morality police

[Mariez]

I find it quite ironic how the police arrest and prosecute protested for smashing up windows on marches against massive companies not paying tax, but do they go in and arrest chairmen of these giant companies when they too are breaking the law?

No.

it seems the police are picking and choosing what law breakers they arrest....

stinks.

even with the extra E

Tsk, OK, I think some of the responses are starting to sound as mad as the OP actually.

The vast majority of protestors were peaceful, there was a small core of people who turned up dressed in black with masks who were obviously looking for trouble - and caused it. To lump everyone who protested in with this band of dickninja's is really quite stupid.

Yar, is troof actually - I knew loads on the march but was too lazy to join in and they had literally no idea it had kicked off until they got home and saw the news. Brendan Barber was FURIOUS, bless 'im.

Not enough booing round here.

BOOOOOO!!

And bad show!

Down with Not Nice Things!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

To clarify, if I may

I'm not lumping everyone who protested in with the band of dickninjas (great word btw)

The OP is specifically about the people who smashed windows etc, and subsequent posts by the OP have stated "its a crying shame when the all the press report on is the violence of some, not the contents of the speeches, or the other protestors."

My post was directed at the OP's apparent defence of said dickninjas.

It's a shame that the message does not quite get across because of the idiots who seem to want to just cause a ruck.....

oh shit, I'm digging a grave for myself

"It's a shame that the message does not quite get across because of the idiots who seem to want to just cause a ruck....."

not meaning people on this thread, meant small collection of protesters who seem to ruin it for everyone else

I was once on the recieving end of a bunch of balaclavared twats protestors throwing bricks, chairs, bottles etc through the windows of the small country village bank branch I worked in because "all bankers are evil...". It was, quite possibly, one of the most terrifying experiences in my life.

Just thought I'd throw that in there.

[considers booing MeRight]

[but satisfies self with beady stare and careful analysis of her motives]

Oh pants. I spelt receiving wrong. Bollocks.

OK then MeRight.

I was working in the city when it all kicked off the first time round with the Mayday demo's. It was really scary, but again, those who are smashing up McDonalds and pooping in the doorways are just the same breed of idiot as those who used to go to football matches and arrange a massive punch up.

MumOf my husband (copper) got caught in a riot in London last year. He doesn't normally do riots (that's the TSG) but it all kicked off so they all had to join in. He was still shaking when he got home. He said when you spend your professional life trying to uphold peace and order there is something uniquely horrifying about someone spitting at you and screaming 'cunt' in your face and trying to blind you with a steel pole. I say 'uniquely' horrifying, but I imagine that would be unpleasant for most people...

Oh and at one point he got mistaken for a FIT officer (police with a special remit to gather info on protestors) and one of the protestors said he hoped his wife (ie me) gets cancer.

This explains why I do not unerringly come down on the side of protestors, though obviously I'm talking about the dickninjas, not the ordinary sort.

Mariez - as someone who provides tax advice to clients with all sorts of income levels, I object to your accusation that accountants "hide" peoples money. Almost every accoutant and tax advisor I know advises clients how to minimise their tax liability legally. Mainly what I do is stop people paying too much tax. And yes, I am lovely .

It is dissapointing (but the inherent nature of some people) that a minority will ALWAYS spoil the message by taking the opportunity to be complete arsewipes. It is that behaviour which is newsworthy and sensationalist so the original, often peaceful, message is forgotten.

Oh Bloofer, that must have been horrible for him, and you. I do have great admiration for the police (and other services) for dealing with shit situations like riots.

In some countries people go on the streets to demand that police enforce the rule of law. They (people) face beatings, jail sentences and, sometimes live bullets for taking part in legit peaceful protest. Check out the history of protests in Moscow on the 31st of each month (to defend the 31 article of the Constitution - the right to peaceful march).

Honestly OP lives in some sort of lala land!

"Oh Bloofer, that must have been horrible for him, and you. I do have great admiration for the police (and other services) for dealing with shit situations like riots."

I agree wholeheartedly

I think the OP has missed something here - let's say Mr Topshop and other were guilty of tax evasion (which they're not, regardless of whether we think they should be) this would have nothing to do with police and they wouldn't be arrested. HMRC would put together a case against them and eventually the tax evaders would be taken to court. It is a Civil matter and therefore the police have no powers.

People who break windows, smash up private property etc. are breaking Criminal Laws hence being arrested by the police.

This really isn't one rule for the rich and one rule for everyone else - I'm quite convinced if Mr Topshop had spent the afternoon smashing windows, the police would have arrested him (what would happen afterwards is of course a different story!)

"I think the OP has missed something here "

I for one am shocked at this possibility

Euphemism?

My piano was dull and in need of a buff and dh had the requisite polish and the right arm strength needed to rub it to a shine.

Can't see anything euphemistic in that. Are you Dick Emery?

I took my Kipling banner out and trod the streets of Norfolk shouting about gingerbread. It was nothing they hadn't seen before. They just nodded with pity and carried on with their ploughing.

Mr Kipling does make exceedingly small cakes. Either that, or I'm getting bigger. (Due to all the cakes? )

You are awful, but I like you