ANTI-WAR PROTESTORS - get a job

[Zeitgeist]

Re: Re: Re: ANTI-WAR PROTESTORS - get a job

More dangerous than when, Zeitgeist?

More dangerous I believe than before the US/UK invasion of Iraq. The Middle East has always been volitile. Sadam was evil, but as a threat to World peace, he was a busted flush. He was being kept in check by the no-fly restrictions and sanctions. Iraq has now been completely de-stabilsed. The radical fundimentalists of that area now have a common focus to attack in their own back yard. Iraq will simply turn into what Lebanon was like during the eighties, lots of different factions in an out of control state. This situation IMO, has made the World a more dangerous place.

This invasion had nothing to do with the war on terror. It was golden opportunity for Bush and his oil barron paymasters to get their hands on the second biggest oil reserves in the area. Sure, Sadam was an evil tyrant. The US conveinently turn a blind eye to the Saudi's human rights record though. Why? Could the fact 25% of the US's oil supplies come from that country have a bearing? Most of Africa is rulled by despots. No word of liberating those places though.......

 

[El Presidente]

Same here, Focus is a big no no, and if a Nescafe advert as much as comes on TV I switch channels

 

[marvin]

Yorkie I only follow those I think is something i should. i look at a situation and see if its something I personally want nothing with.

For instance I don't boycott Nestle' (I use Gold Blend won't use anything else) I don't see it an issue for me. I'm lousy at being organised, too individual, too free radical in my thinking which is what makes me a lousy employee but a great employer as I am always willing to challenge the norm. (my staff have lower wages than normal but 39 days holiday a year including 1 day per year party leave. Well its what i call it! Its paid time off for joint celebratory activities like the Christmas lunch etc. Believe me it will be all the rage sooner or later this 2 months a year off.)

Here is a list of the "ethical" boycotts and Focus Do It All is there but not for the reason's we would put it there.

http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/boycotts/boycotts_list.htm

 

[Yorkie]

Thanks all.

 

[fatbadger]

Easy 10 - get a life. Or a brain. Either would help.

 

[Meade's Ball]

Yorkie, i don't see how anything can be better than marching through the streets.

yesterday was a great day. An exhausting day of slow shuffling through London. Met some really nice people, had some laughs, made whatever point i could and went home happy and tipsy.

 

[Easy 10]

Tch.
As stated in later posts, I acknowledged and am fully aware that not ALL the people in the demo were soap-dodging Swampy types. Fair play to the ones who are genuinely there to make a point because of their beliefs, but there are also plenty of rent-a-mob layabouts who turn up to these events for no good reason other than the buzz of it all, and they get on my tits. We saw them in Brighton sitting in the bloody road as well.

Nothing wrong with kicking off a thread with a nice big sweeping generalisation to get a debate going, is there.

 

[tedebear]

Cynical as I am the funny thing is that there is often a percentage of people who turn up for these marches who are easily identifiable as "career" protestors....case in point: Did anyone see the documentary after the May day riots against capitalism - there was a small few of these "rent a crowd" types who got a bit peckish and stopped off at McDonalds.... obviously done their homework...

 

[Meade's Ball]

You could not name a human being innocent of hypocricy, so why the need to pick holes in people's efforts? If some are inconsistent, so what?

 

[tedebear]

not picking holes in anyones efforts - there are true people out there who are making a stance for what they believe in, and people who stick by the principles they have set themselves....

Just making the comment that there are a small minority who spoil peaceful and intelligent demonstrations but showing disrespect and complete lack of thought for what they are doing...

the small minority always gets the press too!!

 

[Meade's Ball]

I would feel more pride in being a career protester than a career accountant, for instance. I know lots of people who could be considered the former, and they've spent a vast portion of their lives battling and struggling for what they believe in. And its not for their personal gain.
I'm a bitter, tired old knobhead, but i retain at least some admiration for those daring enough to make noise.

 

[Meade's Ball]

To me, it sounds more like the problem is with the press rather than the protesters then.

 

[tedebear]

To me, it sounds more like the problem is with the press rather than the protesters then.

of course - it always is!!

btw I am a career accountant...

 

[Meade's Ball]

of course - it always is!!

btw I am a career accountant...

I'm a career knobhead and seem to be veering toward promotion.



I only protest to make my own point. I wouldn't be interested in telling you how to live your life. SO, please, account away.

 

[Easy 10]

Its worth bearing in mind that there is also some very sharply divided opinion amongst the Iraqi people over the Iraq war and the toppling of the Saddam regime. One Iraqi woman they interviewed on 5-Live last night had lost family members to that regime, and was almost certain that her two sons would have been amongst the bodies recovered in the mass grave. Although the aftermath of the war in Iraq has left the country in turmoil, she was pleased and relieved that the regime had been removed, did not go along with the protestors anti-war stance, and was happy that the USA and GB had intervened.

They later interviewed an Iraqi man who said that his country was now in chaos and he was very anti Blair / Bush. I just hope those demonstrating were not under the impression that they were somehow representing or protesting on behalf of the Iraqi people.

 

[Meade's Ball]

People are against Bush for myriad reasons, and i didn't hear much talk of people representing the Iraqi people. The only parts i heard were from Iraqi people themselves, still exiled here protesting against the type of violent regime change.

Personally, i speak for myself. Luckily, i can.

 

[Yorkie]

If people want to march the streets protesting then they are free to do so in this country.

My question is, what good does it actually do? Apart from being reported on the tv and in the press.

George Bush certainly wouldn't have taken any notice of it.

That's why I was more interested in the boycotting of businesses (Focus/DIY has been on my list for a while anyway)

Btw my feelings about the visit of George Bush is that it is a waste of money.
Other American presidents have visited this country without the need for a full State visit.

 

[Easy 10]

I only mention it as I also heard a protester interviewed who seemed to be on her own moral crusade on behalf of the Iraqi people, saying along the lines of "conditions in Iraq are now far far worse than before Bush and Blair decided to go in" etc.
As you say, people are there on all kinds of different agendas, but the bottom line for most, if not all, being "WE HATE BUSH".

 

[Meade's Ball]

Yorkie, what would be the point in protesting against anything? Ideally, this activity has a domino effect and more people take off their raggedy coats of apathy and educate themselves.
Bush will never hear a bad word said about him. But does that mean people should stay quiet or indoors? How bad do things have to be before a stand needs to be taken?
Its a viable form of expression. The only one we really have outside of shouting at the tv or whining in the pub, as i tend to do at other times.

 

[brighton rock]