Ireland 2013

The year 2013 is going to be a memorable year. As an Irish historian I can see myself in 40 years time (aged 27 and still working thanks to the anti-worker policies of successive FF and FG/Labour governments) documenting the events that we all are reading daily in our newspapers and hearing on our radio stations. The issue of the X Case involving the termination of a pregnancy when a woman's life was in danger returned, as we all know, after the tragic death of Dr Savita Halappanavar in Galway last year. I along with thousands others soon marched through the streets of Dublin behind a banner with Savita's image and the words "Never Again". The other issue which is coming to the fore of the debate in Irish, and also British society is the status of marriage equality, ie full civil marriage for same sex or lgbt couples. A couple of weeks ago the Constitution Convention overwhelmingly recommended that the Oireachtas legislate to grant full marriage rights to same sex/lgbt couples, thus sparking another massive debate which has encapsulated all facets of Irish society.

It is interesting, and not all unsurprising that the greatest vocal opponent for the legislation is led by organisations such as the Christian Solidarity Party, the Iona Institute and Youth Defence. All of these organisations have a key issue in common; they are highly influenced by church (predominantly Roman Catholic) doctrine, and financed by large misogynistic, sectarian, homophobic and blatantly racist lobbies in the United States. The figures provided by these American lobbies are astounding and well beyond my remit to estimate but it is my understanding that they are readily available to a person interested and motivated enough to discover the truth behind these organisations.

The conclusion that is made here is that Ireland and Irish society is being flooded with millions of American dollars from organisations who have an ideology akin to the racist cross-burning lunatics of the Ku Klux Klan. It is widely believed that these organisations in the United States who have large Roman Catholic doctrine believe that the 'old country' is the last great beacon of 'good, civilised Catholic beliefs'. It must appear to these people in the United States that here in Ireland there is a surge of godless Marxism akin to the Red Scare of the McCarthy era. These people have cited their Irish roots as a source of pride, yet their misogynist, racist and sectarian ideology denigrates the very beliefs that great patriots such as Wolfe Tone, James Connolly and hundreds more who died fighting for the Ireland which was promised by the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Proclomation, a nation which cherished all of the children of the nation equally. I must remind these people that Irishwomen are children of the nation and many of these women have greatly enriched our country and our society. Homosexuals are also children of the nation and as with the case of women have made an enormous contribution to the fabric of Irish society of the 21st Century. I need only to cite the brave fight of Senator David Norris in his crusade to decriminalise homosexuality.

I wish to take this opportunity to assure readers of this blog that I do respect that people have the right to their religious beliefs and I cherish many friends and comrades who are proud members of the wider Christian family. I do acknowledge that many religious orders and clergymen have done stellar work to alleviate the suffering of the poor and to encourage peace in areas of conflict. One need no further than Fr Alex Reid of Clonard Monastery for a fine example of a 'man of the cloth' who worked tirelessly in pursuit of peace, and what many people will say is now a brighter future for the children of this island. The merits of this argument I do not wish to elaborate on.

The reasoning for the outrage expressed by the anti-choice and homophobic lobby is plainly obvious my friends; they fear change. When an anti-choice person describes the termination of a pregnancy, apart from ignoring scientific and medical fact, (s)he is in fact lamenting the empowerment of that woman to take yet another decision out of the hands of the patriarchal society which was created by DeValera, with the collusion of the church. The Constitution may state that the state recognises (in lay-man's terms) the position of the woman in the household, but to a feminist and egalitarian like myself it is in fact stating that the position of the woman is to support her husband, to obey him and to mindlessly adapt herself to catering for his every need. Thankfully the position of women has become increasingly stronger (yet still a long way off) in this nation. I am grateful and thankful to the great input that women have had in my life, least not my mother and my best friend Ms Kathie Taylor.

Dr Séan Brady, Roman Catholic primate of Ireland cites the 'traditional values of marriage being between a man and woman' as his opposition to proposals of same sex marriage. Homophobes cite the bible stating that relations between two men or women angered Jesus, yet many bible scholars have argued the merits of this argument. It is this writer's humble opinion that the very mention of the term 'tradition marriage' cites the fear that opponents have to same-sex marriage, lies in the fact that a homosexual couple does not feature what they term acceptable as an 'acceptable relationship'. In my humble opinion the fears of same-sex marriage stem not from bible verse, but from the fact that same sex couples involve either two empowered men, or even more fearfully two empowered women. The idea of a same-sex marriage flies in the face of the opponents to such as it offends their very nature of thinking; that men and woman are equal.

