Dubsky looking for donations, sharing some thoughts

by Having it both ways Tue Aug 02, 2005 04:22

so you are going to critisise people for not doing what you do and then you are going to appologise and ask them to pay for your fine?

You cant have it both ways!

You should be responsible for your actions and pay your way for those actions.

Get a job in France or come back to Ireland and get a job!

Will you be writing next week to critisise people for not paying your fine?

by Eoin Dubsky Tue Aug 02, 2005 08:37

I forgot to put into the piece above -- If I receive more donations than I need to pay off the fine, I'd like to transfer whatever extra there is to support Indymedia.

To make a donation directly to Indymedia (cut out the middle man with the spray can!) follow this link now:
http://www.indymedia.ie/donate.php

Current status of donations: 120 EUR cash was kindly donated by some folks a few weeks ago. So the marker is at 880 EUR from now, 2 Aug 2005.

Finally, in reply to "having it both ways", I am working in France actually, and paying a rent, etc., etc... but it would still be nice to have a hand paying the fine. :-)

by Ciaron - PSP/DCW (personal capacity) Tue Aug 02, 2005 10:48

"Having it both ways", I guess from the bowells of anonymity you get it every which way!

Fair enough for folks to pass the hat to support noviolent resistance to this war. In Ireland there has been so little resistance in comparison to the 25,000 U.S. soldiers passing through a month.

Nonviolent resistance is an expression of the movement and will only be sustained with solidarity and community. Both of which seem to be in short supply in an accelerated anit-culture of atomisation and isolation.

I think any excess bucks raised should be passed on to defense groups for other anti-war prisoners, military resisters...as that seems to be in the spirit that the donation is given etc.

There are people out there who want to offer solidarity and they need to hear from those in front of the courts and in jails how best to do that.
Put me down for €20
Keep th faith
Ciaron

by Deirdre Clancy Tue Aug 02, 2005 13:22

I think that last posting misses the point - it's a wilfully negative interpretation. Eoin was actually apologising for once criticising people who didn't do what he did. I think that should be taken in the spirit in which it's meant. Sometimes, people can get really into a cause and say things out of frustration that shouldn't be said. It can sound arrogant. This is different from those who are in the movement for political gain or to raise their own or a party's profile. These people generally argue against civil disobedience because they're concerned what it'll do to their image to support it. Eoin is sincere overall in what he does - the fact that he's willing to admit he's made mistakes is, I think, something to be commended and shows a level of self-awareness which, frankly, is sometimes chronically lacking within Irish anti-war activism. Eoin, I really agree with the point that we are all to some degree part of the consensus you mention. In particular, there can be a danger of court cases and personalities around them becoming an end in themselves, with the original issues relegated somewhat to the background. It's a good point and one that I think we don't talk about enough in anti-war activism.

It's an accepted fact that those facing fines who want to pay them rather than go to prison are helped by those in the wider Irish anti-war movement (anti-war movement in lowercase, obviously). It's been the done thing since day one. Those who want to donate do so - those who don't are under no obligations. I don't see what the problem is here.

As someone who took nonviolent direct action, I chose to ensure beforehand that I could pay for my own bail bond, which I did. This was partly because I didn't wish to take it for granted that people would support the action. As it happened, there was a lot of moral support. Of course, it's wrong to take those things for granted, or to consistently expect other activists to foot the bill for actions about which they weren't consulted, or that weren't properly thought through, and complain when they don't. Some people have done this, undoubtedly. But Eoin definitely isn't one of these people. I've never heard him complain about these things. All he's doing is making a reasonable appeal that's totally commonplace within political activism of any hue. He deserves our support for the significant contribution he's made to Irish anti-war activism. I, for one, was impressed with the good humour and equanimity with which Eoin dealt with his court proceedings and their conseqences. He may not be perfect (and of course the rest of us are?), but he's big enough to admit it, which is unusual enough in itself.

by Michael Tue Aug 02, 2005 13:31

I'll get a little bit of loot over to you Eoin. Yourself and only a handful of others had the courage to take direct action against the war in Iraq. And it landed ye in a whole lot of trouble with the law. The rest of us looked on from a far or attended a march or two.

I would appeal to everyone to help out Eoin and the brave few others who have had to endure the law over the last few years.

I must check my lotto numbers from last Sat. You never know I might be able to clear it in one scoop : )

by Edward Horgan Tue Aug 02, 2005 13:51

Congratualations on your actions, and condolances on the loss of €1000.
It is necessary to be philosophical on such matters. This is €1000 well spent, which you can boast about to your grandchildren. It is a privilidge to have opportunities to speak the truth on such important matters as the killing of innocent people. It is difficult these days to have our words heard, so those with some initiative, use other more creative means to be heard. Taking direct actions, and getting arrested is one such way of speaking to the truth.
The latest figures on casualties in Iraq are:
25,000 dead, over 80,000 missing because the coalition of the guilty "don't do body counts" except their own.

