Im trying to do a survey type thing and I would appreciate it if anyone who is an IRA supporter would come forward and say so so i can get the numbers. Thank you. You will not be judged in an way shape of form, just dont be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Try not to post anything negative though, lets keep this as nice as possible. And it doesnt matter if you are irish-american or irish.
shareI support the cause, but not some of their methods. Though some of Englands methods are none too kosher, are they?
Tiocfaidh ar la.
i,m fed up of this n. ireland crap, everday its on the news about the different n.i parties talking *beep* but gettin nowhere, its about time they copped on and looked whats good for the people, instead of having childish arguments!?
any1 agree?
wholeheartedly. but these things take time. intelligence has never been mankind's defining attribute.
Tiocfaidh ar la.
Well if my grandfather & Uncle Joe were still alive you could call them. But they're not. I do have a pic of my gfather in his IRA uniform from many many moons ago.
share[deleted]
Wow...big dispute. Just wanted to say that originally IRA can't be called a terrorist organisation, nor can be PIRA, but RIRA and CIRA probably are, i'm not sure. Anyway, most of the explosians are a result of insufficient haste of British special services or even a direct provocation on the part of the British government. Don't get me wrong, i'm not anti-British, i'm just pro-Irish.
shareI'm a 4th generation irish-american but only via my dad's side of the family. (grandparents born in ireland but came here as kids and my dad is culturally heavily irish even though he was born here) my mother's side has some irish but also italian heritage. I pretty much consider myself an irish american but doubt my kids will experiance any of the cultural traditions i did growing up so they probably will identify only as american. The neighborhood i live in was predominately irish and still has an irish american presence but their are a lot more non-natives that moved in from other araes of the cities and/or the suburbs. (they are knocking down old rowhomes to build big condos... i don't see why they can't choose one of the many black ghettos to do that in .. they haveto hit the ever small working class yet again .. *beep* Their are also a lot of irish immigrants here but half of them have that attitude of respect towards irish american survival the other half go on about not being real irish or true irish or whatever... i think those guys just want to believe in something... anything... without any kind of real intelligent understanding of accomplishing lasting goals.
Part of this is the disintegration of the predominately catholic, working class neighborhoods/jobs in the US. Their are only remants remaining or small pockets in the neighborhoods that formerly housed the inner city immigrants. I live in one still but it's heavily mixed with hispanic, asian, and african people even though irish culture is still clearly seen in parades, holidays, businesses, and stretches of rowhomes varying from street to street. The same is true of the formerly italian neighborhoods in this city. (Philadelphia)
Additionally, the latest bombardment of coverups, pedophilia, and unwillingness to update the more arcane guidelines of catholic doctrine has lead to a HUGE decrease in church going and faith in irish/italian neighborhoods. A lot of catholic churchs and schools are closing down, which in turn is only speeding up the disintegration of the neighborhoods and communities still left. Add to that the disappearance of factories and working class jobs (save for construction and related fields) has just completely annilited any measurable solidarity and unity in Irish america.
On the flip side any kind of discrimination is generally only found in older people and the upper middle or higher classes. Most people don't really consider irish a minority anymore and really they are being assimilated at an alarming rate. Their haven't really been many riots or horrible acts since the 60s/70s and the irish people as a distinct group haven't really been seen in popular country since the 80s...at least not in any kind of real meaningful modern way...such as a teen flick with an irish character or something. Just about the only thing we get are a few irish crime dramas like the departed or state of grace. (what a *beep* representation of the westies though the acting was good)
Now with that info into US current events aside; I've heard stories from my grandparents and i've seen movies and read the history behind the irish struggle in ireland. While I generally consider Brits to be ridiculously egotistical and definitely warmongering (who didn't they piss off and try to occupy? is their even a developed country on this planet that wasn't pushed around by brits at some point in history?)
I think if it were the 70s or 80s I would be more supportive of the IRA. Lately with all the splinter groups, questionable motivations, lack of meaningful finicial support from the US (due to the above), and the new war on terror; which adds a new angle to opinions... I don't consider it worth it. It isn't as clear nowadays whatt the money would be used for and their isn't much unity at this point. Additionally, the realist in me can't help but think if it could have been done by force it would have by now ... advances in technology and legnth of time/propaghanda (which is the only reason why some people in NI want to stay apart of britian... I also can't agree with the above that the majority do as I feel something like that is hard to measure accurately because of it's intense political motivations)
The bottom line is this is a new century that seems to have been timed perfectly with an abrupt end to the lifestyle of the 1960s-2000. The landscape of the world has changed so drastically in the last 20 years that it's time to take another look at things. I would definitely monetarily support Sinn Fein if asked to do so and given verifiable info as to how my money would be useful/used. Though to be quite honest their are so many problems here in the US that it isn't a pressing issue for me. My grandparents are retired and probably only have a few years left and my dad works to hard and drinks to much on his time off to really give a *beep* at all... if anything he would support ireland if asked but good look getting a buck of the stingy bastard. (i still love him though)
In short, the brits are dead wrong and have a really one sided opinion of the IRA and/or irish people as nothing but terrorists/terrorists supporters; *beep* However, I don't know that more bombings, kidnappings, killings, or what have you will do anything to help a united ireland cause in this day and age.
