...in really hating the term 'scum'?

[woollyideas]

It seems like such an awful and judgmental word and, to me, says more about the person using it than it does about the people it's directed at.

"It's mindboggling that people think that the rioters are too overprivileged!! The fact that they come from the most deprived areas is neither here nor there I suppose..."

Perhaps in London, but not other places. I have said this on other threads, so sorry, but in my city the gangs where being co-ordinated by men in 4x4's, expensive cars and vans. They were passing details on to young men (19+) on decent bikes. I wonder how much 'trouble' was caused to keep the police busy, so criminal activity (movement of guns, drugs etc) could be carried out.

There are people who are victims of circumstance, there is a massive lack of investment in services, there are people who realistically have little opportunities or choice in how they live. But i also know people who can be described as nothing but scum. YABU.

It's actually not a great word, since scum floats, so these people would better be described as dregs.

Where do you live birds?

yanbu

We should not call them nasty names because it might upset them. They are the victims in all this not the innocent people who are kicked to death and murdered

I say we should call them naughty people

on second thoughts is naughty a little bit harsh?

lets just call them people

piper How dare you pigeon-hole them like that? People indeed.

Does anyone else find it unbelievably condescending to "judge circumstances but not people" ?

I do not have a lot of money, never have had. I have lived in rural MidWestern America for my entire life. But if anyone ever suggested that I did or felt things because "poor dear, her circumstances " I'd be furious.

Some of the rioters are children, but many are not. I expect grown men and women to ACT like it.

Some people are scum though. Although it isn't a word I use, just because I prefer sleazebags and ass holes.

Child abusers, rapists, spouse abusers, are scum. Labelling someone scum because they're on JSA or something would be fucking stupid. Yes.

I agree cheerful, I feel genuinely devastaed for any children out there, but the parents who know their children are out there or are involvled themselves. No circumstances shoudl excuse it really.

Sometimes a spade is just a spade.

When they are caught and put before a court they will tell us the sorry tale of their lives and we must all feel sorry for them! That is why society is so shit, if you had a bad childhood you can do what you like because everyone will feel bad for you, after all it's not your fault! Bollocks they know what they are doing is wrong they just don't give a shit, that is what makes them scum

The real threat to those poor dead men in Birmingham did not come from an "attitude like this" , it came from an asshole behind the wheel of a car!

The thing is, if the police are just going to stand there and watch, people will lose faith in them and vigilante groups will form. Is that better?

its a class word, innit?

as is say "one would not do that sort of thing would one?"