Potential new Irish forum?

[Qwerty Dvorak]

Okay, so as most of the Irish comrades here know, there have in the past been myriad attempts to set up Irish leftist forums. I myself was an admin of one, RedBanner another, redflag32 another, etc. etc. However, these forums have all been failures, mainly because of lack of traffic. However, I suggest it is worth one more prolonged, collective effort to establish a discussion board for Irish left-wingers. Obviously, in order to avoid falling into the same pit traps as the other forums, we shall have to do a few things differently. Here are a few things I can think of off the top of my head:
- As I said, the board should be a collective effort; that is, we should have as many people as possible partaking in the establishment and running of the forum. I call on all Irish comrades here, particularly those who have tried and failed to set up forums in the past, to join in.
- The administration of the board should be dedicated and committed to ensuring the success of the board. Every attempt should be made by every member to advertise the new forum as much as possible. We should also try to have the site advertised on well known leftist websites and forums.
- The board should be open to moderate leftists as well as the usual far left. I know many may disagree with this at first, but we need to broaden the focus of the site in order to generate more discussion, and more traffic.

Well, those are the only points I can think of right now. If you're interested just reply here, and be sure to pass the word onto anyone you think might wanna be a part of it. I just think that after all the attempts to give Irish leftists a place to discuss their politics, it would be nice to succeed just once.

[Sir Aunty Christ]

We should also take a lead from what I see as one of the great strengths of revleft. We should be welcoming towards newcomers. There may be people who stumble onto the site with not a great sense of Irish history (I think that should be the priority history-wise) or the ideas of the left. I don't know about the south but in the north a lot of people blindly follow the party of whichever tradition they belong to so I see it as our job to say to people, "Y'know, there is another way and here it is. Hear us out and then tell us what you think."

[Dr Mindbender]

As I said before, Id be more than interested if it works this time. Other than uniting the left wing, there needs to be a clear objective of attracting people from outside the usual suspects. Id go as far as to say we should bring on board people who may not even consider themselves socialist, if it improves the traffic and by that i mean letting them post outside a 'sin bin' board equivalent to the OI on revleft. This is the only way of attracting more working class people, especially from the unionist background to the left alternative.

[Aurora]

If your going to go ahead then i'd recommend InvisionFree (http://invisionfree.com/) just because of all the forums ive been too,they are the easiest to use and its quite easy to modify and edit diferent parts of the forum.

The board should be open to moderate leftists as well as the usual far left. I know many may disagree with this at first, but we need to broaden the focus of the site in order to generate more discussion, and more traffic.
How moderate?

[Qwerty Dvorak]

How moderate?
I'd say the Greens would be the centre-est I would go. This is good because right now a lot of Greens are disaffected with their party, and might go seeking an alternative. I also agree with UlsterSocialist in that we should let people in who don't yet consider themselves socialist. And as regards the sin bin idea, let me just say that I think we should be a lot less restrictive than RevLeft.

[Aurora]

This is good because right now a lot of Greens are disaffected with their party, and might go seeking an alternative.
Ya that seems like the right idea.

I dont know if greens/labour/sinn fein would bother coming to the site though,considering they have boards.ie

let me just say that I think we should be a lot less restrictive than RevLeft
Fair enough

[Qwerty Dvorak]

So any more takers?

[Dr Mindbender]

Originally posted by [email protected] 27, 2007 03:05 pm

This is good because right now a lot of Greens are disaffected with their party, and might go seeking an alternative.
Ya that seems like the right idea.

I dont know if greens/labour/sinn fein would bother coming to the site though,considering they have boards.ie

let me just say that I think we should be a lot less restrictive than RevLeft
Fair enough
Is the 32 county soverignty still running these days? Im not familiar with their politics but If so maybe their members would come on

[PRC-UTE]

how bout getting behind the existing Starry Plough Initiative?

all of its moderating team are unaligned to any movement, just individuals who advocate socialism. It's had participation from all shades of socialist thought in Irealnd as well, from Maoists to republican socialists and CWI comrades.

http://theplough.proboards57.com/

dig it.

[PRC-UTE]

Originally posted by Ulster Socialist+June 29, 2007 11:49 pm--> (Ulster Socialist @ June 29, 2007 11:49 pm)
[email protected] 27, 2007 03:05 pm

This is good because right now a lot of Greens are disaffected with their party, and might go seeking an alternative.
Ya that seems like the right idea.

