Having strong family ties to Northern Ireland, I can't help but see a parallel between Trump's
attempts to marginalize "Libs" and what the British Government did in response to Irish Catholics' calls for "Equality". The following AI overview of what precipitated the "Troubles" there is worth reflecting on...just think in terms of today's Conservatives vs. Liberals in place of Protestants and Catholics, along with a Conservative Government.
Fortunately, a Liberal U.S. President was able to broker peace between the N.I. factions to the point that the majority of Ulster citizens favor an "Open Border" between them and the Republic of Ireland.
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AI Overview
What were the Troubles that ravaged Northern Ireland ...
The "Troubles" in Northern Ireland were primarily precipitated by a centuries-old conflict over national identity and religious division, which escalated in the late 1960s due to the Catholic civil rights movement's demand to end discrimination by the Protestant-dominated government. Tensions flared into violence after the Battle of the Bogside in 1968 and subsequent riots, leading to the deployment of British troops and the growth of republican and loyalist paramilitary groups, ultimately resulting in a prolonged period of violence and conflict.
Long-Term Background
Historical Divisions:
The roots of the conflict lie in centuries of religious rivalry between the predominantly Catholic people of Ireland and the Protestant English ruling class.
Partition of Ireland:
In 1921, Ireland was partitioned, with the Irish Free State gaining independence and Northern Ireland remaining under British rule, creating a large Protestant (unionist) majority and a Catholic (nationalist) minority within Northern Ireland.
Immediate Triggers (Late 1960s)
Civil Rights Movement:
In the late 1960s, the Catholic minority launched a civil rights campaign demanding an end to widespread discrimination in housing, jobs, and political representation.
Discriminatory Governance:
The Protestant-controlled government and police force (the Royal Ulster Constabulary) were accused of unfair treatment, leading to demands for equal treatment and an end to discriminatory practices like gerrymandering.
The Battle of the Bogside (1969):
A major turning point was the large-scale riot in the Bogside area of Derry, which escalated into widespread violence across Northern Ireland, kicking off the main phase of the Troubles.
Escalation of Violence
Paramilitary Groups:
The conflict saw the emergence and growth of paramilitary organizations on both sides, including republican groups like the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and loyalist groups, all of whom used guerrilla warfare tactics.
British Military Intervention:
The British government deployed troops to restore order, but their actions, especially incidents like the one on Bloody Sunday (where troops fired on nationalist demonstrators), further angered and alienated both Catholic and Protestant communities, fueling the cycle of violence.
Growing Tensions:
Throughout the period, violence escalated, with attacks by paramilitary groups on security forces, rival groups, and civilians, leaving thousands dead and injured.
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Replies to: Having strong family ties to Northern Ireland, I can't help but see a parallel between Trump's
AI posts should be barred from the forum.
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First it was "Too Many Links"...now it's pre-announced AI overviews, akin to Cliffs Notes...
is it your goal to have only seat-of-the-pants personal opinions without substantiation allowed?...I'll abide by whatever the OF Moderators say, but IMHO, occasional use of AI overviews, especially for very nuanced topics, serves a purpose in our 'discussions'
While on the topic of Banning certain posts...how about banning those with Zero Substance or Linked backup?...now that's something I can get behind...;-)
I never called for a ban of your links. I just don't read them. AI posts should be banned, though.
Allowing AI to post here is the quickest way to destroy discussion in the Open.
What exactly is wrong with the AI overviews that I, for one, have posted? Do you find errors in them
or obvious bias?...I don't, and have tested them against subjects I'm very familiar and experienced with...e.g. Nuclear Power development...no errors whatsoever and balanced as to Pros & Cons. I see them as time saving "Cliffs Notes" that can quickly establish a broad context for discussion...to be followed up and buttressed with focused and in-depth studies and/or opinion pieces by experts...you know, the stuff I got called "Link Boy" for ;-)....
Using Google AI right now on this Forum would be a HUGE step UP, for the majority of posters...primarily the "Drive By" MAGAs, for which Facts and Data are to be avoided at all costs.
