I was reading through a bunch of Tony Benn interviews the other day. I am reading through his diaries and wanted to look up his opinion about certain subjects such as the situation in Northern Ireland.
Anyway - in some of the interviews (which took place after he retired as an MP) - he says he does not support violence. But at times it is justified - as per the fight against the Nazis to give one example.
He then goes on to say that he actually supported the IRA's campaign of bombing the British. A pretty remarkable statement from one of the most famous politicians in British history. He actually said in one of his interviews that he could never be too forthcoming in his views since it would be impossible for an MP to be elected who had sympathy for those groups who were trying to blow up the very constituents who elected him!
He also said Chairman Mao was the greatest person of the twentieth century. So - he is pretty out there in some of his opinions.
Anyway - the question of Tony Benn's support for the IRA is one that he never quite clearly stated in any one interview. But is one that comes across in a number of his interviews.
I will just post this up so that you know I am not full of shit:
Anyway - I think Tony Benn's position is interesting. Since it reminds me that whilst countries never forget about the terrorist outrages that take place against their own country. We care very little about the many innocent people who are killed via drone attacks, stealth bombers and the launching of missiles against countries suspected of 'hiding terrorists'.
So - whilst at first I was pretty shocked at Tony Benn's support for the IRA. Since you don't expect such a famous British MP to have such sympathies. He has opened my eyes a little in terms of not being too quick to condemn. Since it ultimately comes down to the idea of one man's freedom fighter being another man's terrorist.
Anyway - I just want to mention this since I feel those on the left in the UK have no idea that there one of their heroes had sympathy for a group who aim was to blow up those very same people!
Anyway - in some of the interviews (which took place after he retired as an MP) - he says he does not support violence. But at times it is justified - as per the fight against the Nazis to give one example.
He then goes on to say that he actually supported the IRA's campaign of bombing the British. A pretty remarkable statement from one of the most famous politicians in British history. He actually said in one of his interviews that he could never be too forthcoming in his views since it would be impossible for an MP to be elected who had sympathy for those groups who were trying to blow up the very constituents who elected him!
He also said Chairman Mao was the greatest person of the twentieth century. So - he is pretty out there in some of his opinions.
Anyway - the question of Tony Benn's support for the IRA is one that he never quite clearly stated in any one interview. But is one that comes across in a number of his interviews.
I will just post this up so that you know I am not full of shit:
Anyway - I think Tony Benn's position is interesting. Since it reminds me that whilst countries never forget about the terrorist outrages that take place against their own country. We care very little about the many innocent people who are killed via drone attacks, stealth bombers and the launching of missiles against countries suspected of 'hiding terrorists'.
So - whilst at first I was pretty shocked at Tony Benn's support for the IRA. Since you don't expect such a famous British MP to have such sympathies. He has opened my eyes a little in terms of not being too quick to condemn. Since it ultimately comes down to the idea of one man's freedom fighter being another man's terrorist.
Anyway - I just want to mention this since I feel those on the left in the UK have no idea that there one of their heroes had sympathy for a group who aim was to blow up those very same people!