Climate change protestors - decent cause, absolute fannies.

[lyonhibs]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11062700

There was a thread about these jumped up hippies elsewhere, but I can't find it.

Turns out these ********s may have poured an oil like substance (presumably a metaphor for them protesting at RBS apparent indiscretions in investing in oil drilling companies - or something) onto a main road - the A8 no less. Thankfully it got cleaned up pronto, but it elevates these smelly tinkers from their previous status as "irritating hippies" to "life-endangering pricks"

Thankfully, their latest vandalism appears to have pissed off the police, who claim their operation has moved into its "reactive phase"

From the article:

"What we were hoping to achieve is to continue to work with the protesters and allow them to protest. Officers have been policing the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland
"However, the rules of engagement have now changed and we need to think about a more robust policing response, which we always did envisage maybe being the case and that was communicated early on.
"Work with us, respect our city and we will give you as much support as we can. However, you failed to do that yesterday and changed the rules."



Good.


Hopefully this means that if they keep up their random and disruptive acts of vandalism, they'll get fined/chucked in jail.


Idiots.

[Twa Cairpets]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11062700

There was a thread about these jumped up hippies elsewhere, but I can't find it.

Turns out these ********s may have poured an oil like substance (presumably a metaphor for them protesting at RBS apparent indiscretions in investing in oil drilling companies - or something) onto a main road - the A8 no less. Thankfully it got cleaned up pronto, but it elevates these smelly tinkers from their previous status as "irritating hippies" to "life-endangering pricks"

Thankfully, their latest vandalism appears to have pissed off the police, who claim their operation has moved into its "reactive phase"

From the article:

"What we were hoping to achieve is to continue to work with the protesters and allow them to protest. Officers have been policing the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland
"However, the rules of engagement have now changed and we need to think about a more robust policing response, which we always did envisage maybe being the case and that was communicated early on.
"Work with us, respect our city and we will give you as much support as we can. However, you failed to do that yesterday and changed the rules."



Good.


Hopefully this means that if they keep up their random and disruptive acts of vandalism, they'll get fined/chucked in jail.


Idiots.

Even as a fully paid up member of the liberal left, and firm believer in freedom of expression and the like, I cant disagree with a single piece of this post from the title through to the last full stop. :top marks

[hibsbollah]

Its very irritating that this has been the news for days now and neither the media or the protestors have shown any interest in explaining why the RBS has been targeted:confused: They invest in companies that carry out environmentally dubious projects? Doesn't every banking house in the capitalist world? what makes RBS such a target?

[EskbankHibby]

Its very irritating that this has been the news for days now and neither the media or the protestors have shown any interest in explaining why the RBS has been targeted:confused: They invest in companies that carry out environmentally dubious projects? Doesn't every banking house in the capitalist world? what makes RBS such a target?

Easily accessible and spacious, just off the bypass and room for loads of tents and guitars.

[Pretty Boy]

I had to walk past these dicks on my way to a job interview the other day. Was roundly taunted and abused both going past and coming back.

I managed to engage one particularly vocal girl in conversation after she told me to '**** off back to my gas guzzler'. I politely replied i had walked there and didn't drive, i also informed her i was generally quite sympathetic to the green cause. She seemed bemused when i laughed at her when she informed me without the slightest hint of irony that she had 'flown up especially from London for the protest' and was planning on 'causing havoc at the airport later in the week' if she got a chance.

These people are not enviromentalists, they are attention seekers.

[Jack]

Why did they remove the protestors who glued themselves to some doors? Could they not just have left them there? :confused:

[Gatecrasher]

I had to walk past these dicks on my way to a job interview the other day. Was roundly taunted and abused both going past and coming back.

I managed to engage one particularly vocal girl in conversation after she told me to '**** off back to my gas guzzler'. I politely replied i had walked there and didn't drive, i also informed her i was generally quite sympathetic to the green cause. She seemed bemused when i laughed at her when she informed me without the slightest hint of irony that she had 'flown up especially from London for the protest' and was planning on 'causing havoc at the airport later in the week' if she got a chance.

These people are not enviromentalists, they are attention seekers.

even though i dont own one i would have told her to leave me alone while i make my way to my 6Ltr V8 with 7 MPG and i love driving it for no reason :greengrin


I hope the police deal with these losers to the full extent of the law :agree:

[J-C]

As a taxi driver, I've seen a fair bit of what's going on recently and for the life of me I cannot understand their reasoning for choosing the RBS for this demo. I understand that the bank and others, invest and give loans to major corporations bur surely their argumaent would've had more substance if they had at least targetted say Grangemouth or any other mayor commercial busines which pollutes our skies.

What's so rediculous is the fact that how on earth did these people arrive here in Edinburgh, no doubt by car/van/bus/train/plane, which in isaelf is one hefty eco footprint, which makes their demo a laughing stock.

