[News] Just Stop Oil

[Goldstone Guy]

What, and JSO will?

Of course it will contribute to change, yes. It is making a difference already by raising the profile of the issue, whether you like it or not.

History tells us that peaceful but disruptive protest is nothing new but is ultimately successful, or at least contributes to change. One example mentioned on this thread is the protesting by Brighton fans in the 90s about the Goldstone ground sale. Another is the Peter Hain lead "Stop the tour" anti-apartheid protests in the 70s. Both targeted sporting events, were unpopular with some people (I say extremely selfish people who didn't like any inconvenience to themselves and didn't care about injustice to others), but ultimately the protesters got the issue in the news and change happened. Yes it took about 20 years after the Peter Hain protests for apartheid to end, and you might argue that they didn't make much difference. Equally you could argue that apartheid would still be going in South Africa if it wasn't for Hain and his fellow protesters. Would you object to protesting in the two examples above?

 

[Brian Fantana]

did you get that warm, fuzzy feeling?

As it was freezing cold outside and I was warm in the car, I did.

 

[Seagull27]

Every time they disrupt an event I’m enjoying, I have an overriding urge to consume more oil at as fast a rate as humanly possible.

That's a little bit silly. Climate change isn't an issue owned by JSO. Deliberately taking actions to worsen the situation won't impact JSO protesters that much, it'll just slightly contribute towards those affected by droughts, flooding, wildfires etc over the coming years.

If you don't like JSO then fair enough, criticise them - but do listen to the scientists and those who protest in less disruptful ways instead.

 

[willalbion]

He blocked me on Twitter. He was tweeting about the evils of Electric cars and that people should not have them and I asked him how much his brand new Tesla he bought cost him.

He didn’t like that.

That’s funny, we’re all Hypocrites to some degree I guess.

 

[worthingseagull123]

That’s funny, we’re all Hypocrites to some degree I guess.

Not to the extent that I am telling me people not to buy something I have just bought for myself.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Of course it will contribute to change, yes. It is making a difference already by raising the profile of the issue, whether you like it or not.

History tells us that peaceful but disruptive protest is nothing new but is ultimately successful, or at least contributes to change.

Is it always successful?

 

[beorhthelm]

He blocked me on Twitter. He was tweeting about the evils of Electric cars and that people should not have them and I asked him how much his brand new Tesla he bought cost him.

He didn’t like that.

whats his objection to EV?

 

[worthingseagull123]

whats his objection to EV?

I can’t remember.

Some hysterical ramblings.

Upfront carbon cost I think.

 

[Goldstone Guy]

Is it always successful?

I don't keep a database of every single protest in history so I can't answer that question. Perhaps you could give me some examples of unsuccessful protests and we could look at why, or even better you could answer my original question. If it was 1970 now, would you be supporting Peter Hain disrupting sports events or would you be one of the ones calling for him to be "locked up"?

 

[Colonel Mustard]

Of course it will contribute to change, yes. It is making a difference already by raising the profile of the issue, whether you like it or not.

But the profile of the issue isn’t being raised, that’s the problem. The entire focus is on the disruption, and all those awkward stories about people missing their mother's funeral, hospital appointments and so on. Much depends on which bubble(s) you’re part of. In my traditional local pub near Eastbourne, I’ve heard endless conversations about the JSO protests, and I don’t recall a single reference to the underlying issue. It’s all about giving the police more powers to haul them away. I’m on board with the cause but not the tactics which are doing nothing but creating antagonism instead of a united front. Remember, it’s no good preaching to the converted. A campaign has to speak to the sceptics. FWIW, I think the best use of campaigning energy is to ensure a change of government. Where I live it’s a straight choice between Tories and LibDems. I’ll be voting for the LibDems as the party most likely to help effect change. (The Greens are nowhere here and Labour seem very confused by which green causes and tactics to support.)

 

[Colonel Mustard]

whats his objection to EV?

