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Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 29, 2007 10:06:10 GMT
I was listening to a political debate on the radio this morning and it got me thinking. It is obvious that the ideals of republican socialism are completely reserved for a minority of the population,we are preaching to the converted. On this particular show you had a representative from the Labour party and the Greens and FF, i was even falling for there shit when they where arguing over who can produce the best transport system or housing. But i just realized that there was nobody there shouting about workers emancipation and how the republican socialist struggle would eventually tackle all of societies wrongs. I am sure that if you had an honest representative speaking about socialism and its real attitude and intent towards transport and housing then you would win over a section of society,people are sick and tired of hearing politicians lie through there front teeth,you would gain respect for just being honest alone i think,even if they didn't agree with you politically. Without this alternative to the status quo the people are FORCED to choose between which capitalists party will do the best job and have there class or personal interests at heart,if the republican socialist strand of politics had a voice I'm sure a section of the people would realize we have their best interests at heart,and our business is with the workers not the businessmen/women. I was wondering then how do we get our voice into mainstream media? Is it really being censored or are we just being lazy? I thought of one possible idea,this was to use the comments section of the main newspaper the Irish independent,which is also a right wing to put our point across,this paper is void of any comment coming from republican socialists,you get the odd PSF member on the comments page but as we know nothing they have to say is revolutionary,the people don't buy that as they see it as another strand of what we already have, just a little bit more nationalist (for now). I was considering setting up a fake name nd address,something like Costello from Bray  and using this name to post revolutionary material in the comments section and see what reaction we get. There are a large number of articles coming from that paper that any republican socialist could tackle so the chances are endless to get our point across. It may get censored but it may be worth a try,we could possibly share this email account and take turns to reply to responses of our comments so that fatigue isn't going to hamper us. Its just one idea that needs to be thought out properly,does anyone have any other ideas? I know a comrade on this forum thought of the idea of a pirate radio station,does that seem like an avenue to take with others on here? I made the point that most people listen to online radio nowadays so analogue would be a waste of time,maybe I'm wrong? |
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Post by kilkennykat on Apr 29, 2007 16:01:01 GMT
Thanks for turning me on to this site. I'm new to Socialism and have much to learn. I'm just gonna read a while.
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Post by dangeresque on Apr 29, 2007 17:09:03 GMT
if we could reach tv, that would be a massive step forward. progressives in the usa have tried to do that, but it seems hard to break into.
I remember reading about the struggles of the German CP in the 30's, and how they considered it important to get more communist teachers in the schools to give them positive pr. I know a comrade today who's becoming a teacher and I hope he'll at least make the kids realise that republican socialists aren't the shady types the media would like to portray.
I think radio is probably the most doable media, aside from internet sites like this and bebo.
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Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 29, 2007 17:19:45 GMT
if we could reach tv, that would be a massive step forward. progressives in the usa have tried to do that, but it seems hard to break into. I remember reading about the struggles of the German CP in the 30's, and how they considered it important to get more communist teachers in the schools to give them positive pr. I know a comrade today who's becoming a teacher and I hope he'll at least make the kids realise that republican socialists aren't the shady types the media would like to portray. I think radio is probably the most doable media, aside from internet sites like this and bebo. We could always take RTE by force and hold them hostage while we spend the day airing our propaganda  |
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Post by dangeresque on Apr 29, 2007 17:53:43 GMT
if we could reach tv, that would be a massive step forward. progressives in the usa have tried to do that, but it seems hard to break into. I remember reading about the struggles of the German CP in the 30's, and how they considered it important to get more communist teachers in the schools to give them positive pr. I know a comrade today who's becoming a teacher and I hope he'll at least make the kids realise that republican socialists aren't the shady types the media would like to portray. I think radio is probably the most doable media, aside from internet sites like this and bebo. We could always take RTE by force and hold them hostage while we spend the day airing our propaganda haha, v for vendetta style ;D |
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Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 29, 2007 18:09:13 GMT
We could always take RTE by force and hold them hostage while we spend the day airing our propaganda haha, v for vendetta style ;D I was actually thinking of the time during the venezula coup when the right wing had controll of the media and the pro chavez army took it by force  to counter their false claims about chavez and his capture! |
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Post by Stallit 2 de Halfo on Apr 29, 2007 21:46:33 GMT
