WRH proposed downgrade - protest on Saturday the 23rd of Feb

Black Suir · 14-11-2012 08:35PM

Not having a protest (a peaceful one) has to be a must. The silent one sounds good. There has to be some few people at each door as we dont know what door he will go in. I have a feeling he will be brought in another way than through the front door. I dont think he will want to face the people of Waterford or the south east. I would also be for someone that could play a trumpet, buggle or some other such instrument and when the minister arrives to have them play the last post, as Waterford and the South East is dying with a long time now and more over since this present government was formed.

MitchKoobski · 14-11-2012 08:35PM

7upfree wrote: »

I have no problem supporting Save Waterford - we were there on Saturday - but that does not give them the right to dictate things.

Where in the name of god are you pulling that out of?

Dunmoreroader · 14-11-2012 08:44PM

7upfree wrote: »

The time for dignity regarding Waterford City is long past

What kind of statement is that to make?? No matter what you do, you should do it with dignity. Like thousands in Waterford, I cringe when I remember that muppet jumping on the Taoiseach's car way back when.
I'm for the silent glare treatment for Reilly. As even Big Phil conceded, Waterford has laid down a marker last Saturday, lets keep our powder dry now and see what happens.
Must say, it felt great marching- people power!

7upfree · 14-11-2012 09:01PM

MitchKoobski wrote: »

Where in the name of god are you pulling that out of?

They're advising people not to protest as far as I can see.

7upfree · 14-11-2012 09:02PM

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

7upfree wrote: »

The time for dignity regarding Waterford City is long past

What kind of statement is that to make?? No matter what you do, you should do it with dignity. Like thousands in Waterford, I cringe when I remember that muppet jumping on the Taoiseach's car way back when.
I'm for the silent glare treatment for Reilly. As even Big Phil conceded, Waterford has laid down a marker last Saturday, lets keep our powder dry now and see what happens.
Must say, it felt great marching- people power!

The problem now is "dignity" is being confused with abstention. There is no way we cannot protest on Friday. I'm all for a silent one. But there MUST be a protest. What was Saturday in aid of otherwise. Keep the momentum going!!!

MitchKoobski · 14-11-2012 09:15PM

7upfree wrote: »

They're advising people not to protest as far as I can see.

To quote them from the Facebook page

Can we just reiterate to people. We are NOT holding a protest on Friday. There is plans to hold one alright, but we have nothing to do with that. We have decided to go down the route of requesting a meeting with Minister Reilly instead as we feel it is better for the people to get an audience with the Minister. We will of course keep you all updated.

Where are you getting this idea that they are dictating to people what do to? "As far as you can see?"

7upfree · 14-11-2012 09:27PM

MitchKoobski wrote: »

To quote them from the Facebook page

Where are you getting this idea that they are dictating to people what do to? "As far as you can see?"

OK. Crossed wires. My apologies. But it is disappointing to see them bottle it. Now is the time to step it up.

O Riain · 15-11-2012 01:29AM

7upfree wrote: »

OK. Crossed wires. My apologies. But it is disappointing to see them bottle it. Now is the time to step it up.

Bottle it?! Look what they organised last Saturday, those girls have done a serious serious service to the South-East with that march, more than anybody has done for a long time and you have no right to disrespect them like that.

Jason Todd · 15-11-2012 10:26AM

Deisetrek wrote: »

Yep agree with that type of protest just complete silence as he passes . Would be a disaster and bad PR if we had headaballs diving on windscreens like a few years ago outside the WIT . It was a great Mahatma Gandhi tactic!

7upfree wrote: »

I would be 100% in favour of this.

Black Suir wrote: »

Not having a protest (a peaceful one) has to be a must. The silent one sounds good. There has to be some few people at each door as we dont know what door he will go in. I have a feeling he will be brought in another way than through the front door. I dont think he will want to face the people of Waterford or the south east. I would also be for someone that could play a trumpet, buggle or some other such instrument and when the minister arrives to have them play the last post, as Waterford and the South East is dying with a long time now and more over since this present government was formed.

