Today in 1962, 63 years ago: Telstar, the world's first communications satellite, is launched into orbit.
Website | https://eternallybored.org/ |
Website | https://eternallybored.org/ |
Today in 1962, 63 years ago: Telstar, the world's first communications satellite, is launched into orbit.
Brits can sleep safely tonight, after the heroic work of the Metropolitan Police. The Reverend Sue Parfitt, 83, a retired priest, was arrested in Parliament Square for holding a sign which read:
“I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”
Under British law, this now puts her in the same category as an ISIS or Al-Qaeda terrorist. The courts may impose a prison sentence of up to 14 years, to protect the public against the existential threat posed by this very dangerous woman.
I'm sure that when ReformUK get elected into Office, it will be all OK for everyone.
I think Starmer is taking us towards that route himself! Farridge must be thinking "Oi! I wanted to do that!"
@2legged I do not now, nor have I ever, endorsed the actions of Palestine Action.
That said, I don't think spraying graffiti on RAF aircraft is quite as insidious as the actions of some of the other organisations who have been proscribed by the British government. I also don't think genocide is something we should enable as a nation.
@pmb00cs Let's all remind ourselves that in democratic societies, WE are 'government'. Their crimes are ours. WE are incompetent, vindictive, and cruel, and those we elect only manifest our sins more coherently. It's not Labour that's to blame. It's the gang of half-brained gammons down at the pub who are. We elected all these people. Because WE are stupid enough.
If you want to fix this, you need to start locally, and raise up your community, to be better people and smarter voters.
@wesdym and how do we change the system, if not by ridiculing and criticising those in power when they do things we disagree with?
It's nihilistic to say it's everyone's fault because we elected this government. I certainly didn't. There is room for dissent, and room to believe that things can be changed for the better. But change starts with something, why not mockery?
@pmb00cs Like it or not, real democracy happens across pub tables, lunch counters, and property fences. It's hard, thankless work, and can't be a jerk about it or it will fail, and you can't have your cool, cool friends cheering you over your shoulder. It requires humility and an acceptance of compromise for the sake of everyone's interests, in balance with each other.
I'm a powerful believer in mockery as a tool for change, and advocate it frequently. But it only works when based in truth.
@pmb00cs Anyone may run for Parliament, and anyone may vote for them. The hard truth is that the People are really to blame. WE are The System, or at least run it. The People just happen to be very stupid, that's all. It's tragic, but true.
If you want it to change, you must lobby your fellow citizens. It's hard, unpleasant, unfun, and thankless, but is the only real option that exists. Anything else is a cop-out, I'm sorry. We own all this. We need to manage it intelligently.
@pmb00cs I know that people don't want to hear this. And I don't like to say it, either. But hard truths are just that, and must be faced. No amount of faith will save you from diving into a canyon; truth will out, and facing it head on can prevent calamity.
Self-government is HARD, and demands much more from the People than many people are willing to give it. Not because they can't, but because they WON'T. They're like spoiled little children.
@pmb00cs Nearly a third of Americans sat out Election 2024. That's just shameful. It was apparently too much work for them to actually vote, for (or against) anyone. But they all seem to have plenty of time and energy to bitch and moan constantly. That's just embarrassing, and there's no excuse for it.
We the People are our own real worst enemies, and we just need to grow the fuck up and make a real effort.
@pmb00cs If you were on the Titanic while she was going down, would you spend time and energy arguing with people who insisted there was nothing that could be done?
The world's problems will not be solved by those who are better at making excuses instead of exploring solutions, or distracting those willing to try.
I wish you well in your journey. Goodbye.
@wesdym would I be in first class, and therefore have access to the lifeboats, or would I be in steerage, and so be doomed to die in freezing water?
You chose your counter example poorly.
Some of us have the opportunity to change the system from within. Some of us simply do not. The difference is entirely down to luck.
@pmb00cs You vastly over-estimate the intelligence of the average police captain (in any country).
"Whops, that was a mistake, wasn't it? Sorry!" - "Whops! Sorry again!" - repeat ad infinitum. Getting released later is small comfort to those who already collected their lump, no matter how 'mistaken' the cause.
The goal, in all cases, is to discourage dissent. And we all know why. It's already an outrage that a group that has only committed some vandalism is equated with Carlos the Jackal.
Untangling the ownership of the RAF's Voyager refueling aircraft shows how public money lavished on U.K. “defence” winds up rewarding rich financiers. By Craig Murray CraigMurray.org.uk If you thought Royal Air Force (RAF) jets were owned by the RAF, think again. The RAF squadron targeted
Pretty sure Sue is living a full and enriching life, which eclipses all of ours - yours included.
That was a cheap shot. Feel shame.
Yes indeed (though I'm super proud of her in case that was unclear! What a lady!!!)!
(I edited it because was bothered with how it was taken)
Not directed at you, as per the way Mastodon orders its replies. Thought your post was trenchant.