realities

Tonight as I drove home, listening to the news, I heard the Syrian ambassador to the UN [H.E Bashar Ja'afari] likening the unrest in Britain to the multiple government-endorsed murders taking place in Syria.

He dismissed the role his president [Bashar al-Assad] and government have taken against their own and yet, al-Assad may ultimately arrive in the Hague to face charges for crimes against mankind [like so many other despots ].

Granted, there is enormous unrest currently occurring in Britain, mainly because the economic situation is frighteningly grim if you happen to be poor, black, or both.

However, to suggest there is any correlation between the two countries is preposterous. While British police are out in force, dealing with this crisis brought on by social inequality, the Syrian military is taking careful aim at the civilian population, targeting anyone foolish enough to live in certain townships, or anyone attempting to go about their daily business. Now, don't misunderstand what I'm attempting to convey. Everyone should be allowed to go about their business, without fear of retribution, yet, this is not the case in many states [countries]. And to allow the Syrian ambassador to suggest otherwise is downright disgusting. The unrest in Syria is occurring because forty years of rule has turned this country into a dictatorship, and Syrians would finally like some say in their lives...

But let's talk about the current situation in Britain...

While I disagree that "hooliganism" is ok, I understand the motivation behind these individuals out in the streets, destroying what they will never own. I live in Los Angeles and remember the enormous destruction that occurred after the Rodney King incident. After centuries of feeling a lack of inclusion in society, it was very easy for some to revert to violence and mayhem, although if you lived in the vicinity of the violence, it was difficult to condone. Some of those who live in the immediate area refrained from violence and theft, but many living in the area affected by the brutality reverted to the same, not realizing or understanding they were affecting the area where they lived, shopped and worked. After the smoke cleared, many of the businesses closed shop, many mom & pop stores shut their doors, and the poor were made poorer.

I fear this will become a similar situation in Great Britain...