Yeah I know the swiss are not our greatest fans Yep I agree the Noggys to some degree have used this to deflect attention away from the shooting!
The French news did report it, but behind the troubles in the financial world. As I think I said somewhere above they were surprised that the police were so gentle with the rioters.
Cheers Charlie. The festivities start today with some simple souls going for a 35km walk. I tried the short version a couple of years back and that was more like a route march at double quick time. Not my idea of a stroll through the countryside. This afternoon we have the Prix de Thollet when the very serious cyclists go tearing round the thirteen mile undulating course seven times. As it comes down the lane past the house I can stand in the garden, shout encouragement and have a few beers. Or I can go and join my neighbours in the lane and help them to down a glass or two of their homemade wine. Tomorrow is the big day though when I will do my bit by dishing out frites by the tonne. Four or five hours of that is more than enough as the demand never stops. The event starts at 10am and goes on into the wee small hours. The big show in the evening is set in a natural amphitheatre with several performing artists. The stars this year will be an ABBA tribute group, so at least I will know the songs for a change. The huge and spectacular fireworks display finishes off the evening for us around midnight, but if you have any strength left the dance then begins.
The reporting in the USA was quite amusing. Though it was talked about, which almost surprised me, when they said "there has been rioting in London and police have arrested nearly 1000 people. The riots are now spreading to towns like Manchester and Croydon"...i couldn't help laughing. The only way i found out what was really going on was via the BBC news website, and on twitter.
All the German newspapers reported it and ,as always, it depends on the readers choice which one he picks up. Tabloid press like the Bildzeitung had alarming pictures and sensationalist reporting. Quality newspapers like the Tageszeitung had in depth articles over several days looking for reasons etc. Most people here seem to think that this form of rioting could happen in any large western democracy and that its roots are social and economic. There was no surprise here about the rather gentle police methods as the British police are well known and respected here. The German police are heavily criticized by the media here for their rather heavy handed handling of demos etc. (Water cannon, laughing gas and pepper sprays) and so it's seen with disappointment in many circles that the gentler British methods didn't work on this occasion. As for the aftermath, we are hearing of emergency courts where arsonists are apparently being tried alongside people who simple stole a couple of t-shirts, both of whom appear to be branded under the same stigma of riotist. The suggestions of rubber bullets and army involvement have also found their way into the German media, together with a very one sided mood in Britain emphasizing harder punishments etc. not being in Britain myself I can only hope that this picture represents selective reporting. We are seeing nothing here in Germany of the sort of in depth sociological analysis which would occur here after such events, either it's not being reported or it will occur later. Having said all of this, such themes in the German media always receive maximum publicity for a week or so, and then disappear altogether. Nobody I know has given any indication whatsoever that their opinions about England have changed - nor is there any fear of going there as far as I can see. However, England has to live with the fact that anything of this sort happening there automatically receives larger International press exposure than if the same happens in other countries. Do you have news reports in Britain covouring unrest in Germany ? Although such pictures as I have seen could also have been taken in Hamburg or Berlin at certain times.
Rumours are that some looters in Hackney targetted Poundland. They thought Bang and Olafson was a swedish meatball shop. 3 of them got arrested by PC World..................
And another rumour is that a L*t*n fan has been charged with attempted looting after smashing his computer screen and trying to grab a pair of jeans from ebay.........
BB - There were huge riots in Scumtown with cars and building burnt down, trouble no-one can tell where it was, the place always looks like that!
Thank you Hornette & Colognehornet for you very full and informative replies. As I stated my daughter is over from Switzerland and we took her out for the day so have only just been able to read the replies. Nice little town Manchester Hornette. Yes CH Arsonists are being tried beside people that stole t Shirts, but the crime is agrevated burglary. They had to smash their way into the shop, caused countless ponds worth of damage all for a few t shirts, not such a small crime when you look at it like that. Not heard of any unrest in Germany recently. Once again thanks to all for info (inc Norway & Frenchie from earlier)
