"peaceful" anti-war protests in London last night

[Drooper]

During the House of Commons debate last night over a rebel motion to stall British military involvement in Iraq, there was a demonstration/vigil outside.

It was a sensible example of democracy at work - chants slogans banners and fair amount of ad hominem.

The interesting part to this? A bloke who was a member of the labour party who turned up with a protest sign saying "Back Blair, Saddam Out".

The reaction from the "peace" demonstrators? Verbal and physical intimidation, chasing him from the field. The forced removal and destruction of his sign. Much sneering etc.

Pardon me if I have little sympathy for this self styled "movement of the people"

[Reginald]

Free speaking is only of interest to these people when you are freely speaking what they want to hear.

:(

[Always Free]

"The reaction from the "peace" demonstrators? Verbal and physical intimidation, chasing him from the field. The forced removal and destruction of his sign. Much sneering etc."

Were they demonstrating for 'peace' or 'no war' or both?

[iain]

Originally posted by Drooper
The interesting part to this? A bloke who was a member of the labour party who turned up with a protest sign saying "Back Blair, Saddam Out".

The reaction from the "peace" demonstrators? Verbal and physical intimidation, chasing him from the field. The forced removal and destruction of his sign. Much sneering etc.

Pardon me if I have little sympathy for this self styled "movement of the people" I see you're familiar with the technique of portrating the most extreme members of the movement as being typical, thus portraying the whole movement as more extreme than it really is. :)

[Drooper]

Originally posted by Always Free
"The reaction from the "peace" demonstrators? Verbal and physical intimidation, chasing him from the field. The forced removal and destruction of his sign. Much sneering etc."

Were they demonstrating for 'peace' or 'no war' or both?

Banners included things such as "No to War", to things such as "Bush ids a Moron" to the "Pace" (copyright Benetton) that seems to be popping up everywhere.

But does it matter? The demonstration was against conflict in favour of diplomacy - some sort of moral high ground.

It turns out they're a bunch of Coyotes. They only possess the moral high ground until they look down. Then they discover that they're temporarily suspended over an abyss.

[Drooper]

Originally posted by iain
I see you're familiar with the technique of portrating the most extreme members of the movement as being typical, thus portraying the whole movement as more extreme than it really is. :)

No, I was just relating a story.

If there is a wider lesson, it is my disdain for anybody who tries to claim a superior moral stance - something these people clearly do.

[iain]

Originally posted by Drooper
If there is a wider lesson, it is my disdain for anybody who tries to claim a superior moral stance - something these people clearly do. Sorry, I thought your quote Pardon me if I have little sympathy for this self styled "movement of the people" implies that you were judging the movement on the basis of this sort of incident.

Now I'm curious. Do you mean a superior moral stance with reference to Iraq (which I believe many on both sides have claimed) or with life in general.

[Reginald]

Add some hurling of missiles to that, the amusing thing on the news is that one of the missiles was described by the corresponant as being a "Mathematicians Compass". LOL dont you love the detail that the BBC bring to reports.

:D