[Politics] Extinction Rebellion protester grounds plane at London City...

[wellquickwoody]

I'm sure everyone generation since time began has used similar phrases such as "the youth of today just whine" and "they have more than we did" etc etc. Again, this is another example of attacking the people protesting instead of focusing on what they are protesting. Information is so easily accessible now that it stands to reason that some young people may be more clued up on climate change than you or I, so why shouldn't they use their democratic right to protest? Take Greta Thunberg for example, she is probably far more knowledgeable than both of us put together on the subject so why should her age act as a barrier?

They don’t have a democratic right

 

[The Clamp]

Care to make that any plainer?

---

Sorry old boy, I'm too long in the tooth to be entertaining the daft ramblings of a stalker. Especially Mellie ****wits like you. I have resolved to only engage with interesting posters on here and you, my boy fall way short of that criteria

TBTC

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

I have not been keeping touch with you as such -just recall that you teach and wondered why you seemed to have so much time - get well soon! NSC can indeed be quite a distraction .You have, however, missed the point - the fact that I have spent so much time with young folk -and continue to do so - is precisely why I claim as I do. If it were different, I would happily say so; why would I not? - we are on the same side when it comes to climate change. You did not respond when I asked you whether you thought that a Saturday demo would have attracted the same numbers - clearly you knew that would not have been the case -so perhaps a grumpy old fart might just know what he is talking about?

Firstly, thanks for the get well wishes. The unfortunate occupational hazard of working with children.

I feel like we are going round in circles here. if you genuinely believe you, a grown man, understand the way a teenager's mind and feelings work, then all I can do is share my exasperation of such a notion. I fully understand that you have more years of experience than I, but to assume that because of this experience you have a full understanding of the complexities of the inner workings of a teenager and therefore, with absolutely assurance, claim that teenagers, on the whole "don't care about politics", comes across as pure hubris to me.

Yes, they may, or may not, have less numbers. But before you start patting yourself on the back, remember that people have jobs, social lives, can be restricted by parents & family, transport and a whole host of other variables that are not present when a school as a whole goes to protest. It's pretty shaky ground to base your hypothesis on.

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

They don’t have a democratic right

The right to peaceful protest in the UK is expressly guaranteed under European Convention of Human Rights

 

[Hastings gull]

Firstly, thanks for the get well wishes. The unfortunate occupational hazard of working with children.

I feel like we are going round in circles here. if you genuinely believe you, a grown man, understand the way a teenager's mind and feelings work, then all I can do is share my exasperation of such a notion. I fully understand that you have more years of experience than I, but to assume that because of this experience you have a full understanding of the complexities of the inner workings of a teenager and therefore, with absolutely assurance, claim that teenagers, on the whole "don't care about politics", comes across as pure hubris to me.



Yes, they may, or may not, have less numbers. But before you start patting yourself on the back, remember that people have jobs, social lives, can be restricted by parents & family, transport and a whole host of other variables that are not present when a school as a whole goes to protest. It's pretty shaky ground to base your hypothesis on.

My friend -why do you insist on making these exaggerated points to get your message across? Just reply normally. Who has talked about the complexities of the inner workings of a teenager? I have just said that in my experience most teenagers are not that bothered about politics -what is so controversial about that? And as to your last paragraph; come on -you know full well that the numbers would have been well down, so don't pretend that you are not sure. Yes, there are variables involved, but please don't tell me that a 15 year old, say, desperately wanting to protest, would have been prevented by "variables". Transport is available every day of the week and here in Hastings, the school did not go down as a whole to protest. Parents allow their teenagers to go into town shopping, for example, (or go to the Albion) as we both see them in our respective locations, so please don't try and make out parents en masse would have stopped their child.

 

[RossyG]

I remember as a kid in the Eighties being told that thanks to ozone depletion I wouldn't be able to go outside with protective gear by 2000.

