What are we to make of the perceived mood emanating from Sinn Fein's Ard Fheis in Castlebar last weekend, given the assertion there of renowned Ballymurphy hard-man Gerry Kelly that republicans have "lost confidence" in the Police Service of Northern Ireland? Are we witnessing a genuine shift away from the "our PSNI" mentality encouraged in the media by party loyalists such as Jim Gibney? Or rather is this yet another political smokescreen designed to assuage grassroots discontent with the increasingly regressive policies pursued by Matt Baggot's post-Patten successor to the hated Royal Ulster Constabulary?
That the latter explanation would concurrently provide Kelly and his associates in the Sinn Fein leadership the breathing space to continue on with their broadly uncritical support for policing in the occupied six counties is something that bears consideration in any analysis of the situation. It's also important to remember that all this takes place against a backdrop of rising apprehension in the republican community regarding the behaviour of the PSNI and its reversion to activities more associated with its predecessor than what others have coined "a new beginning to policing".
First of all it's open to question if there was ever any republican confidence in this fledgling reconfiguration of the old RUC to begin with, given the historical experience of the Nationalist community in relation to policing. What's certain is it took a lot of cajoling, conniving and promises of a tough, forthright attitude in any dealings with PSNI to secure republican support from within the Sinn Fein movement at the time of the party's 2007 decision to endorse police legitimacy. For some it was a bridge too far, for others long-since departed it was a vindication of their position. But many, many republicans were convinced to once more "trust the leadership and give it a go" - on the basis that any support would be critical support and that Sinn Fein would be all about "putting manners on these bastards and holding them to account; they won't know what hit them".
But despite such apparently good intentions, when we examine the historical record of the intervening six years since that January RDS decision how far can we truly say any of the above has remained consistent with reality? Given a recent report from the internationally respected Committee on the Administration of Justice that policing remains "opaque and dangerously unaccountable" we can confidently state that putting manners on the PSNI is the last thing that's happened. The flag protest, most especially the related attacks on the Short Strand, demonstrated the continuing disparity in how Unionism is policed in comparison to Irish Nationalism, the truth about how little had changed in policing was there for all to see. It's clear that the Catholic community remains an enemy within to be ruthlessly confronted while what's become known as 'the PUL' is simply adjudged to be misguided in its actions and to be treated with a 'kid-gloves' approach as a result. The impartial policing promised as part of the much-heralded 'new dispensation' has been exposed as a fig-leaf of the imagination. And all of that is to say nothing of the continuing role of British Military Intelligence at the very heart of policing and the failure of the Patten legislation to secure the type of accountability Gerry Kelly and others declared the fundamental bedrock of any new relationship between Irish republicans and the police - the cornerstone itself on which republican support for PSNI was to be built.
For many this is simply not good enough and Sinn Fein are belatedly recognising that fact.
"When we see bad policing we will be the first to demand it is sorted" Gerry Kelly told us last weekend, in words and in an attitude reminiscent of the language used back in 2007 to sway the doubters in the party. But where have these demands been over the course of the last few years? Why has the ongoing harassment in places like the Ardoyne, Derrybeg, Carrickmore, the Creggan and Taghnevan been routinely ignored as though things were still right as rain; why has the arrest and imprisonment of people on the flimsiest of evidence designed to assist a policy of internment by remand not been considered worthy of any significant political response by our vanguard leadership; where are the loud cries of "political policing" and the feet on the ground associated with the arrests of Padraig Wilson and Sean Hughes when it is Alan Lundy on the receiving end, or Stephen Murney, or Martin Corey, or Gerry McGeough, or Marian Price...?
But it does merit consideration whether we are seeing a shift in Sinn Fein's position, given all Kelly spoke about last weekend. Belated mention of the "old guard interfering in the Ombudsman's office, the refusal to give evidence to inquests, the scandal of rehiring retired officers, the different approaches to HET investigations and the different approaches to republican and loyalist demonstrations" are most certainly welcome. But given this austere - yet even at that incomplete - admission that all has not turned out as promised all those years ago where then do we go from here? And that is the real issue facing Gerry Kelly and Sinn Fein. Are we going to finally see the promised tough approach on policing and a serious effort to hold PSNI to task or are we merely seeing a repeat of the type of rhetoric used to sooth grassroots concerns and drive through the original decision at the Special 2007 Ard Fheis?
