Greenpeace....

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I don't want to play Devil's Advocate, but before Resolute 14 posted an image of this protest, did anyone here actually, truthfully remember this? I sure didn't. I know it happened thanks to the reminding picture, but the message? Completely lost on me.

People scaling the Calgary Tower and posting a large banner? I'm going to remember that for a longer time. It's something I'll mention to my friends or family one day and say "protestors scaled the Tower and posted a big banner." I probably won't be saying the same thing for the above picture.

It's unfortunate, I know, but really it comes down to a marketing issue. The stupid stunt will be more memorable than the peaceful protest 9 times out of 10.

And I bet if I started a rally at the Calgary Tower, rounded up the O&G leaders in the city, I then shot and killed the CEO's one by one and pushed them off of the tower you would remember my protest "for a longer time".

You realize the only reason you will remember it, as opposed to the anti-coalition rally, is because these people decided to forgo peaceful and legal protest methods and instead pulled a stunt that not only put in danger a number of innocent bystanders, but also took our first responders away from potentially life and death situations. So yeah, of course you'll remember it "for a longer time", that by no means makes it an effective protest method though.

In fact, if anything I would say these "Greenpeacers" are extremely selfish and should really start opening their eyes to what is going on around them. Diverting a large share of city resources, potentially threatening civilian life in doing so and all so they can whine about the government and who gets the Oil?? What a crock.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

I agree with Ozy_Flame. Greenpeace was just trying to bring some 'culture' to the cultural wasteland that is Calgary.

What?

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The message or "there was this day that Greenpeace attacked the Calgary tower!"

I am:

1. Born Calgarian.
2. Believe Global Warming is Man Made.
3. Liberal.
4. Totally PO'd that these moron's did this to the tower. It is a symbol of Calgary, and I feel it is totally disrespectful. Go hang that off the Bow tower, or BP Place, if you want to disrespect someone's building who is truly responsible.

Anyways, message received. Greenpeace has not, and will not receive any support from me ever.

[CaptainCrunch]

Well at least they didn't ram their boat into the base of the tower.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

And I bet if I started a rally at the Calgary Tower, rounded up the O&G leaders in the city, I then shot and killed the CEO's one by one and pushed them off of the tower you would remember my protest "for a longer time".

You realize the only reason you will remember it, as opposed to the anti-coalition rally, is because these people decided to forgo peaceful and legal protest methods and instead pulled a stunt that not only put in danger a number of innocent bystanders, but also took our first responders away from potentially life and death situations. So yeah, of course you'll remember it "for a longer time", that by no means makes it an effective protest method though.

In fact, if anything I would say these "Greenpeacers" are extremely selfish and should really start opening their eyes to what is going on around them. Diverting a large share of city resources, potentially threatening civilian life in doing so and all so they can whine about the government and who gets the Oil?? What a crock.

Yup. And even though I had nothing to do with the protests, I will remember it as a protest group getting their message across using a Calgary landmark. It's a ballsy move.

[jar_e]

The official press release from CPS...

http://newsroom.calgary.ca/pr/calgar...er-165801.aspx

The group was able to access a window on the observation deck of the tower, and once outside, chained the window shut. Members of the Calgary Police Service Tactical Unit went to the top of the tower, and were forced to use bolt cutters to get through the chains.

At the same time, several other protesters chained themselves to barrels on the sidewalk in front of the Calgary Tower. These individuals protested peacefully and did not pose a risk to public safety.

Due to the complexity of the rigging systems, and concerns for everyone’s safety, a decision was made to negotiate with the protesters, instead of sending officers down to physically remove them.

After approximately 30 minutes, the banner was hoisted back to the top of the tower and the three individuals were taken into custody, as were three others at the top the tower who assisted in the demonstration. Two individuals on the ground who are alleged to have been accessories to this incident were also taken into custody. In total, eight people are currently being interviewed by District 1 GIU.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Of those that have responded thus far in this thread, how many actually believe that global warming is happening and is caused by mankind?

