Mumsnet not going to the Baby Show

[JustineMumsnet]

As some of you may we've been umming and ahhing about whether to have a stall at the forthcoming Baby Show because it came to our attention that the organisers also host an arms fair. See this thread for the reasons/debate. Well we've cogitated, ruminated and whatever else that annoying Canadian bloke does, and we've decided not to go.

In truth we are still a bit in two minds about this - as it seems the Mumsnet community is - but we feel we need to do a bit more research/ thinking on it and generally think that it's best to err on the side of caution.

Obviously we think nasty weapons sales to evil regimes is bad - that's an easy one. Whether Clarion (the events organiser) and by extension the Baby Show should be held responsible for organising a legal event however is slightly more tricky in our minds at least. And something we'd like to think about a little more before we start banging a campaign drum about it.

Thanks to all for your input - please do continue to add your thoughts/perspective as it's very helpful for us and sorry to all those who offered to represent us at the Baby Show and who will be disappointed not to go there. We appreciate the offer of your time and hopefully they'll be other events.

Best,
MNHQ

Hijack.
Policywonk, did you try to CAT me a few days ago? if so, I may have deleted you without opening the e mail...

I do agree, but I want to play Devil's advocate for a moment... For example... How far would you take this argument? British Aerospace make parts for the Airbus and also manufacture warplanes and ammunition. Will you be boycotting airlines that fly their planes? Or is the lure of cheap flights too attractive for your principles to apply in the same way?

what about expensive flights, fortyplus - if you go first class on airbus, is that OK?

Seriously, I'm all in favour of British Aerospace earning their money from legitimate activities such as selling civilian planes, or selling planes to the RAF and democratic countries where people have a say in the decisions of those in power.

Not that I've actually been on a plane in I don't know how long anyway.

It was the bit about... 'it came to our attention that the organisers also host an arms fair. ' So they don't actually make guns themselves? They just enter into a commercial arrangement to allow their premises to be used by a perfectly legal business?

Very fine principles, indeed, but it made me wonder how much thought would go into upholding them under a different set of circumstances.

Yes we take your point Fortyplus and lapsedrunner - it's not simple. As said we are a little in two minds and no we've not yet started beating the campaign drum (and called Mark Thomas). But on balance I think we feel better for not going than we would if we'd gone, which is usually a good sign.

I think that gives you your answer, then.

mark thomas - the bostonian who sounds canadian?

Is that what he was called? No someone must remember his name - he's the one who makes the sauces...

Thought that was Paul Newman?

Lloyd Grossman

That's him - is he from Boston then?

Unless it's that Jamaican Rasta who makes the Reggae Reggae sauce?

No, he's from MasterChef

JustineMumsnet - PN or LG?

I don't think PN ruminated - though if he had he would have done it adorably...

Yes he's from Boston.

No-one appreciates my jokes. I'm going to the garden to eat worms. In an Arrabiata sauce.

I just don't watch enough tv!

Paul Newman is dead.

Lloyd Grossman is not.

Both make pasta sauces

Do not understand link of baby show/no arms deals and pasta sauces, possibly salad dressings.

Justine said "we've cogitated, ruminated and whatever else that annoying Canadian bloke does," about MN deciding not to go to the show. He's not Canadian he's from Boston. He used to say 'we've cogitated and ruminated' before anouncing the judges' choice on MasterChef. He is called Lloyd Grossman. Not Paul Newman. Though they do both have pasta sauce ranges. And one is dead.

Maybe there's an annoying Canadian, too?

Almost certainly. (You knew what I meant though, right? He does sound a bit Canadian...)

Now that you come to mention it!

he does not. not even a little bit. you need to speak to more canadians.

gawd he doesn't sound remotely Cdn! Or even American, he's developed his own accent.

but plenty of annoying Cdns out there am sure.....excluding those on mnet threads natch.

Do I have to purplemonkey? .