Why i'm not going to the london protest.

[sweetheart]

As an american living in the UK, to protest against american presence in the UK is an oxymoron. I'm staying in the highlands until he leaves. Also, as outspoken anti-AWOL writer here and elsewhere, no point in being seen on a camera even in the area of a potential problem. I agree that the london protest is dangerous for bush, that his security is quite critical, as when archduke ferdinand went down, despite whether nor not his popularity, it created a greater problem.

Bush is a criminal, and i don't protest in london every time the police drag a new criminal over from the US. It is a nonevent. The atlantic alliance is under unprecedented stress, and the foolish monkey has gone and added to the stress, certainly i'll add no more. In a state capacity, he is embodied the legal form of "all" of america in a state visit, and to protest, i protest my relationship with the people here(DU and UK), and i cannot. As long as you support the legal framework that holds shrub YOUR leader, the state visit is not a thing i would protest in body.

I'm going to the pub to have a drink with my mates in the spirit of the american left.

regards,
-s

[Jacobin]

1. Your choice obviously. I have one nit to pick with you

Your legalistic analysis that since this is a "state" visit that AWOL represents the "legal framework that holds shrub YOUR (our) leader" is a bit missplaced, in that shrub was NOT elected to office, but was appointed by five judges who had no jurisdiction over the matter at hand and who ignored decades of their own case law regarding the equal protection clause, and who further limited this decision ONLY to the facts in this case, precluding it from being a precedent in the future.

In point of fact, a coup took place in this country in the year 2000, and I feel constrained to object when someone describes shrub as someone who represents this country "within its legal framework".

Other than that.....have a pint for me, as well.

:toast:

[sweetheart]

2. coup 2000

I believe that myself, but here is what the republicans call the psychotic schism of the radical left, to not recognize the legal authority of the current government is quite radical, bordering on legally treasonous... though i agree it is an illegal government. As the UK views the framework like how the queen is a person representing an office, a state visit is more like the constitution sitting in state with bush carrying it in his sweaty mit. I still support the constitution and elections as a way to change things, despite my ravings on left forums that we do in fact need a new constituion now that the old one was abrogated in election 2000.

Otherwise, i realize my anaysis is simplistic, but i'm following my intuition, i cannot endorse any anti-americanism, as i truly think it a load of crap myself, an egostical stupidity as banal as the neocon's isolationism.

[Cleita]

3. That is certainly your choice and no one has a right

to demand that you do otherwise. I still wonder though why Tony Blair is still the British PM. He lied to Parlaiment after all. I wish it would be as easy to get rid of Bush for lying to Congress as it is for the Brits to get rid of their PM's. Why hasn't it happened or are there any rumors that it will happen?

[sweetheart]

5. computers and IRA anti-terrorism

The british figured out really simply how to prevent terrorism, identify positiviely every person entering an area by vehicle license or face recognition and profile this against watchlist candidates. Likely all foreign resident vehicle licenses are on watchlist. Thus, i raise little bells every camera i drive past towards london.

It has worked for anti-IRA antiterrorism for decades... and surely is being used now. I am not even remotely associated with terrorists, terrorism or any of that crap, though i voice STRONG and intense opposition. London is an IDEEAAALLL terrorist target while bush is there, and so is sedgefield. I won't be anywhere nearby, sadly i'll miss one of 2 nights of shakespeare performance down south due to this as he'll still be in britain on friday as the american expat website suggests. www.americanexpats.co.uk

[Terwilliger]

4. well, UK organizers have talked openly about all the Americans...

who will be at the protest. You could lend your voice :shrug:

[sweetheart]

6. terrorism

This london event is surely targeted, and only if they can foil it will it not be dangerous. Anyone wishing to subvert anglo-usa relations will have a go. I have all those good relations in my heart and to risk my life because a terrorist came to the UK on a state visit is not worth it.

I hear you, and i agree with the principals of protest, yet the UK has a long understanding of what "state" means, and the majority of people here do not distinguish between american left or right... just american, and america will be there long after bush, and america really was and is an ally to all the british people... and it is all about good things, and nowhere in those good things do i have anything to protest.

All i do is empower bush by making him bigger than he is. For that same cost, i can buy a drink for some local farmers round here tonight at the pub... even less cost, and better american goodwill all around.

[CWebster]

7. Shoot , Wish I was there

Some "Leftist" American you are. Afraid to show your face, snooting disdain for "anti-Americanism"....I'd be leading the damn parade....as an American---and proud to be there.