![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
So there's this anti-war-in-Iraq protest on Saturday the 15th. Now, personally, I have never held that protests against government do much good - I think they provide a feel-good, I-have-DONE-something buzz for the demonstrators, and don't really have that much impact on the actual decision makers. The only way they could have any impact on the decision makers is if they were either physically intimidating (which is illegal) or actually looked like they'd affect the next elections - which they generally don't; anyone who feels strongly enough to get out and march almost certainly didn't vote for the current government in the first place.
However, in this case, I'm going to be there - I may even have a placard. Why? Well, first, this isn't a "we aren't getting enough benefits" march. It isn't a "this medical procedure is against my religion" march. It's a "killing people is wrong" demonstration. And since our government (or at least the Taoiseach, the equivalent of a Prime Minister) has been stupid and ignorant enough to effectively declare support for the upcoming war in Iraq, I would very much like to distance myself from that support.
Do I think it will have any effect? I don't know. I certainly can't see Bertie doing an about-face on the matter; there's too much ego and not enough representative in him (a common fault in politicians, but that's another rant). But a message has been sent from Ireland to the world, saying "The Irish people support war in Iraq". I think the truth - that the Irish people do fucking not support war in Iraq - needs sending as well. And several thousand people can have a go at sending that message, nearly as well as one ignorant, self-serving politician.
So, I'll be there. There are protests in places all over the world on February 15th. I'd appreciate it if you'd find the nearest one to you, and join it - even if, like me, you don't think much of protests, or aren't a political person. If that's Dublin, watch out for further updates here - we'll probably be arranging a place to meet beforehand.
However, in this case, I'm going to be there - I may even have a placard. Why? Well, first, this isn't a "we aren't getting enough benefits" march. It isn't a "this medical procedure is against my religion" march. It's a "killing people is wrong" demonstration. And since our government (or at least the Taoiseach, the equivalent of a Prime Minister) has been stupid and ignorant enough to effectively declare support for the upcoming war in Iraq, I would very much like to distance myself from that support.
Do I think it will have any effect? I don't know. I certainly can't see Bertie doing an about-face on the matter; there's too much ego and not enough representative in him (a common fault in politicians, but that's another rant). But a message has been sent from Ireland to the world, saying "The Irish people support war in Iraq". I think the truth - that the Irish people do fucking not support war in Iraq - needs sending as well. And several thousand people can have a go at sending that message, nearly as well as one ignorant, self-serving politician.
So, I'll be there. There are protests in places all over the world on February 15th. I'd appreciate it if you'd find the nearest one to you, and join it - even if, like me, you don't think much of protests, or aren't a political person. If that's Dublin, watch out for further updates here - we'll probably be arranging a place to meet beforehand.