Does a supporter of the IRA deserve to serve in congress?

[liberaldemocrat7]

The IRA killed Lord Mountbatten in the early 1980's. Lord Mountbatten served as the last viceroy of India and got blown up by the IRA while boating. After this most heinous murder most US politicians condemned the IRA and never looked upon them as anything positive.

Should a politician who supported the IRA for years after this murder knowing full well who they killed, serve in the US congress?

[mike_c]

1. strawman....

I'm sorry, but you've posed such a setup question that it's impossible to take seriously. Do you still beat your wife?

[davidinalameda]

2. no supporter of any terrorist group should be making laws

[mike_c]

4. the U.S. is a rogue state propagating terror around the world....

By your argument, every legislator currently serving in congress-- or at least every one who would answer in the affirmative to the question "do you support the United States' foreign policy?"-- should "not be making laws."

[davidinalameda]

12. apples and oranges

I don't think that the Bushies should be in office nor any of their supporters BUT the IRA, and Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad and the myriad of communist groups which have operated throughout the world trying to disrupt democratic governments like West Germany during the 70s are any better

Until the Bushies start rolling the tanks down the street in this country, I'll take my chances here but I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have been a Protestant in Northern Ireland when the IRA was at it's strongest

[mike_c]

15. do you realize that there likely would not be an independant Ireland...

...if not for the IRA? One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. The IRA traces its roots to the Easter Uprising and the Irish Volunteers.

[davidinalameda]

20. so that makes the killing of innocent people okay?

just asking

I'm not one of these "by any means necessary" types

[truebrit71]

31. Fuck the IRA and anyone that supported those murdering bastards.

A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist.

[BoneDaddy]

45. Even when they were the British government

terrorizing the Irish for centuries...get your head out of your arse

[Yukari Yakumo]

16. Watch what you say!

Until the Bushies start rolling the tanks down the street in this country, I'll take my chances here

Don't give that twit any bright ideas!

[BoneDaddy]

23. Try being

an Irish Catholic in Ulster when the RUC and British army were killing your neighbors and you may have a decidedly different view of the IRA.

I used to be a supporter of the IRA and still am a supporter of Sinn Fein. I stopped supporting the IRA when they started blowing up markets. As far as Mountbatten was concerned, the prick was a military target and got his comeuppance.

[baldguy]

25. Right. There are terrorists on both sides.

[truebrit71]

29. How was he a military target? When did he do ANYTHING against...

..the Irish?

You are full of shit.

Go fuck yourself.

[BoneDaddy]

44. You fucking brits

raped Ireland for over 700 years, supplanted Scottish Prods in Northern Ireland and pitted them against the Irish. Your country owes Ireland much, you ignorant dog.

[truebrit71]

46. Ignorant dog?

Nice......:eyes:

[davidinalameda]

42. so it was okay for the IRA to kill his grandson

One of the earl's twin grandsons, Nicholas, 14, and Paul Maxwell, 15, a local employed as a boat boy, also died in the explosion.

[MnFats]

3. I'm sure the question is purely hypothetical...

....here in mn., the hypothetical question is "can a Muslim who once spoke highly of Louis Farrakhan represent Minnesota?"
.....you can imagine where the right goes with that one..

[liberaldemocrat7]

5. I see quite a difference between a supporter of Louis Farrakhan

and a supporter of the IRA after they killed Lord Mountbatten.

I'm referring to congressman Peter King, chairman of the Homeland Security subcommittee. The committee helps fight terrorists. Can Peter King who supported the IRA terrorists knowing that they killed a British Royal deserve to remain in congress? Do you consider Peter King a terrorist sympathizer?

[CBGLuthier]

27. So he was a british royal

In this country here, we don't give a shit about royalty.

Mountbatten was just one victim among many. In fact, to be perfectly honest, he kind of had it coming.

[BlooInBloo]

6. Gee - what kind of person push-polls on DU?

I have absolutely no idea.

[liberaldemocrat7]

7. So do you support Peter King?

.

[BlooInBloo]

8. o NOOOO - are you gonna PURGE me if i give the wrong answer???

aaaahhhh! the FEAR!!!

:rofl:

Go play with a red bouncy ball.

[MnFats]

14. from what i've read about king, there's ample reason to dump him...

...IRA or no....

