The Fifty-Nine Yard Stare
Lovely, isn't it?
That's what I'm looking at right now, and apparently, I'm supposed to feel bad for daring to object to it.
Hey, the Community Engagement meeting got nearly double the attendance it usually gets, and more are, as a result, likely to attend in future. I certainly don't feel guilty about that. If that's the only thing that comes out of this year's protest, then I certainly won't be disappointed.
So, what happened? Well, out of those present, only one household came to raise issue about my references to "the neighbourhood" and "the community", because I hadn't consulted them all before voicing an opinion. That's fine - everyone is entitled to an opinion, and to air their grievances, and I certainly didn't try to silence this particular section of... oh, hold on, should I ask for a show of hands before I use the "N" or "C" word? I don't want to upset anyone...
I can only assume that their part of the town, as in an assembly of buildings, intended for habitation and commerce, and not the population - just so we're clear on that - is shielded from the noise of the CLAN Gathering in a manner that we are not.
Lucky you.
Anyway. Back to the outpouring of indignation. Next up, the "rant"-like nature of my flyer.
Sorry, but you, dear "Indignant" seem to be the only people to feel that way. Apart, of course, from the others in your street whom you consulted, and who apparently weren't indignant enough to show up at the meeting and chew me up about it. "Read your leaflet again", I was advised - okay...
Hold on - I'm reminded of that scene in Iron Man 2 where Tony Stark reads some of his S.H.I.E.L.D profile; y'know, where he says "Textbook narcissism...? Okay."
(reading)
My response? Like Tony said.
Of course it's a rant, but as far as my rants go, that's pretty damn mild, sort of "PG" rated, compared to some. That's what happens when you go through official channels, and they decide their "closed door" plans are more important than the people they're supposed to represent. A Twitter correspondant - the first to respond to @i_resist - said:@i_resist you seem to have a real vendetta against these CLAN folk, when from what I read, they've negotiated with the council.
Well, you haven't read very much, and certainly not the responses we've received from that very council. I hope that, one day, the Council doesn't decide to drive a bulldozer through your house because they did some deal behind YOUR back, something of which you were never made aware.
Vendetta? If I have a vendetta against anything, it's the injustice of this whole deal, and the arrogant approach from both sides of the negotiating table. Us "mere mortals" aren't deemed worthy of sitting at "the grown-ups' table" - well, treat us like children, and see what you get in return. I'm not expecting the council to consult the public about every tiny matter - but this is right on our back doorstep - FIFTY NINE YARDS from us. Paperclip orders or putting up warning notices about dog-fouling fines this most definitely is not.
To my critics, I say this: it's called "i.Resist" for a reason. I have given people a chance to get involved, and some have chosen to do so. Oh, and when "Indignant" says "get a prayer book and join in", it does rather seem to give the game away. Was this an attempt to silence the "uppity atheist"...?
It failed.
I'm wearing my Red Lantern ring. It comes off when CLAN go.
The banner goes up soon. It reads "NOBODY ASKED US", and that remains true, no matter what anyone in "Indignant-Land" says, or feels. "Indignant", and the Twitter correspondant, please feel free to wipe your backsides with the flyers. You'll be wiping your rears with 10p of my money.
Just don't give yourselves paper-cuts, okay?