And then there's this. Five years to go, lads... Better start knitting those balaclavas.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2004/feb/22/usnews.theobserver

The one thing that unites all the scientific predictions about climate change is that they never come true.

 

[Hastings gull]

The right to peaceful protest in the UK is expressly guaranteed under European Convention of Human Rights

Yes, we are in agreement here. meant to ask if you are back at school on Monday? does the school have to then pay for agency staff. or is the school big enough to "absorb" your absence?

 

[Hastings gull]

I remember as a kid in the Eighties being told that thanks to ozone depletion I wouldn't be able to go outside with protective gear by 2000.

And then there's this. Five years to go, lads... Better start knitting those balaclavas.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2004/feb/22/usnews.theobserver

The one thing that unites all the scientific predictions about climate change is that they never come true.

I am in no way an expert on the science, but suspect that some of the predictions may well come true just not in the timescale that the doom mongers state. There have been so many predictions in the past, and I am sure that we have passed several deadlines talking of the world's demise from say 20 to 30 years ago. I am certain that climate change is happening, but in order to get everyone on board, we need to be realistic; XR activists just stating that we are all going to die in x years time is hardly likely to convince your average punter who will in all probability reply that they have heard it all before.

 

[Klaas]

I also remember the reaction in schools to the start of the Falklands war. Kids actually came out and flew the flag, my best mate made a jacket with the slogan ‘Keep the Falklands British’, kids actually supported those in government. This was the post punk/ska and rude boys era so that was not a go to standpoint in usual circumstances. Today’s kids just seem to want to whine, despite having the most material possessions of any generation, and a set of parents willing to fall over themselves to to make life easier than it was for any generation before them.

At fifteen years of age most kids have at least three years of education ahead of them, but for some reason we afford their opinion more merit than the kid who joins the services at 17? We generally do not penalise minors to the same degree as adults in the justice system (apart from the most heinous crimes) but it seems the trend is to allow the young and ill informed to lead the debate on this issue. Children should NOT lead adults, the world is upside down if they do so.

You're so ****ing predictable. You are also the biggest whiner on this board bar none.

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

My friend -why do you insist on making these exaggerated points to get your message across? Just reply normally. Who has talked about the complexities of the inner workings of a teenager? I have just said that in my experience most teenagers are not that bothered about politics -what is so controversial about that? And as to your last paragraph; come on -you know full well that the numbers would have been well down, so don't pretend that you are not sure. Yes, there are variables involved, but please don't tell me that a 15 year old, say, desperately wanting to protest, would have been prevented by "variables". Transport is available every day of the week and here in Hastings, the school did not go down as a whole to protest. Parents allow their teenagers to go into town shopping, for example, (or go to the Albion) as we both see them in our respective locations, so please don't try and make out parents en masse would have stopped their child.

Fine, I'll put it as simply as I can. Whilst there is nothing remotely controversial about claiming, incorrectly in my opinion, that teenagers don't care about politics, I dispute your claims, as I have before, that the vast majority are using protests as an excuse to bunk off from school. We have seen, very recently, tens of thousands of young people marching for a people's vote, attending Labour rallies, protesting against climate change and yet you still maintain this view that young people don't care about politics or scrutinise their motives which, I'm sorry to say, just comes across as an attempt at engage in ad hominem.

You seem very eager for me to admit that the number of teenagers at a protest would significantly drop if said protest was at the weekend, and whilst I am not disputing that this may happen, I do think you are being awfully dismissive of a whole host of barriers that may well stop them from attending. For example, a teenager with a Saturday job, no car, their parent's are at work or otherwise engaged, they don't have all that much money in the bank, their friends are either at work themselves or doing what teenagers do (having a social life), should just be expected to overcome all of those to attend a protest, quite possibly a fair distance from where they live, and put themselves at the risk of being arrested, kettled and demonised by the press and, potentially, their parents and family? That's something a lot of adults would struggle to overcome so to suggest that, if they don't overcome those barriers, they must not care enough is simply unfair in my opinion.

