Bush in Ireland

[smirkymonkey]

I just heard from a friend in Ireland that Monkey Boy is planning a June trip. Apparently, Bertie Ahearn asked that there be no protests during *'s visit (WTF?? Shrub-Ireland-NO PROTESTS???!!!).

My friend is part of a dem group that is organizing a mass rally/protest for the "royal" visit - he said they expect it to be one of the largest rally's the country has ever had.

Discussion points:

Why is he going?? Wasn't the message from his London visit clear enough??

What is this crap about no protests coming from Ahearn??

Spread the word to all your friends in Ireland to join the protest!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

1. No protests in Ireland? Not bloody likely!

[lutherj]

2. Probably going for Bloomsday

I heard he's a fan of James Joyce.

[efhmc]

3. Welcome. What is Bloomsday.?

[lutherj]

6. June 16

The day that transpires in Ulysses. Every year there are festivities in Dublin celebrating Joyce on June 16. It's called Bloomsday after Leopold Bloom, the hero of Joyce's book.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. Really? There's a Scholastic kids version of Ulysees?

Must've had a lot of nice pictures in it.

[Melsky]

9. I don't think so

it would have had to have been a cartoon version.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi lutherj!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[SoCalDem]

5. Yesterday just as a reporter was asking Powell, they cut away

Miles O'Brien had this startled look on his face when they asked if it was true that Bush would go only if there were no protests.. Miles said.. "We'll keep you posted if anything happens at the press conference"..and then they were back to Oscar stuff or Laci or Kobe or Martha..

They are scared to show anything that does not praise the emperor

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

7. so, is bush going to d-day ceremony in france

and then to ireland? bush hasn't formally accepted the invite to france yet.

[LisaM]

8. I look forward to this

if I remember correctly, last time he went there, protestors ran onto the runway so his plane couldn't land and he had to bop around by helicopter. Can someone find the articles describing his attempted visit? It was quite humorous, really.

[smirkymonkey]

11. That's great! He should have

learned not to mess with the Irish!! I don't understand why he goes abroad at all - doesn't he get it?? Everyone HATES him, especially Europeans.

What a joke!!

[wuushew]

10. Just remember the FCC has okayed Bono's use of the F word

Things in Ireland could get interesting rather quickly.

[Bridget Burke]

12. (Irish site) p45.net has a discussion board....

Interesting responses to this story. One guy's planning signs that say "Bush me bollix"..several other suggestions...

www.p45rant.net/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53950&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

[Another Bill C.]

13. From the (Irish) Republican News forum

http://www.irlnet.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=546&hl=bush

"Republican Sinn Féin reject totally the assertion by 26 County Premier Bertie Ahern that the visit of US President George Bush to the 26 Counties in June is "an honour for the Irish people". In fact such a visit is an insult to the Irish people, the vast majority of whom opposed the illegal Anglo\US invasion of Iraq last year. This latest statement from Bertie Ahern, along with his call for no protests to the visit, simply highlights the slavish and immoral attitude which has been adopted by the 26 County government. Not only have they given US warplanes the use of Irish airspace but have also provided landing and refuelling facilities."

"Those that have protested at this flagrant breach of neutrality such as Mary Kelly, currently awaiting a second trial, the jury having failed to reach a verdict in her first trial, on charges of disabling a US warplane in Shannon, have had draconian bail conditions imposed on them, restricting their freedom of movement, banning them in this instance from entering Co Clare, which violates their rights as Irish citizens. One of the anti - war protesters Eoin Rice, refused to accept such conditions and as a result was imprisoned in Limerick where he has been on hunger strike for the past 14 days, he has also taken a case ...."