IAWM Bulletin 23 March 2004

by john Thu Mar 25, 2004 15:09 dunaree2000 at yahoo dot com

Looks like Dublin demo was one of smallest in world. Excellent! The Left in Ireland always fails to deliver. You wont get any more for Bush visit, despite all your boasting beforehand.

by Optomist Thu Mar 25, 2004 15:12

Actually, I think we might, judging by most people's talk at the moment. so there u pessimistic shit

by Kevin Thu Mar 25, 2004 15:39 Dundalk

RE: Stop Bush meeting in Dundalk.

March 24th was YESTERDAY! A meeting did take place. Missing from your list above was Peter Short, who represented the Workers' Party.

Is there another meeting planned in Dundalk?

by Not easily duped Thu Mar 25, 2004 16:05

Absolutely no mention of the recent disaffiliations, resignations or for that matter the recent expulsions.
What's the problem Henrietta Street - telling the truth doesn't hurt that much.

by Anonymous Thu Mar 25, 2004 17:32

Best of luck with all the anti-war work the IAWM is putting in,

But any chance of a pubic response to the multitude of resignations from the IAWM??

I find the lack of response to those groups that have disaffiliated to be extremely dissapointing and pointing to a meaning of only one thing.

by Joe Thu Mar 25, 2004 19:07

What is this 'Stop Bush Campaign'? Who was invited. The anti-war organisations in Fairview, Cork, and Limerick/Clare weren't invited to the meeting that formed this IAWM/SWP front, so we can assume it's the usual bullshit. No doubt Richard Boyd Barrett will be the spokesperson. They might throw a sop to the NGO Peace Alliance and PANA once in a while, but basically this is just another example of the undemocratic antics of the IAWM/SWP. Boycott it - step up your own local Bush welcoming committee or getted involved in your local independent anti-war group.

The IAWM/SWP is a non-existent media vehicle for RBB and co. Ignore it. Treat it with the contempt it deserves, and don't give credibility to this new RBB media vehicle (the so-called 'Stop Bush Campaign').

by Mark Fri Mar 26, 2004 07:13

It's shocking. After the recent fiasco of the IAWM the SWP goes ahead setting up another front using the usual methods. They know it doesn't work. They know they piss off everybody. Who do they work for? Who are they paid by? Why they set up another front after the recent fiascos? Why they don't want to organise a protest (blockade) at Shannon if Bush lands there?

by Badman Fri Mar 26, 2004 09:59

Whenever there is a hint of public anger on an issue, the SWP set up a campaign. They give the campaign as broad sounding a name as possible - Irish Anti War Campaign, or Stop Bush campaign or whatever the flavour of the month is. The campaign is not designed to achieve its stated aims, only to try to con the inexperienced into thinking that it is really a broad campaign.

Increasingly we have a situation where nobody who knows anything about the issue will touch the SWP's campaign with a long bargepole. However, they keep doing it. They have no interest in people who have any political experience. They are only interested in the neophytes who can be recruited and turned into exploited labour to recruit others and sell papers. It is the classic cult marketing con-job. People join the campaign thinking that they are contributing to achieving the goals of the campaign - but in fact they are just joining a cult-front.

Time for anybody who has some experience to start having a bit of ethics. Don't play patsy to the SWP's latest front. Don't help give credibility to their wholly owned subsidiaries. Even if they let you speak on platforms and flatter you with an important sounding position, don't allow your ego to overwhelm your ethics. Don't join in another of their scams. Boycott, boycott, boycottt

And if we do boycott this con, we should actually have time to spend organising to upset the bush visit, rather than going to meetings where the decisions have already been made and the leaflets have already been printed. We already know that the "Stop Bush" campaign won't do anything that might hinder the big man. It'll concentrate on putting a few wannabe politicians on platforrms where they might win a few votes. Let's just ignore it and concentrate on organising against Bush.

Repeat after badman: boycott, boycott, boycottt

by 70's man Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:20

Stop Bush, no way Jose.
No welcome to George W I can get down with. Keep the chimp out - no probs.
But leave the Bush alone.

by Joe Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:46

Being a Friday I thought an interesting exercise would be to list every SWP front campaign people can remember over the last 20 or so years. Here are some to start

Another Europe is Possible
Globalise Resistance
Anti Nazi League
Anti Deportation Campaign
Pro Choice Campaign
Irish Anti War Movement
Housing (Action?) Campaign

by Correction Fri Mar 26, 2004 13:17

'Another Europe Is Possible' is not a SWP front- sorry to dissapoint you 'Joe'. If you climbed out of the dark hole you exist in you'd real that Another Europe is Possible- is not a group/organisation but a coming together of lots of groups other than the SWP. Pity your badly sectarian tinted glasses doesn't let people like yourslef see past your nose. Grow up get out and do something positive- GET OFF THE NET AND OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD.

by Anonymous Fri Mar 26, 2004 13:22

I noticed you posted up a response from Aoife before on the SWP resignations.

