London's burning

So, Tottenham. Perhaps not up there on the most vital and important of world events in the last 48 hours, but the closest to my geographical vicinity.

The Clash song has been going round in my head all day, an annoying contrast to how I actually feel about the events of last night which is incredibly sad. People live in the same city as me, yet they live such confined, small and sad lives that they feel enough frustration and pain to destroy the businesses of their own community.

The police are, often, not that welcome, sometimes they behave in a way I'd rather they didn't, but then they are people, and people never reach perfection or total professionalism. It's easier to say that when I sit comfortably not being victimised, but then it's hard to see how rampant criminal behaviour really gets back at the police. The only people looters and rioters have damaged is an already embattled community dealing (as most of London is) with increasing joblessness, homelessness and hopelessness.

I'm sad because these looters, or so I have to believe, fail to value anyone or anything else because they have never been valued themselves. We have to experience respect to give it.

I am not one for universal sentiments and big gestures, but I do wish there was more fellow feeling, community spirit and sense of common purpose around. We are all suffering, and we are all making it that little bit worse for the people around us if we continue to live isolated and isolating lives.