tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29172279883693910292024-03-21T16:16:10.050-07:00The Guerrilla BloggerThe Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-68575203966068827972010-09-08T11:57:00.000-07:002010-09-08T12:08:08.394-07:00Today, over 24,000 children died around the worldDespite the fact that you rarely hear about this in headlines, it is a fact that well over 24,000 Children died today, and nearly everyday, around the world. They were killed by poverty, hunger, illnesses and diseases that can be easily cured and better yet easily prevented.<div><br /></div><div>The well known fact seems to be easily forgotten in our busy society. A child dies every 3 seconds. That is a hard fact to swallow and we seem to ignore it daily. About 16-17 Children die every minute. 9 Million Children die every year. From 2000-2007, our world lost about 79 Million Children.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is the equivalent to the Haiti earthquake taking place on a 10 day cycle, or the 2004 Asian Tsunami.</div><div><br /></div><div>According to UNICEF:<br /><br />1 million Children are deprived of one or more services essential to survival and development.</div><div>148 million under 5's are underweight for their age.</div><div>101 million Children are not attending primary schools.</div><div>22 million Children have no regular immunization from disease.</div><div>8.8 million Children died before their fifth birthday in 2008.</div><div>4 million new borns are dying within the first month of life.</div><div>2 million Children under 15 are living with HIV.</div><div>Over 500,000 woman die each year from causes related to Child birth or pregnancy.</div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-6828442068111733762010-09-03T16:10:00.000-07:002010-09-03T16:32:30.205-07:00Burma<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Burma is currently ruled by a dictatorship, charged by the United Nations with "crimes against humanity, for its systematic abuses of human rights. It is one of thee most brutal dictatorships in todays world.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While the population go without healthcare, education and food, the regime spends the majority of its budget only on the military. A sad, but undeniable truth, is that one in ten children die before the age of five.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In 1990 the country held elections, in which 82% of the vote was won by the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Aung San Suu Kyi has since been under House arrest and as of May 6th of this year the NLD have been banned by the Regime.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There are currently 2,100 political prisoners in Burma and NGO's and Human Rights groups have reported them tortured. Ko Mya Aye has been denied urgent medical treatment for a heart condition, as he lays in Taungyi Prison for leading a Student protest. Furthermore the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners estimated that 136 other prisoners are in bad health.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Men, Women and Children are in forced Labour, made to work for the Regime without pay. Many have suffered beatings, torture, rape and even murder. The International Labour Organisation committee on Burma said that Burma had made "totally inadequate" steps to change this.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Regime is knowingly waging war on ethnic minorities. The Burmese Army have increased attacks on Karen civilians in Eastern Burma. On the 23rd of July the Burma Army soldiers burned 50 homes, a school and a church in the Dah Der village in the Mutraw District of the Karen state. 540 people fled into hiding. The Karens Women's Organisation has released a report documenting the horrors of the regime; crucifixion, burning people alive, raping and gang rape, burying women up to their heads, beating women to death and beheadings. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To find out more, and discover how you can help, visit </span></span><a href="http://www.burmacampaign.org"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.burmacampaign.org</span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">God Bless, Peace</span></span></div><div><br /></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-39382490840625572862010-09-03T16:07:00.000-07:002010-09-03T16:10:44.479-07:00The Current State of Ireland as a Nation<div>The Irish Free State is no more than a capitalist, power orientated, bear shaped hole in the world map. The constant Americanisation has done for Ireland what sins do for the soul. </div><div><br /></div><div>The land of Saints and Scholars is no more as her morals are sold and squandered; those who align themselves with the proclamation of 1916 must feel like strangers on their own island, struggling to see where the desire for a workers orientated free Ireland died on the path along which the Celtic Tiger led us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Her neutrality exists no more to be questioned, as US war planes fuel in Shannon to fly to decimate Iraq or wherever America deems fit next. Her abandonment of the dying people of Palestine, as they continue trade with Israel and refuse to throw out their ambassador, shows how quickly one can forget the help received from the likes of the Choctaw Tribes during An Gorta Mor.</div><div><br /></div><div>After correspondence with the councillors of Dublin over the insane prospects of a state visit from an English Monarch I have come to finally accept that the people of the occupied territory have been cut lose, no longer considered an issue for Ireland. Seemingly our Irish citizenship is symbolic only of times gone by. The visit from the occupier is being warmly welcomed by those who are s'posed to represent the views of the people.</div><div><br /></div><div>The welcoming of the English head of state, legitimises her claim of sovereignty over our island; it legitimises partition and it forgets the sons of Róisín who died for her freedom!</div><div><br /></div><div>The Free State is a British state!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone, who is revolutionary enough, to show a glimmer of hope, for an Ireland of which they can be proud, is painted as a dissident, living in the past and tarred with the same brush used against Ireland's armed rebels.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet there is hope, a candle still burning in the hearts of unfree or righteous men. It can be seen, placard in hand, marching the streets; for Palestine; for POWs; for workers; Yes the light is dim, but it burns!!</div><div><br /></div><div>It may seem insane, but serious economic failure is probably the only future for Ireland. For people to turn to the left and rise up; to fight for the Ireland from tales of old.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beidh Ár Lá Linn!!</div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-20923636014332344022010-07-14T09:00:00.001-07:002010-07-14T09:41:04.365-07:00Ardoyne SituationSo it has been a while since I posted anything here. Truth is, I've become rather fed up with everything. I want to discuss my opinions on the current trouble in Ardoyne. Firstly, I will discuss my opinion on the whole Orange Order, 11th/12th Nights and Orangefest. <div><br /></div><div>The Bonfires of the 11th night, are completely unacceptable in a 21st Century society. I have blogged about this before so you can read that if you wish to know my opinions on the Bonfires.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Loyalist Bonfires: <a href="http://whatsachris.blogspot.com/2009/06/you-cant-decommision-attitudes-harsh.html">http://whatsachris.blogspot.com/2009/06/you-cant-decommision-attitudes-harsh.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Republican Bonfires: <a href="http://whatsachris.blogspot.com/2009/08/republican-bonfire.html">http://whatsachris.blogspot.com/2009/08/republican-bonfire.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the Orange Orders own website it states that they "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; ">strenuously oppose the fatal errors and doctrines of the Church of Rome", and that they should "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; ">resist the ascendancy of that Church". This is blatant admission that the Orange Order are sectarian, in that they are antiCatholic. So, in this day and age where we are "Moving away from Sectarian divisions" in our City, the Belfast City council agrees to this farcical that is "Orangefest", trying to disguise this Sectarian bigotry as family fun. Then we have politicians claiming that it is a community event. Well, it clearly is not a community event. I would not be welcome at the "Festival" if I carried my tricolour, only if I carried a Union flag. So Orangefest is both antiCatholic and Loyalist only; It is not a family or community event. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">So this leads me on to my opinions on the GARC's sit down protest.<br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div> I belief that the residents of the Ardoyne area are entitled to stage their protest, against this bigoted march through their area. The resident's of the area have staged their peaceful protest for the past few years, but what has it achieved? They still have not got dialogue with the Orange Order and the march still goes through their area. So this year I think it was right for the Residents to stage their sit down protest. Civil disobedience is a legal way of Protest and revolution. It was the soul solution to the downfall of Apartheid in South Africa. So at this I agree with the Protest. I think it was wrong for the police to remove the protesters by force, and completely unacceptable that they fired baton rounds.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>However I can not give support to the constant riots. Many of these rioters are bored youths, without a political concept in their head. Not all of them, but many. I am sorry to say that I do not agree with the RSF opinion, that these people are defending their neighborhoods against British Police. These British Police would not have been there last night if not for the riots. Maybe on the 12th night you could use this argument, but not on the 13th Night. The 13th should be used to commemorate Martin Hurson who died after 46 days on the Hungerstrike. </div><div><br /></div><div>I furthermore think that it is wrong for non residents to bus into the area to take advantage of the situation. If the people of the area called for Republicans to travel to their community in support then I myself would have gone, but they did not. This means, whether it was intentional or not, those that did travel Hijacked the protest, and marred the peaceful civil disobedience with violence. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the day do I condone the Loyalist, bigoted parades? No I do not. I believe there is no place in this society for this kind of contentious parading outside of their own areas. Do I condem the Residents sit down protest? No, I fully support their decision. Do I condem the youths rioting? No I do not. Society has failed these youths and they can not be completely condemned, though they must face responsibility. Do I condem the actions of those that are using these riots to their advantage? No, I do not agree with them but I have no right to condem them. My opinion is that all this trouble has done us great disadvantage.</div><div><br /></div><div>The numbers of the Orange Order had reportedly fallen to 9000 across the occupied territory. That is a considerably lack of people in comparison to the years gone by. The lack of serious trouble over the past years has saw people lose interest and their numbers fall. This year will see a dramatic rise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beidh ár lá linn.