Bristol Peace Vigil

[Serotonin]

I drove past the Peace Vigil tonight and it got me thinking as I sat there stuck in a traffic jam, staring slack jawed at them.

Do people think that vigils such as this make a difference?
I am sensitive to the cause they promote but what I saw there made me smirk. 5 or 6 elderly people with beards clutching home made banners with some very bizarre, almost ludicrous messages that I coulnd't for the life of me fathom what they meant- "Blair Cult Bizarre Bird War" (I can't even begin to explain this one), " Non elected State Assassin" (who Bush, Blair, Saddam, Peter Mandelson, X Factor's Chico??? I wasn't clear).
Don't get me wrong - I have an admiration for these people standing out in the cold, every week being laughed at by passers by and people in their nice warm cars, but I just wonder what the average person on the street thinks?
Are they swayed by the weird banners? Do they think a load of loony hippys have escaped from somewhere? Do they think 'ah bless them'?

Personally while I am in admiration for their stamina and determination, I find it all slightly embarassing, and wonder if it does any good for 'activist' politics in the eyes of the wider public.

Anyone else got a view?

 

[WasGeri]

No.

 

[Serotonin]

No.

A view, not a clue darling.

 

[bristol_citizen]

Anyone else got a view?

Yeah over St Phillips Marsh and the Barton Hill blocks.

 

[munkeeunit]

.

 

[Serotonin]

I'm not sure why you think I am playing crooked mind games, or why you choose to insult me, and yet again why interestingly you have chosen to ignore my questions.
I had assumed that especially you Munkee would have been keen to enlighten people as to the importance of the Vigil and explain the work it does and its signifcance.

I guess I should be used to this by now, but I am an eternal optimist and I really like giving people the benefit of the doubt. I keep hoping that there are people round here who are adult enough, and have enough conviction in their beleifs that they are able to respond to any assumed challenges to their belief systems.

 

[on_the_fly]

Oh dear , and its only Tuesday.

 

[J77]

One day, if you're really, really lucky. You may get one of these for chrimbo...

 

[fat hamster]

Anyone else got a view?

Yup - my view is that you should fuck off from Urban and not come back. You and your ilk are not welcome here.

 

[Zaskar]

Well hope springs eternal for us all I hope !

I have been on and filmed the vigil a few times as well as often feeling on the 'other side'. I have to say I find the conversations and feelings I have had thought provoking yet confusing and, well, conflicting.

Whilst on the vigil I was struck by the friendliness of those who attend (NOT Mr. Unit). Clearly they all knew eachother very well and were friendly towards a newcomer. I did not encounter any suspicion even tho I had my camera and a rather 'foot in foot out' (of mouth) approach.

Support was apparent by the number of (presumably) friendly honks, but also there were the inevitable chants of 'get a job' now and again.

For me it matters that this small group of people are doing something that matters to them. Sure it has become a habit that may be hard to break and it is very easily to be skeptical about the good it may or may not do. It IS an ongoing permanent sign of protest against a very wrong war. But I see Sero's point. Regardeless of how worthy Mr. Unit feels the people on the vigil are the fact is they do themselves few favours in the way they present themselves. They do look a bit unwordly, eccentric and part of a very cohesive exclusice group, I fear the very strength and strong identity they present may actually marginalise them from others who may be anti the war but have never gone on a demo or action.

Groups oftne form with a clear rational but then as they evolve that rational can change. Any group that aims to achieve something needs to review it's progress and goals and perhaps be self critical to maintain positive change.

Perhaps the goal of the vigil is just to continiue to exist as a sign to us all, a reminder of the war, in that it succeeds admirably and has my support.

BUT the questions that sero asks are important, especially in context of the broader peace movements almost total faliure to galvinaise action against a bad war, even when most people are against it. The reasons for this need to be explored and discussed, from the bottom to the top.

I think mr units comments are not really worthy of him, they are more motivated by personal problems than with any desire to discuss the issue. This may be one of the major problems with the peace movement. I think that may be ironic.

Vox Pop from befor the war started
http://www.zaskarfilms.com/filmpages/vpwarpage.htm

March in Bristol June 2004
http://www.zaskarfilms.com/filmPages/iraqmarchpage.htm

Vigil for fairford 5
http://www.zaskarfilms.com/filmpages/f5demopage.htm

 

[Zaskar]

Could you sad types who appear to enjoy ruining threads please leave this one for those who may wish to discuss it. I suggest you start a 'we hate sero' thread or something. Your behaviour is pointless and silly.

