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Voices Of Republicanism

category national | arts and media | feature author Wednesday May 23, 2007 22:03author by W. & K.Brannoauthor email improvemyself at hotmail dot com Report this post to the editors

An indyradio documentary

featured image
Voices Of Republicanism: An Indyradio Documentary

'Voices of Republicanism' is a documentary on the current state of the Republican movement. Through discourse with activists from a wide range of political backgrounds and of varying ages we attempt to provide a small insight into the movement. This is a documentary through the words of people who were there and have seen it, those who still carry the torch of Republicanism and those who have made a break with the movement entirely.

We interviewed members of Republican Sinn Fein, The Workers Party, Workers Solidarity Movement and Eirigi about their past involvement in Republicanism and opinions on where the movement is headed. Dan Keating's interview (courtesy of Carmel Whelan) is worth listening to alone considering his life as a republican spans almost a century (Dan is 105) and he fought in the war of independence, was interned many times in the Curragh and was involved in the 1940's mainland bombing campaign.

We interviewed these specific groups because they were the ones who got back to us in time but contact was made with all known Republican Parties some of whom won't talk to anyone smaller than Sky News apparently (we won't hold a grudge). If you would like to take part in the next installment please feel free to email us, we would be happy to hear from anyone who has something to say about Republicanism and where it's going.

The main documentary is a collection of all 4 interviews in a radio-friendly half hour podcast, the raw interviews are included below for those who wish to hear more from any of the groups involved.

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Voices Of Republicanism
audio Voices Of Republicanism 4.1 Mb

author by W. & Kbrannopublication date Wed May 23, 2007 19:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Dan Keating Bio - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76950

Republican Sinn Fein - http://www.rsf.ie



Dan Keating Interview
audio Dan Keating Interview 3.83 Mb

author by W. & Kbrannopublication date Wed May 23, 2007 19:52author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Report of 2007 Ard Fheis - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82139

The Workers Party - www.workers-party.org/



Padraig Mannion (Workers Party)
audio Padraig Mannion (Workers Party) 12.61 Mb

author by W. & Kbrannopublication date Wed May 23, 2007 19:56author address author phone Report this post to the editors

After Nationalism (James on why he left SF) - http://www.wsm.ie/story/1800

Workers Solidarity Movement - http://www.wsm.ie

*Full disclosure W. is a member of the WSM*



James McBaron (WSM)
audio James McBaron (WSM) 2.63 Mb

author by W. & Kbrannopublication date Wed May 23, 2007 20:03author address author phone Report this post to the editors

éirígí Becomes a Political Party - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/82533

éirígí - http://www.eirigi.org/



Daithí Mac An Mháistír Interview
audio Daithí Mac An Mháistír Interview 3.63 Mb

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Wed May 23, 2007 20:37author address author phone Report this post to the editors

.... I don't think Dan Keating would have referred to a " ...mainland bombing campaign.." ?

Indymedia article about Dan here -
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76950

Ruáiri O Brádaigh and Dan Keating , January 2007.
Ruáiri O Brádaigh and Dan Keating , January 2007.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by bananamanpublication date Wed May 23, 2007 20:42author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"Keating remained an IRA member for a long time after the Civil War. He was arrested several times during the thirties on various charges. Keating was active in London during the 1939/1940 IRA bombing campaign."

author by great workpublication date Wed May 23, 2007 20:50author address author phone Report this post to the editors

great so far, still listening. dan was great as always and i hope as many usuers of indymedia as possible listen to this great man.

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Wed May 23, 2007 20:59author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi bananaman !

It is the use of the term 'mainland' which I am querying , not whether Dan was involved or not .

Sharon .

Dan The Man !
Dan The Man !

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by w.publication date Wed May 23, 2007 21:01author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I have no idea why I wrote mainland, I think I lifted it from a write up somewhere. Long day of writing things, my brain obviously wasn't on. I do not consider Britain to be the mainland.

author by Sharon . - Individualpublication date Wed May 23, 2007 21:11author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi w!

