Anti-War March, Dublin 18th of March

[jebus]

http://irishantiwar.org/images/mid_s...ent/poster.jpg

I was at a meeting for this during the week to see what it was all about, and whether it was worth taking photos of at it, and I have to say coming away from the meeting I have the same opinion of the anti-war movement as I've always had, they're basically an anti-american group.

Now forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't Britain, Italy etc. have a part to play in the Iraq war? Sadly they were never discussed during this meeting, it was all 'Bush said this, American's think that, they'll kill us ALL!!'. Now I realise that Bush, America are at fault for a lot of this, but holding public meetings to condemn America's prejudice against Muslims/Palestinians/whoever, whilst venting their own prejudices against Americans is a bit hypocritical in my opinion. Also I find it funny that a anti-war movement is offically supported by Sinn Fein and a Palestinian solidarity group.

Anyway the march starts in parnell st. and moves off from there. I'm thinking of heading up to get some shots (although I'm sure they won't be as interesting as the last time I attended a march in Dublin), is there anyone else looking at this?

[Conor H]

http://irishantiwar.org/images/mid_s...ent/poster.jpg

I was at a meeting for this during the week to see what it was all about, and whether it was worth taking photos of at it, and I have to say coming away from the meeting I have the same opinion of the anti-war movement as I've always had, they're basically an anti-american group.

Ya that's all those muppets are!They've nothing better to do than protest about America and Shannon airport etc.Whenever i see any of those crowd protesting on Shop Street i tell them quite simply they're a joke.

[Roverstillidie]

Also I find it funny that a anti-war movement is offically supported a Palestinian solidarity group.

why?

why would you bother publicising a march you claim to disagree with?

[dahamsta]

Thought the same meself. "The sound of his own voice" springs to mind, albeit not entirely accurately.

[dcfcsteve]

This march is a disgrace. It shouldn't be allowed to happen. I hear they're planning to march past the hallowed ground of the GPO - epi-centre of our own famous war against the English oppressors in 1916. Having anti-war bigots marching past the key battleground of our own war for freedom is an absolute disgrace - what the feck is the government doing sanctioning things loike this ?? The organisers refused to guarantee that no-one would bring along a picture of John Hume - the scumbag life-long advocate for a peaceful resolution to Ireland's political problems. This has to be stopped.

I'm planning on going up to Parnell Square to protest against their protest. And possibly to set fire to a few BMW's. I'm also in need of some new sports clothing.

I urge any one else who cares about Irerland to join me in facing down these anti-war bigots. Patrick Pearse must be stirring in his grave...

[Lim till i die]

Very good sarcastic parody of the riots last week there take out the social context of all those "Scumbags" rioting and you almost have a point.

The point jebus makes is a valid one. These anti-war guys are largely upper middle-class guilt ridden pinko types who for all their bluster are far too cowardly to rock the boat. What essentially is an anti-American (but in the politest ways possible) group hiding behind an anti-war banner is pretty laughable and shows them up as the arch-blusterers that they are. Don't get me wrong I'm fiercely anti-American but thats how I would describe myself I don't hide behind this war platform. Where was this huge groundswell of anti-Americanism when they were bombing the $hite out of Serbia???

Also in fairness to jebus, pretty sure hes doing a photography course so he isn't giving any personal publicity or anything to the march

[Plastic Paddy]

These anti-war guys are largely upper middle-class guilt ridden pinko types who for all their bluster are far too cowardly to rock the boat. What essentially is an anti-American (but in the politest ways possible) group hiding behind an anti-war banner is pretty laughable and shows them up as the arch-blusterers that they are.

I think a little clarification is called for here. IMO it's disingenuous to refer to those against the war as anti-American. Surely it would be more accurate to say that they oppose the actions of the American administration, no?

Ya that's all those muppets are!They've nothing better to do than protest about America and Shannon airport etc.Whenever i see any of those crowd protesting on Shop Street i tell them quite simply they're a joke.

And no doubt when they've picked themselves up off the floor from laughing so hard they tell you much the same.

PP

[Lim till i die]

I think a little clarification is called for here. IMO it's disingenuous to refer to those against the war as anti-American. Surely it would be more accurate to say that they oppose the actions of the American administration, no?

PP

Indeed it would. Well spotted and I happily clarify

[Plastic Paddy]

Indeed it would. Well spotted and I happily clarify

Good stuff LTID. My point wasn't just aimed at you BTW, as this "anti-American" labelling is symptomatic of something the American administration and their friends in the rightwing media do, albeit far more consciously than you did, to anyone that dare oppose the US foreign policy agenda. And that's plainly wrong.

http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=447927&postcount=38

PP

[anto1208]

all these marches these days have people nothing better to do i tell you we need a war , draft them all up .


i notice the protest last week over bush in shannon was held by about 4 people , there was hundreds at the summer protest look like the protesters dont like the cold !! all bush has to do is travel in the winter !!.

[jebus]

why?

why would you bother publicising a march you claim to disagree with?

Because

a) I was bored

b) I thought this was a current affairs discussion board, and again I was bored

c) since I want to get into photography and media at a future time I like hearing peoples opinions on current affairs, such as this one

and

d) again i thought this was a discussion thread, do you need to agree with something before bringing it up? not all of us are on here for arguments, I for one would quite like someone to prove my 'anti-war = anti-US' sentiments wrong, sadly with yourself and dahamsta questioning peoples motives for posting on a public topic in a public forum this may never happen

[dahamsta]

The public nature of the forum is neither here not there jebus, and questioning motives isn't exactly against the rules. It struck me as a bizarre, if not self-serving post, and it would seem RTID thought the same.

And aren't you being just a tad over-defensive now?

adam

[jebus]

The public nature of the forum is neither here not there jebus, and questioning motives isn't exactly against the rules. It struck me as a bizarre, if not self-serving post, and it would seem RTID thought the same.

And aren't you being just a tad over-defensive now?

adam

Aren't you? Check and mate

But nope, don't think I was being over-defensive, I got asked a question I thought was a tad idiotic and I answered it in the fashion I deemed fit

[Plastic Paddy]

I for one would quite like someone to prove my 'anti-war = anti-US' sentiments wrong

I thought I did that quite clearly above. Perhaps you'd like to re-read my posts.

PP

[Conor H]

I think a little clarification is called for here. IMO it's disingenuous to refer to those against the war as anti-American. Surely it would be more accurate to say that they oppose the actions of the American administration, no?

No they're Anti American now.

And no doubt when they've picked themselves up off the floor from laughing so hard they tell you much the same.

For what reason would i be a joke?They stand on Shop street complaing about the Americans.Would they prefer if we were enemies to the Americans.A bunch of crusty wasters.

[jebus]

I thought I did that quite clearly above. Perhaps you'd like to re-read my posts.

PP

Just did and what I have to retort with is this. I wasn't referring to all those who oppose the Iraq war (I'm one of them), I was referring to the anti-war movement, or what my general opinion was of it going into that meeting, and what I still believed coming out of it. I also think that they go beyond opposing the American government, from comments like 'all American's are idiots', and 'they all want another war', I think that the discussion held that night ended up being more about the American people rather than any anti-war discussion. Which is why I asked why they hadn't brought up Tony Blair, or Silvio Berlusconi or anyone else at the meeting.

[Plastic Paddy]

Just did and what I have to retort with is this. I wasn't referring to all those who oppose the Iraq war (I'm one of them), I was referring to the anti-war movement, or what my general opinion was of it going into that meeting, and what I still believed coming out of it. I also think that they go beyond opposing the American government, from comments like 'all American's are idiots', and 'they all want another war', I think that the discussion held that night ended up being more about the American people rather than any anti-war discussion.