Interesting topic (as usual ;D). Iv been thinking about this sort of stuff for a while now, and I think Chomsky summed it up about how the private ownership, and state ownership of the media is a means by which they control peoples outlook on the world. He often says how using violence to control the masses has become difficult for states to undertake, and that, now, they need to use other methods, which we see as the present day media which controls peoples opinions through censorship. Bourgeois ideology and "thought" are projected rather than workers ideology due to bourgeois control of the media. About your idea - I suppose its worth a try. Do they usually publish every comment they recieve in? Id be very skeptical about them actually publishing our views - I personally think they would censor it. And even if they didnt, and the odd comment gets published, it would literally be a drop in the ocean. Also, it would require being very obscure in language - that is - they wouldnt go publishing "hard core" workers revolt and revolutionary talk I dont think - so it would require "self censoring" - as all journalists do. Sorry to sound so negative about it (Im a pretty negative person  ;D), but, as I said, it would be worth a try anyway. I think radio would be an excellent way to access people who wouldnt ordinarily go searching for socialism or who may have never heard of it before and to put forth and educate them about real participatory politics, rather than this alienating sham of a so called "democracy". Im not sure about on-line radio now. I personally never listen to it, nor, from my experience, do most other people. People coming home from work for example in their cars, or even just listening to radio in work (or while in the kitchen cooking for example), wouldnt usually listen to on-line radio. Would on-line radio require searching specifically for a station of interest? For example - stormF have a radio station. I dont imagine many ordinary people activly searching or coming in contact with such a radio station. It would require knowing about nazi-ism, about SF etc to encounter it would it not? (I dont know oo much about online radio so its just some assumtions) I personally think, that to access the ordinary working man and let them know that revolutionary politics does actually exist, and that politics isnt just about FF, FG and the rest of them idiots, it would be best to use that which is used often while in work and in the car - (because TV dominates when at home for most). Thats my spill on it.  If only we could broadcast via TV - that would be excellent. Thats it!!!......some day it will happen. The first thing for the axe will be the angelle's*, then fair city  , then Pat Kenny....Gerry Ryan also. |
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Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 29, 2007 23:03:05 GMT
Comrade just a bit of advice ragarding your idea of an analogue radio station. I think you may be correct in assuming that alot of people still do listen t it and if you could get it up and running ti would be a great idea. But i say this from experience,it is very expensive to set up,with antenna and transmitters etc.. and the garda always raid you eventually,they have a special body set up to track you down,now unless you own a van and move the equipment and make it harder for them to track you they will find yo eventually and take your equipment. Just letting you know the risks involved,i know friend who lost thousands of punds on gear which is sitting in store street garda station because they got raided constantly.
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Post by Stallit 2 de Halfo on Apr 29, 2007 23:13:49 GMT
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Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 29, 2007 23:35:15 GMT
Cheers RF for the warning!! When im sittin in mount joy ill be thinking of your advice and how I should have went along with it ;D Im prepared for the consequences. Losing the equipment would be the last of my worries! Fair play to you. |
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Post by Papa C. on Apr 30, 2007 21:04:21 GMT
I think the best media we have available are sites like YouTube, MySpace and Social Networking Sites and online E-zines. The only difference with this kind of media we have to build an audience rather than having a billionaire state doing it for us for their own gain. I don't think it's even worth it trying to get on TV because it's in the hands of the state and they can just make us out to be loolaly if we even get on. It's not in the hands of the people, it's not democratic, it's not for us. If some of us can get on that's fine but I don' think it's something to direct our focused attention at.
Although YouTube, Bebo, MySpace etcetera are in the hands of capitalists and in some cases complete scum (myspace ;P ) they are our best tool at the moment. Education is the key. Educate the workers about how socialism can work for them TODAY. Show them how it is democratic and how it works for the majority, how it makes life better.
Also, I think Irish workers are quite class concious. Mainstream TV will tell us that everyone is happy in our booming economy and nobody wants an alternative to the mainstream politics but just look the anti-Iraq war protest and the Irish Ferries protest. I've never seen so many people in one place in my life. Roughly 150,000 at each - compared to about 400 'radicals' taking part in the easter rising for instance? I know the population has grown in 100 year but not that much.
By the way my fav part in 'The Revolution will not be televised' was when one particular soldier stood on the roof with his riffle and raised his fist in the air whilst the pro-chavez protestors looked on and cheered - I got a lump in my throat lol.
Ireland is ripe in my opinion, the people just need an alternative to the likes of Sinn Fein who the British Government have used with expert precision in order to fool and rule the people once again.
The only way to a liberated people in Ireland is a Socialist Republic. Anything less, is simply an insult and a sell out to the working people of this island. Freedom, peace, equality and justice for all...
Saoirse go deo,
Caoimhain.
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Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 30, 2007 23:05:31 GMT
Although YouTube, Bebo, MySpace etcetera are in the hands of capitalists and in some cases complete scum (myspace ;P ) they are our best tool at the moment. Education is the key. Educate the workers about how socialism can work for them TODAY. Show them how it is democratic and how it works for the majority, how it makes life better. One thing i have noticed with bebo etc... is the fact that we are preaching to the converted still. We all link up with friends of friends. Thts no use,we have to be trgetting those who never heard of republican socialism or marxism. How do we do this? i dont personally think we are using these sites to our best advantage.Im at fault here aswell. Yeah that was class,my favourite was when the soldier was standing by the gate that was holding the chavez supporters back and he was egging them on slyly,giving them a little reasurence that the soldiers where on their side. The the soldiers stormed the building |
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and using this name to post revolutionary material in the comments section and see what reaction we get. There are a large number of articles coming from that paper that any republican socialist could tackle so the chances are endless to get our point across. It may get censored but it may be worth a try,we could possibly share this email account and take turns to reply to responses of our comments so that fatigue isn't going to hamper us.
to counter their false claims about chavez and his capture!
;D), but, as I said, it would be worth a try anyway.
, then Pat Kenny....Gerry Ryan also.