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Does a supporter of the CIA deserve to serve in congress?

A group that far outshines the IRA or Al-Queda in murder.

[Cleita]

10. And this has what to do with the KKK?

eom

[mulsh]

11. admit it you're still pissed about the horses

and yes an IRA supporter most definately belongs in our government.

[liberaldemocrat7]

17. A supporter of the people who murdered Lord Mountbatten?

I say Peter King knew better to not support any terrorist group that killed a member of the Royal family of England in 1979.

The IRA killed Mountbatten in 1979. Peter King supported them from at least 1984, made speeches ofr them when most politicians declared the IRA persona non grata for killing Lord Mountbatten.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. Times can move on

Martin McGuinness, not just a supporter, but a high ranking member, of the IRA, became education minister for Northern Ireland in 1999. Terrorists have gone on to become prime ministers (eg Begin in Israel). You have to be able to compromise about past views and actions to get a consensus in a disparate group, as long as you can agree on what should be done in the present and future. Since the IRA has said it has permanently disarmed, I don't think King's past support for it can now be held to make him unsuitable as a congressman in itself. You can take it into account when considering whether to vote for him, just as you should take his other views into account.

[ceile]

21. But it's okay to support the British army?

You keep pointing out the fact that Mountbatten was a royal. Who gives a fuck?! Does that make him any more important than those who were shot on Bloody Sunday by the army? Or is it okay to back those politicians who supported the UDA? Goes both ways.

[ruiner4u]

13. Does anyone anymore deserve to sit in congress?

We all have our pet ideals...

[obreaslan]

19. The US supports the Kurds, ask the Turks what they think of the Kurds...

As one poster commented up-thread, one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. See also, Mujahadeen & Contras in the '80s.

[LeftishBrit]

22. Not if he still supports them

People do change their minds - and I wouldn't want to permanently reject someone's right to a political career as a result of some youthful nuttiness. But if he hasn't repudiated this gangster/ terrorist group, then he is not fit to serve in Congress.

Many Americans, especially on the right, seem to think that all terrorism comes from Moslem groups. I grew up with threats of bombings and terrorism, as a result of the conflicts in Northern Ireland.

And by the way, I wouldn't object at all to a complete British pull-out from Northern Ireland. But the IRA, at least in the form that they've taken over the last 40 years or so, are a totally repulsive group.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

24. If he didn't do anything illegal...

and the voters want him in office...

[Finder]

26. As a supporter of the IRA, I say sure...n/t

[RB TexLa]

28. I have no problem with it at all

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Selatius]

32. Your nation's history speaks for itself

No amount of "Fuck you"s can erase the blood on your own government's hands.

[truebrit71]

35. Nor the blood on the hands of the cowards you support...

..

[Selatius]

37. Who said I supported what? n/t

[sg_]

39. IIRC...

your the same person many many months ago who had a post about your wearing of a 'i gave to the ira' sticker :nopity: .

Shower of murdering prats.

[RB TexLa]

40. When we were kids we saved money for the orphans fund

on January 30th and on St. Patrick's day and everyone who gave got a sticker, it was a common thing. I think in the post I asked who else remembered giving and wearing their stickers.

[sg_]

41. Ah.

Cheers for clearing that up. Was a bit of a vague memory :)

Ive no problem with people supporting the 'goal' of the IRA (ie: unification)...I just didnt like people shooting, killing and setting off bombs around where I live (as most people would do!). Just touches a bit of a nerve when I read people 'glorifying' or saying something 'positive' about them in general.


That said, if (s)he was voted in fair and square. I dont see it(nor shouldnt see it) being much of an issue, being in a different country and all that.

[mdmc]

33. If they win a real election, yes.

The voters (or diebold) will decide if they are deserving.

[dkofos]

34. Why not

Nelson Mandela became pres of South Africa.

[Selatius]

36. If this IRA supporter wins the popular vote, then he should serve...

because that is what was agreed upon when this nation was established. You empower people who are chosen by the people for better or for worse. Living here in the South, I see examples all the time. How many people who were in the KKK also served on city councils?

[ShortnFiery]

38. Yes, the IRA is mainly in Belfast, not a large presence in the USA, Doh!

[goodhue]

43. Only if they win a majority of votes in their district

Then they would deserve to serve