Thanks for all you have done so far
Henry | 25.11.2004 17:30
It’s time to say goodbye (for the next few months at least). As the cold weather begins to take hold here in Britain now is the time my wife and I move to our winter home in South Africa but our daughters are staying to continue the work
Those reading Indymedia who took the time to find out the truth about Hunting by visiting a Hunt we thank, to those who decided that Hunting should be banned without finding out the facts we ask – why ?
It has been interesting to read the comments of those who took up my challenge to make up their minds only after seeing a Hunt for real. The feedback has been in general balanced and fair. We didn’t convince everyone, but the majority (about 70%) said they now supported Hunting.
The most welcome factor was that the greatest percentage of new CA members in 2004 came from the young. Indeed Indymedia played a significant part in this as a survey of new members found that for the 14 to 24 year age group where the new member had discovered CA through a website; Indymedia UK was second only to the BBC in being the source.
I of course appreciate that the majority of those who control Indymedia support the ban on Hunting and actively oppose the Countryside Alliance hence the constant censorship and editing of my posts but I also thank those there who took the time to contact me and offer their support.
The fight to maintain the right to Hunt in the UK will of course go on and I am sure there are few, if any on both sides of this argument who really believe a ban is viable or enforceable however the bigger picture is firstly the decision of the government to introduce this Bill as a way of diverting public attention from the far more important issues facing the country. I expected the mainstream media to fall for this old trick but I am surprised so many on Indymedia did as well. Secondly the economic effects on the rural community which will see working people lose their jobs, homes and income has not had the coverage it deserves, if Hunting was any other industry it would have received far greater coverage here.
The Countryside Alliance website will be keeping everybody up to date with protests so please check there regularly for updates.
It has been interesting to read the comments of those who took up my challenge to make up their minds only after seeing a Hunt for real. The feedback has been in general balanced and fair. We didn’t convince everyone, but the majority (about 70%) said they now supported Hunting.
The most welcome factor was that the greatest percentage of new CA members in 2004 came from the young. Indeed Indymedia played a significant part in this as a survey of new members found that for the 14 to 24 year age group where the new member had discovered CA through a website; Indymedia UK was second only to the BBC in being the source.
I of course appreciate that the majority of those who control Indymedia support the ban on Hunting and actively oppose the Countryside Alliance hence the constant censorship and editing of my posts but I also thank those there who took the time to contact me and offer their support.
The fight to maintain the right to Hunt in the UK will of course go on and I am sure there are few, if any on both sides of this argument who really believe a ban is viable or enforceable however the bigger picture is firstly the decision of the government to introduce this Bill as a way of diverting public attention from the far more important issues facing the country. I expected the mainstream media to fall for this old trick but I am surprised so many on Indymedia did as well. Secondly the economic effects on the rural community which will see working people lose their jobs, homes and income has not had the coverage it deserves, if Hunting was any other industry it would have received far greater coverage here.
The Countryside Alliance website will be keeping everybody up to date with protests so please check there regularly for updates.
Henry
