Despite many people's beliefs that the Red-Shirts consist of the entire population, and that everyone wants Abhisit to step down, there seem to be quite a few pro-government protesters, as well!
In fact, the Yellow-Shirts (of the PAD party, who are known also for their airport seige, a year ago) are suggesting that they might start protesting (pro-government) next week!
Other people just seem to be fed up with all the protests, and just label themselves as being part of the "no-color" group.
The protests occuring in Thailand, though I know are so much bigger in comparison, made me think about all of the financial/anti-fee/anti-privitization protest that were (or are!) going on on the Berkeley campus, or, for all UC campuses, for that matter. Sure, it's awful that our tuitions are going to be raised, and it's even more terrible that people who really do come from low-income families might not be able to come to school, next year.
But, sometimes I wonder if all the protesting is actually effective?
Yeah, the protest are a platform for us to voice our opinions, display our emotions, and show what type of people we are... people who want others to notice our agony and passion for our cause and assist in facilitating change. But, what it comes down to, is that we just need to have a a sitdown with the top officials of this crazy bureacracy (or IS it, anymore??) and just.. talk some sense into them.
The point that I really wanted to get to , was that there were a couple articles in the Daily Californian (Daily Cal, student newspaper for Berkeley) commenting on how disruptive all the campus protests are, and if anything.. are just hurting the university even more.
Firstly, the protests on campus disincline both professors and students from attending class, that day - which cut short our days of academia even more, and if anything, are just cutting more value from the high tuitions that we're already being obligated to pay.
Secondly, damages from protests, setting up alarms systems, the need to have police there JUST in case, etc. etc. is just costing the university SO much money.
If anything, I sympathize with those who are energetic and passionate enough to go out on the streets, march all day, yell out their frustrations and hopes for a better future.
But, in the end, I feel like only diplomatic, "peaceful" measures will actually produce results.
Penny for your thoughts? :/
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