There is an argument about increased carbon costs of initial manufacture and distribution. I don’t know the stats, or even if they exist. There was an article by Rowan Atkinson recently in the Guardian on the topic. Caused quite a stir. We plan to buy an EV soon as we generate enough solar power to charge a car for free. Biggest problem is the very high cost of EVs. If only they were significantly cheaper rather than significantly pricier, the revolution would be well underway.

 

[Stat Brother]

There is an argument about increased carbon costs of initial manufacture and distribution. I don’t know the stats, or even if they exist. There was an article by Rowan Atkinson recently in the Guardian on the topic. Caused quite a stir. We plan to buy an EV soon as we generate enough solar power to charge a car for free. Biggest problem is the very high cost of EVs. If only they were significantly cheaper rather than significantly pricier, the revolution would be well underway.

It caused quite a stir because it wasn't an article it was an opinion piece.

 

[worthingseagull123]

I don't keep a database of every single protest in history so I can't answer that question. Perhaps you could give me some examples of unsuccessful protests and we could look at why, or even better you could answer my original question. If it was 1970 now, would you be supporting Peter Hain disrupting sports events or would you be one of the ones calling for him to be "locked up"?

The animal rights movement, CND, stop the war protedts. Far right demos etc.

Peter Hain, we’d probably look at it the same way now as we do now with current Sports teams and individuals being involved with awful regimes with terrible human rights abuses. Most people don’t seem to care about Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar etc.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

It caused quite a stir because it wasn't an article it was an opinion piece.

It caused quite a stir because a lot of people disagreed with it and challenged some of the stats. TBH I don’t know who is right but were still planning on buying one.

 

[Stat Brother]

It caused quite a stir because a lot of people disagreed with it and challenged some of the stats. TBH I don’t know who is right but were still planning on buying one.

Which is the job of an opinion piece.

 

[Goldstone Guy]

The animal rights movement, CND, stop the war protedts. Far right demos etc.

Peter Hain, we’d probably look at it the same way now as we do now with current Sports teams and individuals being involved with awful regimes with terrible human rights abuses. Most people don’t seem to care about Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar etc.

Yes fair enough, you're right about things like CND. My point remains - Hain organised disruption of sporting events to protest against something. What's the difference with JSO? If you say the marches down the street etc, would it be ok if JSO just disrupted sports events?

 

[Goldstone Guy]

But the profile of the issue isn’t being raised, that’s the problem. The entire focus is on the disruption, and all those awkward stories about people missing their mother's funeral, hospital appointments and so on. Much depends on which bubble(s) you’re part of. In my traditional local pub near Eastbourne, I’ve heard endless conversations about the JSO protests, and I don’t recall a single reference to the underlying issue. It’s all about giving the police more powers to haul them away. I’m on board with the cause but not the tactics which are doing nothing but creating antagonism instead of a united front. Remember, it’s no good preaching to the converted. A campaign has to speak to the sceptics. FWIW, I think the best use of campaigning energy is to ensure a change of government. Where I live it’s a straight choice between Tories and LibDems. I’ll be voting for the LibDems as the party most likely to help effect change. (The Greens are nowhere here and Labour seem very confused by which green causes and tactics to support.)

It's turning some people against their cause, but some people on the fence have started to support them, as posters on here have admitted. As I've said before, to get policy changes, it's better to have 50% hate you and 50% support you, than 10% support you and the other 90% aren't really bothered.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

What, and JSO will?

Clearly not, but at least they aren't ignoring it and are standing up for something they believe in.

The fact that the current government are unwilling to even engage with them on the subject is another matter.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Clearly not, but at least they aren't ignoring it and are standing up for something they believe in.

The fact that the current government are unwilling to even engage with them on the subject is another matter.

Why should the government engage with them?

They are no more legitimate than any other fringe protest movement.

 

[Javeaseagull]

I’m still laughing at the dear old lady who wandered up to Osbourne and his new wife and threw some orange confetti. Everyone was throwing confetti and I’m not sure Osborne noticed. They hardly broke stride and his wife just glanced over her shoulder. Disrupted their special day? Ridiculous over reaction but no more than you would expect. Typical distraction.