Blogcritics: Comments on Anti-wars and the tally-ho fraternity raise hell at Labour Conference

Comment by Mark Edward Manning

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 17:49:29 EDT

Simon hb: "[A]s Blair trotted out the line about how the chap was lucky he lived in a democracy and could make his protest, the protester was being hustled out the Brighton Centre and into a police van ..." That's true, Simon, but it takes place at all political conferences or conventions where any opposition to policy, specifically policy that can be explosive or extremely decisive, are quickly muted and dispersed. Take for example the case of anti-war protester Medea Benjamin who unfurled an anti-Iraq War banner during the Democratic Convention in Boston in July. She was quickly silenced and hustled out. And these were the Democrats committing the "crime." At least that chap wasn't beaten and tortured. And he shouldn't have been. He may feel his democratic rights were squelched, but at heated political conventions, true democracy does not exist. That's when you know that we all live in republics, not 100% democracies. But it's still much more preferable than you'd experience in a theocracy, oligarchy or dictatorship.

Comment by Mark Edward Manning

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 17:40:38 EDT

Jadester: "[W]hilst blair may not be doing too well, i seem to remember the conservatives were an even bigger bunch of crooks and liars." So, Jade, are you sticking with Blair and Labour, or are you tempted to vote Liberal Democrat? Just curious.

Comment by Big Time Patriot

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 15:28:39 EDT

Ahh, if we can divert our American animal rights loonies to fight the English animal killing loonies, we could save both countries a lot of grief, perhaps we can ship them out in boats and they can meet in Greenland or some other desolate spot and fight it out.

Comment by jadester

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 11:06:54 EDT

come now, blair's probably just taking a leaf out of Bush's book; "freedom...but with limits". see? Michael Howard doesn't really have the right idea - it goes too far the other way. Without immigrants, Britian would probably be in a worse state than it is. Also, whilst blair may not be doing too well, i seem to remember the conservatives were an even bigger bunch of crooks and liars.

Comment by simon hb

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 10:43:57 EDT

Oddly enough, as Blair trotted out the line about how the chap was lucky he lived in a democracy and could make his protest, the protester was being hustled out the Brighton Centre and into a police van to prevent him from doing anything of the sort.