If being an unaligned country with a large army is no deterrent to Putin's ambitions is it time for ROI to join Nato?
Isn't NATO great all the same? Europe having a defence compact drives just the right people up the wall never to come down again.
It's a litmus test for how barmy you are if you break out in a rash at its very mention.
This is quite funny.
Either you have now accepted that the Russian government was responsible for Salisbury (a modern day equivalent of the GFA being Sunningdale for slow learners) or you are still clinging to the possibility that some conspiracy theory about it might be true.
Either way, your credibility is back at zero.
Your neurosis is taking a hold.
What are you on about?
I asked you to tell us what ‘my conclusion about Salisbury was?’ And you go off on something you lost the argument on yonks ago. 😂😁
Yeh, the government has said we aren’t joining, the polls say the people agree and still you have people here advocating to get off to a war.
Another 800m in funding promised by the warhawk Biden.
Why doesn't he have the balls to put troops in rather than letting the Ukrainians get turned to dust?
That was a poorly worded survey intentionally. People have their own ideas on what Irelands Neutrality is vs Reality. Once this goes to a citizen assembly and explained in detail. Irelands Neutrality will be laid bare as a misty eyed notion.
If they could agree Marques de Queensbury rules without nukes, Putin would be dangling from the end of a rope weeks ago. You know that in your bones.
Like any war there is always money to be made.
The hawks will be happy if it goes on for years.
Somebody else who needs to d some research. Here's the Taoiseach using the word 'military' too. Should clarify it for you:
"I've put forward the idea of a Citizens' Assembly to have a reflective, informed debate on that issue of military non-alignment. That is the essential definition of Ireland's neutrality. We are politically part of the European Union, and we were strongly supported of democratic principles and values.
So you agree the Taoiseach points out Ireland is not Neutral. is training soldiers on how to find IEDS military assistance ?
As I said ages ago and you tried it on, Ireland is not politically neutral. It is militarily neutral.
No finding IED's would fall under the same remit we have in peacekeeping. We send the 'military' to do that.
Research the subject is your best bet before making claims?
Peace keeping is not military neutrality. They can fire back if fired upon. thus engaging in military action in a foreign land. Are you suggesting The siege of jadotville Was not a Military action.
"UN peacekeeping operations are not an enforcement tool. However, they may use force at the tactical level, with the authorization of the Security Council, if acting in self-defence and defence of the mandate."
Take it up with the Taoiseach.
Last time I checked Ukraine were not in the EU.
"Found out Bill!"
Yes, I know, but I'm struggling (you can help here) to think of a war we got militarily involved in in Europe.
Grabbing the popcorn to await your answer.
It's a valid question.
Do you now accept that the Russians were responsible for the Salisbury attack? Do you accept the British Intelligence findings in regards that?
Wrong thread mate!
Who are 'The Hawks' Francie?
I'll await blanch to tell you what 'my conclusion' was, because he won't tell me or back up anything he claims.
Those who profit from war and conflict.
No, Ireland is not militarily neutral either. I posted the article stating this as fact. Ireland must legally come to an aid of an EU member if attacked, and this includes military aid.
Denial is not just a river ;)
So, you won't answer. Grand
Blanch said that you accept the findings now, after the fact. So ill take it that you now DO accept the British intelligence version of the Salisbury attack. Nice!
Can we include SF in that?
We sent military aid to Ukraine and we have a legal obligation to aid an EU member if attacked.
We, the Irish people voted for this, Francie.
You made a big song and dance about being a Democrat earlier. Now here you are ignoring the democratic decision of the people.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Consolidated_version_of_the_Treaty_on_European_Union/Title_V:_General_Provisions_on_the_Union%27s_External_Action_Service_and_Specific_Provisions_on_the_Common_Foreign_and_Security_Policy#Article_42
"If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
So are you a Democrat or not?
No, it's the wrong thread as you would remind others.
Go to the relevant thread, help blanch to find that 'conclusion' I came to.
There's a new multilateralism developing in the West, Japan, Australia, South Korea etc. The polities of these countries realise they have something worth defending - and it must be defended if our democracies, liberties and way of life are to persist and thrive deep into this century.
There are obvious malignant forces that have made it a long-term project to degrade and undermine what we have.
Break it down to its constituent parts and the world's democracies and those that aspire to be part of that club need to be defended with iron, steel and interwoven commitments.
There are also fools in our societies who think that giving the likes of Putin a back rub will somehow convince him that what he covets should not be taken by force. Some are underhanded supplicants of the likes of Putin and Xi, live lives of psychological misery and somehow think these gangsters will make things better if they pull our societies down around our ears. Others are just outright fools.
Teddy Roosevelt said it best: Speak softly and carry a big stick.
There are those who object to the stick as if it didn't have a point in the first place, and that the West should turn itself into a Milquetoast and scaldy war criminals like Putin and Xi who's tempted to become one will start playing nice if we do.
Why he's already come out and said Ireland is not Neutral. MM or Mr Varadkar will do what Brussles says on the matter just like the global corporation tax red line.
Not at all, it's relevant here, but the confusion is clear anyway. You now accept the British intelligence version of events, re Salisbury.
Like, today, only crazy people and those on the Kremlins payroll would say otherwise, eh?
Couldn't say it better myself.
Ireland has two options. Pretend we live in the past and its 1990, or go and join a global coalition of democratic, liberal states willing to defend what we took for granted.
...again. We send aid and assistance all over.
You do realise what those words mean?
We 'aided' and 'assisted' Britain and the Allies in WW2 by allowing certain things to happen. As some like to mock and deride - we were Neutral in that war.
