Is Boards.ie subversive to the state?

up for anything

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

I agree, but what should happen when a sizeable minority tries to destabilise the state and its institutions?

You mean like the Easter Rising in 1916? Hanging all the leaders I believe is the common solution. :mad:

DeVore

Does that make me Chief Subversive Keyboard Warrior?

*Loving* my government lately.... Kinda getting the feeling it's mutual.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

DeVore wrote: »

Does that make me Chief Subversive Keyboard Warrior?

*Loving* my government lately.... Kinda getting the feeling it's mutual.

They're coming for you Dev, delete everything.

Wouldn't it bwe funny if boards.ie happened to go down for a few hours again?

amacachi

Given recent pathetic developments I assumed when I Saw the thread title that it was supposed to say "subservient".

Biggins

DrumSteve wrote: »

I'm not how much out of context it was taken, the full quote was there for everyone to see...

I think you need to read this bit again:

Speaking in the Seanad yesterday, the senator said: “When people are tweeting, texting or online, for example, on boards.ie and Politics.ie. In my view that does not amount to free speech, but legalised subversion of the State. It is fundamentally wrong.”

I mean seriously... What the fcuk!

Buceph

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

They're coming for you Dev, delete everything.

What was that Mel Gibson film, where he plays a paranoid dude who has his whole apartment ready to go up in smoke should the "black helicopters" come for him. I'm imagining Dev setting that up right now in the boards server farm.

oppenheimer1

up for anything wrote: »

You mean like the Easter Rising in 1916? Hanging all the leaders I believe is the common solution. :mad:

Well if the leaders had been put in prison and not executed public opinion would never have turned on the british... But we digress.

The main difference between this forum and other media outlets is that this place allows pseudo-anonymous posting. This in reality should carry no more weight than the scrawl on a bathroom wall. The reality is different, because it is broadcast to a wider audience. There lies the ability to whip up anger, but no responsibility on the instigators. There is no accountability.

People here have been banging on that this kind of statement is an attack on free speech. We should not forget that there is no free speech on boards.ie

Biggins

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

...We should not forget that there is no free speech on boards.ie

Very true but legalised subversion of the State?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Buceph wrote: »

What was that Mel Gibson film, where he plays a paranoid dude who has his whole apartment ready to go up in smoke should the "black helicopters" come for him. I'm imagining Dev setting that up right now in the boards server farm.

Braveheart.

"They can take our land, but they can never take our... FREEDOM!!!!"

oppenheimer1

Biggins wrote: »

Very true but legalised subversion of the State?

One could argue that those proposing the non-payment of the household charge and urging others not to pay amounts to a form of subversion.

It appears that the lack of accountability is what is annoying the senator the most

dr.bollocko

Mod:

Hello folks.
I have removed a few posts containing abuse. I've also snipped a little bit of one post containing the email address of the senator.

This post in fact:

RichieC wrote: »

marc.macsharry@oireachtas.ie

subvert his email address.

Because it also contained a line of abuse. I see no need to snip the address myself but lets avoid the direct insults and focus on criticism / discussion.

FoxT

I sent this email today, lets see what the response is:


Dear Mr McSharry

Hello, I have seen you quoted today as follows:


"Originally Posted by Senator Mark McSharry
I do have a question I'm calling for a debate in the context of that eh I'm making a point. It's the same in eh we all want free speech when people are tweeting or texting or online where we have Boards.ie and Politics.ie, for me frankly that doesn't amount to free speech what it amounts to is leaglised subversion of the state. I think it's fundamentally wrong. What we need is somebody some media that reports that facts because as we often praise eh the people of this country for being amongst the most educated in the world and my god they're prepared to make their own decision based on the facts if presented not as presented by the editorial staff within RTE or whatever news media and finally can I say and this is a very worrying issue and I intend to raise it privately with the leader and all should be aware there's a very major news agency in this country in charge of quite a few regional newspapers who have instructed that there staff not to print any news releases from members of Seanad Eireann and I think that is something we need to address.


Senator Marc McSharry in the Seanad during the Order of Business"


=================
=================

If indeed, you have made this comment, then I think you ought to reconsider.

I am an ordinary citizen, a taxpayer, and a boards.ie subscriber, with no connection with boards.ie management, and no commercial dealings with them.

Could you explain please, how you feel boards.ie amounts to subversion of the state? Boards.ie encompasses a very broad group of people with a wide variety of interests. Discussions range from easy banter, to well informed contributions on issues like politics, economics, and EU & foreign policy, as well as mathematics, geography, meteorology, physics, computing, and a host of other subjects. In what way does this subvert the state?

There are many who would argue that the Fianna Fail mismanagement of the economy has amounted to subversion of the state. The Bertie Ahern 'They should all commit suicide' comment rings bitterly today in the ears of those who have lost their jobs, or those who remain in employment & see the Govt taking over 50% of their earnings in tax.

I am posting this email on boards, & await your reply with interest.


Regards, etc.

Seachmall

My post was deleted!

McSharry, if you're behind this know one thing; I'm coming for you!!!!

Retrovertigo

What we need is somebody some media that reports that facts because as we often praise eh the people of this country for being amongst the most educated in the world and my god they're prepared to make their own decision based on the facts if presented not as presented by the editorial staff within RTE or whatever news media and finally can I say and this is a very worrying issue and I intend to raise it privately with the leader and all should be aware there's a very major news agency in this country in charge of quite a few regional newspapers who have instructed that there staff not to print any news releases from members of Seanad Eireann and I think that is something we need to address.

He must have some lungs to say all that in one breath!

