London riots

So, other half and I were glued to the TV last night. I am embarrassed to admit this, but maybe it is part of the rubber necking, car crash watching mentality that is so encouraged by 24 hr media and the content they trawl for to fill all this air time.

Notwithstanding the reasons, we were transfixed, transfixed in horror. Tottenham, Hackney, Lewisham... all horrific, I was embarrassed to be British. For me, the realisation that this was really plunging to depths not seen before came when watching Croydon in flames. I used to work there, my Mum was born there, went to school there. Its a town I know and a town where my family lived in the 40s and 50s. To see what we now know is Reeves Furniture store burning for minutes and minutes, the huge inferno left with media helicopters filming it was sobering beyond belief. There were no fire engines, there were no police. They couldn't get there. They were spread too thin and were attending elsewhere.

I dont know the rights and wrong of this, I am not in the emergency services, I acknowledge what an incredibly difficult job they must do. But this image for me is the one I shall remember.

I tweeted this morning that I felt disturbed and fearful about tomnorrow more so than at any time since 9/11. I really do. Its scary to see what humans can do to each other. We have been worrying all this time about terrorism... have we been forgetting to look over our shoulder?

And what has created this culture whereby kids/ young people have to have the latest trainers / plasma screens... seriously, where has this come from? Creates a currency by which you are judged how worthy you are, by your possessions, really??

I am ashamed that I live in a society that has somehow allowed young people to grow up to not give a shit, not the tiniest bit, about their neighbours, their streets, their city. And family? What is family about in 2011?

Sadly, these young people have literally nothing to aspire to, no dreams, no hopes to work towards, to steer them off the streets and away from trouble. There is no fear of the repercussions if they get caught as they have absolutely nothing to lose and sadly, probably kudos and the odd plasma tv to gain.

I am disgusted, disgusted by our Government, disgusted by the individuals. But this rot started a long time ago, before this Government, and the last.