Is this a contradiction?

[2012 Wont Happen]

As we all know, the site rules on the Escapist are fairly strict. One of these fairly strict rules is the rule that one cannot do anything supporting anything illegal, specifically piracy.

Indeed, at one point, when I made a group supporting the actions of The Pirate Bay, it was removed. Makes sense. It is against the rules. I made a new group simply supporting copyright reform, no harm.

However, for a few months now I've been a member of a group here called IRA Supporters Group. No action has been taken against it. Let's take a look at the situation:

The Pirate Bay- provides free music and movies.

The Irish Republican Army - killed British people until they gave up part of Ireland (the group specifically states in its description that it does not support the modern terrorist group bearing only the same name as the original IRA, so I won't go into all that).

So, is this a contradiction in the site's rules? Or do they just consider piracy a worse crime than murder and treason? (To make this clear I do legitimately support the IRA, but technically they committed murder and treason).

 

[Von Strimmer]

All I know is your probably going to piss off many thousands of people by saying that.

On topic no it is not contradictory as this site seems to run off United States Laws, and for overseas countries it runs of morals (sort of like a moral choice system).

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Even other Irish people hate the IRA.

My Criminology lecturer at university is Irish and he'd rant (a hilarious rant) about how fucked up they were.

OT: Nah, it's not really contradictory. This site is based in the US, so only US law applies.

 

[Kopikatsu]

It's probably more than this is a videogame magazine. Piracy is a video game issue. Murder and treason (Outside of video games) is not.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Why on Earth would you be in an IRA supporters group?
What genius made that?

 

[staika]

Why on Earth would you be in an IRA supporters group?
What genius made that?

Yeah, who is honestly idiotic enough to make a group like that. I hope it doesn't have a lot of members or my faith in this community will waiver a little.

 

[Salad Is Murder]

So should every person who makes a post in support of a religion be held accountable for the various crimes and horrible tragedies inflicted by that religion?

 

[Firewind_77]

Well the old IRA managed to get known as freedom fighters liberating a country that was being oppressed by the British for a couple of hundred years. The fact that anyone who knows about the British response during that time usually favours the republican side for a pretty good reason. Also as long as it's not supporting the current guys calling themselves the IRA, it sounds more like a "remember those who fought for freedom and an Irish state against ridiculous odds" than a "Remember those guys who killed a bunch of Brits? Weren't they awesome for killing them? Go murder!"

So I think it's not a contradiction if the group is for supporting people who genuinely fought for their country. However, if it were to support the IRA from the troubles and the straight up criminal gang that it became then it would be breaching the rules.

 

[No_Remainders]

However, for a few months now I've been a member of a group here called IRA Supporters Group.

And this is why I can no longer take your opinion seriously.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Well, this is a US based site, the IRA got alot more support in the US then they did in the UK. To the extent that if the US was a third world country, there'd be talk of war unless they put an immediate stop to it.

Additionally, although still easily within living memory, the IRA is increasingly becoming part of history instead of reality, and becoming mythologised in the process.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Why on Earth would you be in an IRA supporters group?
What genius made that?

Yeah, who is honestly idiotic enough to make a group like that. I hope it doesn't have a lot of members or my faith in this community will waiver a little.

There aren't too many, at least. How much do you want to bet that most members aren't actually from Ireland?

 

[staika]

Why on Earth would you be in an IRA supporters group?
What genius made that?

Yeah, who is honestly idiotic enough to make a group like that. I hope it doesn't have a lot of members or my faith in this community will waiver a little.

There aren't too many, at least. How much do you want to bet that most members aren't actually from Ireland?

I just checked and there are ten members and about half of them are Irish. Not too bad but it still makes me sad.

 

[Robert Ewing]

Here is why.

The IRA is a political movement. And technically it is not illegal to be a member of the IRA. Yes they are a terrorist organisation and such, that have only caused death and many explosions. But it isn't illegal to be a part of, or create propaganda for the organization.

This is because of freedom of speech, and freedom of demonstration. What IS the contradiction is that you can support the IRA and other political movements like Al Qaeda, that is perfectly within the law... It's frowned upon, but it's legal. But you cannot under any circumstances support Nazism. That shit is illegal. It seems a bit of a contradiction in my opinion. "You can believe anything you want, except that." Sort of thing.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the Nazi's as much as the next freedom loving person, but y'know. You must see my point.

And yeah, supporting the pirate bay for the moment, inspires only criminal activities. Such as pirating. Yes I know the IRA aren't exactly squeaky clean in this respect. But the whole IRA movement says nothing in its... constitution? (I don't know what the actual name for it is) That they want to bomb shit and kill Brits.

 

[Rawne1980]

The Irish Republican Army - killed British people until they gave up part of Ireland (the group specifically states in its description that it does not support the modern terrorist group bearing only the same name as the original IRA, so I won't go into all that).

I spent 12 years in the British Army.

I served in Ireland. Got stabbed in the thigh and lost 3 friends there.

Bring on your warning for this Escapist but it needs saying.

This guy right here is an absolute dickhead plain and simple.

 

[AnarchyUK]

Well the old IRA managed to get known as freedom fighters liberating a country that was being oppressed by the British for a couple of hundred years.

IRA has only been around since around 1913, that's not a couple of hundred years.

Fenian's etc were NOT the IRA, they actually had morals, as in ONLY attack military targets, the second you attack civilians then you lose the moral high ground.

AND besides what were the IRA fighting for? The northern Irish VOTED to stay within the UK union, to be honest the southern Irish can shut the fudge up for all I care, they were attacking people for no legitimate reason.

US supported the Irish Terrorists for years, until 9/11 happened and they realized what its like to be on the receiving end, and woke up the the immoral things they were doing.

But to OP, yes it is a contradiction but the Americans have a weird Irish fetish, where they believe they are Irish (Most of you are of English/Scottish decent, NOT ALL of you are Irish, I mean Obama went to Ireland to "see his ancestral homeland", hes 1/100 or something stupid Irish), and have rose tinted ideals of the Irish landscape, so let that contradiction slide.

 

[flamingjimmy]

I've noticed that there's this bizarre tendency for some Americans to romanticise the IRA, I find it rather sickening.

 

[FeraIMuse]

That's painting with a particularly broad brush, isn't it? Well, actually, allow me to edit myself upon reading the whole of your post--'some Americans'. I, as an American, for one, do not romanticize nor do I hold the IRA in high-esteem, whatsoever. Just the opposite, in fact. Simply a group of bullies who use words like 'politics' and 'past wrongs' as an excuse to kill and steal, as is, in my opinion, the cusp of terrorism as a whole. My question is, as somebody 'from across the pond', so to speak... wouldn't it be fair to say that in the past, the English saw the American Colonists in this exact fashion? No, I am *not* comparing the two together.. I thought it a rather interesting aside. (Yes, I understand the irony therein that I, myself, am painting with a broad brush, but this is my own opinion.)

 

[kinapuffar]

So should every person who makes a post in support of a religion be held accountable for the various crimes and horrible tragedies inflicted by that religion?

If they make posts supporting terrorism in the name of religion, yes.

Ireland =/= IRA
Religion =/= Religious extremists

Supporting the IRA is like supporting religious extremists.
Supporting religion is like supporting an independent Ireland.

There's a world of difference.

But the whole IRA movement says nothing in its... constitution? (I don't know what the actual name for it is) That they want to bomb shit and kill Brits.

I believe the word you're looking for is 'Manifesto'.

 

[kinapuffar]

double post, lots of toast.