</div></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-4758967944371267432010-06-13T17:18:00.001-07:002010-06-13T17:28:40.565-07:00One must ask...One must ask, if not for European Colonialisation, what kind of world we would live in today. If not for the likes of Imperialism or Empire building. <div><br /></div><div>If not for the European Colonialisation of nearly all the world, would we have a so called "Third World"? Would Africa be a beautiful and prosperous continent? Had the likes of Germany, Belgium, Britain or France not pillaged and raped the nations in Africa, would South African Apartheid ever have happened? Would 800,000 people still have been slaughtered in Rwanda?<br /><br />If not for the building of Empires, would Kashmir be the subject of conflict between India and Pakistan? Would Asia be such a poor continent?</div><div><br /></div><div>Would the Natives, on the continent now known as America, still live in relative peace, indeed on the land and not in "reserves" like some kind of endangered species? Would Racism be as rife in the North of America as it is?<br /><br />Would the people of Palestine suffer under the same degradation relayed unto them by Israeli occupation forces?<br /><br />Would Irelands History be one of such Bloodshed, war and devision?<br /><br />Had the rulers of the nations in Europe, not decided they were better than others and thus set out with the aim of proving it, would we live in the kind of world now that people often dream off?<br /><br />Who knows what are world would be. But one thing for sure, if Colonialisation, Imperialism and War mongering are not dealt with, the Rwandan Genocide, South African Apartheid and the Holocaust will creep up on us time and time again.<br /><br /><br /></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-78025293791902524772010-04-24T10:11:00.000-07:002010-04-24T11:22:04.644-07:00The Issue of National Sovereignty<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I want to address the arrogance of people who take the no interest in the issue of National Sovereignty on the island of Ireland. Whilst doing door to door canvassing this past two years, I have been met with the arrogance and smugness of people who feel they are superior to me on a moral basis because they vote for a "neutral" party, such as Alliance. I feel that for anyone to use the line "I want the parties to deal with real issues" to be arrogant and I personally can't have it. Let me explain why.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Firstly, anyone that votes Alliance is delusional to think that they are voting for a neutral party. Alliance are not a neutral party. On the issue of National Sovereignty, they are Unionist. They share office with Sinn Féin, but have made it clear given the choice they would rather not. They are not neutral, they are smart with words.</span></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Secondly, the reason I can't handle that excuse is because of the obvious self interest it displays. For me, and hundreds of people like me, National Sovereignty is a real issue. It is an issue of major importance. To say you don't like the parties here because they don't deal with real issues really translates to "my real issues". If I was to state that I wouldn't vote for a party cause they are only interested in taxes and not real issues would be laughable; and it is just as laughable when one discusses national sovereignty in the same way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It would be equally delusional to think that the parties here do not deal with real, or "bread and butter" issues. All the major parties here have proposals and mandates for the likes of general taxes, water charges, fuel charges, education, poverty, depravation etc. However the parties are also involved and have proposals for the issue of national sovereignty. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Now I feel I should address the issue of national sovereignty and why I deem it important. People that lack the interest in the issue, usually are unaware of why other people are. It is no secret to me that people deem the likes of me, as laughable paranoid fools living in the past. Very few people would take the time to ask me why, or try to find out my opinions on the issue. However I feel that if some one is going to judge me for my opinions on the issue they should at least take the time to educate themselves of what my opinions actually are. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So what are my opinions. Well it would be true that some of my issues come from the past. Having educated myself on the actions of British rule in my country I do honestly think that a free Ireland is the right thing to do. It is the only really way to get justice for our country. But it is so much deeper than that. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">NOTE: This next paragraph will be the part that people will refuse as the paranoid rant of a "dissident Republican". I am not a dissident. People just don't want to admit that these things are true. Due to this fact however I will keep it to a short paragraph.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These unfair actions of British rule are still ongoing in our country. Last year, as I have stated many times before, the PSNI/RUC stopped and searched 110 people a day, including a three year old and her pram, under section 44, in Republican areas, according to their own figures. Since the European union have deemed this illegal, the PSNI/RUC have continued to use these searches. The British army where involved in a raid on the home of 3 Republicans in Derry last week. This is not speculation, they provided a document to the home owner stating who was searching the house. They only reason for this search was their membership with the 32CSM. I am not really a fan of the 32CSM, but I know that this is wrong. As was the case in 1981 (which I bring up due to its public attention), Republican prisoners in British gaols are denied political status. These same prisoners were not allowed to commemorate their fenian dead at easter when they were denied the right to wear their lily, despite the poppy being worn in the gaol every year. In republican areas, real criminals, the likes of Drug/Death dealers are more likely to receive protection from the PSNI/RUC in exchange for information on Republicans. The catch 22? The more criminals that are allowed such protection, the more people join the ranks of the armed organisations, wether it be the IRA or the likes of RAAD, who focus more on drugs than the issue of national sovereignty.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So now to address another reason I deem national sovereignty to be important. I am from a working class family. I deem the people to be important. I believe that the people, their rights and their well being should be more important than that of big businesses and banker interests. In a word I would be describe as a "socialist" and where as I use this word for simplicity, I don't really like it. I don't think their is a word to describe my political views. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I believe that governments should not be shirts and ties, and fancy cars and security and, as in the case with America, celebrities. The politicians should be working for the people, where as despite what every one of them says, we clearly work for them. I believe this is directly related to the issue of national sovereignty because whilst we live under British rule we will not be able to revolutionize the British institution in a way that will empower the people. The occupied territory is to small for any major changes to be made on their behalf. The fact that George Galloway has been removed from the house on various occasions for acting on behalf of the oppressed Palestinians shows this. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Before we can live in a truly socialist society, where by the people are empowered we must liberate ourselves from a country that still has a monarch. A single family who deem themselves more important than anyone else, for no other reason than their mother and father thought the same thing. We must liberate ourselves from a country that still has a colonial empire, by forced rule over Ireland. We need to liberate ourselves from a country that deems itself better than others. If this is the attitude of the government towards Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine or Iran, how can we expect that same government to respect the rights of six simple counties on an adjacent island? Britain believe that they have the right to have weapons, and spend huge amounts of our taxes on weaponry, and yet they somehow feel they have the right to demand that Iran does not have weapons; That Palestinians live under Israeli oppression and show no resistance.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We need to liberate Ireland, and begin to build the country imagined by all those who have died for it. An Ireland where the tricolour is not the only change to our government corridors, but the very foundations that the political institutions are based are also changed. Where everyone enjoys the same equality that Martin Luther King Jr had his dream about. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">National Sovereignty is the only way we can bring the institutions right back to the beginning, and rebuild them. This is why it is a real issue, and an issue of major importance. </span></span></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-40165984371075632132010-04-22T04:07:00.000-07:002010-04-22T04:50:55.970-07:00SDLP Westminster ManifestoI would like to discuss and respond to the SDLP manifesto and the attitudes of the party in general. <div><br /></div><div>Firstly, Ritchie begins her speech by saying Westminster is important, this doubled with SDLP denouncing abstensionism is hypocritical, considering the appalling attendance record or the SDLP in the past year. They have the lowest attendance record of anyone in Westminster, including independents. So Sinn Féin are condemned for not taking a salary or a seat, when the SDLP deem it okay to take a Salary, and may as well take no seat. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sinn Féin do not take their seat, as they will not give any legitimacy to British occupation of Ireland. However Sinn Féin work in the corridors, where the real work is done, where the work is done for you and me.</div><div><br /></div><div>At this stage Ritchie brings up what she calls a sectarian head count, referring to Sinn Féin's offer of a joint candidate in South Belfast and Fermanagh/South Tyrone, in response to the unionist joint candidate in the same area. Now wether one sees this as a stunt, tactic or legitimate political decision, the logic of the SDLP to this move is beyond incomprehensible.</div><div><br /></div><div>To try and convince the electorate, that Sinn Féin's decision to pull out of South Belfast, is an attempt to seat an Unionist Politician is completely ridiculous. I honest believe that even the most hardened of anti PSF "dissidents" would find it hard to be convinced of this. I will say that in the same situation as the people of South Belfast, I would need a lot of convincing to vote for the likes of the SDLP, however I can see how Sinn Féin believe that this was a good move. It was in fact an act of "Nationalist Solidarity". </div><div><br /></div><div>She claims she is planning for Irish unity. Now lets consider this for a second. The SDLP have no agenda or manifesto at this stage for Irish unity. The SDLP are a 6 County Party, and thus has no real understanding of the requirements, needs or desires of the people of the 26 counties of the partitionist free state. To claim any understanding of what is required for the unification of Ireland is ridiculous. This is the same party that said they are ut to "build a better Northern Ireland" and that their number one enemy was Sinn Féin. Not Capitalism, Elitism, Unionism, Loyalism or British Rule; Sinn Féin, the biggest Republican party in the Occupied Six. This statement means she deems the majority of the Republican electorate as enemies. Furthermore the SDLP are a Middle Class party, that are not in step with the people of the struggling working classes, and will not be able to instill a socialist Republic on this island. </div><div><br /></div><div>To claim that any one party, let alone her own, can single handedly solve the economic crisis in the occupied region is actually so naive that I can't believe she believes this herself. She claims to believe in devolution but out rightly stood in the way of the devolution of Policing powers, albeit not at the same degree as the Ulster Unionists.