Yours in peace
Edward Horgan

by Damien Wed Aug 03, 2005 01:18

A tous les amis,

I am only too aware that when one is left in suspended animation by the judiciary, one's personal life does not cease to be. Compromises have to be made, time passes by yet the consequences of nonviolent resistance, taking such a long period before they come to pass, require dealing with the current reality you face with humility and honesty towards all involved.

The greatest way to ensure the resister repositions him/herself on the armchair and remains there forever more is to neglect offering the solidarity required when person al/ a.n. other circumstances arise which means the ideal response, i.e. non-compliance with fines, etc. is not a possibility on the occasion in question.

Nevertheless previously vocalised aspirations may remain as truth, though we cannot always live up to them on particular occasions does not mean we won't in future situations.

Eoin has been a tireless campaigner against the US military use of Shannon amongst other things. It was his initial observations and reporting, alongside Tim Hourigan and Ed Horgan, which helped me break away from my armchair political analysis and engagement with such issues towards a more immersed (literally) involvement.

For this I am indebted to the aforementioned trio.
Mainly Morally, yet when the financial goings get tough, then comrades gotta do their best to muster up what little or large they can.

Eoin, Merci beaucoup de toute chose.

We Catholics whisper in mass, before we accept the eucharist: 'Seigneur, je ne suis pas digne pour te recevoir, Mais dites seulement la parole et je serai gueri.'

Donc, tu as dis la parole et ici est mon argent.
Avec plus 'resistance', le monde serai gueri.

Je donnerai vingt-cinq!

(Eoin, please feel free to correct, I'm a bit rusty).

P.S. There is a Limerick woman by the name of Dolores who may be able to help out with your request.

by Elaine O'Sullivan Wed Aug 03, 2005 01:25

I agree with all the above comments, except the anonymous one obviously. There might be a fee if a bank transfer is used. I'll stick a few quid in a registered envelope and post it to the address you gave above. That way it can be insured and the money replaced if it's not delivered or goes missing on the way. I'd rather support An Post than a bank anyday. Good luck, hope you raise the funds needed.

by Eoin Dubsky Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:24

Thanks for your understanding and support everyone!

Elaine: Sending international registered post might be just as expensive as wiring the money through. How about pooling with someone else who can wire the money through (thus incurring the charges only once).

by Seamus O Raghallaigh Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:45

Eoin a chara,
Will send a few euros to the cause. The direct action shown by all who have attacked the war machine needs support and this is one way to show it.

One question though, why didnt you run off and back over the fence after you were finished? Would have saved a 1000 euro, well worth a try I think, remember that next time, if there is a next time?

Slan,
S

by Poor bastard Fri Aug 05, 2005 15:28

Owen was just on the radio, BEAT FM talkshow. After a slow start, he gave their caller (dial-a-right-wing-idiot) a good thrashing!

Can we send you a cheque?

by Eoin Dubsky Fri Aug 05, 2005 17:26

Eh, I think I went a little overboard in the end of that interview... but I plugged Indymedia.ie once or twice anyway! :-)

Regarding cheques -- Sure, thanks again! -- please write them to "Eoin Dubsky" and post to my folks, who can deposit the money into my account in the bank in Gorey:

Eoin Dubsky
Whitewalls
Ballymoney
Gorey, Co. Wexford

If you send a cheque out to me here in France it'll take a million years to clear. Bank transfer or paypal/credit card payments work okay though! ;-)

by Judge Joseph Mangan Fri Aug 05, 2005 20:52

Having reflected on my perverse judgement in the case of DPP v Dubsky I have decided to pull my head outta my ass and admit that:

1. I was bribed by party collegues in FF to convict this innocent man in the first place.

2. Dubsky's a brave man who was inspired to take a brave action, and inspired a lot of other people in Ireland to greater things. For this he is rightly praised. He did say publicly that he would NEVER pay any fine, and that is an excellent principle which, unfortunately, he is not now in a position to live up to. However, it is understandable that no-one can give a future-proof guarantee on their personal circumstances. Despite what could be argued about the likely failure of the State to follow-through on the sentence in default of payment, and the relative merits of fighting the legal battle to its final conclusion, I respect his action and decision and will personally be chipping in €50 to the defence fund.

3. Still, it galls me to think of good money being wasted paying the criminal Irish State, simply on the say-so of f**king lunatics like myself. Perhaps the only way to take the bitter edge off this pill is to propose that any surplus be pooled into a permanent fund to honour and promote the tradition started by Mr.D, called something like the 'Dubsky Perpetual Challenge Cup' which could provide a modest bribe awarded each year to the person/group who does most to disrupt the US Military traffic through Shannon / Ireland?

Also, can somebody please point me to an MP3 copy of the BEAT-FM Dubsky slot?

Cheers, Mr.D! And thanks for the lesson in honour, I'm truely sorry for that stupid, stupid shit I pulled on you!

sincerely,
your honour

Judge Joseph Mangan