Welsh Board?

Clatch · Welsh Board?

I know there are a few Welsh posters on here. Could you tell me if there exists something similar to this in the English language but for Wales? I know of the maes-e forum in Welsh. If not, then do you think there should be one?

SLG

Here's a site that is mainly in English http://freewales.11.forumer.com/index.php

It's a new site, so it's still pretty quiet. Not sure about any others.

Clatch

Thanks SLG. Let's hope it gets a little busier but it has the potential I think........

Cado

Had a quick flick.

One thing caught my attention: "Direct Action"

Without knowing EXACTLY what is meant by that (ie just demonstations or what) isn't that sort of thing politically very risky in the sence that it can be very counter-productive?

Simply put the argument in question (Welsh Independence) should be able to be won of the merit of the argument alone - if you feel the need to resort to 'direct action', well, I'd argue that that is a sign of 'desperation' - not trying to be rude.

On the presumption that you'd never be independent without a majority of people voting for it - then you NEED people to vote for it. To vote for it they need to WANT to vote for it.

By taking direct action don't you risk just 'hardening' opinion..those who were already pro, stay pro, those who were against end up being firmly against.

Deadlock. You're stuck.

Any argument of such significance as this should be able to be won on the merits of the argument alone - to feel the need to resort to anything outside of the conventional process, to me, demonstrates a lack of confidence in merits of what it is you are proposing.

In which case go back to the drawing board and work at it till you come up something that people want - at least that way if it succeeds it'll be because people like what you're offering and will have walked into a polling station and put an 'x' in the appropriate box.

Just a few thoughts.

Pragmatic Pict

I think the arson attacks on second homes in Wales may have already achieved this, although attitudes are softening.
This is what I have observed living in Wales

elidir

Hi Cado, I support the changing of society by democratic means as do you but the context and history of ressistance in Wales has always included non-conformist direct action/political protest- it's part of the Welsh political tradition- from Rebecca to the present day. Now by that I mean non-violent direct action and not only regarding our linguistic rights. These are legitimate means to protest and can be effective in changing society as they have in other countries and throughout history. The status of the Welsh language was improved by the direct action taken in the sixties in the destruction of english only road signs - such activity did progressivly change society. So even if such action is interpreted as desperation it can be effective and ethically justifiable when authority is intransigent and opressive.

For those who are not represented by conventional interests direct action may be the only way of being heard and as it is a dangerous and difficult path to choose for the protester it not usually taken lightly. I think that the deteriorating status of all our rights in the UK state will surely increase the incidence of non-violent direct action as more and more groups and communities experience intensifying social exclusion and the erosion of rights under a conventioal process that aleready inadequate and is being slowly subverted by the powerfull.

There are political philosophies which present such action as neccessary when other means are exhausted (and again I'm not reffering to violent actions against people) including pacifist and religious denominations. Sometimes direct action is a sign of the strength of conviction to a cause and indicative of enourmous courage especially when such action is taken fully cognizant of the punishment that will be certainly meted out.

Consider the African Americans in Birmingham in the sixties when a black woman refused to stand up to allow a white person to take her seat. The ensuing direct action nearly crippled the bus companies who's profits were damaged by the refusal of black people to ride the buses. I think that this example could be viewed as desperate but this was also an act of courage and an expression of the power of direct action.

I've seen the website and admittedly< like you, I'm unclear as to what type of action is being proposed; I hope it is the type I have outlined above.

Theresa

SLG wrote:

Aventinian

"Consider the African Americans in Birmingham in the sixties when a black woman refused to stand up to allow a white person to take her seat. The ensuing direct action nearly crippled the bus companies who's profits were damaged by the refusal of black people to ride the buses. I think that this example could be viewed as desperate but this was also an act of courage and an expression of the power of direct action. "

Without knowing much about the American civil rights campaigns, I doubt it was the private companies enforcing bus segregation. More likely the state governments.

The beauty of free markets is that it works against private interests to discriminate. It's more likely that will be the preserve of the state, who are often actually rewarded for it.

IF Convenor

Without knowing much about the American civil rights movement you are prepared to pontificate anyway. Do a bit of research before opening your mouth will you?

You clearly have no idea of the conditions which prevailed in the southern US back then. Pure capitalist enterprise still works within the cultural norms of its environment. It was []universal[/i] at that time in that place that people were segregated by their colour. Private businesses had separate facilities just as government, etc. had. As long as they were collecting their fares the bus companies didn't give a damn about their passengers' rights and would not have even considered desegregating unless it hurt their profits. That's what the boycott was all about, to force them to change.

wisnaeme

Blackadder

Democracy disappeared from the States almost as soon as Lincoln finished the Gettysburg Address, wherein he said ... "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ...that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ... and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Which it immediately did!

Booth didn't fire enough bullets into the back of that head!

elidir

Cyfarchion Clatch, here are some links to Welsh political websites:

Welsh Republican Comment
http://groups.msn.com/WelshRepublicanComment

Welsh Republican Debate
http://ctd.6.forumer.com/index.php

Balchder – Pride of Wales
http://www.balchdercymru.com/

Anti-Monarchist
http://www.iforbach.demon.co.uk/no_more_fairy_tales1.htm

Ein Gwlad Magazine
http://eingwlad.com/

Owain Glyndwr's Embassy
http://owain-glyndwr-embassyllysgenhadaeth.blogspot.c

The first one is a forum of good quality. Hope you enjoy, sorry I took so longto put these up for you.