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite a lot of the rest of her 12 minute talk is wrapped up in the usual political nonsense of "We will make everything better, but no I won't tell you how we plan to do it", as all Political manifestos has a habit off, that is no jibe at the SDLP.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then she moves on to a United Ireland once again, claiming that her party believes in it. Where is the evidence of this however? And what kind of United Ireland does her party believe in? A Middle Class United Ireland? The very thing the people of Ireland rebelled against in the first place?<br /><br />I mean let us get something straight, National Sovereignty for the people of Ireland, is only a single part of the Irish struggle. The struggle on our island is not so much about Dublin ruling Ireland. The struggle is about empowering the people, and empowering Ireland to be a great nation, not just economically, but socially. For the people of Ireland to live in peace in an equal society, where the money can't crush the workers. But back to the manifesto...</div><div><br /></div><div>More of the same really.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fact is that the SDLP has steered so far away from what they were started out to be. They no longer represent the working class, or nationalist people as a whole. </div><div><br /></div><div>Críostóir MacAodha</div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-75428173907330800562010-03-26T17:22:00.000-07:002010-03-26T17:24:54.337-07:00Fighting occupation in Palestine<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The UN reports that 70% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are now living in acute poverty, a figure comparable to poverty levels in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 50% are now dependent on food aid.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Palestinians are not victims of a natural disaster. The poverty they are suffering is an acknowledged product of the Israeli occupation. </span></span><span style=" line-height: 19px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">According to the UK government's Department for International Development: "Poverty in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is a product of occupation and conflict." Only by ending the occupation can the root causes of poverty be addressed.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Israel's recent assault on the people of Gaza in late 2008/early 2009 demonstrated the brutality of Israel's army. The assault left over 1400 people dead and thousands more injured. It marked the culmination of a policy of collective punishment practised by Israel against the people of Gaza over the past 2 years.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Israel imposed a state of siege on Gaza in 2007 turning the world’s most densely populated area of land into the world’s most densely populated prison. John Dugard the former UN special rapporteur for human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories described the situation in Gaza before the attack as “collective strangulation” of a people.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yet this is nothing new. Over the last 61 years Israel has continuously acted in defiance of UN resolutions, international law and global outrage. Through the continuing occupation, Israel has engaged in excessive and disproportionate force, house demolitions, targeted assassinations, detention of minors, detention without trial, attacks on water supplies, violation of the right to food and attacks on medical personnel and equipment. This, alongside the systematic and deliberate destruction of schools, hospitals, water systems, farmland and the building of an illegal Separation Wall, has destroyed any semblance of a Palestinian economy.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In addition, millions of Palestinians are still living with human rights abuses and crushing poverty in refugee camps as a result of the 'nakba', or catastrophe in which hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes 61 years ago in the displacement that made the state of Israel possible.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The international community has largely ignored international law with respect to Israel's crimes. Instead the British government amongst others has rewarded Israeli aggression with financial, military and diplomatic support.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The British government continues to license the sales of arms of Israel and in the first nine months of 2008 licensed the sale of 27 million pounds worth of military equipment.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As Israel's principal trading partner, the European Union has been called on to suspend the trading preferences which Israel enjoys as a result of the </span></span><a href="http://www.waronwant.org/campaigns/fighting-occupation-in-palestine/hide/action/14551-tell-the-foreign-secretary-to-suspend-the-eu-israel-association-agreement" style="color: rgb(170, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">EU-Israel Association Agreement</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. The Agreement is based upon respect for human rights, yet UN representatives have made clear these rights are regularly violated by Israeli forces.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Palestine is in crisis.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We must put pressure on our government to play its part and end the injustice.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; "><a href="http://www.waronwant.org/campaigns/fighting-occupation-in-palestine"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.waronwant.org/campaigns/fighting-occupation-in-palestine</span></span></a></p></span>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-48589738920402348882010-02-23T03:25:00.000-08:002010-02-23T03:26:15.372-08:00Dalai LamaJust a comment I want to pass on something I heard a few days back and never got the chance to mention.<br /><br />The Dalai Lama commented that the USA were champions of Democracy and human rights. I would seriously hope that this was a case of democratic politeness and nothing more. <br /><br />How could anyone deem a nation built on genocide, violence and racist bigotry to be a champion of anything?<br /><br />After "discovering" America, the vistors tried to commit genocide, on the natives. Then you have their fight for independence, as long as you were White. The very men who wrote with one hand "...all men are created equal", oppressed the black with the other.<br /><br />Then Abraham Lincoln, is famed for liberating the slaves, despite the fact that he publically admitted he did so only to secure his union and had he been able to do so without liberating the slaves he would have done so.<br /><br />So once black slaves were "liberated", they still were not held in equal standing. The government having dehumanised the black people, made way for the rise of racist groupings such as the KKK. <br /><br />I won't go through their entire history, but you get the point.<br /><br />God Bless, Peace <br />The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-72842500738565693862010-02-22T07:12:00.000-08:002010-02-22T07:29:59.561-08:00Marimba Ani on Obama<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>The European conquest of the mind of most of the people of Africa and Asia is their greatest achievement</b>. Beneath this deadly onslaught lies a stultifying intellectual mystification that prevents Europe's political victims from thinking in a manner that would lead to authentic self determination. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Intelectual decolonization is a prerequisite for the creation of successful political decolonization</span>. </b>We can proudly say that <b>one of our people represents the most repressive, destructive, inhumane, anti-afrikan nation ever to have existed</b>. Will we go down in "his" story as having finally capitulated and become <b>satisfied with the evil that is represented in contemporary globalization, privatization and intulectual capitalism?</b> Have we aborted our movement for freedom, liberation and soverignty? Or have we merely redefined that objective in "american" individualistic, "whats in it for me" terms? Have we "won"? Or <b>have we simply taken the easier road, finding it more comfortable to be colonialized than to fight for Liberation?</b> Are we excited about the possibility of being closer to the power than we have ever been. Even though that power rests on the exploitation, even murder, of Afrikans and other non-Europeans throughout the world? <b>Have we even dared to ask ourselves what kind of person would want to be president of the United States of America?</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Marimba Ani</span></span></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-8782755535630675662010-02-20T12:55:00.000-08:002010-02-20T12:58:16.569-08:00"...all that time on the Blanket wasn't wasted"<span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I know its been a long time since I had a proper post here. Being in my final stretch of university is keeping me on my toes, and sadly away from the political circles. However I have kept on top, still reading and watching as much as I can.<br /><br />There has been plenty going on; policing and justice talks to name one thing. I will not bring his up in detail, other to say I was really unsatisfied with how it went about, and I am less than convinced, especially since we will be forced to wait longer to see how it plays out; I'll keep an eye open though.<br /><br />On top of that we have Israel up it their usual tricks. Once again Israel are breaking international laws and once again the world are staying relatively quite, apart from a few Arab nations. Mossad, illegally obtain false passports, they stole the identity of innocent people and they sent a hit squad to kill a man. If an Arab "secret service" were to be involved in this kind of thing the world would near implode with condemnation, threats and most likely sanctions. However Israel obviously will get away with sending out their murder squads.<br /><br />Anyway that is taking me miles away from my intention of writing here tonight. I felt compelled to write tonight in response to a letter response I read in the Art Issue. I just could not believe what I was reading. Obviously the letter was art related and so only the first paragraph is related and so I will transcribe that paragraph before passing judgement. This is what the "Art Doctor" Orme O'Bakery had to say:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Dear David. Whoa there tiger. First of all, are you the same David Davidson who's regional operations manager for Sainsbury's in Northern Ireland? If so, well done on the bilingual branch in Andytown, it's nice to know that all that time on the blanket wasn't wasted after all"</span><br />- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Orme O'Bakery</span><br /><br />The letter then goes on to address a topic in relation to art. However I didn't get much further than this because this response completely threw me. I actually found myself rereading this 3 times before moving on. Is this what it has come too? Is this what all those men suffered the cold nights on the blanket in filthy cells for? Is this what 10 men ultimately died for? For a bilingual Sainsburys?