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grufty jim
grufty jim
1978 posts

Edited Mar 06, 2009, 16:04
Re: grin
Mar 06, 2009, 16:02
pooley wrote:
shanshee_allures wrote:
**She justified the "direct action" as the best way of bringing about change, claiming she and others were excluded from the democratic process.**

I doubt lobbing green custard at anyone achieves much really, but she got him sqaure in the chops anyhow, so entertaining, yes!

x





As you say, achieves very little, utter waste of time


a) It's a visceral reminder to Mandleson (and his ilk) that there are people SO incensed by what he does that they are willing to risk prison just in order to humiliate him. The protester could not have known that she wouldn't have been made an example of.

b) It generates publicity for -- and buzz about -- Plane Stupid. For every person like you pooley who pours scorn on such political theatre, there's a 17 year old proto-activist laughing and thinking: "cool". And this is the point, the kind of people who can be spurred on to occupy runways and take part in bigger actions are cheered and galvanised by smaller stunts like this.

c) It almost certainly made Mandleson feel threatened and uncomfortable for a short period of time, while also making the protester feel pleased and slightly more empowered.

d) It made me chuckle. Quite a lot.

So for those 4 reasons (and probably a bunch more) I'd argue it wasn't a waste of time at all. It's only a waste of time if you assume that all progress and achievement must be tangible and easily identified. But sometimes it's about the theatre of the thing. About publicly expressing frustration in a way that makes others take notice. About making people smile.

I'm not saying that everyone will smile at the image of Mandleson being covered in green custard. But I suspect many will.
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