As for you not reading my posts, that hasn't always been the case, but too often, when I pose a challenging question for you...e.g. how to treat millions of innocent former female babies who are now of reproductive age, when they are subjected to Forced or Coerced pregnancies...Pffft...you're gone...in spite of the fact that 9 out of 10 Catholics believe that they should have the Option of abortion under such circumstances. That should be enough to carry on the conversation, but for whatever reason, you haven't done that...doesn't have to be that way...after all, this is a FORUM for discussion and I'm not throwing epithets at you during the process...so, there's nothing to be afraid of...we might even find Common Ground.
A few years back I was in Shanghai. I was walking along a street-mall closed to traffic when
a white panel van raced towards a squat residential building nearby, stopped, the side panel door opened with a half dozen military personnel wearing dark masks carrying assault rifles and military gear jumped out racing into the building. I watched and waited for a few minutes. They brought out - dragged a fellow out to the van, threw him in (literally threw) and were gone.
Those on the mall shopping didn’t flinch. They went on with their shopping.
Are we headed for that type of behavior where it’s every day?
The good news is that the Left would never advocate for violence to stop that from happening.
So, by bringing up that hypothetical, you are just telling the crazy Leftists to just stay at home and accept it.
No.
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So, you do, or you do not, advocate for violence to stop communists doing such things in the US?
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Who on earth do you think are the "Communists", Ned...and are you implying that Democrats are
abetting them?
Ok, drama queen.
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To Narcissism… and Beyond
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"Long ago my family lived amongst orange growers. I believe apples are identical to oranges. Here
...is an AI overview on orange growing..."
I have Neanderthals in my family tree. I can't help but see a parallel between Trump's
actions and those of more... "modern"... members of the genus, Homo, "approximately" 50,000-150,000 years ago. Those bastards tried to "wipe" us out. But it took a "liberal democrat" who fucked powerless secretaries north and south and east and west across Arkansas to make "neanderthal" behavior something we could all be proud of... "again".
LOL...wrong audience...;-)
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excellent
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What's currently going on in this country is indeed "High Drama"...you might want to pay attention.
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You mean locking people in their houses and forcing them to get an shot wasn't high drama?
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Trump's declaration of the U.S. being "under attack" by small unaligned groups as a pretense for
unleashing federal military forces to arrest anyone they deem to be a "member" of such amorphous groups is...to use Curly's term...Political Kabuki Theater...without the applause at the end.
My reference to Northern Ireland's "Troubles" revolved around Conservative British rule instilling and sustaining Discrimination of those they did not see as deserving of Equal Rights...namely the Catholics in Ulster. btw, I saw this first hand when visiting relatives in County Tyrone during that timeframe...Border Checkpoints manned by soldiers with automatic weapons...Helicopters flying over Catholic neighborhoods at all hours...random stops of citizens for questioning...and all because one very biased group refused to recognize the values and customs of their neighbors.
Thankfully, the Clinton admin brokered the "Good Friday" deal, and while everything is not "Kumbaya" right now, the vast majority in Ulster don't want even a hint of a return to those dark days.
Now to our own developing situation...Trump is using political and physical intimidation to try and install "One Party Rule", with himself having ultimate control...and zero respect for anyone with a different opinion...i.e. anyone who is not Loyal to DJT...and that includes Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, etc. They would get no Federal jobs and any company that employed such persons would be intimidated into silencing them if they raised their voices in opposition....you can see evidence of this already.
While you might fear that outcome from the "Left", note that Democrats have always fought for Equal Rights, including Voting rights...the polar opposite of Trump...and the authors of "Project 2025", which we should talk more about in another thread or two.
The stakes couldn't be higher for the USA...let's work together to see true political balance in all phases of government and achieve common ground, like the Senate did in 2024 with their Border Security and Immigration Bill...and earlier with Bills to address much needed Infrastructure investment for roads, bridges and advanced semiconductors.
It was just 15 days to slow the spread. Where is your compassion?
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