<br /><br />Here is why it baffles me:<br /><br /><ol><li>The fact that some one can actually say that the time on the Blanket was not wasted, but still use the term "Northern Ireland", without questioning it.</li><li>The fact that they believe that having a single bilingual shop, in a land that is still occupied, where Irish men still struggle for freedom, is a success.</li><li>The Irish language is still not held in equal standing.</li><li>They mention the time on the blanket but fail to mention the price paid by Sands, Hughes, McCreesh, O'Hara, McDonnell, Hurson, Lynch, Doherty, McElwee or Devine.</li></ol>The 10 aforementioned men gave their lives for political status, to legitimise the Republican cause in the eyes of the world. Their death was a turning point in the history of our Country and a turning point for the peace process of the occupied state. It was their lives that turned many men and women towards the ballot and away from the gun. Whether you believe this is what they died for or not, one can not argue that the Kesh concentration camp has had a huge impact on the direction this occupied state took. The long road to the ceasefires, GFA and ultimately the current Stormont government.<br /><br />Despite this the Irish people still suffer under the occupier. 110 a day stopped under Section 44, which in itself breaks international law. John Brady hanged in Police Custody. Still no Irish Language act. Still no equality for Gaelic games.<br /><br />People are more and more accepting the term Northern Ireland, and its use is merely legitimising British Rule. So to recognise the state of Northern Ireland and claim that the time on the blanket was not wasted is laughable at least and insulting at most. It is naive and ignorant.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Britain Has no Right in Ireland, Never had any right in Ireland and never can have any right in Ireland"</span><br /><br />- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">James Connolly</span><br /><br />Until British rule and occupation has been completely and utterly banished from Irish shores then the "time on the blanket" has not ended and the Job is incomplete. We must take up our roles now. If British rule and Northern Ireland are accept and people refuse to oppose it the the time on the blanket was wasted and the lives of the 10 were squandered.<br /><br />This is the exact attitude that will see the time on the blanket wasted and Irish Republicans must address this attitude now, before it settles and we see all those lives wasted.<br /><br />I have nothing more to say just now but hopefully I will post again soon.<br /><br />God Bless and Peace</span></span></span></span>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-85766771073067605762010-02-19T17:11:00.000-08:002010-02-19T17:13:16.535-08:00Dr. Hajo Meyer - "The Misuse of the Holocaust for Political Purposes"<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wq4tyix4Ghw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wq4tyix4Ghw&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-89524081772963123252010-01-18T06:05:00.000-08:002010-01-18T06:12:59.119-08:00War Crimes in GazaI believe that everyone should watch this video. For some reason the Guardian do not agree with this video being imbedded so Im just posting a link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLZgNy46aTQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLZgNy46aTQ</a><br /><br />It investigates the cases of War Crime during the 23 days of the slaughter now being normalised by the name Operation Cast Lead.<br /><br />God Bless<br />PeaceThe Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-63002084130993546552010-01-17T14:05:00.000-08:002010-01-17T14:52:26.929-08:00Ross Kemp Middle East: ISRAELThis is a continuation obviously of the previous blog post and the show it refers too. This show starts with a tour of the places in which suicide bombs have taken place. It is an awful thing to hear. So many Young lives lost; It's not right, not in a supposed civilised world.<br /><br />Let me make my position clear on this; I do not support bombing Supermarkets and Bus Stops. I do not support killing innocent people. However, when people are opressed history has shown time and time again that they nearly always turn to the gun and bomb, as they see little else that they can do. As a result I will not condem people who are responsible for this. I can not condem. I have no right to condem.<br /><br />Anyway the show continues, and Ross Kemp goes to a training session for the IDF. The man he talks with makes it clear that they have a shoot to kill policy when it comes to those they designate as terrorists.<br /><br />This show highlights that 24 people have been killed as a result of Bombs/Rockets from Gaza and in retaliation the Israeli forces have slaughtered 4000 Palestinians. The lives of the 24 is regretable. Whether it is 1 life, 24 lives or 4000 lives it is unacceptable. As a Pro Palestinian I do not support the deaths of these people, I do not believe it can be justified.. However this is the arguement used against Israel. The Israeli forces have used indiscriminate, unproportional, heavy handed response slaughtering thousands of innocent people. They have evicted the people, leaving them homeless. They have destroyed their livelyhoods by destroying such things as their Olive Grove's. They have broken the international laws by cliaming land over the green line.<br /><br />This show highlights that while protesters throw stones, the Israeli forces fire bullets and tear gas and use Watercannons firing "Something very nasty, not just water". It is once again the arguement against the Israeli forces. Heavy handed oppression. Where is the justification for this action?<br /><br />At this stage the show turns to the settler question. The settler that he chooses to talk to states clearly that she does not believe that the Arabs have rights to live in the area and using biblical language to prove this. <br /><br />Now at this stage I would like to highlight, that despite what this woman states, the Old Testament, the scriptures that Jews study, states that the land belongs only to God. He gives the Israelites permission to live there, but the land belongs to God. However lets assume that they do have historical and religious rights to the land surely this accounts only for Religious Jews. How does this apply to non Religious Jews? The Israeli state allows settlements of secular Jews and takes land from the Palestinian Arabs to house these people?<br /><br />I'm gonna cut this here, as opposed to commenting the whole show. But before I end I would like to clarify my position on the Palestinian cause.<br /><br />I support Palestinian rights to live free from opression. Free from checkpoints and siege. I believe that the siege of Gaza must end. I believe that the checkpoints that stop the Palestinian people from travel in their own land must end. I believe that violence must come to an end. I believe that the construction of the segregation wall must come to an end and the current fortifications torn down. I believe that the state of Palestine needs to exist as a united state. Not a nation divided into the West Bank and the Gaza refugee camp. I believe that the continuation of settlements and land grabbing must halt now.<br /><br />God Bless<br />PeaceThe Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-22735799126061581982010-01-17T13:02:00.000-08:002010-01-17T14:03:00.370-08:00Ross Kemp Middle East: GAZATonight, Sunday the 17th January 2010, Sky1 is broadcasting a show called "Ross Kemp Middle East: GAZA", in similar style to his "Ross Kemp on Gangs" shows. I decided to watch it, obviously due to my deep interest in and support for the Palestinian cause.<br /><br />From the beginning of the show you can tell that it is to present antiHamas / ProIsrael propagandha. Anytime Hamas is mentioned, he refers to them as "terrorists", despite the fact that they are a democratically elected governing body for Gaza. None of his sweeping anti Hamas statements are backed up with evidence or sources. He claims that the people he has spoken to do not like Hamas, but with no evidence of the conversations.<br /><br />The first conversation shows only a man claiming he has no issues with Israelis, but only the opressive government.<br /><br />He accuses Hamas of firing rockets into Israel continually. Despite the incredile decline in rockets and the fact that Hamas have yet to admit, or even be accused of firing rockets into Israel since the slaughter a year ago. He then talks to "Islamic Jihad", a militant organisation, and using Israeli figures claims that they have fired over a Thousand rockets in the past year. Independant figures claim it is alot less. <br /><br />Israel has desimated the Gaza strip, starved the people and continues to leave them homeless, sick and dying. Ross Kemp's entire show belittles the entire situation. He focuses completely on the fact that militant organisations exist. He attacks the "smuggling trade". Now I can not see why this is a bad thing? Israel has blockaded the innocent people of the Gaza strip, doing all it can to make sure no aid, food or treats get into the refugee camp. So in this situation is it wrong that people smuggle in as much as they can to keep life going? The issue of the rising prices for smuggled goods is the fault completely of Israel. Stop blockading the people and this could not happen. Stop bombing smuggling tunnels. I will be as bold as to say, I fully support the smuggling of goods. Hamas have no control over these tunnels, according to the smugglers and actually stop Drugs coming in to the refugee camp. Of course the black propaganda of Israeli and American media will deny this.<br /><br />However near the end he seems to have a slight change of heart as he realises that these "smugglers" need to do this to put food in the stomach of their Children.<br /><br />He ignores completely the situation that is actually day to day life. Hundreds of thousands of Men, Women and Children left homeless, starving and dying because Israel has blocked the borders, and decimated the area with massive explosions, including weaponry so inhumane that it is illegal.<br /><br />Over 50% of Gaza's population are under 18. Impressionable young people, who living under oppression become angry and obviously can see no other option but to Fight. On going Rights marches and protests through out Palestine, West Bank and Gaza, have failed time and time again. Even at these peaceful protests, Israeli forces have used heavy handed attacks on the people and have even killed protesters. What other options do these people see for themselves?<br /><br />The only hope for these people is calling off the blockade of Gaza and allowing the people to live. Allowing the people to see that the people of Israel do not hate Palestinians. Justice will breed peace and without this what hope is there for the people of Israel and Palestine?<br /><br />God Bless<br />PeaceThe Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-84128943090034803252010-01-13T06:11:00.000-08:002010-01-13T06:14:38.910-08:00Free Palestine<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GO5Cay6GUkM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GO5Cay6GUkM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-67072589584078889812010-01-11T05:57:00.001-08:002010-01-11T05:57:29.455-08:00Mr. Robinson.Just a quick update from me to highlight my opinions on the Robinson "scandal". <br /><br />Firstly, I think Scandal is a bit much. Mrs Robinson cheated on her husband and is guilty of non parlimentary financial action. As a result she will be standing down.