Mob Mentality Taking over the Streets of London

I was absolutely shocked to have discovered about the massive destruction and rioting happening for the last few days in London and the surrounding cities. And like many people who do not watch the news or keep up with current affairs everyday, I was taken for a loop when a few friends and celebs began tweeting and posting on facebook about the riots. So for some reason (maybe it's the fact that researching and commenting on current affairs is something I enjoy immensely) I feel as though it is important for me to write about what is happening. My hope is that more people will learn about what is happening, so that when the riots finally stop and the cities and citizens begin to pull their lives together, we as human beings will be able to pull together and help them in their time of need. Because a whole lot of cleaning, construction, medical care, and economic help will be needed when this is all over.

I've been doing some research (Okay, so I've been flipping through news reports I found on Google) and from what I've read, the riots started as an innocent protest against the fatal police shooting of a 29 year old father of four. According to what I've read, sub-machine gun toting officers from Scotland Yard's Operation Trident (apparently these guys are a special unit who deal mostly with the drug related gun crimes among the black communities) on last Thursday evening stopped a minicab carrying Mark Duggan. The exact events that happened leading up to the death of Duggan are a bit hazy, but the results are undeniable. Duggan was shot and killed by a single sub machine bullet to the chest and the unmarked gun (believed to be Duggan's) did not appear to have been fired.

So why was this man shot down without significant facts? Were there actual facts that are not being announced to the public? Or is this another terrible police shooting that will eventually be covered up so as to make the police look less responsible?  No idea. But the response from the citizens of London and the surrounding areas is simply atrocious.

The fact that a simple protest, which should have been innocent and non violent, turned into a huge scale, multiple city, ultra violent affair. It started in Tottenham (where Duggan died) and has since spread to other areas of London (Croydon, Brixton, Enfield, Notting Hill, etc) as well as numerous other U.K. cities (Nottingham, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, etc).  Now unless you've been to London and are actually aware of these cities and areas, you will not realize that these are not all luxurious areas. In fact, it seems as though the rioters are not being biased about where they attack. They are attacking well to do areas like Notting Hill, as well as the poorer sections.

There is actually a really great article about the riots from a generational viewpoint. You can read it here.


What happens in this kind of riot? Well like any good Montrealer knows, many businesses are going to be broken into, windows will be smashed, fires will be started, fights will be started and then police will be called and hopefully, (at least here in Mtl) some people end up in jail overnight but most go home and return to life as always. While for the most part this is true, but the last bit is unfortunately not. They're actually on their, what, fourth day of rioting and even though police have been able to calm things down a bit, I don't see it ending before the week comes to an end. And that is what is really sad here. Not only are innocent lives being damaged and some lost, businesses are left to rubble with the owners left to pick up the pieces, But the fact that the whole meaning behind the original protest has been officially lost. A father of four was shot and killed by police without being taken in for questioning or proving whether or not he is innocent or not. I read a report about the victim and how his friends and family saw him. And according to the report, Duggan was not involved in any mob activities, nor did he know anyone in a criminal organization. Then again, if Scotland Yard is stating that Duggan was connected via social media to several mob members, who knows what is true.

I just saw the numbers that are connected to the riot, and I am simply shocked! As of August 9th (so today) 5 UK cities had riots break out. 525 arrests happened, (the youngest person arrested was 11yrs old!) 99 people have been charged. 1 man has died (26 year old man was shot) and 14 civilians are reporting being injured (just reported! so that does not even take into account those who are not heading into the hospitals and are  actually injured) and 44 police officers are reported to have been injured. The numbers also show the fact that on August 8th (Monday) 6,000 police officers were on duty in the rioting areas, and then on August 9th (Tuesday) that number grew to a total of 16,000 officers on duty. Another staggering increase in numbers over the last few days include the number of calls made to the London Fire Brigade (2,169 on Monday) and to the London Metropolitan Police Service (20,800 on Monday). [Check out the article I got these numbers from here]

Now when I was taking a psychology class in CEGEP, I learned about Mob Mentality, and I have to believe that it is one of the core reasons behind what is happening in London right now. If a group of people are doing something, whether it is good or bad, more people will join in to feel that sense of community. So, much like the riots in Montreal during the NHL playoff season, people are going to join in on the action if they see several people doing something. So let's say people start throwing trash cans into store windows and then looting that store. Well chances are good that other people are going to see this happen and then either join in on the looting of that store, or they will start in on another store. Now it may be true that you will find a few people who are able to maintain their full faculties and realize the fact that what is happening is wrong and will not join in, but the majority of people will join in regardless of their morals or ideals. Obviously the whole Monkey see Monkey do concept applies here as well.