I am proud to call myself a follower of James Connolly, a man who did so much in his lifetime it could encapsulate an entire library of books to mention. The thing that I am most proud of, being Irish as well as being an admirer of Connolly, is that the famous document read from the steps of the GPO on Easter Monday 1916 acknowledged the great role that women had to play in the shaping of our nation. This was the first public and international recognition of women and it came at a time when in Britain women were either the silent models in the photos of the elite, or the housemaids who served the elite.

All Irish citizens are equal. It is time for misogynists to drop their opposition to the empowerment of women, and in turn it is the duty of every citizen who considers themselves a feminist and egalitarian to get behind the pro-choice lobby, and to support the campaign to bring marriage equality to same sex couples in this state. Women and homosexuals are our equals in everything, from academia to medicine, and from construction to carpentry. Do we really want our children to grow up in a 21st Century that truly does not value the amazing contribution that is made by all of us who are not only proud, but privileged to call ourselves Irish. I certainly do not.

Letter to Dr Rogelio Alonso, arduous critic of armed nationalism

Dr. Alonso,

My name is Ross Taylor and I am a research student in the University of Limerick department of history, working on an MA project entitled ‘Lagunak! Comparisons of radical Basque and Irish nationalism’. The aim of the project is to compile a concise historical analysis of the similarities and contrasts of the radical nationalist movements in Ireland and the Basque Country, embodied by Sinn Féin/IRA and Herri Batasuna (Ezker Abertzale) and ETA. I know that this is a topic that in your position in your university you have examined quite a bit, and that you are very familiar with the politics, aims and strategies of both nationalist movements. The purpose of me writing this letter is to offer up some of my own insight, and hopefully to engage your thoughts on my own opinions of the radical movements.

Firstly I have noted a short article you wrote in Fortnight magazine, dating December 2005, entitled ‘Alec Reid and the Basques’. In this article you question Fr. Reid’s knowledge of the situation in the Basque Country and of ETA’s conflict with Spain (I note it as conflict rather than simply a terrorist campaign. My reasons for doing so shall become clear) You also criticise Fr Reid for his apparent simplicity in viewing the conflict between ETA and Spain as akin to the conflict between Britain and the IRA, and in saying that, the Good Friday Agreement is not the ideal blueprint to solving conflict. May I put my personal opinion of Fr Reid on record at this point. Fr Reid played a huge part in bringing the North of Ireland from war to peace. He is a man who has the respect of peace-loving individuals, and peace-makers worldwide. Without the clear vision and energy of men such as Fr Alec Reid, this country would surely be still in conflict, both in the communities, and with Britain.

Dr Alonso you have consistently maintained that there are few, if any, cement comparisons between Ireland and the Basque Country, in terms of nationalism, conflict and peace-making. This view has also been expressed publically by successive Spanish government interior ministers, most notably in 1998 at the signing of the Lizarra Declaration, which sought to create a dialogue of peace between all parties in the conflict, based on the Good Friday Agreement.

It is my own opinion, which I have formed over the two years I have compiled my research, that not only does there exist strong feelings of mutual solidarity and fraternity between Irish republicans and Basque radicals (I refuse to use the term separatist which was a derogatory name given by Franco) there is a massive comparison in the aims, tactics, politics and conflicts in which the IRA and ETA exist. There has been notable attempts by the British and Spanish states to eradicate these armed groups by force, drawing radicals into conflict with state forces, police, guardia civil, army etc. These attempts have included the establishment of terrorist groups, such as the UDA and GAL to target and assassinate members and supporters of radical nationalism in both countries. It has also included the fast tracking of ‘terrorist suspects’ through special courts into prison, often times with confessions obtained under duress of torture (this is not a mere allegation, detainees’ complaints of this have been upheld in courts of appeal, such as Danny Morrison successful attempt to have a prior conviction overturned). These courts have been established especially to deal with suspects of ‘terrorism’ and hardly mirror international standards, in my own opinion, for a fair trial, as they do not include juries of the defendants’ peers. Other methods of what I would perceive as ‘state oppression’ have been the banning and suppression of political parties such as Sinn Féin and Herri Batasuna.

