Guy Fawkes Night

[Sidebody]

How are you celebrating?

I've just got back from the local fireworks display which was pretty impressive. Nothing beats having the shapes of the fireworks still appear in your vision when you close your eyes. Where I grew up fireworks displays were always a bit shitty with the occasional Catherine Wheel coming loose and chasing folks or fireworks tipping over to get the crowds adrenaline pumping. This was a really professional affair and it was a really cool atmosphere walking through the woods with crowds of people.

Oh and cue numerous annoying V for Vendetta references

[The_pantless_hero]

I played some old music while blowing up parliament.

[Call to power]

I stayed in because freezing my arse off being bored is stupid

[Fartsniffage]

I'm watching a video of a bonfire on the TV because the HSE made real fires illegal.

[Goath]

I will be celebrating...by watching V for Vendetta tonight. :-)

[Czardas]

There were some fireworks, which I did my best to ignore.

<.<

[Tagmatium]

Letting some off now.

Or rather, taking a break for the moment.

[The Valepian Lands]

Miserable weather, expensive fireworks. Might as well watch my neighbours.

[Soratsin]

As an American I will celebrate Nov. the 5th by laughing at all the morons on my university campus running around in V for Vendetta masks talking about their awesome revolution against "the fascists".

Because everybody knows that Guy Fawkes was a friend of the people fighting his one man war against the totalitarian regime in London in the name of peace and justice.

[Londim]

I'm just going to the uni bar. £1 drinks and a great view over Richmond park. I'll be able to see fireworks from most of London.

[LOL ANARCHY NUBZ]

As an American I will celebrate Nov. the 5th by laughing at all the morons on my university campus running around in V for Vendetta masks talking about their awesome revolution against "the fascists".

Because everybody knows that Guy Fawkes was a friend of the people fighting his one man war against the totalitarian regime in London in the name of peace and justice.

He had several co-conspirators, I believe

[Fartsniffage]

He had several co-conspirators, I believe

Nah, it was just him. That's why no one can name anyone else.

[Eofaerwic]

As an American I will celebrate Nov. the 5th by laughing at all the morons on my university campus running around in V for Vendetta masks talking about their awesome revolution against "the fascists".

Because everybody knows that Guy Fawkes was a friend of the people fighting his one man war against the totalitarian regime in London in the name of peace and justice.

Completely and not in any way a fundamentalist catholic who wasn't even the leader of that particular plot (rather the explosives expert) and who principal aim was to blow up the protestant ruling classes and replace them with catholic ruling classes.

Of course they're also completely missing the POINT of Guy Fawkes night namely that he failed. It is a very British holiday to celebrate someone trying, and failing, to succeed in something. We're basically saying "We're very glad you didn't actually succeed in blowing up our entire government because that would have been treasonous and wrong but we have to applaud you for giving it a go."

So Remember, Remember, the 5th of November. Gunpower, Treason and Plot.

And no, I'm not outside, I've been working this evening on my thesis. I've been hearing the fireworks go off along my street though.

[Libertarian Governance]

Is Guy Fawkes considered a bad guy in the UK today, a hero or both? I have heard some modern political groups support what he tried to do while the bonfires and stuff are obviously an attempt at vilification. I understand in Australia there is stuff named after him which would seem to say he isn't seen as such a bad person there.

[Frozopia]

Is Guy Fawkes considered a bad guy in the UK today, a hero or both? I have heard some modern political groups support what he tried to do while the bonfires and stuff are obviously an attempt at vilification. I understand in Australia there is stuff named after him which would seem to say he isn't seen as such a bad person there.

Villain.

Only idiots would worship that religious nutcase. We burn him because the man was a damned fool.

[Mad hatters in jeans]

Most people misunderstand what Guy Fawkes was all about, i mean isn't it odd to celebrate someone by burning an effigy of them?
My flatmates B-day is today, i did my best to avoid them by sleeping through most of the daylight, time means nothing.

I heard alot of fireworks go off, but i couldn't see them from my window very well so i just ignored them, had a nice bath too.

[The_pantless_hero]

Most people misunderstand what Guy Fawkes was all about, i mean isn't it odd to celebrate someone by burning an effigy of them?