Fair enough. You were there and formed a clear impression; I wasn't and so won't tell you what you saw and heard. In saying that I'd urge you not to tar with the same brush all people at a public meeting and politely suggest that there were a range of views present, some of which weren't expressed. Having been involved a little with the anti-war movement here in London the pitch is somewhat different - a huge coalition of interests with a single aim and whilst the Socialist Workers, various Islamic interest groups and other political and community affiliations try to push their own individual agendas to the fore, the balance ensures that the debate at least is more mature (even if the net effect is the same ).

Which is why I asked why they hadn't brought up Tony Blair, or Silvio Berlusconi or anyone else at the meeting.

Did you ask them yourself? What did they say? In London we certainly question the motives of those you mention, but then we have to live with one of them as our Glorious Leader.

PP

[jebus]

Fair enough. You were there and formed a clear impression; I wasn't and so won't tell you what you saw and heard. In saying that I'd urge you not to tar with the same brush all people at a public meeting and politely suggest that there were a range of views present, some of which weren't expressed. Having been involved a little with the anti-war movement here in London the pitch is somewhat different - a huge coalition of interests with a single aim and whilst the Socialist Workers, various Islamic interest groups and other political and community affiliations try to push their own individual agendas to the fore, the balance ensures that the debate at least is more mature (even if the net effect is the same ).

I think there's the problem with the Irish anti-war movement, its basically a cover up for the Socialist party to push their own leaflets on you. But I don't tar all anti-war movements with this, just the Irish one, I've never had any experience with other country's anti-war movements.

I did raise a question about good ol' Silvio afterwards, but it was never answered, so I didn't bother asking again. As for Blair, if they don't see fit to bring up a man so close to our own doorstep then I just naturally assume they're not that bothered by him, or Britain's involvement, which again confirmed my idea that they were nothing short of a anti-American group.

[liam88]

I'm with Jebus and Conor H on this one-I'm fed up of the whole anti-war bandwagon. Now I've no doubt some people genuinley care and are relativly moderate in how far they sware there views (See point 2) but my two main problems with the movement as a whole are:

1. The majority of these people never gave a flying fish about Saddam murdering Kurds, American bombing Serbia, Chinese opression of Tibet etc. But as soon as Bush leads twenty nine countries in an invasion of Iraq they're marching, chanting and shouting till they're blue in the face! Whole things smacks of anti-Americanism.

2. A lot of these protesters have gone too far-some actually condoning the Taliban and Palestinian militants! Now presumebly you'd 'be "anti-war" because you care about the lives of people in the Middle East....so what about the opression of people under the Taliban. Also is this bizzare idea that all Israeli's are evil and all Palestinians are peace loving kind hearted opressed people. Maybe they should read accounts of Jewish families ripped apart by anti-sematic murderous Palestinian suicide bombers! Munich massacre anyone?

Met someone the other day cheering that Hamas had won-as far as i'm aware Hammas are Islamic fanatics on course to de-reail the Middle EAst Peace process.
It's also somehow become left wing and Republican to support the Plasentinan/Iraqi struggle. I'm not saying all they're judgements are wrong i'm just saying their view is way off balance. I wouldn't be happy waving a Palestinian flag because of all the innocent people who've been killed 'for that flag'. When was the last time a Tibetan bombed a crowded pub in China??

[dahamsta]

You're not doing yourself any favours emphasising "twenty nine" Liam. We all know just how many of those countries matter a damn on the world stage.

On your second point, define "a lot". I doubt you'll find more than a tiny percentage of people doing that.

On the third point, let's not forget why those countries are allegedly in Iraq: to bring democracy. You can't have it both ways...

On the subject in hand, I think at this stage that the "confusion" between "anti-war" and "anti-war movement", and "anti-american" and "anti-GOP" / "anti-bush" entirely suspicious. It seems very convenient to still get confused about it, when it's been explained a thousand times.

adam