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People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

Irish boycott for Lennox the alleged pit bull not a good idea -- Lots of more serious issues that the Irish have to deal with

Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:10 AM
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Protesters at British Consulate in New York
There are protests outside the Irish and British consulates in New York and newspapers in Ireland report their phones are swamped with calls and texts about Lennox the alleged pit bull and his imminent execution.

There are further last attempts to free Lennox, led by Northern Irish First Minister Peter Robinson, and have him sent to another country, and I hope they succeed.

The decision was handed down by Northern Ireland’s top court if you can believe that. I guess after The Troubles they don’t have that much to deal with.

The owners of seven-year-old Lennox deny he is that breed and they seem to have a very good case.

But it was an email in response to an article about Lennox the alleged pit bull who is set to be destroyed in Belfast on Tuesday, because pit bulls are banned there, that really caught my eye.

The email called for a boycott of all things Irish, including travel to Ireland, if the dog is put down.

Apparently, judging by responses, this has been seriously discussed in circles and some Americans have even made their way over to Belfast to protest about Lennox.

I don’t think Lennox should be put down, I think the decision to “arrest” him and keep him for two years is bureaucracy gone mad but I don’t think it is worth organizing a national boycott to protest his position.

I know dog lovers feel intensely connected to their animals and Lennox has had a very raw deal. But organizing boycotts of Ireland and Irish products goes way too far.

There are much more serious events involving humans that deserve attention.

No one talked about boycotts during the church sex scandals when hundreds of priests were revealed as pedophiles.

No one talked about boycotts when banks ran amok and stiffed customers for hundreds of millions and the Irish government then ordered that the taxpayers pay it all back.

Yet there is serious talk over the unfortunate and very bizarre jailing and likely execution of Lennox.
It is a strange world.


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59 comments

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occassio | Jul 13, 2012, 09:28 PM EDT
chickwdog. You are right. Boycotting all that is Irish is off the mark. Way off. Please focus your energies on the BCC and their cohorts. All of Ireland is not responsible for this debacle. At any rate, Belfast is in the North. Don't water down this cause. Stick to the North and Belfast and the BCC. And England, if that's the point of origin for this inane, irresponsible legislation.

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EamonnDublin | Jul 13, 2012, 06:03 AM EDT
"Mooserule" - If your comment purports to be a response to mine, you might care to read mine again - properly this time. I am, of course, not denying anybody the right to choose what causes you support. I am stating clearly that to subject the Republic of Ireland to a boycott is absurd, because the Republic of Ireland has NOTHING to do with it. A boycott of the ROI is, in this instance, synonymous with a boycott of any random country - shall we say, Germany.... or maybe Greece, or Italy ? Take your pick - they have nothing to do with it either. Please read my post, as I say, properly. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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moosesrule | Jul 12, 2012, 03:50 PM EDT
We are speaking up for a soul that had no voice. We are all free to choose who and what causes we support.

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chickwdog | Jul 12, 2012, 03:47 PM EDT
To boycott anything Irish is not thinking straight. If you want to do anything, remember Lennox and focus on the people who did the unjustice. These people (the BCC) are sorry. Their lack of intelligence is mind shattering. So I say rally and go after the BCC. Not Ireland. This was a personal issue towards Lennox for whatever reasons, we may never know. So make it personal against them...

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ciaradexy | Jul 12, 2012, 12:53 PM EDT
Heya Eamo! Hope you're well. God to hear from you. Most articles on thissite are anti-Ireland/Irish anyway as are most Americans who claim to be Irish yet slag us off! I dunno, whatever floats their boat I suppose! I couldnt care less if the Yanks boycott us over a dog to be honest. We've all seen the programmes about how the yanks treat chickens bound for KFC and how the yanks are clearing forests in the Amazon for their cows bound for McDonalds. They really are deluded and self rightgeous! Im just glad that the yanks I know and those Im related to are the polar opposite of these tools. The last couple of presidents have the US wrecked, you cant just blame Obama. We'll be back on track soon. 5 years and we'll be sorted!