Am I right in saying that she did not post this up direcltly??

Do you know who this repsonse was intended for and how did you get it??

by Joe Fri Mar 26, 2004 13:36

With every new front we are at first told that it isn't a front. And then over time things become clear (IAWM anyone?). 'Another Europe Is Possible' shows all the classic symptoms of a SWP front including the usual scattering of independants who think 'things will be different this time'.

by Laughing Boy Fri Mar 26, 2004 13:53

Another RBB is possible more like with Rory playing the lead in this one.

by Badman Fri Mar 26, 2004 14:06

I got it from my handlers in the CIA of course.

But seriously, I never posted anything by Aoife Ni Fheargail. I assume you are refering to a comment posted by 'disney watch' which was taken from the comments section of the irishantiwar.org website.

So your implied accusation of some sort of nefarious activity is 1) false - it wasn't me, 2) ridiculously paranoid - a public comment was cut and pasted onto this site from another site.

I'll have an apology please. That's if you're not too busy encouraging people to waste their time providing fodder for the SWP in some new front.

By the way, if Another Front is Inevitable is not a front , which other groups apart from the SWP are officially involved? What are the arrangements for finances? Who decided on the slogans and posters? Who decided the political line? (I know the answers to these questions btw - front front front, boycott boycott boycott)

by nerraw Fri Mar 26, 2004 14:26

5000 people? This is precisely the reason why you only got 3500. Lies no matter who makes them is still lies. People are tired of going to a march to be hassled the whole time by SWP etc selling crap to you. Its the party banners and flags that put people off. If the IAWM was serious they would ban any politcal party banners etc. Its about the War not the parties.

by Harold Fri Mar 26, 2004 15:12

Ignore them just like the way they treated Fintan and the other good heads in the IAWM.

by pc Fri Mar 26, 2004 18:15

aeip is a front but we must try and find a way to suuport those independets who are trying to keep it open..?

im not clear on this but it seems that the ngos are maybe the ones who lose out in this.. ., what the population/cooperation of ngo heads among the "good " antiwar groups.... the ngo struggle to be part of the larger movements like the iawm but now the other groups are left they are stuck trying to work with the swpers on their own

by One Fri Mar 26, 2004 19:16

For God's sake, would ye ever stop twittering on about the IAWM and just let it die in peace. It's just the SWP now anyway and nobody takes it seriously (other than lazy journos) as a rep of the actually existing antiwar movement. Plans are afoot for a new national and democratic umbrella so just support that, and ignore the IAWM. It's a figment of the imagination at this stage.

by Louise Michel Sat Mar 27, 2004 20:18

No To War in the Gulf Campaign
Stop the Amendment
'Jail the Beef Barons'
Trade Union Rank and File Solidarity Campaign
North City Health Action Group
Rebel
SIPTU New Directions
SIPTU shop stewards and activists for change
SIPTU Grassroots Forum (pretending to be part of the Grassroots Network?)

by Not Cynical - ex IAWM Sun Mar 28, 2004 17:06

The only way that you can work on the left is to ignore the SWP.

Never ever join any of their fronts and work with independent groups.
They will drive you to distraction. Remain an activist but a warning to the Irish Left. NEver work with any organisation the work in or which they control. Its fruitless, pointless and a waste of your energy.

And yes as many observers have observed they effectivle serve the interests of the state.

The IAWM is now dead. Let it die

IAWM = SWP nothing else.

When they want people to "JOIN the ANTIWAR movement" they really mean "Maybe you woauld like to join the SWP

They have all the hallmarks of a cult.
Ignore them

by Padraic Sun Mar 28, 2004 17:20

Today's Tribune contains a fawning profile of Richard Boyd Barrett. Why is Irish journalism so weak when it comes to investigative pieces? A little bit of checking would have told Fiona Looney that despite extravagent claims from the SWP, the IAWM is a shell organisation and nothing more than a front for the SWP. It does not speak for the majority of anti-war activists in this country, and most leading activists view it with contempt.