Wow, I really didn't think people would go for the silent protest when I suggested it. As far as I can see the protest 'planned' for Friday lacks leadership. The Save Waterford March had the two girls as figureheads and WLR and other local businesses rowed in behind them.

Who is organising Friday's protest? Are people marching to the Hospital? What is the route? What time? Too many questions, and not enough time imo. With such a lack of organisation, I can totally understand people's fears that this will get out of hand and/or reflect badly on the City.

nkay1985 · 15-11-2012 11:14AM

Jason Todd wrote: »

Wow, I really didn't think people would go for the silent protest when I suggested it. As far as I can see the protest 'planned' for Friday lacks leadership. The Save Waterford March had the two girls as figureheads and WLR and other local businesses rowed in behind them.

Who is organising Friday's protest? Are people marching to the Hospital? What is the route? What time? Too many questions, and not enough time imo. With such a lack of organisation, I can totally understand people's fears that this will get out of hand and/or reflect badly on the City.

You're correct that there is no organisation about tomorrow's protest. My Dad put it out there to all friends and family that people meet at the main entrance. The idea behind the protest suggested by someone on the Facebook page was for everyone to turn their backs on Minister Reilly as he passes. This, combined with your idea of a silent protest, would be very effective IMO. It's a bit late in the day now but maybe there'd be no harm in doing a Facebook event where the idea behind the protest is laid out very plainly. Also, arrangements regarding meeting places etc.

What does everyone think?

Max Powers · 15-11-2012 11:38AM

Jason Todd wrote: »

Wow, I really didn't think people would go for the silent protest when I suggested it. As far as I can see the protest 'planned' for Friday lacks leadership. The Save Waterford March had the two girls as figureheads and WLR and other local businesses rowed in behind them.

Who is organising Friday's protest? Are people marching to the Hospital? What is the route? What time? Too many questions, and not enough time imo. With such a lack of organisation, I can totally understand people's fears that this will get out of hand and/or reflect badly on the City.

Yep, it worries me that it will be chaos because of this and no good to anyone except a few morons who want to cause trouble.

jonnyfingers · 15-11-2012 12:55PM

nkay1985 wrote: »

You're correct that there is no organisation about tomorrow's protest. My Dad put it out there to all friends and family that people meet at the main entrance. The idea behind the protest suggested by someone on the Facebook page was for everyone to turn their backs on Minister Reilly as he passes. This, combined with your idea of a silent protest, would be very effective IMO. It's a bit late in the day now but maybe there'd be no harm in doing a Facebook event where the idea behind the protest is laid out very plainly. Also, arrangements regarding meeting places etc.

What does everyone think?

It is very late in the day but I think an Event page is better than just word of mouth. Call it the "WRH Silent Protest" or something that sets the tone straight away. Worth reiterating on it that the event is independent of the "Save Waterford" campaign to keep them out of it in case anything does happen, and what the plan is, meeting time and place etc. Might be worth giving an idea of where the people will line up near the hospital, i.e. outside the grounds and on footpaths only so no access is blocked.

Sully · 15-11-2012 01:05PM

Its a tough one. I'd be inclined to agree that the Minister needs to know we wont take this sitting down but at the same time, when everyone involved in the 'official' protest and those working on it behind the scenes (not politicians) are strongly advising us not to protest - why not heed their advise? These are the guys working to save the hospital. These are the guys meeting with Reilly and so on. Why not heed their advise, step back and do as the professionals ask?

Nothing to do with politics, because as I said, I would have agreed there was a need at the start. They were right to say the protest on Saturday was very well dignified, peaceful and relatively silent. Some protests tend to go down the violence route which is why a Sinn Fein / generic left campaign has me a little worried if I am honest as their track record for 'peaceful' protests is not great. Plus I think some are jumping on the bandwagon politically and no doubt we will see anti-household charge protesters there. Just makes me feel that we will be in the news for all the wrong reasons, and there will be a 'We told you so' after.

