Galway book launch on controversial anti-war action

by Petrarch Sat Nov 29, 2008 23:51

Well said, Fred. They aren't the unacknowledged legislators of mankind and their poetry in this case hasn't made anything happen. (ref. Shelley and Auden)

by Fred Johnston Sat Nov 29, 2008 15:04 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie

Nice one, Harry Browne: a goodly reception in Charlie Byrne's bookshop last night here in sunny Galway and congrats with the book. It should be read by anyone interested in how events transpired. I was interested too to note how few of Galway's 'concerned' writers, some of whom have 'adopted' (should that be, more accurately, 'adapted'?) certain political causes when the promotional opportunity was right, were distinctly absent from the launching last night. Can't seem to get them down to Shannon no matter what one does. Pay them, perhaps? Only the stalwarts turned up last evening. And we could have done with some more GAAW people, too. Anyway, nice one. And good piece in the revamped The Village magazine, just out.

by Report Sat Nov 29, 2008 14:24

40 folks in attendance.
Night went well.
Books remain available at bookshop.

by complainer Thu Nov 27, 2008 14:33

if you feel that Joe Duffy's handling of the discussion on rte the other day was biased then you can make a complaint here: http://www.bcc.ie/how_to_complaint/index.html

His remark that one of the judges at the original pitstop trial had to step down "because he had visited America or something" is enough to justify a complaint, but the whole discussion was biased.

Throughout the show he gave more airtime to the idiot who called up claiming that he was going to vandalise the exhibition than the other callers, who included the artist, and didn't stop this fool from interrupting and talking over people. However when people spoke in favour of the exhibition, Duffy questioned them and argued with them. He was obviously biased and not impartial in this discussion. The more complaints they receive about him the better. I have already written in about him.

by Ciaron - Ploughshares/Catholic Worker Tue Nov 25, 2008 20:21

Yo Fred look forward to debating these issues with you Friday night.

The media reported that 7 million euros were spent 06-08 "stopping incursions into Shannon"
...the precceding incursions were the Catholic Worker Banshees 05, CW Potato planting 03, Pitstops 03, and also Mary Kelly 03, fence pullers and occupation 02 and Eoin Dubsky 02.

My work here this past year has been to help archive the Pitstop action as dissident memory not "nostalgia as a mild form of depression" (Abbie Hoffman) like a lot of the '68 40th.a anniversary stuff seems to be.

Thus far that has meant helping out with
-Eamon's film "Route Irish"
-Harry's book "Hammered by the Irish"
-Seamus installation...which seemed to break the mainstream media censorship today on all things Shannon and NVDA. RTE rushed down a crew to do a negative piece but cut it tonight...deprive the issue of Irish complicity in the war and a rare acquittal of oxygen is the agenda there.
-and Paul and Dave's youtube song stay tuned for that one.

Yes the arts can be a safety valve in any culture...if the Soviets realised that maybe they'd still be in business...and I argued these very points at this year's Electric Picnic debates.

We Pitstops did a resistance action www.peaceontrial.com good lawyers and witnesses and ourselves did three trials, a jury did an acquittal, Eamonn did a film, Harry did a book, Paul did a song, Dave a vid clip, these folks in Galway are now doing a book launch...it's all about passing the ball of solidarity and resistance. Nothing very "messianic" in that.

You seem to confuse collective mediocrity and democracy...very common mistake in colonised countries if Australia is anything to go by...tall poppy syndrome...all a bit of a yawn really and self censoring to boot methinks. Chill out and enjoy some creativity in a destructive age.

by Mark C Tue Nov 25, 2008 20:16

Here is the link to the Liveline piece from earlier today.

http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2008/pc/pod-v-251108-28m17s-...e.mp3

Mark.

by Fred Johnston Tue Nov 25, 2008 14:39

I've listened to the 'Liveline' affair and naturally you have someone on from Shannon (ignoring utterly the call by Shannon Town Council for immediate inspections of US aircraft) going on about the rare oul' relationship between the US and Ireland "going back to the Famine." Ignores also that US firms pull out of Ireland at a terrific rate and go on to foster rare oul' relationships in the Far East, where wages are lower. I have read Harry's book. I did not feel comfortable with the almost 'Messianic' tone around some Pitstop commentary and I do not understand how the hammer(s) used in their action end up in Temple Bar in an art gallery. This renders the action into a piece of art, which we are told it certainly wasn't, and it makes the action comfortable and consumable by 'chic' Dublin and a middle-class unconcerned with what is the reality at Shannon: you may as well exhibit the hammer in the window of Browne Thomas. If the action was merely theatre and the hammer a prop, then what was all the ruckus about? I have been to Shannon to do my own bit, and things are certainly getting spikier there, with more and more cops on the prowl. So maybe we should all call ourselves an 'installation' and apply to The Arts Council for a grant to support the next half-dozen demos?

by Stand corrected Tue Nov 25, 2008 13:55

Stand corrected there just going ballistic on Liveline about Ploughshares hammers being presently displayed at Project Gallery temple Bar

by Controversial? Tue Nov 25, 2008 13:44

Controversial?
It was a unanimous acquittal...no controversy amongst the jury!

by update Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:00

Pitstop Ploughshares defendent Ciaron O Reilly will also be speaking in Charlie Byrne's on Friday

by Fred Johnston - Western Writers' Centre - Ionad Scríbhneoiri Chaitlin Maude, Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:08

A small review of this book can be found on our website at www.twwc.ie, just click on 'Kiosque!' on the right-hand column and scroll down.

by Mark C Sun Nov 23, 2008 21:32

I'm about half way through reading this book and I have to say it's a great read. I've bought two copies of it so far, and might get myself a few more on Friday for friends and family.

Good luck at the launch, see you there.

Mark.

by iNFO - Info Sun Nov 23, 2008 16:59

Book launch starts at 6pm sharp at Charlie Byrnes book shop on Middle St., Galway.

Please come along and bring your friends. Spread the word.