Hiya!

[theboyliam]

I’m becoming increasingly annoyed with people wearing those stupid bloody band things. First, or at least first for me to know of were the anti-bullying ones. These were a semi-good idea. Bullying is a social problem, in all warps of life, there’s always going to be some bully. The bands are a sign of support for the bullied person and are a sign

Comments

[unaveragedave23]

I've got one of the Make Poverty History ones and I'm not ashamed of it. I see what you're saying about them becoming a fashion accessory and I agree that there is far too many different ones available and I know they won't change the world, but if they're raising awareness for causes people would'nt otherwise be aware of then surely that's a good thing. Also, it's better someone giving a pound to charity than nothing at all. It's just the same as the AIDS awareness ribbons a few years ago, they didn't wipe out the problem, but they helped raise awareness and that's what was important. Apathy is a killer.

[theboyliam]

I dont think you should be ashamed, especially not you young david. I understand that there are people wearing these bands who understand the significance of the cause, i.e. you, the people who run the charitys, etc. But i just think that there insignificant in the grand scheme of things, as few people actually associate them with the cause. A charity needs popular support, as does any group who wants to lobby parliament, but the whole use of bands is just the wrong way to go about it. They should be explaining to kids what poverty is. How many of them are going to give more money to the charity after they have a band for it? They wont support the cause long term.
That was one hell of a rant I just went on. Im just sick of seeing people wearing them and yet never actually mentiong anything about the chatiry, only the fact that "they cost £15 on ebay now, but i got mine from oxfam for a pound!".

[theboyliam]

I just typed a really long comment then and got a bloody error when i tried to post it

[dukedee]

"Im not having a go at any reasonable person wearing one"

Glad you cleared that up, because I was here to plead my case.

"How the fuck does a liverstrong band help??!"

I opted for a yellow one from Ayreshire Cancer Support, because when people ask me about it I've told them about the charity and where they can get them from, because I felt too that the LiveStrong ones had become too much of a fashion accesory and wanted to raise awareness for a smaller cause.

"the charities should be focusing their attention on lobbying political parties"if you go on http://www.makepovertyhistory.org you can sign up for E-mails that let you know when important stuff is happening and what you can do to help. They send you E-mails to forward in your name to MPs and stuff. I wrote about getting feedback here http://www.livejournal.com/users/dukedee/37517.html. Is just a shame the rest of them don't do

[theboyliam]

(-: glad to see i can keep my confidence in my friends dee! Your an example of someone who is committed to the idea, as is dave. If it was through the bands or not Im not sure. Maybe they got you interested or maybe its just a way for you to show your support, but thats not my argument. I think the bands are badly organised. I doubt many would have your iniative to actually go on the website and do further research. Thats what i mean about it being a throw a way cause as is. A few years ago they campaigned on national television. I remember the adverts as they had Eddie Izard and somthing to do with the price of ice creams being the equivlient per head of 3rd world debt (it was many years ago!). This is far more effective than them simply following the crowd and making it another "band cause". Charitys have used badges in the past which are similar, and people would wear them as they cared. People wear bands now as there the in thing, realisticly there not going to get any new long term support through this. They should be focusing on

[waster2686]

I think that the majority of people who wear these bands know fuck all and I agree with Liams point that it's really become a fashion accessory. Loads of kids and students wearing them because there the 'in' thing at the moment, they spend what? £1 on a band and then feel like they've made a difference, why don't the band wearers do some good and give proper money to charity....not silly amounts but you know something like £20

[unaveragedave23]

The £1 does go to a charity that's helping with poverty to be fair, that's what the whole Make Poverty History campaign is about. However, I do agree with the point that people need to do more and the fact it's annoying they've become fashion accessories (it's disgusting if Make Poverty History bands are being sold by people on Ebay for profit). I think Dee's made the best point though in that if someone sees your band, they may ask where you got it it from and what it's about and if you tell them you are helping to spread awareness of the real issues behind the campaign. Maybe I'm being idealistic but that's what I think. No offence intended.

It's so nice we can have a civilised debate!

[theboyliam]

its always going to come back to your penis size though dave! Which is defo above average in my opinion!

I agree with Gavin. It seems although peoples only incentive in giving to the chairty is to collect the band for it. I dont expect a certificate every time i give moeny to someone on the street. Anti-bullying bands are different, but the make poverty history bands seem to have lost the point a bit now.

[felixandrews]

Meh. I can't really afford to be frittering my (or should that be Gavin's?) money away on thin slivers of material, no matter how noble the cause may be.
I understand where Liam's coming from on this, but to be honest, if it's in the name of charity then I have no real objection to the exploitation of people too stupid to formulate their own opinions. In fact, they probably deserve it.

Alun

[waster2686]

Alun we need to sort your money out today!

[felixandrews]

I got paid today - not much, but enough to last a wee while. I'm going to the Jobcentre for a moan in a bit, too. Calm yourself, chimp... I'll survive!

Alun