Nicker on 2/4/2009 at 19:05
Quote Posted by SD
Protesting against capitalism is like protesting against sex: both involve consenting adults.
Capitalism and sex, though both natural and essential activities, may or may not be enjoyable depending on how, when and who's getting capitalised.
Agreed, riots are seldom constructive but then the vast majority of the protesters didn't come to riot but to make a big noise. Our elected leaders need to hear more than just pencils marking X's every four years and sometimes an email to your representative or a letter to the editor just doesn't cut it.
And while they may profess to be looking after the people, our representatives seem to have largely concluded that feeding the beast would be better than taming it. For instance, they did not even propose a ban on currency trading, a fancy bit of financial smoke and mirrors that bleeds economic vitality while adding nothing of value and which distorts the relative real values of world currencies, exacerbating emotional situations like the present crisis (and we should not underestimate the role of emotions during both sides of the
boom and bust thrill ride that each new generation of financial wizards concocts).
John Kenneth Galbraith's "A Short History of Financial Euphoria" should be require reading for those in the financial industries (if not for everybody).
june gloom on 2/4/2009 at 19:59
Quote Posted by Nicker
Capitalism and sex, though both natural and essential activities, may or may not be enjoyable depending on how, when and who's getting capitalised.
You know what? I'm sigging this.
Kolya on 2/4/2009 at 20:06
Good, I'll have to read it more often to get past the first part where Nicker equaled capitalism and sex.
Nicker on 2/4/2009 at 20:23
I was expanding on SD's comment (which I have added to my previous post for clarity if not entertainment value).
And I didn't 'equal' them, I just compared them. UR been mean to me, Kolya :(
(Glad you enjoyed it, dethtoll.)
Kolya on 2/4/2009 at 22:05
I see where you come from, it's just... Don't compare the holy mess of body juices to exchanging money. It makes me and baby Jesus cry.
Nicker on 2/4/2009 at 22:10
You mean that isn't a wad of cash in your pocket? So you are actually glad to see me? :D
june gloom on 2/4/2009 at 22:42
Well it's a wad of something.
thefonz on 3/4/2009 at 06:43
So what do you all think of the 1tr I'm going to get in my bonus next year...
:cheeky::cheeky:
Nicker on 3/4/2009 at 10:50
I'm thinking it means that this forum won't have to worry about hosting fees ever again. And you'll be dressing better.
jay pettitt on 3/4/2009 at 13:52
Some views from Climate Camp.
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http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09swoop.jpgCamp starts with the swoop as thousands converge at Bishopsgate at 12:30 precisely.
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http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09crowd.jpgInline Image:
http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09gathering.jpgTents are erected, bunting and banners are unfurled and it all gets underway.
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http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09bicycology.jpg(
http://www.bicycology.org.uk/) Bicycology set up a pedal powered sound system to facilitate talks (the guy with the mike is one of Stronty Dog's liberal democrat mates - Simon Hughes MP) and dancing.
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http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09kitchen.jpgThere's a kitchen serving hot food and drinks cooked on rocket stoves and kelly kettles. There's also a vegan cake stall and Farmers' Market.
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http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09bins.jpgLitter bins in the City of London have been removed for the G20 summit in case someone puts bombs in them. Climate Camp improvises and sets up bin stations along the length of Bishopsgate and sorts litter into recyclables, compost (a community farm takes climate camp's compost - including from the compost loos) and landfill.
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http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09laughs.jpgOffice workers come out and mingle during the afternoon. Having seen reports of sporadic trouble elsewhere in the city there's much good will and expression of relief by the suited and the attending police to have us lot. There's lots of joking and chatting and waving and watching from buildings and a carnival atmosphere with music and workshops through out the day and into the night. The swanky restaurant next door to the Climate Exchange building is sadly closed for the day, however the small shops stay open. Climate Camp gets much praise in the media for it's alternative brand of peaceful protest.
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http://www.jaypettitt.co.uk/images/cc09police.jpgAt some point in the late afternoon / early-evening police tactics change, there's a change of shift, the riot gear comes out and they start closing in. There's no communication from them so people wonder if they just want to contain camp and keep the surrounding streets clear, after period of unease things start to relax again. People continue to be allowed in, however once in, no one is allowed to leave. A handful of office workers stick around and join in protest songs.
100s of police, having had a not entirely successful day elsewhere in London converge on Climate Camp from around 7:30pm to see if they can do better here. Police start a series of charges with battens and shields and later with dogs that continue into the small hours. It's hard to describe the warmth, goodwill and buzz of cooperation that Climate Camps generate. Having spent the day with these people I find it pretty upsetting watching this.
(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t244-zEENSs) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t244-zEENSs
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