Agron, I think you're not seeing the forest for the trees. Protests generally don't work anyway and all they do is point out to the authorities who they should look out for. Also, gives them the chance to arrest some troublemakers.
What I'm seeing happen is a case of civil disobedience on a massive scale, without any official declaration of it. I've been to change the tyres on my car yesterday and went to a bar while I was waiting. On the entrance to the terrace, there were signs to keep 2 metre distance and that disinfectant was mandatory. I sat there for 45 mins. No one, and I mean no one was respecting the rules. There were groups of up to 5 people sitting at the same table. No one wore a mask, not even the waitress. She didn't seem upset by anything at all.
I'm talking to people I know and every single one of them has at least some issues with the lockdown. People who have always viewed the world in a more or less mainstream manner are all of a sudden aware of the "hidden hand".
Just wait another month or two when everybody goes on holiday down to the coast and you will see that people are not doing what they're told on a massive scale. If they try to crack down, there will be an uprising. That's what I see. So why would you need a protest if people at large have already decided that things will be getting back to normal? What would be the point?
Once the economic fallout becomes apparent, that will be the time for some protesting, hopefully with more teeth than is usual in our western democracies.
You might be right. I tend to be too fast on the trigger sometimes and Im working on that.
But note that Im well aware of the futility of protests, especially violent ones. My intention was to go and carefully scope the situation so that I know what are my options. I know these protests werent organised well but I kinda expected to see atleast some people there. And Im constantly scoping the mindset of people around me. Some seem woken up but I think theyre not allowing themselves to see the big picture and are TOO easily lulled back into calmness. And theres still many that seem like they will go along with anything, no matter how ilogical and stupid it is.
For example, local organic shop is not allowed to have more than 2 persons inside but next to it people sit and drink coffee in a bar. Across the way SPAR is allowed to have 130 people inside. Half the people are disinfecting while half are not. And I see more and more young people wearing masks. Another thing that shows me what the average mindset is, now that they opened bars again, is how people act like theres nothing going on at all and are happily continuing with, what to me looks like, time wasting over a drink. There are 5 times too many bars and caffes in my view. But thats maybe just my personal preference and I do think its better that we have places where people can talk and exchange ideas, when all other social platforms have been intentionally ruined.
Like you I do see some change in people but I dont think it will be enough to counter act what I see coming our way this fall. Because to my mind these 50 days are just a test run for whats really coming. And the rulling class has seen they can do whatever they want without any contest. Civil disobedience is fine but at the same time Im seeing that these people will not take it to a boycott stage and if there will be fines they will comply with whatever. I know theres nothing much for me to do except continue to observe and be vigilant and cautiosly probe here and there while I work on my plans.... But Ill be damned if I get caught up in any covid madness that will happen when the cold season starts again or if a true economic catastrophe hits the city.
And no one is offering any real solutions and only that clownish Pernar dares to say some truths. Im still not sure about him LOLZ. But I think this next time Im gonna vote for him JUST to see will it cause any difference. And I know that nothing will change, Pernar or no Pernar, if Croatia doesnt throw all the foreign banks and interests out. Were screwed on that because our govt. now is an EU vassal and a runner-boy for NATO. We need a total renaissance in our politics and I dont see where it could come from and if there is even a chance for one. We might be past that threshold and there are not enough honest people to take up the job. I hope Im wrong but Im not naive to expect a miracle of evolution of the mind in people who barely see above their smartphones or past their selfish needs.
Btw. Last time I went to protests was around 2008 when there were first ever protests against HDZ. And among 1000 people I was the only one who was aware that SDP was the same spiel but of a different color. Only when I started to yell that theyre ALL out to ruin Croatia other people started yelling it too. And I was immediatelly spoted and surrounded by agents in civilian clothes. Thank God for the schooling I got during the war and living in the grey zone because Id be an easy target for anyone with bad intentions, regardless if theyre on a government paycheck or are criminals and snitches. I have also seen payed protesters trying to incite violence so that the police can have an excuse to start beating on us and pepperspraying us. To me it was TOO obvious. But I and few others calmed the first rows by not letting them take it to the next level. Me and my friend even made a couple of police officers feel ashamed of themselves. You had to see these bankrolled dopeheads when they couldnt incite violence start to sweat and squirm to know what Im talking about. Later it was clear they all came from various NGOs. Funded by you know who. And I wouldnt put it past our government, to have those people ready to go to streets when plebs decide to protest.
Right now I just want to know how fast do I need to settle all my city affairs because I feel I wont ever be happy living in this kind of setting. Even without forced vaccs. and de-cashing. And I dont think I can wait TOO long to see will it change for better. I will try and stay open for all possibilities nevertheless.
