London Riots 8/11/11

I suspect that world events tend to have less impact on a person like me who does not watch tv.  Moving images of people suffering, buildings burning, debris strewn streets after a bombing and the wailing of survivors have a greater impact than a newspaper story, even one with pictures.

On September 11, 2001 my friend, who always has the tv news on, called to tell me when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.  Many people spent the day in front of the tv watching the jets crash into the towers over and over. 

That's not my idea of a good way to spend a day. 

I am reminded of the role of video during upheaval by the recent London riots.  I read a little about the riots in the Chicago Tribune, read a little more on line, and heard some reports on the radio.  Also, because I enjoy the writing of Theodore Dalrymple, I went here http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/miarticle.htm?id=7356 and read what he had to say.

A more informed, less emotional opinion and response to news is my goal.  To sit and watch images of looters looting and buildings emptied and destroyed is considerably different than to read about the underlying reasons for the riots, including not only the shooting of the cabbie, the relationship between some of the poor and the police, and in the case of the Dalrymple article an opinion about the culture and character of British youth.