Thanks for reading.
Btw, this movie pretty much sucked. Even the representation of irish americans is pretty *beep* up... let alone brad pitts disgraceful interpretation.
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Im Irish American and I totally disagree with the IRA and their methods and desires. If Northern Ireland wishes to join the ROI they should have a democratic referendum at the ballot box and see what the people of Northern Ireland want, let them choose their own destiny if they so desire.
Hell, if I found out someone I knew was providing aid to the IRA I would be on the phone with the FBI in seconds. IMO the IRA is no better then Al Qaeda, the Red Brigades or Hizbollah.
depris:
"While I generally consider Brits to be ridiculously egotistical and definitely warmongering (who didn't they piss off and try to occupy? is their even a developed country on this planet that wasn't pushed around by brits at some point in history?)"
Name a country that hasn't tried to "push around", "piss off" or "occupy" other territories and peoples at some point in their history. Do you therefore consider all those countries as "ridiculously egotistical" and "warmongering".. including your own?
"I think if it were the 70s or 80s I would be more supportive of the IRA. Lately with all the splinter groups, questionable motivations, lack of meaningful finicial support from the US (due to the above), and the new war on terror; which adds a new angle to opinions... I don't consider it worth it."
Gee thanks. It's always gratifying to know that someone couldn't be arsed to support a terrorist group which has a history of targeting people in my country, and those of my kith and kin.
I guess I should thank you, yeah? You might be gratified to know that I'll not be sending money to the likes of Al-Qaeda or any other extremist Muslim groups, any time soon. 'Cos, you know, the USA is The Big Evil - the Big Satan - and all that...
"advances in technology and legnth of time/propaghanda (which is the only reason why some people in NI want to stay apart of britian..."
To start with, Britain is an island. The majority of people in Northern Ireland want to remain part of the United Kingdom. Propaganda has little or nothing to do with it in my own case. Besides which, the kind of propaganda you've obviously been fed, exists on the counter-side... does it not? The kind of propaganda that might persuade you to put some money into a tin as it's rattled at you, to give funds to a terrorist organisation in a country some 3 or 4,000 miles away from you that you may or may not have visited at some point.
"The bottom line is this is a new century that seems to have been timed perfectly with an abrupt end to the lifestyle of the 1960s-2000. The landscape of the world has changed so drastically in the last 20 years that it's time to take another look at things. I would definitely monetarily support Sinn Fein if asked to do so and given verifiable info as to how my money would be useful/used. Though to be quite honest their are so many problems here in the US that it isn't a pressing issue for me."
Now this kind of thinking, at least to me, has merits.
"In short, the brits are dead wrong and have a really one sided opinion of the IRA and/or irish people as nothing but terrorists/terrorists supporters;"
Do we? It was the "Brits" who, with the cooperation of the involved and interested parties, arranged the Belfast Agreement of 1998, and who for years had been secretly negotiating with Sinn Féin/IRA.
"*beep* However, I don't know that more bombings, kidnappings, killings, or what have you will do anything to help a united ireland cause in this day and age."
Indeed. Quite the reverse.
Seems like I've responded to some of the same posts twice now. My apologies for that.
juliab2006:
"Wow...big dispute. Just wanted to say that originally IRA can't be called a terrorist organisation, nor can be PIRA"
I just want to say that you're wrong. The PIRA engaged in clandestine attacks on civilians throughout its history. Their aim was the destabilisation of a democratic government, and to change a political constitution without mandate and with the use of violence. That's terrorism.
"RIRA and CIRA probably are, i'm not sure."
I can answer that for you: they are. So are the UVF, UFF, UDA and LVF etc.
"Anyway, most of the explosians are a result of insufficient haste of British special services or even a direct provocation on the part of the British government."
You'll have to explain "insufficient haste of British special services". Are you trying to suggest that most of the explosions (set by the IRA) were the result of "special services" not reacting quickly enough when the IRA said "jump"?
What a shabby thought process.
What was the "direct provocation" that 'caused' the IRA to bomb a restaurant called the La Mon House Hotel in 1978? Why would the IRA have created such a device as that used in that bombing, which ensured that the petrol contained inside it acted like napalm - sticking to the victims, and burning for much longer than in other types of bombs?
"Don't get me wrong, i'm not anti-British, i'm just pro-Irish."
You don't sound very "pro-Irish", considering you appear to defend and support the type of organisation that carried out the kind of atrocity against Irish people, like the one I described above.
Still, as long as you believe they weren't terrorists, that's OK then.
