Throwing down the gauntlet?
Over the past few days, there has been much discussion on Frank’s blog about mounting some sort of resistance to the juggernaut of Tobacco Control and it’s recent fellow travellers in the prohibition and lifestyle control business. The conversation to date has centred mostly around the nomenclature of this resistance movement, and as usual, when you have twenty or so people discussing something which is based on personal opinion, you get twenty different ideas, none of which all can agree on. This one is set to run for a bit longer yet, I would imagine!
However, once the tricky subject of the name of the organisation has been resolved, what then? How does one set about resisting a many-headed hydra that has a global stranglehold, is funded to the tune of billions, has politicians in every country eating out of its hands, and has been busy entrenching its position for several decades? It would seem an impossible task for anyone but an equally well funded global organisation.
I’ve been giving some thought to how we could progress once the vexatious problem of the name is settled to the satisfaction of the majority.
The first thing to do I guess would be to set up a website, which provides a focal point for all those who are, or who will be involved. It would provide a channel of communication, act as an information exchange and provide a point where any actions decided upon can be co-ordinated.
The next requirement is to get as many people as possible involved. This might seem easy given the 1.5 billion or so harassed smokers out there, but sadly most smokers are pretty apathetic when it comes to resisting Tobacco Control; and understandably so really, given the sheer size and ruthless implacability of TC. The phrase ‘Resistance is futile’ springs to mind when considering what can be done.
Once the website is set up, we would then need to reach out to as many people as possible, using all our contacts, asking all other bloggers and friendly sites to feature a link to the website regardless of whether they are smoking sites or not. Vapers (many of whom are anti-TC) are well organised and could be invaluable allies. As could all pro-choice libertarian sites. We need to remember that although the central issue is the restrictions on and persecution of smokers, the prohibitionist net is widening and enmeshing many more than just smokers now, but the basic modus operandum of all the prohibitionist killjoys is based on the anti-smoking template, using the same devious methods. So even if the organisation approached has nothing to do with smoking, it won’t be difficult for them to see how they are being targeted in the same way, and with the same methods as has been applied to smokers for decades. And if those people are able to use their powers of reason, they will realise that unless the foundations of Tobacco Control are undermined and their lies exposed, they will be powerless to stop the relentless march of the killjoys arraigned against them. Because up to now, it’s always been “Oh, tobacco is a special case”. But that no longer holds true as the rhetoric is ramped up against drinkers and fatties; sugar and salt. They are starting to hit the ‘First they came for the smokers, but I wasn’t a smoker, so I did nothing’ realisation.
So, we have our website up and running, but it has to be paid for. Short of some philanthropic billionaire smoker funding the whole operation (which is an unlikely scenario), there would have to be some sort of membership fee. This doesn’t actually need to be much, maybe 5-10 Euros a year. If we had 1000 members, that would more than cover the costs of site hosting etc, and leave a chunk in the kitty for anything that was deemed to be useful for the organisation. Membership would include a couple of relevant bumper stickers (spread the word!) and maybe a brooch, as has been suggested by someone, as a means of identifying others who are party to the resistance movement. Merchandise like T-shirts, sweatshirts and baseball caps, maybe cigarette box covers with our logo, could be added to the mix to generate more income. Being a paid-up member would merely give access to a wider range of involvement – we mustn’t exclude those who perhaps don’t wish to pay. The non-paying members would be able to register as a member and have full access to the site and (if it was deemed appropriate) an associated forum where issues could be discussed.
What next? Because so far, we have a small group with a website, and not much else. We need to reach out to a lot more people if we are to be effective in any way. Create a Twitter hashtag like ‘#stopthisstupidity’ or something similar and try to swamp Twitter with it? Make a video for YouTube and relentlessly promote it on Twitter in the hope it will go viral? Whatever it is (and I’m sure there are others who have much better ideas than me) it needs to be disseminated as widely as possible. How did they manage to get the ‘#metoo’ hashtag universally recognised? Because there aren’t really that many women who were seriously affected – I’m sure many (if not most) of them just jumped on the bandwagon because a man touched their knee twenty years ago, or they did something which seemed like a good idea at the time but which they now regret. There must be an awful lot more people who have been adversely affected by the machinations of Tobacco Control, and it’s more recent hangers-on than were ever affected by lecherous old men.
This, to my mind, is the crux of the matter. To make people who have been, and will be persecuted for their lifestyle choices aware of the fact that there are a lot of other pissed off people like them. Just that awareness would, I think, create a groundswell of public opinion that runs counter to the plans of the prohibitionists. Once you have a large enough group of disgruntled people publicly voicing their misgivings about the direction ‘Public Health’ is trying to take us, then we start to chip away at the foundations upon which their propaganda campaigns are built. We aren’t going to get any help from the MSM, who are all signed up to the PH and TC narrative, so it has to be all done via social media. I personally have very little knowledge about how to get the most out of social media, but I’m sure there are those among us who understand how it works and how to maximise impact.
