Irascible Insights

The Riots 

I had resolved not to write about the outbreak of criminal rioting and systematic thieving that has been occurring in many parts of London and numerous other (so far) English cities. I made this decision because I thought, that with so many pundits of all political persuasions and agendas already pontificating about the problems, the causes and the solutions, I would not have anything new or different to say.

However, having read many comments and listened to countless commentators expressing their views about all aspect of this situation, I realised that I may after all, have something to contribute.

First, let me admit that I'm of a generation which has unfortunately, witnessed the steady and relentless decline of serious consequences for criminal activity in our society. This political failure to confront criminality, particularly among the young has created a culture where there is neither fear, or respect for authority. The current penalties for wrong-doing are woefully inadequate and most punishments do not fit the crime.

The inexorable rise of multiculturalism, political correctness and the deeply ingrained moral and cultural relativism in much of our our media and which is endemic among the political classes, has led to a society, where serious consequences for criminal and anti-social behaviour have been significantly eroded.

We now live in a society, where liberal and relativist values have led to a genuine fear among the general population, and a disinclination of those charged with protecting us to engage with the forces of chaos in case they themselves are prosecuted for taking the kind of action necessary to ensure our safety. This is not just evident in the police's reluctance to engage with criminals and others who bleat victim-hood at every opportunity, it extends to the unwillingness of teachers to confront unruly pupils and the total fear of the average member of the public to confront or reprimand any anti-social behaviour they may unfortunately encounter. 

Sadly, I have not been surprised or shocked by recent events, In fact, I have been predicting them for years.. It does not take a genius to realise, that if one creates a society where 'human rights' take precedence over 'human responsibilities' and where the rights of criminals are more closely monitored and valued than the rights of victims, then people will grow up with no fear of consequences. Couple this with the clear evidence, that even when the police do their job and bring an offender before the courts, the punishment they receive is all too frequently perceived to be totally inadequate.

The assertions from politicians and senior police that the perpetrators of these crimes will face the full force of the law is quite clearly a joke. Firstly, many of them will never be identified, secondly, of those that are arrested, few will be charged and lastly, those very few who are charged will be tried and sentenced by a criminal justice system which will fail to adequately punish them.

From what I've heard so far from our political leaders, senior police and media commentators I have no confidence that any of them have either the will, intelligence or courage to take the measures necessary to deal with the immediate threats. Even more concerning, I don't believe they understand the historical responsibility they bear for the current state of our deeply fractured and dysfunctional society.


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