The post that was quoted here has been removedI doubt that was the motivation behind the change.
I think he just saw the common humanity behind those who didn't agree with it. People are born where they are born. Personally, I didn't find the avatar that offensive. Rather, I disagreed (and probably still disagree) with resuming the conflict to resolve the status of Northern Ireland.
I understand that not everybody can be forgiving. I certainly struggled for a long time about Germany (some of my family members died in the Holocaust). Generally speaking, I regard Irish people as being remarkably forgiving, given the history.
@ashiitaka saidWhile Duchy is continuing to try to stoke discontent, I will adhere to my policy of not responding to her posts.
I doubt that was the motivation behind the change.
I think he just saw the common humanity behind those who didn't agree with it. People are born where they are born. Personally, I didn't find the avatar that offensive. Rather, I disagreed (and probably still disagree) with resuming the conflict to resolve the status of Northern Ireland.
I understand that not everyb ...[text shortened]... ocaust). Generally speaking, I regard Irish people as being remarkably forgiving, given the history.
Suffice to say, I received nothing from RHP suggesting that I change my avatar; in fact, I haven't received any communications from the Site Administrators or Moderators for years.
My opinion regarding the moral defensibility of the IRA and earlier Irish attempts to end British occupation by force have not changed.
I am not in the Occupied section of Ireland and don't pretend to tell the People there what they should do.
@moonbus saidYeah I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll label the content of their post as idiotic rather than label them an idiot.
If someone posts something incoherent or illogical, point out the incoherence or the fallacy. Attack the argument, not the person.
If a poster claims that Black People are intrinsically more prone to criminality or words to that effect I don’t think that’s a statement which contains a fallacy, it’s simply idiotic. And unworthy of higher debate.
If a poster produces stats that on the face of it imply that Black people commit or are charged with more crimes in support of the above statement then yes it’s worth pointing out the fallacy of using those stats and point out factors other than skin colour that might be culminating in those raw stats.
But I think there will be occasions when idiotic is a reasonable descriptor for the post if not the poster.
@no1marauder said
In the spirit of compromise and hopefully increased goodwill, I intend to change my Forum avatar as soon as I can decide on an appropriate replacement. I will keep the work of art as my Header on My Profile page, however.
@sleepyguy saidWhat do we call the racists then?
It would improve the tone of discourse on the forum even more to ban the use of the pejorative "racist".
Let's all agree, shall we?
At the very least it must be available as an adjective if not a noun.
The post that was quoted here has been removedI already knew that he hadn't changed any of his opinions on the matter. That wasn't the point.
He was big enough and mature enough to compromise on an issue that I know he feels strongly about. While I don't agree with resuming the conflict now (I believe that even if one is a republican that the fastest route to re-unification is through a poll), I understand why the IRA was formed and why it could still live on.
Understanding without necessarily agreeing is the first step to resolution.
The post that was quoted here has been removedIsn't there a bigger picture with regard to contemporary trends in Ireland? If people now believe that there is more likely to be a political solution if wounds are allowed to heal then no. 1's avatar change is completely in line with many people who seek the same goals as he does. That is why I would believe him completely when he says the avatar was not changed at the request of RHP and I applaud anybody who believes in working towards political solutions.
There is little compromise in No 1 Marauder's opinion on IRA atrocities.
I challenged him on the 'Warrington bombings' a few days ago, and read nothing but defence of the action, mainly based around unheeded phone warnings.
If an IRA supporter cannot admit that Warrington was, at best, 'a misguided action', then there is no further productive discussion to be had.
Some people might consider anyone who supports the right of the Palestinian People to resist by force Israeli occupation and oppression "armchair terrorists".
But silly insults by ill-informed internet personalities are hardly as conclusive of an argument as some other ill-informed internet personalities might believe.
@blood-on-the-tracks saidThan don't discuss it anymore if it hurts your feelings to do so. I never said Warrington was or wasn't "misguided"; I did say that it wasn't "terrorism" as the intent of it was clearly not to kill civilians.
There is little compromise in No 1 Marauder's opinion on IRA atrocities.
I challenged him on the 'Warrington bombings' a few days ago, and read nothing but defence of the action, mainly based around unheeded phone warnings.
If an IRA supporter cannot admit that Warrington was, at best, 'a misguided action', then there is no further productive discussion to be had.
When I get around to it, I'll start a thread about the last Irish struggle against British occupation, oppression and tyranny and argue it was a legitimate war of self-defense and liberation triggered by a brutal and murderous campaign by the UK and its Loyalist supporters against a peaceful civil rights campaign.
That is real history, not the propaganda you peddle.