I came across a post today about defending the right to peaceful protest and thought, I should probably sign the petition although I only want the right to protest the causes that I am in agreement with, I don’t want the right to protests that stop traffic, or go on for weeks costing millions of pounds, or inconvenience me in any way shape or form.
Apparently, there are to be new laws to limit peaceful protest and I have no idea what these laws will say but it’s virtually impossible to come up with a law that fits every protest, it seems wrong for Just stop oil to cause so much chaos and I think there are now injunctions against them, also the pro Palestine marches which as far as I know have been going on in London week after week and costing millions to police.
How do you stop the extremists and still have laws that allow limited peaceful demonstrations, I’m dammed if I know for whatever the protest, if you don’t agree with the cause, you view the protesters as extremists and one mans extremist is another mans freedom fighter!
This may explain why I have never had the faintest desire to become an MP or have anything to do with government legislation, although there are plenty of ludicrous motoring laws I would protest about if I thought it would do any good. ULEZ, congestion charge, 20mph speed limit, to name but a few although I think going out and gluing my face to the road with superglue is a step too far so I limit my protests to the odd whinge on Facebook, although I have to admit, I have little hope of this changing government policy on these matters.
I’m reminded of the biblical quote when thinking of moderate protest which says, “one day the meek shall inherit the earth,” although I believe there was the caveat that the scheme would only go ahead, if it was alright with everyone else!
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work due to losing my agent when I became a full time carer to my mother who had dementia. and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother and shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
I have written a number of different books all available on Amazon, so don't be shy should you feel the urge to purchase. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Joe-Wells/e/B06XKWFQHT/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
In his essay on Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau stressed the importance of accepting the punishment of civil law as a result of protest. For him, to escape a fine or imprisonment was an injustice. In other words, if you are going to block a motorway, expect to be arrested and serve time.
That was very well said, Joe. As a matter of interest, has any protest ever achieved its aim apart from giving people a way to publicly vent their disapproval/anger and cause inconvenience?
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
In his essay on Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau stressed the importance of accepting the punishment of civil law as a result of protest. For him, to escape a fine or imprisonment was an injustice. In other words, if you are going to block a motorway, expect to be arrested and serve time.
That makes perfect sense, although not it seems to those who actually block the roads.
That was very well said, Joe. As a matter of interest, has any protest ever achieved its aim apart from giving people a way to publicly vent their disapproval/anger and cause inconvenience?
I think it would be safe to say the answer to your question is no! Except stopping apartheid might just scrape in as a maybe!
Just what I thought! Thank you.
😊 I’m hoping this is a laughing face!
It’s a very nice smile!
As you can tell I’m not up with the brothers from the hood and the youf dem, perhaps I should have just replied ha ha, very amusing.