Thank you for that clarification : I could picture Dan getting on the Kerry bus to call up to have a word with you ...
;-)

More on Dan Keating here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Keating

Sharon.

author by John Jefferies - The Workers' Partypublication date Wed May 23, 2007 22:05author email wpi at indigo dot ieauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

Just one update, the WP's new website is at the link below. The one mentioned above is defunct.

author by John Jefferies - Workers Partypublication date Wed May 23, 2007 22:09author address author phone Report this post to the editors

It might have helped if I'd put the link in!

Related Link: http://www.workerspartyireland.net
author by Frankpublication date Wed May 23, 2007 22:32author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Were the 32CSM approached?

author by w.publication date Wed May 23, 2007 22:37author address author phone Report this post to the editors

You can see here - http://www.indymedia.ie/article/80682#comment181951

author by Frankpublication date Wed May 23, 2007 22:56author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Am I to presume there was no response?

author by Stenpublication date Wed May 23, 2007 23:30author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Check out Dan Keating’s glowing praise for Hitler about 17 minutes into the full recording of the Keating interview, apparently he built up Germany greatly and everything was fine, and the clincher….
“If there was no second world war Hitler and Mussolini would have been canonised for what they did to get rid of the communists in Spain”

Keating was of course in the IRA at a time when they were prepared to welcome and assist with a German invasion of Ireland, and when its publication was praising the Third Reich for its anti-Jewish measures, see: http://www.morrigan.net/irsm/plough117.htm

By 1942 the Waffen S.S. was majority non-German with Balt, Flemish, French, Scandanavian, Bosnian, etc... units so it doesn't require a great leap of imagination to reckon where Keating and his comrades could have ended up had Britain (and hence Ireland) gone the way of France and the Low countries.

author by fionnpublication date Thu May 24, 2007 02:57author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"If there was no second world war Hitler and Mussolini would have been canonised for what they did to get rid of the communists”

You are misconstruing what he said to suit your agenda. He is correct, hadnt it been for the war the powers to be would have "cannonised" them for their stand against communism.Sure they were backing them til the war! Dan actualy fought the blueshirts, he was involved in a plot to kill O'Duffy. You see a man like Dan made many stands in his life for Irish working men and women, I highly doubt you ever have. How pathetic you are to go to such depths to misrepresnt an man at the age of 105. An old man, and a man more honest than you.

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Thu May 24, 2007 08:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi Fionn !

You wrote that (mis-firing!) 'Sten' was "....pathetic.... to go to such depths to misrepresnt an man at the age of 105. An old man, and a man more honest than you."

I suspect that it is that which Dan Keating represents that 'Sten' is 'aiming' at - that which I consider to have been a just Cause then , and which , like Dan , I consider to be a just Cause today .
'Sten' , on the other hand , is a lost 'cause' .

Sharon.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by Watcherpublication date Thu May 24, 2007 08:59author address author phone Report this post to the editors

And Sten and his like conveniently forget that many in the British establishment both admired and supported Hitler, including members of that arch parasite crowd, the Windsors.

author by tomcatpublication date Thu May 24, 2007 10:47author address author phone Report this post to the editors

i think what dan [and some of the other interviewees] said shows the main problem with the republicans - lack of politics beyond the national question...some pay lip service to connolly, pearse or larkin but most don't really have a clue what social struggle is about and think that becaue the masses can be led through nationalist sentiment it must be the one true path and not just another way to divide people...Workers Party, IRSP, Eirigi, when nationalists dress up as socialists it has embarrassing results.

author by Sharon . - Individual.publication date Thu May 24, 2007 13:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi tomcat !

