Protest and Assent

[binidj]

It struck me recently, that only protest is ever really measured ... you never saw anyone demonstrating that the Gulf War was a good thing for example but the people saying it was a bad thing got loads of press because they were making a noise about it. This is fair enough, free speech is a good thing in my opinion but I've decided that the time has come to make a stand (however insignificant) to give assent and support to ideas which other people may be campaigning about.

If you feel as I do, please cut and paste this image ... if you could host it yourself that would be especially nice.



Now while I welcome discussion, I don't think that this is a good forum for it so if you want to discuss my politics at length I invite you to do so in person rather than here. Comments on the validity of positive assent however are welcomed (since I suspect that such a discussion will be less likely to be either as impassioned or as lengthy).

Comments

But it's not British!

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Unless you are being ironic, I think that you are one of only three people I know who support ID cards. The other two are furriners and used to living under a controlling system based upon the Napoleonic Code.

Re: But it's not British!

[binidj.livejournal.com]

Yep, I'm one of the only people I know who supports them too; but then I was one of the only people I knew who supported the war as well.

Of course, in my peer group (ie. you lot) I'm well aware that my views may not be at all popular but I realised that freedom of speech must apply to me as well as those around me, otherwise it isn't freedom at all ... it's consent by silence.

[anatosuchus.livejournal.com]

The trouble with "in person" is you're in Surrey and I'm in Wales. Nevertheless, I can see why you might not want your journal taken over by a likely emotive subject.

[binidj.livejournal.com]

Ah but we do meet at events ... you'll just have to take notes of things you want to berate me about.

[anatosuchus.livejournal.com]

Fair enough, though I would hope I would never get into "berating" territory!

Which reminds me, I must figure out what to do about Maelstrom...

[garethd.livejournal.com]

I must admit I am in favour of ID cards, I think they will be a good thing. I do agree though that I am in the minority on this view. I hav eyet to hear anything to convinceme otherwise yet.

regards

Gareth

[silks-ic.livejournal.com]

If they succeed in making the country safer then brilliant
If they get rid of the need to send your birth certificate/passport off everytime you apply for something then brilliant
People say they'll cost too much money - I currently need to update my driving license and passport and it's going to cost me about £70 in all!
The only people that should lose out are criminals
So everyone's a winner

[silks-ic.livejournal.com]

Whoops that was dangerously like discussing politics
I meant erm... yeah I agree
Go team

[thepantsmaster.livejournal.com]

Are you not allowed to discuss politics any more then?

Awwww! But it makes it so much easier just being able to say "Wot Dug said"

Ps: Wot Dug said. (in his original post)

[silks-ic.livejournal.com]

I've been told off for discussing politics on several people's LJs
I think it's because I have an opinion that doesnt come from reading the Guardian
I'm safe here for the moment...

[thepantsmaster.livejournal.com]

Bins LJ
Last refuge of poor downtrodden Dug.

Next time someone has a go at you, simply replace what you said in their LJ with a link to a page in your own one, where you can say what you want!

Yes and No.

[larians.livejournal.com]

I agree with the positive assent but disagree about ID cards for a number of reasons. Alas I can't think of an opportunity to discuss this with you because events are not really the time or the place, you really don't want to get into a political discussion with Rheinfelden! :)

[woodbrook.livejournal.com]

out of interest, can you get a similar one saying no? :)
Just to be fair n all with the eyecatching graphics :D

[binidj.livejournal.com]

Yes you can, in fact my one is shamelessly ripped off from one the Liberals are putting about. You can see one on (http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=caribou95)Caribou95 (http://www.livejournal.com/users/caribou95/)'s LJ.

[woodbrook.livejournal.com]

sweet
cheers darl' :)

[swiftblade.livejournal.com]

"The liberals". Hmm, I'm a liberal and a leftie, however I both supported the war and believe that ID cards could well be a good thing, subject to cost and measures to prevent abuse etc.

Just a point about misuing labels ;)

[binidj.livejournal.com]

Heh, I'm actually a leftie liberal too ... note the capitalisation on my post ... the image and poll were put out by the Liberal Democrats (which I shortened to Liberals).

This is not to say I don't frequently misuse labels mind, just that in this case I'm not guilty m'lud.

[swiftblade.livejournal.com]

Hehe, ok then, my bad. I always thought they had an odd name for such a middling party..

[invisible-al.livejournal.com]

I disagree and I'm happy to take it up next time we meet. Meanwhile most of my arguments are summerized nicely here and here.

[quintus.livejournal.com]

Most of my objections are just backlash against the misadvertising of what the damned things are meant to do e.g. prevent terrorism (which they won't... they'd probably help trace stuff afterwards).

If political expression were not banned in my workplace, I'd have a bloody great 'pro-presumed consent' banner on my office wall though.

[kathbad]

I agree completely with your right to assent on this or any other subject, even though I disagree that there are valid reasons for the introduction of these ID card.

We should have a chat at some stage on both point.

[bad-moon-rising.livejournal.com]

We had them back home in the form of photo required drivers licenses and I thought they were useful rather than a problem.

[planegate.livejournal.com]

I am pro the idea of ID Cards too, but i think alot of ppl are worried by the inofrmation to go on them.

[binidj.livejournal.com]

Well yeah, I'd be a bit miffed if my ID card had my True Name on it.

[scary-lady.livejournal.com]

I am pro ID card in principle, but only if they take genuine steps to make forgery prohibitively difficult. Otherwise what have we gained?

[jayphoenix.livejournal.com]

Well said you!

I agree that ID cards (in principle) are a very good thing indeed and do nothing to limit our personal freedoms. I grew up in Holland and Belgium, though, where ID is something normal :)

Will do what you ask and post this myself.