does cloud your judgement....or at least makes you less immediately critical of the lines you're being fed as those faculties are too absorbed in processing the threat, and thinking about the possibilties of escalation etc...
so yeah, distance in time or some distance in space definitely helps....
Take it from me - 'loner' status helped me see things so much clearer! If you care a little less about getting a job/house/laid, your brain gets much less cloudy.
Yep - I'm drunk.
Ah, come on lads. This news is three days old now.
What we really need to be concentrating on now is if Cheryl Cole is returning to X-Factor.
Nah she'll be too busy beating up African toilet attendants, like in the good ol' days of Girls Aloud. Before Max Clifford arranged a marriage of convenience to a gay footy player to make her the nation's sweetheart after Posh Spice's retirement from that role.
But will the allure of the gay* impresario of X-Factor draw her out of her shell?
*allegedly**
**alleged by Louis Theroux
Mr. Clifford: "Tell you what - leave it with me. I'll feed the tabloids stories of you being a randy dogging love rat. People expect that from footy stars, but gay? That could harm your career."
Sorry - I forgot *allegedly*. Should be careful slandering gangster's daughters.*
*Oops
Reminds me of when Britt Eckland revealed that Rod Stewart was a geek who spent his time watching soap operas and playing with his model railway (true!), and his publicists had to feed the tabloids with made-up stories of his three-in-a-bed romps with Scandinavian pole dancers etc.
Made me warm to Rod no end....
Ah Britt - she was 70s institution. Lot of misogynist bad press in the day, but she survived some monsters in her time. She deserves the George Cross for enduring Peter Sellers.
Used to have these little arguments with teens now and again - to become a rock star, hiphop producer etc. requires a great deal of nerdish devotion. Check out photos of the young Dr Dre for proof.
One of the weird things about showbiz tho' - the ones who cultivate a reputation as wild edge-dwellers (e.g. Vince "Alice Cooper" Furnier, Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy, Keef) are really nice-guy pussycats, and the family-orientated light entertainers (Arthur Mullard, Hughie Green, Michael Barrymore) are fisting paedo-monsters.
I think Britt found Rod a bit dull after Peter Sellars. Just as anyone would find Iggy Pop a bit dull after the Reverend Jess Yates.
"Fisting paedo monsters" LOL - that's what we want in our family entertainment! The Carry On team were like something out of a Wes Craven movie.
What was monstrous about Arfur BTW? Was Hilda Baker evil too? I'll forgive them anything for their stunning rendition of 'You're The One That I Want'.
Arfur sexually abused his daughter on a regular basis.
Bob Monkhouse alleged that there was a household-name ITV entertainer who was into bestiality, but sadly never revealed who it was.
Makes you proud to be British etc.:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/editors-choice/2007/10/24/rod-stewart-s-train-set-dream-comes-true-86908-19999645/
Arthur Mullard? My God.
Been meaning to read Bob's autobio - heard it's quite 'saucy'. As a guess it's either the mysteriously 'asexual' Benny Hill or Ted Rogers - just cos I hated him.
Well my chief suspect is fairly predictable: the debauched one-man Led Zeppelin that was Hughie Green.
Anyway, getting this kind of back on-topic, I wonder if we could get Rod to use his modelling skills to create a H0/00 scale diorama of the London riots?
It could include the storming of Footlocker, Nick Clegg's "surprise" visit the morning after, and the parade of broom-wielding Nimbys. Rod has probably got Clapham Junction set up in his attic already.....
"I am looting. I am looooting. Across the reeg-ional bound-ariiies!"
have you seen Mullard's daugther tho? I'd have done her. dead ringer for her old man.
I've got chills... multiplying...
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