coverage of Greek uprising

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PMM P
PMM Dec 22, 2008 12:08:08
Replying to pooley

I don't condone it. I just see that it has happened throughout the history of protest, and will continue to happen for as long as there are protests.

I know you'd rather them send a stiff letter to the Times, or wave a few flags on a peaceful march, and, tbh, so would I, but that isn't going to happen, because writing letters and shouting slogans doesn't achieve anything.

A million people marched through the cntre of London to say "Not in my name" a few years ago.

Really, why did they bother? Perhaps if they'd broken into an Air Force base and petrol bombed an F15, they'd have made an actual impact upon the civilian death toll in Iraq and upon the operational stategies of the politicians and generals, even if they'd drawn criticism from some quarters.

H handofdave
handofdave Dec 22, 2008 12:26:15
Replying to PMM

I agree that in most cases peaceful protests don't have much impact when it comes to changing an entrenched power.

There's other ways to act other than burning things, tho. Boycotts were effectively used by India and the black American community to win their demands. Remember that Jim Crow laws were not overturned because of riots... they were overturned because of organized, peaceful actions. The later riots didn't win them jack shit.... it only gutted their neighborhoods.

P pooley
pooley Dec 22, 2008 12:58:05
Replying to PMM

My friend, we will have to smile sweetly at each other and respect each others opinions on this one.

stiff letter to the times??? i'd rather burn down the whole fucking world than have anything to do with those mothers.

Stiff letter to the Guardian? now you talking

S shanshee_allures
shanshee_allures Dec 22, 2008 17:37:28
Replying to PMM

PMM wrote:
A million people marched through the cntre of London to say "Not in my name" a few years ago.

Really, why did they bother? Perhaps if they'd broken into an Air Force base and petrol bombed an F15, they'd have made an actual impact upon the civilian death toll in Iraq and upon the operational stategies of the politicians and generals, even if they'd drawn criticism from some quarters.

See busting a few aircraft missiles really doesn't upset me, and in a utilitarian way it may just mean some fewer deaths (sort of doubt it though). As a gesture though it would be very poetic, so in its way commendable.
But I don't see what this has got to do with causing mayhem and terror for ordinary poor fuckwits like ourselves as we go about doing the zombie like Xmas gift bit. Perhaps that's their beef - well none of their businees I say.
I just don't see why you should conflate these things.
You'd be as well holding these people who emptied out rubbish bins and smashed galss poodle ornaments up there with some of the true heroics Greenpeace have been involved with over the years (always non violent I take it - or at least that will be the primary aim).
I still don't fully trust the motives of everyone who 'protests' so I don't get the 'universal appeal of it all' bit.
Regardles, hopefully it all calms down, and if there are rotten apples in the Greek admin then please, yes, get them rooted out - don't give them an excuse to dig their heels in any more (which for me kinda blows the 'government stooge' theory tbh).

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