Then instead of a peaceful demo where people might think about what they're doing and side with them, they start breaking windows and causing mayhem with oils and spray paints, turning the people against them.

I'm no right winger, or far left but these people just annoy the **** out me, when they start acting the way the have been,the police have every right to be a wee bit heavy handed, damaging property is the same as the yobs in the streets damaging cars and throwing bricks through windows, and should be treated the same.

[MSK]

I had to walk past these dicks on my way to a job interview the other day. Was roundly taunted and abused both going past and coming back.

I managed to engage one particularly vocal girl in conversation after she told me to '**** off back to my gas guzzler'. I politely replied i had walked there and didn't drive, i also informed her i was generally quite sympathetic to the green cause. She seemed bemused when i laughed at her when she informed me without the slightest hint of irony that she had 'flown up especially from London for the protest' and was planning on 'causing havoc at the airport later in the week' if she got a chance.

These people are not enviromentalists, they are attention seekers.Quality ..thick as mince eh ..?..:greengrin

I liked the one on STV news when the lassie justified the smashing of the banks windows ..reporter "why the destruction of property, why the smashing of windows ?" ...thick lassie "Cos the banks support the oil blah blah blah:blah:" ...reporter but does that justify smashing windows ? " ..thick lassie "yes"...reporter .. "why ?" thick lassie..."Cos the banks support the oil blah blah blah:blah:" .....:crazy:....:greengrin

Ive no doubt some are up to make a point but there seem to be many just up for the ride...esp the sick ****ers who poured that substance on the road ..total thickwits ..

[Baw Baggio]

There were a few of these ********s protesting at my girfriends work yesterday.

When staff tried to stop them from storming the building these ****ers used violence to gain entry.

Don't they realise that their actions stop people from supporting their cause?

[Phil D. Rolls]

Firstly, I hope I am not the only one to have spotted the irony in the head of L&B police board hinting that the costs of policing this protest might result in cuts to officers on the beat. I kind of thought that everyone knew by now that the reason our nation has a hole in it's budget is not anarchists, or hippies, but the fact that we had to bail out RBS and other like minded criminals after their reckless behaviour on the world money markets.

Second, I would hope that RBS have spent enough on making their Lubianka secure enough to resist attacks by treacle bombs. Maybe not, we all know they aren't the world's brightest.

Third, if there is a genuine threat to our planet from fossil fuels (I accept the if) should we be supporting those who redirect capital to those doing the damage; or, is it saner to back those who want to do something about stopping it?

Fourth, it's come to a sad state of affairs when we feel more sorry for people in suits living off other people's sweat than those who - although sweaty, and possibly poorly dressed - are prepared to stand up for morals.

We all know people who are employees of RBS, and I think it is too much to ask them to throw themselves off that nice bridge over the A8. They've got lives to lead and work for their living.

At the same time, let's not forget - once the cuts hit us (they are already well underway, as I can confirm to my personal cost) - who got us in this mess. We're all in this together, but some carry a lot more blame - shame is beyond them - for how this all came about.

[I'm_cabbaged]

Firstly, I hope I am not the only one to have spotted the irony in the head of L&B police board hinting that the costs of policing this protest might result in cuts to officers on the beat. I kind of thought that everyone knew by now that the reason our nation has a hole in it's budget is not anarchists, or hippies, but the fact that we had to bail out RBS and other like minded criminals after their reckless behaviour on the world money markets.

Second, I would hope that RBS have spent enough on making their Lubianka secure enough to resist attacks by treacle bombs. Maybe not, we all know they aren't the world's brightest.

Third, if there is a genuine threat to our planet from fossil fuels (I accept the if) should we be supporting those who redirect capital to those doing the damage; or, is it saner to back those who want to do something about stopping it?

Fourth, it's come to a sad state of affairs when we feel more sorry for people in suits living off other people's sweat than those who - although sweaty, and possibly poorly dressed - are prepared to stand up for morals.

We all know people who are employees of RBS, and I think it is too much to ask them to throw themselves off that nice bridge over the A8. They've got lives to lead and work for their living.

At the same time, let's not forget - once the cuts hit us (they are already well underway, as I can confirm to my personal cost) - who got us in this mess. We're all in this together, but some carry a lot more blame - shame is beyond them - for how this all came about.

Can't argue with any of that, but you surely can't defend the pouring of an oil like substance on the A8?
Just watched the news there and folk have flown over from Canada ffs. As mentioned above the irony of it is unbelievable.

[(((Fergus)))]

What RBS pays in taxes these ********s receive in giros

[Phil D. Rolls]

Can't argue with any of that, but you surely can't defend the pouring of an oil like substance on the A8?
Just watched the news there and folk have flown over from Canada ffs. As mentioned above the irony of it is unbelievable.