Kelly's address in Castlebar has vindicated the position of those who argued PSNI is not worthy of our support and made a mockery of his colleague Jim Gibney's fawning appreciation for "our PSNI" - to which he declared his full and unambiguous support only a few short months ago in his regular Irish News column. But Kelly's stark admission that PSNI "has lost the confidence of the republican and Nationalist community" will only hold any semblance of weight with republicans if it signals the start of a new approach to dealing with PSNI - an approach that was promised all along but never delivered; an approach that will by necessity require a recognition that the policies pursued in the time since Sinn Fein took its seats on the Policing Board have resulted in utter, abject failure; an approach that perhaps necessitates a withdrawal from policing structures and efforts to renegotiate a true "new beginning to policing" - for all. It remains to be seen if Kelly's words indicate a genuine move away from the near-unstinting support we've come to associate with his party's position on the PSNI or if once again we're seeing a clever deployment of the old 'good cop / bad cop' routine, with Gerry Kelly giving it the hardline to the party faithful to quiet down the foreboding murmurings of discontent among the ranks.
Only time will tell but for an ever-increasing number of Irish republicans time has long-since been called on the project of accepting the instruments of British occupation as anything considered even remotely worthy of our support. For more and more the PSNI is but the RUC with a fresh lick of paint, newly suited and booted but just the same old same old underneath - George's Cross and all. Given that even Gerry Kelly seems now to be admitting as much then who here would argue otherwise? His words in 2007 that we would see "radical change for the benefit of ordinary people" if only we would sign up to PSNI could not be further from the truth and it's plain for all to see.
There was a time not so long ago where myself and others very much like me would have said, "if it's good enough for Gerry Kelly then it's good enough for me". I'd have looked at his demeanor, listened carefully to what he was saying and felt somehow reassured, more-so by who it was doing the talking than the actual words themselves. What Gerry and his party now need to realise is that such certainties of old no longer carry the same currency; what they need to realise is that if it's not good enough for us then it should not be good enough for them either. And that this is just not good enough ....
![Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?s=100&p[title]="Good Cop/Bad Cop"&p[summary]=Sean Bresnahan with a piece on policing. The author is a Tyrone republican. &p[url]=https://www.thepensivequill.com/2013/04/good-copbad-cop_26.html&p[images][0]=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTkVwKoLjW7HgbmjPat-YB9g-0CGl2Uu18LBLRF1cPza_EsAn0uvKHAL9uC1rXCTX7UWLXX3mfkTN3i1EzqELoVmwAm3kv5hd853taoZFchHejcp5egurT42hspKW9CYMjo6nbyixViw/s0/01+Quill+Hand.png){kind=link}
Interesting post Sean,the gumpf and crap emanating from the likes of commandant Kelly should be seen in the context that it was delivered,as you rightly pointed out this return to telling the truth about the activities of his new found comrades is nothing more than playing to the gallery,while the poison dwarf Gorbels Gibney assured his uniformed buddies that really we are still on board,they are two faced bastards that will do and say whatever it takes to keep the sheep in the paddock.if they were serious about policing and indeed justice they would have walked long ago,Pete the punt was prepared to walk over the removal of the crown from the badge of the P.O,s the performance of quisling $inn £ein and their supporters in standing up for the rights of their fellow countrymen/women is scandalous if not treacherous,they are stuck so deeply in the slime of the british establishment that the only way left for them to go is down ,and the sooner the better I hope
ReplyDeleteThe biggest fault for me is SF/PRM haven learnt from past mistakes. I'll use the anology of the provisionals internal security dept. That got comprimised simply because the same people were in place for too long. The board of directors for SF have been in place for too long. As far back as I can remember the people who defended SF/PRM in the 70's are the same people speaking for them today...Yet within other political parties in the world there is always a change at the top..But not with SF..
ReplyDeleteI've suggested this before but if the people who left SF (for whatever reason) went back and took control of the party, there would a better chance to take the party back and make it a republican party that people would have confidence again.
