London's Burning went from being a nursery rhyme about the Great Fire of London in 1966 to a description of the violence and destruction that spread across the city, the country, in a matter of days.
Whilst I've been away from blogging, one of topics I wanted to blog about was my love of my city, London.
A couple of weeks back I had my medical for my US Immigration. I did get a little lost, I actually walked up and down the same street three times before I realised where I was. But when I was leaving the medical on my way back to the station, I found myself on this little back street just off Oxford Circus. Without knowing it I was stood across the street from a little pub that Adam and I had visited after a day of shopping. I was desperate for the loo and it was the first public place we came across. There were lots of young professionals standing outside enjoying the summer weather in their suits. A little further along there is a row of Italian restaurants were couples and friends sit out on the pavement and enjoy wine and good food. I was suddenly stuck by how much I love this city, for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it's not really possible to be lost in London. Just keep walking and eventually you'll come to a train station that will take you wherever you want to go. There is always a bus or train. Secondly, it's just amazing. For a girl like me, I love the hustle and bustle of central London. I love the history, the variety of people and the fashion. I really feel there is something for everyone in London. I suppose, except for the husband.
I will honestly miss living here when/if I get my green card approved.
In regards to the move, I have a little counter at the top of my blog, counting the days since we begun this process. I am glad that the husband got to visit back in May because it helped to breakdown the time we've spent apart. I'm missing him something terrible but I'm also aware of the fact that in order to be with him again, I need to say goodbye to my best friends and my family. At the moment, we're waiting for the US Embassy to process my green card application and assign me an interview date. I am still hopeful that I'll be able to move at the start of October but we shall see. It's just a waiting game.
After everything that has been going down in London, Adam is eager to get me moved over already. And no matter how much I say, I can take care of myself and I'm always careful, he would much rather he were able to protect me. Speaking of protection, the husband recently purchased a gun. Obviously, being back in the US he can carry his knives and get a carry license for a gun. I've always known my husband is a typical Southern County Boy...in fact, I store him in my phone as "country boy husband"...but I'm not sure yet how comfortable I feel about guns. Obviously, I've never seen or held a gun in real life. So when the husband says he wants to get one for me, I am a little wary. We've come to the agreement that if I take a gun safety class and practise at a shooting range, he can get me a pretty pink one. Only if I feel totally comfortable with it. I'm super aware of the fact that if I have a gun but don't know how to use it, I can do myself more damage than good.
I've never had any incidents living in such a big city and I love that everything is just a short train ride away. I really do love my city. Before I move, I am planning to have a London day out where I do all the tourist things I take for granted!
So a little about what's been dominating the news over here...or at least my opinion on what's been going down.
When the news came out that a man was shot by police, it made headline news because it doesn't happen every day over here. Even with the riots and violence, police aren't even allowed to use rubber bullets. Your average Bobby doesn't patrol with a gun, they have pepper spray and a truncheon. That's it. For them to come locked and loaded, they would have been lead to believe that the suspect was armed.
Mark Duggan was shot by police after it was alleged that he shot a police officer. The details of this incident are still hazy and the official report has not yet been completed.
The family, understandably upset and confused, decided to hold a protest outside their local police station to get answers. And answers they did not get. I don't know how this isolated incident managed to spread violence across the country.
My opinion is this. To carry a gun or even a replica gun (which can sometimes be modified to shoot) is a crime. If someone held a replica gun in my face I would not know the difference. The police have every right to defend themselves if someone is making threats with a gun. I can not see any justifiable reason for this young man to have a gun. I clearly think there is more to the story than what has been reported so far but we cannot speculate until the investigation is over.
If it were my loved one shot, I would want answers but unfortunately, these things take time. It takes even longer when police resources are being spent trying to stop rioters.
There is never any justifiable reason to act like an animal. To cause criminal damage, to loot, to set fires, to attack and kill not only your fellow human being but your neighbour. The actions of these groups of criminals, totally disgusts me. These are not normal, functioning human beings and they are a drain on our country. I like the idea of cutting their benefits and kicking them out of their government provided home. It is because so much is given to them for nothing, that they think they have the right to take from decent hard working individuals. I am all about naming and shaming them, turning in anyone you know and issuing strong prison sentences. This behaviour is not acceptable and its time that message is sent. I wish that my government could appreciate how much people love this country because maybe if they did, they would make the changes that would allow Britain to be Great again.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