The only defence I can offer is that the guys are trying to get publicity for their cause. Major disruption would bring big publicity.

It is ironic about the flights from Canada, I suppose they can justify it by offsetting their Carbon footprint.

My real thrust was the fact that poor ole RBS, in their safe middle class haven are being painted as victims here. They have a case to answer - so far their responses have been lame.

Meanwhile, people are judging the protestors for their lifestyle rather than the questions they ask.

I think that the public really need to open their eyes. Yet, like those queuing for the gas chambers, they prefer to do anything other than admit the truth.

No amount of smiling faced girls, deejaying or local bank managers telling us how much they are on our side, can offset the mess that has been caused by the wilfully reckless behaviour of the banks.

Or maybe it does, because the majority of posts on here seem to support the bank.


What RBS pays in taxes these ********s receive in giros

What RBS owes the Exchequer could pay for a lot more. Let's not be under any illusions about who has taken more money out of our country.

[Skanko79]

if these tree hugging hippys were football fans the truncheons would have been out long ago. abusing folk in the street, causing nuisance and gaining entry to places they shouldnt. busys should get there act together and start knocking these wee plebs about. they moan about all facets of life and our government but are happy enough living of it. get a job and stop moaning you little creeps.

[Twa Cairpets]

The only defence I can offer is that the guys are trying to get publicity for their cause. Major disruption would bring big publicity.

It is ironic about the flights from Canada, I suppose they can justify it by offsetting their Carbon footprint.

My real thrust was the fact that poor ole RBS, in their safe middle class haven are being painted as victims here. They have a case to answer - so far their responses have been lame.

Meanwhile, people are judging the protestors for their lifestyle rather than the questions they ask.

I think that the public really need to open their eyes. Yet, like those queuing for the gas chambers, they prefer to do anything other than admit the truth.

No amount of smiling faced girls, deejaying or local bank managers telling us how much they are on our side, can offset the mess that has been caused by the wilfully reckless behaviour of the banks.

Or maybe it does, because the majority of posts on here seem to support the bank.

I think the majority of posts are anti-protestor, not pro-bank.
There are attacks on the lifestyle of the protestors because it seems to be a kind of professional anti-everything anarchist position of "just being very angry about stuff" rather than having any coherent cause.

I think the gas-chamber analogy is somewhat off-colour, and not particularly accurate. Elements of the bank acted massively irresponsibly, but so did every major banking institution and government on the planet. That doesnt make it right, but makes this kind of rambling attention-seeking protest genuinely pointless. Its also worth remembering that, warts and all, RBS is responsible for a huge amount of the Scottish National GDP.

If people really want to make a point that will make people think, protest in a way that people will engage with, rather than react with exactly the sort of instant ad hominem loathing you've pointed out.

[J-C]

Surely the point here is that all the major banks throughout the western world fund fossil fuel companies, this is what banks do! they give monies to companies and in return they earn money from the loans given.

We'd have given the people more backing if they had protested against the actual companies who promote climate change due to their company policies, e.g. Grangemouth/ICI/BP/Shell/Ford etc etc.

Causing disruption and chaos to the lives of normal everyday people at their places of work is just not on and they should be treated as any other person who causes such trouble, arrested asap and given a large fine to pay for the policing and damage caused.

[Removed]

No amount of smiling faced girls, deejaying or local bank managers telling us how much they are on our side, can offset the mess that has been caused by the wilfully reckless behaviour of the banks.

You forgetting about the greed and dishonesty of those who borrow way beyond their means unable to pay it back.

[Ed De Gramo]

bunch of tree hugging hippies.....

round them up and hose the barstewards....probably the first wash they've had in several years

[Woody1985]

Round up some youngsters from Clerrie and let them loose in the middle of the hippie ****s and see how long they're standing around.

Pouring diesel (or whatever) on a major city road FFS. Idiots, they deserve a good licking.

[CropleyWasGod]

You forgetting about the greed and dishonesty of those who borrow way beyond their means unable to pay it back.

... supported by the lax controls of those who would lend them that money, without carrying out the most basic of checks.

[Removed]

... supported by the lax controls of those who would lend them that money, without carrying out the most basic of checks.

So it's ok to lie then?

[CropleyWasGod]

So it's ok to lie then?

Not at all. Didn't say or imply that it is.

But the fact is that the eagerness of all banks to throw money at people encouraged over-borrowing.

Now, of course, they have returned to the regime that was in place 15-20 years ago, with strict diligence in place. The result is that many responsible businesses and individuals, who took out finance in good faith and under the rules in place a few years ago, are now suffering for the faux-largesse of recent years.

[Removed]

Not at all. Didn't say or imply that it is.

But the fact is that the eagerness of all banks to throw money at people encouraged over-borrowing.

