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Climate change protesters anyone else think they are hypocritical? AIBU

(281 Posts)
sazz1 Mon 15-Jul-19 11:43:47

Ok so part of the town is shut off due to protesters causing diversions and more traffic fumes. Also the majority probably don't use public transport or ride a bike to work. When the kids did it it was on a school day not a weekend. And you can bet they drive with parents to school, clubs, visit friends etc to say nothing about gap years later when they fly around the world. Also I'll bet a lot go on foriegn holidays and certainly not biking in the countryside. Also the mess left behind shows they don't care about the environment much either. Why protest in busy streets etc when we have a huge green outside our council buildings? Anyone else feel like this or am I just a miserable OAP
Thoughts?

Callistemon Wed 17-Jul-19 19:15:30

^ By buying plastic tat from China, cheap fashion , and importing stuff from thousands of miles away we are all guilty and should be doing far more.^
speak for yourself re 'cheap fashion', 'plastic tat' etc crystaltipps (sorry, I got your name wrong).

I bought some 'plastic tat' probably made in China yesterday - two refillable water bottles for the DGC; they have some but DH broke one of them. More to go in the recycling [sigh].

Yes, I know there are metal ones - one to go into the recycling because it leaks. And it has a plastic lid anyway.

Callistemon Wed 17-Jul-19 19:16:50

Thanks merlot I will set it to record on my probably plastic box.

Lisagran Wed 17-Jul-19 19:21:16

Gonegirl - did you really mean NSTFU as in the Urban Dictionary?! shock. Your grandson doesn’t have to go the US - he’s not travelling for life-saving surgery, say? You do seem to get very angry in your posts........

Gonegirl Wed 17-Jul-19 19:36:40

I suppose the anger you think you see in my posts is probably a mix of protectiveness and worry.

I do not look in Urban Dictionary.

Gonegirl Wed 17-Jul-19 19:50:40

So long as it's not single use plastic Callistemon I think you're ok.

Beckett Wed 17-Jul-19 20:13:20

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

Gonegirl Wed 17-Jul-19 20:26:55

Oh of course I didn't mean that? hmm

Gonegirl Wed 17-Jul-19 20:27:44

Actually, how did you know about that?

Gonegirl Wed 17-Jul-19 20:28:54

My phrase started with 'now'

janipat Wed 17-Jul-19 20:28:56

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

Gonegirl Wed 17-Jul-19 20:30:12

Good grief. hmm grin

Gonegirl Wed 17-Jul-19 20:30:57

(that in response to janipat's self pity)

janipat Wed 17-Jul-19 20:34:51

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.

M0nica Wed 17-Jul-19 20:40:00

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.

crystaltipps Wed 17-Jul-19 20:50:40

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

M0nica Wed 17-Jul-19 21:35:03

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.

crystaltipps Thu 18-Jul-19 08:19:35

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.

Daisymae Thu 18-Jul-19 08:33:45

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.

Glenfinnan Thu 18-Jul-19 08:50:20

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!

merlotgran Thu 18-Jul-19 10:58:37

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.

Gonegirl Thu 18-Jul-19 11:07:01

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?

GrannyGravy13 Thu 18-Jul-19 11:47:03

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.

Callistemon Thu 18-Jul-19 11:49:53

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.

Callistemon Thu 18-Jul-19 11:58:23

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.

Gonegirl Thu 18-Jul-19 12:50:15

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.