Sean,
ReplyDeletethanks for submitting. You are a first class writer and I hope you go on to write much more whatever the outlet. This is the sort of critique we would at one time have got about the Sticks from the likes of Morrison and Gibney when they were republicans.
Sean:
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece , and , straight to the point.
The British have SF were they intended them to be , under a Union Flag in a British Parliament , give them worthless posts on policing etc were no matter what is said , they have no sway whatsoever.
If Gerry Kelly was genuine regarding PSNI/RUC then that would be a first, I believe it is a smoke screen , but I hope I'm wrong because he voices his opinion in the opposite direction in Ardoyne when people take to the streets for a legit protest and get manhandled by PSNI/RUC and trouble is instigated by that same sectarian force, as Kelly stands beside them mouthing at the youth to go back to there own homes because they are not wanted in our area.
Its double standard politics for ones own self esteem.
Seán,
ReplyDeleteGood article Sir…liked it a lot but you know the answer to any of the questions you raised….Kelly and Co like a good drama.….I recall once when he appeared on TV, after being warned by Gibney’s fusiliers about a dissident threat to his personal security, to express his deep concern and appeared quite shaken by it ….he was very convincing….later that same evening I happen to be out at an event and on returning to the main arena (too much beer which resulted in a toilet run), I observed Kelly bouncing off the walls with two pints in his hands, singing and cajoling his minder who was entreating him to return to his seat….I thought my goodness Gerard you are frantic with worry about your security!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As you rightly state it is all an act to garner waning support and diminish any dissension….the sorry aspect of all this is that he probably succeeded.
Frankie,
I totally agree with your comment but where would you start or how?
Sean
ReplyDeleteI think Kelly is stating the obvious because it's the obvious not because reality caused a change of heart.
Last year in Ardoyne the arrogant Mr Kelly looked quite comfortable moving around phone at his ear liaising with the cops which his constituents were totally under siege.
The policing issue just hasn't worked, simple as! We gave, we gave, we gave. In return we got a uniform change, nothing more, nothing less.
ReplyDeletethey are behaving in the North in the same way Labour are behaving down here. Hubris has prevented Gerry Kelly admitting the strategic failure of the project. Had I said to Gerry in jail that he would end up behaving like this he would have fallen out with me. I think Nuala is right. There is no real change of heart. The cops are the ones putting manners on the Shinners and asserting British authority every single day.
ReplyDeleteI think you've hit on something there Anthony, something must be preventing them from acknowledging reality - as Frankie and others suggested the questions asked were more rhetorical than any actually wondering was there a shift in policy behind all this. We've all been about long enough to know there is no such shift, it's just a clever if well-used ruse to calm grassroot disquiet regarding Sinn Fein's support for a police force that's failed to move beyond the conduct, behaviour and historical precedent of its forerunner, the RUC. There's no real attempt to acknowledge reality in any of this at all. If I'm wrong I'll have no problem admitting so if it's proved otherwise, but the track record here indicates it's unlikely we'll be holding our hands up anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteIt could indeed be pride that prevents such an acknowledgment of the reality you allude to but the fact their political careers are on the line means basic survival itself is more likely the guiding principle for Kelly and the others here. We all know what happened previous republican leaderships held to have failed, they were consigned to history - where this one no doubt fears it will end up if it loses its grip on the wider movement. Because make no mistake it has failed and failed utterly, it's just a question of whether they can continue to get away with dressing it up as this so-called 'courageous and imaginative' departure which somehow remains consistent with republicanism or whether the republican people come to accept this is nothing at all like how we were told things would be and respond accordingly. They can never admit that they've failed us because chances are their jobs, their prestige and all they've become accustomed to will disappear in a flash. And so the lies continue
Great read.
ReplyDeleteThe recent betreyal of interpreters in Afghanistand reminds me of treatment metted out to the Ghurkas after service too.