Now, of course, they have returned to the regime that was in place 15-20 years ago, with strict diligence in place. The result is that many responsible businesses and individuals, who took out finance in good faith and under the rules in place a few years ago, are now suffering for the faux-largesse of recent years.

Don't disagree with any of that except bit in bold where I am more on the fence - there are multiple reasons for the economic boom in recent years. Was the banks eagerness to throw money at people the catalyst or did consumer greed influence lending policy.

[CropleyWasGod]

Don't disagree with any of that except bit in bold where I am more on the fence - there are multiple reasons for the economic boom in recent years. Was the banks eagerness to throw money at people the catalyst or did consumer greed influence lending policy.

Of course, it's not as simple as they way I put it. I would also put the Government in the dock for deregulating the industry in the way that they did.

[Phil D. Rolls]

You forgetting about the greed and dishonesty of those who borrow way beyond their means unable to pay it back.

The banks played on people's greed, lending them money when it was clear they were taking a big risk. Mortgages at 4 x salary etc.

If the banks were unable to assess the risks of lending to individuals, then they were in a bigger shambles than was first thought. Dishonesty is one thing, incompetence is another.

Let's not forget the banks' dishonesty and immorality, selling dodgy insurance products on the back of their loans. Then of course there's the charges that they levy on people such as £35 per transaction when overdrawn, even if it's just by a penny.


Of course, it's not as simple as they way I put it. I would also put the Government in the dock for deregulating the industry in the way that they did.

Putting the banks in charge of their own regualtion was like leaving junkies in charge of a chemist.

At the end of the day it shows how much power they had though that they could get governments to allow them to act outside the law.

[Phil D. Rolls]

I think the majority of posts are anti-protestor, not pro-bank.
There are attacks on the lifestyle of the protestors because it seems to be a kind of professional anti-everything anarchist position of "just being very angry about stuff" rather than having any coherent cause.

I think the gas-chamber analogy is somewhat off-colour, and not particularly accurate. Elements of the bank acted massively irresponsibly, but so did every major banking institution and government on the planet. That doesnt make it right, but makes this kind of rambling attention-seeking protest genuinely pointless. Its also worth remembering that, warts and all, RBS is responsible for a huge amount of the Scottish National GDP.

If people really want to make a point that will make people think, protest in a way that people will engage with, rather than react with exactly the sort of instant ad hominem loathing you've pointed out.

I think the lifestyle of the protestors is secondary to the issue they are protesting about.

The thing about the gas chambers is that the Nazis needed people to walk into them calmly. There were many more internees than guards, and they had in their hands to overthrow their captors. Yet, despite that, they refused to believe the evidence of their own eyes and continued to kid themselves on that they were really going for a shower.

It's horrible, and I think the way that people are still desperately hanging onto a status quo that has been shown - time and time again - to be unworkable is very similair. It's all so like the Emperors New Clothes, with everyone terrified to accept that the banks really don't act in humanity's interests.

Personally, I am with others, I think this protest is an ill thought out one, and who knows what the politics of the campaigners is. It may well be a campaign by the leader to get himself noted in the wider protest movement.

At the end of the day though, some of the stuff on here is on a par with putting machine guns at pit heads to make sure the miners didn't strike.

If you were to go back 25 years and substitute the word "hippies" for "miners", then the same sentiments would be apt.

There's a lot of inverted snobbery, showing a bitterness against those who chose to walk a different road from "normal" people - whatever they are.

[bighairyfaeleith]

No idea what this protest thing is about, and TBH I can't be arsed finding out, but spilling oil on a major road, one that I drive along reguarly is an act that could kill and the people responsible should be charged accordingly.

Imagine a mum and small kid were driving back from a mornings shopping in the gyle and suddenly involved in a major crash. Doesn't bare thinking about.

No defence for this sort of action, none at all.

Now dropping cats in bins:greengrin

[J-C]

I think the lifestyle of the protestors is secondary to the issue they are protesting about.

The thing about the gas chambers is that the Nazis needed people to walk into them calmly. There were many more internees than guards, and they had in their hands to overthrow their captors. Yet, despite that, they refused to believe the evidence of their own eyes and continued to kid themselves on that they were really going for a shower.

It's horrible, and I think the way that people are still desperately hanging onto a status quo that has been shown - time and time again - to be unworkable is very similair. It's all so like the Emperors New Clothes, with everyone terrified to accept that the banks really don't act in humanity's interests.

Personally, I am with others, I think this protest is an ill thought out one, and who knows what the politics of the campaigners is. It may well be a campaign by the leader to get himself noted in the wider protest movement.

At the end of the day though, some of the stuff on here is on a par with putting machine guns at pit heads to make sure the miners didn't strike.

If you were to go back 25 years and substitute the word "hippies" for "miners", then the same sentiments would be apt.

There's a lot of inverted snobbery, showing a bitterness against those who chose to walk a different road from "normal" people - whatever they are.