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EamonnDublin | Jul 12, 2012, 03:40 AM EDT
Hi Ciara, Yup! I forgot to log-in again (below)! I trust you are keeping well. It's a pity that "Irish Central" has turned itself into an apparently anti-Irish type Daily Rant. The editorial staff ignore the beauty of being lucky enough to live in a place like this. Difficult economic times happen - the trick is to overcome them, which we will do. As for the USA, a place I love dearly also, I'm afraid it's present president has all but wrecked it. Yes, killing a dog is very bad stuff, but instead of talking about boycotting all things Irish, I feel the American people should be determining ways to get away from the massive black hole into which they are descending. I hope and pray it doesn't happen, but most of the electorate there appear to have their eyes closed to what is occurring. A few difficult years (even twenty) in Ireland is one thing, but catastrophe in the USA will re-shape the world - for the worse. Best Wishes, Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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EamonnDublin | Jul 12, 2012, 03:26 AM EDT
"MichaelC" is totally correct. With due respect to my American friends who are calling for a boycott of all things "Irish", you are way off the mark. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The rest of Ireland is The Republic of Ireland. As Belfast City Council is part of Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom ("UK"), we in the Republic of Ireland had no hand, act nor part in the discussion about Lennox. Hence, any boycott of all "Irish" goods and services is totally unjustified and immoral. It's like blaming South Korea for the misery in North Korea. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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beckette | Jul 11, 2012, 05:02 PM EDT
pri.figueiredo: The BCC killed Lennox today, that is why we are going forward with the boycott.

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pri.figueiredo | Jul 11, 2012, 03:58 PM EDT
Seriously?Humans have problems?No sh*t!That1s a first.But tell me something...who solves human problems?The humans.And who is supposed to solve this awful Lennox stalemate?Teh dogs? If people turn their backs to this not only will the dog die, but it'll set the precedent for the humans to legally dispose and abuse animals and their owners all over the world.I don't know about you, but I'd much rather have a boycott now than further problems later on... Shame.Not a dime of my tourist money is EVER going there.

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MichaelC | Jul 11, 2012, 03:58 PM EDT
My fellow Americans...please remember these events happened in Northern Ireland, which is different from the Republic of Ireland (South Ireland). The Republic of Ireland is not a part of the UK. Do not boycott all things Irish; you'll only hurt people who are not involved in this case. Focus the anger at the Belfast City Council. And for my Irish friends, please kindly correct anything I said regarding the two countries.

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beckette | Jul 11, 2012, 03:45 PM EDT
I think a boycott is a wonderful idea and I have just decided not to shop in Ireland for a sport horse as I was looking forward to doing this fall. BOYCOTT ALL THINGS IRISH!! No apologies for how I feel. Take it up with the Council, they have brought this upon themselves and the good people of Ireland.

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lyndz | Jul 11, 2012, 03:34 PM EDT
Actually a boycott is called for, you know why? Because this is not just about a dog anymore, this is about the blatant and incompassionate abuse of power shown by in authority. The BCC were making animal noises over the phone when people were ringing to express their disgust on this debacle. Are these the kind of people you want running a City? They have become nothing but a bunch of power weilding Dictators. They should join forces with the taleban, they already have lots of experience blowing up their own people. i say Boycott the whole bloody dysfunctional country. They are all a bunch of idiots. Drunk in Charge. Drunk with Power. There are already lots of businesses who are withdrawing from Belfast over this. Good Bloody job. ihope the bastards end up on their knees where they belong

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KerryLKing | Jul 11, 2012, 03:10 PM EDT
Well said AMurphyJordan...very well said. And I'm not surprised that "the North" doesn't care about anything/ anyone but themselves!!

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EamonnDublin | Jul 11, 2012, 02:56 PM EDT
"Greyfel" - Sorry, I hadn't realised you had maybe protested "elsewhere" about the murder of the young woman in Afghanistan. If you would be kind enough to guide me to where you did so, I will be delighted to read it. Also, I think you might need me to clarify one point: although I love animals and find the killing of a dog disgusting, I value innocent human life as having priority over animals. Thank you. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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AMurphyJordan | Jul 11, 2012, 02:07 PM EDT
Mr Roberts, this may seem bizarre to you but this is something that was as simple as someone saying "okay, why don't we let him go home" and that would have been that. The issues of the Catholic Church abuses, the banking crisis and all that is out of the average Joe's hands. If this is such a minor issue, why didn't BCC listen? If they're not going to listen to people regarding the life of one dog.....how is everyone supposed to believe they're going to listen to them about anything else?

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