No hard feelings.

My feathers often get ruffled when I see someone claiming to speak (or simply giving the impression, even if unintentional, that they are speaking) on behalf of the majority — especially when the subject matter is one that polarises, and where I sense a general consensus of opinion doesn't actually exist.

Those prints by Banksy were done around 10 years ago... I think you have to remember that they were quite a new idea at the time, and although not the most beautiful images they weren't meant to be!
They're jokes that people now take too seriously... which is the point of Morons.

Outis just copied the same idea 8 or so years later... Which is pretty ridiculous

Fair enough, though on a separate note, and while I'm not saying it was your intention, I wouldn't want terminology like "snipes" and "nay-sayers" (which is arguably a little emotive) to give the impression that any critique and grievance expressed by those you refer to is insincere and motivated by envy, malice or general pettiness.

In a long-winded (but hopefully not rambling) post in December, I offered my views on certain commercial ventures that have in recent years latched on to the graffiti and street art scenes. For reference, see point 3 of that post here.

I criticise some of these businesses, not because I've got nothing else to do, but because I believe they undermine and discredit, often by forced association, the heritage and cultures I have a real appreciation for. In this respect, I actually feel duty-bound to speak out.

You mention above a regularity in sniping. But any such regularity shouldn't be surprising, because the releases by Graffiti Prints have also been regular. It seems like you're focussed on snipes. Yet when I look at the broader picture, what I see is just regular and varied commentary — commentary which is to be expected with each and every Graffiti Prints release: regular positive comments, regular negative comments, and regular neutral / indifferent comments.

In relation to your reference to a small group of the same people, while I don't know how small a group it may be, the specific numbers of individuals and their identities (if they're the same or different) are for me less important than whether their viewpoints are reasonable and have some merit.

I think it would also be erroneous if any assumption were made that views expressed consistently by a group of individuals were their views alone. The same opinions may of course be shared by others, even significant numbers of forum members, who simply choose to remain silent.

People in Western society are distracted/uninterested in what is really happening in the world because they care more about themselves and the consumer society we have created than about corrupt wars being fought in their name.

Ever considered that the original protester was standing up against corruption by the state with a shopping bag in his hands in front of those tanks? And that in fact the very concept of his idea of freedom would be to trade state control for corporate control? That in fact no matter what you idealistically as an individual, ultimately someone somehow will quell that idealism in some form of control?

Doesn't gel for me personally although I can see how you get there. Also doesn't gel well with British/American history, usually on the rare occasions Briton/Americans try to stand up to the state they riot, loot and burn stuff. America is also already controlled in large part by corporations so they already have the freedom you speak off.

Those were the days...... is it true that the open edition ended up as only 51?