Why Are These Terrorists Still Bothering?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62zr6d2v07o

The country they want to reunite with is run by unelected foreign bureaucrats anyway. Seems rather pointless.

[DDIL]

🙄

[Untitled]

many people do not see EU membership as an obstacle to political independence

[adinagreen12]

That’s a fair take — it reflects a pretty common sentiment, especially among those skeptical of the EU’s structure. The idea that decisions are being made by "unelected bureaucrats in Brussels" has been one of the core criticisms for years, particularly during the Brexit debate.

But it's also a bit of a shorthand — here’s a quick reality check on that idea:

The European Commission, often seen as the "unelected bureaucrats," is made up of officials nominated by each member state, including the UK back when it was a member. The Commission President is elected by the European Parliament and approved by the European Council.

The European Parliament is directly elected by EU citizens, and the Council of the EU is composed of ministers from elected national governments — so there is a democratic structure, albeit a complex one.

That said, it's easy to see why people feel distant from the process. The EU can seem opaque, with a lot of decision-making happening in ways that don't feel directly accountable to the average citizen. So even if the mechanisms exist, the perception of unaccountability lingers.

[Khandro]

 

RE. the 'Utterly shameful' pic.

They put the right leg in, 

The right leg out,

The left leg in & shake it all about,

They do the hokey-cokey & they turn around.

And that's what it's all about!

[Old_Geezer]

It matters not who nominated the Commission since they are still there due to patronage given the public never voted for them.

 

The parliament is a facade. It can not introduce anything, merely stamp what the Commission wants, or see it come back on another form after a bribe of some sort to the dissenting nation.

 

And since different cultures can pass something you don't agree with and you have no veto, well clearly anyone who doesn't see EU membership as an obstacle to political independence is being willfully blind.

[Old_Geezer]

As for NI, and the republican dissenters, they need to sort themselves out ot there will be a return of the "Troubles".

[ynnafymmi]

Yes,as Gerry Adams said these SinnFein/IRA bastrads havent went away.These are the same bastrads that celebrated the SinnFein/IRA mass murderers of Omagh 1998.May they burn in hell.

[sandyRoe]

Sunn Fein and the IRA had nothing to do with the Omagh bombing .

[Clone]

None of the bombers were ever in the IRA?

[ynnafymmi]

@13.54.Aye,sandy,right.Nothing in NI happened without the IRA knowing about it beforehand.They had prior knowledge of the bombing.But what the heck,not that i give a damn,just more blood on the Irish peoples hands.

[DDIL]

It was carried out by RIRA not IRA as RIRA was against the ceasefire.

There is no way the IRA would risk the gains of the Good Friday agreement.

[DDIL]

1400 do you have evidence of your claim? You should work for MI5 and the PSNI with such fantastic knowledge!

[New Judge]

“…many people do not see EU membership as an obstacle to political independence”

Then it must be because they are ill-informed.

EU member nations forfeit control of large areas of legislation which should be the responsibility of their own legislature to the European Court of Justice. Whilst not specifically stated in the Lisbon Treaty (presumably because they don’t want anyone to know) EU law enjoys supremacy over members’ national law in all areas where members have ceded sovereignty to the EU.

The ECJ has consistently held that EU law takes precedence over national law, including constitutional provisions, whenever there's a conflict. This means Member States are obligated to apply EU law and cannot apply conflicting national law.

The principle of the primacy of (EU) law is based on the idea that where a conflict arises between an aspect of EU law and an aspect of law in an EU Member State, EU law will prevail. If this were not the case, Member States could simply allow their national laws to take precedence over primary or secondary EU legislation, and the pursuit of EU policies would become unworkable.

Any nation which has ceded sovereignty in this way is no longer politically independent and it never will be so long as it remains an EU member.

However, I feel we digress.

[newmodarmy]

The question of why certain terrorist groups continue their activities, despite facing significant opposition and the complexities of their political goals, is multifaceted. To address this, we need to consider several key factors that contribute to the persistence of terrorism.

Historical Context

Many terrorist organizations have deep historical roots that are tied to specific grievances. These grievances often stem from colonial histories, ethnic conflicts, or perceived injustices that have persisted over decades or even centuries. For instance, groups may feel marginalized or oppressed by a government they view as illegitimate or foreign-imposed. This sense of injustice can fuel a desire for violent action as a means of achieving political objectives.

