This entry was posted on
Monday, April 18th, 2005 at
9:35 am and is filed
under Page 3 – News in Briefs, Rupert ‘The Evil One’ Murdoch, UK General Election 2005.
The Scum – Rock The Vote UK: In January the world watched in awe as eight million Iraqis braved terrorist slaughter to take part in the country’s first general election for a lifetime. In some parts of the ravaged country, turnout was a staggering 90 per cent. Women in tears were determined to have their first-ever say in the greatest event in the democratic calendar. Yet in Britain on May 5, millions will stay home and watch EastEnders or go to the pub rather than decide how – and by whom – their nation is governed. Today The Sun is launching a Rock The Vote campaign to get our readers and every other able-bodied person out on the big day to say who they want in Parliament. Our drive, which mirrors a similar US initiative, is backed by a host of celebrities including rock’s Justin Hawkins and Noel Gallagher, soccer’s Sir Alex Ferguson and athletics’ Dame Kelly Holmes… Tony Blair last night backed The Sun’s Rock the Vote campaign. “The vote is a very precious thing,” he said. “It’s easy for people to be cynical. Easy, but wrong. On May 5 every single voter has the same power in their hands. They should use it.”
Let’s just ignore the fact that it’s easy to be cynical and vote, and move on, shall we?
Take a look at how this is introduced; with the unquestionable glory of democracy brought to Iraq via the miracle of precision bombing. Then take a look at the original Rock The Vote and the core issue it addresses.
Then – even if you disregard snide asides about “George Galloway’s unrespectable Respect” – you need no more than a quick ponder on who benefits most from an increased turnout to see what this hijack is all about.
Apathy isn’t the problem the instigators of this event; activism is. What they want to do is get out a ‘duh’ vote on their terms and associate it with a movement that openly challenged their version of reality.
Yes, let’s reach the youth and empower them.
Hey kids! I just used the word ’empower’… and you know what that means, don’t you? Yes, it’s time for tits!
Today Nikkala (23, from Middlesex) hopes readers will heed The Sun’s Rock The Vote campaign. She says: “If we don’t use our right to vote, the country heads for apathy. Get out there and cast your vote.”
I think there’s scope for a competing event. Brian Eno is my starting point. Emailing in 5, 4, 3, 2…
UPDATE – Brian has bunked off to Canada. Working on other contacts…