<br /><br />In my opinion that is it over with. I can see no reason for Mr. Robinson to stand down. No man in this situation would have acted any different. If Peter Robinson stands down it would be a symbolic sacrifice that would not benifit the electorate.<br /><br />Frankly I think fellow politicians and the media should leave him alone<br /><br /> <br />- Posted on the move, from my iPod touch, there will be a longer update upon my arrival home.<br />The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-10493717195492725182010-01-06T06:18:00.000-08:002010-01-06T06:35:44.823-08:00Egypts role in Gaza GhettoWell I for one have had a great year and a great start to 2010. Sadly when can not say the same for the suffering people of Gaza. <br /><br />A year on from the attempted genocide of The refugee's in the Gaza camp and they are still suffering under siege, suffering and in desperate need of aid.<br /><br />As much as Israel are to blame for this siege I have said often that Egypt has closed a border with Gaza too, thus should share the blame of the terrible conditions forced upon Palestinians in the region.<br /><br />People have often rebuked this opinion, but now will hopefully see that this is the case. During the year a 100 truck strong convoy, led by MP G Galloway drove via Egypt to Gaza. Since the suffering continues they tried again. This is when Egypt revealed her true colours.<br /><br />So far the convey have been unhindered, but Egypt has desperately tried to prolong Gaza suffering and stop the Convoy. They first denied them entry but where beaten when the convoy went on Hunger Strike. However the unhelpful nature continued when Riot Police and water cannons were called to block the convoy.<br /><br />When will nations realise heavy policing causes trouble, it rarely stops it. This escalated into a riot. 50 people injured.<br /><br />Still Gaza lies in ruins, under siege and in need of aid. They must feel so alone in a world that allows such evils and still claims to be civilised.<br /><br />The UN hasn't done enough. No nation has. The oppresors, Israel, can hold Gaza under siege, but I'm called anti semetic for standing boycotting Israel.<br /><br />Viva Palestina.<br /><br />God Bless<br />Peace<br /><br /><br />- Posted on the move, from my iPod touch, there will be a longer update upon my arrival home.<br />The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-20038038542297836422009-12-11T18:08:00.001-08:002009-12-11T18:08:46.259-08:00Semester One FinishedI've been a busy character these days with my first uni semester of final year coming to a close!! Thanks to ProPlus, KX Energy Drinks, Tea and 9to5 Energy shots the long haul is over!! <br /><br />Role on Christmas!!<br /><br />Anyway as a result of the busy time, this blog hath suffered!! So hopefully an update will be posted soon and we'll get back on track!! <br /><br />Til then God Bless and Peace The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-82859919456199110122009-11-24T01:27:00.000-08:002009-11-24T01:59:45.966-08:00Evidence that You Can't Trust the State<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Okay so I'm sure everyone has heard about the "shots fired on police in Fermanagh" at this stage. What I can gather however is that only one shot was fired, yet Police replyed with two shots. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyway as I am in Uni this is just a wee short one to highlight that the British state can not be trusted. In recent weeks we have seen a letter to the DUP about policing and justice, with out involvement of SF.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">However in relation to the aformentioned incident, it has emerged that members of the British Army were involved in the inncident and that soldiers from the "Special Reconnaissance Regiment" had been involved and had been monitoring movements. We as Irish Republicans are expected to "move on" and trust the state and Stormont despite being told that the Army were not on our streets, nor would they be on our streets, whilst in the background are carrying out Reconnaissance missions on our streets, in our country. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now I have issues with members of the police force being targeted. Its a personal inner conflict that I would have with my Christian faith. Targeting a member of the police force, just because he is a Catholic members, to enforce a point, is a ideal I can not find myself supporting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">But I think this whole thing raises a bigger issue. It highlights a growing sector of unhappy Republicans, who are constantly brushed off by the executive as being Dissidents, or terrorists. However this highlights that a growing sector of the electorate are unhappy. "Dissidents" are equal members of society and as such have a right to voice an opinion and be listened too. Éirígí, 32CSM and the RNU to name three parties of unhappy Republicans, all without a armed wing, are all ignored as "dissident" Republicans. It is unfair to paint all of these people with the same brush that is used to paint the CIRA and the RIRA.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">While the executive continues to ignore the voices of these people, brushing them off as mere dissidents and while the PSNI continue to stop 110 people a day under the terrorism laws, the ranks of the armed wings of Republicanism will swell. This "peace" will begin to show up the cracks that it is painted over. Where we at this stage do not have "violent conflict" on our streets, we still have conflict and where people continue to ignore it, it will boil over. </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It is my belief that this "Peaceful Society" that these politicians talk about, is at a very real threat of collapsing in on itself. The British state and the DUP have not learnt from their past. The same tatics they used against SF are the same tatics they now use againts "dissidents". SF are now the biggest Republican party in the occupied state. These same tatics will cause the ranks of the very "dissidents" they are trying to ignore, to grow.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now this was supposed to be a short one and as a result I don't really have time to build a conclusion. These are just more thoughts going on in my head. I will write in more detail later.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">God Bless </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Peace</span></span>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-71120782826374700922009-11-18T08:21:00.000-08:002009-11-18T15:36:03.330-08:00Spotlight Special<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well I thought 'Id give my review of the spotlight special from last night. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Firstly tho I have a point to make; it sickens me that across the occupied counties, people protested because a Racist in England was getting UK airtime. People across the UK cause mini riots over the disapproval of Nick Griffin being allowed to talk on Question Time, or whatever the show was, despite Nick Griffin denying that he is in fact a racist. Yet here we have an openly, blatant racist and bigoted Politician from the occupied territory on TV and no one batted an eyelid. Now maybe this is because, apart from those whom are also as racist as he, everyone can tell the man is a bigot, but regardless this is hypocritical of anyone who protested against Nick Griffen. Which by the way I didn't.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The man whom I am refering to it Mr Jim Allistar. He is blatantly anti Irish, and openly racist. I need provide no more evidence that the video on his own party Youtube account, where he claims that the European union translating documents in to Irish was a waste of funds, and that it should be stopped. Can you imagine the up roar if at the United nations Nick Griffin said that an african tribe language did not deserve the same rights as any other language?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQaMqh-lh3k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQaMqh-lh3k</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now let me highlight that I recognise that elected members have the right to speak and if a political show is aired, that those parties should be given the airtime. I did not protest against Griffen and I do not protest against Jim Allister being on the tv. I am merely at this stage highlighting the hypocrisy shown by those in the likes of the Socialist Workers Party etc.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But lets get onto the show. The guests were as follows, the TUV's Jim Allister, Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly, Alliance's David Ford and the DUP's Sammy Wilson.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now clearly I have already made my statement on Jim Allister. As for Gerry Kelly, I do respect him as a Politician. I have issues with some SF members but I respect him. I have issues with the Alliance party in general. They claim to be an non biased party but that simply isn't true. Its impossible to be non biased in this society. Either you support the reunification of Ireland and as such you are a Republican, or you don't and as such no Republican can fully support your party. Alliance are simply a party that are part in parcel of Normalisation of the state that is Northern Ireland, illegitimate as it is. This being said I think on some issues David Ford has his head screwed on. I'm not a fan of the DUP politically, but there is something about Sammy Wilson. I like him. He makes me laugh and unlike alot of Politicians within his party I think he can stand a joke about our pasts and such. I do not support him, but unlike a few of people on the Republican side I do not hate him merely for being a Unionist.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Q1: Why can our politicians, not agree on how to administer law and order? - Henry Philips</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I do not agree with British policing, and I certainly do not agree with a "Northern Ireland" but I would rather that while we are still occupied that we, all the people, had the say in the matters of Policing and Justice. This by no means will change many Republican views on policing I would state, including mine.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Typically of Politicians Gerry Kelly plays the blame game here and stops short of saying it was all the DUP's fault. Which to a degree in this case, I think is true. We are constantly seeing road blocks going up.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sammy Wilson's retort is in ways understandable. He begins by stating that the DUP could not allow SF to be in charge of Policing. I understand why a member of the Unionist community would not like that and as a result the DUP could not fall back on that issue. However he fails really to address the question put out to him as to why the DUP are still stalling the process.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jim Allister again uses self righteous pompus language I will have to agree with his first statement that Stormont is a failing miserable institution. I further agree with him when he states that the Institution has not delivered. However he also avoids the question. Allister starts the show off as he wishes to continue. He brings up IRA history, as always, and also very immaturely calls Kelly names.