Books and bombs, again
August 14th, 2006
Reader Tom Stafford writes to publicise a protest against Elsevier:
Reed Elsevier is a publishing company with an arms trade problem. While the bulk of their business is in scientific, medical and educational publishing, they also organise arms fairs around the world. The aim of this website is to mobilise the academic community that writes and reads Reed Elsevier’s journals to persuade them to stop organising arms fairs. More details and petition here
I’ve been thinking about this on and off for a while, trying to work out what course of action is most effective in cases like this. Suggestions are welcome.
Categories: Politics (general)
Course of action? ? ?
No need to take action against Tom Stafford, simply ignore him.
I stopped giving money to Amnesty because they are now into gun control. I prefered them when they were keen to identify governments abusing people but now that they seem to be advocating more power for the oppressors. It is a pity because they do some good work in other areas.
The demonisation of firearms is widespread. I notice that pictures of people holding firearms were used in the PR exercise against David Hicks and also against the former CEO of AWB. As if holding a gun gives you the mark of Satan. It is very irrational stuff.
Of course if Reed Elsevier is organising arms fairs so governments can get their hands on more weapons then I am naturally prepared to be appalled and outraged.
Sorry Terje, what’s to like about an instrument of death?
I’m perfectly comfortable around firearms, used plenty on a farm, it’s not a matter of socialisation that makes me dislike guns, the point is they only ahve one use (in an arms fair context) and that is to intimidate and kill people. What’s to like about them?
Presumably these arms fairs also sell land mines and cluster bombs as well…
“Presumably these arms fairs also sell land mines and cluster bombs as well…
Cluster bombs, yes; land mines, maybe.