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

Yes, we are in agreement here. meant to ask if you are back at school on Monday? does the school have to then pay for agency staff. or is the school big enough to "absorb" your absence?

I will be yes as it's parent's evening, flu or no flu. This week they've paid agency to cover my class but can often cover teachers internally using HLTAs, something we have relied on a lot over the past year or so as the budgets have dwindled.

 

[Diablo]

You really are a sad act. I'd be surprised if you're actually allowed near children, let alone anyone trusting you with the care and education of our next generation.

Would you like to explain why. Or just as usual post abuse with no substance. For your information I have three children. You ?

 

[Hastings gull]

Fine, I'll put it as simply as I can. Whilst there is nothing remotely controversial about claiming, incorrectly in my opinion, that teenagers don't care about politics, I dispute your claims, as I have before, that the vast majority are using protests as an excuse to bunk off from school. We have seen, very recently, tens of thousands of young people marching for a people's vote, attending Labour rallies, protesting against climate change and yet you still maintain this view that young people don't care about politics or scrutinise their motives which, I'm sorry to say, just comes across as an attempt at engage in ad hominem.

You seem very eager for me to admit that the number of teenagers at a protest would significantly drop if said protest was at the weekend, and whilst I am not disputing that this may happen, I do think you are being awfully dismissive of a whole host of barriers that may well stop them from attending. For example, a teenager with a Saturday job, no car, their parent's are at work or otherwise engaged, they don't have all that much money in the bank, their friends are either at work themselves or doing what teenagers do (having a social life), should just be expected to overcome all of those to attend a protest, quite possibly a fair distance from where they live, and put themselves at the risk of being arrested, kettled and demonised by the press and, potentially, their parents and family? That's something a lot of adults would struggle to overcome so to suggest that, if they don't overcome those barriers, they must not care enough is simply unfair in my opinion.

I suspect that tens of thousands may be a bit of an exaggeration - it might be near that figure, but of course includes those bunking off on a friday. But what percentage of the total teenage population of this country is this, do you think? I would be surprised if it is 10% and that is being generous - your tens of thousands in no way represents a mass movement, however much you would like to think so.

Oh and please - these variables; yes you are right in that a few kids have saturday jobs, but no car, not much money, live far away, risk of arrest; why should that be any different on a Saturday than a friday. it's nonsense. But what takes the biscuit is the assertion that teenagers couldn't be expected to turn up for a Saturday demo for an issue which you say really is a burning priority for them, as we would be expecting them to overcome the issue of what teenagers do ie have a social life. You said it -not me! Come on -think about it; if that is your view, then you have confirmed what I have been saying all along.

 

[Hastings gull]

I will be yes as it's parent's evening, flu or no flu. This week they've paid agency to cover my class but can often cover teachers internally using HLTAs, something we have relied on a lot over the past year or so as the budgets have dwindled.

It was always going to happen when TAs had the chance to be HLTAs. Teaching on the cheap is somewhat unfair, though that may well have been the aim, but I say unfair, as some of the TAs I have sen are really good.

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

I suspect that tens of thousands may be a bit of an exaggeration - it might be near that figure, but of course includes those bunking off on a friday. But what percentage of the total teenage population of this country is this, do you think? I would be surprised if it is 10% and that is being generous - your tens of thousands in no way represents a mass movement, however much you would like to think so.

Oh and please - these variables; yes you are right in that a few kids have saturday jobs, but no car, not much money, live far away, risk of arrest; why should that be any different on a Saturday than a friday. it's nonsense. But what takes the biscuit is the assertion that teenagers couldn't be expected to turn up for a Saturday demo for an issue which you say really is a burning priority for them, as we would be expecting them to overcome the issue of what teenagers do ie have a social life. You said it -not me! Come on -think about it; if that is your view, then you have confirmed what I have been saying all along.

