Whilst many in the West continue to applaud the efforts of protesters in the Middle east and Russia it seems that we have little stomach for protest in our own backyard. We are full of hypocrisy for sure, these days. We bemoan unfair elections in Russia and the ME but if media reports are correct both the US and the UK system leave a lot to be desired.
The last general election in the UK resulted in a coalition government with no clear majority of the people wanting then to represent the country. There were reports that polls closed whilst many UK voters had still not been able to cast their vote. In the US many claim that President Obama was not truly elected to office amidst reports of voter fraud. A bit late now, although if it is designed to scupper his 2012 bid for re-election it could hit home. Not that the Republican Party are any better. What happened in the Iowa 2012 GOP vote? What about allegations of fraud in 2004 when George Bush was re-elected?
It seems to this blogger that western voting is shot to pieces. Yet we continue to offer advice and recommend that those countries in the Middle East follow our lead. As they are tribal countries our form of democracy and election is ill suited to their needs.
Back to the Occupy Protest Movement though.
In Washington DC yesterday, February 4, 2012, the Occupy camp was dismantled. Police moved in, four arrests followed and property such as tents were seized. In the UK the authorities have used similar action lately. With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in the UK, plus the 2012 Olympics, they will want Occupy out of sight and out of mind. If you believe the mainstream press the whole movement is finished but is it?
Washington could have had the jitters about Occupy DC for many reasons. An infiltrator could attack the President and of course on the world stage protests slap bang outside of the White House do not look good, do they? Especially when the President is berating other countries for their human rights.
It could be that as better weather comes around again a new reformed movement takes to the streets. You may not agree with Occupy wholeheartedly but many run of the mill citizens, such as I, hear what they are saying. They are voicing concerns which so many of us have about politics, corporate greed, the present and the future. They have shown a certain amount of stamina and determination and hopefully it will not have al been in vain.
The last general election in the UK resulted in a coalition government with no clear majority of the people wanting then to represent the country. There were reports that polls closed whilst many UK voters had still not been able to cast their vote. In the US many claim that President Obama was not truly elected to office amidst reports of voter fraud. A bit late now, although if it is designed to scupper his 2012 bid for re-election it could hit home. Not that the Republican Party are any better. What happened in the Iowa 2012 GOP vote? What about allegations of fraud in 2004 when George Bush was re-elected?
It seems to this blogger that western voting is shot to pieces. Yet we continue to offer advice and recommend that those countries in the Middle East follow our lead. As they are tribal countries our form of democracy and election is ill suited to their needs.
Back to the Occupy Protest Movement though.
In Washington DC yesterday, February 4, 2012, the Occupy camp was dismantled. Police moved in, four arrests followed and property such as tents were seized. In the UK the authorities have used similar action lately. With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in the UK, plus the 2012 Olympics, they will want Occupy out of sight and out of mind. If you believe the mainstream press the whole movement is finished but is it?
Washington could have had the jitters about Occupy DC for many reasons. An infiltrator could attack the President and of course on the world stage protests slap bang outside of the White House do not look good, do they? Especially when the President is berating other countries for their human rights.
It could be that as better weather comes around again a new reformed movement takes to the streets. You may not agree with Occupy wholeheartedly but many run of the mill citizens, such as I, hear what they are saying. They are voicing concerns which so many of us have about politics, corporate greed, the present and the future. They have shown a certain amount of stamina and determination and hopefully it will not have al been in vain.
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