I dont know if greens/labour/sinn fein would bother coming to the site though,considering they have boards.ie

let me just say that I think we should be a lot less restrictive than RevLeft
Fair enough
Is the 32 county soverignty still running these days? Im not familiar with their politics but If so maybe their members would come on [/b]
aye there's a member of the 32csm who posts on here and at the starry plough site uese the name quirk.

[redflag32]

Comrades,

I welcome this enthusiasm for a new Irish left discussion forum,and i would like to make this offer. As you know i am admin on the starry plough initiative forum and website. We are a non-aligned forum which promotes the ideals of socialism, our aim is to encourage discussion amongst the left and republican and progressive movements to enable a better understanding and solidarity amongst all those who have the same goal,a 32county socialist republic. We also welcome those who dont have the exact same train of thought as us and see things diferently,as long as it promotes healthy debate.

We had considered opening up a section of the forum to this unity of the left,we had planned on inviting people who represent various organisations and progressive movements to take part in the debate on this section which we were going to call the "solidarity" section. We were going to offer a special thread to each organisation which they could use as a promotional tool and also to explain there particular stance or struggle to other members of the forum,this would hopefully encourage a better understanding and solidarity amongst the movements. This has been very hard to get off the ground and i understand this isnt what you are talking about,but i hope it does show our attitude towards real unity and discussion with those who dont fit our specific political ideals.

I would encourage everyone here to get involved in the forum, which has grown alot recently and which i have done a bit of work on to make it run smootly. We try to make it very democratic so we have a "democratic" section where everythng is put to a vote in relation to the forum,only recently we got rid of the "ranking" system so that everyone is a comrade,and no preference goes to those who post more or less,also the karma system is gone aswell.

If its the republicanism you have a problem with then atleast come and debate your opinion,i personally dont see the point in dividing the left online,our forum is Marxist and believes that the way to socialism in ireland is through the destruction of the border. WE are republican in that we want to see a 32 county Ireland as a means of creating the socialist republic. If thats an arena you think you could debate in or would like to offer any opinions on what we could do with the forum to progress it then im all ears.

Also we have been in contact with rising youth who are an organisation which contains communists and republicans etc.. and its this we are trying to replicate in an online discussion forum. So whats your thoughts comrades?,i know those of you who know me from online know i have the best intentions at heart,this isnt me trying to advertise my forum,i dont even see it as that,i didnt create it,i was only asked to help,but i do have great belief in it. If you think we could advance it another stage then let me know,either way our forum is open to all socialists here who want to be part of something new and progressive.

And also its worth bearing in mind,that the starry plough initiative forum has been around for a long time and has credibility with many reputable left organisations in Ireland,they see we are constance and stable and this will be to our favour if we are to send out invites to get membership more diverse and create some sort of unity. Its a simple fact that a new organisation will get looked at for a few months before any organisation or person decides to jump in feet first,i think that sone thing we have in our favour anyway. :D

http://theplough.proboards57.com/index.cgi

[Connolly]

Id be up for it.

I think we should discuss in more detail how it would work (preferably in a more organized place than a single thread here), and what the "vision" for such a forum would be.

Some questions need to be asked straight off, ones PRC-UTE and redflag32 have mentioned.

Does the plan for a new forum differ from leftist forums that already exist? - if it does not, then I think its the case that motivation is power and control. That just wont work.

IMO, there is a void/vacuum for an all-leftist forum which differs from any I know of.

The left needs something to challenge, and with comparable forum structure, to Politics.ie

A sort of Indymedia of the leftist forum world.

Thats my view. Is that what others envisage?


My criticism of using the starry plough forum as opposed to establishing an entire new project is as follows.

- Collective control of at least 10 administrators should be needed to give it a "jump start" and initial traffic and discussion. I think by having that many admins the project rests on them and they are in some way attached. They would make more effort to contribute and post than a member who is not attached, or who can come and leave without a bother.

- At present, the Starry plough forum structure is not as "inviting" to all leftist backgrounds. What I mean is that there is no distinct features or place which would make an anarchist feel the urge to post, or even an SWP member. I think it has a distinct republican theme.