Can we discuss this intersting point in an adult manner please.

 

[fat hamster]

Could you, Zaskar, please fuck off from urban75 too and not come back.

Your opinions are not valued here and you are not welcome.

 

[Zaskar]

no.

 

[Jografer]

You and your ilk are not welcome here.

Not welcomed by who...... or do you assume that you are soooo important that your opinion is the only one that matters.

People disagree and argue.... grow up & learn to live with it......

 

[fat hamster]

Not welcomed by who...or do you assume that you are soooo important that your opinion is the only one that matters.

Not at all - Zaskar is not wanted here by the vast majority of posters in this forum, i.e. the people who have been posting here for years, and for whom this is not just a "public board" but a community.

 

[J77]

Can we discuss this intersting point in an adult manner please.

The OP had no content to discuss. Certainly not in an interesting manner, let alone an 'adult' manner.

I feel confused that the OPer thinks that the average person laughs at the peace guys.

Very strange.

*must not feed the trolls...*

 

[Iam]

Can we discuss this intersting point in an adult manner please.

Can you post without spamming your crappy site?

Didn't think so.

Not welcomed by who......

The majority of people who post in this forum, in case you didn't notice.

 

[Jografer]

Not at all - Zaskar is not wanted here by the vast majority of posters in this forum, i.e. the people who have been posting here for years, and for whom this is not just a "public board" but a community.

..probably need a poll on this then..... I agree that Zascar can be (and often is) very irritating, but the way people bite back is OTT, and if you are right about his ego, feed him in the process......

 

[3_D]

Those activists fill me with admiration. Sadly, although a member of CND back in the 80's and still totally anti-war, I find myself pulled along with the tide of opinion that discourages and frowns on demos & direct action these days. Lazy? Maybe. Sometimes seeing things like peace vigils gives me a little pang of guilt but I still don't join in.

Significantly, I seem to remember discovering and registering for U75 after following a link from a Stop The War related site.....yet my very infrequent, irregular visits here since have mostly been limited to bantering with yer man JTG about City/Rovers

By the way, I know nothing of the people here or any of the agendas or in-fighting or trolling accusations, so I just give my views on the original question in good faith.

Peace

 

[bristol_citizen]

The Sweet Smell of Hypocrisy...

the way people bite back is OTT

For example...

Yes, that's him........ but it's good that we can provide daycare for him here....

yes, he was one of the people supporting segregated services.... thanks for reminding everyone... lovely to see his wit & wisdom back to entertain us all...

you assume that you are soooo important that your opinion is the only one that matters.

grow up & learn to live with it......

 

[Jografer]

... so you think that compares to telling people to 'fuck off', not of course that you would ever think of doing such a thing....

...... & if you think there's a 'sweet smell of hypocrisy' it's probably because you are typing on your own.....

 

[bristol_citizen]

... so you think that compares to telling people to 'fuck off', not of course that you wuld ever think of doing such a thing....

Erm, saying someone is in need of daycare is suggesting that they are seriously physically or mentally impaired. Objectively I would say that compares easily with telling people to "fuck off". If it doesn't could you enlighten us with your objective hierachy of insults?

...... & if you think there's a 'sweet smell of hypocrisy' it's probably because you are typing on your own.....

Not sure what this means? Not an 'OTT bite back' perchance?
Isn't typing a solitary activity anyway? Or after the pub on a Friday is it all back to yours for a full-on typing sesh? Do you do duets?

 

[munkeeunit]

.

 

[Serotonin]

I see Fat Hamster and her ilk still haven't worked out how to use the ignore function.

I'm sorry that having a differing world view on some issues is seen as trolling here. That's a pity.

 

[Serotonin]

Er... bump?

/waves at Munkeeunit

 

[Serotonin]

 

[DaveCinzano]

 

[munkeeunit]

.

 

[Serotonin]

Wait- you just bumped it yourself. Mixed messages or what.

 

[Callie]

PLEASE DON'T FEED THE TROLLS

BY BUMPING THEIR POISON TO THE TOP OF THE PILE.

Thanks.

I must say the more and more people say 'don't reply' 'dont talk to the trolls' the MORE it makes me want to. I don't think its fair to tell others what to do, they can make their own minds up if someone is trolling - if you don't like it why don't you turn a blind eye and let them babble on to themselves or others that might want to talk about the subject?


Thanks