Finnbar01 · 15-11-2012 01:27PM

The protest will be taking over by the likes of the socialist workers party, eírgi (or whatever they call themselves) and other leftwing marxist cranks.

jonnyfingers · 15-11-2012 01:45PM

Sully wrote: »

Its a tough one. I'd be inclined to agree that the Minister needs to know we wont take this sitting down but at the same time, when everyone involved in the 'official' protest and those working on it behind the scenes (not politicians) are strongly advising us not to protest - why not heed their advise? These are the guys working to save the hospital. These are the guys meeting with Reilly and so on. Why not heed their advise, step back and do as the professionals ask?

Nothing to do with politics, because as I said, I would have agreed there was a need at the start. They were right to say the protest on Saturday was very well dignified, peaceful and relatively silent. Some protests tend to go down the violence route which is why a Sinn Fein / generic left campaign has me a little worried if I am honest as their track record for 'peaceful' protests is not great. Plus I think some are jumping on the bandwagon politically and no doubt we will see anti-household charge protesters there. Just makes me feel that we will be in the news for all the wrong reasons, and there will be a 'We told you so' after.

I think you'll always have the problem of bandwagon jumpers. Everyone has the right to protest so you can't exactly turn them away.

However I think last weekend's march showed that more and more non-political protesters are willing to get involved. Hopefully they will outnumber any political protesters and keep them in check.

Also as everyone has that right to protest I don't think anyone can tell them not to protest. They can advise them, as seems to be happening, but it's up to the individual to make up their own minds. In this case certain people think the protest is a good idea, others don't. Nobody is right and I don't think it's right to draw any conclusions before anything has happened, certainly that it will be made up of predominantly Sinn Fein/generic left.

I also don't like the Save Waterford campaign being called the "official" protest. Don't get me wrong the two girls are absolutely to be commended for organising the march, raising awareness of the cause and setting out an action plan. But there's no such thing as an "official" protest. However at the moment they are certainly the most organised protest so it would be good for all other smaller groups to get behind their leadership.

I think tomorrow's protest will happen regardless as the anger is still there and quite raw. I hope it will pass peacefully as last Saturday proved it can be done and be effective. Hopefully after that everyone can then fall in behind the "Save Waterford" campaign and use that platform to push forward as one.

Sully · 15-11-2012 01:59PM

jonnyfingers wrote: »

I think you'll always have the problem of bandwagon jumpers. Everyone has the right to protest so you can't exactly turn them away.

However I think last weekend's march showed that more and more non-political protesters are willing to get involved. Hopefully they will outnumber any political protesters and keep them in check.

Also as everyone has that right to protest I don't think anyone can tell them not to protest. They can advise them, as seems to be happening, but it's up to the individual to make up their own minds. In this case certain people think the protest is a good idea, others don't. Nobody is right and I don't think it's right to draw any conclusions before anything has happened, certainly that it will be made up of predominantly Sinn Fein/generic left.

I also don't like the Save Waterford campaign being called the "official" protest. Don't get me wrong the two girls are absolutely to be commended for organising the march, raising awareness of the cause and setting out an action plan. But there's no such thing as an "official" protest. However at the moment they are certainly the most organised protest so it would be good for all other smaller groups to get behind their leadership.

I think tomorrow's protest will happen regardless as the anger is still there and quite raw. I hope it will pass peacefully as last Saturday proved it can be done and be effective. Hopefully after that everyone can then fall in behind the "Save Waterford" campaign and use that platform to push forward as one.

I agree mostly, I just felt the advise should be listened to by all sides is all. But, I suppose if it does go wrong, we can only hope its just the usual groups that cause the trouble and not decent upstanding people of Waterford.

In terms of the "official" part - I put it like that because they were the ones to organise the mass demonstration and they have a large following.

SPQRI · 15-11-2012 02:27PM

I've had a look through two local papers, N & S & Waterford Today & not one photograph of the actual march.
I thought it would have been an important feature to highlight how strongly people felt against the potential downgrading.
Are these papers trying to keep it out of the news?