But surely the fact that these people have decided to turn this demo into a very violent one has infact turned any support they may have had against them. Most people would agree that we are polluting our planet and somethings have to be changed for the better but surely a major bank is not the reason for climate change, the industries that the banks lend to are and these are the companies that should've been demonstrated against.

The stories from people on here who have had dealings with these demonstrators, swearing at them and giving general abuse shows the stupidity and banality of the majority of these so called 'hippies', thick as mince and only up her for a bit of argy bargy and to cause havoc and mayhem.:confused::grr:

[Twa Cairpets]

At the end of the day though, some of the stuff on here is on a par with putting machine guns at pit heads to make sure the miners didn't strike.

If you were to go back 25 years and substitute the word "hippies" for "miners", then the same sentiments would be apt.

There's a lot of inverted snobbery, showing a bitterness against those who chose to walk a different road from "normal" people - whatever they are.

Bollox. On two counts.

1) Comparison with the miners strike is miles off the mark. Other than both were a protest, everything else about these situations is different.
2) The inverted snobbery is in the blanket acceptance of the protestors rights to do whatever they damn well please because they're "differently minded". I freely admit to having prejudice against some people - of course I do, I'm human - and gap year anarchists and professional hippies who decry the establishment but aren't too proud to use it to their benefit when it's in their favour fall into the category of people I have very, very little time for. People absolutely should be allowed to freely protest about things, but at the very least they should have an idea of cause-and-effect, of what they want to achieve, of seeking to actively change the world if that is what they want to do.

Smearing a trunk road with oil, gluing yourself to a door or throwing flour bombs isn't really going to advance the cause, is it. Assuming of course they have the slightest clue what the cause is, and aren't just getting their rocks off on being ever so naughty and radical.

[Corstorphine Hibby]

The only defence I can offer is that the guys are trying to get publicity for their cause. Major disruption would bring big publicity.

It is ironic about the flights from Canada, I suppose they can justify it by offsetting their Carbon footprint.

My real thrust was the fact that poor ole RBS, in their safe middle class haven are being painted as victims here. They have a case to answer - so far their responses have been lame.

Meanwhile, people are judging the protestors for their lifestyle rather than the questions they ask.

I think that the public really need to open their eyes. Yet, like those queuing for the gas chambers, they prefer to do anything other than admit the truth.

No amount of smiling faced girls, deejaying or local bank managers telling us how much they are on our side, can offset the mess that has been caused by the wilfully reckless behaviour of the banks.

Or maybe it does, because the majority of posts on here seem to support the bank.



What RBS owes the Exchequer could pay for a lot more. Let's not be under any illusions about who has taken more money out of our country.



Let us also not forget the billions the banks paid into the Exchequer whilst the good times rolled.

I wasn't aware that the quantative easing equated to money, as you put it, being taken out of the country.

[lyonhibs]

Bollox. On two counts.

1) Comparison with the miners strike is miles off the mark. Other than both were a protest, everything else about these situations is different.
2) The inverted snobbery is in the blanket acceptance of the protestors rights to do whatever they damn well please because they're "differently minded". I freely admit to having prejudice against some people - of course I do, I'm human - and gap year anarchists and professional hippies who decry the establishment but aren't too proud to use it to their benefit when it's in their favour fall into the category of people I have very, very little time for. People absolutely should be allowed to freely protest about things, but at the very least they should have an idea of cause-and-effect, of what they want to achieve, of seeking to actively change the world if that is what they want to do.

Smearing a trunk road with oil, gluing yourself to a door or throwing flour bombs isn't really going to advance the cause, is it. Assuming of course they have the slightest clue what the cause is, and aren't just getting their rocks off on being ever so naughty and radical.

Couldn't agree more. These people aren't thinkers that have looked into the doubtless immense issue of climate change, they are folk with nothing better to do than go nuts against the RBS supposed involvement in nasty oil drilling, but have no more in-depth understanding of the situation beyond:

RBS = a bank = big = bad and ruining the environment = A chance to raise our rainbow flags and cause some disruption to the everyday lives of working folk.

These folk are like those "Anti-Globalism" thugs that terrorise their city centre of choice, tan in McDonalds windows whilst wearing Adidas baseball caps and Nike trainers.

And I'll give you "inverted snobbery" - to say that showing concern for affected RBS workers is to be questioned because they wear "suits", as if this automatically conferred a raised level of wealth or somehow implicated them directly in the environmental ills of the world

[Phil D. Rolls]

I've been hearing protestors described as long haired layabouts all my days.

Are these people that different from the students who took to the streets of Paris in 1968, or the people who went to Woodstock.


But surely the fact that these people have decided to turn this demo into a very violent one has infact turned any support they may have had against them. Most people would agree that we are polluting our planet and somethings have to be changed for the better but surely a major bank is not the reason for climate change, the industries that the banks lend to are and these are the companies that should've been demonstrated against.

