Now Irish PRO us of Shannon

by David Rynne Sat May 17, 2003 14:18

It's easy to see where people are coming from, Should we support america using shannon in order to puttl their troops out of Iraq? (ie: end the occupation, not that there's any sign of that happening)
Many irish people believe that because America aren't dropping bombs on Iraqis anymore (at least not on television) that there is no reason to oppose the military use of shannon. They believe the rhetoric that the war is over and don't seem to care that our neutrality (even though they still believe it to be intact) is compromised by allowing foreign armies to use our facilities.

In short, The general public are generally apathetic and generally uninformed

by jeff Sat May 17, 2003 15:03

...may include the verbal onslaught facing France. Everyone knows, in the words of one journalists, that the Bush administration are " like a weird cult". Weird cults need enemies. France has become one, but she can afford this, her economy being fairly self sufficent, unlike ours, which is just another banana republic ties to the dictates of big business. Irish people are too greedy to reverse to the frugal, agricultural homogenous society of pre sixties Ireland. Gambling with the nuances that make up the personality of the Bush family in the name of Principle is not worth the risk. I'm speaking objectivly here, re; Irish people as a whole, please don't shout me down, or bravely threaten to "reveal stuff about my life I wouldn't want people to know", like some brave, anonymous soul did threaten recently.(They had better stay anonymous if they are off the V.H.I)

by James McKenna Sat May 17, 2003 16:01

"An opinion poll will show anything the questioner wants it to show".. Gallup (inventor of modern opinion polls)

I heard it as 51% on all the news reports. RTE, etc.

Of course over 80% of Irish people believe an "Irishwoman" was killed in Saudi last week! Over 95% believe a mass grave was discovered inn Iraq by Chalabi and a SKY TV crew last week and I dare say almost 100% believe they put a man on the moon! That doesn't make it right.

"And if you believe they put a man on the moon, and if you believe they've nothing up their sleeve, then nothing is cool"

-Michael Stipe, REM (Man on the moon)

by Sean O'C. Sat May 17, 2003 16:37

Oh please...do you really think you're going to gain in credibility by claiming that the moon landing was staged? Was it the CIA or the Zionists this time?

by Sparks Sat May 17, 2003 16:37

Are there any details of this poll? IT says that it was 1000 people in 100 polling locations - but was that 1000 at each localtion or 1000 over 100 locations? What were the questions asked?
Where are these details normally put?

by jeff Sat May 17, 2003 17:21

..it is all an illusion. Read Jung, Uri Gellar, and then read David Ike. Then you will know the TRUTH. IT IS ALL REPTILES! WE ARE DOOMED. BELIEVE NOTHING. BLOW UP ELECTION BOOTHS, THEY ARE ALL FALSE ANYWAY. WATCH THE MATRIX, IT IS THE ONLY TRUTH. WOO-AHHH!

by pc Sat May 17, 2003 17:49

its the people don't want to seem to chickening out of responsibilites and lumping it to other people to protect us, so they're in favour of us doing our bit ,but wouldn't be in favour of everything that entails....

am i right?

by James McKenna Sat May 17, 2003 18:51

Before you believe everything these pollsters say you might like to examine their background.

MRBI is really TNS/MRBI . TNS being based in London

"TNS MRBI is the most experienced full service research company in Ireland. We have a full-time staff of 40 (15 senior executives) and a team of 120 experienced interviewers nationwide, exclusive to TNS MRBI. In addition, we are a member of the TNS plc Group, which has a turnover of $885 million. "

"As part of the TNS plc group we have an international network of over 8,000 staff spanning 80 countries across five continents. In addition, our combined sector expertise creates a world leader in research for the consumer goods, media, automotive, healthcare, business and the financial services industries. We are also a world leader in opinion polling."

