Just what is wrong with the EDL?

[AJS-]

That the police need to quell their "vigilaneism" when Sikhs and Muslims protected their areas unimpeded, and even PH's favourite bastion of wooly liberalism the Daily Mail can barely contain it's hatred for this organisation

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2024707/UK...

Why do they get labels like "extremist" "racist" and "far right" attached to them nearly every time they are mentioned in the press?

Reading their website here http://englishdefenceleague.org/ I can't really find anything that would be considered extreme in this forum, let alone anything that marks them out as neo nazis.

I know some of their demonstrations got a bit out of hand, and some of their members seem a bit unpalatable, but that's true of most political organisations, especially new, "grassroots" ones.

So why is it that they attract such contempt and venom?

[Snoggledog]

Because of their previous hatred and violence towards others.

[cal72]

Just what is wrong with the EDL?
The Answer is.
They exist.

[V88Dicky]

Have you seen some of the pondlife who frequent their marches though? They are the problem.

[Eric Mc]

All these organisations tend to attract the lowest IQ characters so any legitimacy they may have with their underlying principles is completely wasted by the behaviour of the bulk of the members.

And even if their main argument may contain some worth, the overall sense of direction they propose for society is generally a bad and negative one.

Without falling victim to Godwin's Law, there are plenty of examples throughout history of where moving society in that particular direction has ultimately led to society being a lot worse, rather than being better.

[powerstroke]

They are working class ......

[Eric Mc]

powerstroke said:

They are working class ......

So?

[Tycho]

AJS- said:

Reading their website here http://englishdefenceleague.org/ I can't really find anything that would be considered extreme in this forum, let alone anything that marks them out as neo nazis.

I bet the BNP look like upstanding citizens when you read their site as well...

[Colonial]

Because they peddle small minded solutions for small minded people looking to blame people who look different for their own failures in life.

HTH.

[DJRC]

Because generally speaking they make the BNP look like intellectuals. Which to be honest because I am rational, sane and not some panic inducing numpty minded prima dona, I find amusing rather than scary.

[powerstroke]

Eric Mc said:

So?

so they are at the sharp end of the multi cultualism experiment not insulated by wealth and living in comfy suburbs like the people who rule them, I think most of us would be members if we were white and trapped in the poorest areas of britain...

[Digga]

Colonial said:

Because they peddle small minded solutions for small minded people looking to blame people who look different for their own failures in life.

HTH.

^This.

Whatever their website and PR might suggest, the reality "on the street" gives a very different impression.

Before you suggest I have made any assumptions, I can instruct you that, some months ago, a pleasant evening out was disrupted by a march through town by these people - many of them wearing masks - and the fear and tension they created amongst innocent, by-standers of all ethnicities was as palpable as their obvious lack of intellect.

[Pints]

V88Dicky said:

Have you seen some of the pondlife who frequent their marches though? They are the problem.

Not sure what that picture is supposed to suggest. It's not like he has the worst haircut I've ever seen, or is sporting a hoodie.

Has it something to do with whatever it is he's putting into / taking out of his trousers?

Or is it perhaps that the EDL are using the England flag? Heaven forbid.

[Snoggledog]

powerstroke said:

so they are at the sharp end of the multi cultualism experiment not insulated by wealth and living in comfy suburbs like the people who rule them, I think most of us would be members if we were white and trapped in the poorest areas of britain...

They made that choice. There is absolutely nothing whatsoever stopping them from doing better for themselves and moving to a leafy suburb. If they want to improve their lot they can. It's called having the balls to try. Or in other simpler terms, aspiration.

[oldcynic]

powerstroke said:

so they are at the sharp end of the multi cultualism experiment not insulated by wealth and living in comfy suburbs like the people who rule them, I think most of us would be members if we were white and trapped in the poorest areas of britain...

You think wrong.

[Digga]

oldcynic said:

powerstroke said:

so they are at the sharp end of the multi cultualism experiment not insulated by wealth and living in comfy suburbs like the people who rule them, I think most of us would be members if we were white and trapped in the poorest areas of britain...

You think wrong.

And thank God too.

If anything has been learned from the riots, it is that, underneath daily routines which might be quite divisive, the different communities have come together to combat rioters and to clean up after them, together, like rational human beings.

[Pints]

powerstroke said:

They are working class ......

There's nothing wrong with the working class. I think perhaps you're thinking of the under class.

[Colonial]

Pints said:

Not sure what that picture is supposed to suggest. It's not like he has the worst haircut I've ever seen, or is sporting a hoodie.

Has it something to do with whatever it is he's putting into / taking out of his trousers?

Or is it perhaps that the EDL are using the England flag? Heaven forbid.

Well, they actually appear to have defaced the flag. Not very sporting of them.

[Mr Gearchange]

AJS- said:

Reading their website here http://englishdefenceleague.org/ I can't really find anything that would be considered extreme in this forum, let alone anything that marks them out as neo nazis.

What were you expecting to see on there - downloadable anti-semite song sheets? Cut out and keep Heinrich Himmler posters?

They are racist scumbags and a mouthpeice for lazy good for nothing morons who would rather blame their shortcomings on muslims than get off their arses and help themselves.

I have never seen anyone involved in the EDL who had the intelligence to tie their own shoes let alone engage in a reasoned political debate.

[Eric Mc]

powerstroke said:

Eric Mc said:

So?

so they are at the sharp end of the multi cultualism experiment not insulated by wealth and living in comfy suburbs like the people who rule them, I think most of us would be members if we were white and trapped in the poorest areas of britain...

Expain what you mean by "trapped"?