Militant students at Warwick

[Flosshilde]

I agree that kids (and adults) are much more materialistic these days and this is not something to be celebrated.

I would have thought that, as a fervent supporter of capitalism, you would be all for people becoming materialistic. Where would capitalism be without a desire for material goods?

[P. G. Tipps]

You are joking aren't you?

Alas, no, not on this occasion, MrGongGong.

Though I've always been blessed with a keen sense of humour (and it has got rather keener with age), I regret that the point was serious, though I've never really taken "life" itself too seriously ...

There's no point in doing that because no one will listen, take notice or do anything.
It's NOT effective at all.

Ah, a veritable counsel of despair, Mr GongGong!

Though I have to say that I'm not aware that marching down the street shouting and bawling political rhymes and slogans has forced any government to change course either. In fact it may well encourage it to be seen not to give in to the "mob".

A General Election is surely the time for any change and if there are not enough votes to support our view of the world, well, I'm afraid that's just tough, MrGongGong. We must respect the verdict of the people, mustn't we, even if that verdict be inconclusive and compromise coalitions emerge as a result?

Indeed they were
They were full of people who thought that killing people was a bad idea

Do you really think that this implies support for others who kill people?

Well, I'm sure you're much too too young to remember the 'Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh' chants that were a regular feature of the 'peace marches' at the time of the Vietnam War, Mr GongGong?

You are right, though, that the support was not implicit ... it was quite explicit!

(I think that's on the list of fallacies I posted a while ago)

Was that list your very own personal version of Political Correctness, MrGongGong ... ?

[P. G. Tipps]

I would have thought that, as a fervent supporter of capitalism, you would be all for people becoming materialistic. Where would capitalism be without a desire for material goods?

Outrageous and inaccurate hyperbole, Flosshilde!

I've never been a 'fervent supporter of capitalism'. I (and many others) have simply observed that the system, for all its undoubted flaws, has conveyed huge material benefits for the great majority of people in the developed world and, as yet, no one has come up with a better system, in fact quite the reverse.

There is nothing wrong with society producing material goods for mass consumption. Many can exist quite happily within a capitalist system without becoming unduly materialistic.

That is entirely up to the individual not the system.

[ahinton]

If people feel strongly about something it would surely be much more adult and civilised (and possibly effective) to organise a petition to Parliament or something along those lines?

Leaving aside the fact that this is rarely the way in which anything ever gets done (can you cite examples of that?), please bear in mind that the government has its own petition website but that a minimum of 100,000 signatures is required in order to try to force a debate in Parliament.

[ahinton]

A General Election is surely the time for any change and if there are not enough votes to support our view of the world, well, I'm afraid that's just tough, MrGongGong. We must respect the verdict of the people, mustn't we, even if that verdict be inconclusive and compromise coalitions emerge as a result?

And if, as I suspect, no government will emerge from the next one, what then? I mean what if no two parties in coalition can form a majority government?

[MrGongGong]

A General Election is surely the time for any change and if there are not enough votes to support our view of the world, well, I'm afraid that's just tough, MrGongGong. We must respect the verdict of the people, mustn't we, even if that verdict be inconclusive and compromise coalitions emerge as a result?

Aaah yes the old "Vote for a change" argument
The problem with this is that ALL of the people who we are supposedly "choosing" between (with a couple of exceptions who don't really stand any chance of getting any power in our ridiculous pantomime system) stand for the same thing.

Our electoral system prevents what you suggest is possible.
But I guess it's just "though"

(I'm expecting OXO boy to pop up suggesting that his mate is an "alternative", which would be funny if the delusion that the kippers do represent something different wasn't so seemingly widespread).

[MrGongGong]

Leaving aside the fact that this is rarely the way in which anything ever gets done (can you cite examples of that?), please bear in mind that the government has its own petition website but that a minimum of 100,000 signatures is required in order to try to force a debate in Parliament.

So I, like all public spirited members of the community, duly signed this one

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/64629

and looking forward to it becoming law

The whole petitioning the government has shades of these kind of thing IMV

http://www.confessions.net

Give people an outlet for their feelings and they will hopefully go away leaving MP's alone to discuss the important matters at hand such as where to take this years skiing holiday.

[teamsaint]

So I, like all public spirited members of the community, duly signed this one

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/64629

and looking forward to it becoming law

I couldnt open the link.
Could you copy and pasty again, please?

[teamsaint]

I Wonder what tipster would have said, if, for instance, the soviet authorities had announced, in 1985, that it was allowing and encouraging street demonstrations to help moves towards a more open and democratic society?

Any thoughts about Cable street, PGT?

[ahinton]

So I, like all public spirited members of the community, duly signed this one

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/64629

and looking forward to it becoming law

Like so many more serious petitions there, it's pie in the sky. That said, the fact that this one's attracted over 4,500 signatures speaks for itself, I suppose. Howeer, all that the achievement of a 100,000 tally will likely guarantee is a debate in Parliament, not a change in the law.

[ahinton]

I Wonder what tipster would have said, if, for instance, the soviet authorities had announced, in 1985, that it was allowing and encouraging street demonstrations to help moves towards a more open and democratic society?

Any thoughts about Cable Street, PGT?

Perhaps he will tell us.

[MrGongGong]

I couldnt open the link.
Could you copy and pasty again, please?

try this

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/64629

OR go to

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions

and search for Pie

[teamsaint]

try this

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/64629

OR go to

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions

and search for Pie

Thanks....but I think you missed my sidesplitting and hilarious play on words.........:)


Anyway, great link, makes the point well.

[MrGongGong]

Thanks....but I think you missed my sidesplitting and hilarious play on words.........:)


Anyway, great link, makes the point well.

ha
sorry to miss it

Note to self, wear reading glasses, don't try to do internet on iPhone on the bus

[ahinton]

Thanks....but I think you missed my sidesplitting and hilarious play on words

Well, I didn't, even though I don't speak Cornish...