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Much respect must go to Kelly for remaining silent, and when does get a chance at a retort resists arguing back. He highlights that Allister is constantly speaking non-politically. As he continues to do throughout the show, Allister interrupts. Kelly makes the issue that Unionists, like Republicans, can not wash their hands of their part in the conflict before answering the question that was put to him. He states, as I have stated in many a blog before, we want a Police Service, that serves every aspect of society equally and fairly. Which is not what we have today, where we have a police force.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Evidence of that lies in recent stories, like that off Gary Donnelly from Derry, who was left with a broken arm after interaction with the PSNI shortly after being acquitted. Or in a document that highlights that the PSNI carried out 12,000 stop and search incidents. between July and September. That is around 110 people per day.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wilson gets his chance to speak again, only to be interrupted by Allister again. Wilson effectively tells him off and I must say I have to applaud him. He highlights that Allister's anti Sinn Féin rage will only divide Unionism further and make SF the reigning party in the occupied territory. Allister however continues to argue like the bad mannered school boy Wilson just accused him of being.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Respect must go to David Ford who at this stage has not spoken a word or interrupted or gestured. He merely waited his turn. When he does get a chance to speak he highlights how the politicians are arguing for show, in defence of their reputation. He rather positively talks about how the current institution can work and has worked. I'd say he is on his own with that one.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Henry Philips is then given his retort and accuses all the panel of narrow views that are not reflective of the community. I guess everyone to a degree feels this way about some issue.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Q2: Is the minister of Education living in Political Denial? - Steven Crosby</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now the whole issue of the education system, mainly the transfer examination, is a big issue with myself. I got a B in my 11+, but was refused from Grammar schools. I was then accepted into a secondary school and percivied from the outside to be a failure for the next 7 years. However I am now in my final year of university having recived very high A level results. Anyone who believes in Grammar vs secondary education is dillusional. It is a system, that in the 21st Century, in a supposed Civilised society tells young Children they are not as good or as equal as others.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So I do believe that the 11+ must be scrapped. Had the DUP and other parties read the recommendations and had structured talks with SF then we may see a system that worked. But due to holding up Stormont again the system is now a shambles and Children are further suffering from a fascist style of picking and choosing who schools want to educate. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wilson is obviously an objector to SF policies and he claims the complete opposite of Catrina Ruane, which is slander in fairness. He needlessly attacks Allister, causing another outburst from the child. Furthermore Wilson seems to be defending the system that we seen take place last Saturday. Which is madness.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In my opinion, all schools should be equal. They should not be allowed to pick and choose which Children they take. I as a final year student, who in a year will be a post graduate, was deemed to be a failure when I was 11. Obviously I have proven that the 11+ is a completely unfair way to judge children.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kelly obviously highlights that what Wilson is saying is not all true. Although Wilson ridiculously claims that the majority want to keep academic selection, Kelly highlights that this is simply not the case. He uses fact, such as the success of Finland after abolishing academic selection, to back up the stance of SF. He further states that this is about equality. A considerable higher percentage of people from the Malone Road end up in Grammar Schools, as opposed to the lesser percentages of around 20% in the Shankil, North Belfast and the majority of working class areas.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ford however argues against the statistics used by Kelly. I believe that if you want prove a point you can find the percentages to do it. Ford brings up a valid point, that if we do not find a system that is accepted across the occupied counties, then we can not instil a new system.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have to agree again with the first statement made by Allister, as I agree that all parties must take some of the blame for the failing system that has been used this year. However his anti SF rhetoric soon catches up on him and he accuses SF, more so Catrina Ruane, of wanting to destroy the Education system here but provides no real reason for why she would want to do this. DOes she just want to destroy it? But as a supporter of Grammar Schools and Academic selection I will never agree with him on this issue anyway.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Crosby gets his turn to retort, as all question askers do, and highlights a very real threat that the SDLP may benifit from the mess that has been made this year, that many Nationalists are outraged.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Statements from the guests obviously highlight what Sinn Féin have been saying. Everyone is quick to demonise Ruane and SF for this mess and disagree with them, but has anyone actually read the recommendations that SF brought forward? The first guest says that he doesn't understand why they do not move the selection examination to the age of 14? This was one of the recommendations that Ruane made in the past, that the DUP refused to hear. Kelly later expresses this same opinion. Though I completely disagree with academic selection so I don;t agree with it at 14 either.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Q3: Why do we always want the other side to say sorry first? - Ian Bothwell</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now this was bound to start an argument, and it is off no wonder the BBC allowed the question since all their "political" shows are like that. Allister did not miss a chance this whole show to spout "IRA" and make snide remarks at Kelly and this was a perfect podium for him to do so.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Again Allister trys to defend the unionist side of events and conflict, obviously putting all blame in the hands of the SF/IRA. He makes no mention of militant unionism, the likes of the UVF, who slaughtered over 1000 people. He makes no mention of the monstrous actions of the Shankil Butchers. He refuses completely to discuss Bloody Sunday. He makes no mention of the crimes of the RUC/British Army when it is widely known that they were involved in collusion and murder of innocence such as Aidan McAnespie. It was ALL SF/IRA and no one else. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He reveals the deep rooted close mindedness of many Unionists, the same close mindedness that can be shared by Republicans, but that runs rampant in the beliefs of Unionists like himself and Willie Frazer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He makes mention of how, if he had been involved with terrorism, he would be forever apologising. Now to highlight one thing, despite the ignorant slander of Allister, many SF members if not all have shown deep regret to the loss of so many people during our on going conflict.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'll state my understanding here. The Nationalist and Republican people in the occupied six counties, for decades, where and in cases still are, discriminated against. They were discriminated against in housing, in education and in law enforcement. The presence and crimes of the British Army, forced these people to feel that they had no other option but to fight back, and struggle against the crown forces, for their rights. Then, due to the likes of Paisley and other Allister like leaders on the unionist side, many working class Unionists saw the IRA as a very real threat against them also felt no other option existed but to fight back. It was this division, created by the British and aided by the political leaders that led so many people to die, and brewed the hatred of so many against so many. Lets not blame the teenagers that were mislead, as Allister wishes to do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kelly again claims he is trying to avoid an argument. He states, rightly, that we must respect each others loss, regardless of their role. He again states his regrets, but also defends the young people of his decade, and rightly so. He also finally rebukes Allister for interrupting once more.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wilson also takes the line of denial that any Unionist or Loyalist should have to apologise, which means he is defending the UVF/UDA/LVF/RUC at all times. Including Stone, who threw grenades at a funeral, or the trick or treat killer who burst into a bar and riddled it with bullets indiscriminately.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have to agree with him however when he says that sorry is meaningless and that it is actions we need and that they must speak louder than words.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ford makes the point that no politician will apologise because reputation is too important to politics in the occupied territory, though he never calls it that. He agree with Wilson, as I did, that it is actions that are needed and not words. He defends Gerry Kelly and SF which I think is the first time I have ever seen that done on a political show. He does however, snipe Allistar which I don't like to see politicians do, but I agree as he states that Allister just sits and points out the errors of everyone but himself.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The question goes back to Ian Bothwell who makes the fair statement in my opinion, that we must admit we are all part of the situation here before we can find a means to solve it together. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One guest states that many British personnel are not here to apologise because of the IRA. I have to state that neither are </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Aidan McAnespie shot on his way to a gaelic game</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">John (Jackie) Duddy (17). Shot in the chest in the car park of Rossville flats</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. Patrick Joseph Doherty (31). Shot from behind while attempting to crawl to safety</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. Bernard McGuigan (41). Shot in the back of the head when he went to help Patrick Doherty</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">5. Hugh Pious Gilmour (17). Shot through his right elbow, the bullet then entering his chest as he ran from the paratroopers</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">6. Kevin McElhinney (17). Shot from behind while attempting to crawl to safety </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7. Michael G. Kelly (17). Shot in the stomach while standing near the rubble barricade</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">8. John Pius Young (17). Shot in the head while standing at the rubble barricade.