Up to this point, I haven’t touched on how we could take the fight to our oppressors, and frankly, given their bottomless pockets and malign influence on government and the judiciary, I’m at a loss as to what we could possibly do. If we had the financial wherewithal, it would be interesting to go for the jugular, and challenge the FCTC in the international courts. They would then have to convince the courts of the validity of the science upon which the FCTC is based, which if we had top lawyers who were actually sympathetic to our cause could probably demolish all their junk science in short order and expose them for the charlatans that they are. However, the problem there comes down to money, because money talks. Knowing how shaky their ‘science’ is, they would probably prevaricate until we ran out of money, and thus win by default. And we would be going head to head with the WHO, which would be no easy task, given their clout on the global stage. Anyway, that’s just pie-in-the-sky thinking, since without billionaire backing we wouldn’t stand a chance.
So what else could we do? Answers on the back of a postcard, please! 🙂
I haven’t followed the recent discussions on FD’s; real life intruding as it does. But surely the experience of FOREST and that other smoking rights group (whose name I forget-edit , just googled, it was ‘Justice 4 Smokers’) suggest that the idea is a bit of a non-starter? But if you do get one up and running i’ll become a paying member- for what good it will do us all after that ‘Xmas’ that smoking turkeys voted for.
I’m afraid I’m inclined to agree with you, BD. The prohibitionists are aware of this, and rely on it to continually salami slice away at our freedoms. It’s easy to keep up the momentum when, like the Arnotts of this world, you’re being paid £100K+ a year in a full time job which has the remit to think up new ways to persecute smokers; not so easy when, like most people, you’re working in another sphere for less than half that sum and trying to keep your shit together. I was just extrapolating from the recent discussions on Frank’s blog, more in a theoretical way than as a call to arms. However, like you, I’d certainly contribute in any way I could if it were to get off the ground.
‘Forest’ is a bit of a toothless irrelevance, really. Simon, enthusiastic though he is, is basically a non-smoking PR man whose roots are in libertarianism. As an organisation, they are much too nice to be effective, and rarely make any impact in the media. Which is why they are allowed a voice. They are the mandatory manifestation of ‘balanced’ reporting that won’t rock the boat.
There’s been an awful lot of discussion on Frank’s blog but I’m concerned that the momentum will be lost unless somebody throws their hat into the ring rather quickly and takes on the responsibility of coordinating this long-overdue fightback. Can you suggest someone with the ability and the patience that will be willing to be the focal point of this campaign?
Anyone who did take the role had better be single with no kids because the full force of the Prohibitionists would be visited upon them, up to including arrest on trumped up charges (‘endangering the volksgesundheit’ perhaps) and calls to social services. We’ve seen it happen before.
This is indeed the problem. I can think of several people who have the ability, but I doubt they would have the time. As I already said, we don’t have the luxury of being able to pay people £100,000+ to work full time pursuing an agenda. And as BD points out (although I think he rather overstates it), if it were successful, there could be some retaliation of an unpleasant nature, and TC wouldn’t balk at targeting the nearest and dearest. They’re quite amoral.
The problem has always been getting smokers interested in anything. I was over the moon that we got 100 to Stony Stratford a few years ago but that is the best you’re going to get. Smokers have been taught to be shameful about their choices and that’s just human nature, sadly. But even if we don’t accept that, it’s still hard to motivate anyone, I’ve seen vapers try to get big protests started and even with their obvious moral superiority over tobacco control, they still can’t muster any support in any numbers.
They are not simply ‘amoral’ but evil, evil as only those convinced they are on the side of the angels, who only want the best for their fellow man, can be. Anna Raccoon discovered that on several occasions (albeit not regarding smoking -except during the Hogan incident).
It’s the result of decades of relentless propaganda, DP. I can’t think of any other reason. More than a generation has been through the propaganda mill and there are very few smokers out there who haven’t drunk deep of the Kool-Aid. And that’s why they so meekly acquiesce to all the ordure being poured over their heads. That level of indoctrination will be very hard to break, methinks. They may rebel against that indoctrination by smoking, but what they’ve been taught is still firmly lodged in their psyche.
Funnily enough, you’d be my first choice as The Leader. We’ve only met a couple of times briefly but long enough for me to see what AR saw in you (besides the fact she used to talk to you as an equal, whereas she had to dumb things down for me a bit), you not only have a brain but also the ability to inspire others in word and speech.
My previous comment was aimed at DP.
DP would of course be the perfect choice, and would be my No1 also, but he is a very busy man – I dunno how he finds the time to write his blog, to be honest. So unfortunately, as far as I can see, he’s out of the running.
Just saw this quote on twitter and it triggered a train of thought.
“The worst guilt is to accept an unearned guilt. – Ayn Rand”
I’m not religious and I don’t wish to offend anyone but it always seemed to me that the strongest hold that the Christian Church had on its followers was the notion of ‘original sin’ and more generally the idea that people are innately sinful. Leading to the need for salvation. By the Church of course.
Whether by intention or, more likely, by design the anti-smoking industry has managed to instill guilt amongst people who enjoy smoking tobacco. And for that matter, amongst people who enjoy anything. As others have observed, I think this is the biggest obstacle to the fight back.