This article not only shows where and how SF ended up where they are, I think this link I saw today shows that the brits have in store for SF a similar fate that befel other expendables globally now they've served their purpose.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/margaret-thatcher-was-told-some-ira-leaders-wanted-violence-to-stop-in-1981-1.1374569
Larry-
ReplyDeleteThat link that you provide does not tell the full facts-
AM had all the story on his Facebook yesterday-
The brits said-
" We should be discouraging the Provisional's from switching from Terrorist to political activity at the very moment when we know that they have bagan to find political action attractive "
stupid brits-
Michaelhenry,
ReplyDeleteyou really need to read that document again. Atkins points out that discouraging the Provisionals from the armed struggle was one of the 'risks and disadvantages.' Once you read that then you really cannot claim you are providing the full facts. It is so simple.
michaelhenry
ReplyDeleteYou giving out typical disinformation from SF?
the RUC taught you all well.
Larry-
ReplyDelete" The RUC taught you all well "
Perhaps if the RUC had of listened instead of teaching they might still be about today instead of running around with no brit pot to piss in-
Michaelhenry,
ReplyDeletehow would you explain this?
In policing for instance there is still a small cabal of ex RUC in the PSNI structures or who have returned through the back door as civilian workers. Instead of being part of the new beginning to policing they are attempting to move back to a ‘force within a force’ in the PSNI.
Recent examples are:
• The 'retire and rehire' scandal
• The interference in the Police Ombudsman's Office under the previous Ombudsman, by elements within the PSNI
• The rejection by the PSNI Chief Constable, of the Ombudsman's findings on the Mc Gurks Bar Bombing.
• The Special Branch handling practices and criminal activities of police agents and their handlers in North Belfast and elsewhere.
• The activities of SOCA fed by those same elements that have pursued respected Republican families as a matter of revenge or ‘payback’ relating to the conflict.
• Months of ‘flag protests’ being facilitated by the PSNI hierarchy showing an obvious differential in policing between nationalists and unionists
Mickeybroy the ruc got more than a pot to piss in a cara ,they got a pot of gold and the rehire as Anthony has already pointed out ,which would never have been commented on by your cronies in q$£ had not others flagged this disgraceful breach of the Patton recommendations not been flagged up,they also have been rehired under less strict terms than they operated under in the ruc ,frightening stuff Mickeybroy...
ReplyDeleteMackers
ReplyDeleteMH and SF don't have to explain anything.... coz the media under brit instruction wont ask anything even resembling a serious question.
It's all about the piss-process
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
It's disheartening to hear a Sinn Fein Councillor come out with such crap, the worrying thing is Michael it seems you actually believe it yourself. "Perhaps if the RUC had of listened instead of teaching they might still be about today"? They ARE still about today! Worse still they have your party leadership's support! Try telling the people round here that anything's changed beyond the name when stop and search is an everyday occurrence, profiling of the Nationalist community goes on unabated, ordinary people continue to be approached by shady elements to become informers and people going about their everyday business are subjected to harassment with cops sitting outside their houses, intimidating their families and doing all in their power to harass and annoy. That's to say nothing of them hanging about outside Nationalist night-spots trying to goad young one's with drink in them to do something stupid. The response is usually a punch in the face, an arm-lock, dragged into a car by 3 or 4, abused all the way back to the station, false charges, lies before the court and some sort of criminal record for another young Nationalist. Just dare and suggest it's otherwise!
ReplyDeleteAre you seriously suggesting PSNI is anything other than a rebranded RUC? If so you're the only Sinn Fein Councillor I've heard utter such rubbish - everyone with any sense in the party knows full well this is not a new police force at all but merely the old repackaged with a few reforms. Try telling the family of that 85 year old woman from Tattyreagh who had her door smashed in and home tore to pieces by scumbag cops in ski-masks in the middle of the night last month that the RUC is not about today! Id say your colleagues in West Tyrone got an eye-opener as to what exactly this so-called police service has been getting up to in other parts of the country where such activities are more widespread. I can admit there have been some minor improvements in the civic end of policing but the rest remains pretty much the same.
