More on the Lux Occulta Archive… June 20, 2011
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Culture, Irish History, Irish Politics, Religion.add a comment
As ever, it’s well worth keeping an eye on the Lux Occulta Archive which deals with all things Irish and Catholic. Some recent additions that may be of particular interest to readers here include the following:
Irish Hierarchy’s Reply to the Joint Letter of the Spanish Bishops
Left Archive: Irish Socialists, Partition and the Struggle in the North, Cork Workers’ Club, 1975 June 20, 2011
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Irish Left Online Document Archive, Uncategorized.1 comment so far
To download the above document please click on the following link: Irish-Socialists-Partition-North CWC
This was forwarded to the Archive by Jim Lane, for which many thanks.
This is a useful document, and a first from the Cork Workers’ Club [and just to note Jim Lane has been very generous in forwarding a range of materials more of which will be appearing in the Archive over the next few months].
The Cork Workers’ Club was a dissenting group from the Irish Communist Organisation, which was formed as the Irish Communist Organisation shifted from a Republican standpoint to a Two Nations and functionally pro-Unionist one.
The Cork Workers’ Club were assiduous in putting left materials into the public sphere, and particularly their reprints of historical texts. The text that accompanies their Historical Reprints Series is worth reiterating in full:
It is our intention to republish a series of pamphlets and booklets which, in our opinion, are of historical value to the study of the development of the Socialist Movement in Ireland. All publication will be unabridged, and we would like to stress that in publishing them we do not necessarily agree with all the sentiments expressed.
This document is slightly different. The Note accompanying the text reads:
This pamphlet forms the introduction to the Cork Workers Club historical reprint, IRELAND UPON THE DISSECTING TABLE, which is a collection of James Connolly’s writings on Ulster and Partition. Its publication follows wide demand for the Introduction to be published separately as a pamphlet.
The original Introduction was written in 1972, this reprint is from 1975. As always with the Archive the entirety of the text will not be discussed, but it is worth giving an overview of its contents.
The pamphlet takes a strongly oppositional line to partition noting that ‘the abolition of Partition becomes a pre-requisite to the realization of Socialist objects in Ireland’ and continues ‘The whole question is therefore of primary importance to Irish Socialists. One would expect a reasonable consensus of agreement amongst them on it, but instead one finds division’.
The text then engages with ‘three distinguishable, though not mutually exclusive categories’.
Firstly are those who suggest the desirability of removing the Border by peaceful means. That is, the non-revolutionary abolition of Partition on the basis of consent amongst the bourgeoisie.
…
Secondly are the more revolutionary oriented sector. As to Partition they are generally opposed to it, but are badly divided on what to do about it. They agree on the desirability of demolishing it by eradicating bourgeois rule on both sides of the Border, but cannot agree on how this is to be achieved.
…
Finally, are those who (as the Chinese would say) are best described as the “Running dogs of Imperialism” in the Irish Socialist camp. This particular species dealt with in the following paragraphs.
The pamphlet then engages directly with “Two Nations” theory and in particular with the Irish Communist Organisation and its Economics of Partition document [posted last week in the Archive]. In sum a readable critique of other formations during the same period and a useful addition to the Archive.
Sunday Independent Stupid Statement of the Week June 19, 2011
Posted by Garibaldy in Sunday Independent Stupid Statement of the Week.7 comments
The Sunday Independent continues to address the real problems affecting real people – see this article on how to insure your half a million euro ring and Jack B. Yeats painting worth 100,000.
And here’s what passes for serious political analysis from Brendan O’Connor.
So whether Noonan is spoofing, or not, doesn’t matter. As long as he sticks to his guns now, the dynamic between us and the evil empire will be changed utterly. We’re back folks, doing what we’re best at. Because as we all know, even without a single decent card in his hand, an Irishman can beat any man at poker.
Marc Coleman is ranting about public sector pay again.
Last Tuesday night, Brendan Keenan and I paid tribute to Brian Lenihan on Newstalk. In the course of the discussion, we touched on the bank bailout. Both of us agreed that despite the awfulness of its cost, it is a one-off cost when compared to the ongoing crisis in our public finances.
And a “one-off cost” can’t be on such a scale as to wreck government finances for generations? Perhaps he should read Conor McCabe’s Sins of the Father to see precisely how sacrificing the public interest in favour or speculators is one-off in so far as it has lasted from roughly 1922 to 2011.
One theme today has been the travails of the middle class. Seemingly this means anyone with a mortgage (and half a million euro bits of property to insure of course). Fortunately these oppressed masses have a fearless voice to speak for them. Namely, Brendan O’Connor.