The stories from people on here who have had dealings with these demonstrators, swearing at them and giving general abuse shows the stupidity and banality of the majority of these so called 'hippies', thick as mince and only up her for a bit of argy bargy and to cause havoc and mayhem.:confused::grr:

I think some people feel that quiet protest achieves nothing. Tbh, I've not paid much attention to the story, as I feel that TV distorts these things.

Sorry to bang on about the miners, but I remember the perception of what was going on in the strike was very difficult in London, because of what they saw on TV, than what it was in the mining areas.

I accept though, that you are having to work round the protest, and that you will have a better insight into what is going on than me. I just don't know how seriously violent it is.

I remember driving a cab during the G8, and seeing the reality of this massive protest that was going on. I fet that TV distorted that and made it seem a lot worse than it was.

I do remember being annoyed at the people who had come to do the demonstrating though. I felt it was just another summer festival for many of them. I have to admit to being hacked off at the lack of respect they showed to the city.

At the end of the day though, some of the things they were warning of - like the damage capitalism would do to society, are coming to pass. The banks did go too far, and seem to me like they haven't learned their lesson.


Bollox. On two counts.

1) Comparison with the miners strike is miles off the mark. Other than both were a protest, everything else about these situations is different.
2) The inverted snobbery is in the blanket acceptance of the protestors rights to do whatever they damn well please because they're "differently minded". I freely admit to having prejudice against some people - of course I do, I'm human - and gap year anarchists and professional hippies who decry the establishment but aren't too proud to use it to their benefit when it's in their favour fall into the category of people I have very, very little time for. People absolutely should be allowed to freely protest about things, but at the very least they should have an idea of cause-and-effect, of what they want to achieve, of seeking to actively change the world if that is what they want to do.

Smearing a trunk road with oil, gluing yourself to a door or throwing flour bombs isn't really going to advance the cause, is it. Assuming of course they have the slightest clue what the cause is, and aren't just getting their rocks off on being ever so naughty and radical.

On the subject of the miners strike, I am highlighting the fact that those standing up to authority are always painted blacker than those defending the establishment.

I'm human too, and feel much the same as other people about the "rent a mob" types that show up at these things. It's galling to think a lot of them have other things to fall back on, and I question how much humanity they genuinely have.

At the end of the day though, you have to look at the issues they are protesting against. I don't care much for politicians of any hue - I think the vast majority have their own agenda.

They didn't drop the oil on the road to kill people, they dropped it so that the road would be closed and cause disruption. Disruption is how people get noticed and any demonstration that doesn't halt the traffic is bound to fail. That is why there are so many marches on a Saturday in Edinburgh.

[MSK]

I've been hearing protestors described as long haired layabouts all my days.

Are these people that different from the students who took to the streets of Paris in 1968, or the people who went to Woodstock.



I think some people feel that quiet protest achieves nothing. Tbh, I've not paid much attention to the story, as I feel that TV distorts these things.

Sorry to bang on about the miners, but I remember the perception of what was going on in the strike was very difficult in London, because of what they saw on TV, than what it was in the mining areas.

I accept though, that you are having to work round the protest, and that you will have a better insight into what is going on than me. I just don't know how seriously violent it is.

I remember driving a cab during the G8, and seeing the reality of this massive protest that was going on. I fet that TV distorted that and made it seem a lot worse than it was.

I do remember being annoyed at the people who had come to do the demonstrating though. I felt it was just another summer festival for many of them. I have to admit to being hacked off at the lack of respect they showed to the city.

At the end of the day though, some of the things they were warning of - like the damage capitalism would do to society, are coming to pass. The banks did go too far, and seem to me like they haven't learned their lesson.



On the subject of the miners strike, I am highlighting the fact that those standing up to authority are always painted blacker than those defending the establishment.

I'm human too, and feel much the same as other people about the "rent a mob" types that show up at these things. It's galling to think a lot of them have other things to fall back on, and I question how much humanity they genuinely have.

At the end of the day though, you have to look at the issues they are protesting against. I don't care much for politicians of any hue - I think the vast majority have their own agenda.

They didn't drop the oil on the road to kill people, they dropped it so that the road would be closed and cause disruption. Disruption is how people get noticed and any demonstration that doesn't halt the traffic is bound to fail. That is why there are so many marches on a Saturday in Edinburgh.Why didnt they just stand on the road en mass..surely that would have caused disruption & the desired affect ...:agree:

[Phil D. Rolls]

Why didnt they just stand on the road en mass..surely that would have caused disruption & the desired affect ...:agree:

Maybe they didn't have enough people, or maybe their tactic was to avoid arrest. :dunno:

[MSK]

Maybe they didn't have enough people, or maybe their tactic was to avoid arrest. :dunno:But they went on a wrecking spree instead ..smashing windows & destroying property resulting in arrests ...that was well thought through ..:greengrin

[Phil D. Rolls]

But they went on a wrecking spree instead ..smashing windows & destroying property resulting in arrests ...that was well thought through ..:greengrin

er..........Thatcher's your real enemy!
:whistle:

[MSK]

er..........Thatcher's your real enemy!
:whistle:She will be top o my list ...:wink:

[Phil D. Rolls]

[/B]



Let us also not forget the billions the banks paid into the Exchequer whilst the good times rolled.