Depends how you ask the question. The answer to your question IMO is No. The answer to the question, "Does mankind contribute to climate change (global warming)" the answer IMO would be YES.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Yup. And even though I had nothing to do with the protests, I will remember it as a protest group getting their message across using a Calgary landmark. It's a ballsy move.

No it isn't. Breaking the law in a grandiose fashion, in the name of "protest" is still breaking the law. It is not any more balsy then me going down to the local Scotiabank and grabbing some old lady's purse. My reasoning? She is rich and I am not and it is BS! I need to get my message heard! What else could I do?

This was nothing more then a cowards attempt at a protest. They know that nobody cares about them or their "issues" and now are basically willing to break whatever law or moral code needed so long as people see them on TV. Bunch of little drama queens if you ask me.

[Phanuthier]

So dumb question, but what would have been the problem with just leaving them up there and ignoring them?

[CaptainCrunch]

In a city where over the last year we've had objects falling from buildings and deaths and injuries and property damage caused by that, GreenPeace sends a bunch of amateurs to the top of the tower to rig a large and heavy banner over the streets of Calgary.

Thats awesome

Way to go guys.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

So dumb question, but what would have been the problem with just leaving them up there and ignoring them?

Personally I would have chained the windows from the inside, and ransomed them back to Greenpeace.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Personally I would have chained the windows from the inside, and ransomed them back to Greenpeace.

That's probably what I would have done too. They chained themselves out, I would added a second chain with another lock.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

So dumb question, but what would have been the problem with just leaving them up there and ignoring them?

One of the morons trips, falls, lands and crushes a family of 4 walking pleasantly along the sidewalk below?

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

One of the morons trips, falls, lands and crushes a family of 4 walking pleasantly along the sidewalk below?

From reading this, unless I interpret wrong, they are properly anchored in. Inspect the anchor, and if its solid, I would have just locked them out.

[CaptainCrunch]

I would have called it King Kong recreation day and found a bunch of vintage biplanes with machine guns.

It twas beauty that killed Greenpeace.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

From reading this, unless I interpret wrong, they are properly anchored in. Inspect the anchor, and if its solid, I would have just locked them out.

I suppose. But they got up there without an anchor and eventually would remove the anchor (or attempt to) and try and get down. Should have just had the Tac team pepper the top of that tower with tear gas for about an hour - then see if they wanted to "negotiate".

[Madman]

The highlight of the protest for me and by far the biggest thing I will take away from it was when 3 protesters on the ground, (dressed in their usual shambles and unclean hair), were holding their stupid signs, when all of a sudden a random tourist jumped beside them, enthusiastically pulled open his jacket and proudly flashed his Star Trek shirt for everyone to take pictures of.

It was also the lowest part of the protest as I did not get any pictures.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

I suppose. But they got up there without an anchor and eventually would remove the anchor (or attempt to) and try and get down. Should have just had the Tac team pepper the top of that tower with tear gas for about an hour - then see if they wanted to "negotiate".

Well I'd imagine if they set up an anchor properly, they can't take it down until they were somewhere that was safe. I would have just locked them out outside, then "negotiated" their penalty. Hey it was their choice to be outside and lock themselves out.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

No it isn't. Breaking the law in a grandiose fashion, in the name of "protest" is still breaking the law. It is not any more balsy then me going down to the local Scotiabank and grabbing some old lady's purse. My reasoning? She is rich and I am not and it is BS! I need to get my message heard! What else could I do?

This was nothing more then a cowards attempt at a protest. They know that nobody cares about them or their "issues" and now are basically willing to break whatever law or moral code needed so long as people see them on TV. Bunch of little drama queens if you ask me.

It's a balsy move. I don't want to get into the definition of the word balsy. Waste of time.

Most public "stunts" are balsy moves. Especially knowing the risk to themselves and others, not to mention having the gall to do it on a Calgary landmark.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

It's a balsy move. I don't want to get into the definition of the word balsy. Waste of time.

Most public "stunts" are balsy moves. Especially knowing the risk to themselves and others, not to mention having the gall to do it on a Calgary landmark.

Its not really ballsy. I set up anchors and do repels every weekend. Its no big deal.

It just sounds like a waste of important people's time and taxpayer money