Climate change protesters anyone else think they are hypocritical? AIBU

Apologies I see that the incident has been mentioned by other posters.

This has probably been mentioned but a man was unable to get to spend time with his father before he died due to road blockages, I think in the Bristol area. I believe one demonstrator was distraught about that, of course there could be umpteen emergencies that are held up, as well as life being made difficult for those going about their everyday business. Target the embassies of the world's worst polluters, the individual doesn't have any clout. It's all very well that protestor showing remorse for denying that man those final moments with his father, but he's never going to get that time back a regret that he will no doubt carry with him for the rest of his life. Heaven knows what other life changing events will be impeded by such demonstrations.

The problem with both Suffragettes and ER, is that they are after the event. Once the movement is really up and running - votes for women, awareness of global warming and the need for urgent action, a noisy group of activists comes running up to the moving band wagon, jump on, elbow their way to the front and start virtue signalling and claiming the moral high ground and leadership of the movement.

Much has been done about global warming already in this country, not enough or fast enough, but it is happening. DH was involved in the installation of his first offshore wind farm 15 years ago and is still working on the installation of offshore wind farms in his mid 70s, there is so much demand for expertise like his.

I have no objections to people protesting, I have never suggested I had, but people like the Civil Rights protesters were doing it when everything was against them, they were there right from the start. The same for the suffragists and anti-slavery campaign. They supported causes when they were unpopular

For ER to have any cridibility they should have come into existence 20 years ago, when the weight of opinion was still largely with the debunkers and when they would have had to face strong opposition, not just come prancing in when the going gets easy.

Well, that's very sad.

Gonegirl Anyone listening to the man who reported he had been unable to get to his dying father would be in no doubt he was being truthful. However, the "apology" from one of the protesters, after listening to the call, was totally unconvincing and insincere.

Not really enough though is it Callistemon. That won't get governments moving.

I am all for what ER have done so far. Especially the small local groups who are working with their LAs to change things.

GrannyGravy13 Do you really believe all that people say on phone-ins? It's about as likely as everything being truthful on GN.

Good post too, merlotgran.

Yes, they do learn about environmental issues in primary school - at least my DGC do and the pupils are very aware.

M0nica
I agree with your first paragraph, excellently put.

Gonegirl I haven't watched it yet but recorded it.
You've made some interesting points
I said to DH today that the strikes planned by workers at Heathrow and other airports are being orchestrated by the Unite Union which made me wonder what exactly are the motives behind this planned action - is it merely for pay rises for their members, most of whom have already been offered 4.6%?

Plus ER would like to disrupt the holiday plans of thousands of people, apparently using drones.
This is not the right way to get their message across.

Again more misery planned for the general public.

We need solutions, not disruption and demands.
But, of course, it is always Someone Else who has to find the solutions.

There has been a man who couldn’t get to his Dads bedside before he died because of the XR Protesters on the M32.

I cannot begin to imagine how he feels.

I found that documentary disturbing. Seems it is all being orchestrated by adults. Some of them quite older adults. I think they could have their own agenda. Bring down capitalism. Perhaps communists. The things they have planned for 7th October, against financial institutions, is going too far.

How to get the young to listen and be swayed by us oldies though? Ours is but to worry. And to point out the dangers to their parents. And how to get even them to listen?

Student rebellions are to be expected with every generation and we'd be a sadder world without them but I'm concerned that such young children are being encouraged and involved. As that mounted policeman said in the documentary last night, 'They should be in school!'

They are too young to have informed and educated opinions. Primary schools are keen to include recycling projects and climate change/global warming is far better discussed in a safe environment at their age rather than spouting the rantings of people who should know better than to encourage them to break the law.

I wouldn't allow any child of mine under yr 9 age anywhere near these demonstrations.

Teens will always protest, with me it was CND! Celebrities like Emma Thompson will always jump on the band wagon as long as it doesn't inconvenience them. Gone Girl why so aggressive!

The idea that all of us doing a little bit, is not enough. climate change needs a global response. We are all going to be impacted without immediate action, and probably with it. People have been driven to taking action by a succession of governments who insist on only looking at the short term.

Yes I do know the history the suffragists originally only fought for votes for men, not women. And there were many non violent protests. As for anti slavery movements I should have also added the civil rights movement in the 60s most of which were non violent just like the current environmental activists. Such direct action draws attention to the issues. You might not agree with them but history suggests drawing attention to issues does speed up the process of social change.

I am not rewriting history, Iam just clearing the mists of sentiment and a tendency to always notice those shouting and making a great noise from those quietly working in the background to really make things happen.

The bombing and terrorism are history and known. What suffragism has got to do with the anti-slavery campaign I have no idea. That was an excellent and well run campaign run by people who talked and lectured and lobbied and succeeded in the end. I am not sure that they ever threw bombs or set buildings on fire.

The anti slavery campaign and the suffragists have much in common. I assume you know about the suffragists and all that they did.

Let’s all rewrite history shall we? Those pesky suffragettes were a waste of time. As for those anti slavery campaigners....

Let's burst the bubbly that the saintly suffragettes got us the vote. They were terrorists who conducted a bombing campaign, targets included the Chancellor of the Exchequer's house, he wasn't there, but his domestic staff were and could have been killed. They also left incendary devices and sent out letter bombs. At least ER is peaceful, so far.

The real people who got us the vote were the suffragists, led by Millicent Fawcett who lobbied and campaigned quietly for years. They were on the verge of success when the suffragettes started their campaigns and the government backed off because they did not wish to be seen to be being intimidated in votes for women by a terrorist campaign - and quite rightly so.

GoneGirl do you have to be so nasty? Would you use that language to your grandson? I do object to being told to STFU, it's totally unnecessary. I do not consider that to be self pity.

(that in response to janipat's self pity)

Good grief.

I'd hope not, I am mixed race. I assumed GoneGirl much as she abuses me would want the N to stand for now.

My phrase started with 'now'

Actually, how did you know about that?

Oh of course I didn't mean that?

Gonegirl - look it up in Urban Dictionary - I am pretty sure you would never use that phrase in real life