So while local communities battle the riots by organising mass clean-up operations, a fight breaks out on a Facebook page over plastic bags.
It seemed like a good idea, getting involved with where I live. I've lived in the area for over 10 years and never had much to do with the people around me other than by going into the local shops and sometimes helping out at the church. But it seemed nice - people getting together, organising, improving, that's all good stuff. Someone arranged an annual picnic at one of the parks (we've got two here), which is nice. I mean, the bands are usually shitty and it's full of self-important parents of irritating young children, but hey. Then local people arranged to have the other park removed from Birmingham City Council's powers so the local council could develop it (because BCC basically neglected it).
I decided to join the Facebook page that someone had set up, and it was off to a good start. My band was offered a gig playing in the bandstand in the park, I asked for information on a local restaurant and people were quick to help, all good.
Last week I raised the issue about the dangerous junction crossing, and people got behind it and very quickly our local councillor responded saying that work was about to be carried out. I told him I was glad I voted for him. He said thank you. Brilliant!
But then someone decided to start a "let's make our community plastic bag-free!" thing. Now, I'm not an idiot. I know that plastic bags damage the environment and kill wild animals etc, but that's when they're used irresponsibly. It's quite possible to use plastic bags sparingly, only when you need one cos you've forgotten your shopping bag or you've bought more than you expected to. And then, use them carefully, reusing them, using them for different purposes (bin bags, etc), recycling them (taking them to the recycle bin in the Co-Op, giving them to charity shops to use for their customers). It just requires people being given these options, told about them, educated about them.
This view didn't go down well. Apparently these are not good arguments for plastic bags. Apparently I'm advocating the death of turtles. Apparently, according to the local councillor (the same guy who I said I was glad I voted for), because I said I actually didn't care about this argument at the moment, having been trapped in the middle of a riot in Brixton (with the implication that - THERE'S MORE GOING ON AT THE MOMENT THAN BLOODY PLASTIC BAGS!), I'm in fact at fault here. I'm basically to blame for the riots, because my thoughts that plastic bags can be used responsibily is tantamount to throwing a dustbin through the window of Foot Locker. I have as little love for my local community as looters and rioters.
Do you know what? Wow. Just wow. And in fact... you know what... they can shove their bloody plastic bag banning middle class twaddle up their tragically narrow-minded bourgeois backsides. I'm really glad that my band couldn't play the bandstand gig because from what I've seen of it, it was basically a family fun day with face painting and pushchairs. The Ritas have lyrics with words like "fuck" and "tits" in them. Can't imagine that going down well in family-friendly, plastic bag free Smugville, which is clearly where I now live.
(and if you now think I'm a total arsehole for writing this, I don't really care).
It seemed like a good idea, getting involved with where I live. I've lived in the area for over 10 years and never had much to do with the people around me other than by going into the local shops and sometimes helping out at the church. But it seemed nice - people getting together, organising, improving, that's all good stuff. Someone arranged an annual picnic at one of the parks (we've got two here), which is nice. I mean, the bands are usually shitty and it's full of self-important parents of irritating young children, but hey. Then local people arranged to have the other park removed from Birmingham City Council's powers so the local council could develop it (because BCC basically neglected it).
I decided to join the Facebook page that someone had set up, and it was off to a good start. My band was offered a gig playing in the bandstand in the park, I asked for information on a local restaurant and people were quick to help, all good.
Last week I raised the issue about the dangerous junction crossing, and people got behind it and very quickly our local councillor responded saying that work was about to be carried out. I told him I was glad I voted for him. He said thank you. Brilliant!
But then someone decided to start a "let's make our community plastic bag-free!" thing. Now, I'm not an idiot. I know that plastic bags damage the environment and kill wild animals etc, but that's when they're used irresponsibly. It's quite possible to use plastic bags sparingly, only when you need one cos you've forgotten your shopping bag or you've bought more than you expected to. And then, use them carefully, reusing them, using them for different purposes (bin bags, etc), recycling them (taking them to the recycle bin in the Co-Op, giving them to charity shops to use for their customers). It just requires people being given these options, told about them, educated about them.
This view didn't go down well. Apparently these are not good arguments for plastic bags. Apparently I'm advocating the death of turtles. Apparently, according to the local councillor (the same guy who I said I was glad I voted for), because I said I actually didn't care about this argument at the moment, having been trapped in the middle of a riot in Brixton (with the implication that - THERE'S MORE GOING ON AT THE MOMENT THAN BLOODY PLASTIC BAGS!), I'm in fact at fault here. I'm basically to blame for the riots, because my thoughts that plastic bags can be used responsibily is tantamount to throwing a dustbin through the window of Foot Locker. I have as little love for my local community as looters and rioters.
Do you know what? Wow. Just wow. And in fact... you know what... they can shove their bloody plastic bag banning middle class twaddle up their tragically narrow-minded bourgeois backsides. I'm really glad that my band couldn't play the bandstand gig because from what I've seen of it, it was basically a family fun day with face painting and pushchairs. The Ritas have lyrics with words like "fuck" and "tits" in them. Can't imagine that going down well in family-friendly, plastic bag free Smugville, which is clearly where I now live.
(and if you now think I'm a total arsehole for writing this, I don't really care).
The plastic bag thing has to be nationwide else it won't work. Also the shops have to be behind it too. Abusing your public ain't good either, a bit like me and my scrap with the housing minister here about population control LOL, he was rude to me in a public forum...ahem!
ReplyDeleteThey don't give them out here (bags not councillors) and you buy those 10p bags for life or make your own arrangements.
Love it when I go to France and I get a free placcy bag or some exotic paper contraption, ahhh the small joys in life.
Chin up! xx
Are you sure you don't live in Harborne?!
ReplyDeletex