Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Protest, state violence, democracy

0 views
Skip to first unread message

I&R ~ GB

unread,
Dec 17, 2009, 5:02:54 AM12/17/09
to
Chris Green: I stood with the protesters as the police batons rained
down on them Eyewitness: The police have behaved abominably. This is a
non-violent demonstration. Thursday, 17 December 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/chris-green-i-stood-with-the-protesters-as-the-police-batons-rained-down-on-them-1843071.html

INIREF comments
Brutal treatment of citizens exercising their right to peaceful
political expression reflects not only a lack of respect of (elected)
authorities for citizens but also weakness of democracy. If "The People"
were genuinely in charge of public affairs then public employees would
be less likely to (perhaps "only obeying orders") attack citizens
without due cause. A way to improve public involvement and control of
government is to introduce elements of citizen-led direct democracy. A
further benefit of this is that "issues" and worthy causes can be
directly addressed. The feelings and arguments articulated in public
protests and demonstrations can be developed and formulated as
legislative proposals, using "initiative and referendum". Even
international affairs can be tackled by state-level direct democracy,
mandating politicians to put forward particular policies.

For information and reform campaigns see
http://www.iniref.org/index.enter.html
http://www2.prestel.co.uk/rodmell/ John Harvey Direct Democracy
http://campaignfordemocracy.org.uk/directdemocracyexamples/

Robert Henderson

unread,
Dec 17, 2009, 5:13:55 AM12/17/09
to
In message <7oudmdF...@mid.uni-berlin.de>, I&R ~ GB
<info...@OUTiniref.org> writes

>Chris Green: I stood with the protesters as the police batons rained
>down on them Eyewitness: The police have behaved abominably. This is a
>non-violent demonstration. Thursday, 17 December 2009
>http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/chris-green-i-stood-wi
>th-the-protesters-as-the-police-batons-rained-down-on-them-1843071.html


But ....But...where are the three creatures squealing OT.... RH
--
Robert Henderson
Personal website: http://www.anywhere.demon.co.uk

Robert Henderson

unread,
Dec 18, 2009, 10:47:02 AM12/18/09
to
In message <7oudmdF...@mid.uni-berlin.de>, I&R ~ GB
<info...@OUTiniref.org> writes
>Chris Green: I stood with the protesters as the police batons rained
>down on them Eyewitness: The police have behaved abominably. This is a
>non-violent demonstration. Thursday, 17 December 2009
0 new messages