I'm like most people in being disgusted at the current Bush adminstration. But I'm not one for protesting, just not in my nature. I hear what you are saying but have to disagree with you on the point you made about 'Ireland supporting America's War On Iraq by letting them use Shannon Airport'. I don't think we really had much choice in the matter. If we agreed to let them use it, which we did, we kept up trade links and on friendly terms with America. If we didn't let them use it, then we would've been considered traitors in the eyes of many Americans. Believe it or not, many Americans do support Bush. American companies would have looked twice in setting up in Ireland, exports to our country might have increased and we would've been considered the enemy. Maybe by allowing the Americans stop off, made us a target by Al Queda but who isn't a target by them? I have nothing wrong with people voicing their anti-war, anti-bush opinions but I don't think that Ireland were in favour of the war just because our goverment took a sensible step in keeping links with the most powerful country in the world alive. I think the only protesting that I'll be doing is buying the new Damien Rice/Christy Moore single.

The argument that collaborating with the warmongers is necessary to keep American business rolling into Ireland is a fallacy. Businesses invest in Ireland for business reasons - tax breaks, availability of a well educated labour force, proximity to Europe etc. If it makes business sense they'll stay here. If it doesn't they won't. The Irish government's attitude to the war and the use of Shannon is of no interest to them. If it made more sense economically to invest in Puerto Rico these businesses would pull out of Ireland in a heartbeat, no matter how much licking of Bush's arse our spineless incompetent Taoiseach does.

Gar, without a doubt what you say is sensible but that doesn't necessarily make it right. If you do the wrong thing for the right reasons your actions are still wrong. Dromed, I don't agree with these protests 'cause there are too many people talking pure s**te at them. For better or worse what's done is done and trying to make America pull out of Iraq immediately is incredibly short sighted and not overly intelligent. There are certain realities some people seem to over look so as they don't have to cringe at the sound of their own words. I don't know what your stance is on this situation so please don't take what I've said as a personal attack. I'm just a bit sick of having anti bush propaganda in my face the whole time. Truth is he's no better or worse than any other American president in the last 50 years. They've all caused their share of misery. At least Bush is so stupid that he'll never be able to persuade all of Europe to go with him. Would this be the case with Kerry? Bush for 4 more years is what I say

I totally disagree with Bush coming to Ireland although I won't protest (don't believe that they give a good return on investment). My main concern is the fact that we are deploying 4,000 gardaí and 2,000 soldiers to Shannon airport just for the safety concerns of one man. And that one man being anyone, let alone Bush who is so intellectually inferior, having that much spent on his personal security is an absolute disgrace. People on waiting lists for operations etc., yet our incredible country is prepared to splash out the taxes of its hard-working(?) citizens on this circus!!

I disagree, I think that some American companies would've packed up and left had we refused to let the Americans stop at Shannon. Of coures they are here over our tax breaks, everyone knows that. But the roots of their companies, who funds them are also heavy weight business men who have political links. Everything revolves around the politics. Sure wasn't Bush's campaign funded by oil companies and he just happens to attack a major oil supplier in Iraq. Many Americans are very patriotic and like El Duderino said most American presidents are the same. So I think that if Ireland refused to give the Americans access to refuel, some not all American based companies here might leave. And because I think Bertie Ahern was right to keep the links with America alive is not me justifying the actions of Bush. I am against the war but I'm not going to march or protest against a foreign president. If thats the case, why don't we all start up a march against Fidel Castro next week. Again, this is just an opinion not an attack on anyone. I respect each of the opinions posted here even if I don't agree with all of them.

