Patrick W. James

The Best Way to Protest

A beautiful thought from a friend I met in Norwich (now in Belfast - anyone know him?)

It was round 1982 - The British Government had issued a public health pamphlet about how to protect yourself in the case of atomic war - This contained such valuable information as bunkers, provisions and hiding behind a sheet of steel which at a certain distance the governement claimed would offer protection.

Many serious and sincere environmentally concerned people were trying to show how ridiculous this all was.

Patricks idea was to set up a business and then advertise in papers or go round door to door with the pamphlets and a brochure to sell the ideas. Bringing it to peoples attention in a way people are used to - and let the buyer themselves realise how stupid it was, ... If anyone wanted actual products then any wish could be met, and they would be a bit expensive, ... but the peace camps needed financial support from somewhere ...

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It was also Patrick who suggested campaigning for the upcoming election (Thatcher) to go round campaigning for the young gay conservatives ... !