I thought that this was a good read and a valid argument

Why is it so difficult for some people to realise that it's possible to understand why something happens whilst at the same time not condoning it? (For example if someone continually verbally abuses you and you turn round and beat them to a pulp, I could understand why you did it, without agreeing with your behaviour.

People are in large parts products of their environment and upbringing. Some have great parents who despite the obstacles in their way instil a great sense of right and wrong in their children and as a result they turn out well. Others don’t, and their parents don’t give two hoots about teaching them right from wrong or being involved with who they are. So is it any wonder (along with a shed load of other social problems) that some of them grow up to be delinquent kids with no moral compass? No. In fact you’d have to be pretty dense to expect everyone in that position not to end up like some of them doing the looting.

That’s not to excuse their behaviour, but it’s entirely possible to realise and understand why they might end up doing such a thing. If you can understand this basic concept, then the logical step is to look at making sure you try to avoid letting the conditions exist that allows this to happen. This isn’t soppy left thinking, it’s basic common sense. The fact that these things keep happening is testimony to the fact that successive governments have failed to tackle the real issues.

 

It's an excellent article.

Unfortunately it'll be ignored by the politicians and mis-interpereted as an attack solely on Cameron. Which it has on here. The article mentions Mandelson, kaufmann, Blears as all culpable yet that's conveniently ignored for a bit of political point scoring - it seems to me that partisan politics is beginning at long last to be irrelevant - society wide problems are going to need more than petty arguments to solve them.

 

red west i think you need new glasses where on my posts do i sympathise or agree with the rioters or reveal my political alliance. if you disagree with me thats fine but please disagree on the points i've made not what you want to believe i've said.