I don't agree with you regarding Republicans and social struggle : myself and other RSF members/supporters (not attempting to speak for other groups) are , at this time , active in , for instance , the anti double-bin tax campaign and the 'Shell2Sea' protest . We work alongside in those campaigns , and others , with members/supporters of different political organisations and with people who are not politically active , and we have no problem in doing so .
Nor do we attempt to 'convert' anyone that we meet through such social struggles to 'our way' of thinking on the "national question" or any other issue , although most of those people would be aware of our position on that and other matters .

Sharon.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by K Brannopublication date Thu May 24, 2007 13:53author email kevinbrannigan at hotmail dot comauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

No Frank the 32csm were not contacted. As W has already said though we aim to expand on this and do more interviews. If you want to send W or myself an e-mail on how to contact you for the next documetary feel free.

Cheers.

author by Stenpublication date Thu May 24, 2007 13:58author address author phone Report this post to the editors

That would be the same Eoin o’Duffy that the IRA was looking to work with in 1940?

Keating’s pro-nazi statements like: “Hitler changed all that, and he built up Germany from the ruins and was getting on fine”, are in the context of being asked about IRA co-operation with the Third Reich in the 1940s and late 1930s. Incidentally according to a wikipedia article another republican icon, Tom Barry, travelled to Germany in 1937 to secure German support in the event of a world war, this was German support for military action in Northern Ireland.

Below are some particularly relevant passages from the ‘IRA and Nazism’ article
( http://www.morrigan.net/irsm/plough117.htm )

“However, in July 1940 the IRA leadership issued a statement outlining its position on the war. The statement made clear that if 'German forces should land in Ireland, they will land...as friends and liberators of the Irish people'. The public was assured that Germany desired neither 'territory nor...economic penetration' in Ireland but only that it should play its part in the 'reconstruction' of a 'free and progressive Europe'. The Third Reich was also praised as the 'energising force' of European politics and the 'guardian' of national freedom.”

“War News, the IRA's main publication, became increasingly pro-Nazi in tone, even claiming active IRA involvement in the German bombing of British cities. But more chillingly it began to ape anti-Semitic arguments. Satisfaction was expressed that the 'cleansing fire' of the German armies was driving the Jews from Europe. British war minister Hore Belisha was described as a 'wealthy Jew' only interested in 'profits'. War News condemned the arrival in Ireland of 'so-called Jewish refugees', along with unspecified numbers of 'Albanian, Abyssinian, Mongolian [and] Tartars'. These new arrivals were not only supposedly putting Irish people out of work but also exploiting those that they employed. Belfast was said to be increasingly in the 'hands of international Jewry' because of this influx. 'The Jews', War News warned, were 'like the English, when they are strong they bully and rule.' In Dublin de Valera's government was also dominated by 'Jews and Freemasons' who were becoming the 'new owners of Ireland'.”

A "just cause"?

Of course the relevance of this isn’t what a Kerry centenarian thinks about Hitler, more the fact that Republican Sinn Fein is happy to appoint as a figurehead in their party (he is the ’patron’ of it) someone who was part of a movement that was collaborating with Nazi Germany, and, judging from the above interview not only stands over that, but seems quite sympathetic towards the then German government.

One can only conclude that R.S.F. stands over the record of the I.R.A. of that period. What myopia and bankruptcy.

“Ireland, as distinct from her people, is nothing to me; and the man who is bubbling over with love and enthusiasm for "Ireland," and can yet pass unmoved through our streets and witness all the wrong and the suffering, shame and degradation wrought upon the people of Ireland-yea, wrought by Irishmen upon Irish men and women, without burning to end it, is, in my opinion, a fraud and a liar in his heart, no matter how he loves that combination of chemical elements he is pleased to call Ireland.” - James Connolly.

“Freeing Ireland” in alliance with forces which would have, at the very least, sent many Irishmen and women to the gas chamber, is an act of the school that sees ‘Ireland‘ as a “combination of chemical elements”, never mind the actual people.

