Blank After bursting onto the political scene in 1985 under Des O’Malley’s leadership and having been part of coalition government at Leinster House for much of the following period, the Progressive Democrats have finally called it a day after their recent disastrous electoral performance. Blank
After the SDLP on BCC voted against a civic reception for British troops, the SDLP Mayor in Derry has held one in secret with details only being released after the fact. Blank
The title is a quote from Tommy Gorman at the launch of Anthony McIntyre’s book: ‘Good Friday: The Death of Irish Republicanism’ [is my wife looking for stocking fillers? – Ed] McIntyre has been a vocal critic of the provisional movement’s peace strategy and has suffered more than a little as a result. While I understand much of the book is recycled material from the now defunct Blanket website it should still make a good read and the video from …
After my invitation to join me on a walk in Belfast this morning only one Slugger reader came along. The following is a taste of our day and the photos, mostly provided by Gerard, are on Flickr. A big thanks to Gerard for providing some great company. Unfortunately logistics meant despite best intentions we couldn’t get to every aspect but we gave it a good go UPDATE: Youtube footage now added (one of the UDA groups arrives at 6:18) This …
I’m intending, if possible, to try and take in all of tomorrow’s parade and protests with a walk starting at the éirígí demo, heading towards the SF one via the military assembly point at Inst then walking along the parade route finishing up with the demo at the Markets (might try to fit in the WSM demo at Primark). I’ve asked a Unionist to join me on the dander and blog their view of the same experience but that may …
éirígi’s latest press release lists 100 court cases involving members of the UDR/RIR 1. John Gaw, Greenisland, County Antrim: Sentenced to 10 years in March 1977 for possession of arms and training UVF East Antrim members. Involved in 76-day UVF trial which ended with 27 men receiving a total of 700 years plus eight “Lifes” for UVF activity. 2. 3. 4. Ronald Gibson, Mark Mam and Kenneth Spence, Newtonabbey: Fined £50 each in February 1979 for breaking into and desecrating …
Accepting the tensions and controversy caused by their application to march through the streets of Belfast, the MoD have made a series of last minute alterations to their plans for Sunday. Regimental marches have been dropped from the parade along with the display of weapons and plans for a fighter and bomber fly-past. ADDS: Closing comments as FD got in first but leaving the blog as it has additional links. Blank
Two former SF Cllrs, Martin Connolly of Newry and Mourne Council and Barry Monteith of Dungannon District Council, have declared their support for the éirígí protest over the British military parade in Belfast. And bizarrely it seems three Republican SF cumann in East Tyrone have left that organisation after the party refused to accept local groups being named after IRA volunteers killed at Loughgall (no link of worth as yet for this). Blank
With both éirígí and SF already declaring protests against the MoD parade in Belfast, British Army Chaplain David Latimer has also expressed disaproval. I’ve also heard of protests being organised by RNU (Republican Network for Unity) at the Markets and the WSM (Workers Solidarity Movement) UPDATE: The IRSP and 32CSM will be protesting at the Markets. RSF still intend to be at their annual Edentubber commemoration. Blank
For those that missed it, TG4’s documentary Soviet na hÉireann is currently online. (click Faisnéis – Cartlann on the left then select the programme) Descrided by the station Soviet na hÉireann explores that heady post World War 1 era when Ireland stood on the brink of a Soviet socialist revolution which would have utterly altered the course of its history The documentary explores the extent of socialism during the period that went far beyond the more widely known Limerick Soviet …
The Parades Commission has approved the British military parade in Belfast on 2nd November, including last minute changes to their application moving the parade back to 11.45 and an additional band. They also restricted the SF counter-protest. The éirígí protest is unaffected as they did not apply for approval. The Andersonstown News has also backed the parade comparing protestors to Ian Paisley and those that opposed civil rights demands. [will they retract that next week? – Ed] Update: Parades Commission …
With the Parades Commission delaying a ruling on the British military parade through Belfast, now to include a bomber and fighter fly past [of course it isn’t military triumphalism- ed], and the Sinn Féin counter-demonstration. Unionist politicians have been raising the spectre of associated violence if either SF or éirígí are allowed to protest while both have responded with their intentions to hold peaceful protests (eirigi statement, not online as yet, is below the fold). So just who is going …
After the last Dail election, in addition to losing a seat, Sinn Féin lost the benefits of being part of a Technical Group when the Greens joined the government benches and many independents lost their seats. However, politics.ie notes that FF’s current difficulties could mean SF and Independents are in a position to re-establish a Technical Group. The main benefit being increased speaking rights. Blank
With a ruling due tomorrow on the British Armed Forces parade in Belfast on 2 November and a counter-protest by Sinn Féin, the News Letter points to the anger of some that the Parades Commission has no power to rule on an éirígí organised protest as they have not sought permission for their demonstration. (éirígí link may not be working at present) ADDS: I should have noted that dependent on éirígí plans they may not even fall within the scope …
After the Slugger Awards, which attempted to promote good governance, my mind is drawn to awards exposing the opposite; The Worst EU Lobbying Awards 2008 (a potential new category idea for Slugger in 2009?) organised by Corporate Europe Observatory, Friends of the Earth Europe, LobbyControl and Spinwatch. The candidates The five candidates for the Worst EU Lobbying Award are: •The agrofuels lobby (including MPOC, Unica and Abengoa) – nominated for their misleading campaigns to promote agrofuels as green; •The European …
The Sentinel has a piece showing the towering intellect that is Gregory Campbell. Blank
From the excellent Casino Crash, Praful Bidwai journalist and TNI fellow, argues that the recent crisis has led to an unprecedented crisis and delegitimation of the Anglo-Saxon neoliberal model, dominated by finance capital. The resulting policy debate must include radical demands for structural changes in the global financial system, including strict public regulation, controls on capital mobility, coordinated monetary policies, and a plan to restructure banking along equitable and accountable lines as part of an economic reconstruction programme. Article here …
Views from the left (3) Final one for today comes, on a sort of lighter note, from Mark Steel. So where does Marx come in? But just because the Government is taking over banks, that doesn’t mean it’s socialism. Certainly none of the founders of socialism, such as Karl Marx, appear to have written anything along the lines of: “Workers of the world unite! It is time to pay every penny on the planet to bail out bankers who’ve cleaned …
Views from the left (2) Next up is a lengthy piece from new kids on the Irish block, éirígí. Brian Lesson, chairperson of éirígí, starts: While the Twenty-Six county government last week succeeded in rushing its emergency ‘Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008’ through Leinster House many serious questions remain to be answered. A host of ministers have to date refused to answer these questions, preferring instead to repeat the mantra of ‘are acting in the national interest’ ad nauseum; …
Slugger has been providing much commentary on the current economic crisis, I will be linking to some content from left views not given much coverage as yet. First up is a Declaration from Francis Wurtz, President of the GUE/NGL group at the European Parliament, sourced from the Spectrezrine blog. He starts by giving his view on the lessons to be learned: For several weeks now we have been witnessing – against the dizzying backdrop of billions of euros or dollars …