Logical Fallacy

Oddly enough if they decide to move on this they can do so very easily, as while everyone was moaning about the Blasphemy Law they also snuck in the Sedition Law.

Lone Stone

Scary time's, we need a uprising no one over 60 allowed in government.

DrumSteve

Biggins wrote: »

I think you need to read this bit again:


I mean seriously... What the fcuk!

No, I was agreeing with what you were saying, i.e. I don't see how it could be taken out of context. He made an attack on these sites and tried to backtrack (badly).

AeoNGriM

Politicians are obsolete, and no longer relevant in this society. Bunch of fatass 50 somethings whose only interest is to line their own pockets.

Spacedog

I agree boards.ie is evil to the core.

Noreen1

I would agree with him that Irish news reporting is - well - pretty dire.
Depending on which newspaper you read, the "facts", as reported, vary depending on the political views of the newspaper in question.
As to RTE, I've personally long since checked anything reported with media sources outside the Country.

On the other hand - suggesting that Boards.ie is subversive is absolutely ridiculous.
However, it does highlight a disturbing trend in the way Irish politicians appear to think lately:

Mr McSharry appears to think that free speech should be curtailed.
We've recently voted in referenda on the remuneration of judges, and Oireachtas enquiries.
There are calls for the abolition of the Seanad. (Let me hastily add that, while the Seanad is in dire need of reform, imo, it remains one of the institutions that exist to safeguard the interests of the Irish citizen).

That's a total of four attempts to restrict the rights, and independence, of the Irish electorate in the last seven months.

What part of "servants of the people" do these guys not understand? :eek::eek:

FTGFOP

Logical Fallacy wrote: »

Oddly enough if they decide to move on this they can do so very easily, as while everyone was moaning about the Blasphemy Law they also snuck in the Sedition Law.

What? :mad: Tell me more, even though I'm sure it will depress me.

FoxT

Well, I got a response, see below:

TLDR? basically it looks like he wants to backtrack a bit. No mention of legalised subversion ,instead he says

"“I am an advocate of free speech and I believe everyone should be facilitated in expressing their opinions on public affairs"

Hmmmm.


Anyway here is the gory detail:

======================================


Dear
Many thanks for taking the time to contact me regarding your concerns over my contribution to the Order of Business in the Seanad, 13 March 2012.

On the evening of the 13th March I released a press statement on this issue, which clarified the context in which this statement was made. Please find attached a copy of this statement for your records.

I also spoke with Marc Coleman, that evening on his radio show "Coleman at Large" on News Talk.

Yesterday, Wednesday 14th March I was contacted by Hugh O'Connell of The Journal.ie and, again, clarified that the statements I made were taken out of context.

I apologise for any confusion caused.


Regards etc.


PRESS RELEASE

Fianna Fáil Press Office
Senator Marc Mac Sharry

13 March 2012

Fundamental Review of Media Standards Required – Mac Sharry

There needs to be a fundamental review of media standards in Ireland and clear
guidelines must be established on how journalists and editorial staff in print and
broadcast media use content generated anonymously on online or social media
platforms, according to Senator Marc MacSharry.

“I am an advocate of free speech and I believe everyone should be facilitated in
expressing their opinions on public affairs. Social and online media has an important
role to play in Irish society as a means for citizens to engage, communicate and
have their voices heard.

“Equally important is the need for citizens to be able to rely on the factual accuracy
and impartiality of major news organisations, particularly the national broadcaster.
In that context, the BAI's finding that RTÉ's Frontline programme used a false tweet
from an unverified source in a Presidential debate raises some very serious issues.

“As the traditional media try to adapt to the challenges posed by social and online
media, there is an increasing risk that facts become secondary to reaction and
opinion. As a result, there is a growing sense that the news and current affairs
output of traditional media are becoming driven by secondary reaction, with
insufficient emphasis being placed on the primary facts.

"It is this trend, in my view, which allows a major national debate for the highest
office in the land to become dominated by an anonymous and unsubstantiated
contribution from a social media site. No one with an interest in a healthy democracy
and a sustainable media sector will welcome this development.

"It is understandable that in an increasingly competitive media environment, the
pressure to be first with a story grows. However, it is essential to the health of our
democracy that the basic facts continue to be given the scrutiny and respect they
deserve.

"It is incumbent on the established media to quickly demonstrate that the lessons
of the Frontline debate are recognised and that they demonstrate they have the
systems and values in place to make sure that our national debate is not influenced
by anonymous, unverifiable and frequently malicious online comment.”

ilovesleep

Boards and other forums and the internet is a source for sharing information and knowledge.

My mam is not a computer/internet and she is clueless as to what's happening politically around her.

McSheerys plan is to cut the source of information and knowledge sharing and learning so that people will remain clueless, stupid, careless, etc as to what's happening around them not only politically but also in the news.

Turning us into a dictatorship.

Latchy

Going back to the days when the catholic church and it's followers were the ' official ' voice on anything to do with 'Irish society 'is not an option .Those days when there was no opinions allowed other than the above are gone and they are not coming back ...thank fcuk .

44leto

I am afraid to post in this thread I know the special branch are composing a list of all the posters, be expecting an early morning kicking down of your door.

micropig

ilovesleep wrote: »

My mam is not a computer/internet and she is clueless as to what's happening politically around

she might not be but we've all been on her :D

starbelgrade

I did a week long course a few years ago & Mc Sharry was on the same course.

As annoying as he is in the Oireachtas, he's twice as bad in real life.

If he was a kid in the same class as you in school, he'd be the dweeb who would have been hated by students and teachers alike. There's a reason why people like him end up being estate agents.

AnonoBoy

Subvert me hoop McSharry.

Subvert me hoop.