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">9. William Noel Nash (19). Shot in the chest near the barricade</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">10. Michael M. McDaid (20). Shot in the face at the barricade as he was walking away from the paratroopers</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">11. James Joseph Wray (22). Wounded then shot again at close range while lying on the ground</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">12. </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Donaghy" title="Gerald Donaghy" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 43, 184); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Gerald Donaghy</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (17). Shot in the stomach while attempting to run to safety</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">13. Gerald (James) McKinney (34). Shot just after Gerald Donaghy</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">14. William A. McKinney (27). Shot from behind as he attempted to aid Gerald McKinney</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">15. John Johnston (59). Shot in the leg and left shoulder on William Street<br /><br />And I could go on. But this is not a point scoring system. This is merely me highlighting that, as stated, everyone has suffered loss in this conflict. All above 15 men were non armed at the time.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Q4 Which Departments should cuts be made from? - Luke Sprol (I believe that's how it was pronounced)</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wilson makes states principles that he would use to make the decision, all of which ring of Capitalism to me. He says that Social ends of the budget should be cut, hinting at the likes of housing. I have to disagree with that.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Allister immediately highlights his anti Irishness by stating straight away that his first cut would be North South Bodies. Now the reason I state this as anti Irish and not anti Republican is because it is blatantly just because Allister wants nothing to do with the Irish.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Whether you recognise Ireland as a single divided country or two countries, surely you can see how </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">working together with people on the same Island can bring benifits to the two? Especially if u recognise the illigitamate state of Northern Ireland, due to its size and dependency on others that a cross border body is actually benifical to it and not just for "Nationalist optics". </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He then states an incorrect statement about effeciency savings. He states he would reduce our departments to six, but doesn't highlight which he means. Though I agree that OFMDFM does not need as much funding as it recieves and that it does not require more staff than the White House. However, where I use to agree with Allister that it should be scrapped, I recently changed my mind. Had this joint office not existed then SF would not have discovered the document, going behind SF for talks between just the British state and the DUP. Again he further attacks SF, unsurprisingly.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ford highlights that this is not a black and white issue and that any cuts need to be very carefully considered.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Q5: Isn't the death penalty a step backwards for a civilised society? - Brian Bailey</b> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I fully agree with Ford who says that it is not to be considered and that it full stop has no justification. I would applaud that. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Being a Christian it is surprising that Wilson would support this. Kelly highlights that innocent people would have lost their lives, murdered in revenge attacks, or state murder as it should be known. Not that the abolishion of the death penalty stopped state murder. That's not really the point here. I guess we all have a little Allister in us.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anyway Allister interrupts with another snide anti Gerry Kelly and Anti SF statement, whilst Kelly is attacked for his view and has to defend and highlight the difference between armed struggle and capital punishment.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Allister uses this podium to spout more "IRA" and again ignores the murder gangs within the loyalist community. He finally answers the question and says he would support the Death Penalty being brought back.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Brian Bailey and another unnamed guest are clearly baffled that anyone in a 21st Century position of power could support such an act.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wont even mention question 6. It is completely pointless, and just a humourous question for no real reason. I believe that if we want serious debate then we should not stop the real debate with pointless questions as such.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Anyway so what you may have missed if you did not see the spotlight special was rather pointless constant squabbling over the same issues we have seen our leaders arguing over all year and still no results. We seen Allister stuck in the past; Wilson and Kelly defending themselves for their party positions and Ford stuck in the middle trying to be PC and answer the questions best he could. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pointless Really.<br /><br />God Bless<br /><br />Peace</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-57793180034038149802009-11-03T15:55:00.001-08:002009-11-03T16:10:49.798-08:00Halloween II<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well I'm just back from seeing Rob Zombies Halloween II, and I'm typing this straight up so ignore any grammar or spelling errors. Firstly he massacred the whole thing.<br /><br />I'll explain why John Carpenter's Halloween is in my opinion the best ever horror film. Lets start with the use of suspense and iconic use of music.<br /><br />The whole film plays on your senses, creating fear and suspense so that by the time we reach the finally we are already scared. The film without music is less that frightening, and is actually more humorous than anything else. The music turns this film into a horror masterpiece.<br /><br />The film does not rely on the same awful tactics that are over used so much today, especially by Rob Zombie. It relys purely on being a good story line. There is effectively no gore, the language is not foul, their is little nudity and the camera doesn't shake every time something happens. So why do the remakes not make the grade?? Well simply they just aren't as good. Lets look at the first remake.<br /><br />Rob Zombie actually doesn't over do the gore or nudity as much as he usually does, although there was still to much and the language is disgusting. The characters are completely different from those of the original.<br /><br />Firstly Michael Myers: In the original masterpiece he comes from a well off family, or so we can assume due to the house and the suits the family are wearing upon arriving home. We get no back story so there is actually no reason for Michael to be a killer. This is why h is so frightening, he just is a killer. "No reason, No Conscience, No understanding". He is the manifestation of Evil.<br /><br />In Rob Zombies remake, or re-imagining as he calls it, Michael Myers comes from an extremely bad family life and is bullied in school and is mentally effected and becomes a killer. This lacks the fear factor as it does in fact have reasoning. He is not pure evil, merely a child that slipped through the system.<br /><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Secondly Laurie Strode: In the original she is studious and the perfect child. Does well in school and studies. Although she smokes in the film you get the impression she is a "good egg" and that she doesn't smoke or drink or be promiscuous. She loves the kids she babysits, or if not lets them think she does and gets on well with them.<br /><br />Rob Zombie portrays her as a 17 year old jailbait, who is not actually great with the kids and doesn't treat them all that well. In the second film he has turned her into some punk chick, verging on slut, with issues over her interaction with Myers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thirdly Dr Sam Loomis: In the original he is portrayed as a man who devotes his time to Myers, and is actually sympathetic to the people and actually wants to stop him. In the remake his character is okay, but in Halloween II his character is completely wrong, turned into a gold digger sponging money out of the story and trying to pick up the girls as he goes along.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So he changes the characters thus changing the whole feel of the movie, he gives Myers a back story that makes you almost sympathetic towards him as opposed to fearing him. So although it has more gore than the original and more sexual scenes its actually not a bad watch, if he'd clean the language. However when it comes to Halloween II he has lot the plot completely, making an absolute mess out of the whole thing.<br /><br />He changes the storyline completely. As mentioned before he further changes, or develops he would say, the characters and further strays from the point. The use of Myers having visions of his mother is over done and not all that effective. He uses gore and nudity to sell this one, which is a tactic I despise in film and he tops it of with foul language. Nearly all murder scenes over use camera shake apart from one where the screen goes black for no real reason at all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The whole film is predictable, monotonous and tedious and sadly ends with a perfect opener for a third film, which judging from the end could change the entire direction and story of the Halloween franchise. I don't want to put in spoilers so I won't explain that one further.<br /><br />Simply Rob Zombie massacred this one.<br /><br />God Bless<br />Peace</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><br /></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-24669472541163747682009-10-11T17:04:00.001-07:002009-10-11T17:04:34.583-07:00INLA Statement<strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Full Statement</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />The INLA and IRSP were formed in 1974 in order to create a 32 County Socialist Republic. In those 35 years military volunteers and political activists have fought with courage and honour and have struck at the heart of the British military and political machine in Ireland and in Britain. The INLA is a key constituency within the Republican Socialist Movement (RSM). The INLA recognised that its struggle was based upon two distinct phases:<br /><br /> (1) Armed Resistance (2) Political Organisation<br /><br />In 1994 the INLA put in place a no first strike policy and in 1998 called a complete cease-fire. Both of these decisions were based on its political analysis and monitoring of the changing military and political environment. The recent progress on loyalist decommissioning can be traced back to the INLA’s “no first strike policy” of 1994 and the INLA acknowledges this progressive step by loyalism.<br /><br />The RSM has been informed by the INLA that following a process of serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the armed struggle is over and the objective of a 32 County Socialist Republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political struggle.<br /><br />The RSM agree with this analysis and are fully supportive of the move to build a left wing party that has a clear objective of a 32 County Socialist Republic based on the principles of equality, justice, inclusion, human rights and dignity.<br /><br />It is within the above objective that the RSM opposed the Good Friday Agreement and continues to do so. We as a movement believe that the Six County State is not a viable political entity, which cannot be reformed and fitted into a flawed two State solution.