Finally in reference to the ongoing political turmoil in Spain, I would offer a dissenting voice to the generally accepted policy of the Spanish government, and what will probably be PP policy if they achieve victory in the upcoming elections. The continuous refusal to engage with representatives of the radical movement in the Basque Country is an affront to accepted ‘norms’ of democracy. It is nearly two years since ETA took a first step in declaring a total ceasefire, and has not broken their word in that time period (as opposed to 2006) and has consistently called upon the Spanish government to enter talks with the (what we know it as in English) ‘Patriotic Left’, to which Zapatero’s government has consistently refused. The government carry the mantra that ETA must surrender its weapons before talks can take place.

The government’s position is somewhat similar to the role of a petulant child causing problems at nursery school. The child (represented by ETA) has expressed her desire to play with this petulant child, even offering one of her toys (armed campaign) as an olive branch. The petulant child is steadfast in its refusal to play and to share its toys, and instead demands the other child’s entire collection of toys (or arsenal if you will) before it even contemplates playing nice.

Now this would be discouraged in nursery school. The teachers (lets call them the EU) would discourage the petulant child from being so selfish, and would praise the other child for her maturity in offering to share.

The Spanish government and judiciary persists with their campaign against Basque nationalism, unabated. This year we saw a clear attack on democratic norms when the political party Sortu was banned, even after it met Spanish demands that all political parties denounce terrorism. Scores of nationalists have been arrested in police operations and face lengthily prison sentences, sometimes for political ‘offences’. Last week, the former spokesperson of Batasuna, and figure widely regarded as a natural leader of radicalism, who would be key to any negotiations, Arnaldo Otegi was imprisoned for ten years, on spurious charges.

Dr Alonso, I put this question to you. How do all parties achieve peace in Spain.

YOU COLD HEARTED BASTARDS

Several weeks ago I received a letter in the post from my local Fianna Fáil TD Mary Wallace. It was a response in relation to an email I sent her regarding 'The Poor can't Pay' campaign. Attached was a letter from the Minister for 'Social protection' (what a laugh!!!) Eamonn Ó Cuiv thanking Ms Wallace for her representations on my behalf and assuring her that the concerns raised in the email by 'The poor can't pay', which I as an Irish republican wholeheartedly support, would be taken into consideration....

Fast forward to October 30th. Yours truly had spent quite an enjoyable evening in Dublin having caint agus craic with some foreign nationals in Ireland for holidays. I return to see Minister Ó Cuiv on the RTÉ aertel promising (sugar coated as warning) us of massive cutbacks in his department's expenditure, with welfare payments to bare a large brunt (i think it listed them as 38% of the dept budget)

YOU LYING, DECEITFUL COLD HEARTED EVIL PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A MAN!!!

That is how I feel... I could never defame someone like that... until now.

Fast forward 24 hours... Defence minister Tony Kileen refuses to rule out doubling the stealth tax on students, the registration fee. 12 months after coming down and ruling out introducing third level undergraduate fees. The cheek of these people to punish STUDENTS for the mess of the bankers can only be described as one thing....

SICK

an eighteen year old entering third level education in August 2011 was only born at the birth of the Celtic tiger. He or she certainly did not profit from it. So WHY THE FUCK should he or she pick up the tab whilst SCUMBAG BANKERS sit atop their yachts and mansions LAUGHING AT US THE IRISH PEOPLE.

In six years time we will honour the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising and the turning of Irish history. The same scumbags will pay lip service and 'celebrate' these people over their caviar and 15 year old brandy.

Its time for us the regular people of Ireland to finish the signatories view.

