Where were you?

by Bob Hurrah Fri Mar 21, 2003 18:01

The trade union movement organised some very big protest marches against sectarianism and violence in the North.

In any case, I'm not sure that "the same thing" was happening in the North... unless you are suggesting that some of the combatants in the North were using cruise missiles, the "shock and awe" bombing of civilian populations and all the rest.

by i wasn't born. Fri Mar 21, 2003 18:10

i wasn't born.

by Killian Forde Fri Mar 21, 2003 18:12

or..equally where were you in opposing colonialism on this Island.

But good to see that you haven't forgotten the deaths of the many Irish patriots murdered by the same soldiers now busy slaughtering in Iraq. Namely the Royal Irish Regiment (UDR), Parachute Regiment.

Anybody been watching Fox news and in particular that clown O'Reilly? What an obnoxious program. They had a feature last night entitled 'Abusing their freedom' about anti-war demostrators and what should be done about the fact that they are...yes you guessed it... abusing their freedom by protesting the war.

Very unpleasant viewing compounded by the show being the most popular news show in US.

by Anti-War protestor Fri Mar 21, 2003 18:17

...but that was at least 10 or 20+ years ago depending on how
far back you go. So if you take anyone now 30 years or less years
of age, that would mean they were 20 or 10 years old or younger
again depending how far back you go. Therefore the comment really
only applies to those 30+ or older.

The second point is that the Internet is certainly helping get stuff
out now and allows the 'official' media to be bypassed to a certain
extent. Back then of course we didn't have this, nor mobiles for that
matter.

But it is true, that people weren't totally ignorant and were aware to
some degree. And yes there were some peace marches, if I remember rightly
there were very big peace marches in the North organised by that woman
who got the Noble Peace prize -can't remember her name. There were some
marches down here. Again I would agree not enough. Perhaps somebody
older who remembers events clearly could shed more light on things.

As regards the current anti-war marches, I would say all the marches
around the world have reinforced each other to some degree. Also I think
what people recognise is that the world's only SuperPower is now going
for broke and total domination and they actually see it as a real threat
to their own lives.

So yeah, it's a fair question, but should we let the illegal Bush cabal run
amok? Should the IRA or Loyalists have been allowed terrorize their opposite
populations? Of course not. But the sectarian card was very effectively played
to the consitutents and in a certain sense perhaps people figured, it was a
pretty intractable problem, considering the conflict was simmering within the
communities, whereas the USA vs Iraq is more clearcut and not at that level.

Anyone else?

by Killian Forde Fri Mar 21, 2003 18:34

and the British Army and state in north played what role???... Peacekeepers!!!!!!!

It has always baffled me how people who can see through the spin and rubbish that comes out of blair/bush/ahern/reagen/thatcher/fitzgerald etc etc with regards to Iraq/Nicaragua/Timor (et al) can be so consumed accepting the establishment line on the Irish problem.

What is it, that problems far away become easier to see and understand?

by neo Fri Mar 21, 2003 19:12

There were massive protests in Ireland all through the 1970's and 80's about the situation in the North. On one occasion the British Embassy was burned down.

by fuinseog Fri Mar 21, 2003 19:16

Maybe I’m hallucinating in my old age but I remember marches in Dublin against the IRA. I also remember protests at the British Embassy against State violence. And it wasn’t all that long ago.

You’re like the people who that animal rights activists don’t care about human rights or that anti-abortion campaigners don’t care about born children. No evidence, no logic, it’s just verbal abuse really.

This kind of whataboutery is just nonsense. It’s also not news which is the purpose of a NEWSwire.

by Lord Widgeridoo Fri Mar 21, 2003 19:31

They burnt down the Embassy in 1972 after Bloody Sunday ... the beastly cads .....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/2/newsid_2758000/2758163.stm

by Earhart Fri Mar 21, 2003 20:52

Were you not born last year when the schoolchildren were abused while travelling to and from school? Were you not born for the last ten years when the punishment beatings and harassment was happening in our own country? Perhaps you weren't and if not, fair play to you for learning computer skills at such an early age.

I do care about human rights and I do care about children. I also believe that charity begins at home and before people try and sort out other peoples issues they should look at their own country!! I would be more impressed if certain individuals worked with the homeless or the Limerick Rape Crisis centre than spending their time quietly addressing crowds of students that at the end of the day will make very little difference!

by Paddy X Fri Mar 21, 2003 21:35

Anglo-America out of Iraq! Anglo-America out of Ireland. Anti-imperialism begins at home.

by Des Sat Mar 22, 2003 02:09

Where were you when one third of the population of East Timor were murdered with the support of Washington and London, where were you during the last decade when a MILLION IRAQI people died?
Where were you?????