The article also claims that the Green Party are affiliated to the IAWM. That's news to me because my understanding is that we are affiliated to the Peace and Neutrality Alliance. Likewise it says that NGOs are affiliated to the IAWM but these are all affiliated to the NGO Peace Alliance. Even the local antiwar groups are no longer affilated to the IAWM as the numerous disaffiliations and resignations from their steering committee showed over the past few weeks.

The IAWM is a figment of the SWP's imagination and journalists like Fiona Looney seem to have no critical abilities.

by PR head Sun Mar 28, 2004 17:36

Just shows how lazy these so-called 'journalists' are. But also how effective the SWP are at using the corporate media. They know how to do PR, so perhaps other activists need to take that fact on board and use the corporate media effectively to counteract the SWP misinformation (instead of just coming on here to moan about the SWP)

by Anon Sun Mar 28, 2004 18:16

I agree with the above comments.

It seems, however, that Boyd Barrett may have had an edge in this instance because Fiona Looney is apparently an old classmate of his from UCD.

by Disappointed Mon Mar 29, 2004 13:29

While all you saddos are sat here crying over your sectarian gripes- the real world still goes on outside- please shut up moaning and go out and do something.

by Major Woody Mon Mar 29, 2004 14:01

How the SWP answer criticism on indymedia - suggest you stop reading it, just as well there not in power!

On the South East Social Forum being a SWP front

Very Constructive
by Bored Monday, Mar 29 2004, 11:19am

Very Constructive indeed- just shows that you guys have nothing better to do- woudln't your time be better spent organising something yourself instead of this shit. No wonder the SESF didn't link to indymedia, with this kind of response.
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=64026

On the IAWM being a SWP front
Things outside in real world
by Disappointed Monday, Mar 29 2004, 11:29am

While all you saddos are sat here crying over your sectarian gripes- the real world still goes on outside- please shut up moaning and go out and do something.
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=64010

by Angry Loaner with an irrational grudge against back-packers. - The Working Worker Worker's Party Tue Mar 30, 2004 17:45

Loony was right when she said RBB was a bit of a looker though. Being eye candy for the ladies worked as recruitment tool for David Koresh too by all accounts.
But seriously, when Bush comes why don't we meet up for a march and a bit of ranting off the back of a lorry as far away from the action as possible. It would be the sensible approach.

by Minor Woody Tue Mar 30, 2004 20:12

Major Woody is an imposta! A faker baker! A Loony I.T. geek
Check this out, he's got a new name: "Angry Loaner with an irrational grudge
against back-packers"
Check out the latest installments from Major Woody
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He's a looker though.
by Angry Loaner with an irrational grudge
against back-packers. - The Working Worker Worker's Party Tuesday, Mar 30 2004, 4:45pm
Loony was right when she said RBB was a bit of a looker though. Being eye candy for the ladies worked as recruitment tool for David Koresh too by all accounts.
But seriously, when Bush comes why don't we meet up for a march and a bit of ranting off the back of a lorry as far away from the action as possible. It would be the sensible approach.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Aaahhh...
by Angry Loaner with an irrational grudge against back-packers - The Working Worker Worker's Party Tuesday, Mar 30 2004, 4:50pm
At last a laxative for the idealogical protest movement constipation causing virus that is the SWP.
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by Badman Tue Mar 30, 2004 22:12

You seem to be getting obsessed with your woody. Your evidence for having caught the major is pretty slim. Let's see, both of them appear to dislike the SWP, thus they are the same person. By the same token, you would probably have to say that pretty much every non-SWP poster on indymedia, every single non-SWP leftist and indeed every single person in Ireland who is not in the SWP are all the same person, putting on millions of different identities. Interesting theory.

by Copwatch Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:20

Badman is a copper....Templemore exclusive!

by Minor Woody Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:22

So...Badman=Major Woody
Sad day

by Badman Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:37

Everybody who isn't in the SWP is the same person (now that I think of it everyone who is in the SWP is very close to being the same person too).

And Badman could never be a piglet. Badman's wit and style would never have survived one of the academies of groupthink like Templemore or Henrietta St.

by Outsider - none Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:07

Is this the level of serious discussion by anti war activists or is its purpose something else?
Hard to take you guys seriously.

by Major Woody Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:50

The Major is the Major and none of those other characters you imagine him to be. He enjoys sitting in his red velvet chair in the Stephens Green club and unleashing his observations on the tactics of the Irish and international left. Mind you it is not as much fun as it used to be thanks to the damned smoking ban. I can have my brandy but staff has told me the cigar has to go!

Pink on the map old boy, the empire may be collapsing but the Major soldiers on.