13 July 2006
Written by Rainer
Cork, wake up from your dormancy!
On my (day)trip to Dublin I saw many people raising the issue of US transporting troops and prisoners via Shannon airport. Some of the, I can’t call them demonstrators but perhaps issue raisers, had recruited people from around the world to bring out their point of view against a tyrannic abuse of power that US. empowers also here in Ireland. They have already once been caught illegally transporting prisoners using Shannon as a pit stop on the way to what ever civilian, military or not-recognized court.
The main issue I’m raising now is that why can’t we see any of this activity here in Cork? Although Cork and our beloved Employer™ occasionally seem to keep us in some weird alternative safe heaven where no harm of the outside world comes though, it really actually exists. Everything that is happening affects us and the rest of the people living here in Southern Ireland. Is the people living here in Cork ignorant, heedless or don’t they just care? A university town should host people who think for themselves and organize demonstrations although the issue is not here in the immediate vicinity. All I see here is excessive amounts of people in ugly fashion clothes and excessive cheap makeup begging for no reason what so ever.
Where are the activists? The streets are filled with F2F:ers who harass the people walking by. I admit, they cause, at least me to think of the cause they are collecting money for, but these people are not necessarily behind the organisations they are representing but just hired clerks who get payed by a new donator, which won’t make them any better from a common sales person.
I suggest that everyone raises an issue here in Cork, or anywhere in the neighbourhood where one is living in, that we, not just might or could but can and will affect on. At least by bringing the message to the people. Raise the issue! Make them think for tomorrow!
categorised as » Current Affairs, Ireland
ShortURL for linking: http://lime.rahina.info/?p=95
2 Comments currently posted.
Tanjen says:
Jakob says:
For feck’s sake, why do they insist on holding these meetings at prime pub hours? I would have actually liked to come, but I can’t be arsed to if it means a diminished pint intake. This pacifist crowd really needs to get their fingers on the pulse of Ireland if they want to achieve something…
Hey Rainer & All,
There is a small movement in Cork, but yes nothing impressive. I’m on the Cork Anti-War mailing list, and they periodically send out updates and events. There’s an event tomorrow, which does seem interesting to me. Details below:
Anti-War Ireland Public Meeting
in Solidarity with Pitstop Ploughshares, on trial for opposing Irish support for US wars
War in the Middle East
Opposing Irish Involvement
Metropole Hotel | Friday 14th July 8.30pm | All Welcome
Speakers: Kathy Kelly (Voices for Creative Non-violence, US), Jimmy Massey (Iraq Veterans Against the War, US), John Maguire (Anti-War Ireland)
Kathy Kelly
Kathy Kelly helped initiate Voices in the Wilderness to end the US/UN sanctions against Iraq. In 2003 she stayed in Baghdad throughout the bombardment and invasion. In 1988 she was sentenced to 1 year in prison for planting corn on nuclear missile silo sites. In 2004, she served 3 months in prison for campaigning against a military combat training school in the US.
Jimmy Massey
Jimmy Massey served in the US Marines for 12 years. During his tour of duty in Iraq he and his troop killed approximately 30 unarmed civilians, including children. Staff Sergeant Massey refused to continue killing and was discharged from the Marines. Now a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, he is one of the leaders of the US anti-war movement.
John Maguire
Professor John Maguire is emeritus professor of sociology at UCC, a long-time peace activist and a member of Anti-War Ireland. His publications include Defending Peace: Ireland¹s Role in a Changing Europe (Cork University Press, 2002).