Glastonbury 2005
Glastonbury was most enjoyable. It was baking hot, soaking wet, extremely muddy, very crowded and huge. It was inspiring to listen to the speeches in the Left Field tent by the likes of Billy Bragg and Tony Benn. There was also a man who came all the way from Venezuela to highlight the abuse of the trade in their country. Their banana producers only receive 1% of the money we spend in supermarkets when they're not Fair Trade products (see previous post of evil supermarket bullying). There was an encouraging speech on defeating the BNP, and how they've actually been branded as Nazis by an official body.
Speaking of Tony Benn, this makes interesting reading.
And a couple days ago George W Bush made some statement about how further deaths in Iraq are necessary. How come so many people in other countries have to die at the hands of Americans for their theoretical "National Security"? As mentioned in a book I picked up at the festival, America is the only country who has used weapons of mass destruction against another country.. twice, yet they hark on about constant threats to their security. If their country is in danger of attack, it's because their government have been utter bastards to loads of countries around the world, with unjust wars in the pursuit of oil (I think they refer to it as the pursuit of happiness).
The G8 Summit happening this weekend will also do bugger all to help world poverty. It sounds nice in the snappy statements given out by Tony Blair, but as usual it'll only benefit the rich and make the situation worse for the poor. Tony Blair said that he doesn't even know what people will be protesting against. It seems he's convinced his agenda is still well and truly hidden.
On another note, I've thought of a better way to view ethical shopping. If you think buying products from a company that has questionable or bad practices with human rights, animal rights, the environment or political involvment is okay because you can't make a difference, then think of it this way: the money you spend is a vote of confidence and endorsement. You pay McDonalds for a hamburger, you're openly stating you believe in their policies and practices, and that your money will help them continue in such a fashion. If no-one gave McDonalds any more money, they *would* close. These companies survive by people buying their products, and you as an individual can choose not to contribute to this survival.
I'm not saying people who buy food at McDonalds are bad or immoral. I'm saying if they knew that McDonalds were bad and continued to provide them with custom, they are as guilty as the company. I'm not innocent myself. I work for a huge credit card company, who's parent company invests in a company I detest. I want to change job, and I will when I can find a role where it isn't in conflict with my own ethics.
In short, your money is powerful. Exchange it only for goods or services of companies in which you (as far as you're aware) believe aren't detrimental to society, environment, government or nature (unless you don't care about them I guess). If a company or organisation does something to displease you and you wish to leave their service or discontinue buying their products, let them know and why you have chosen to do so. Enough of these will force a company to change their ways. If something on a larger scale is going on that you don't like (e.g. monopolies, wars, occupation, ignoring issues of poverty, clone towns etc), write to your MP, Council, watchdog etc. As said in a line of the song Mass Destruction by Faithless, "inaction is a weapon of mass destruction".
I've blabbed on, but I feel it's very important that people do what they know is right, and don't do what they know is wrong. People are content to buy anything without considering the consequences, or having an I-can't-really-make-a-difference attitude, and it's because of that that things are the way they are. My dad said something that's unthinkable but true: if we all decided the police force have no power, they would be powerless. We decide things, even though our democracy is mostly manipulated away from real democracy, but no-one can ignore several million voices who say "No. This will stop now."
I'll shut up now.
Speaking of Tony Benn, this makes interesting reading.
And a couple days ago George W Bush made some statement about how further deaths in Iraq are necessary. How come so many people in other countries have to die at the hands of Americans for their theoretical "National Security"? As mentioned in a book I picked up at the festival, America is the only country who has used weapons of mass destruction against another country.. twice, yet they hark on about constant threats to their security. If their country is in danger of attack, it's because their government have been utter bastards to loads of countries around the world, with unjust wars in the pursuit of oil (I think they refer to it as the pursuit of happiness).
The G8 Summit happening this weekend will also do bugger all to help world poverty. It sounds nice in the snappy statements given out by Tony Blair, but as usual it'll only benefit the rich and make the situation worse for the poor. Tony Blair said that he doesn't even know what people will be protesting against. It seems he's convinced his agenda is still well and truly hidden.
On another note, I've thought of a better way to view ethical shopping. If you think buying products from a company that has questionable or bad practices with human rights, animal rights, the environment or political involvment is okay because you can't make a difference, then think of it this way: the money you spend is a vote of confidence and endorsement. You pay McDonalds for a hamburger, you're openly stating you believe in their policies and practices, and that your money will help them continue in such a fashion. If no-one gave McDonalds any more money, they *would* close. These companies survive by people buying their products, and you as an individual can choose not to contribute to this survival.
I'm not saying people who buy food at McDonalds are bad or immoral. I'm saying if they knew that McDonalds were bad and continued to provide them with custom, they are as guilty as the company. I'm not innocent myself. I work for a huge credit card company, who's parent company invests in a company I detest. I want to change job, and I will when I can find a role where it isn't in conflict with my own ethics.
In short, your money is powerful. Exchange it only for goods or services of companies in which you (as far as you're aware) believe aren't detrimental to society, environment, government or nature (unless you don't care about them I guess). If a company or organisation does something to displease you and you wish to leave their service or discontinue buying their products, let them know and why you have chosen to do so. Enough of these will force a company to change their ways. If something on a larger scale is going on that you don't like (e.g. monopolies, wars, occupation, ignoring issues of poverty, clone towns etc), write to your MP, Council, watchdog etc. As said in a line of the song Mass Destruction by Faithless, "inaction is a weapon of mass destruction".
I've blabbed on, but I feel it's very important that people do what they know is right, and don't do what they know is wrong. People are content to buy anything without considering the consequences, or having an I-can't-really-make-a-difference attitude, and it's because of that that things are the way they are. My dad said something that's unthinkable but true: if we all decided the police force have no power, they would be powerless. We decide things, even though our democracy is mostly manipulated away from real democracy, but no-one can ignore several million voices who say "No. This will stop now."
I'll shut up now.