Protesters - Demonstrations

[F 129 Row66]

Do they ever feel silly? They certainly look it. What possible change would politicians make in response to a bunch of wankers chanting the same thing over and over again, or a sign saying hoot if you support us?. The left are the worst, the rent a mob lot out in force recently trying to look tough in masks and balaclavas: also the ageing middle classes who never grew out of thei teenage opinions with their stop oil nonsense. Demonstrations should only be allowed in enclosed areas by appointment which could guarantee them air time to make their views known. Why do these people think that their views have more value than the rest of us. In the 80s I was a union representative at a big psychiatric hospital, and it was branch policy that we had a demonstration march to the town hall in support of a wage claim. As a representative I felt obliged to take part, it being a democratic vote. I thought the whole thing ridiculous. We held up the traffic, wasted police time and people endlessly chanted Maggie Magie Maggie Out Out Out!  I'm sure that most demonstrators are there because the think it's fun and really don't give a fuck about the issues.

[Mike Oxsaw]

If these demonstrators expect anything to change as a result of their (often very vocal and public) demonstration then it is them who need the lesson in expectation management.

Like the left have taken over the state, they need to work quietly and insidiously - but with a clearly co-ordinated aim or outcome - on the inside, out of the public eye.

Glueing yourself to the streets in front of the media achieves nothing. Never has done, never will.

[Mad Dog]

I dont see the point of protests if it's against democracy.  When one lot goes out and has a hissy fit that they didnt get their way after a democratic vote.
Yes we know it wasn't unanimous.  We counted the votes.  Oh look a group of twats have banners.  Lets do that vote again.  Not sure what you think it will
achieve and you're just costing public money in policing and clean up.

I also have a huge problem with bellends that disrupt day to day lives like those just stop oil bennys
 

[Lee Trundle]

I love watching the aftermath of it all.

This week it was a lady called Kate Irvine who I observed throw her life away by acting like a complete mental idiot.

She's just got suspended from her job for shouting "suck your racist mum" and throwing nazi salutes.

[Sir Alf]

Yep as you both say, its all about the cash or in the case of Sully some bad publicity that involves him like at that Burnley game.  Those kind of protests will mean being banned for life though. Its what all dictators and despots do. Silence or eliminate the critics. If Sullivan could he’d arrange for fans who criticise or demonstrate against him to start falling out of windows. 

Nothing will ever happen at West Ham until we are in the relegation zone and falling fast.

And with the UK government, people will only take action once enough start losing jobs, houses etc and really seeing their standard of living drop which, by the way, I think looks possible if you look at the govt debt levels, tax shortfall etc.  The middle class ( the majority ) are about to see the govt come after them to plug the gap.  

[eusebiovic]

It does make me laugh when people who constantly moan about protestors also think that everyone should demonstrate against Sully & Co. No self awareness or sense of irony at all.

What bothers me most about the BS Out campaign is its utter naivety. NOBODY is going to be able to force Sullivan to sell his shares unless someone comes in with bucketloads of cash for them. Instead of dreaming of some caring, sharing sugar daddy who'll solve all our problems they ought to focus on what might be achievable, namely ousting Sullivan as Chief Executive.

If his complete incompetence in that area was highlighted then it would actually put pressure on him. This would make it easier for Kretinsky and the other owners (who make up 61% of shares) to force him to step down from an executive role and hire someone more capable and professional. This in turn would make it more likely for Brady to leave (what does she do anyway?) and for Sullivan to sell up as soon as he gets a decent offer.

I largely agree.

Embarrassment is the key to protest.

I was impressed with the Dan Lawless chap on Sky - that was a superb 5 minute rant which captured exactly the crux of the problem at this club. Once, isn't enough though.

It has to be endlessly repeated in print, on radio and TV and on all podcasts by as many WH fans as is humanly possible until the vast rump of the media latch onto it and start investigating what is going on here properly instead of their half arsed, lazy sound bites.

It's pointless holding up a placard asking the owner to leave that won't change anything - it's far too polite!

Embarrassment is our friend

[Jean-Luc Paul Goddard]

It does make me laugh when people who constantly moan about protestors also think that everyone should demonstrate against Sully & Co. No self awareness or sense of irony at all.

What bothers me most about the BS Out campaign is its utter naivety. NOBODY is going to be able to force Sullivan to sell his shares unless someone comes in with bucketloads of cash for them. Instead of dreaming of some caring, sharing sugar daddy who'll solve all our problems they ought to focus on what might be achievable, namely ousting Sullivan as Chief Executive.

If his complete incompetence in that area was highlighted then it would actually put pressure on him. This would make it easier for Kretinsky and the other owners (who make up 61% of shares) to force him to step down from an executive role and hire someone more capable and professional. This in turn would make it more likely for Brady to leave (what does she do anyway?) and for Sullivan to sell up as soon as he gets a decent offer.

[nychammer]

That won't go down well on here with all the people begging you to sign petitions and protest against a man who bought a business, with money. He might be a rubbish football club owner, but it's his plaything and as you say, protesting won't do anything except make the loudest noisemakers look daft. 

Exactly, I want Sullivan out of this club as much as anyone but it’s not like he’s an elected president of it, he owns it and therefore we can’t “get him out” out as such. For protest to be effective against someone like Sullivan  it has to draw bad publicity e.g. the Burnley game pitch invasion. Pretty sure he didn’t like that one bit, although stunts like that can risk FA charges against us. 

[Mike Oxsaw]

The only (only) thing that will coerce these (types of)  people into action is if there's a threat to their cash flow.

If Sullivan can't get his payday loans, he's fucked (he's already borrowed (and spent) against next season's TV & season ticket income); if the government doesn't get it's taxes when they're expected (to pay interest on due outstanding loans they have), they're fucked; if local councils don't get their rates when they anticipate, they can't provide the services (legally) expected of them and are fucked.

Profit & loss is secondary if you don't have the cash coming in to pay your ongoing current costs. Why do you think the penalties are so high for late payments?

[Gank]

That won't go down well on here with all the people begging you to sign petitions and protest against a man who bought a business, with money. He might be a rubbish football club owner, but it's his plaything and as you say, protesting won't do anything except make the loudest noisemakers look daft.