I'm not going to go on a rant, though it's hard not to, everyone has their own opinions. John Doe you make an accurate point about American companies/money being in Ireland for tax reasons and little else and I'm glad you did. We supposedly live in a democracy, so why were we not given a chance to decide for ourselves if we supported the Amercian military planes using Shannon Airport? To say that the threat of them pulling out of our country or maybe hassling Irish people trying to get into America is enough of a reason to accommodate America to continue the war and the killing of innocent Iraqis is, quite frankly, disgraceful and not bloddy good enough. We have the 'privilege' of living in the West where we take our feedom for granted. We have that luxury. Iraq and so many others don't. Apathy is the biggest killer here. I'm not going to get into it anymore, I'm not trying to preach and I'm sorry if I'm getting irate, it just seems tragic to me that people can turn a blind eye to what's going on and sleep at night. El Dude it's a pity you feel that their is sh*te talked about at the protests, but if you feel that way you are entitled not to go along. But to be fair, is the end result not more important...if that end result is even only to show the government that we don't agree, that we are not apathetic and that we do care about what's happening? If they won't let you voice your opinion in a vote, then speak with your feet. If that's all attending a protest can amount to, and that means listeing to some shi*te talk for half an hour,then I think it's the least we can do. But that's me....each to their own. Just don't think that little old you can't make a difference and that your opinion counts for nothing, have some faith, cos you can, and it does.

I'm sorry for going on but if our government gave the people a vote whether to allow the Americans to land, thye would've voted no. Many people who vote against our government do so for the sake of it. These are the same people who do not take an active interest in Irish politics but are somehow experts when it comes to Bertie Ahern, branding him a corrupt thief etc. Just because The Star or The Sun tells you what to think with their bold headlines doesn't make it alright. Or just because someone has watched a Michael Moore movie or read his book, doesn't make them on expert either. I'm no expert, far from it. I actually think that Bertie is a decent Taoiseach and made the right decision not to give the vote ot the people. Of course, we should be allowed vote on such a serious matter but then again we shouldn't. Too many people are infleunced by the media or other neagtive comments which disables them in seeing the bigger picture, which is our trade, economic and security links with America. Of course, I'm not forgetting about the Iraqi people. Civilains die everyday, it is tragic and I am not saying that f*ck Iraq. I am against the war. But its tough to break down all this. I think that the whole Shannon incident is over and we should just move on. If Bush wants come over and waltz around, let him...who cares. I don't agree with the march or with the anti-Bush concert that went on. But that's just me!!!

The sad fact is that in the age we live in little old us can't make a difference because everything revolves around big business. The government don't care what the youth think 'cause by and large the youth don't vote. I would be curious to know how many people attending this protest actually made the effort to vote in the last elections. Dromed, going to these rallies is all very well and good if the people speaking at them can offer viable alternatives. This is not the case though. I was at that really big protest last year and no one addressing the crowd was offering any alternatives to invading Iraq. There were and are alternatives but no one seems to be even looking for them. Ultimately if the speakers come across as crusty old hippies, espousing some long dead rhetoric all it's gonna do is polarise both sides making a compromise impossible. The Americans started this whole process about 50 years ago and no one has thought of speaking up until now. I just can't helpbut be cynical about these protests

I agree about the protests not being great. I will defintely not be attending but that's me. As for youth voting, I'm only 20 and I voted at recent elections. I also encouraged all my mates to vote aswell so I think that is changing slightly but not rapidly enough. I think the media has alot to do with this. If the the reporting in the media changes then so might attiudes and then voting percentages might rise again. Can we just put this argument to bed. All of us agree to disagree even though we acknowledge eachother's points?

I apologise for my earlier political rants. To turn the topic towards music. I ask the question, is it right for musicans to use their public profile to influence people's way of thinking? This recent 'When Bush Comes To Shove' gig was the most recent event for musicans to say their say. Is this right? Do people take the opinions by musicans too seriously (remember the outrage at Steve Earle's song 'Johnny Walkers Blues')?

As always the Rev Jules delivers knowledge beyond the Pale and drags it all the way from Nashville to this board. Very insightful. Alot of my own and my Dad's cd collection are swamped with American artists, many of whom write political active songs. I'm a big fan of Steve Earle and even if I don't believe with some of his views it would not deter me from listening to his music or buying his cd's. In fact, I was so intrigued by 'Johnny Walker's Blues' that I bought the cd and dvd of 'An American Boy' and now that tune is on many mix cd's of mine. Maybe Christy Moore is the only one to stand out with his political views through his music. With 'Ronald Regan' being a classic example. But then again it could be argued that Damien Dempsey is making a big splash with his simplistic yet honest songwriting. This debate seems yet to wind on further.