7upfree · 15-11-2012 02:36PM

O Riain wrote: »

Bottle it?! Look what they organised last Saturday, those girls have done a serious serious service to the South-East with that march, more than anybody has done for a long time and you have no right to disrespect them like that.

Who's disrespecting them? Are we not allowed query the wrongs of not having a follow-up protest tomorrow? It is completely ridiculous.

jonnyfingers · 15-11-2012 02:37PM

Sully wrote: »

I agree mostly, I just felt the advise should be listened to by all sides is all. But, I suppose if it does go wrong, we can only hope its just the usual groups that cause the trouble and not decent upstanding people of Waterford.

In terms of the "official" part - I put it like that because they were the ones to organise the mass demonstration and they have a large following.

We're singing from a similar hymn sheet so.

7upfree · 15-11-2012 02:38PM

Sully wrote: »

Its a tough one. I'd be inclined to agree that the Minister needs to know we wont take this sitting down but at the same time, when everyone involved in the 'official' protest and those working on it behind the scenes (not politicians) are strongly advising us not to protest - why not heed their advise? These are the guys working to save the hospital. These are the guys meeting with Reilly and so on. Why not heed their advise, step back and do as the professionals ask?

Nothing to do with politics, because as I said, I would have agreed there was a need at the start. They were right to say the protest on Saturday was very well dignified, peaceful and relatively silent. Some protests tend to go down the violence route which is why a Sinn Fein / generic left campaign has me a little worried if I am honest as their track record for 'peaceful' protests is not great. Plus I think some are jumping on the bandwagon politically and no doubt we will see anti-household charge protesters there. Just makes me feel that we will be in the news for all the wrong reasons, and there will be a 'We told you so' after.

Nothing tough about it. There could be a very different type of "told you so" if we miss out on this opportunity.

7upfree · 15-11-2012 02:38PM

Finnbar01 wrote: »

The protest will be taking over by the likes of the socialist workers party, eírgi (or whatever they call themselves) and other leftwing marxist cranks.

There is always that danger. That could have equally happened on Saturday last.

Psychedelic · 15-11-2012 02:54PM

SPQRI wrote: »

I've had a look through two local papers, N & S & Waterford Today & not one photograph of the actual march.
I thought it would have been an important feature to highlight how strongly people felt against the potential downgrading.
Are these papers trying to keep it out of the news?

Are you blind? Waterford Today doesn't have the march but it does have the protest which shows the huge crowd.

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Dunmoreroader · 15-11-2012 02:56PM

SPQRI wrote: »

I've had a look through two local papers, N & S & Waterford Today & not one photograph of the actual march.
I thought it would have been an important feature to highlight how strongly people felt against the potential downgrading.
Are these papers trying to keep it out of the news?

Are you The Munster in disguise?:)

Psychedelic · 15-11-2012 03:04PM

There were also people on the Save Waterford Facebook page giving out about the News & Star, I saw poor Sully trying in vain to point out the reasons for what people were complaining about, but no one would listen.

People are so angry they are channelling their anger at Waterford politicians, local media, and now even the Save Waterford ladies. All this internal finger pointing and blame game. People should remember the real enemy here, it's not Waterford people or organisations, we should support local people who are trying their best to prevent this hospital downgrade, not constantly look for a reason to cut them down.

Dicky Pride · 15-11-2012 03:10PM

Boards is back in the news and star as well. In the section where they look at what waterford people have been saying online.

Sully · 15-11-2012 03:16PM

Dicky Pride wrote: »

Boards is back in the news and star as well. In the section where they look at what waterford people have been saying online.

The new section by the local lad? Or somewhere else in the paper?

fuzzy dunlop · 15-11-2012 11:30PM

Psychedelic wrote: »

There were also people on the Save Waterford Facebook page giving out about the News & Star, I saw poor Sully trying in vain to point out the reasons for what people were complaining about, but no one would listen.