"For the past 15 years, we have been the contractors for the National Listenership Research (JNLR). In addition, we conduct a wide range of social and political opinion polls for the Irish Times and other organisations. Our findings are regularly used to inform, through both print and broadcast media. "

Can you see more clearly that an international company based in London is telling us here in Ireland what we are thinking under the veneer of an "Irish Times" poll, when all the Irish Times has done is paid for the propaganda. It would be interesting to see how they select the telephone numbers they rang to get this particular result. The disgrace is that we accept the word of these business people as gospel without questioning their motives.

By the way , did anyone notice the massive coverage and gallant obituary the Irish Times gave to the Irishman serving in the British army who was killed in Basra? A long way from the tiny paragraphs or total silence from them when Irish Defence Forces soldiers are killed abroad. They never even mentioned the latest Irish soldier to be killed abroad while giving an Irish man who was in fact a British soldier a shining epitaph.

Only the utterly naieve would believe anything from TNS/MRBI/Irish Times anymore. As for the moon landing ............Start by examining all the photographs taken by astronomers worldwide of the journey, orbit and landing. (If you find one let me know). Compare it to the tape they made up of Osama confessing to the Pentagon and World Trade attacks, their evidence for weapons of mass destruction, and all the rest of the truth according to the USA!

by Lone gunman Sat May 17, 2003 19:17

Thats a hell of a long way of saying;lies,damned CIA,FBI pro Bush,NSA, COINTLPRO,special branch ,new world order conspiricy,etc ,etc etc and statistics!
ROTFLAMO

by pollster Sat May 17, 2003 19:22

During the war i noticed UK polls were done by YOURGOV. I thought I was tripping. Unfortunately I wasn't.

Sky news polls are mental.

In genoa my dad called me and told me that on the final day a sky poll was saying 51% did not support the protesters and 50% did.

I thought he was tripping - unfortunately he wasn't.

Polls are part of the spectacular economy.

Lots of Poll organisations are linked to the military entertainment propagandamatrix complex.

by Alex Sat May 17, 2003 20:44

Phew, James thanks for that.

Screw the polls. Getting worried about Fine Gael and the last poll and all that. So you reckon then that I should just ignore the polls to suit myself? That is when I don't agree with something I should just ignore it. Cool. Thanks for that advice.

by James McKenna Sat May 17, 2003 21:09

........but try to be aware when your information is coming from a multinational corporation with vested interests that are at one with the US/UK , that's all. What intelligence agencies co-ordinate or are involved with the above I would not know. They probably wouldn't know themelves!

That is a good suggestion about an "indy" polling agency. I for one have no confidence in these British Businessmen.

by Gaillimhed Mon May 19, 2003 12:07

A grain of salt takes the sickly sweet edge off the taste.
All the sugarcoated propaganda, disinformation and downright lies. When there is nothing else you just have to learn to read between the lines, if you ignore it all what do you have to go on. If nothing else the flavour of the propaganda can tell you a lot about the propagandists.
It can be very informative to know what it is they WANT you to believe.
there never ever was any real objective *truth* anyway.

by Tim Tue May 20, 2003 15:04

C'mon, we're not that gullible are we?

There's no way 51% of people in my neighbourhood agree with the use of Shannon.

(and if there was 98% in favour I'd still disagree)

I'd like to see local polls conducted.

How about local war groups do a poll.

a scientific one, with demographics and age and gender (but no names or addresses)

1. Are you aware that the US military brought missiles and guns through Shannon airport?

2. Do you believe the government should have told the Irish people what was going on?

3. Do you agree with the use of a civilian Irish airport for military operations?

4. Do you think Ireland is MORE or LESS at risk because of US military use of Shannon?

5. Do you think Shannon is safe from terrorist attack?

We could easily get a few thousand replies between us.

At the end of the day it's more important though for us to INFORM the people that it is too ask them to regurgitate the crap the Government/ RTE / SKY news told them.

by mick Tue May 20, 2003 17:33

Excellent idea Tim. I'm sure our local group(ballymun) would be on for it .How many others?