Meaningless jibes thrown at anti-adani protesters

THERE are some comments people habitually make about anti-adani protesters.

Two biggies are “Get a job” and a general accusation of “hypocrites”. Assuming protesters are on the dole suggests unemployed people who live so far below the poverty line and are perpetually harassed with vindictive programs like Robodebt, could easily get out and about protesting, seems a stretch. And if some did, they too have a right to protest. From the protesters I’ve met, however, many are retired like the two women who locked on to the gates at Iplex or are workers and attend protests before or around work. Others are young people who work or have postponed study to do what they can to help the planet avoid what science clearly shows to be an impending climate catastrophe.

Keep yelling, “Get a job” or go bark at clouds. Both just as meaningful.

Then there’s the ‘hypocrite’ charge. It’s an easy one to throw but, actually, does that mean that even a hypocrite cannot be telling the truth? We were all born into this advanced technological age regardless of our preferences. While some can buy land to grow veges and live from nature, many feel trapped in world they see becoming dramatically unequal, exploitative and toxic. But they also know they can do something to change its direction even while presently relying on the products of industries they seek to transform. It’s like a cancer patient on chemo — nauseous and hair falling out — learning that there are newer drugs (renewables, pumped hydro, batteries & demand management) that are way cheaper, very effective with far fewer side effects. But when the patient asks the doctor to please prescribe them, the answer is, ‘No! we haven’t used up all our supplies of chemo drugs yet!’ GEORGE HIRST,

Picnic Bay.