I wasn't aware that the quantative easing equated to money, as you put it, being taken out of the country.

Yes, they paid that money in out of the goodness of their hearts, and never sought to avoid one penny of corporation tax.

I'm out of my depth now, are you saying the cuts are nothing to do with bailing out the banks? If so, they must be for a different reason.

[Phil D. Rolls]

She will be top o my list ...:wink:

Hippy!

[ArabHibee]

The thing about the gas chambers is that the Nazis needed people to walk into them calmly. There were many more internees than guards, and they had in their hands to overthrow their captors. Yet, despite that, they refused to believe the evidence of their own eyes and continued to kid themselves on that they were really going for a shower.

:wtf:
I cannot believe you wrote this! Have a word with yourself!!

[--------]

Bollox. On two counts.

1) Comparison with the miners strike is miles off the mark. Other than both were a protest, everything else about these situations is different.

2) The inverted snobbery is in the blanket acceptance of the protestors rights to do whatever they damn well please because they're "differently minded". I freely admit to having prejudice against some people - of course I do, I'm human - and gap year anarchists and professional hippies who decry the establishment but aren't too proud to use it to their benefit when it's in their favour fall into the category of people I have very, very little time for. People absolutely should be allowed to freely protest about things, but at the very least they should have an idea of cause-and-effect, of what they want to achieve, of seeking to actively change the world if that is what they want to do.

Smearing a trunk road with oil, gluing yourself to a door or throwing flour bombs isn't really going to advance the cause, is it. Assuming of course they have the slightest clue what the cause is, and aren't just getting their rocks off on being ever so naughty and radical.




:top marks

Professional environmental protestors who fly in for the demo and then fly out again having caused as much random havoc as possible don't impress.

Nor do people who endanger other people's lives by spreading an oil slick on a major trunk road.

Nor do I see them as following in the honourable tradition of non-violent protest as practised by people who DID know what they were protesting about, like Mahatma Ghandi and Dr Martin Luther King.

I was watching a documentary last night about Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, the couple who hunted Klaus Barbie and forced the French and German governments (and, amazingly, the Peruvian and Bolivian military juntas as well) to finally take Barbie's appalling crimes seriously.

Their protest cost them nearly 20 years of extremely hard work, of demonstrating in very dangerous places, of lobbying, of protesting by letter, in person, on TV and radio, until finally a pro-democracy Bolivian government arrested the creep and deported him to France to stand trial.

They were threatened by Bolivian secret police and by all sorts of other neo-Nazi and Fascist ****, but persisted in their concern for simple justice and decency until they won. I have the very highest respect for people like them - they possess a courage and determination I wish I could emulate.

There's a world of difference between those who work and fight to make a real difference, and the sort of professional gap-year hippies and drop-outs we're seeing around the RBS buildings. I wonder who pays for their plane-tickets?

Daddy who works for someone in the city? :rolleyes:

[Corstorphine Hibby]

Yes, they paid that money in out of the goodness of their hearts, and never sought to avoid one penny of corporation tax.

I'm out of my depth now, are you saying the cuts are nothing to do with bailing out the banks? If so, they must be for a different reason.

No, I agree, they did not pay that money out of the goodness of their hearts....however, they didpay it and it was billions and yes they did try and pay less ( you know like, er, taxi drivers do on their tax returns for example), but what business doesn't try and avoid paying less tax if they can?

I again agree that the cuts have been influenced by the monies given to Banks but don't forget the significant contribution the Banks have made and are now beginning to make again into the Chancellors coffers, something that fails to make the headlines when resurgent profits are announced.

Don't think you are out of your depth FR. 'Slicker' obviously keeps you informed, however don't believe everything you read in PE.

[Phil D. Rolls]

No, I agree, they did not pay that money out of the goodness of their hearts....however, they didpay it and it was billions and yes they did try and pay less ( you know like, er, taxi drivers do on their tax returns for example), but what business doesn't try and avoid paying less tax if they can?

I again agree that the cuts have been influenced by the monies given to Banks but don't forget the significant contribution the Banks have made and are now beginning to make again into the Chancellors coffers, something that fails to make the headlines when resurgent profits are announced.