BURN THIS CORRUPT SYSTEM THAT ROBS FROM THE POOR TO GIVE TO THE RICH TO THE GROUND, AND DANCE IN THE CINDERS

Letter to imprisoned Askapena comrades

Lagunak,

It was with great dismay that we in Ireland heard of your arrest and the ordeal that you and your families now face. We hope this offers you some comfort that we are thinking about you and we will not stop putting the pressure on our political enemies to end the repression of your countrymen and women, our revolutionary brothers and sisters. Every new wave of arrests brings more worries to Irish shores, another person who we have met, shared a drink with, or know intimately arrested. We remember you all, especially for the great hospitality you always show us on our travels. Remember you, and all the other Basque prisoners of war are in our thoughts. We love and cherish you all, and we strive for your swift and immediate release, and for the safety of all our Basque comrades to express them freely without interference or harassment from the servants of the Spanish state, We are especially angered that even in the face of recent developments in Euskal Herria, the Spanish seem resolute in preventing the democratic rights of the Basque people to agitate for their freedom. Remember comrades we are all proud of you. Please remember the words of one of our greatest Irish heroes Bobby Sands MP "Everybody republican or otherwise has their own part to play. No part is too big, no part is too small"

Thank you for playing yours. We promise we will never stop playing ours

Signed on behalf of Limerick Basques
Ross Taylor

A Drunken European leader

In previous rants we have been reminded about the state in which our country has found itself in these last few years. Scumbag millionaire has been thrown around at will on this blog, and I do realise now I have probably taken meaning from this phrase, and for this I do apologise... We now have to find a phrase that can truly summarise the contemptuous vile repugnant worms that have risen to financial prominence in the boom years of the Celtic Tiger....

Let me guess....
I'm really thinking hard now folks...

Does any body have objections to that phrase being BIFFO??!!

There it is folks... five letters that truly encapsulate this new breed of SAVAGE, CUTTHROAT, FUCKING PIRATES!!!

There must seriously be something wrong with the five million odd people living on the island of Ireland, that we just don't know about! Im deadly serious... Because right now we are the LAUGHING STOCK of the world... Do we have bad body odour?! Are our teeth rotting in our heads?! Are we just incoherently stupid?!

Ireland has reverted back to the 'stage Irishman' role in the theatre of world economics and politics... Everyone is laughing at us....

And our Taoiseach....
drunkenly mumbling incoherent gibberish on NATIONAL AIRWAVES!!!!!

If Nicholas Sarkhozy had the same contempt for the people of France, we would see riots in the streets of Paris, akin to the days of the French Republic!!!

The only other comprehendable world leader who shows this kind of contempt for public office is a dwindling, wrinkled old neo-fascist who in every sense of the way is running a dictatorship that one of his predecessors would be proud of.. (For those of you that don't know, the Italian PM, 80-odd year old Silvio Burlosconi owns state media in Italy, and is heavily involved in most of the nations major corporations, including possibly their largest sporting club AC Milan)

The sense of ignorance Cowen has shown this week is baffling... He and his Fianna Fáil cohorts are partying into the early hours of the morning in Galway, and floating round ideas about ATM taxes, whilst the country is on its knees!!!!!!

Unfortunately, this is the plethora of right wing politics...
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the Conservative Party, Spain's PP and PSOE...
They are elected to provide themselves with privilege, not to serve the people who voted them in (unless those voters are of course BIFFOS)

It makes a true left wing republican like myself want to cry

I can only imagine what all of our martyrs are feeling at the pathetic mess these BIFFOS have created for the socialist paradise Pearse, Connolly et al dreamed of

Ireland.... a paradise for millionaires

Ireland... Land of saints and scholars... home to pints of guinness and measures of jameson... Bono and Shane McGowan...

Bord Fáilte really wouldn't be doing their job if they told the truth... Tourists wouldn't be attracted to the awful truth....

Ireland :- LAND OF CORRUPT BASTARDS AND SCUMBAG MILLIONAIRE PLAYBOYS!!!!

Ivor Callelly, Séan Fitzpatrick.... the list goes on.

And the bane of our people, the source of all that is evil and rotten about Ireland... FIANNA FáIL

Oh how I cursse 1926.... the year that engine for political coruptness and deceit was born.

However I do also curse the rotten fact that they have led my country for the last 13 rotten years...

and all thanks to..... FUCKING IDIOT VOTERS!!!

Oh how I hate every single person who at the last general election put a number 1 beside the photo of the degenerate, greasy, slimy sleazebag who represented that shower of blood sucking, welfare cutting, banker supporting DEGENERATES!!!!

And why do they vote for these charlatans..... BECAUSE DADDY VOTED FIANNA FáIL!!!!

TIME TO GROW SOME FUCKING SPINES IN THIS COUNTRY!!

If daddy was an axe murderer would you go around slicing people like meat cutlets?!!!

