The Farce Goes On

[ahinton]

Didn't see any reports but it was well attended - people still swarming into the park as I was leaving the rally after 2 exhausted hours. Processing very slowly would of course have made it easier for the police had there been any trouble. At the same time whistles and vuvuzelas, now ubiquitous, come across as childish and demeaning of any dignity attendant on such occasions, one can't help feeling, (not to mention fatal for one's tinnitus!), and the podium rhetoric was cliched to the point of one wondering, what is the point? One has to admire the SWP their efficient organisation, whatever one thinks of their politics - stalls, pavilions selling literature, their placards the most prominent. The most amusing moments (for me): placard reading "We're fighting for a better Barnet" carried by two very bald men, and a group of Muslim women demonstrators with cameras, enthralled at the Scottish pipe band in full uniform, just one part of the Ivesian clash of rhythms and sonorities

...that will, in the unlikely event that nothing else does, undermine in the view of most onlookers the entire reasoning (if any) behind the protests.

By the way, there's a treatment for the dreaded and dreadful tinnitus advertised in the latest BBC Music Magazine that you might like to check out (as I might also) - see www.cubex.co.uk; I've no idea if it's of any use, but...

[teamsaint]

Didn't see any reports but it was well attended - people still swarming into the park as I was leaving the rally after 2 exhausted hours. Processing very slowly would of course have made it easier for the police had there been any trouble. At the same time whistles and vuvuzelas, now ubiquitous, come across as childish and demeaning of any dignity attendant on such occasions, one can't help feeling, (not to mention fatal for one's tinnitus!), and the podium rhetoric was cliched to the point of one wondering, what is the point? One has to admire the SWP their efficient organisation, whatever one thinks of their politics - stalls, pavilions selling literature, their placards the most prominent. The most amusing moments (for me): placard reading "We're fighting for a better Barnet" carried by two very bald men, and a group of Muslim women demonstrators with cameras, enthralled at the Scottish pipe band in full uniform, just one part of the Ivesian clash of rhythms and sonorities.

Thanks for the report. These things seldom go the way we personally feel they should....but its important that people take a stand on these matters.

Good also to have a musically aware take on things....sounds Beefheartian as well as Ivesain !!

[Serial_Apologist]

...that will, in the unlikely event that nothing else does, undermine in the view of most onlookers the entire reasoning (if any) behind the protests.

By the way, there's a treatment for the dreaded and dreadful tinnitus advertised in the latest BBC Music Magazine that you might like to check out (as I might also) - see www.cubex.co.uk; I've no idea if it's of any use, but...

Thanks for that, ahinton. Must look into that. Not sure why that link didn't work, as this one seems to:

http://www.cubex.co.uk

Fortunately my particular tinnitus varies in intensity but is just about liveable, and certainly nothing like as bad as that suffered by poor Gabriel Faure towards the end of his life, but tends to be easily triggered by loud and, in particular, high-pitched sounds.

[scottycelt]

One has to admire the SWP their efficient organisation, whatever one thinks of their politics - stalls, pavilions selling literature, their placards the most prominent. .

Well, that's what they exist to do, but I wonder how many moderate left-of-centre/centrist folk, who have a genuine worry or grievance about some of the cuts, are put off from such marches by the very presence of these people ... ?

The most amusing moments (for me): placard reading "We're fighting for a better Barnet" carried by two very bald men.

There were also the utterly bizarre placards occasionally spotted on our TV screens such as ... 'Toddlers Against The Cuts' ...

[Flosshilde]

Well, that's what they exist to do, but I wonder how many moderate left-of-centre/centrist folk, who have a genuine worry or grievance about some of the cuts, are put off from such marches by the very presence of these people ... ?

I think most - all? - people who would go on such a demonstration are well aware of the SWP & the role they play - that is, handing out loads of placards - & wouldn't be put off attending. If they really don't want to be associated with the SWP they simply tear off the 'Socialist Worker' name.

There were also the utterly bizarre placards occasionally spotted on our TV screens such as ... 'Toddlers Against The Cuts' ...

Sense of humour, Scotty? Even lefties have one, so I'm sure if you dug down you'd find that you have one too.

[scottycelt]

Sense of humour, Scotty? Even lefties have one, so I'm sure if you dug down you'd find that you have one too.

Nah, don't buy that one, I'm afraid, Flossie ... that's a bit like saying someone is being a 'misery' if they don't appreciate the 'humour' of a gutter-comedian like Frankie Boyle.

On some of these marches you occasionally see small kiddies carrying placards. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the marching 'cause' I find this somewhat nauseating, tbh.

[MrGongGong]

On some of these marches you occasionally see small kiddies carrying placards. Whatever the rights or wrongs of the marching 'cause' I find this somewhat nauseating, tbh.

and this isn't ?

[teamsaint]

the church looks whiter than white from that photo....

[John Shelton]

Well, that's what they exist to do

Well, no it isn't: the people doing what the SWP do exist in the same way as most people do, it isn't their day job (obviously most of them don't have a day job, instead they live off benefits, in squats, paid for by moderate folk. When they aren't sacrificing toddlers. Even so).

[Serial_Apologist]

Well, no it isn't: the people doing what the SWP do exist in the same way as most people do, it isn't their day job (obviously most of them don't have a day job, instead they live off benefits, in squats, paid for by moderate folk. When they aren't sacrificing toddlers. Even so).

But often getting sacked at the slightest pretext, as well I know from having tried to defend one SWPer at my workplace in the 1980s - unsuccessfully, as it happened. They moved me to another department shortly afterwards, thus freeing me of my shop stewardship, and by coincidence made my job redundant within a year. Ho hum.

[Budapest]

I'm guilty of not reading every post in this thread, but still want to put my two pennith worth in. The US and UK are totally, completely and utterly bankrupt (go look at the figures). The Eurozone is in much better shape (once again, go look at the figures). The EU is the biggest trading bloc on earth. The bankrupt/incompetant/criminal governments of the US and UK use Europe as a bogeyman. The US dollar looks likely to fall off the financial cliff this coming January, and Sterling will go down with it (because we love America so much). The Euro is the only stable currency at the moment.

[scottycelt]

and this isn't ?

Lovely group photo, GG ... maybe we should halt all schools classroom photos as well?

I was referring to adults using kiddies as a political tool. I still find that somewhat nauseating.

[MrGongGong]

I was referring to adults using kiddies as a political tool. I still find that somewhat nauseating.

indeed
and how is that different from what the church does ?

seems very similar to me

and as my next witness I call

"Cordelia Gummer"

[scottycelt]

indeed
and how is that different from what the church does ?

seems very similar to me

and as my next witness I call

"Cordelia Gummer"

Huge difference. I'm not against adults teaching kids their own values whether religious or political, rather it's the blatant use of kids to gain sympathy and support for any cause. I don't even like politicians kissing babies ... yuk! ... these poor unfortunate, exploited babies!

As for Gummer ... perfect example.

Nauseating indeed!

[Serial_Apologist]

Huge difference. I'm not against adults teaching kids their own values whether religious or political, rather it's the blatant use of kids to gain sympathy and support for any cause.

Ahem - I bet those children in that photo weren't about to sing Messiaen.