'Political policing' - the end of policing that really matters - is a long, long way from being sorted out and the party's policy of critical support is not working - mostly because it's incapable of being truly critical for whatever reason, mostly in my opinion because it encouraged us to believe there had been significant change to garner support for the 2007 policy shift and to say otherwise now is an admission they got it wrong. Well wrong! If the hype coming out of the Ard Fheis just past is anything other than a smokescreen Sinn Fein will admit they've made a huge mistake, that they moved on policing too soon and for the wrong reasons and withdraw all support for this bogus police 'service'. Instead we have Councillors here suggesting the RUC has somehow been removed from the equation. It's time you's got real, PSNI has proven itself to be nothing but the RUC with a new badge and uniform and totally unworthy of our support. Hard to argue otherwise when even Gerry Kelly is saying they've lost the confidence of the republican and Nationalist community. They never had it. To suggest things are somehow otherwise is an abdication of your elected position as a representative of that same republican and Nationalist community and that's disappointing given the content of much of your other posts - a party loyalist yes but always from a republican perspective. As Marty says earlier if you's are serious about policing and justice you's will walk
Every time I read a discussion about policing the quote by O'Connell ' I would walk from here to Drogheda and back to see the man who is blockhead enough to expect anything except injustice from an English Parliament'. And that is crux of the issue in 2013. Given our history we have NOT learned from our historical dealings with our British colonial rulers. MH, U & your PSF colleagues are the blockheads of modern day Ireland. When GFA was signed, it was to secure the O6C as part of the United Kingdom. Blair himself said in Belfast @ a press conference. So PSF were in full knowledge of that fact, nobody was duped. If any duping was being done it was catholic/Republican electorate. And it stands to sense that under UK legislation we are legally bound to uphold it's laws as signed up to by PSF. Furthermore, one of the great aims of the civil rights was to tackle second class citizenship of nationalists/Republicans because of Partition. The British government met those demands via d'Hondt. Yet, PSF signed away this hard fought concession to the unionists in the closet (Alliance) for a JUSTICE ministry...I found it highly ironic that we spent a week demonising Thatcher around her funeral only for the British media to publish this quote made by her to Mandelson: 'You can't trust the Irish, they are all liars'... Given she has a biography coming out soon one wonders what tasty revelations (regarding the Hunger strikes etc) it will contain to ensure she and her government have the last word???
ReplyDeletebtw Sean, I forgot to commend you on this article. I would hope that the 1916 societies that you are involved with will be the beginning of future generations of Irish Republicans having a sound ideological base where elitism and who's who is consigned to the dustbin of Irish history. More importantly, I hope their formation will help instill an ethos of free thinking and open mindedness not only on our future direction but more importantly on what we take form the last 40 years. Meaningful progress will only come about through proper discussion and critical analysis on the key turning points of the political journey over last 40 years in the O6C...the Hunger strikes, Loughgall, Shoot to Kill, informers etc etc.
ReplyDeleteMany traditional Republican's have essentially turned their back on PSF and adopted an attitude of starting again. In many ways they have every right to do so given PSF's ideological U-turns, and all for what???....a few votes more! But as regards making meaningful political progress I feel to completely discount PSF as Republican non-entities may not be the best option, we can ignore the 'elephant in the room' (How do we deal with the Unionist veto??). They have attempted to deal with this directly with the British government and despite their rhetoric they ended up with Sunningdale Mark II. Also, apart from traditional Republican strongholds, do the conditions exist across the O6C to simply re-build? We live a different era and the socio-economic conditions do not exist to simply embark on a re-building strategy. Secondly, by simply starting again is it NOT letting PSF of the hook to continue unabated on their political juggernaut. As our political representatives the onus is on THEMSELVES to explain their decision making at vital intervals over the last 40 years. For all intent and purposes who to say that the same mistakes will not be made again??
There is political vacuum within Republicanism being created in the O6C which the media is happily allowing to be filled by militant dissidents and effect tarring all disaffected Republicans with the one brush.
In contrast, the reality is that the majority of dis-affected Republicans may not necessarily WANT to be associated with current actions of militant groups, especially, when the public perception is that there only success is managing to fill the columns of the Sunday rag papers. Again, a cynical pro British propaganda tactic of creating the association of between Republicanism & criminality in peoples minds; which is reaping massive rewards for them. Gerry Adams speaks of Peace & Reconciliation, maybe it should begin within Republicanism. If not then any attempt to rejuvenate will be killed of by darker forces (as we are witnessing with Corey, Price et al) and we will be reduced to post-mortems, infighting, splits....
