One of the few times the cops got called up for heavy handed policing (by the media) was at a Countryside Alliance march (maybe in the 2000's) . Pictures of old farmers getting battoned shocked the public. I point this out so Republicans play the media game, as this is what these demos are all about. Put your Sunday best on and demo. If it looks like shaved headed men in sports getting it, its a pat on the back for PSNI. If it looks like schoolteachers getting ruffed up, it shows the police state for what it really is.
Of course, those photo's could be of a schoolgirl giving a statement to the cops about a thieving git who had just stolen a car, in which was found a stolen handbag.
Daithi, By your logic if you if you can't afford "respectable" clothes your fair game to get roughed up? Middle class Redmondite thinking there. Clothing has no bearing on assault. Steve that was a pretty poor attempt at balanced commentary
I was merely pointing out the inherent folly of blindly believing a narrative through uncorroborated pictures. I have no idea the accuracy of the message, or whether my suggestion is closer to the mark.
Let me expand now im out of work. There are particular demographics the police love being seen to be beating up, dreadlocked white students play well, sports wear wearing white males the other. Essentially these are the people the newspaper readers think should be beaten up. The cops must rejoice when they steward these marches, they can do as they please. When they tried this against jodhpur wearing farmers, it caused a massive, massive public outcry, christ the Daily Mail wouldnt let it drop. What i want is for the least harm to come to Republicans, and the biggest outcry if the cops try it on. Its strange to think it could be interpreted any other way, when I specifically mentioned playing the media game.
Steve, maybe so. Just seems to me your bordering on blind defence of the state just to counter republican rhetoric. If am wrong, am wrong you know your mind better than I. Daithi you speak of demoing in your Sunday best and playing the media game, heard this before followed by an acceptance of the state status quo. In my opinion harassment is harassment. Fuck their media games and fuck the Daily Mail.
There's nothing in those photo's that make's me think the people being arrested are republicans. Even the guy on the ground is surrounded by people who look like they don't care he is being lifted, and the cop is not exactly on edge either.
It's a republican poster Steve. Daithi not my intention to judge, maybe your right. For me though it's principles before social perception. As for the main stream media, if they ever sympathise with us we're doing something wrong
Former IRA volunteer and ex-prisoner, spent 18 years in Long Kesh, 4 years on the blanket and no-wash/no work protests which led to the hunger strikes of the 80s. Completed PhD at Queens upon release from prison. Left the Republican Movement at the endorsement of the Good Friday Agreement, and went on to become a journalist. Co-founder of The Blanket, an online magazine that critically analyzed the Irish peace process. Lead researcher for the Belfast Project, an oral history of the Troubles.
One of the few times the cops got called up for heavy handed policing (by the media) was at a Countryside Alliance march (maybe in the 2000's) . Pictures of old farmers getting battoned shocked the public. I point this out so Republicans play the media game, as this is what these demos are all about. Put your Sunday best on and demo. If it looks like shaved headed men in sports getting it, its a pat on the back for PSNI. If it looks like schoolteachers getting ruffed up, it shows the police state for what it really is.
ReplyDeleteOf course, those photo's could be of a schoolgirl giving a statement to the cops about a thieving git who had just stolen a car, in which was found a stolen handbag.
ReplyDeleteAll about perception, eh?
Daithi,
ReplyDeleteBy your logic if you if you can't afford "respectable" clothes your fair game to get roughed up? Middle class Redmondite thinking there. Clothing has no bearing on assault. Steve that was a pretty poor attempt at balanced commentary
David,
ReplyDeleteI was merely pointing out the inherent folly of blindly believing a narrative through uncorroborated pictures. I have no idea the accuracy of the message, or whether my suggestion is closer to the mark.
Do you?
No David, that isnt what I was saying, id be surprised if anyone else read that into it.
ReplyDeleteLet me expand now im out of work. There are particular demographics the police love being seen to be beating up, dreadlocked white students play well, sports wear wearing white males the other. Essentially these are the people the newspaper readers think should be beaten up. The cops must rejoice when they steward these marches, they can do as they please. When they tried this against jodhpur wearing farmers, it caused a massive, massive public outcry, christ the Daily Mail wouldnt let it drop. What i want is for the least harm to come to Republicans, and the biggest outcry if the cops try it on. Its strange to think it could be interpreted any other way, when I specifically mentioned playing the media game.
ReplyDeleteSteve, maybe so. Just seems to me your bordering on blind defence of the state just to counter republican rhetoric. If am wrong, am wrong you know your mind better than I. Daithi you speak of demoing in your Sunday best and playing the media game, heard this before followed by an acceptance of the state status quo. In my opinion harassment is harassment. Fuck their media games and fuck the Daily Mail.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing in those photo's that make's me think the people being arrested are republicans. Even the guy on the ground is surrounded by people who look like they don't care he is being lifted, and the cop is not exactly on edge either.
Could be prods for all I know.
David,its all propaganda. You can disagree with me without judging me against hypothetical.
ReplyDeleteIt's a republican poster Steve. Daithi not my intention to judge, maybe your right. For me though it's principles before social perception. As for the main stream media, if they ever sympathise with us we're doing something wrong
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteThe photo's don't definitively show that, that's all i am saying. Could have been grabbed from google images then a fake slogan added to it.
Steve, republicans don't need to photo shop, all we need is the phone ready once the inevitable bullshit pull comes
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteBut that's my point, you can't tell those are republicans in those photos.