I feel terribly sorry for everyone in London right now that are being effected, and hope that the police are able to get everything under control fast before the violence escalated any further.

What can we do? Honestly, I do not believe that there is much that we can do right at this moment in time. Unless you happen to live in the London area and are willing to help at a call center to help with the overflow of emergency calls that are being received, or work as a police officer or military officer and can help in that way. Or maybe you're a doctor or nurse and wish to help with the injured officers and civilians. However, when the rioting does end, I believe that any support the rest of us can send to London will be greatly appreciated. What do I mean? Well the civilians and business owners are going to need help cleaning up not only their streets but also their homes and businesses of all the trash and destruction that happened. This will mean that cleaning crews will be needed, as well as construction crews as well. The London hospitals might need help as well after all is over. And then again money might also be helpful because of all the repairs and cleaning that must be done afterwards. I do not believe, however I could be wrong, that the British government will pay for the damage done to the homes and businesses. And I do not believe that many insurance companies offer coverage for damages caused by riots. With the economy the way it is, the fact that these businesses are going to need cleanup, repairs and restocking, might just end up closing a lot of those businesses.

Until the time we are needed to help our neighbours from across the pond, the only thing we can do is show our support and pray that they come out of this dark time without further causalities and damage. We can also educate ourselves and our children so that the same thing does not happen in our towns and cities.

My thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of London in this their time of need.

Peace, Love and Happiness to all ♥

Now for Something a Little Different

It's Monday! 

Okay, honestly, I am not as excited about the fact that today was Monday as an exclamation mark usually implies. Just think of that exclamation mark as if it is only a half exclamation mark. I'm happy that it's Monday because that means a new week has started and Dad's back at work and out of my hair. But I'm not happy that it is Monday because that means that it is the start of another week where I am jobless and still waiting to hear back from the companies that I applied to. Oh and I actually applied to a few more companies and positions, so fingers crossed that something actually pans out for me!

As promised, I've been considering trying a little something different from what I usually write about. Meaning that I'm actually going to stop moaning and groaning about the goings on in my life and focus on something else. And that, at least for me, means deciding on a Hunk of the Week. :)

For me, and for this week especially, that Hunk could be no one other than the incredibly hott Model, Actor, Producer, Philanthropist, and the 2011 Choice TV Actor in a Fantasy/Sci-Fi show at last night's Teen Choice Awards. Yup yup! I'm talking about none other than Louisiana native,

Ian Somerhalder!!!! 

 

This man is simply amazing! I mean not only is he incredibly gorgeous to look at (well honestly, who merely looks at the man. It's more like he is incredibly gorgeous to stare and attempt not to drool at), but he is also a great actor, who has an almost magical way of drawing an audience in and making them care about a character even though said character might be incredibly devious and full of ulterior motives. He even makes being a brooding, dark, dangerous and emotional undead vampire seem even more compelling than they normally are. :) All in all, I have to say that this man, just with his acting abilities alone is an exceptional choice for my first choice of Hunk of the Week.  

But it gets even better when he takes his shirt off :-P

Not only is he a fantastic actor, but as a person he is even better! He is actually using his fame and celebrity status as a way to get people involved in helping those around them and the world around them. Not only was he one of the first actors to go down and help with the oil spill cleanup back in 2010. He also posted and filmed PSA's and was constantly tweeting and asking his fans and fellow human beings to get involved in any way, shape or form that they could.

This summer, some are deeming Ian Somerhalder as one of the busiest men in Hollywood. In addition to filming his role on the CW's hit tv show The Vampire Diaries (season 3 set to air onSeptember 15th at 8pm ET, followed by another L.J. Smith book series turned Drama The Secret Circle.) But he has also started the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, (which is a conservation foundation whose mission is to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects in order to positively impact the planet and the creatures who inhabit it.), filmed a series for Planet Green's Blue August (A week-long series the explores the wonders of the ocean and aquatic life. Hosted on air and online by Ian Somerhalder, and premiering August 21st). He also spoke in front of Congress urging them to fund wildlife conservation, and he later urged his twitter followers to contact congress and express their own desires for wildlife conservation funding.

All this and he still somehow managed to lose to Justin Bieber as Choice Male Hottie, and R.Patz as Choice Vampire.....