1940 may have been a long time ago, but I would say some republicans are still on the path of “freeing Ireland” irrespective of any consideration of what sort of Ireland, or whether this or that is actually good or bad for the real flesh and blood people that inhabit this island.
This is after all a tendency which wants to continue on the enormously successful ‘armed struggle’ against the British state in the North, which brought so much in the way of practical benefit.

author by Sean Ópublication date Thu May 24, 2007 14:21author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"Through discourse with activists from a wide range of political backgrounds and of varying ages we attempt to provide a small insight into the movement."

The movements covered in this are all from the radical left. How is this a discussion with Republicans from a "wide range of political backgrounds"?

author by compublication date Thu May 24, 2007 14:49author address author phone Report this post to the editors

RSF aren't radical left, Workers Party propped up a Fianna Fail government. The other two were ex-members of Sinn Fein one who'd made a total break with nationalism and the other who has started a new political party. In fairness if nothing else it's a broad range of people.

author by indyfanpublication date Thu May 24, 2007 17:54author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Give that there's quite a lot of republican news (mostly posted by the anarchists for some reason) perhaps there should be a unique section like "anti-capitalism" for them.

author by Ciaran C - ex rep prisonerpublication date Thu May 24, 2007 18:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

James' take on the problems and solutions regarding republican hierarchy was spot on. Their percieved strength (strict militerist elitism) leaves the door wide open for corruption and ultimately became its weakness. Other groups today are lining up to make the same mistakes. I share his beliefe that as genuine socialist republicans realise that various hierarchies dont deserve their allegience many will look to anarchism as an efficient form of mobilizing with much untapped potential. I think we are already seeing this on the ground, if not with people openly joining anarchist groups at least with people adopting forms of organising that are anarchist in character. Im hopeful for the future.

author by padraicpublication date Thu May 24, 2007 23:30author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi W., K. Branno,

I've got an up to date version of Media Player but can't play this - some problem with codecs. Any advice?

author by johnpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 00:06author address author phone Report this post to the editors

It didn't work on my media player either. Download VLC though from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ and it should work ok for you.

author by Reginald - liberal floaterpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 12:52author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I've listened to some of the old horses going over their versions of Irish history and have sighed sadly. Society has passed them all by. Nobody out there wants their intricate theology of nationalism. The majority of people in the republic don't give a hang about the reunification of north and south. The economic border has disappeared under EU influence. Maybe in 20-50 years time, with successful cross-community government in the north an accomplished fact, demographic changes will bring about a border poll in favour of unity. But leave it all to God, folks, and start talking about things that people are really interested in.

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Fri May 25, 2007 14:25author address author phone Report this post to the editors

.......82% 'YES' , 18% 'NO' to the question " Do you want a united Ireland ? "
(Source: Newstalk 106 Radio , 14th August 2005)

Perhaps you were speaking from the point of view of having studied the result of a more up-to-date poll ?

Sharon.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by Reginald - liberal floaterpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 15:12author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Yes, Sharon, the most up-to-date opinion poll is being laboriously counted at 43 centres at the moment. It shows a disappointing 7.3 per cent of votes for SF as against 7.5 per cent for independents. And sweet Mary Lou looks as if she's going to flop - along with McDowell of the PDs. As I said, it's about time republicans of various hues forgot their convoluted theo-nationalist ideology and started taking an interest in what voters are actually worried about. We can be patriotic without treating the writings of Wolfe Tone, Davis, Pearse and all the rest as if they were holy writ.

author by voterpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 15:39author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Parliamentary democracy is a sham, especially under a capitalist system where the media have a vested interest in the parties of capital and create a hegemony that the only choice is between fianna fail and fine gael when there are a miriad of other ways we could run our society more democratically.

