my name is mwd

So we’re at war. Without the approval of the UN. I’m really disappointed, if not surprised. Those who know me will know I’m typically apathetic on anythingthat doesn’t come between me and my emacs buffer, but for once I’m insensed. The government which is menat to represent its people and be a part of the UN is ignoring both. I’m currently watching the news (Mr Blair has just given his speach on the start of the war), and now I guess Is hould provide the rant I promised earlier.

So last night I saw Mark Thomas live in Edinburgh. For those of you that don’t know, Mark Thomas is a British satarist who’s career is basically exposing the insanity of the government (not a hard time when you have people like Claire Short on the cabinate…). It was a good mix of humour and serious message about what was happening with the US and Iraq. And, in this heady mix of anti-war stuff, I did have a few ponderings of my own.

Basically, if you’re called George “Dubya” Bush, democracy is a problem. Democracy might mean you don’t get to be president of the United States of America. Hence fun with Florida during the US presidential elections (read Michael Moore’s book Stupid White Men for a critique of the election). Then you want to go attack Iraq, ‘cos you can. You got attacked, so it’s time to kick a little ass to make sure the world knows who’s boss. Yet unfortunately, the body through which you’re meant to go, the United Nations, has a thing called a vote, where people get to express their opinions. Oh no! Some pesky European countries express their opinion that they don’t think your war is justified! The evil! So yet again, it’s time to bypass that troublesome notion called democracy. Just invade anyway.

Like most people, I agree that Saddam Hussien is not a nice man. In fact, he might justify for the title of fuckwit. But then, the west has been starving the country for the last decade, and yet we’re surprised that no one has uprised against him.

One question I’ve been asking myself, is why have I become bothered now. There’s been other events and I’ve not bothered. I think the point is that this, in my eyes, is Bush’s war, and the UK is just toeing along like a puppy dog. Not only that, we’ve gone along against the UN. All this despite the one and half million people that campaigned against the war. We’ve not even had, in my mind, a just reason for it. Like I say, SH is a bad man. But why now? It’s because Bush said so. And for once I’m just really, really annoyed that the opinion of the general public has been ignored. Even if the 1.5e6 people are in the minority, we deserve an answer, more than just a dismissal by the government.

Another thing that annoys me intensly is how the French have been blamed with the current situation. They had the insane notion of having a different opinion to the US, and now they’re the bad ones. It’s like saying that an open vote is only a good thing if we all agree with one party.

Mr Blair said that while people were divided over the war, he was sure they’d rally behind the troops. So, now you’ve ignored us and gone in, we should decide well it’s okay then. There’s no point argueing as they’re in. I’m afriad I’m still against it. Sorry PM. But don’t worry, I’d not vote for you anyway, so you’ve not lost any support from me.

Soooooo… I know what you might be thinking - war’s started Michael, what did you do about it? Below I mentioned the civil disobedience that was to start after the war started. Did I go? Well…

I did, but I realised putting your beliefs on the line is hard. At 12 noon, I turned up at the appointed point on University campus. The turn out was low, partly one feels down to the dribble with which this war started; about 40 people (mostly students, but a few lecturers in there too). My excuse for leaving was that there wasn’t much going on, but if I’m honest it was something else. The proposed plan by the protesters was to go and blockade Byres Road. This is the plan - the only way to really get noticed is to disrupt normal society, let the government know that if the people are going to be ignored that the people won’t take it. But, I’m a coward. The problem with this action is that I could get arrested, and that scares me. So when it came to a test of my convictions, I failed. Thus after twenty minutes I scurried off to my office again and then went for lunch. I failed. Other people’s life are on the line, but I’m not willing to lose my freedom briefly. ETOOCOWARDLY.

It’s all very confusing being a newbie protester. I’m not very well cut out for this. However, I will try again, at the protests organised for Saturday. Perhaps in larger numbers I can join a protest that will be noticed, without my cowardess being tested again.

Gah, thus I have ranted, for all the good it will do. For those of you that have chance, and are of a anti-war bend, then go see Mark Thomas. His show is both amusing and serious, and of personal anecdote, that at least lets me know my cowardness isn’t alone (MT went through with it, but at least admitted to being scared).

Here’s to it being over as soon as possible.