Irish Affairs Group: THE NEXT STEP (We are this close!)

[Tweed]

Okay, here is the correspondence Skinner and I had in the ATA forum.

"Posted by Tweed

Asking for Irish Affairs Group Approval

Here is the thread. It has some conversation in it, but we have at least 13 approvals as of now.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=2370154&mesg_id=2370154 "

"1. posted by Skinner

This sounds like a good idea.


I do have one concern, though. Do we need to add some sort of disclaimer in the mission statement regarding discussion of Irish politics? I am not that familiar with the situation, but I know that it is a highly controversial topic. Is this likely to become a big problem issue in the forum?"

"2. Posted by Tweed

That's a good point

The controversay mainly has to do with Northern Ireland. I could see some people getting into large fights about the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. I myself would defend Ireland to the teeth if such a discussion came up. Perhaps we should disallow discussion of North Ireland in the Irish Affairs Group? Just like you can't talk about Wesley Clark in the John Edwards Supporters Group? Do you think that will work?"


3 was a shameless and impatient kick by me

"4. Posted by Skinner

I'm not sure if totally disallowing it is feasible.


I wonder if there are just certain types of posts that should not be permitted.

Perhaps you could open this up for discussion among the people who expressed interest in the group. I suppose it's possible that everyone holds the same opinion on this, and there won't be much controversy."

Okay, the ball is in our court Irish Affairs Supporters. Discuss what Skinner wants us to discuss.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=120x27770#27799

[JohnKleeb]

1. Can someone get gfr4656 a star?

He worked really hard with us with that thread and he needs to be rewarded. Ok about Northern Ireland guys, I am a huge republican in that, I want it with the Irish Republic.

[Tweed]

4. I'm a huge Republican too (Yes, I realize this looks SO wrong on DU)

It's time to give Ireland back to the Irish though.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Amen to that

I get really upset at this topic, goddamn it to be honest with me is one of the things I look down the British about, its not just their actions in Northern Ireland though of course.

[gfr4656]

6. gold silver or bronze?

[JohnKleeb]

7. I mean literally

someone needs to get you a star like some of us have. I dont have money, I am just a student.

[gfr4656]

13. just noticed that you guys actually do have stars!

i thought you were just messin. i am so smart...S.M.R.T.
now i really want one.
heeeeeeeey, i just checked and noticed that EVERYONE has stars but me!

[Anarcho-Socialist]

2. Narrowing the discussion to the Republic of Ireland would be good

Although if we must include Northern Ireland affairs we should not allow it to turn to a United Ireland/British Union debate, as it would just turn the forum into a quagmire.

[JohnKleeb]

3. Yeah I dont want that because I hate getting pissed

[gfr4656]

8. how about a quick rundown of the things we can/will talk about?

people who are irish?
the fact that that irish reporter totally burned bus?
yada yada yada?

[JohnKleeb]

10. well we should discuss booze

etc.

[Longgrain]

9. Kick

you know I'm in...

[Tweed]

11. Thank you

[Longgrain]

12. Finally another kick

Since I'm guessing you've seen my other thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2413473

I'm all for an Irish group...but what do you think of turning it into a Celtic culture and heritage group...that way we won't offend the N. Irish and can include the Scots and the Welsh as well...

Just wondering...:hi:

[Anarcho-Socialist]

14. I'd like that idea a lot n/t

[brook]

18. I'm for that.

Since I am Irish, Scot and English, I refer to myself as a Celt. My interest in Northern Ireland is purely historic. My Galway grandma never allowed 'hatred' to cloud hope and reason...though I imagine my Dad's antecedants, who emigrated because of the famine, and who I did not know - might have had stronger emotions.

I'm doing genealogical research and my dream is to go to Ireland and Scotland one day. Meantime, I know I'd enjoy chatting with others about the 'auld sod'.

[Longgrain]

15. Kick

Top O' the Morning to ya...

[greatauntoftriplets]

16. I'm in.

n/t

[Plaid Adder]

17. For me, Northern Ireland pretty much IS Irish Affairs

I mean, I think if you make the Northern situation completely off-limits, it's going to really impoverish the forum. I would suggest some ground rules:

1) No rejoicing in the deaths of people on the 'other' side (we're all human, folks)

2) Resist resorting to tribalism ('what do you expect from those nasty Brits, they oppressed our ancestors for 800 years, they all suck, every last tea-sipping one of them' / 'those crazy Irish lunatics, always blowing each other up just because Patrick Pearse told them to, what can you do with them but drive them into the sea'). Delete posts that seem to be trolling for tribalism.

3) Post from the assumption that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is the desired outcome (as opposed to the extermination or expulsion of one faction or the other, for its own sake)

4) No gratuitous Catholic/Protestant bashing

If you coudl enforce that, you'd probably be OK. It is a big if, however.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder