Everywhere I look online, the comments section seems to be extreme in both directions. Some people calling the protestors selfish, others calling them misinformed, protestors pushing for anti-immigration, etc.
RTE seems to be mostly in the pocket of the government (again), so there’s nothing but “Whitegate is the only Irish oil refinery”, as if that’s supposed to pull weight?
I’m supporting the initiative myself, I do think fuel costs should be seen to, as it’s becoming way more expensive to live, even in the past week or two alone. I’m however, not in favour of pushing the anti immigration propaganda.
I do feel like places like Reddit, YouTube, and news sites with comment feeds, there’s a lot of astroturfing being done. Feels like people I actually talk about this, who also live and work in Ireland, have very sane takes, and practically everyone I know support the protests, whereas online it seems to be a forest fire of a dichotomy.
I’m wondering, is this really the current discourse online. Or is there some sort of toxic nature to regular people going online and pushing for one thing or the other.
What’s your opinion on the matter?
Nobody should have to show papers or ID to “protesters” to attend a medical appointment or access essential services. The violent language such as putting guns to peoples heads (as one of them said on national TV), a sign calling for hangings, etc is not normal protest.
It’s also not a good look for the organisers to be asking for taxpayer subsidies while also having a record of not paying tax.
Ideally the government would have us on so much solar that, like Spain and other countries, we would be well shielded from the impacts of this illegal war. Unfortunately farmer and haulier reps have consistently decried and voted against climate action in Ireland. They are to blame for this aspect of the disaster and are holding others to ransom for their own errors.
I don’t support the government and think the social contract is so badly broken that the same government cannot (or will not) right the wrongs done. I sympathise with the farmers who are trying to clarify that the anti-immigrant element are hijacking their cause. Protests should be disruptive, but these have crossed a line and I don’t support them or their demands. We need to transition away from fossil fuels, not subsidise them.