Ideological Motivations

Terrorist groups often operate under strong ideological frameworks that justify their actions. These ideologies can be religious, nationalist, or revolutionary in nature. For example, some groups may believe that their cause is divinely ordained or that they are fighting against an oppressive regime. This ideological commitment can create a powerful motivation to continue their struggle despite setbacks.

Recruitment and Radicalization

The recruitment process for terrorist organizations often capitalizes on social and economic vulnerabilities. Young individuals in conflict zones or those facing discrimination may be more susceptible to radicalization. The promise of belonging to a cause greater than themselves can attract recruits who feel disenfranchised by mainstream society. Additionally, social media and online platforms have made it easier for these groups to spread their messages and recruit new members globally.

Political Dynamics

In many cases, the political landscape plays a crucial role in sustaining terrorism. If a group perceives that peaceful political avenues are closed off—due to repression, lack of representation, or electoral manipulation—they may resort to violence as a means of making their voices heard. Furthermore, ongoing conflicts can create environments where terrorism thrives due to instability and weakened state authority.

Foreign Intervention and Influence

Foreign involvement in regional conflicts can also exacerbate tensions and contribute to the persistence of terrorism. When external powers intervene—whether through military action or support for certain factions—they can inadvertently fuel resentment among local populations. This resentment can lead to increased support for terrorist organizations that oppose foreign influence.

Psychological Factors

Finally, psychological factors play a significant role in the continuation of terrorism. The trauma experienced by individuals in conflict zones can lead to cycles of violence where revenge becomes a motivating factor for both perpetrators and victims alike. Moreover, the normalization of violence within certain communities can perpetuate terrorist activities across generations.

In summary, the persistence of terrorism is influenced by historical grievances, ideological motivations, recruitment dynamics, political contexts, foreign interventions, and psychological factors. Each situation is unique but often shares common threads that help explain why these groups continue their activities despite facing significant challenges.

[newmodarmy]

The persistence of Irish republican terrorism, despite the political changes in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, is a complex issue rooted in historical grievances, ideological commitments, and evolving political landscapes. To understand why some factions continue to engage in or support acts of terrorism, it is essential to delve into the historical context, the ideological underpinnings of Irish republicanism, and the contemporary political environment.

Historical Context

Irish republicanism has its roots in centuries-long struggles against British rule. The desire for Irish self-determination dates back to events such as the 1798 Rebellion led by the United Irishmen and was further fueled by subsequent uprisings throughout the 19th century. The partition of Ireland in 1921, which resulted in the establishment of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom and the creation of an independent Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland), left deep-seated divisions. Many republicans viewed partition as a betrayal of their goal for a united Ireland.

The Troubles, a violent conflict from the late 1960s to 1998, saw paramilitary groups like the Provisional IRA engage in armed struggle against British forces and loyalist paramilitaries. The Good Friday Agreement (GFA) of 1998 marked a significant milestone towards peace but did not resolve all issues related to identity, sovereignty, and governance. Some factions rejected the GFA's terms as insufficient for achieving full Irish unity.

Ideological Underpinnings

Irish republican ideology is grounded in principles such as national sovereignty, anti-imperialism, and cultural nationalism. For hardline republicans, these principles are non-negotiable. They view any form of British presence or influence in Northern Ireland as illegitimate. This ideological commitment can be seen as an extension of historical narratives that emphasize resistance against colonial rule.

Moreover, some factions perceive themselves as custodians of an unbroken tradition of resistance dating back to earlier generations who fought for independence. This sense of historical continuity provides both motivation and justification for continued militancy.

Contemporary Political Environment

While it may seem paradoxical that some republicans continue their struggle given that both Northern Ireland and the Republic are part of broader European structures like the EU—which involves ceding certain aspects of sovereignty—their focus remains primarily on national unity rather than supranational governance structures.

The EU's role is often seen through a pragmatic lens; it provides economic benefits and frameworks for cooperation but does not address core republican demands regarding national identity and territorial integrity. Furthermore, Brexit has introduced new complexities by altering relationships between Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and Europe—reviving discussions about borders and sovereignty.

Dissident groups such as the New IRA or Continuity IRA reject compromises made by mainstream parties like Sinn Féin within constitutional frameworks established post-GFA. They argue that true republican goals have been diluted or abandoned altogether by those participating in power-sharing arrangements with unionists.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there may be external perceptions that continued acts by Irish republican terrorists are "pointless" due to changing political dynamics involving entities like the EU—these actions must be understood within their specific historical context where deeply ingrained ideologies persist alongside unresolved grievances about national identity and territorial division.