Now and Then – re-branding our heroes...

[Papa C.]

When I was growing up and learning about the likes of the early 1900s in Ireland, we were always thought how the heroes of 1916 were indeed just that. We often asked what the difference between the IRB then and the IRA now is. Why are the IRB heroes but the IRA (provos) are terrorists. The teacher couldn't give us a valid reason (Although I got the impression he agreed with our fundamentally rhetorical question). I'm sure many other students went through the same thing.

My point is though, that even though history has painted the IRB and ICA (Army of the Irish Republic in Connolly's words) as heroes, I've notice a driving force by the right wing (excluding the hypocrites in FF) to paint the these soldiers as terrorist who represented a small minority of the population. This may be true, but the fact is they made many people think about the situation, learn and follow in their foot steps (not only in armed conflict).

The right wing are students of the American and British propaganda systems and as the US and British have done they are constantly trying to re-brand heroes as terrorists and ruling class criminals as heroes. Don't let them do it!

Noam Chomsky has written a book about this kind of thing called 'Propaganda and control of the public mind'. I haven't read it but I've read some of his speeches on the subject and they're quite interesting...

<rant /> :wink:

[RedFlag32]

I hate that image some right-wing TDs or unionists paint of the heroes of our country,we had many heroes,before 16 there was tone,The right thing to do isn't always the most popular,if it was, then it would be done already,it takes brave men to go against the grain and hand power to the people to see if they want to see if there struggle was worthwhile,it obviously was in the case of 1916 as the whole country rose from the chains of the British and decided that they wanted there independence.Every fight for independence was started by a few brave men,only a fool would call these brave men terrorists,its pure propaganda tripe which we must tackle head on with our own propaganda.If you don't counter there tripe,and if there is nobody to question them when they spew those words of treachery then the lazy minded people will take it as fact what they say.They will never brandish the heroes of 16 terrorists,would they like to ring Mr bush and tell him that the people who fought for America's independence were only terrorists also?

[Papa C.]

redflag32 said:

...its pure propaganda tripe which we must tackle head on with our own propaganda.If you don't counter there tripe,and if there is nobody to question them when they spew those words of treachery then the lazy minded people will take it as fact what they say.

Deffos buddy, I've started to base my life on this idea, but counter-spewing can be damaging. You're best off putting your argument across in a way that's easy to understand, informative and not at all arrogant. I've heard some republicans put arguments across that would make you cringe.

redflag32 said:

They will never brandish the heroes of 16 terrorists,would they like to ring Mr bush and tell him that the people who fought for America's independence were only terrorists also?

I'm sure Bush hasn't got a clue who any of these people who fought for independence are. At least, I think so little of him that I'd be surprised if he did.

[RedFlag32]

[quote author=admin board=general You're best off putting your argument across in a way that's easy to understand, informative and not at all arrogant. I've heard some republicans put arguments across that would make you cringe

[/quote]

Yea Ive been practising on my family members,its actually amazing how you can make people open there eyes a little bit more if you calmly put your point across,I allways try to make it sound as if im not claiming to be right,i always say,"well thats my opinion" I even got talking to my family about socialism and communism,they could see what i was talking about,and my ma is more clued in and willing to listen as she is from the inner city,she knows what its like to be the forgotten people of the celtic tiger.I am also trying to put my point across in work too,altough i am hindered by one person who loves and argument and will go against anything you say just to get aggro going so its not worth it sometimes.

Your right in saying we have to put our point across not seeming arrogant as it has the completely opposite effect of the one your trying to achieve,i also am trying to read up as much as i can to get my knowledge up to scratch,there is nothing worse than not having some reply to a point someone has made,then only to be reading an article that would have been perfect for a good reply later that night.

[Papa C.]

I'm the same man. I have a couple of friends who swing left but also love an argument. The fact is though, I find people who disagree and argue with you always make you think, so they are actually a benefit to you (even if they piss you off to feck regularly). Like what Tim was talking about recently, the whole 'fried brains' thing and how it makes other people think. It makes you think yourself too, ask yourself questions and that's always a good thing because it helps you form your own opinion.

Best way to fry your Brain is reading. I find myself reading papers, stories on current affairs, when I should be reading Marx, Connolly, Lenin, Luxembourg and so forth... I won't be happy until I've read them all!!

TÁL