MayDay DISGRACE!!!

Yes, it's all a conspiracy. The police actively encourage vandalism in order to prolong the war in Iraq, poverty, disease and nuclear armament.:rolleyes:

Sorry, let me clarify, by police I meant the Gardai. If you honestly believe that the Irish police force have nothing better to do than cause riots you need a psychiatrist. It's called paranoia.

the majority of protesters are peaceful and come with very intelligent arguements and facts backing their cause.

Forgive me if I disagree. Most opponents of Globalisation (Naomi Klein included - see the Economist here ) can be shredded in a debate by someone who knows what they're talking about. Read more here .

I disagreed with the Bush administration on the War in Iraq and tbh on practically everything they've done. Yet, I wasn't on the streets. Why? Because to associate myself with most of those that were is something I couldn't bring myself to do. Unfortunately for society, the most vocal protesters are the new age hippys, the anarchists and in general, worthless gob****es of society that to be honest, don't know what they're talking about. They just take their lead from the innoculation against Republicanism (Klein, Moore et al) who offer opinions and 'facts' yet no alternatives.

Yes, the world is in a terrible state. Yes, Bush is an idiot who wouldn't know a bible from a copy of playboy. Yes, global corporations do need to be monitored. Quitting your job, growing your hair, smoking a lot of dope and drawing the dole ain't gonna change it though. There isn't going to be a revolution. There isn't going to be any change until you make it happen.

How do you make it happen? Stop drawing the dole and protesting, get a job, pay tax and contribute to society. Change the system from within. Capatalism and Democracy are flawed but they're the best tools we have. Ultra left wing politics don't work, they help further the problems we have in society just as much as ultra right wing politics do.



Christ, I must be stressed today, that's two rants inside ten minutes...

Originally posted by Sleepy
How do you make it happen? Stop drawing the dole and protesting, get a job, pay tax and contribute to society.

Seeing as Mayday is on the weekend, protesting and work are perfectly compatible. :P

No, working quietly will not make a difference. Making yourself electable will. My problem with the protests in Ireland are that they're always made up of the same hippy's who seem to nothing but protest. Protesting is a valid form of public expression, yes, but when there's a protest every week/month it's not going to have ANY effect. The media only show the protests at this stage when violence breaks out at them because the vast majority of Irish people seem to feel the same way I do: it's just the same gob****es as last week, whinging about whatever the big topic is this week.

I love this "it only takes a small group of people to create a riot" line that's thrown out all the time. It's utter boll0x. If it was only a small group that acted out it wouldn't be too bloody difficult to arrest/shoot(in an ideal world) them.

Originally posted by Chief---
It showed how when groups of people congregate a mob rule can take over based on the actions of only one person.

Just look outside Slapper Face Jacks at 2:30am

Originally posted by Sleepy
Forgive me if I disagree. Most opponents of Globalisation (Naomi Klein included - see the Economist here ) can be shredded in a debate by someone who knows what they're talking about. Read more here .[/SIZE]

Klein is hardly a good example of someone who knows a great deal (or realistically, anything at all) about economics and international finance. She may be the poster girl of the "movement" but that's about it. Perfectly fine for the Economist (or anyone else) to take potshots at her obviously - she wrote her books and hence invited criticism of her work and ideas obviosly though. Let's not pretend she knows anything more than anyone else who's ever written a book though.

I'm not going to tackle the issue of globalisation or exploitation in this thread as it's rather off the point.

Is it the act of protest, or that we have to resort to protests?

The need to protest is created by people not using their votes wisely, vote for the wrong person and accept the consequences. Do you honestly believe that Fianna Fail give a ****e aboout the protestors views?

Yes there are idiot protesters intent on causing trouble. They should be dealt with. Appropriately

I agree, the protestors that are here to cause trouble should have the **** kicked out of them and then be locked up for a long time.

Klein is hardly a good example of someone who knows a great deal

My point exactly. It was her book that "educated" the vast majority of the anti-globalisation protesters.

The police in holland cant be arsed bout petty theft, as they feel its your responsibilty to secure your own personal belongings

That's hardly a good thing now is it?

Although I'll begrudge the protestors and call them "smelly hippies" because it's fashionable, I'd never deny anyone the right to protest.

My problem with the Anti-Globalisation/Reclaim the streets type of protest groups is that there is a certain element who go along to these protests with the intention of causing trouble. I'd be pretty sure there are plenty of people who'll travel to Ireland simply to cause the damage under the guise of a riot, and couldn't care less about the issues being protested about. Sure, it wouldn't surprise me if Anto, Jayo, and teh boyez turn up for a good fight with "the filth".

Yet, the organisers shrug their shoulders, and go "Meh, they're only a minority, we don't set out to cause trouble." Which is particularly hypocritical in the case of anarchists organising it. When they don't exercise authority (as is the ideal of anarchy), people abuse it, clearly showing the main flaw in the ideal of anarchy. They even expect these people to come along, giving advice on how to protect yourself in riot situations, yet cry foul when police forces come down heavy-handed, or national media slate them for being nothing but a gang of thugs.
If they're not willing to try and stop this element from attending their protests, then defence forces are going to have to be heavy-handed, even when intentions are peaceful.

Originally posted by Sleepy
Forgive me if I disagree. Most opponents of Globalisation (Naomi Klein included - see the Economist here ) can be shredded in a debate by someone who knows what they're talking about. Read more here .

I just finished reading no logo last night, and now just finished reading that stupid article, There no reason to label Klien as an anti-capitalist or to question the integrety of her book. no logo is heavely noted, all quotes, references and statistics sources are given. where authors like Michael Moore may be criticised for exadurating minor details while adding humour or personality to his writing, Kilen cannot, I found the book to be subjective from the beginning, the lack of humour was a little offputting at first, but only adds to the integrety of the overall work.

How do you know that the economist.com hasn't got a globalisation agenda, here's some quotes from your second link:

"deploring economic “injustice” is no answer"

"Labour comes cheap, and will get cheaper still" (in relation to sweatshops)

"Outsourcing actually sustains American jobs"

Surely if proponents of Globalisation can be shreadded by a -->debate<-- then you will be happy to post a transcript of an actual debate with Klien where she was 'shreadded' instead of a lame one sided article by hardline capitalists who think the cold war's not over :rolleyes: <-- congratulations that's my first ever rolleyes!