Geez What is the world coming to if the current generation of Teens do not recognize Ian Somerhalder as the simply amazing and influential hottie that he is! :-D

 Sneak Peak: I'm currently working on posting something tomorrow about the terrible riots currently happening in London and the surrounding areas. I was greatly troubled to hear about the riots, currently on their third day, especially since there are a lot of innocent bystanders being effected by these riots. My prayers and love goes out to them all!

Peace, Love and Happiness to all! ♥

I should really stop watching reality television shows.

Everyone knows how squeamish I get around people who over react and are uber emotional for no good reason. Well apparently every single over emotional person on the planet has decided to sign up as competitors on reality tv shows this summer. Every reality tv show I seem to watch this summer (Food's Next Food Network Star, Fox's Hell's Kitchen, CBS's Big Brother, and Bravo's Top Chef - Just Desserts) seems to have a crier in the cast. And guess what? Surprise Surprise! Even after weeks of being on tv, the criers are still on the cast, even though they drive me INSANE!!!!!!

I guess it's true. The world doesn't revolve around me. Well at least the world of reality tv doesn't revolve around me.

Every single time someone on tv ends up crying I always remember the classic line from "A League of Their Own". The one Tom Hanks character says when, ummm Madonna's character I think, ends up crying every time he yells at her. "There's no crying in Baseball."

I've been changing that line, to fit my needs, and saying "There's no crying in Reality Tv". But now that I think about it, the original quote works so much better. Because I discover how come "There's no crying in baseball". It is because all the crying has been used up for Reality TV!!!

Oh. My. God.

I'm really tired. And honestly I think that I should just stop watching Reality Tv all together. I'd at least have less to complain about, that's for sure.

That's it for tonight I think. I'm watching Rookie Blue. Which I have to say is A-MAZ-ING!!!! And I am so happy that Andy finally realized how much of a major Ass-hat Luke is. I'm hoping that she opens her eyes even further and jumps (literally) onto Swarek.

Also, I'm thinking of starting something that a whole bunch of blog writers are doing. I know it's cliche, but I'm thinking of writing each Monday on a different hunk. I'm going to aim for one each Monday, but to be honest. I'll be totally happy if I end up with a different one for each month. :)
 
Peace, Love and Happiness to all :)

Just a quick update

Salut fellow Bloggers and Blog enthusiasts

I don't have much time to write tonight, but I just want to update everyone on the job hunt and degree front. So that is exactly what I'm going to do, and I promise that within the next few days I will definitely post some in-depth stuff on what's been going on within my head and some topics that have been bugging me. Let's say that you can look forward to some major discussions on current affairs as well some discussions on current reality tv going ons. Because we all know how much of a sucker I am for some good reality tv, and lately it's difficult to actually find some on.

Okay, so I've received a call back from one of the jobs I applied for, but I wasn't home so the human resource woman left a message with my father to have me call her back as soon as to discuss matters. This happened last Wednesday, July 27th. I called back within an hour (Dad had Manda call me right away and gave me the deets) and got the answering machine. Made sense because it was close to 5pm, so I left a message giving a phone number where she could reach me and awaited a call back. Next morning, Mom suggested I call again around 10:30, so I did and same stick. Answering machine, left a message, and wait. Friday I called back, but this time I forgo leaving a message, figuring that two is more than enough. Spent the weekend fretting over the whole ordeal, but tried to get it out of my mind and looked hopeful to the beginning of the week. Such a bad idea, because Monday equaled no word either, and no answer on her phone. That brings us to today. Same thing. But I left a message again, giving my number and stating the fact that I am looking forward to hearing back from her and detailing how and when she can reach me. I am really excited about this company and am really hoping she calls me back because this is exactly the kind of job I'm looking for. I don't want to go into details because I don't really want to chance jinxing anything but it's right up my alley. :)

Now as for my degree, I received an email from the school, stating that I could apply (late) for the November Graduation, that I have all the required credits. Only problem is I either have to drop my minor OR take another Classics course in the Fall semester. So I'm going downtown sometime in the next month or so, (need to make sure the Classics office is open) and request my minor to be dropped. I'm really sad about this, but am not feeling too down because of it. I loved having Classics courses and would adore to have it listed as my minor BUT I really can't afford to take another course and would much rather just drop my minor. Having it listed on my diploma does not really benefit me in the long run anyway especially since I just want to write for a living. I could always just bring up the fact in an interview that I have a strong background in Classics and am one credit away from having it as my minor. I'll have to ask if I can eventually take the course and have it added at a later time.

That's it for today. Night guys!

Peace, Love and Happiness to all!