..........and of course the likes of MH pontificating to us about the error of our ways!! lol
Poor old Michael Henry always gets a touch, have to admit though he's probably one of the ones you could work with if there ever were to be a reconciliation - if that's what your suggesting.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the critique is nailed on by most of us at this stage, it's getting the alternative sorted that's the big challenge for republicans. Otherwise there's going to be nothing but lateral drift and the status quo, with us venting away online but nothing changing. Has Sinn Fein a role in that alternative? Certainly not under this leadership - they're way too divisive to begin with and have produced only a record of failure. They should do the honourable thing and resign but that's as likely as Benjamin Netanyahu winning the Nobel Peace Prize. But the grassroots of the party for sure are worthy of a discussion on building a real strategy capable of delivering on republican goals. We have to keep trying it on with them.
What worries me more than convincing their grassroots of the need for a shift in direction is the paid lackeys of the party trolling the Internet to 'condition' today's youth (to borrow a theme from another thread) that they remain on track and have a viable strategy. Believe it or not but they actually have people being paid to do this, sitting on computers up at Stormont Facebooking away all day propagandising! It's galling to think they might poison another generation with their lies.
This for me is what we need to concentrate on - providing our young people with the tools to rebuild a viable freedom struggle, giving them a credible alternative that they can work with and expand on and so they don't see Sinn Fein, as many of our own generation do, as the only show in town. For me it goes without saying that the armed struggle has run its course, served its purpose and is too open to manipulation by the Brits anyway; the struggle from here-in given the society we now live in can only be unarmed and political for it to be effective. No more young men and women filling the gaols, no more Loughall's, Drumnakilly's or Clonoe's. It's not worth it any longer, it can't take us any further. So we have to concentrate on giving those young folk not only a clear analysis of the situation but also something they can gravitate towards and get involved in. This is where I'd hope the Societies can play a part. I'd hope they can salvage the legacy of republicanism, what our Volunteers fought and died for, and provide the basis for a renewed movement that such a coming generation can build on and go on to achieve Irish unity and the reestablishment of the Republic.
One thing for sure is it's a long, difficult road ahead to piece republicanism together again. But we owe it to ourselves and our children to at least try. If all we achieve is to make sure future generations know the names of those ordinary men and women - ordinary people who became extraordinary - who gave up their lives then that will at least be something worthwhile. But I honestly believe we're capable of more than that and thus I have hope for the future! "Our revenge will be the laughter of our children" said a true Irish hero... Let's hope he was right!
MH is good craic. I have no doubt he'd be sketch on a night out. I certainly do not place him in the catagory that would let people die with only votes in mind. MH aint no reptile.
ReplyDelete'Poor old Michael Henry always gets a touch, have to admit though he's probably one of the ones you could work with if there ever were to be a reconciliation - if that's what your suggesting.'......... at times rightly so because at times he is the architect of his own downfall. lol But credit where credit is due he remains steadfast to the party line, pity his party wouldn't do the same to the Republican one handed down by Wolfe Tone!
ReplyDeleteYou are adamant that the current PSF leadership shouldn't have a role in an alternative. U R probably right in that assertion, if Declan Kearney doggedness in a recent TV interview is anything to go by. The PSF leadership R still claiming the moral high ground and therefore professing that there path is the correct one. However, there are alot of unanswered questions surrounding key turning points during the last phase of the Struggle and they are both morally and politically accountable to answer allegations and fulfill 'promises' made to families on matters of 'truth & justice'.
'Believe it or not but they actually have people being paid to do this, sitting on computers up at Stormont Facebooking away all day propagandising! It's galling to think they might poison another generation with their lies.'
Not surprised to hear of this possibly happening. Again I refer back to Mr Kearney recent pseudo 'out-reach' to 'dissidents' within the parameters of the Peace Process, which is tantamount to saying we will talk to U but on our terms! Of course the British aided disarray within dissident groups allows him to say this with an air of complacency, but he cannot mask the fact that PSF are part and parcel of British administration on Occupied Irish soil via Stormont HQ. Surely then, if 'dissident' groups were to deal with anyone,they should speak with the organ grinder and not the monkey??
I wouldn't worry about if there is an ongoing indoctrination campaign designed to poison the minds of future generations; in time the truth will set us FREE!
As for the role of militant Republicanism I think this quote from the oration given for Jim McAllister (RIP) is quite apt.
‘The two Brendan’s didn’t believe they would get freedom by asking for it, they believed they had to fight for it’. Also to paraphrase Pearse,'our children will by a better way' , the volunteers sacrifices of the last 40 years, have NOT been in vain and have provided us with a political platform to fight our future battles without the need for blood sacrifice.
Paradoxically, Connolly is quoted as saying, "We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times. These are exceptional times.". Therefore, it is down to the courage within ourselves as Irish Republicans to know the difference and clearly differentiate between both sets of circumstances in relation to where we are politically at this moment in time.
Clearly, some within Republicanism feel that we are in fact witnessing extraordinary times. That is their prerogative as Irish Republicans though they do have a moral obligation to the Republican collective to clearly outline WHY they feel we have reached that stage.(just my opinion I hasten to add!)
Cont'd ....
ReplyDelete'So we have to concentrate on giving those young folk not only a clear analysis of the situation but also something they can gravitate towards and get involved in. This is where I'd hope the Societies can play a part. I'd hope they can salvage the legacy of republicanism,'
I agree totally with U on this. It is imperative that ALL the Republican sacrifices made are remembered, not just for posterity but also as a form of guidance for future generations.
We are in serious danger of 5th columnist revisionism re-writing the 'true' ideals that drove the 'armed' struggle. There is an ongoing agenda to deliberately cherry pick events form the past and judge them out of context against our modern day 'normalised' society.
In my opinion a key ingredient for the success of the Societies will be their ability to incorporate the ideals that drove the last phase of the Struggle for Irish unity into a coherent and viable blue print for the future!
“Education should foster, education should inspire.” ~ P.H. Pearse ~
Larry - I am sure you are right about our learned friend Michael Henry. And Sean you are probably right about potentially working with him etc.. MH U R much more canny than you portray yourself on here.. but as U well know MH, when you try and justify the unjustifiable party line on certain issues then U R leaving yourself open for the same criticism as your party leadership..
ReplyDeleteSean Bres:
ReplyDeletethat's an excellent post, I will comment on just one portion of it, Which I deem very relevant ; Regarding today's youth, they are our future, education is there future and its our duty to make sure they get a full college and university education which will benefit our whole nation to unification.
itsjustmacker
ReplyDeleteEducation surely. But at the same time as Peter Robinson points out it is the educated RCs in the North the DUP foresee retaining the union for the next fifty years.
When you see the corrupt nepotism that passes for politics in the South do you not think Peter may have a point?
At least unionism is addressing modern realities. Nationalists may need more than education to alter the mafia syndicate in the free-state. Ming and co. definitely haven't impacted much on it.
Larry,
ReplyDeleteCldn't agree more! I once read that the politicians in the South didn't want the Stormont politicians in the Dail in the event of a 32 county Republic prior to Partition because of their ability and reputation..Not sure how true this actually was but am sure if their was to be a united 32 tomorrow the class of 2013 in the Daíl would be thinking the same.
Maybe that's what the Dail does need to freshen up the old school attitude??
fenian
ReplyDeletethe problem is self interest all-around. The prods could have included everyone on this island in their industrialisation and empire market game-plan. But they need to be grinding people into the ground to be happy with what they have. Which is bugger-all today except the never-ending hateful attitude.
The free-staters are corrupt cute-hoor embarrassments. The SF leadership have proven to be no different. Not merely since entering the talking shop on the hill, but way before that,whilst building up the head of steam for the political journey up the hill, the 1981 Hungerstrikes. Despicable beyond contempt. They knew what they were at.
Whatever comes about, this thing aint over yet. I'm looking forward more than I can say to the event in Derry tomorrow evening. It has been well over a decade since I've been 'exposed' to anything nearing proper politics. I mentioned Gerard Hodgkins in my dissertation and can't wait to hear his take on things.