I didnt rock the vote, instead I cast my vote with a rock in February 2006 at the PD's office. Today I see they are falling from power I hope they took the message.

author by Reginald - liberal floaterpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 16:17author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Nothing could be worse than the political setups in North Korea and Mugabe's Zimbabwe. But none of the disgruntled posters on this site would consider taking political asylum in such places. 'The workers' of Ireland since the early 1930s have voted in large numbers for FF, a smaller number for Labour, and a much smaller number in recent years for SF. Have they been hypnotised by capitalism? Or brainwashed by the catholic church? And I suppose people who voted for New Labour in Great Britain have been mesmerised by the freemasons and little green men who whizz around in flying saucers? Everybody in the world seems to have a false consciousness except the ideological purists on this blogsite.

author by voterpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 16:41author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Zimbabwe and North Korea are both capitalist states too I'm afraid to tell you.

Perhaps familiarising yourself with Gramsci's theory of hegemony might explain why people regularly vote in anti-working class governments. The government and state cannot enforce control over any particular class or structure unless other, more intellectual methods are entailed. The reason and motive behind the concept has been noted to be the way society is structured and exists on a power and class base. Gramsci defined the State as coercion combined with hegemony and according to Gramsci hegemony is political power that flows from intellectual and moral leadership, authority or consensus as distinguished from armed force. A ruling class forms and maintains its hegemony in civil society, i.e. by creating cultural and political consensus through unions, political parties, schools, media, the church, and other voluntary associations where hegemony is exercised by a ruling class over allied classes and social groups.

The media exists as a vehicle and tool for consumerism to grow and for society to engage in the current purchase-dominated way. If people are not consumers then they may be considered by some areas of society to be outcasts and different from the ‘norm’. It is this state of affairs where the media can be key to influencing the people it informs and instilling the thought that one must be a consumer and if not then at least aspire to be. Gramsci may argue that the way in which the media operates could equate to what he envisaged when he talked about a ‘class struggle’ and the creation of values which others must follow.

author by Reginald - liberal floaterpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 18:17author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I share the previous poster's view that in contemporary liberal democracies the consumerist media exerts a widespread distracting influence on people's consciousness. Left wing people should home in on the cultural decadence of such media i.e. the race to the bottom, as editors pander incessantly to sexual prurience, celeb worship, "drugs, sex and rock 'n roll", sport mania, personal acquisition of electronic gizmos such as bigger tvs, fridges, mobiles, laptops, cars, house extensions, and more and more fantastic sunshine paradise holidays. But funny thing is that although the left began to critique crass consumerism in the flower power days of the 1960s, from the '70s it began to back potential voters' increasing cravings for possessions and sex fantasies. Left wing 'alternative media' tend to be joyless and don't attract "the workers". How many left wing magazines regularly carry sports pages covering things like football and horse racing which working class people are keenly interested in? The cynical capitalist tabloids fill the vacuum. As for Gramsci, he suffered deeply for his beliefs, but his writings aren't holy writ.

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Fri May 25, 2007 18:26author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi again , Reg !

In reply to your (first) post that "The majority of people in the republic don't give a hang about the reunification of north and south " I published the result of an opinion poll which would seem to indicate that you are wrong in that assertion . Do you accept that this is the case ?

Todays elections results , whatever they may be , should not be misrepresented by you or anybody else as a 'poll on reunification' .
The word 'straw' , as in 'clutching at...' , comes to mind !

Sharon .

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by Reginald - liberal floaterpublication date Fri May 25, 2007 18:57author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I don't doubt the content of the opinion poll you give the link for Sharon. People suddenly confronted by pollsters on the street will give yes and no answers to lots of questions, but it doesn't mean they intend to do anything about those spontaneously expressed opinions. The great public in the republic doesn't intend to do anything for or with the ideological republicans featured in the topic that gave rise to this blog discussion. The great public doesn't give a toss about the sacred writings of Tone, Davis, Pearse and others, and the incessant talmudic disputations about such writings carried on in fringe publications by veteran republicans and their small bands of followers.

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Fri May 25, 2007 19:39author address author phone Report this post to the editors

...attempted tangents!"

Hi Reg !

