One of the earlier posts I did about Britain, once in Britain was on an anti-war, anti-nuke protest I inadvertently walked into in Glasgow.
As I was checking the BBC news site this evening, I found this article: US consulate targeted by vandals. The bulk of which I've posted below (bold items mine).
-- "Graffiti which included the phrases "out of Iraq" and "no war" were written on the door and front steps of the building which sits in Regent Terrace.
....
It is the latest in a series of similar attacks on the US consulate building.
The politically motivated protesters also smashed a window which belonged to Sally and Derek Le Bert-Francis, who live in the neighbouring property.
According to the IndyMedia Scotland website, the attacks were carried out by an "anti-war coalition".
A posting, which was sent at 0228 BST, said the consulate had been targeted to "remind the people of this country that four years ago this week the US occupying forces fired on Iraqi protesters in Falluja, killing 17 and wounding 70 more"."
Look, if you want free speech that's fine. I'm all for that. But what kind of cowardly person trashes a building in the middle of the night? To make a "political" statement?
Oh. Right. A cowardly person. Lily-livered, streak of yellow down the back, all that.
I have yet to meet and speak with someone who is anti-war, anti-military or anti-American, which is good because then I'd have to open my big mouth. And then Royal would have to fly all the way home to save me... hey that's not a bad idea ;o) Just kidding.
This story is just another example of misguided people misplacing their agression.
Better article (with a photo) from the Scotsman
-- "The owners, Sally and Derek Le Bert-Francis, had the reinforced glass installed after a previous attack, which left shattered glass all over their dining room floor.
Their house used to be part of the consulate and, although it has been a private residence for more than a decade, it has been repeatedly targeted by anti-war protestors.
Mrs Le Bert-Francis, 50, who runs a holiday accommodation agency, said the consulate had now offered to install triple-sheet protection glass on their windows to protect against future attacks. And she said she wasn't sure what such protests hoped to accomplish - especially when they missed their intended target.
"This is about the fourth time this has happened," she said. "It has happened so often that the consulate now just pay for it. The first I heard about it was at about 7.20 when my son woke me up and gave me a note from the consulate asking me to ring them.
"Protest is fine, but this is just vandalism. I doubt it is even much of an inconvenience for the consulate."
The scariest part of that article, and this situation is... the comments following. I would say be in for a shock, but really, it's not that shocking anymore.
It's nice the consulate is offering their triple-pane services.
My favorite line: "And she said she wasn't sure what such protests hoped to accomplish - especially when they missed their intended target."
Posted by: Goalie | May 05, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Absolutely. On both counts!
Posted by: Kath | May 21, 2007 at 03:09 PM