It's odd to celebrate a failed coup

[Cybach]

Is Guy Fawkes considered a bad guy in the UK today, a hero or both? I have heard some modern political groups support what he tried to do while the bonfires and stuff are obviously an attempt at vilification. I understand in Australia there is stuff named after him which would seem to say he isn't seen as such a bad person there.

Villain.

Only idiots would worship that religious nutcase. We burn him because the man was a damned fool.

Really?

Fawkes was ranked 30th in the 2002 list of the 100 Greatest Britons, sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public.He was also included in a list of the 50 greatest people from Yorkshire.

http://www.biographyonline.net/british/ ... itons.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/oct/1 ... shidentity



Seems to me quite a few people respect a common man fighting back against what amounted to an oppressive and discriminatory regime that forbade Catholics many of the most basic civil rights, stemming from the rule of Elizabeth onwards. Any possibility of toleration by Great Britain was even further removed at the Hampton Court conference in 1604 when King James I attacked both Puritans and Catholics.

So I really don't see Guy Fawkes as too much of a villain. He as a Catholic sought to end the rule of a government that was actively oppressing and marginalizing him, due to his minority status. Many people today would consider that a heroic undertaking.

[EvilDarkMagicians]

I just came back from a firework show in London, Streatham.
I went with my foster nephew and niece, it was kind of budget.
Though it was free, so I can't complain

[SF Penguins]

Dude Guy Fawkes Was the Stinking man, its just to bad he didn't succeed

[Eofaerwic]

So I really don't see Guy Fawkes as too much of a villain. He as a Catholic sought to end the rule of a government that was actively oppressing and marginalizing him, due to his minority status. Many people today would consider that a heroic undertaking.

Except he wasn't really fighting back for the 'common man', he was fighting to restore Catholic rule over a majority Protestant Britain. He was also hardly a common man, the son of a lawyer and a merchant heiress, he was educated at the third oldest school in the world (St Peter's School, York), and spent significant amounts of time fighting for the Spanish in the Netherlands - hence why he was the explosive expert of the plot.

I think the view of Guy Fawkes in the UK is abivalent. He's not necessarily considered a good person, or the aims of what he is doing agreed with, however there is a level of respect for the fact he did try to fight against the system and a sort of folk heroic view of what he thus stands for. But I'd say he's more seen as an anti-hero than an actual hero.

[EvilDarkMagicians]

Dude Guy Fawkes Was the Stinking man, its just to bad he didn't succeed

I'm glad he didn't.
It would of wrecked a great building!

[Libertarian Governance]

Is Guy Fawkes considered a bad guy in the UK today, a hero or both? I have heard some modern political groups support what he tried to do while the bonfires and stuff are obviously an attempt at vilification. I understand in Australia there is stuff named after him which would seem to say he isn't seen as such a bad person there.

Villain.

Only idiots would worship that religious nutcase. We burn him because the man was a damned fool.

Really?

Fawkes was ranked 30th in the 2002 list of the 100 Greatest Britons, sponsored by the BBC and voted for by the public.He was also included in a list of the 50 greatest people from Yorkshire.

http://www.biographyonline.net/british/ ... itons.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/oct/1 ... shidentity



Seems to me quite a few people respect a common man fighting back against what amounted to an oppressive and discriminatory regime that forbade Catholics many of the most basic civil rights, stemming from the rule of Elizabeth onwards. Any possibility of toleration by Great Britain was even further removed at the Hampton Court conference in 1604 when King James I attacked both Puritans and Catholics.

So I really don't see Guy Fawkes as too much of a villain. He as a Catholic sought to end the rule of a government that was actively oppressing and marginalizing him, due to his minority status. Many people today would consider that a heroic undertaking.

Those polls do suggest he isn't thought of as much of a villian. So would he be in the same category as a Sir William Wallace or perhaps a John Dillinger in the US?

[South Lorenya]

I've been meaning to fire up Crusader Kings and conquer Europe and such as Wales (okay, as Gwynedd, the northern half or so of Wales), does that count?

[TerraPublica]

I warned Lord Monteagle about it ,so he wouldn't get hurt.