I’m not sure what the best means of mobilizing opposition to antismoking measures is; but I am certain that it is imperative to stand up against the persecution of smokers right now. This may require individuals to start standing up and challenging the persecution they face before a formal group emerges. Actually, I suspect most effective political action does start with individual initiatives that then merge into movements. Rather than wait for approval to act–act now! Act in any way that you can, comment against news stories about smoking bans, write your legislators, smoke!
Absolutely right, individual initiatives, comments that public and politicians might see.
I’m faced with multiple propaganda ‘news’ stories and toxic comments, am encouraged, thanks!
Time spent well…
I have for several years been a serial commenter on articles all round the globe. It often amazed me how when I went to the comments section, the late Harley had got there before me! He was indefatigable. Bit of a scattergun approach to his comments, but he was always in there, fighting. He’s sorely missed.
As RdM says, there’s such a barrage of propaganda out there, I feel it’s my duty to try to spread a little truth around. It’s a drop in the ocean, I know, but we have to start somewhere…
I try to make as many comments as i can (despite being censored or blocked) and look to support those making pro-choice comments. The problem is fewer and fewer sites allow comments and those that do are often besieged by an army of astroturf antismokers. Nevertheless posting rebuttals, dissent, and voicing opposition to smoking bans is an important step in fighting antismoker persecution.
Normally it starts with friends. If you know personally a rock singer, or a comedian – they can easily say: fuck TC, time to end the idiocy. And then a slightly rogue politician might be of some use. Anyone who is supposed to say the craziest things. And then a retired businessman to finance a legal suit, as you mentioned. But it should never be an isolated outburst, it should have a look of a planned campaign, step by step, relentless, so as to create a momentum. And then you may end the campaign for a while, to start planning a new one. That’s how it usually works.
Yes, in an ideal world, that’s how it should work, Dmitri. The problem we have in the west is that through decades of propaganda, smokers have been thoroughly demoralised, and have no appetite for resistance. It’s only people like Frank and me and a handful of others who blog, or comment on those blogs, who have any motivation. The vast majority of smokers have been convinced that they are in the wrong, and that they are guilty parties who have no right to complain.
Dmitri, I agree with the first part (first 3 sentences).
But I have some instinctive reaction, perhaps doubt, about the latter part.
I think there is a place (and time) even inevitably for initial isolated outbursts.
Individual people get annoyed enough to overcome their inhibitions and speak (write) out.
Other people see these and feel encouraged, a little less afraid to follow suit.
(speak up in the same vein, speak out themselves on the same topic.)
Even more others see others speaking out or writing up against the madness, it becomes familiar, accepted – that there are counter-views, and thus a grassroots momentum grows.
I’m thinking of forums and newspaper comments mostly here.
If among that, generated more privately, there is some organisation, which can be linked to by those in the know in such comments, then initially aroused people can discover it.
Something like that.
Inevitably too I think that at least initially, counter movements that might cohere into an organisation, born as it were out of individual utterances being noticed, and contacts being made, might initially at least (again!) be country specific.
The UK is quite well served with a plethora of blogs and websites already, the US has a few, and of course they also have some global readership.
In Australia, http://catallaxyfiles.com/ is worthwhile, search “plain packaging” there.
In NZ, it seems to me, there has been very little push-back against or even awareness of the hideous social engineering experiment being enacted here. General persuasion abounds.
I seem to recall some web discussion of Globalink dividing up territories to influence…
Yet there is some push-back, comments from even non-smokers on the last remaining news some ocaoutlet that allows them, Stuff, and some occasionally in a somewhat RW blog,
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/ – but really it’s mostly focusing on minutiae of NZ politics, and seems to have a largely idiot commentariat, albeit seasoned with a few sensible views.
So I despair somewhat.
And I can assure you, that even single with no children (I deplore “kids”, they are from goats!) as a pensioner with an overdraft rather than savings, with a zillion unfinished projects, time is tight as well as money.
Still, I wake up every day angered about Tobacco Control, the idiot politicians, the price of my morning roll-up, well beyond the international price of silver per gram now.
So indeed, something must be done…
And I intend to comment on many local forums, but I’m also busy with survival.
And so it goes… ;=})
This site can’t be reached
cfrankdavis.wordpress.com took too long to respond.
Try:
Checking the connection
Checking the proxy and the firewall
ERR_TIMED_OUT
Maybe all of wordpress is down right now.
https://underdogsbiteupwards.wordpress.com/
isn’t responding either.
Yet the blogspot ones are fine.
DP, CS, theviewfromcullingworth etc. load instantly.
Weird… I feel as though I;m behind the great firewall of China, or er, Tobacco Kontrol.
Every other site seems to load fine, and I just spoke with Frank in the SBD, but I can’t see his blog. Or any other wordpress.com site!
This site can’t be reached
wordpress.com took too long to respond.
Try:
Checking the connection
Checking the proxy and the firewall
ERR_TIMED_OUT
Anybody else seeing this?
Nobody has said anything to suggest they’re having problems. And I’m not having problems with any other WordPress sites. So I dunno, mate.
Apologies all; it’s back up now.
A temporary glitch.
Nisakiman, please feel free to delete this and the preceding three comments…