The Blasphemy Thread - Dermot Ahern's political crucifiction is assured

[blacbloc]

Dermot Ahern must be unique among politicians for having come up with the most effective strategy ever for destroying a political career and rendering himself unto the pages of history as the idiot who once tried to introduce a blasphemy law. Is there nobody in Fianna Fail who could have a quiet word with him and tell him to put the whole stupid idea in the can? No? Then it's just one more reason, as if they were in short supply, why we must severely punish FF at every election for the next 20 years.

According to today's Irish Times Ahern is feigning 'bemusement' at the reaction to his planned amendment to the Defamation Bill. We need a deluge of blasphemy threads, blogs and columns in every conceivable form of media. We need plays and books dedicated to blaspheming in every conceivable way. Ahern must be ridiculed to the rafters.

Blasphemy law's chilling effect on free speech:

Warning of blasphemy law's 'chilling effect' on free speech - The Irish Times - Wed, May 20, 2009

Ahern 'bemused' by criticism:

Ahern 'bemused' by criticism - The Irish Times - Tue, May 19, 2009

[Supermanpolitician]

Already a thread on this. WHy start another? Can someone close this please?

[blacbloc]

Already a thread on this. WHy start another? Can someone close this please?

Excuse me, this is a big subject. We have several hundred threads each on Lisbon, the economic crisis and lots of other topics . This thread is about the political demise of Dermot Ahern - the political unwisdom of trying to foist this law on us. Maybe you are an embarrassed Fiana Failer?

[Question R24U]

So Dermot Ahern believes in God, is decisively tough on gangs, is banning blasphemy (again, but is getting the credit), is hated by the irish times and internet bloggers - at a time his party leader is very weak.
Yeah, sounds like he is finished.

[Supermanpolitician]

Excuse me, this is a big subject. We have several hundred threads each on Lisbon, the economic crisis and lots of other topics . This thread is about the political demise of Dermot Ahern - the political unwisdom of trying to foist this law on us. Maybe you are an embarrassed Fiana Failer?

Obviously you have not only not read the other thread on the proposed blasphemy laws, but you have assumed that I am a FF supporter. Says a lot about you.

[Silvio Dante]

Monty Python eat your heart out...

[FakeViking]

So Dermot Ahern believes in God, is decisively tough on gangs, is banning blasphemy (again, but is getting the credit), is hated by the irish times and internet bloggers - at a time his party leader is very weak.
Yeah, sounds like he is finished.

But sends representations to the then MoJ on behalf of renegade provos. But that was in a different manifestation, as he said himself.

[Nozzferrahhtoo]

If you really are interested in doing anything about this..... There is a blog and a campaign against this here:

blasphemy.ie

With regular updates here:

blog.atheist.ie

and two public meetings with good speakers and invited politicians here:

PUBLIC MEETING - BLASPHEMY IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME

VENUE: WYNN’S HOTEL, ABBEY STREET, DUBLIN
DATE: MONDAY 25th MAY TIME: 8-10pm

The Dublin meeting is the second of several to be held around the country, organised by Atheist Ireland, an advocacy group for an ethical and secular Ireland. Speakers will include:

Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland and co-author of the play I Keano
Ian O’Doherty, columnist with Independent newspapers
Dick Spicer, chair of the Humanist Association of Ireland
Other speakers to be confirmed.
Local politicians will be invited.

and here:

PUBLIC MEETING - BLASPHEMY IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME

VENUE: THE TOWER HOTEL, WATERFORD CITY
DATE: THURSDAY 21st MAY
TIME: 8-10pm

This meeting was planned on a new Irish website - blasphemy.ie - which also includes examples of material that could become illegal if the new law is passed.

The Waterford meeting is the first of several to be held around the country, organised by Atheist Ireland, an advocacy group for an ethical and secular Ireland.

Speakers will include:

Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland and co-author of I Keano

Barry Grant, Waterford resident and writer/film maker.

Other speakers to be confirmed.

Local politicians will be invited, including Deputy Brendan Kenneally, Chairman of the Select Joint Committee for Justice, as will Deputy Brian O'Shea, also a member of said committee.

[Christine Murray]

lnteresting that his ideas tend toward this alliance with religious lobbies and not toward his duty in protection and his consistent shelving of the referendum, quite the Michael Woods approach to the relation between church and state, that lead to a Dáil dissolution. l reckon him a dangerous and stubborn man who is oblivious to criticism.

[Question R24U]

But sends representations to the then MoJ on behalf of renegade provos. But that was in a different manifestation, as he said himself.

Ah yes, he is a Republican too. A competent, decisive, catholic republican who is seen to protect God and the future victims of crime.
Be afraid. Be very afraid. At this rate Cowen is set to be i footnote between the two Ahern leaders