Don't think you are out of your depth FR. 'Slicker' obviously keeps you informed, however don't believe everything you read in PE.

I never make it to slicker, by the time I've read all the funny cartoons it's time for the next edition.:greengrin

I think it's pretty much an open and shut case against the banks. They messed up and had to be bailed out by the taxpayer.

They might have put money into the economy, but so did other businesses, so really they don't get any medals for that.

[Andy74]

You'd have a bit more sympathy if they did a bit of research on their targets.

So RBS provides funds to some companies who are involved in fossil fuels. Why not target the companies themselves or the bodies that regulate them? They are legitimate businesses who will get funding from somewhere and thats the job of banks.

There were protestors who asked questionsat the last AGM about Canadian Tar Sands. The Chairman ripped them a new one in a few minutes with his response with the facts and the message that it was really something to take up with the Caadain Government.

Secondly, RBS is one of the biggest funders of renewable energy in the world and has a leading edge environmental policy at its sites, in particular at Gogarburn.

I don't think RBS has done too well at getting its messages acrosss but at the same time these wasters aren't really here to talk about it or learn anyhting they are just around to cause a bit bother.

Thankfully most of them have flown back home now though. I'm sure they will plant a few trees when they land to make up for it.

[easty]

I never make it to slicker, by the time I've read all the funny cartoons it's time for the next edition.:greengrin

I think it's pretty much an open and shut case against the banks. They messed up and had to be bailed out by the taxpayer.

They might have put money into the economy, but so did other businesses, so really they don't get any medals for that.

It's all gone a bit off topic here hasnt it? :hijack: The whole "banks are bad" things been done to death, now for something else...

The protesters are bloody muppets! Like Andy said, if they did a bit of research then I'd have more respect/sympathy for them. For the majority of them though, it seems as though, everything is as clear as can be, "RBS is disgusting, don't try and tell me otherwise cos they give money to companies who...blah blah blah..."

[Phil D. Rolls]

It's all gone a bit off topic here hasnt it? :hijack: The whole "banks are bad" things been done to death, now for something else...

The protesters are bloody muppets! Like Andy said, if they did a bit of research then I'd have more respect/sympathy for them. For the majority of them though, it seems as though, everything is as clear as can be, "RBS is disgusting, don't try and tell me otherwise cos they give money to companies who...blah blah blah..."

It's a fair cop. I hate those greedy money grabbing shysters.

[Dashing Bob S]

I feel that given my leftish politics and footballing preferences, I should be more 'green' but I'm a militant gas-guzzler and have a carbon footprint that makes Godzilla look like a Doffo's hamster.

I think that leaving the planet in a mess will encourage future generations to take the notion of space travel seriously, thus liberating them from the tyranny of the screen. I see it as part of mankind's evolution to leave the earth. We're adventurers and explorers by nature, and I believe that every planet has a shelf life.

[Peevemor]

I feel that given my leftish politics and footballing preferences, I should be more 'green' but I'm a militant gas-guzzler and have a carbon footprint that makes Godzilla look like a Doffo's hamster.

I think that leaving the planet in a mess will encourage future generations to take the notion of space travel seriously, thus liberating them from the tyranny of the screen. I see it as part of mankind's evolution to leave the earth. We're adventurers and explorers by nature, and I believe that every planet has a shelf life.

:greengrin:top marks


Ah Bob! If only there were more people like you, other worlds would be a better place to live in.

[Twa Cairpets]

I feel that given my leftish politics and footballing preferences, I should be more 'green' but I'm a militant gas-guzzler and have a carbon footprint that makes Godzilla look like a Doffo's hamster.

I think that leaving the planet in a mess will encourage future generations to take the notion of space travel seriously, thus liberating them from the tyranny of the screen. I see it as part of mankind's evolution to leave the earth. We're adventurers and explorers by nature, and I believe that every planet has a shelf life.

You do know that planets in comics aren't real, don't you? We haven't a huge amount of comparative information relating to the shelf life of a planet...:wink:

[--------]

You do know that planets in comics aren't real, don't you? We haven't a huge amount of comparative information relating to the shelf life of a planet...:wink:



Well, there's a big sign up on the hill behind the Caldera - PERISHABLE: Best before .... - but I can't quite make out the date.

It's either 31-12-2010 or 31-12-8010.

Don't suppose it makes much difference either way.... :rolleyes:

[CropleyWasGod]

Well, there's a big sign up on the hill behind the Caldera - PERISHABLE: Best before .... - but I can't quite make out the date.

It's either 31-12-2010 or 31-12-8010.

Don't suppose it makes much difference either way.... :rolleyes:

It does if you have a six-month lease on one of the bijou apartments in Clovenstone.

[--------]

It does if you have a six-month lease on one of the bijou apartments in Clovenstone.


If I was living in Clovenstone, Judgement Day couldn't come quick enough.... :shocked: