Tuition hike protesters attack car carrying Prince Charles, Camilla

Oberon · 12-10-10, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Everything should be free, and we should all be getting a salary of a $ million a year. That would solve everything.

Amen Brother.

In all seriousness though, attacking the Royal car was a mistake and gave focus to all the media services on that particular incident as opposed to the events of the entire day, including a rather impressive cavalry charge into the middle of the crowd. The Daily Fails was the best of them all...wait for it... "THE FEAR IN HER EYES!"

I do feel sorry for the police stuck in the middle of it, particularly given the fact that they're protecting a system which is effectively broken, and like the crowds were chanting at the cops yesterday "You're next."

Cameron must be rubbing his hands in glee, his proposal has gotten through (just) and the person who is taking the most flak for it is Clegg.
Clegg, by not showing a bit of backbone, has basically put the Lib Dems back into the stone ages. The one major chance they had to prove themselves and they're blown it big time.

My vote will be going to the Monster Raving Loony Party next time I think, they're about the only ones who know what they're doing.

Anyway, people in the media saying about the "anarchy, riots, destruction", have pretty darn short memories, it was only about ten years ago we were watching this on television:

The police have certainly improved tactics since then, and I dare say casualties have been reduced too.

SteamWake · 12-10-10, 09:42 AM

Yea that whole scene looked pretty ugly. I hope the US never comes to that point because they wont stop at breaking windows. Hell look what we do when a sports team wins or loses for that matter.

But I'm with neal free pensions for everyone !!!

Jimbuna · 12-10-10, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Amen Brother.

In all seriousness though, attacking the Royal car was a mistake and gave focus to all the media services on that particular incident as opposed to the events of the entire day, including a rather impressive cavalry charge into the middle of the crowd. The Daily Fails was the best of them all...wait for it... "THE FEAR IN HER EYES!"

I do feel sorry for the police stuck in the middle of it, particularly given the fact that they're protecting a system which is effectively broken, and like the crowds were chanting at the cops yesterday "You're next."

Cameron must be rubbing his hands in glee, his proposal has gotten through (just) and the person who is taking the most flak for it is Clegg.
Clegg, by not showing a bit of backbone, has basically put the Lib Dems back into the stone ages. The one major chance they had to prove themselves and they're blown it big time.

My vote will be going to the Monster Raving Loony Party next time I think, they're about the only ones who know what they're doing.

Anyway, people in the media saying about the "anarchy, riots, destruction", have pretty darn short memories, it was only about ten years ago we were watching this on television:

The police have certainly improved tactics since then, and I dare say casualties have been reduced too.

Ah yes, the poll tax riots....and a smashing time was had by all

Capt Sinbad · 12-10-10, 10:14 AM

Peaceful protest in the UK gets you no where

SteamWake · 12-10-10, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Sinbad

Peaceful protest in the UK gets you no where

Violence makes you look crazy though.

August · 12-10-10, 12:30 PM

The money for that "free" education has to come from somewhere. Maybe you Brits could cut back on NHS services or something?

joegrundman · 12-10-10, 12:54 PM

The thing about these protests is that they come with a context that is distinct from the US national discourse.

It is a generational thing, and intertwined with the financial crisis.

The financial crisis in Britain is serious, and is in short the very large national debt. The dramatic growth of this national debt had two components. Firstly overlarge public spending with Brown as chancellor and then prime minister, secondly the huge spending on the financial sector to prevent it from collapsing altogether. In this the British taxpayer bought out the debt of the banks.

The British press is becoming ever more partisan on the matter, and all blame is shifted to just one of these two causes, depending on the political viewpoint of the newspaper (see if you can guess which supports which view).

In any case, this government has decided that the answer is to massively cut down on that part of public spending which does not negatively affect the financial sector, but keep spending on that which helps it (eg the bailout of ireland which is mainly in effect a second bank bailout for british banks)

One of the many areas that are targeted for savings is student tuition fees.

To an american there seems to be no reason why taxpayers should have to pay for students, and the right-wing press in britain is full of pundits pontificating on the absurd entitlement attitude of modern youth.

But it is worth appreciating that every single legislator and pundit in britain (except the very young and precocious) paid absolutely nothing in tuition fees, and may well have also had living costs paid for courtesy of the taxpayer. That these same people in secure positions later in life are saying to the young that the young must pay where the older generation had it easy is an unpleasant thing to hear, especially when those that must pay did nothing to contribute to the financial crisis whereas those that are now legislating are the generation that made such a mess of it.

It is not just student debts, house prices have gone crazy in britain as a result of silly financial policy and now the average age of first home buying is expected to increase by about 10 years from how it has been until recently. in short it looks to the younger generation as if they are being punished in order to pay for the foul ups of the older.

It may be that the student protests have no hope of substantial change from what is planned, but it's possible to sympathise with the sentiments.

As for scaring the royal couple. whatever. they are not in hospital tonight unlike half a dozen policemen and about 50 students.

gimpy117 · 12-10-10, 02:20 PM

Personally, I don't care if england is in a hard time. Politicians talk and talk and talk about how "our children are our future" but then they let college tuition go through the roof. It's as if once we graduate high school they don't care. I'm glad to see such vigorous protest across the pond, education is something everyone should be able to have, and especially be able to have without getting buried in debt. Here in the USA and Britain, places where our parents had it pretty easy, the kids are now being pressed harder and harder. Tuition is skyrocketing, its expected to double in the next 10 years, something i highly doubt the CPI will do. I recall my parents saying that they worked an entire summer to pay their tuition for the year. Now, us kids work an entire summer to pay for the part they're aid or loans do not cover.

There is going to be a rude awakening in this nation when only the few can afford higher education. Unfortunately I think that day is soon to come.

jumpy · 12-11-10, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

The money for that "free" education has to come from somewhere. Maybe you Brits could cut back on NHS services or something?

No chance - we like our comunistical health service here

my uncle would have died many years before he eventually did without it.

Maybe politicians should learn to tell the truth for a change, even if it's not going to sway voters with election fever. Too long have successive generations of electorate listened to the forked tongue of popularist power mongers, only to be laughed at once a new government is voted in.
I think for the students it's slightly less about the actual fees system and more about the lies and broken election pledges; For the first time their idealism has been exposed for the blatant electioneering sham that it is and they are angry about it. I would be too if I cast my vote based on what any of these career politicians had to offer.

As for the royals... well, it was kinda naive of them to have such a high profile given what was happening in london at the time, surely all the money they have could pay for minders with a little common sense?

None of the royal persons were hurt, but I'd wager they have more of an insight into the plight of the common man now than they did a week ago hahaha - Heloooooo?! britain is fast becoming intolerant of fat, over privileged ticks.

I'm not anti monarchy, but really! They ought to know better.

EDIT:
Fact is, the media (yet again) have made a mahoosive song and dance about the 'rioting students' and how terrible it all is, but students today are much less demonstrative and anti establishment than they were back in the 70's - these days they only bother making a fuss if it's something that effects them directly. Plus there's a lot more students than there used to be back then - it's not what it could be if you believe the media hype.

Oberon · 12-11-10, 06:53 PM

Good account Robbo, I saw the charge live, and yeah the reporter was surprised by it, in fact they were talking to a reporter at the front line just before it happened and he was nearly run over by the horses as they mustered for the charge.
Also saw the charge at the treasury live.

The students are getting more organised now, I saw some improvised shields, and the fences as battering rams against the treasury was novel, however the police continue to have the upper hand in regards to body armour, shields and truncheons. If ever that were equalized, and the students did not fall back at a police charge...then the real chaos would begin.

When's the next one due?

12-10-10, 09:42 AM	#2
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Yea that whole scene looked pretty ugly. I hope the US never comes to that point because they wont stop at breaking windows. Hell look what we do when a sports team wins or loses for that matter. But I'm with neal free pensions for everyone !!! __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

12-10-10, 12:30 PM	#6
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,200 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The money for that "free" education has to come from somewhere. Maybe you Brits could cut back on NHS services or something? __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

12-10-10, 12:54 PM	#7
joegrundman Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,689 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	The thing about these protests is that they come with a context that is distinct from the US national discourse. It is a generational thing, and intertwined with the financial crisis. The financial crisis in Britain is serious, and is in short the very large national debt. The dramatic growth of this national debt had two components. Firstly overlarge public spending with Brown as chancellor and then prime minister, secondly the huge spending on the financial sector to prevent it from collapsing altogether. In this the British taxpayer bought out the debt of the banks. The British press is becoming ever more partisan on the matter, and all blame is shifted to just one of these two causes, depending on the political viewpoint of the newspaper (see if you can guess which supports which view). In any case, this government has decided that the answer is to massively cut down on that part of public spending which does not negatively affect the financial sector, but keep spending on that which helps it (eg the bailout of ireland which is mainly in effect a second bank bailout for british banks) One of the many areas that are targeted for savings is student tuition fees. To an american there seems to be no reason why taxpayers should have to pay for students, and the right-wing press in britain is full of pundits pontificating on the absurd entitlement attitude of modern youth. But it is worth appreciating that every single legislator and pundit in britain (except the very young and precocious) paid absolutely nothing in tuition fees, and may well have also had living costs paid for courtesy of the taxpayer. That these same people in secure positions later in life are saying to the young that the young must pay where the older generation had it easy is an unpleasant thing to hear, especially when those that must pay did nothing to contribute to the financial crisis whereas those that are now legislating are the generation that made such a mess of it. It is not just student debts, house prices have gone crazy in britain as a result of silly financial policy and now the average age of first home buying is expected to increase by about 10 years from how it has been until recently. in short it looks to the younger generation as if they are being punished in order to pay for the foul ups of the older. It may be that the student protests have no hope of substantial change from what is planned, but it's possible to sympathise with the sentiments. As for scaring the royal couple. whatever. they are not in hospital tonight unlike half a dozen policemen and about 50 students. __________________ "Enemy submarines are to be called U-Boats. The term submarine is to be reserved for Allied under water vessels. U-Boats are those dastardly villains who sink our ships, while submarines are those gallant and noble craft which sink theirs." Winston Churchill

12-10-10, 02:20 PM	#8
gimpy117 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 3,243 Downloads: 108 Uploads: 0	Personally, I don't care if england is in a hard time. Politicians talk and talk and talk about how "our children are our future" but then they let college tuition go through the roof. It's as if once we graduate high school they don't care. I'm glad to see such vigorous protest across the pond, education is something everyone should be able to have, and especially be able to have without getting buried in debt. Here in the USA and Britain, places where our parents had it pretty easy, the kids are now being pressed harder and harder. Tuition is skyrocketing, its expected to double in the next 10 years, something i highly doubt the CPI will do. I recall my parents saying that they worked an entire summer to pay their tuition for the year. Now, us kids work an entire summer to pay for the part they're aid or loans do not cover. There is going to be a rude awakening in this nation when only the few can afford higher education. Unfortunately I think that day is soon to come. __________________ Member of the Subsim Zombie Army

12-10-10, 10:14 AM	#4
Capt Sinbad Loader Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 84 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	Peaceful protest in the UK gets you no where

12-11-10, 06:53 PM	#10
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Good account Robbo, I saw the charge live, and yeah the reporter was surprised by it, in fact they were talking to a reporter at the front line just before it happened and he was nearly run over by the horses as they mustered for the charge. Also saw the charge at the treasury live. The students are getting more organised now, I saw some improvised shields, and the fences as battering rams against the treasury was novel, however the police continue to have the upper hand in regards to body armour, shields and truncheons. If ever that were equalized, and the students did not fall back at a police charge...then the real chaos would begin. When's the next one due?