A Canadian Analysis of Multikulti Riots in UK and USA

Hi Paul,

I can't comment on the specifics of local situations, but it appears to me that the USA was much like this 100 years ago and 150 years ago. The difference was that the frontier absorbed the crazies, criminals and malcontents.The frontier is now next door. In our lifetime there were still lynchings of blacks in many places in the USA and witches were still put on trial in Britain in the 20th century. These atavistic tendencies will always be there. The essence of civilization is to channel destructive tendencies into creative ones. In rare instances, repression is required to prevent anarchy, but like war it never solves anything.

The problem with elective democracy is that too many people can be manipulated for special interests and individual gain, but we still have to try to elevate the level of analysis and discussion. I was very disappointed in the British police and politicians in their response to the riots. Police in their regalia don't frighten anyone anymore and politicians talking like angry parents are not going to solve systemic issues. If you have problems of disorder you act decisively at clearly identified targets with no rhetoric. When you have things under control, you can start the discussion.

The USA in its ineffectual war on drugs and incarceration policy has so distorted questions of social justice and hidden the moral bankruptcy of the political leaders- the emperor has no clothes. There is so much good data on crime, where it takes place and how it could be dealt with better. It has been ignored for decades and instead policing and jail has been used as a blunt instrument when surgery was needed. We(especially you) are reaping the whirlwind.

Having said all this, social media are exacerbating contagion and we have not learned how to deal with it effectively. A few criminals and troublemakers can quickly expand their influence just as some tea partyers can advocate the destruction of society through ignorant chatter.

I had a good chat with my broker today about the technical fundamentals in the present global financial panic. Businessmen have to deal with one bottom line so I think they will sort things out. Society has many bottom lines making things much more complex. I truly believe that the best measure of a society is how they treat their most unfortunate citizens. The underclass does not want to be an underclass. Just as in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa...the un/under-employed under 25 males are going set the social agenda if we don't get things right. Egypt, Syria, Libya, Greece, London... forget the wars- are in flames. If the financial crisis merges with the social discontent it will only take a spark and a few leaders to create a world revolution.

I was partly shaped by the last big revolution, so 100 years from now someone may talk about the impact of the first world revolution that' s happening. We can hope to shape it and minimize the damage to innocent people.

We're off to Winnipeg to spend time with my siblings and visit some historical points of interest. I hope you have things to enjoy while events create murky waters around us.
walter