🚀 go-pugleaf

Steven Hill wrote:
> Ah, to the citizens of Edinburgh who are inconvenienced by this farce, ah
> right, I understand.

Except of course that you clearly don't! But don't worry, all the 
bleating about it is doing wonders for making the point by raising the 
profile. If you'd all kept schtumm, the media frenzy would have died 
through lack of interest, but every shopkeeper who phones the local 
press to say "I'm closing down my shop" adds more fuel to the fire. Keep 
it up.

> You shouldn't have voted labour then.

I didn't. But even if I had, I'd march. To assume that putting an X in a 
box once every four years is all the involvement you need take in your 
governing, entrusts a little too much power. I want whoever is in charge 
to know that they are there to represent me and my views, not to impose 
their will on me. Until we get a real democracy, this will have to do.

> I thought every little helped - why aren't they sending the money they
> spend on waving placards and pissing Edinburgh's residents off, and send
> it to make a difference in Africa?

Because you're confusing a supermarket advertising campaign with real 
world issues. Yes, every little helps. But a little spent here could 
cause our government to "spend" a huge amount, far more than we 
individuals ever could.

> Ha.

Aha?

> One can only hope they have live rounds.

And that they miss. If you want a police state, go live in America. I'll 
even chip in for your single fare! :-)

> Once again, this is why Edinburgh is battening the hatches down? So why
> come here, and give this disruptive element the excuse and the cover to do
> these things? That's being an accessory to the act is it not?

No. Because that will, if anything, reduce the impact of "this 
disruptive element". No.

Edinburgh is battening down the hatches because they are scared. They 
are scared because the media has been whipping up a frenzy of disaster 
stories. "Remember Genoa" is all very well, but Genoa was largely kicked 
off by a huge over-reaction from the police. A well managed (but not 
excessively managed) will be unlikely to deteriorate.

As for being an accessory. Under British law we require "intent". To be 
an accessory (AIUI) would require an intent to assist the disrupters.[1]

Jon

[1] IANAL