That’s a line from Mark Steyn’s latest book, After America. Here’s another example:
Essex police charge man over water fight planned on BlackBerry Messenger
A 20-year-old is due in court after police discover alleged plans for a Colchester water fight circulating on BBM and Facebook
A man will appear before magistrates next month for allegedly trying to organise a mass water fight via his mobile phone.
The prime minister said last week that the government would investigate whether social networking platforms should be shut down if they helped to “plot” crime in the wake of the riots.
The 20-year-old from Colchester was arrested on Friday after Essex police discovered the alleged plans circulating on the BlackBerry Messenger service and Facebook.
The unnamed man has been charged with “encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence” under the 2007 Serious Crime Act, police said.
He was arrested with another 20-year-old man the day the water fight was allegedly due to take place, and has been bailed to appear before Colchester magistrates on 1 September. The second man was released without charge.
Surely “water fight” is a euphemism for some kind of riot?
Well, no:
In 2008 there was a spate of mass water fights in British towns and cities that were organised through social networks. Most remained peaceful.
From that second link:
A GIRL was punched to the ground by a thug – after a public water fight organised on website Facebook spiralled into violence.
Nine men were held after punch-ups erupted among 250 people – some reported to be carrying knives – in a park.
One muscle-bound thug flew into a rage after a girl playfully squirted fizzy drink over his T-shirt. He chased after the laughing teenager and sent her flying with a right hook.
Then he stood over her menacingly until other shocked revellers pulled him away. One said later: “She was lifted completely off her feet.
Around 250 people had gathered in London’s Hyde Park to cool off with water pistols in the heat – but the event turned sour as visitors reported seeing men “flashing their weapons”.
So, let me get this straight: Setting up a fight with water guns and water balloons is now a crime??
Only in England. And apparently Iran.