Got a deathwish? Go anti-lobby in Strasbourg

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I've just recently read a story about how the lobbyist who've set up in Strasbourg are there to get any and all legislation slanted in favour of BIG-ass interests, e.g.:

oil

banks

agri-business and fisheries

agri-chem and GM food

I'm also disappointed that

not ONE SINGLE SOLITARY

fair-minded EU MEP politician

(if there is such an animal)

is even trying to

scream "BLOODY MURDER" EVERYWHERE

just to give attention to this

twisting of democracy

which is going to cost every worker

his life savings, it seems.

I'm especially pissed off at the

Greens for this

because they talk the talk,

but they don't walk the walk.

They know that lobbying is a crucial issue,

but they're ready to deal with things as they are.

As in, "heads- the rich win, tails- the poor lose"

So, here's what you do:

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Your mission: to bring into

the public gaze

the twisting of democracy by lobbyists.

You and a couple of likeminded skilled, devious and theatrical friends go and set up in a flat/apartment in the 'Bourg, especially if you're unemployed. Beg, borrow or steal enough money to stay for a year at least. Eat rice. Lose weight.

Get the names and addresses of the lobby firms and whom it is that they're blackmailing/bribing politicians FOR.

Find out when big legislation, like to limit fishing or to limit agri-chemicals, are due to come to vote. Find out who the responsible minister is. Also, find the power-brokers.

Watch the lobbyists go in and out.

Then, and here comes the fun part, set up

a makeshift public theatre in front of the legislature.

Wear period costumes, or anything to get attention. Make complete fools of yourselves.

[pic: sex always works]

Tell the story of the legislation as loudly as possible. Maybe somebody, perhaps a tourist will follow the proceedings, perhaps someone with a blog and watch, record you, and spread the word. Be warned: you'll have problems with the old media.

Newspapers will ignore you.

If you throw a pie at a tv journalist,

he'll just wipe off and keep going.

Point out the minister responsible as he passes by and make fun of him if he gives in to the lobby.

Watch you don't get caught for libel. So the complainants really would have to be bought- and- paid-for politicians. That shouldn't be too hard to prove, should it?

When you piss off the wrong guy though, you're going to jail, or, even worse, you'll get your deathwish.

Try it at home in your own country.

It's dangerous.

It's direct action.

It's called standing up for democracy.

You're welcome.

-Costick67 ( 8^P

pic from fotosearch.com

Plane stupid, and yet brilliant

(For foreigners and video-gaming fans) Here's yet another lesson in British politics. Plane Stupid, a wild group of direct action democrats, stormed through the chicken wire at Stansted in a protest against the needless expansion of airports serving boorish bored bourgeois travellers and the rich businessmen encouraging this "me, myself and I and fl**k everybody else and the planet" generation.
Here's the toxic stuff though. The BBC London, all bitchy at the shortage of champagne and canapes, decided to give a lesson in democracy to its viewers. A Plane Stupid campaigner was sat in front of a target and spat at by a Transport wonk and the BBC's talking head. Not only was the necessity for direct action in a healthy democracy belittled (freedom demands dilligence), but also, the poor boy was set upon with such a barrage of bull-cack as to make me gag.
Mr Wonk says 'follow the democratic path', i.e. wait 4 years for the next crop of politicians, local and national, to tell you they will help you if you vote for them, and then they'll show you the door of their new political office; the exit door! We all know that politicians side with business, business wants travellers, therefore politicians will push for new runways. Right, Boris the- Karloff Johnson?
When the Plane Stupid lad said that the unintentional cancellation of flights that day had saved the earth from several hundred tons of CO2, Mr Wonk replied "One of the people going to Poland, to discuss the next CO2 deal, could not fly today." Oh, the pain. The unstated subplot is that Mr Wonk doesn't give a toss for CO2 anyway. He wants business as usual. But, good rhetoric doesn't rely on truthing, innit?
Both of the 'representatives of the people' were attacking the PS warrior, with the Beeb's talking head taking on quite a tone. They cut off the PS crusader regularly. He stuck his ground, and I'm glad to see that the group can take full frontal attacks from the Man and still keep going. checkitout!
http://www.planestupid.com/