" I don't doubt the content of the opinion poll you give the link for Sharon. "
So therefore you now believe you were wrong to claim that "The majority of people in the republic don't give a hang about the reunification of north and south. " Thank you for that clarification , Sir , even if it was done begrudingly on your part ie 'people suddenly confronted by pollsters on the street' - which , by the way , is another mistake on your part , Reg , as people were asked to telephone their 'YES'/'NO' answer in to the studio over a two-hour period . Just not your day , Reg , is it ....? ;-)

The remainder of your post was a rather poor attempt to disguise your above mistake and take this issue off on a tangent : the 'question' of whether the respondents "intended to do anything about " their polled position is irrelevant to your original assertion which stated that those people did not hold those views in the first place . In regards to the opinion expressed by those respondents being a "spontaneously expressed opinion" you are now aware that that is not the case and will no doubt wish to withdraw that claim as well .
By the way - does the fact that the 'YES' opinion as expressed by the majority was not a "spontaneously express opinion" carry more weight with you , Reg ? I think it should , as you were prepared to practically dismiss said answer on the grounds that it was "spontaneously expressed" ! So the opposite , too , must be the case , yes ?

Sharon.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by Reginald - liberal floaterpublication date Sat May 26, 2007 01:27author address author phone Report this post to the editors

If people express aspirational sentiments, about partition and the Irish language, but never intend to do anything personally about the issues, it means that opinion polls don't indicate any meaningful support for groups of republican theologues and their motley organisations.

'The workers' and 'the Irish people' will say nice things in opinion polls. They don't give a toss about fringe groups. Those who imagine themselves to the the 'true friends of the workers' or 'the true guardians of the Republic' are sadly isolated from the general public.

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Sat May 26, 2007 09:37author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi Reg !

Those polled expressed an "aspirational sentiment" that you , for one , Reg , said did not exist !
How do you know that those people 'never intend to do anything' about that which they expressed an interest in (ie "partition and the Irish language") ?
You don't know that , Reg - you can't know that , in all honesty : but what we do know is that those people have at least expressed an interest in the issue of reunification .

" 'The workers' and 'the Irish people' will say nice things in opinion polls."
What a ridiculous comment !
"Nice" from whose point of view , Reg ? Is it only 'the workers' and 'the Irish people' who say these "nice" things ? Is it only 'the workers' and 'the Irish people' on this isle that are polled , Reg ?

Give it a rest , Sir . You are your own worst enemy .

Sharon.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by Reginald - liberal floaterpublication date Sat May 26, 2007 09:56author address author phone Report this post to the editors

They'll never rally to you and your friends, Sharon. Look who they rallied to electorally on Thursday 24th May. If you and your friends want to relate personally to 'the workers' (many of whom voted FF, Lab and even Greens) and to relate to 'the Irish people' you'll have to start thinking outside the claustrophobic ideological republican box. Many of you have intellect and talent - you are a clever debater yourself - and could make a contribution to Irish society. This society, in the republic (26 Counties as you like to call it), is more complicated than you realize. Thanks for your responses, agus go n-eiri an t-adh leat Sharon.

author by Niallpublication date Sat May 26, 2007 10:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I wonder would James or anyone else define 'progressive', in terms of 'a progressive movement' please.

author by Sharon . - Individual .publication date Sat May 26, 2007 10:40author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Hi again , Reg !

" They'll never rally to you and your friends, Sharon. "
It's all uphill for us , Reg - you're right there . It always has been , but it certainly doesn't get us 'down' . I , for one , would not feel politically 'comfortable' in a political organisation which was prepared to constantly change its 'bottom line' to suit the prevailing 'wind' . RSF has a 'bottom line' which it will not step over , Reg - you and others may not agree with that position , as is your right , obviously , but it is the only 'home' , politically , for myself and thousands more like me , on this isle and elsewhere . We intend to continue with our 'rally' for as long as necessary .

