So it always goes. The rise of right wing protest is always regarded as a sign that the end of civilisation is on hand; the rise of left wing protest is regarded as a sign of nothing more alarming than youthful idealism. Wrongheaded perhaps in its purism, but essentially harmless. Healthy even, for should the young not be angry and engaged and politically concerned?
The young should be gainfully employed, engaged and politically concerned. Unfortunately, that's not often the case with leftists in Ireland and elsewhere.
The "right" (conservatives) are not used to "rising up," so when they do, leaders are so overwhelmed we hear shouts that the sky is falling.
It is well for those of us who have kids out on their own (and sometimes too busy working to even watch TV) to remember that they need to be prodded to pay attention and be engaged in what is happening in the world -- I've been working on mine in extra earnest since 9/11 -- their childrens' world is at stake.