NO YOU WOULD NOT!!
Yet you may aswell take a carving knife to the children of this country for what you are doing to their future by voting without a pair of testes (symbolic for our female voters of course)

Which brings me to part II of this rant....

ENDA KENNY!!! WHERE'S THE JOBS YOU PROMISED FOR A YES VOTE AT LISBONII??!!

Let me guess.... YOU TOLD THE ELECTORATE LIES!!!!!
http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/images/2009/10/08/yes-to-jobs-poster.jpg

You ignored the democratic will of the Irish people and sent a second hand treaty back to us where the RETARDS of our electorate duly rattified it....

Reasons why?

Europe has been good to us....

Not false, but very short sighted...

Europe has taken more from the pockets of Irish workers than reinvested into our infrastructure... The Common Fisheries Policy and the Common Agriculture Policy to name 2 draconian measures that have taken money from Ireland and sent it to Brussels...

Thanks to the EU nowadays Spain has more fisheries rights in Irish waters than.... wanna take a guess... FUCKING IRELAND!!!!

I'm gonna end this rant before I veer off into an anti-Spanish cascade yet again...

Keep watching!!

FUCKING FASCISTS!!!

By now everybody has gotten over the festival of soccer on show the world watched in South Africa. The Scottish Premier League started well for me... a 1-0 away win at Inverness Caley Thistle. Soccer is a great game, played all over the world and one of the most popular forms of expression known to us. I love soccer. The vast majority of Irish people would share my opinion, it's the third most popular game in this country behind Gaelic Games and rugby.

How so then are Irish people FUCKING RETARDS when it comes to supporting teams??!!

During the world cup, the one that the cheating, diving whinging and moaning 'Spanish' (editors note, the vast majority of the 23 man squad was Catalan and Basque) FUCKING ROBBED, the Irish people, with noble and educated exceptions of course, cheered them onto glory.

Gangs of drunken jackeens chanted olé olé olé whilst these bastards cheated their way to the final. The scene of the horrific shooting last week, McDonoghs pub in Bettystown FLEW A SPANISH FLAG!! (Editor's note thank fuck I decided after seeing that piece of shit flying to boycott them!)

I honestly thought of tearing it down and proceeding to wipe my arse with it in front of the drunken jackeen idiot clientelle.

The Spanish team were NOT deserving winners of the world cup, and should have been jeered and booed by every soccer fan with half a brain....

But of course in Ireland soccer fans ARE IDIOTS!!

Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

These are the teams who enjoy the support of these Irish MUPPETS! ENGLISH TEAMS!!!!!

If you retort by reminding me that I support a Scottish team, I SWEAR TO FUCK I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND IMPAIL YOU ON A RUSTY WWI BAYONNET!!!!! Celtic were founded by an Irishman, Brother Walfrid from Sligo, to provide chairty for the destitute immigrant community of Ireland. They take pride in their Irish heritage so much that they attend regular charity functions in this country for IRISH charities and they fly the flag over Parkhead, more fondly known as paradise.

These so-called 'big four' are English teams with NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER to this country. Your €60 for the new home top probably pays for Colleen Rooney's failed attempts to become famous! STOP SUPPORTING THESE TEAMS!!

Chelsea have a known scum fanbase, with links to the BNP and EDL. Liverpool are a shower of flute toting Orangemen.

These Irish shitheads only go after teams with money and television attraction.

Celtic have character. The only team to have won the European Cup with a team not only from the same country, but the same city!!

YOU WOULDN'T DREAM OF SUPPORTING THE ENGLISH NATIONAL TEAM SO WHY THE FUCK DO YOU FILL THE COFFERS OF ENGLISH CLUBS WITH IRISH EUROS??!!

HOW'D THAT GOBSHITE GET ON THE TELEVISION

The title for this rant is quoted from the classic Irish comedy Fr. Ted, when Fr. Dougal is playing with the broken television screen and Fr. Jack coils in horror at Dougal's television...

All in the name of comedy right??!! Well friends, I am sorry to inform you that Jack's nightmare has come true!! Compared to these gobshites now on television, Fr. Dougal looks like a fucking university professor from the land of mathematics and really hard science!!

