This action deserves a recitation of my BAE poem.


Ode to BAE Systems

Leave your morals at the door
When you work for BAE
They say corruption’s at its core
And the deal is done if you pay the right fee

Jets and ships and submarines
They have their hand in every pot
Selling their wares to repressive regimes
Human rights ain’t worth a lot

Nuclear weapons are a great idea
As long as they can make the subs
They’ll get the contract, have no fear
‘Cos they lobby the ministers in the pubs

© 2007 D. Viesnik

you never will

Congratulations to the protesters. Not only are you right about BAE Systems but you were right to protest about it in this way. I hope it had an impact with the result that the message about what arms companies are up to is forcefully brought home to everyone, so that no matter how indebted students us are a career as a merchant of death is simply not acceptable.

I should declare an interest here. I'm at Loughborough Uni and we too recently had a careers fair to which BAE Systems, along with Lockheed Martin and Caterpillar were invited. I wrote a letter of complaint along moral and anti-corruption lines. (Don't forget that the arms trade is also the world's most corrupt industry). In response the University said they understood my concerns but felt it was for students themselves to make their own choices of career. Fine. But I'd question whether all students are sufficiently well informed of the facts about these companies. By your actions you will have driven home the sheer moral indefensibility of BAE Systems and cut through all the bullshit they usually peddle out to try and excuse themselves. That's why I salute you.

Best wishes,
Ian