Massive Attack's statement re: Riots....

[brunswick]

...and i fully agree...

"In context with the complicit support of the government, the banks looted the nation’s wealth while destroying countless small businesses and brought the whole economy to its knees in a covert, clean manner, rather like organised crime.

Our reaction was to march and wave banners and then bail them out. These kids would have to riot and steal every night for a year to run up a bill equivalent to the value of non-paid tax big business has ‘avoided’ out of the economy this year alone.

They may not articulate their grievances like the politicians that condemn them but this is absolutely political. As for the ‘mindless violence’… is there anything more mindless than the British taxpayer quietly paying back the debts of others while contributing bullets to conflicts that we have absolutely no understanding of?

It’s mad, sad and scary when we have to take to the streets to defend our homes and businesses from angry thieving kids, but where are the police and what justice is ever done when the mob is dressed in pin stripe."

 

[ferring seagull]

...and i fully agree...

"In context with the complicit support of the government, the banks looted the nation’s wealth while destroying countless small businesses and brought the whole economy to its knees in a covert, clean manner, rather like organised crime.

Our reaction was to march and wave banners and then bail them out. These kids would have to riot and steal every night for a year to run up a bill equivalent to the value of non-paid tax big business has ‘avoided’ out of the economy this year alone.

They may not articulate their grievances like the politicians that condemn them but this is absolutely political. As for the ‘mindless violence’… is there anything more mindless than the British taxpayer quietly paying back the debts of others while contributing bullets to conflicts that we have absolutely no understanding of?

It’s mad, sad and scary when we have to take to the streets to defend our homes and businesses from angry thieving kids, but where are the police and what justice is ever done when the mob is dressed in pin stripe."

How can it be poitical if the situation to which you refer occurred under a previous government ?

 

[Seagull Steve]

Lets forget the four people who died then shall we? I agree the banks and the Govt are as much robbers as the rioters, but it's not the same really is it?

 

[Woodchip]

Let's not forget that record labels are swindling everyone as well.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

It's utter bullshit, using one argument to deflect from the problems faced by Londoners and other cities earlier in the week. As a matter of interest [MENTION=2850]brunswick[/MENTION], which town/city do you live in?

 

[JonathanLivingstonSeagull]

How can it be poitical if the situation to which you refer occurred under a previous government ?

Naive imo.

He is addressing those bred for power, the perennial government. It doesn't matter which party they represent, in the end the ruling power will choose the smoothest, most lobbiest, most backhander paying path.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Massive attack sound massively ungrateful for the conditions that allow themselves to flourish-they could be in another less fortunate part of the world.

 

[Market Porter]

Thought Brunswick was going to post about Pete Tong's Massive problem

http://www.nme.com/news/massive-attack/58583

 

[ferring seagull]

Naive imo.

He is addressing those bred for power, the perennial government. It doesn't matter which party they represent, in the end the ruling power will choose the smoothest, most lobbiest, most backhander paying path.

Riot or other insurgence against the current government is one thing

Riot against authority = anarchy !

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

As long as that isn't presented as an excuse for what happened, and isn't suggesting that the rioters had this argument in mind, then I can agree with the sentiment and the equivalency.

 

[otk]

Hegemony = The media driven belief that the ruling elite rule to the benefit of all strata of society, equally, when in fact, they rule for their own benefit, at the expense of the lower echelons of society...

 

[Mr deez]

Saying that the riots are justified because of another unrelated situation is utter bollocks.

The riot started around a protest. It grew simply because kids thought it was fun, and crucially, thought they would get away with it. f*** all to do with the economy.

I can write a statement twisting events to promote my own, or any other agenda, if you like. It's much the same as what the likes of the edf are doing and it doesn't help.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

I'm not getting the naivety of this though... as ferring seagull has already commented, the bank crashes happened during the previous incumbents, so what is the relation to this ridiculous statement?

 

[brakespear]

Lets forget the four people who died then shall we? I agree the banks and the Govt are as much robbers as the rioters, but it's not the same really is it?

This - although I agree banks caused much more financial damage I've yet to find many people who are worried they might get beaten to the ground by the man behind the counter at LloydsTSB next time they pop in to deposit a cheque.

 

[brunswick]

[MENTION=2850]brunswick[/MENTION], which town/city do you live in?

irrelevant.

 

[South Stand Bonfire]

...and i fully agree...

"In context with the complicit support of the government, the banks looted the nation’s wealth while destroying countless small businesses and brought the whole economy to its knees in a covert, clean manner, rather like organised crime.

Our reaction was to march and wave banners and then bail them out. These kids would have to riot and steal every night for a year to run up a bill equivalent to the value of non-paid tax big business has ‘avoided’ out of the economy this year alone.

They may not articulate their grievances like the politicians that condemn them but this is absolutely political. As for the ‘mindless violence’… is there anything more mindless than the British taxpayer quietly paying back the debts of others while contributing bullets to conflicts that we have absolutely no understanding of?

It’s mad, sad and scary when we have to take to the streets to defend our homes and businesses from angry thieving kids, but where are the police and what justice is ever done when the mob is dressed in pin stripe."

 

[bazbha]

2 things. Who gives a **** what Massive Attack think & what a total & utter **** the OP is.That is all.

 

[cannedheat]

brunswick , which town/city do you live in?

The funny farm, his nursey will be on her rounds soon, she has his pills.

 

[otk]

2 things. Who gives a **** what Massive Attack think & what a total & utter **** the OP is.That is all.

Well argued

The asterisks are instead of the integer 0, indicating your IQ

 

[cannedheat]

Well argued

The asterisks are instead of the integer 0, indicating your IQ

It's Brunswicks nursey, or are they the same person.