Massive Riots in France

[shamrock_uk]

Oh, I wasn't particularly referring to the FIS, I got the impression that there was more random unrest. Not to mention that rascal Gbagbo.

Incidentally, if I remember my history correctly, wasn't the FIS a classic example of political opression radicalising a popular Islamic party that had taken part in the democratic process?

[johnny]

Originally posted by shamrock_uk: Oh, I wasn't particularly referring to the FIS, I got the impression that there was more random unrest. Not to mention that rascal Gbagbo. Incidentally, if I remember my history correctly, wasn't the FIS a classic example of political opression radicalising a popular Islamic party that had taken part in the democratic process?

I guess that info is all in the link i included. I hope you forgive me, but Algerian internal affairs are not my specialty.

[shamrock_uk]

Heh, I doubt it is for many people at all! I was just trying to draw a parallel to the current situation really - in other words France does deserve to shoulder a proportion of the blame IMO - blaming it all on Islam is not the whole answer.

Sir D - I've had problems turning up anything on Scorpions apart from the stinging variety! Are they some sort of riot police?

[ 11-08-2005, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

[Sir Degrader]

The Balkan variety.

[Lucern]

Originally posted by Morgeruat: I remember asking during the riots that followed the Rodney King trial why the rioters destroyed and looted their own neighborhoods, they weren't harming those they thought were oppressing them, they were only making their own bad neighborhoods worse, I've been asking myself the same questions for the last 9 days.

If we're looking at LA in 1992 as a reference, it should be pointed out that this is missing something important, and Johnny's link doesn't add anything about it either. 'It', of course, is that it was Korean business owners who took the brunt of that riot, even being hit when hispanic and white-owned businesses next door were left alone. All three were terrorized, and certainly were among those murdered, but that Koreans took the brunt is apparently little known. In the immediate area of their neighborhoods, those business owners were seen as individually oppressing. Rioters were harming those they saw as oppressing them, and they murdered and injured many. Riots have causes and rioters have motives. France would do well to figure out what those are as soon as possible, you know, after the fires stop.

This, being from the Christian Science Monitor, is a bit sappy, but looks at it from a black and Korean perspective: http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0429/p01s07-ussc.html
It also has a timeline that shows LA has a few more race riots under its belt.

This is about LA Koreans specifically: http://www.asiasource.org/news/at_mp...m?newsid=79441

This isn't great on 'why' questions, but good on 'how' questions. It also links to some accounts of military strategies. It should be noted that most guardsmen had no training at all in riot control, and were trained right then.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots

[Stratos]

Originally posted by johnny: quote: Originally posted by Stratos: What is the army gonna do that the police can't? Start gunning people down? We're talking about a bunch of teenage punks here.

I just saw an interview with one of the mobsters on CNN, who also appears to be a rapper from a group that calls themselves "the new African Poets", he said that young AND old are standing together in this. It's not a band of kids on a rampage, it's a complete uprising. I've seen footage of others involved as well, and they were no kids either, they were all guys between the ages of 25 and 35. Last time i checked people of that age are accounted for as adults. You are still underestimating the danger of this situation. [/QUOTE]I would call 25 year olds quite young, not teenagers granted, but still you enough to riot with them. I don't know the average age of these rioters, but I've only seen pictures and clips of teenagers. Perhaps there are older adults among them as well, but I doubt there are many 40+ year olds there, despite what some rapper said. But I could be wrong, of course.

I don't think I undersetimate the situation either; I'm just not willing to rattle my sabres quite yet. I AM in favour of the curfew, though. That should seperate the rioters from those smart enough to stay inside.

[Link]

I don't think this is getting out of hand just yet. After 9/11 everyone started screaming it was World War III as well, and look what happened?!

[Melcheor]

Originally posted by Sir Degrader: The Balkan variety.

Oh, right, I was thinking of the german rock band variety. Truly terrifying...

[Melcheor]

Originally posted by Sir Degrader: Tanks and APC's aren't needed IMO. What is needed is fellows like the Scorpions. Timely and limited use of them can terrify the populace into stopping. If they keep it up, then simply use them as firefighters. Horrific yes, but well needed. This has gone on long enough.

What? You need "timely and limeted use" of rape, torture, murder and ethnic clensing to calm the situation? I really don't know where you get your ideas...

[ 11-09-2005, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: Melcheor ]

[Sir Degrader]

Worked in french Algeria. BTW, the situation is apparently calming down
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4422422.stm