"While dictators rage and statesmen talk, all Europe dances — to The Lambeth Walk."

Friday 10 December 2010

Anarchists Don't Understand Irony



Anarchist protesters who attacked Prince Charles's car as it drove him to the London Palladium allegedly shouted "why are we funding you?" and "get a job!"

I'm told in good faith this genuinely took place without irony.

I would say to these scum, whose antics are pictured below, that whatever one's views on the Monarchy, at least Prince Charles serves a purpose; what do they do to earn the tax money that's no doubt lavished on them in various forms (including cleaning up the mayhem they cause)?

The best case scenario is probably roll in for three hours a week of lectures on Britain is Racist, Dude studies at the former Bradford Polytechnic before going home to smoke pot and wallow in their own filth.




I acknowledge that the legitimate protesters have a right to voice their opinions, and in some cases a right to be angry; but where were they when New Labour was squandering all of Britain's money?

Using their Socialist Worker's Party placards to keep the sun off their backs at Glastonbury whilst pontificating to their friends about social justice and the evil Tories, no doubt.

I believe that the government yet again using the money of English taxpayers to buy votes in Scotland and Wales is deeply unjust and deeply wrong, but that is an issue that seems to have been somewhat sidelined in the general noise about tuition fee rises.

The fact is, fees will have to rise because funding the current university system is simply unstainable. What's needed is for that system to be scaled back; we need to be honest that it is much larger than necessary, get rid of some of the more frivolous courses and institutions and return to the days when a university education was a sign of academic prestige, rather than a sign that one is very familiar with drinking games and Pot Noodles.

But of course, pointing that out will only lead to more violence, because many of these people are beyond reason.

I would urge the genuine demonstrators to disassociate themselves with such acts as urinating on Churchill's statue, the descration of the Union Flag and the Cenotaph and the attack on Prince Charles before they lose whatever public sympathy remains for them.

***UPDATE 16:49***:

The moron seen desecrating the Cenotaph is Charlie Gilmour, the adopted son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour.

Is calling him a moron a bit harsh? Read Charlie's attempt at an apology before you judge:
"I feel nothing but shame. My intention was not to attack or defile the Cenotaph. Running along with a crowd of people who had just been violently repelled by the police, I got caught up in the spirit of the moment.

"I did not realise that it was the Cenotaph and if I had, I certainly would not have done what I did.

"I feel additionally mortified that my moment of idiocy has distracted so much from the message yesterday's protest was trying to send out."

Seeing as the issue Charlie's actions have apparently distracted us from are giving people like him more money for their education, isn't it slightly worrying that he can't recognise the Cenotaph?

Still, he probably thinks "The Glorious Dead" is a band.

Next he'll be telling us he didn't think it was the Union Flag he was swinging from.

The only thing he's sorry about is getting caught, and it looks like mummy and daddy have got the lawyers and the publicists on to some damage limitation.

2 comments:

Juniper in the Desert said...

Brilliant point, really made me laugh! But just one thing: not Bradford POLYTECHNIC.

Polytechnics were brilliant and they don't exist any more: they are now all "unis":((

Polytechnics catered for people who did not want to study for academia: subjects like art, sociology, business studies, engineering. I attended one and the teaching was excellent.

Universities now teach NVQs and A levels!!

The 1st Earl of Cromer said...

Hello Juniper,

Thanks for bringing that to my attention - I meant to write "the former" Bradford Polytechnic, and I've amended the post and added another update that might be of interest.