All I wanted was to watch the Braga versus Celtic Champions League qualifier.... My sky digital had different, EVIL plans for me... NO ROSS!!! NO BBC SCOTLAND WON'T SHOW THE CELTIC GAME!! EVEN THOUGH THEY BEND OVER BACKWARDS FOR FUCKING RANGERS!!!!! Not even radio Scotland covered the game.... Which is how I came to finding the most gut wrenching horrorible catastrophe I have ever seen on a television screen....

No it wasn't a replay of the 1966 world cup final, or the 'royal wedding' of Charlie boy and Diana.... IT WAS WORSE!!!!!

Brace yourselves....

PARIS HILTON'S BFF!!!!!!!

It was worse than a kick to the balls!! The girl is a FUCKING CHAV, A SCOBE, A NED..... call it whatever you like it still means the same.... SHE'S A TWAT WHO SHOULDN'T BE APPEARING ON THE CALMVISION OF A MENTAL HOSPITAL LET ALONE TELEVISION!!!

And the worst part was.... THE WANNABE WHORES (WHICH IS ALL I CAN CALL THEM) WHO ACTUALLY WANT TO LIVE A LIFE LIKE HERS!!!!!!!

I felt like crying...

I don't know how many girls around the same age (19-22) and the token CAMP GAY GUY!!!

REALLY IS THIS WHAT PEOPLE SEE AS ENTERTAINMENT TODAY??!!

The worst part was.... THE IDIOTIC LANGUAGE!!!!! They actually DID use abbreviations...

Like ttyl

I propose from the state of this rant we say ttyl to this fucking idiot Paris Hilton and arrange a worldwide boycott of her.... Maybe she'll cease to exist like the halloween characters in the Simpsons special...

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS TO THE WORLD WITHOUT PARIS HILTON!!!!!

Ross

Shell's police NOT Irish police

'If they want to hang me, let them and on the scaffold I will shout "Freedom for the working class!".

This quote from Mary Harris Jones (pg 31, nótaí do réabhlóidí) is in this commentators opinion, the most appropriate one we can attach to one of the most prolific Irish combatants against the multinational oil giants, Maura Harrington. I recently attended a talk from this woman in NUI Maynooth, and I stood back amazed at the sheer dignity which abounds this woman. She embodies the true revolutionary spirit of Irish women. For the last five years, she has unrelentlessly fought against the Shell/Garda occupation of Rossport, Co Mayo. It is people like Maura Harrington, and the Shell to Sea community in that small area of Co Mayo that we as young socialists should admire, and embody the spirit of resistence we know to be in existence in Co Mayo. As Sands said "It lights the dark of this prison cell, It thunders forth it's might, It's the undauntable thought my friend, That thought that says I'm right!". This thought has inspired Maura Harrington to embark on a hunger strike to demand the retreat of the Solitaire pipelaying ship, which did in the haze of a PR stunt with Shell claiming that it needed repairs. And now Maura Harrington has been found in 'contempt' of a court, which arrogantly found her 'guilty' of 'assaulting' a Garda, ordering her to pay €1000 compensation and twisting the knife by demanding she also pay €1000 to the Garda benevolent fund. Benevolence MY ARSE!!!! These same Gardaí have, since the start of their occupation, used heavy handed tactics, which many ÓSF activists have encountered, even throwing young lads in ditches! The judge presiding over this case also had the sheer arrogance to suggest Maura Harrington seek psychiatric help!! If it is a case that people who oppose exploitation, corporate greed, dodgy deals and golden handshakes then may I suggest an excellent shrink for ALL ÓSF activists and those Shell to Sea, Save Tara and Free Education for Everyone activists! Maura Harrington is now in prison, thus showing once again exactly who is protected by the Irish judiciary, Eamonn 'sorry Rossport five I've got a cushy government job now' Ryan, and the FF/Green government. IT CERTAINLY IS NOT THE IRISH PEOPLE!!! Batt O'Keefe is pushing for a dáil vote on the reintroduction of third level fees next month. If FF did the honourable, decent thing and acted for once in the interests of the people who elected them, and not the multinationals, one eight of the value of the Corrib gas could fund a world class education system and another a worldclass healthcare system. Time for action! Its time for us to stand once again in solidarity with Co Mayo and demand SHELL TO SEA!!

Civil Marriage NOT Civil Partnership!

Recently we have seen a Civil Partnership bill passed in the dáil. Granted a step towards equality but not WHOLE equality.. Marriage equality is a massive issue which affects gay people all over Ireland and Britain. The fact is, THERE IS NONE!!!