I am not claiming the majority of teenagers are political activists, I am merely suggesting that even if the figures above a benchmark, is flies in the face of your assessment that teenagers aren’t interested in politics. Out of interest, what % of the adult population do you think are protesting right now in London? Is that percentage a fair representation of people who are concerned about climate change across the country?

A few kids have Saturday jobs? In July 2019 an estimated 488,000 teenagers and young people (16-24) were employed. I haven’t been to Churchill Square in a while but I bet a lot of the staff working in the shops there today were either teenagers or in their early 20s. In my local shopping complex the vast majority of Saturday and Sunday workers in the shops are 16-20. Having to work would be a perfectly valid reason not to go to a protest. Especially in this day and age where your attendance at said protest and the plastering of pictures over social media could see you lose your job. All it takes is one customer to recognise a face in a crowd and complain for someone to get fired from said job. It’s precisely the reason I don’t go to protests. Does that mean I don’t care about climate change?

You’ve said it yourself, a protest on a Friday would either be at a school or the school would act as a staging area, and would mostly eliminate the variables I put to you. Going to a protest in London on a Saturday, surrounded by unfamiliar adults, potential counter protestors, surrounded by hundreds of police... it is a completely different, potentially intimidating, environment for a young person and you know that.The variables that I’ve put forward are perfectly valid reasons for teenagers, or anyone for that matter, to not attend a protest. You can pat yourself on the back all you like, but I don’t for one minute believe that not going to a protest on a Saturday represents a lack of interest or passion in young people in the slightest.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

I'm sure everyone generation since time began has used similar phrases such as "the youth of today just whine" and "they have more than we did" etc etc. Again, this is another example of attacking the people protesting instead of focusing on what they are protesting. Information is so easily accessible now that it stands to reason that some young people may be more clued up on climate change than you or I, so why shouldn't they use their democratic right to protest? Take Greta Thunberg for example, she is probably far more knowledgeable than both of us put together on the subject so why should her age act as a barrier?

Greta is clearly insane, she has been brainwashed by someone, and they are using her as a pawn in what they feel is acceptable propaganda.

I really don't want to tag all teachers with this, but it seems the vast majority are more like preachers than teachers, they seem so so, controlling.

Please tell you, colleagues, adult non-teachers have their own minds too.

 

[RossyG]

Greta’s a useful sock puppet for her controllers because if anyone criticises what she says, they can play the “How dare you attack an autistic child” angle.

It amazes me that people believe her rise was somehow organic and not manipulated by globalists. Do they think think she’d be allowed to address the UN or meet presidents if she didn’t say what the establishment wanted said?

It’s like Extinction Rebellion, supposedly a grassroots organisation but actually bankrolled by a billionaire hedge fund tycoon with a knighthood.

All the world’s a stage...

 

[The Clamp]

Greta is clearly insane, she has been brainwashed by someone, and they are using her as a pawn in what they feel is acceptable propaganda.

I really don't want to tag all teachers with this, but it seems the vast majority are more like preachers than teachers, they seem so so, controlling.

Please tell you, colleagues, adult non-teachers have their own minds too.

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

Greta is clearly insane, she has been brainwashed by someone, and they are using her as a pawn in what they feel is acceptable propaganda.

I really don't want to tag all teachers with this, but it seems the vast majority are more like preachers than teachers, they seem so so, controlling.

Please tell you, colleagues, adult non-teachers have their own minds too.

And where is your proof that she is insane or that she’s been brainwashed? Do you think David Attenborough has been brainwashed too? After all, he always seems to be talking about climate change...

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

Greta’s a useful sock puppet for her controllers because if anyone criticises what she says, they can play the “How dare you attack an autistic child” angle.

It amazes me that people believe her rise was somehow organic and not manipulated by globalists. Do they think think she’d be allowed to address the UN or meet presidents if she didn’t say what the establishment wanted said?

It’s like Extinction Rebellion, supposedly a grassroots organisation but actually bankrolled by a billionaire hedge fund tycoon with a knighthood.

All the world’s a stage...

That’s nice. Where’s your proof?