" Look who they rallied to electorally on Thursday 24th May."
Or , to put it another way -
http://www.benhammersley.com/weblog/2004/01/04/the_peop....html
;-)

" If you and your friends want to relate personally to 'the workers' (many of whom voted FF, Lab and even Greens) and to relate to 'the Irish people' you'll have to start thinking outside the claustrophobic ideological republican box."
....or convince those groups to stop thinking within the 'me-fein-i'm-alright-money-in-me-pocket-now' claustrophobic ideological box .

" This society, in the republic (26 Counties as you like to call it), is more complicated than you realize."
Those of us in RSF who live in this State are aware of that , Reg . No need to finish our conversation by attempting to patronise us .

"Thanks for your responses, agus go n-eiri an t-adh leat Sharon."
....and you for yours , Sir . We didn't see eye-to-eye , or indeed , even meet each other half way , but it was good that we 'talked' . Thank You !

Sharon.

Related Link: http://1169andcounting.blogspot.com
author by The Youngfellapublication date Sat May 26, 2007 12:17author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Very interesting interviews. Thanks for that.

author by Barry - 32 csmpublication date Sat May 26, 2007 18:57author address author phone Report this post to the editors

As they werent contacted and asked to participate and the fact I simply never saw that e-mail link its a great shame they werent interviewed although i honestly dont think for a minute there was any conscious effort to exclude .
However its rather unfortunate given the amount of preparation and work that has gone into formulating a number of position documents aimed at the republican base accross the board and our attempts to address the very question this article poses . The state of play and the way forward for republican seperatism accross the board .
Id also take serious issue with former prisoner Ciaran Cs analysis that republican seperatism is lining up to commit the same mistakes all over again , as the determined and painstaking effort put into the documents prepared by 32 csm that are being actively perused , discussed and analysed within the republican base point clealry to a determination that commandantist militarism and the inherent lack of democracy thereof must never again be a feature of seperatist politics if such politics are to stand any chance of success . The republican seperatist objective on this island is democracy at its maximum expression . Therefore the politics essential to persuance of that objective must in essence be democratic . One avenue which should be considered central to any further persuance of seperatist objectives must be a democratic forum in which all progressives can participate whilst addressing the fundamental denials of democratic principles and practice on this island whulst perusing the objective of Irish sovereignty . In short , addressing the issue .
32CSMs postion documents are now becoming central to the debate about the way forward and offer the republican base a starting point and launching pad from which to persue the seperatist objective while still retaining their independence of political thought and acton , whether as individuals or organisations . I can only put Ciarans flawed analysis of the situation down to the fact he himself hasnt engaged in this debate , no fault of his largely due to his incarceration . However regardless of that and the merits of his own position it is still a misinformed opinion due to that lack of engagement .
Id urge the author of this piece to contact myself at sarmagh32csm@hotmail.com and seek to redress the lack of a 32 csm in put and perspective . Ill post up links to the documents shortly

author by Barry - 32 csmpublication date Sat May 26, 2007 19:29author address author phone Report this post to the editors


Links to discussion and position documents

Preparing an Irish Democracy

http://www.politics.ie/wiki/index.php?title=Preparing_A...nt%29

Irish Democracy - A framework for Unity

http://www.politics.ie/wiki/index.php?title=Irish_Democ...nt%29

No other Law

http://32csm.org/nolaw.htm

The Necessity for Policing and Constitutional change

http://32csm.org/necpol.htm

Republican Unity ( a timely intervention given the current state of political play within republican seperatism and the desire for unity in some form)

Recent media and political misrepresentaion of a number meetings that have been organised over the last number of months by various republicans to discuss the issues addressed within these documents have led to 32 csm releasing this statement .

""32CSM CONDEMN MISREPRESENTATION OF REPUBLICAN UNITY INITIATIVE.

The 32 County Sovereignty Movement condemn the recent misrepresentation of the Republican Unity initiative as an attempt to stop any attempt at an agreed republican strategy in its tracks. Speculation in a number of Sunday Papers that Óglaigh na hÉireann (whom the media refer to as the Real IRA) have agreed to renounce armed struggle in conjunction with the INLA and Continuity IRA is completely without foundation.""