The starry plough has lots of advantages, such as those RF32 mentioned - not least - the admins themselves who are true assets and show total dedication (not me now, I mean RF32 and Caoimhain.) and are an example to all!

But lets discuss it.

[Qwerty Dvorak]

Id be up for it.

I think we should discuss in more detail how it would work (preferably in a more organized place than a single thread here), and what the "vision" for such a forum would be.

Some questions need to be asked straight off, ones PRC-UTE and redflag32 have mentioned.

Does the plan for a new forum differ from leftist forums that already exist? - if it does not, then I think its the case that motivation is power and control. That just wont work.

IMO, there is a void/vacuum for an all-leftist forum which differs from any I know of.

The left needs something to challenge, and with comparable forum structure, to Politics.ie

A sort of Indymedia of the leftist forum world.

Thats my view. Is that what others envisage?

Thanks, that's pretty much exactly how I envision such a forum.

redflag32, I have bookmarked your page and plan to start posting there. I think I may have been a member there before, but lost the link. I'm looking forward to getting in touch with the community there, however I would also like to see the establishment of the kind of board RedBanner outlined above.

[redflag32]

The forum,as i said is supposed to be run by the posters not the admin,thats why we have the democratic section ect... so please feel free to get involved and make it the forum you wish it to be. I personally dont see why an ararchist wouldnt feel welcome posting there,i have personally pm'd known anarchists who post online do invite them there,specificaly when a topic comes up that they would be interested in,but ive never recieved any reply. We make no excuses about being republican,i understand some may not be willing to get involvd based on this,but thats their own narrowmindedness not ours,i have got involved in debate on many anarchist or stalinist etc.. forums where i was in a minority and found it very rewarding. So th einvitation still stands comrades,and if the new forum goes tits up please feel free to contact me again.

[PRC-UTE]

Originally posted by [email protected] 01, 2007 09:54 am
I personally dont see why an ararchist wouldnt feel welcome posting there,i have personally pm'd known anarchists who post online do invite them there,specificaly when a topic comes up that they would be interested in,but ive never recieved any reply.
Comrade, they're probably too busy doing really really revolutionary stuff like vandalising the James Connolly monument to bother replying to you dodgey lumpen bank robbing republican socialist types!!

[PRC-UTE]

Don't sign up to the Starry Plough Initiative if you're in the Fifth Column or have ever been a member of the FC. Papa Caoimhain will sniff you out... and he will crush you.

[redflag32]

Originally posted by PRC-[email protected] 05, 2007 09:50 pm
Don't sign up to the Starry Plough Initiative if you're in the Fifth Column or have ever been a member of the FC. Papa Caoimhain will sniff you out... and he will crush you.
:lol: :lol: And also if your a hippie :P

[Dr Mindbender]

They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.

[PRC-UTE]

Originally posted by Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
nah we were just joking, using stalinist rhetoric like the fifth column.

[redflag32]

Originally posted by Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
Do you mean me Ulster Socialist? You know me,and know i am not what you implied. The last two post were personal jokes between us,nothing more,as i said i have personally invited anarchists and i have not recieved any reply. Currently we have stalinists,sinn feiners,republican socialists,lenninists,trotskyists so our forum is well balanced and because we run it as democratic as possible everyone gets a say. Why dont you get involved with our debates? We would love to see you there as i know you from before and your input would be appreciated greatly.

[Connolly]

Yeah, id like abit of clarity on that aswell. Who's sectarian? (loads gun) :D

[Dr Mindbender]

Originally posted by redflag32+July 07, 2007 07:39 pm--> (redflag32 @ July 07, 2007 07:39 pm)
Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
Do you mean me Ulster Socialist? You know me,and know i am not what you implied. The last two post were personal jokes between us,nothing more,as i said i have personally invited anarchists and i have not recieved any reply. Currently we have stalinists,sinn feiners,republican socialists,lenninists,trotskyists so our forum is well balanced and because we run it as democratic as possible everyone gets a say. Why dont you get involved with our debates? We would love to see you there as i know you from before and your input would be appreciated greatly. [/b]
No offence intended redflag, i took PRC-UTE's post in the literal context and had no reason to disbelieve him. I would love to come on the starry plough and other socialist republican fora, but i dont know how they would react to my 'alternative positionist' brand of socialism.