When Westminister passed law, enabling same sex couples to receive a Civil Partnership, the pro government media greeted this with great enthusiasm, and each and every magazine scrapped for the photographic rights to the Civil Partnership ceremony of Elton John. The Civil Partnership Bill was greeted with great enthusiasm- finally marriage for same sex couples was the general view from the voting public. It was seen as a positive step. I myself, was guilty of believing that this was finally equality for same sex couples.

The fact is, Civil Partnerships are a far cry from marriage equality! It is in fact true that elderly siblings can take out a Civil Partnership, to protect their inheritances and next of kin status!

Marriage is a beautiful thing. After all, it is a magical thing to see two people who love each other, commit their lives to each other…isn’t it??!! The bonds of matrimony are one of the strongest bonds which can formed between two people, second only, in this writer’s opinion, to that of a child and parent.

So why is it that same sex couples cannot receive these bonds? Is our society still so polarised that we still believe that the only ‘natural’ relationships are heterosexual relationships?? These were the points raised to me by the nervous bride moments before she took the plunge. She told me of her desire of a white wedding, the traditional sort. Fairly common desire for women I think. One male witness expressed his belief that matrimony is about the love between two people. I think its safe to say that love is not just confined to heterosexual sections of society, that it is a HUMAN EMOTION!!

Of course it is!! So why can same sex couples, even if its just for one day, experience the same thrills as a heterosexual couple?? Why can’t a gay bride to be have her dream of a white wedding??!! The issue of heterosexual marriages and relationships was never an election issue, or a political kite for the likes of Tony Blair and Brian Cowen to fly!! Why should same sex relationships come under such scrutiny, and be a tool for political point scoring??!! The reason, in my humble opinion, is that without inequality, the elite, be they clergymen, businessmen or politicians, would not have ANY of the comforts they now take for granted. My comrades all over Ireland in the LGBT movement now confide in me that it is also a human right, rather than a heterosexual right, to want to start a family. The nature versus nurture debate will definitely be a lengthly one, but surely in the face of all that is said, a nurturing childhood is more preferable to a natural one!

My friends, OUR revolution will NEVER be complete until we the youth take the last shreds of inequality out and strangle them with the entrails of bigotry, hate, sectarianism, and racism!

The gay people are our builders, our teachers, our doctors, our nurses, and all the other people we turn to when we need help. They DESERVE equality. It is up to Ógra Shinn Féin and Sinn Féin to demand that they get it!! Visit www.marriageequality.ie for more info.

Out of the closet and onto the streets!

Belfast city August 2nd 2008. 6,000 people march on the streets of Belfast to celebrate gay pride. Arriving at 12pm, a party atmosphere was already building and it was clear that we were in for a good day, especially with a fine appearance from the usually anonymous sun! Gays. lesbeans and trangendered gathered there to enjoy the craic, have a day out, but most of all, to celebrate their individuality! A topic on many people's lips was the recent controversial comments made by DUP MP MLA, and chair of Stormont health committee, Iris Robinson. Many people seemed buoyed to turn out in their numbers to show solidairty, and to show the mentioned bigot, dubbed wicked witch of the north for the day, that her comments will NEVER deter the sterling work done by Belfast gay pride. I was handed a red ribbon, signifying that I oppose the stigmata attached to persons who are HIV positive (I would have rathered a tshirt but can't complain!) as this is a major issue amongst the gay community, and definately something which needs to be tackled. Perhaps the health committee chair could take a leading role?!
Even the rain, when it made a brief appearance, did little to deter the marchers' enthusiasm, and they just blew their whistles louder! Small clutches of protestors waved signs quoting bible phrase, but they were shown the detest they deserved by the marches, who were mainly applauded by the ordianry citizens of Belfast. Some controversy last year about a banner saying 'Jesus is a fag', thankfully did not repeat itself.
Back to the square and a large party ensues. I let down my hair, knowing that I have played the important part, and my journalistic skills need not be fine tuned to summarise the carnival! I met with many people, some even admitting to me that it was their first time at pride, and having a great time teasing me about my southern accent!
Success! I get my euros changed and I'm staying on for a MASSIVE party. The rest is a blur!

Would I go back next year? DEFINATELY!!