People are so angry they are channelling their anger at Waterford politicians, local media, and now even the Save Waterford ladies. All this internal finger pointing and blame game. People should remember the real enemy here, it's not Waterford people or organisations, we should support local people who are trying their best to prevent this hospital downgrade, not constantly look for a reason to cut them down.

I would agree with one exception. Our politicians.They fully deserve any backlash that comes their way. We in Waterford will never get an opportunity to vote out two gombeen men like Phil Hogan or James Reilly.We can only vote within our constituency. Peaceful protests are the way to go and the last thing we want is someone like Jimmy Kelly making a show of us. But the government needs to be made aware that the value of the cabinet ministers in the dail arithmetic is just onevote and any move to downgrade WRh will result in a z Waterford backbench rebellion.We call the shots on what our politicians need to do and f@ck any party whip.

Sully · 16-11-2012 12:24AM

fuzzy dunlop wrote: »

I would agree with one exception. Our politicians.They fully deserve any backlash that comes their way. We in Waterford will never get an opportunity to vote out two gombeen men like Phil Hogan or James Reilly.We can only vote within our constituency. Peaceful protests are the way to go and the last thing we want is someone like Jimmy Kelly making a show of us. But the government needs to be made aware that the value of the cabinet ministers in the dail arithmetic is just onevote and any move to downgrade WRh will result in a z Waterford backbench rebellion.We call the shots on what our politicians need to do and f@ck any party whip.

Your right if its a big issue regrading Waterford. But you are wrong if you think that's the attitude they should take on national issues. If you vote Fine Gael, your voting for that party policy and their ideas. There is a risk involved in voting for a party that they may do something you don't agree with but the TD will vote accordingly. The same applies for Sinn Fein. Its the party system.

Independents are more 'reliable' in that sense, but again, they will vote on what they believe is right and that may not be what you think is right.

Nypd · 16-11-2012 09:16AM

Sully wrote: »

Your right if its a big issue regrading Waterford. But you are wrong if you think that's the attitude they should take on national issues. If you vote Fine Gael, your voting for that party policy and their ideas. There is a risk involved in voting for a party that they may do something you don't agree with but the TD will vote accordingly. The same applies for Sinn Fein. Its the party system.

Independents are more 'reliable' in that sense, but again, they will vote on what they believe is right and that may not be what you think is right.

One thing is voting for a party and their "ideas"
Another thing is being totally shafted by said party as they plough aimlessly through agendas and leave a massive trail of broken pre election promises behind them.

How can you consistently defend these idiots !!

Bring back Lizzy, we made a mistake, we are sorry your majesty !!!!

Swissarmyknife · 16-11-2012 10:30AM

Sully wrote: »

Your right if its a big issue regrading Waterford. But you are wrong if you think that's the attitude they should take on national issues. If you vote Fine Gael, your voting for that party policy and their ideas. There is a risk involved in voting for a party that they may do something you don't agree with but the TD will vote accordingly. The same applies for Sinn Fein. Its the party system.

Independents are more 'reliable' in that sense, but again, they will vote on what they believe is right and that may not be what you think is right.

Absolute rubbish,The people in Roscommon voted for Frank Feighan because he said on many occasions that he would fight tooth and nail against the downgrading of services at their hospital.Guess what,he lied through his teeth.There was a risk all right,electing a greedy good for nothing liar.
Are you saying those people voted for Fine Gael party policy?

What he said before the election,(one of many examples)

Also in mid-January Deputy Frank Feighan condemned then Health Minister Mary Harney over the “indignity” of patients being on trolleys. Stating that Ms. Harney and the HSE top brass should hang their heads in shame over the crisis at Roscommon Hospital, Deputy Feighan said “…..Fine Gael is determined that its plan to retain and enhance services at hospitals like Roscommon will finally put a halt to this much-touted reconfiguration plan of hospitals in the West which essentially amounts to downgrading by stealth.”

The people up in Roscommon found out the hard way it seems,many of them are now saying they wont forget.

WRH proposed downgrade - protest on Saturday the 23rd of Feb

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