From Scotland To Propaganda, Rats And Nutters

A few quick posts, a chairde.

First up the Edinburgh Coffee House features a number of images that illustrate the actions taken by some in the British Unionist “Better Together” campaign to censor their Nationalist opponents in the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence:

“Is it just me or are things starting to get sinister? Websites being closed and bloggers being intimidated is something we might expect in China or Iran, but not in the UK. As well as being deeply worrying for a country that even post-Leveson purports to value a free press, it could prove disastrous for Better Together. They are already the force of the establishment, the union and the conservative party – a distant coalition of privilege and vested interests. Faced with a young, diverse and progressive independence movement the unionists are fighting back like the rich and powerful always fight back – with intimidation, legality and sheer bullying arrogance.”

Next up we have the Devil’s Agency and an interesting look at the revolutionary and counter-revolutionary rhetoric and propaganda surrounding the Irish Civil War and how its still shapes and influences opinions to the present day. The post also touches upon the works of the controversial historian Eunan O’Halpin of which I will write more next week.

“Something that has piqued my interest about Irish civil war historiography is its skewed nature and lack of context. The more thorough reading of the secondary material that my current work has involved has made the reason clear. Many historians refuse to engage with anti-treaty arguments on their own terms. Very few historians are not affected by pro-treaty propaganda, its scapegoating of individuals and groups (such as women and socialists) and especially its success in depoliticising the core arguments.

Yet, having only glanced at some of the many anti-treaty newspapers, pamphlets, leaflets, cartoons and posters in a rich and increasingly accessible body of sources, it is clear that there was a coherent and logical opposition to the treaty which was based on serious reservations about partition, empire, the rights of workers and the political stance of the Catholic church.”

I’m probably one the biggest fans of Ireland’s Come Here To Me blog and it is easy to see why when they feature fascinating snippets of Dublin history like this: The soldier who was eaten alive by rats in Christ Church Cathedral!

Meanwhile from today’s Oirish Independent newspaper, a few lines from an article by regular right-wing mouthpiece Ian O’Doherty:

“By the time I left school I had learned certain crucial things which would stand me in good stead in later life – an aversion to the Irish language and all forms of religion were also joined by a dislike of Gaelic football and other such rural pursuits.”

Yes, Ian, because only people in rural Ireland speak Irish and play Gaelic games! Oh well, I suppose if O’Doherty can indulge his moronic fantasies in the areas of culture and sports we should hardly be surprised when he applies them to the area of science too. What’s this he writes?

“… global warming nutters”

Hmmm. Well I think we know who the nutter is here…

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• Arrested For Speaking Irish – Welcome To Anglo-Ireland! (ansionnachfionn.com)
• How Can The Irish State Ignore The Wishes Of 41% Of Its Citizens? (ansionnachfionn.com)
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