Protesting - useful/gets things done or a waste of time?
Discussion
It is an interesting question.
The media are always hungry for stuff to report. They like a good protest. But they don't organise them. The police probably like a bit of overtime, but they don't organise them either. McDonalds and HiFi stores don't like them for obvious reasons. They won't be organising them.
Yet these protests are organised, and from the top - they aren't genuine grass roots spontaneous happenings. So why? No-one who matters cares about the political opinions of, say, that fat American woman screaming "NOOOOOO!" for the camera yesterday. So why do they organise them except for the media's benefit?
To make it look like they have more support than really they do, is all I can think of.
The media are always hungry for stuff to report. They like a good protest. But they don't organise them. The police probably like a bit of overtime, but they don't organise them either. McDonalds and HiFi stores don't like them for obvious reasons. They won't be organising them.
Yet these protests are organised, and from the top - they aren't genuine grass roots spontaneous happenings. So why? No-one who matters cares about the political opinions of, say, that fat American woman screaming "NOOOOOO!" for the camera yesterday. So why do they organise them except for the media's benefit?
To make it look like they have more support than really they do, is all I can think of.
I was just thinking about this when the news came on earlier. They were talking about demonstrations against Trump which took place in Manchester (UK).
What on earth do they hope to achieve? It's hardly likely that anyone of any consequence in USA will even get to hear about it?
Surely they would achieve more with a strongly worded email?
What on earth do they hope to achieve? It's hardly likely that anyone of any consequence in USA will even get to hear about it?
Surely they would achieve more with a strongly worded email?
PoleDriver said:
Surely they would achieve more with a strongly worded email?
Ha. Well, indeed, if you had an issue with something in the UK, you can set up a poll and just need 100k signatures to get parliament to at least debate it (or something like that). Far more effective than walking about London.Usually a waste of time. I think to be successful they have to be popular and right, or have overwhelming force.
Tuition fees didn't work because it was mostly just a group of overgrown children demanding that the state pay for their extended adolescence.
The Countryside Alliance protests didn't work because they were unpopular.
The Iraq war protests were useful because they provided a focal point for opposition which ultimately showed the venture to be at very best misguided.
The poll tax protests worked because they caused enough mayhem that Thatcher's enemies in government felt emboldened enough to oust her.
Protests against Trump and Brexit will fade away because they are mostly just indignation from people who are annoyed about not getting their own way. However they might provide a basis for some sort of opposition movement in the longer term.
Tuition fees didn't work because it was mostly just a group of overgrown children demanding that the state pay for their extended adolescence.
The Countryside Alliance protests didn't work because they were unpopular.
The Iraq war protests were useful because they provided a focal point for opposition which ultimately showed the venture to be at very best misguided.
The poll tax protests worked because they caused enough mayhem that Thatcher's enemies in government felt emboldened enough to oust her.
Protests against Trump and Brexit will fade away because they are mostly just indignation from people who are annoyed about not getting their own way. However they might provide a basis for some sort of opposition movement in the longer term.
Vandenberg said:
I cant see the point personally but there hasn't been a single issue so far that would motivate me to protest.
My classmates protested when the head teacher closed down the tuck shop, I saw it as an opportunity to fill the gap and used to do regular shop runs with a 50% markup.
My classmates protested when the head teacher closed down the tuck shop, I saw it as an opportunity to fill the gap and used to do regular shop runs with a 50% markup.
I did a little light motorcycling this morning, followed by some tinkering. Neighbours just went out, so I put on my new Iron Maiden LP (vinyl) & turned it up to 11, with a nice up of tea in warm living room. Meanwhile, rent-a-mob & the usual suspects/great unwashed are traipsing around central London & other cities in freezing cold temperatures shouting endless anti-Trump nonsense which will doubtless be ignored & fall on deaf ears. I wager there'll be a spot of kettleing & Macdonalds will be trashed again.
Maybe the real aim of rent-a-mob is actually to get rid of junk food??Biker 1 said:
I did a little light motorcycling this morning, followed by some tinkering. Neighbours just went out, so I put on my new Iron Maiden LP (vinyl) & turned it up to 11, with a nice up of tea in warm living room. Meanwhile, rent-a-mob & the usual suspects/great unwashed are traipsing around central London & other cities in freezing cold temperatures shouting endless anti-Trump nonsense which will doubtless be ignored & fall on deaf ears. I wager there'll be a spot of kettleing & Macdonalds will be trashed again.
Maybe the real aim of rent-a-mob is actually to get rid of junk food??I do hope the BiB are on double time to make up for the lack of opportunity to crack some skulls.
k. It just increases their self worth with their compatriots. SKP555 said:
Usually a waste of time. I think to be successful they have to be popular and right, or have overwhelming force.
Tuition fees didn't work because it was mostly just a group of overgrown children demanding that the state pay for their extended adolescence.
The Countryside Alliance protests didn't work because they were unpopular.
The Iraq war protests were useful because they provided a focal point for opposition which ultimately showed the venture to be at very best misguided.
The poll tax protests worked because they caused enough mayhem that Thatcher's enemies in government felt emboldened enough to oust her.
Protests against Trump and Brexit will fade away because they are mostly just indignation from people who are annoyed about not getting their own way. However they might provide a basis for some sort of opposition movement in the longer term.
The Countryside Alliance never had anything to worry about. The only thing that the hunting ban achieved was to reduce the funding for the hunt sabateurs.Tuition fees didn't work because it was mostly just a group of overgrown children demanding that the state pay for their extended adolescence.
The Countryside Alliance protests didn't work because they were unpopular.
The Iraq war protests were useful because they provided a focal point for opposition which ultimately showed the venture to be at very best misguided.
The poll tax protests worked because they caused enough mayhem that Thatcher's enemies in government felt emboldened enough to oust her.
Protests against Trump and Brexit will fade away because they are mostly just indignation from people who are annoyed about not getting their own way. However they might provide a basis for some sort of opposition movement in the longer term.
Fozziebear said:
Greg66 said:
The protests are by women, against the perceived threat to women's rights that is Trump.
So yes, no real surprise that PH doesn't get it.
Unless they are living in Saudi or some other Stone Age country I'm doubting they have much to worry about So yes, no real surprise that PH doesn't get it.
Didn't take long either. PH delivers again.
People should be free to protest so long as they do so lawfully.
Where it starts to get a little blurred is when, for example, Policing is needed which has costs that need to be met or roads closed and other things where you've got to balance the protesters right to protest with others right to go about their business without disruption.
I'd be surprised if anyone fundamentally disagreed with the right to protest.
Where it starts to get a little blurred is when, for example, Policing is needed which has costs that need to be met or roads closed and other things where you've got to balance the protesters right to protest with others right to go about their business without disruption.
I'd be surprised if anyone fundamentally disagreed with the right to protest.
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