[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I like the way you ignore the fact that the bulk of those complaints were about possible injuries to the Police officers, and from people like "Tony Stamp".

You've also ignored the fact there is a marked difference between excersing your democratic right to protest and rioting (which is what actually happened).

Thats not the whole story. The overwhelming majority of protesters agree that everything was peaceful until the kettle started. Then the violent anarchists fought their way out early on and ended up on Oxford St (iirc), and it was mostly just the peaceful students who were kettled in, some until as late as 1 am. The kettling tactic seems to have become standard practise.
They did this so they could parade in front of the media that this is what happens when protestors riot, when in actual fact everyone knew the violent protestors were long gone. It was just spin, that's my understanding of it anyway.
At one of the kettles (can't recall if it was the last 9th Dec demo or the previous one in Nov.) people were fainting standing up, they were packed in so tight for hours on end.

I think overall, I do agree with the spirit of your point of view. And in an ideal world I'd agree 100%. However, given the futility I've witnessed in demonstrations in recent years - I think there is a case that can be made in FAVOUR of some violence. 10 years ago I'd never have imagined that one day I'd take such a stance. I don't expect many (if anyone) here to agree with such an extreme view, but I'm happy to discuss.
However, the Charlie Gilmour chap swinging from the cenotaph in the same photo frame as "Our Glorious Dead" was not on, that stupid child. Same goes for urinating on the Churchill monument. It was a PR disaster, and we all know the Daily Mail just soils itself in excitement over such things.

"One of the greatest sins of age is to forget the trials of youth."
We've all done stupid things in our adolescence that we wish we hadn't and I think those kids just got caught up in the moment. Though that does not excuse their actions. On the other hand, swinging from the cenotaph certainly takes the biscuit in the list of stupid things one just might later regret.


You'll recall the anti-war demonstration in London, when over a million marched. Now I'll ask you this. What if we could go back in time and change it it to 750,000 peaceful protestors, and say 250,000 anarchists ?
After the fires had been put out, and the cost of the devastation had been counted, could you imagine the government having the metal to still go ahead with that war ?
I could be wrong here, but I think maybe the government would be so afraid of what might happen if then went along with that war, that they would see little other option than to say to the Americans "Sorry guys, Her Majesty's gov would really like to help you, but we've got serious civil unrest, we hope you understand."
An old adage springs to mind: A government that fears its people is a good government.
Unfortunately for us, our government lost that fear a very long time ago.

He had CP, yet can make it up 18 flights of stairs when he wants.

He's not paralysed, he has CP. For someone with CP as progressed as his, he's proud of the fact that he can overcome challenges when he has to.
This reminds me of that scene from Scary Movie 2, where the paralysed guy seems to refuse to acknowledge the fact that he's paralysed. Specifically, the scene where he's at the bottom of the stairs, the girl standing near him has a gun, and he repeatedly shouts "Cover me!", as he slides out of his wheelchair and proceeds to crawl up the stairs. He makes it about 5 feet then slides back down again, presumably in agony but he still won't give up...
I can just imagine Jody, on all fours, trying to *climb* up 18 flights of stairs, like a big man crab. Not the same as you or I running up 18 flights, is it?