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Sunday, June 19, 2011

Brian Haw dies

The BBC report that Peace campaigner Brian Haw has died after "a long hard fight" against lung cancer.

Mr Haw, who was 62, is famous for having set up a camp in London's Parliament Square in 2001 in protest against UK and US foreign policy.

His tenacity and his commitment turned him into a minor celebrity as he defied attempts by Tony Blair to legislate his protest out of existence. His peace camp was a major thorn in the side for the Blair government and a constant reminder of the significant opposition that existed around the country to the Iraq war amongst other foreign policy adventures.
Comments:
I am sorry that a man has died, but the things that Mr Haw believed in bore little resemblance to the policies of the Liberal Democrats. Let's not make the mistake of thinking that because someone on the Left is non-Conservative and non-Labour, it makes them someone with whom Liberal Democrats can empathise - it doesn't. Ken Livingstone was living proof of that, when he stood as an Independent against Labour. But it's still very sad that a man has died.
 
"...and a constant reminder of the significant opposition that existed around the country to the Iraq war amongst other foreign policy adventures."

Well, to be fair, Cameron (hence the British coalition government) has got itself involved in a civil war in Libya, which is not exactly proving to be popular in every quarter. Congress and the White House are now in open dispute. Democrats and Republicans want the President to come to Congress to seek Congressional approval.

If there is a vote in Congress on funding then every Congressman/woman will be on the record. I seriously doubt a majority (of either party) will vote to fund America's involvement and those that do will have their support on the record just in time for the 2012 elections. President Obama knows this third war lacks support at home.

Chris Wood (from Cardiff, based in the Washington, DC metro area)
 
People talk about patriotism and that sort of thing. I think Brian Haw and his tenacity in standing up to authority for what he believed was right represents the best of this country.
 
thanks for the article.
i've posted some thoughts about Brian and Parliament Square here:
Models From The Earth
 
I wonder if Brian Haw and the rest of the "Peace Camp" ever noticed the irony of protesting against all kinds of wars under the amused eyes of Winston Churchill: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/peace-camp-churchill/

Nonetheless, may Mr Haw rest in peace.
 
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