<br /><br />The RSM has always aspired to the principle of the primacy of politics as espoused by Ta Power.<br /><br />The future struggles are political. We urge all comrades, members, volunteers and supporters to join the political struggle ahead with the same vigour, commitment and courage that was evident in our armed struggle against the British State.<br /><br />To para-phrase James Connolly ‘let us arise’, build a left political alternative in Ireland and support the struggle against global capitalism.<br /><br />Ultimately our allegiance is to the working class, onwards to victory.</span></span>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-40073121939418795952009-10-11T16:10:00.000-07:002009-10-11T17:08:11.697-07:00"The Armed Struggle is Over"<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"The Armed Struggle is Over" - INLA</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Irish National Liberation Army were formed in 1975, believed to be formed as a break away from the the Official IRA who had three years previous called a Ceasefire. The INLA have had a reputation for ruthlessness and were involved in many high profile killings of the troubles. They were responsible for the death of Billy Wright and Airey Neave and the 1982 bomb attack on the "Droppin' Well Pub" in Derry.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Patsy O'Hara(61 Days), Kevin Lynch(71 Days) and Michael Devine(60 Days) all died on hunger strike whilst protesting for political status and prisioner rights in Long Kesh in 1981. Liam McCloskey was also on the strike for 55 days before the strike ended. All were members of the INLA. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The INLA are dedicated to Irish Freedom and the establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Following the GFA, to which they opposed, the INLA called a ceasefire, which they have maintained for eleven years. This is a reflection of their dedication to the people and their cause. However, in their wake they had left a legacy of 113 deaths including 46 British Security forces, 2 Irish Security Forces, 16 Republican paramilitaries, 7 loyalist paramilitaries and regretably a further 42 civilians.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Political wing of the INLA, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, issued the statement at an event in Bray in County Wicklow. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"The RSM [Republican Socialist Movement] has been informed by the INLA that following a process of serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the armed struggle is over and the objective of a 32 County Socialist Republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political struggle "</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Their was no mention of decommisioning during the statement, however it is believed that the process has already begun, although it is only at the discussion stage.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In recent years the INLA, like all "dissidents", have been accused of criminal activity, namely drugs, however the INLA have in the past used beatings and kneecappings to punish dealers. It is a hard pill for me to swallow, that these community based men and women would now allow such activities to turn their streets into the "republican ghettos" we hear so much about. I personally question this as being a hard "fact".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reactions from all mainstream parties have been as expected.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"Given the history of the INLA there will undoubtedly be some scepticism about today's statement... However, if it is followed by the actions that are necessary, this is a welcome development" - Gerry Adams</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Despite this reaction being the same as that of unionists to the PIRA decmmision I guess this reaction was to be expected. However the reaction of non mainstream Republicans is likely to be different, as it seems that another Republican organisation dedicated to the establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic surrendered, as this is an aim that many Irish believe is unachievable if we give up our weapons.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The action of giving up our weapons to the occupier is hardly likely to achieve freedom from that occupier, considering they have refused to allow our freedom since 1167. However the INLA, who opposed the GFA and the idea of moving into the politcal spectrum have now decided that is the only way forward. We see this following moves by the loyalist paramilitaries, a move I believe was necessary before more Republican weapons are decommissioned. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As I stated in previous blogs I do not currently see the space for armed struggle at this stage in the Republican struggle for freedom. The Irish people, and the Republican movement, has always insisted that armed struggle should be the last option. At this moment the support for armed struggle, where it is not as low as the British state would have us believe, it is not what it use to be in previous years, though it is on the rise. I believe in the Republican stance of opposing the Britsh Army and opposing the current Police Force, however at this stage I do not see the need for armed force. I agreed with the INLA stance of a ceasefire, but not surrender.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I do not agree with the complete disarmament of the Republican groups, until the loyalist people have also begun to decommission every weapon, a move we are starting to see. Furthermore disarmament of the Irish people requires the 5000 remaining soldiers to be brought home, and their British army bases put out of use. The PSNI needs to be reformed. I believe that whilst we remain under the rule of Britain, we need a new police service, and not the police force that is the RUC, reshuffled to the PSNI. At this stage ideally it would be necessary that the British and Irish governments begin to discuss complete British withdrawal and the unification of our Island.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I must admit it is good to see that this organisation have decided to advance peacefully, but what does this spell out for the likes of ONH, CIRA and RIRA? I believe they shall now, like they have with PSF, deem them traitors to the Irish cause and it is likely that the IRSP will lose the little support they have. However, the fact remains, whilst British rule is administered in Ireland there will be those that will fight against it, furthermore, there will be those who will fight with the sword [or armalite].</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />John Brady died in Police custody, and with Britain's history in this Country it does seem suspicious to me and many other Republicans. It is another hard pill to swallow for Republicans to trust the British system or the PSNI and the case of Brady is unlikely to aid that mistrust. If the British refuse to give the Irish freedom, why would they do so to a people that no longer pose a threat? I believe that with the INLA disarmed and effectively no more, that their support will obviously move to the likes of the CIRA/RIRA, meaning that we will certainly see a rise in the support of one if not both of these organisations.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">However one would believe this an interesting point to question rumours that have been circulating on-line [fenian32 / Politics.ie], insinuating that the CIRA army council no longer see the use of violence as justifiable. Are we truly seeing the CIRA, the army that holds roots in the original army of the first Dáil Éireann</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> making a move towards peace? The army who condemned the PIRA</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for all these years? This would almost certainly see the growth, and a considerable growth at that, of the RIRA, who are reputably more ruthless than the CIRA. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As I have stated before I do not condemn these groups, but I currently see the space for a ceasefire that could lead to negotiations with the British state and a reflection of where we really are in our struggle. Can Bombs and guns really bring us any further? If so, Do armed groups have the support currently to be effective? Do they really have the ability to stage an economic war?? If not, is it time to disarm? Do we remain on permanent ceasefire? I have no answers, just some food for thought, for mainstream Republicans and otherwise.<br /><br />God Bless</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Peace</span></span></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2917227988369391029.post-3439083832119194922009-10-03T12:52:00.000-07:002009-10-03T12:54:42.499-07:00Surprised?? Not Really!!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"There is a problem with hypocrisy inside the Irish mind; We worship foriegn leaders here as if they're so kind... When they patronise us in pathetic Irish fashion we will crawl; Got no dignity at all" - Ciaran Murphy</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well the news came in this afternoon; The Irish hamered another nail in the lid of the coffin that holds the chances of a 32 County Socialist Republic. The vote for Lisbon was a Yes, by a margin of two to one, with a swing of about 20% either way.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes 67.1% No 32.9%</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With the vote open to 3 Million people, the turnout was pitiful at only 58%. This means 42% of the free state Irish people stayed at home, allowing their soverignty to be given away. This is even more pitiful since 1.8 Million of their fellow Irish citizens were denied a vote and thus were relying on them. Once again the free state has let down the people of the occupied territory, not mention their fellow citizens in Europe who were denied the same vote.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The only constituencies to vote no were Donegal North-East and South-West. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Yes campaign was based on exploiting the fear of the people, by those who got these very people into the situations they are in. A Yes vote in Lisbon will not fix the economic disasters of Ireland's free state, especially as long as the people continue to vote failed right wing capitalists. Despite the words of triumph from Cowen.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"We as a Nation have taken a decisive step for a stronger fairer, better Ireland and Europe" - Brian Cowen</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Firstly I would like to highlight that The Nation of Ireland did NOT make any decision. He should be aware that 1.8 Million of the citizens of Ireland were denied any vote. The free state made this desicion, and whilst Britain occupys 6 of our counties, no desicion in Europe can make us stronger, especially when we sign away our soveriegnty.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Thanks Emmet, Pearse, Connolly, MacDonagh, Clarke, Plunkett, Daly, O'Hanrahan, MacBride, Colbert, Kent, Mallin, MacDiarmada, Collins, Sands, Hughes, McCreesh, O'Hara, McDonnell, Hurson, Lynch, Doherty, McElwee and Devine. But we have decided to surrender the part freedom you won for us. Thanks, but no thanks" - The Free State</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">God Bless</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peace</span></span></div>The Guerrilla Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16782713997722732017noreply@blogger.com0