Ending on a positive note

Like most people, I have been disturbed by the rioting, looting and violence that occured in parts of London and other English cities earlier this month. For those who don't know, it was sparked by the fatal shooting of a man by police in London: there followed a protest march by friends and family of the departed, and although initially peaceful it soon erupted into violence and other criminal activities. I just want to make it clear that I don't condone such actions and those who are responsible should be brought to justice, but I think it is rich and hypocritical of our Prime Minister David Cameron and other politicans to take the moral high ground in their own condemnation of what has happened. It makes them look like strong leaders to take the moral high ground and use strong words against the criminals. In fact they are either incrediably narrowminded or completely out of touch with reality. They should have the courage and honesty to admit that generations of urban working class people have been neglected and the recent violence and looting are the consequences of this neglect. For generations politicans and the powers that be have failed to invest in adequate education, health care, community services and most of all employment, especially in these urban areas. It is little wonder that a significant proportion of this present generation of youth are completely devoid of hope and purpose. This violent reaction should be a wake up call for the nation but I fear that our politicians will take the easy option and punish the criminal element without addressing the deep rooted problems. I am genuinely amazed that these people get into positions of such power and influence. I could write another 500 words about how useless our politicians are but I will try to finish this blog entry on a positive note. My friend Jackie says that every movie should have a happy ending because real life can be depressing and tough. So here are a few uplifting quotes to end this blog on a high.

"How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself. So always think positively." ~ Norman Vincent Peale

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."
-Charles Dickens

"It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." - Epictetus