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GAA Athletes For A NO Vote

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I'm just wondering what other posters think about this. I don't want to know peoples opinions about the referendum debate itself, or any of of the arguments for or against the proposal. I'm just wondering if ordinary posters, whether GAA members or not, are happy to have the word 'GAA' so prominent in the title of the group. Does this give the impression that the GAA are backing this viewpoint, or should croke Park quickly distance themselves from it and not be seen to have an opinion either way on the issue. It's not that long ago that they refused to let a referee, ( I think it might have been David Gough), wear a wristband that would have shown his support for the same sex marriage referendum, stating that they couldn't be seen to endorse either side of the argument. Surely this is a similar situation, and I know people might say they are private individuals voicing an opinion, but by placing 'GAA' so prominently in their groups title, they are obviously trying to use it to influence the way members might vote. AHP (Dublin) - Posts: 323 - 22/04/2018 13:02:36 2094281 Link
I have no issue with them campaigning for a No vote, they are fully entitled to do so, but they shouldn't do it under the Gaa's banner. I presume the Gaa as an organisation will remain neutral on this issue and as such they should not allow either side campaign under their banner. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 22/04/2018 13:16:33 2094282 Link
I posted on this last night and it didn't get through. It's disgraceful. No one should be using the GAA title in the name of political lobbying. I find it pretty appalling that a coaching camp was run as a promotional event for this also. Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 22/04/2018 13:25:32 2094283 Link
Replying To Whammo86: "I posted on this last night and it didn't get through. It's disgraceful. No one should be using the GAA title in the name of political lobbying. I find it pretty appalling that a coaching camp was run as a promotional event for this also." They have some neck thinking they could use "GAA" as if was their own! jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 22/04/2018 14:06:50 2094293 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "They have some neck thinking they could use "GAA" as if was their own!" Sure when you have god on your side you can do anything you want. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 22/04/2018 14:15:01 2094297 Link
Replying To Htaem: "Sure when you have god on your side you can do anything you want." Ohh yeah that's right Forgot that.. Everyone has the right to vote anyway they want and if the Yes side were attaching their opinion to the GAA in a similar manner I'd say the same to them ! Sheer neck of some people... go and feck! jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 22/04/2018 14:24:51 2094301 Link
To the red thumbs Please explain your reason for giving red thumbs.. You simply can't use the GAA for your own means when it represents various opinions of all its members. Sorry but if that seems unacceptable to you then well..you're not worth the effort. jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 22/04/2018 14:29:33 2094302 Link
Will you guys apply the same criticism to the crowd trading as 'GAA fans for choice'? worple (Roscommon) - Posts: 339 - 22/04/2018 14:39:27 2094305 Link
Replying To Htaem: "I have no issue with them campaigning for a No vote, they are fully entitled to do so, but they shouldn't do it under the Gaa's banner. I presume the Gaa as an organisation will remain neutral on this issue and as such they should not allow either side campaign under their banner." Completely agree with this. GAA should be neutral. It also implies that all GAA athletes are voting no which regardless of what side your on you have to admit that is definitely not the case galwayfball (Galway) - Posts: 1678 - 22/04/2018 14:41:25 2094306 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "To the red thumbs Please explain your reason for giving red thumbs.. You simply can't use the GAA for your own means when it represents various opinions of all its members. Sorry but if that seems unacceptable to you then well..you're not worth the effort." This is the real problem with the thumbs down, it weakens debate, far easiler just hit a red thumb rather than type up a post. But then again maybe Hoganstand prefers it this way, less work to do. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 22/04/2018 14:47:13 2094312 Link
Replying To worple: "Will you guys apply the same criticism to the crowd trading as 'GAA fans for choice'?" Never heard of them, but like I said, the Gaa as an organisation should remain firmly neutral and not allow either side to campaign under their banner. That's fair for both sides. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 22/04/2018 14:55:53 2094313 Link
Replying To galwayfball: "Completely agree with this. GAA should be neutral. It also implies that all GAA athletes are voting no which regardless of what side your on you have to admit that is definitely not the case" Yes it's not a pleasant tactic and they should be called on it, as should anybody using the Gaa's banner to endorse a Yes vote. The Gaa needs to act quickly and decisively on this to clear up any doubt. Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 22/04/2018 14:58:30 2094314 Link
Replying To worple: "Will you guys apply the same criticism to the crowd trading as 'GAA fans for choice'?" I would yes. The GAA shouldn't be used as a tool for political lobbying Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 22/04/2018 15:04:35 2094317 Link
Replying To worple: "Will you guys apply the same criticism to the crowd trading as 'GAA fans for choice'?" I wasn't aware of them until now. That's also wrong. Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 22/04/2018 15:08:14 2094318 Link
Replying To Htaem: "This is the real problem with the thumbs down, it weakens debate, far easiler just hit a red thumb rather than type up a post. But then again maybe Hoganstand prefers it this way, less work to do." Sheer ignorance. Lesser sorts. jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 22/04/2018 15:18:01 2094319 Link
Replying To Whammo86: "I would yes. The GAA shouldn't be used as a tool for political lobbying" Said the same myself before he/she asked the question If Yes were at this I'd say the exact same! I can see the argument from both sides and both camps have many valid points, it's not an easy question but blatantly ignoring the opinions of other GAA members and hijacking the title of "GAA" for your own political goals is very underhanded and highly disrespectful. I hope the GAA acts on this and demands that its put right. jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 22/04/2018 15:25:14 2094322 Link
Agree with posters above - it is disgraceful for any group to try to hijack the Association in this manner. Members of the GAA will, if they vote, follow their conscience in voting 'yes' or 'no'. neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 22/04/2018 15:25:46 2094323 Link
Replying To Whammo86: "I posted on this last night and it didn't get through. It's disgraceful. No one should be using the GAA title in the name of political lobbying. I find it pretty appalling that a coaching camp was run as a promotional event for this also." I agree with you about the tactic of running a coaching camp alongside their launch. Obviously designed to draw a bigger crowd. The local club in that area, Ballyfermot DLS were forced to put out a statement distancing themselves from the launch and stating that no club facilities or members had any involvement with it, and saying that the decision to attend the coaching would be solely up to individual children and their parents. I've no idea how many, if any, attended but it was a difficult position for parents to be put in. Ballyfermot would be one of the smaller clubs in Dublin, with I think only one adult team playing in junior 8 or 9, so the kids in the club wouldn't be seeing inter county players down their pitches on a regular basis like kids involved with the likes of Ballymun or Kilmacud,. Therefore I'd imagine the lure of being coached by 'real' GAA stars was a serious temptation for the kids and therefore a serious moral dilemma for the parents given the real reason behind the free coaching. AHP (Dublin) - Posts: 323 - 22/04/2018 16:33:18 2094331 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "To the red thumbs Please explain your reason for giving red thumbs.. You simply can't use the GAA for your own means when it represents various opinions of all its members. Sorry but if that seems unacceptable to you then well..you're not worth the effort." As for the red thumbs, I got two, so far, for simply asking the question. I didn't offer an opinion one way or the other. Perhaps it was too difficult a question to understand or might it be reflective of some peoples attitude to free speech on certain subjects. AHP (Dublin) - Posts: 323 - 22/04/2018 16:46:11 2094334 Link
The GAA has issued a statement saying that they are neutral on the issue. Of course it will have members on both sides. Everyone is entitled to their viewpoint and both sides are entitled to campaign, but using the organisation's name like this is wrong as is the misinformation broadcast in all media outlets by the No side. Democracy only works when accurate facts are presented to the electorate. cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 22/04/2018 17:19:50 2094338 Link