I hope you die in a car bomb, terrorist *beep* Rule Britannia.
share[deleted]
I can't understand why there are so many people posting who don't have a fecking clue what they're talking about. I'm all for a united Ireland and maybe the day will come but the IRA isn't going to have anything to do with it. They're a joke and partially responsible for screwing up this country.
Believe the lie
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knight-rider88:
"In response to the OP, I'm also a supporter of the IRA.
Tiocfaidh ar la."
Serena-Mc-kenna:
"I'm an IRA supporter!!!"
Lovely people. Doesn't it just warm the cockels of your heart to know that there are these lovely terrorist supporters in the world...
mckenna_noeleen13:
"yes i would support the IRA because what people have to understand is the reason for the IRA. They only came to be ue to the obvious abuse catholics where recieving in ulster. it was so prejudice towards catholics when the IRA first came."
By that token, I should support the UDA. They only came to be, after all, because of the obvious abuse Protestants were receiving in Ulster. It was so prejudiced towards Protestants when the IRA first came.
"Catholics couldnt vote"
Why do you people persist in telling these outrageous bloody lies? Since its inception, Northern Ireland had no laws preventing Roman Catholics or Presbyterians or other non-Conformists from voting.
Please, PLEASE, read a book about it!
"couldnt get good jobs because they where concidered second class citizens"
Again, this is a fabrication. There was discrimination in the job market - by both 'sides'. Roman Catholics however, had problems regarding employment opportunity (and further education) that didn't affect non-Roman Catholics.
"but now a days its different and thats why the IRA have dispanded so fair play to them."
They haven't disbanded.
"i have yet to see the uvf give up their weapons."
All members of that cowboy outfit should be slapped up in jail.
The Northern Irish want to stay British, so why not let them? Foreigners love to say this or that about a united Ireland or, "give Ireland back to the Irish," but it's already theirs! Northern Irish don't want a united Ireland, so I don't understand why it's even a discussion.
While I can sympathize with catholics who've been subjected to economic and social disparities in Ulster, I think anyone who supports the IRA or its political arm, Sinn Fein, should seriously reconsider what they stand for. Violence for peace never works, and I agree with many of the posters here on this board: Hollywood should stop glorifying IRA members, because they're nothing more than terrorists.
I think both sides have had their share of atrocities, but a solution is better reached through communication and diplomacy than through bombs and kidnappings.
exactly! As opposed to the murderers as many of the so called volunteers became. If i had to kill a lamb for food the first few would be difficult after that it would become 'only meat' don't believe me ask the M'Cartney family. cheers C
share[deleted]
yes i would support the IRA because what people have to understand is the reason for the IRA. They only came to be ue to the obvious abuse catholics where recieving in ulster. it was so prejudice towards catholics when the IRA first came. Catholics couldnt vote, couldnt get good jobs because they where concidered second class citizens but now a days its different and thats why the IRA have dispanded so fair play to them. i have yet to see the uvf give up their weapons.
shareall that needs to be said is this "not a bullet not an ounce" CIRA Free and United
your American cousins are behind you
jscmapratt:
"all that needs to be said is this "not a bullet not an ounce" CIRA Free and United
your American cousins are behind you"
No they're not. Most Americans couldn't give a toss about it. In fact, most of them abhor terrorism - particularly after 2001.
knight-rider88:
"Are you an Irish American, Jscmapratt?"
Aye - his granny once owned an Irish Setter.
"We value American support here, it was the Americans who gave us weapons to defend our 15 year olds - who were being gunned down. Ironically, they assisted us before the 'Republic' of Ireland."
Ironically, American dollars did indeed give the IRA weapons, so that the IRA could clandestinely splatter small children's bodies over pavements with their bombs.
Libya helped out a bit there too. In fact, just while we're on the subject of irony, many enemies of the USA also helped out the IRA.
Sincerely yours,
Already free.
Already United.
Good that you support the cause, but the CIRA ain't achieving freedom anytime soon. C'mon 23 years of "armed struggle" and they've only managed to kill one unarmed cop? Even when you add in the RIRA you still only come up with 2 soldiers, one cop and 29 civilians in about 35 years of "armed struggle" between them. Compare that to the IRA who killed over 1000 cops, soldiers etc. in 28 years. The dissidents are about the worst guerrillas of all time in comparison, with only a fraction of the support the IRA had.
I know we all love violence, but voting for Sinn Féin genuinely is the only way we'll see a free Éire.
Keep the change, ya filthy animal...
Try not to post anything negative? Well, the FBI listed them as terrorists. The PIRA only got off that list because of the GFA and the supposed ceasefire, with the PIRA and certain loyalist paramillitaries all broke at one time or another anyway. No, I would never support them. Omagh, LaMons, etc., they've attacked way too many civilians to be taken seriously. In fact, I will go as far as to say that as an American, I think political parties with their own private armies are a very bad thing. Sinn Fein, however, is not the only party in N. Ireland with relations to paramillitaries; the PUP is the same way. I wouldn't support them either.
share