[I AM A GOP WRESTLING FAN]

HEY....FINLAY IS IRISH11111

[Dr Mindbender]

yes.. ahem
thank you for that inciteful input.

[PRC-UTE]

Originally posted by Ulster Socialist+July 07, 2007 11:51 pm--> (Ulster Socialist @ July 07, 2007 11:51 pm)
Originally posted by [email protected] 07, 2007 07:39 pm

Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
Do you mean me Ulster Socialist? You know me,and know i am not what you implied. The last two post were personal jokes between us,nothing more,as i said i have personally invited anarchists and i have not recieved any reply. Currently we have stalinists,sinn feiners,republican socialists,lenninists,trotskyists so our forum is well balanced and because we run it as democratic as possible everyone gets a say. Why dont you get involved with our debates? We would love to see you there as i know you from before and your input would be appreciated greatly.
No offence intended redflag, i took PRC-UTE's post in the literal context and had no reason to disbelieve him. I would love to come on the starry plough and other socialist republican fora, but i dont know how they would react to my 'alternative positionist' brand of socialism. [/b]
I was actually quoting Borat when referring to Caomhain sniffing out traitors. I thought it would be obvious. Apologies for seeming otherwise!

[redflag32]

Originally posted by Ulster Socialist+July 07, 2007 11:51 pm--> (Ulster Socialist @ July 07, 2007 11:51 pm)
Originally posted by [email protected] 07, 2007 07:39 pm

Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
Do you mean me Ulster Socialist? You know me,and know i am not what you implied. The last two post were personal jokes between us,nothing more,as i said i have personally invited anarchists and i have not recieved any reply. Currently we have stalinists,sinn feiners,republican socialists,lenninists,trotskyists so our forum is well balanced and because we run it as democratic as possible everyone gets a say. Why dont you get involved with our debates? We would love to see you there as i know you from before and your input would be appreciated greatly.
No offence intended redflag, i took PRC-UTE's post in the literal context and had no reason to disbelieve him. I would love to come on the starry plough and other socialist republican fora, but i dont know how they would react to my 'alternative positionist' brand of socialism. [/b]
Mate,the very reason for the forum is to encourage debate amongst differnt strands of the left so we would be delighted to have you there. Yes the admin are republican socialists and we will defend our position but not in an aggresive manner and nobody has been banned or even warned once yet,we see this as a very positive thing for the forum as most have terrible problems with trolls and messers.

We are strict on spam and trolls but if your honestly up for debate then anyone can speak,actually there was a poster who got banned from a republican forum who was pro Sf who supposedly was up to no good but we decided to let this poster on because nothing had been done on our forum,and low and behlold ther have been no problems.The last thing we are is narrow minded or "sectarian". So pop in if you want,the forum runs fairly slowly becaue of lack of numbers but that way you get ore from it i think,also we are tryng to get an "online study group" started but the numbers just isnt there. We started on lenins left communism and hope to do more,so even if your into that part of the forum get on and put something up as an option to be studied!

[redflag32]

Oh and in reply to us joking,dont take it seriously,it was somethign that was said on the starry plough initiative forum, you had to be there basically :D

[Dr Mindbender]

Originally posted by PRC-UTE+July 08, 2007 02:14 am--> (PRC-UTE @ July 08, 2007 02:14 am)
Originally posted by Ulster [email protected] 07, 2007 11:51 pm

Originally posted by [email protected] 07, 2007 07:39 pm

Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
Do you mean me Ulster Socialist? You know me,and know i am not what you implied. The last two post were personal jokes between us,nothing more,as i said i have personally invited anarchists and i have not recieved any reply. Currently we have stalinists,sinn feiners,republican socialists,lenninists,trotskyists so our forum is well balanced and because we run it as democratic as possible everyone gets a say. Why dont you get involved with our debates? We would love to see you there as i know you from before and your input would be appreciated greatly.
No offence intended redflag, i took PRC-UTE's post in the literal context and had no reason to disbelieve him. I would love to come on the starry plough and other socialist republican fora, but i dont know how they would react to my 'alternative positionist' brand of socialism.
I was actually quoting Borat when referring to Caomhain sniffing out traitors. I thought it would be obvious. Apologies for seeming otherwise! [/b]
Doh... I feel stupid now, Borat is one of my favourite movies too! :rolleyes:

[Dr Mindbender]

Originally posted by redflag32+July 08, 2007 11:19 am--> (redflag32 @ July 08, 2007 11:19 am)
Originally posted by Ulster [email protected] 07, 2007 11:51 pm

Originally posted by [email protected] 07, 2007 07:39 pm

Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
Do you mean me Ulster Socialist? You know me,and know i am not what you implied. The last two post were personal jokes between us,nothing more,as i said i have personally invited anarchists and i have not recieved any reply. Currently we have stalinists,sinn feiners,republican socialists,lenninists,trotskyists so our forum is well balanced and because we run it as democratic as possible everyone gets a say. Why dont you get involved with our debates? We would love to see you there as i know you from before and your input would be appreciated greatly.
No offence intended redflag, i took PRC-UTE's post in the literal context and had no reason to disbelieve him. I would love to come on the starry plough and other socialist republican fora, but i dont know how they would react to my 'alternative positionist' brand of socialism.
Mate,the very reason for the forum is to encourage debate amongst differnt strands of the left so we would be delighted to have you there. Yes the admin are republican socialists and we will defend our position but not in an aggresive manner and nobody has been banned or even warned once yet,we see this as a very positive thing for the forum as most have terrible problems with trolls and messers.

We are strict on spam and trolls but if your honestly up for debate then anyone can speak,actually there was a poster who got banned from a republican forum who was pro Sf who supposedly was up to no good but we decided to let this poster on because nothing had been done on our forum,and low and behlold ther have been no problems.The last thing we are is narrow minded or "sectarian". So pop in if you want,the forum runs fairly slowly becaue of lack of numbers but that way you get ore from it i think,also we are tryng to get an "online study group" started but the numbers just isnt there. We started on lenins left communism and hope to do more,so even if your into that part of the forum get on and put something up as an option to be studied! [/b]
Okay, ive set up an account on Starry plough, but my confirmation email still hasnt arrived. :(

I'll be sure to drop by when it does.

[redflag32]

Originally posted by Ulster Socialist+July 08, 2007 05:15 pm--> (Ulster Socialist @ July 08, 2007 05:15 pm)
Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 11:19 am

Originally posted by Ulster [email protected] 07, 2007 11:51 pm

Originally posted by redflag32[email protected] 07, 2007 07:39 pm

Ulster [email protected] 06, 2007 10:38 pm
They sound like a bunch of sectarians (in the leftist sense). Thanks for the heads up.
Do you mean me Ulster Socialist? You know me,and know i am not what you implied. The last two post were personal jokes between us,nothing more,as i said i have personally invited anarchists and i have not recieved any reply. Currently we have stalinists,sinn feiners,republican socialists,lenninists,trotskyists so our forum is well balanced and because we run it as democratic as possible everyone gets a say. Why dont you get involved with our debates? We would love to see you there as i know you from before and your input would be appreciated greatly.
No offence intended redflag, i took PRC-UTE's post in the literal context and had no reason to disbelieve him. I would love to come on the starry plough and other socialist republican fora, but i dont know how they would react to my 'alternative positionist' brand of socialism.
Mate,the very reason for the forum is to encourage debate amongst differnt strands of the left so we would be delighted to have you there. Yes the admin are republican socialists and we will defend our position but not in an aggresive manner and nobody has been banned or even warned once yet,we see this as a very positive thing for the forum as most have terrible problems with trolls and messers.

We are strict on spam and trolls but if your honestly up for debate then anyone can speak,actually there was a poster who got banned from a republican forum who was pro Sf who supposedly was up to no good but we decided to let this poster on because nothing had been done on our forum,and low and behlold ther have been no problems.The last thing we are is narrow minded or "sectarian". So pop in if you want,the forum runs fairly slowly becaue of lack of numbers but that way you get ore from it i think,also we are tryng to get an "online study group" started but the numbers just isnt there. We started on lenins left communism and hope to do more,so even if your into that part of the forum get on and put something up as an option to be studied!
Okay, ive set up an account on Starry plough, but my confirmation email still hasnt arrived. :(

I'll be sure to drop by when it does. [/b]
hmmm let me know if it still hasnt by end of day mate.

[Dr Mindbender]

Okay! its been set up. Ive made my first post, I just wrote a general greeting as well as my stance on Irish politics.