The 32CSMs determination to persue the issues addressed in our postiton documents and the meetings that have been organised by various republican strands are very clear from this statement, as is our stragey and our view of the wat ahead for all seperatists

""It is our opinion that such stories have been deliberately planted in the media in order to cause divisions among the republican organisations and independent republicans involved in the embryonic stages of a Republican Unity project. This project has at its core the concept of republicans working initially on areas of agreement rather than continuing to focus on areas of disagreement. It is our hope that following a period of practical cooperation republicans could unite upon agreed areas of strategy and policy in order to build a much more effective challenge to Britain’s illegal occupation of the north of Ireland. ""

With this as a republican strategy for the future its also apparent that the media spin and disinformation is intended to thwart any such strategy emerging

""Whether these stories have been planted by the NIO, MI5 or pro state ‘republicans’ it is clear their motivation is to divide republicans on one issue rather than let them unite on the scores of issues they already agree upon. There is also the additional result of unsettling and confusing the volunteers from each of these organisations and the wider republican support base. It is simply ludicrous to believe that these military organisations have come to this position on the back of one meeting of such diverse political opinions and we would urge all republicans to consult their own logic and reasoning rather than allow these diversions to have their intended effect.""

When the meetings concerning the way ahead for republican seperatism began last year the state ,media , PSNI and constituional nationalist Sinn Fein spread the lie such meetings were about the formation of a new military grouping and strategy . Not only a deliberate attempt to confuse and mislead the public but to inhibit the debate through fear . The same agenda again bevame apparent prior to the Stormont elections when further meetings on unity and the way ahead were labelled by the state and pro state elements incl SF as meetings to discuss the assassination of senior sinn fein figures . Now they claim the meetings are about issuing formal ceasefire announcements . Its clear these meetings and the debate within seperatism has the powwers that be and those who depend on them rattled , hence the misrepresentaion and attempts to divide and confuse the republican base yet again .

video footage of Marion Prices address to the recent derry meeting of concerned republicans , addressing the issue of republican unity and what it entails for all groups

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9b69csAZWSA

Statements and links can be viewed in their totality here which might also be useful as a contact point for any further discussion .

http://southarmagh32.blogspot.com/

Ive the address of our Tallaght office somehwere and ill post that up for future reference too
.

author by Barry - 32 csmpublication date Sat May 26, 2007 19:32author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Link here to republican unity document

http://www.politics.ie/wiki/index.php?title=REPUBLICAN_...nt%29

Indymedia radio would be doing a great service to the urgently needed debate in my opinion if listeners were given the opportunity to have these documents addressed and analysed by 32 csm spokespersons

author by Barry - 32csmpublication date Sun May 27, 2007 01:14author address author phone Report this post to the editors

For some reason the wiki thing is no longer hosting our documents . Here they are hosted on an alternative site

http://www.dublin32csm.com/preparinganirishdemoc.htm

http://www.dublin32csm.com/nootherlaw.htm

http://www.dublin32csm.com/necessityofpolicingdocume.htm

http://www.dublin32csm.com/unitydocument.htm

author by IKPpublication date Sun May 27, 2007 03:18author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"Voices of Republicanism". Not too many of them were to be heard in the Irish Republic's election on Thursday. Or maybe people here don't share IRA/ Sinn Fein's narrow view of Republicanism. Outside Northern Ireland , IRA/ Sinn Fein have no relevance. Goodbye terrorists, your day has gone.

author by TPTpublication date Tue May 29, 2007 13:55author address author phone Report this post to the editors

http://www.michaelmcdowell.ie/
Why don't we all congratulate our former minister of injustice on his fine election results.

author by Lickspittlepublication date Tue May 29, 2007 17:38author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Good to have all these in one place.

But I can see why 'slow learners' has been applied ad lib.

author by Eoin Opublication date Wed May 30, 2007 10:27author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Thank you Barry – 32 CSM for the web info

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