Protests about U2 Playing

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

At the end of the day, if they want to do it, (protestors that is), then let them, as long as they don't disrupt anyone from the set (which I can't see they will do). If they did disrupt the set for people, that's another thing.

However, they've paid their money like everyone else, and have the same rights to do whatever they want at Glasto as anyone else. Glasto's built on a history of political protest. It's not the right time to do it, it's not the right place to do it with regards to their alleged crimes, I imagine it'll get barely any attention, but they can do whatever they want.

As for the "avoidance", it is legal, sensible though? I suppose it depends if you believe in paying for public services as much as you have to, however there's much better targets they could go for, outside of Glasto, that would be more appropriate, and commit much worse tax avoidance crimes, especially in Ireland. It's a pretty shit idea, but it's their right to do it, so let them do it, and they'll be ignored won't they?

Edited June 3, 2011 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

It is nauseating to listen to someone telling governments how to spend taxes while simultaneously trying not to pay those said taxes.I can't blame the protesters for having a pop at a high profile venue. Makes sense to do so.

[howlin_pete]

My point being more - Go protest in Dublin and leave it out for one weekend. I got no time for people putting a dampener on the best weekend of my year.

[Strummer74]

Why should it put a dampener on your weekend? If the band are good enough its not going to bother you, and I'm sure the band are professional enough not to let it effect them either.

[Alcatraz]

This is clearly going to be one guy, who will probably be too mashed by Friday and just say 'f**k it I'm off to mong out with Primal Scream'

Don't worry yourselves

[Joshuwarr]

It seems there are a lot of lefties here who only pursue their views when its convenient for them. If it was a different event or something else people would be like "yeah! fight your corner" blah blah, but because its Glastonbury people couldnt give a toss about politics and are more concerned about themselves having a good time. I think some of you need to take a trip to the leftfield.

[Alcatraz]

It seems there are a lot of lefties here who only pursue their views when its convenient for them. If it was a different event or something else people would be like "yeah! fight your corner" blah blah, but because its Glastonbury people couldnt give a toss about politics and are more concerned about themselves having a good time. I think some of you need to take a trip to the leftfield.

Edited June 3, 2011 by Alcatraz

[duggie20]

Apparently some people will be protesting about U2 playing, nothing to do with the music, but rather that they have been using loopholes to avoid paying tax in their home, Ireland.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/03/u2-glastonbury-tax-protesters?

[Alcatraz]

I think these people also are pretty deluded if they think Glastonbury's a good place to make a point.

Its an enclosed field, miles from where decisions are made, and the only TV coverage of the event is gunned entirely towards the music, on a station which isn't allowed to show any political bias. And when U2 are performing, how much of the f**king crowd do you think they can see?

[duggie20]

At the end of the day, if they want to do it, (protestors that is), then let them, as long as they don't disrupt anyone from the set (which I can't see they will do). If they did disrupt the set for people, that's another thing.

However, they've paid their money like everyone else, and have the same rights to do whatever they want at Glasto as anyone else. Glasto's built on a history of political protest. It's not the right time to do it, it's not the right place to do it with regards to their alleged crimes, I imagine it'll get barely any attention, but they can do whatever they want.

As for the "avoidance", it is legal, sensible though? I suppose it depends if you believe in paying for public services as much as you have to, however there's much better targets they could go for, outside of Glasto, that would be more appropriate, and commit much worse tax avoidance crimes, especially in Ireland. It's a pretty shit idea, but it's their right to do it, so let them do it, and they'll be ignored won't they?

[Alcatraz]

In fact, this comes to mind

[The Nal]

Has anyone been paying any tax in Ireland?

[cidy]

i really dont give a fuk ,if i was ever brilliant at anything and could avoid paying tax i fukin would and so would 99% of people

[grumpyhack]

I was with a group today and we were discussing people who were judgemental. I asked everyone who had never broken the law to stand up - pointing out that exceeing the speed limit was breaking the law. Everyone stayed seated. And then some interesting admissions started to emerge including benefit fraud. We also discussed that for many the onty difference was that some people had been caught while others had got away with it. I am not in anyway suggesting that all crimes or financial arrangements are the same but let those without sin cast the first stones.

Edited June 3, 2011 by grumpyhack

[strudders]

f**k are we now protesting tax avoidance for people outside of the UK now?

this would be a good start....

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Lots of people avoid paying tax. But of those lots very few would have the gall to go around saying how the taxes they largely avoided paying should be spent. That's the main issue for me not necessarily the not paying tax bit. It is a case of actually putting your money where your mouth is, and not expecting the public to assuage your guilt for you.

[PabloCoke]

Are you for real,Glastonbury is f**k all about this.

Seriously,get a grip son!

[jimmyt]

I think it's a bit different, because Rolling Stones aren't actually playing this year.

Edited June 4, 2011 by jimmyt

[PabloCoke]

No, but bloody Beyoncnull is and she's very happy to shake her ass in front of dispicable dictators like Gaddafi for millions of exploited and stolen dollars. I know she's given it back (NOW) but where's the protest about her awful previous actions?

Oh, yeah. I nearly forgot. Who the hell would be there to see the protest?!

[Wooderson]

Good! tax dodging multi millionaires are scum, Ireland is in the shitter at the moment why should the super rich get away with it when essential services are being slashed.

This sort of protest is what glastonburys all about, its hedonism with a social coinsience, good on'em.

Oh and Nal I'll gladly stop you ripping anything up if I see them

[MrMac]

From the Guardian piece: "Plans are afoot for a giant inflatable banner with the slogan "Bono Pay Up", spelled out in lights." and "Protesters at Glastonbury are planning to float an over-sized bundle of fake cash from one part of the crowd, under an Irish tricolour, to another section of the audience under a Dutch flag."

If someone wants to protest I don't see a problem with that - I don't know enough about their tax affairs to be able to comment either way. I'd not be too impressed if they left their 'giant inflatable banner' up for long periods of time, unless like all responsible flag wavers they keep it at the back of the crowd.

[MrMac]

If anyone wants to counter-protest, all they need is a giant inflatable "L" and a giant inflatable "Rise".

[glasto-worker]

It is nauseating to listen to someone telling governments how to spend taxes while simultaneously trying not to pay those said taxes.I can't blame the protesters for having a pop at a high profile venue. Makes sense to do so.

[geebus]

I Don't think you can compare them with greedy banks; They have earnt their money thought talent

and pay their taxes.

[bamber]

Tax evasion is the scourge of the modern world. They are all at it, Tesco, The Banks, U2 etc. all over the friggin earth. We (the working people) all subsidise their tax evasion. It is an ongoing scandal. It is impossible to counteract in the current circumstances. I try everyday to think of ways to get back some of my money, but it is gone and in the hands of the rich. Let us not be unforthcoming in our derision of all this wickedness.