Bastille Day

Today, July 14th, is a national holiday in France to celebrate the events of July 14th 1789, a day known as Bastille Day. The events of this day, triggered the ensuing events of the French Revolution, under the banner of Fraternity, Liberty and Equality. It is also accurate to state that the events of the French Revolution, inspired Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen to rise up in rebellion against the British occupation of Ireland. On Bastille Day, the ordinary people of France stormed the prison and released all those held within its walls. The conditions in the Bastille were horrendous, with prisoners sharing cells with all kinds of vermin, and being subjected to daily incidents of torture. For ordinary people to overcome soldiers and take over such a fortress, it is a HUGE feet, and one which is rightly remembered by the French people today. Whilst the aristocracy of France lived in the lap of luxury, the citizens lived in squalor straving because of rotten food. The French Revolution created the first great republic. However, it was soon forgotten by the ruling class of the First French Republic and subsequent French 'Republics' (There have been 5 in total).

This is why, as a Republican, I remember Bastille Day. The subsequent Revolution and creation of a French empire, remind me of who I am. I am reminded that even when we gain a 32 county republic in Ireland, we must set about creating a Socialist Republic of equals, where catholic, protestant and dissenter live together equally in harmony. As Connolly said, 'If you remove the English flag tomorrow, and don't go about creating a socialist republic of equals, England will still rule you through her landlords and capitalists' (forgive the inaccuracy of my quoting skills!) I m humbled to be told that the Irish struggle is an awe inspiring struggle for many international people, and to think that I am playing my very small part. I am also reminded of the words of Che Guevara, in which he described the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary, is the ability to see repression in other lands. I reaffirm my belief, on Bastille Day, that I, as an Irish Republican, will NEVER be free, until all those who share my goal throughout the world, recevie their Socialist liberation.

On to victory!!

Tiocfaidh ár lá!

An Internationalist Perspective

They say hindsight is a wonderful thing. Why in the name of all that is humane do world leaders not think about it?! Watching a House of Commons Q&A session with Gordon Brown, I noted the amount of MPs who were calling on peers to honour the memories of more British troops killed in Afghanistan. A death, no matter what side it's on, is nothing to celebrate, especially as tragic as a young person with a lot of potential. I was quite taken aback, however, that not one peer called for a withdrawal from Afghanistan! Surely now, the way to avoid more deaths is to take troops. armed to the teeth, out of the country! Similarly, in Iraq, one problem that was kept under control by Saddam was the scetarian killings we seem to be seeing on a daily basis now! If the American and British leaders claim that they invaded these countries to depose dictatorial regimes, can they explain the amount of bloodshed we see in the news on a daily basis?! If democracy is their goal, then why don't they invade Zimbabwe to depose the bloodstained rule of Robert Mugabe? The reason is, simply, because people like Mugabe were put into power by America and Britain, as they suited their neo-capitalist agendas. Can somebody please email me a picture of Queen Elizabeth II with a red neck on her. After all, didn't she award Mugabe with a KNIGHTHOOD!! Removing a knighthood, now that'll surely deter Mugabe's bloodlust! He's been removed from thay exclusive club which contains other dictators and despots such as Sir Mike Jackson, the man who reigned over the British Army occupation of the North of Ireland. Does Whitehall really think that by refusing to play a game of cricket against Zimbabwe, that the dictatorial regime will fall?! The greatest white elephant in the world, the UN will never do anything but sit and talk. The League of Nations crumbled and collapsed after it was clear it was a failure, why so do we still have, after 60 years, the UN?! Ireland is said to be in recession now, so why do us taxpayers still fund this white elephant?! Why has Brian Cowen cut our overseas aid by €45million, denying the people who REALLY need it and putting childrens' lives at risk, whilst he wastes BILLIONS on diplomacy and niceities. Why do Irish troops now occupy a country which has split up because of a colonial war?! Any right thinking person would say we've had 800 years enough of colonial wars!! It is time to put the myth of international terrorism, that Bush and Brown wave over our heads to keep us in a submissive state of fear, as in fact the real terrorists, and those who finance terrorism, are those who sit at the UN, those who dip their hands in the pool of blood being shed in Iraq, Ireland is one of those, and the G8, who talk about increasing aid to €50 billion, but instead spend it on the much needed caviar and champagne they so urgently require at their summits.