The serf class in this country, who bear the brunt of the plague that has enveloped us, are the ones in the middle. They are the ones reaping the whirlwind, paying for it all, the ones whose lives have changed most as a result of all this. And they are the ones who are at boiling point.
They look above and below them, and it makes them angry. While the ones in the middle are good people, and while they have hearts, and while they believe there are deserving poor and vulnerable out there, they also see that many of the people they subsidise are not the deserving poor. Yet the ones in the middle have to watch while these — call them the undeserving poor — pretty much live life as they always did. None of the undeserving poor has to worry about losing their house or paying a mortgage. They don’t have to worry about health insurance going up or about additional medical bills when serious illness bites. They don’t have to worry about pay cuts or losing their jobs either. Many of them don’t even seem to have to worry about how many kids they have, because they know they will be accommodated. They have their rights.
Nothing about the people at the bottom paying to keep the people at the top in the style to which they are accustomeed. That, however, would be to address the reality of the situation. And the Sindo is never the place to go to for that.
75 Years On: The International Brigades and the Spanish Civil War – Public Meeting June 19, 2011
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Uncategorized.4 comments
Another hat in the ring: Interview with Mary Davis, Presidential Candidate. June 18, 2011
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Irish Politics.3 comments
There’s a piece in the Mail today by Jason O’Toole where Mary Davis expands upon her bid for the Presidency. Davis is a campaigner in the area of disability issues, indeed has devoted four decades to that and was one of those instrumental… well, as the interview notes:
Which leads us straight to the heart of the matter. Apart from her renown for almost singlehandedly bringing the Special Olympics Summer Games to Ireland back in 2003 — the first time it was staged outside the U.S. — there is very little known about the 56-year-old. And so, understandably, more than a few eyebrows were raised when Mary first put her name forward for the presidency, with seemingly few qualifications.
So what has she done?
After studying physical education in Leeds and Canada, Mary took a teaching post at special-needs school St Michael’s in Ballymun. ‘It was something that I went into with my eyes closed, but I went there and never really looked back,’ she says.
So what of her views?
‘I’m a Christian with values. I enjoy going into a church, spending some time there. I would go to a Roman Catholic church. I would go to a Church of Ireland church, too, because Julian is Church of Ireland.’
She’s climbed Everest and jumped out of a plane with a parachute, but…
Joking aside, why does she want to be president?
‘I understand the pain people are going through at this particular time. I think people are looking for a president who can inspire and motivate and show leadership and make people believe in themselves — in the same way that I believed we could organise the Games even though people didn’t think that it was possible.
‘Also, we have to look at repairing our reputation abroad. I think that process has started with the activities of the last couple of weeks in Ireland but it still needs a lot of work. And I would work very hard to do that.’
Which is either suitably [for a Presidential election] or infuriatingly vague depending on one’s perspective. As is the following:
Questions over Mary’s knowledge of the Constitution were raised when she appeared on RTÉ’s The Frontline last Monday and wrongly stated that as president she would consider blocking a tough budget by refusing to sign it into law.
But should she have known better?
It’s a somewhat ironic charge considering that Mary, as a member of the Council of State, is one of President McAleese’s advisers on such matters.
Her explanation is that:
Defending this faux pas, Mary claims that she didn’t have enough time on air to go in-depth into the question.
‘I am fully aware and accept that such a power does not exist in relation to a Finance Bill. When asked about fairness in making a decision to sign a Bill or not, my thoughts went immediately to the Constitution. If I had a concern that a piece of legislation was unfair, or there was a doubt as to its constitutionality then, after consulting with the Council of State, I would consider referring it to the Supreme Court.’
There’s an interesting insight into the process here:
Certainly, she doesn’t dismiss the rumours that she only entered the fray after commissioning secret polls that showed her performing well in a presidential election. ‘I took loads of soundings from various groups and people just to see. Obviously, you’re not going to put yourself out there without feeling you have some support. I am very determined to give it my very best shot.’
And what, again, of those views?
Mary doesn’t subscribe to Senator David Norris’s controversial views that all drugs and prostitution should be legalised. ‘Prostitution exploits women and drives trafficking. I would also be opposed to the legalisation of drugs. I have seen first-hand the damage drugs do to families and communities.’
However, she does have some liberal views. She is in favour of same-sex marriages and leans towards being anti-abortion but pro-choice. ‘I’m not in agreement with abortion, but is it a black-and-white situation? I have two girls myself. If they were violently raped, what would their feelings be? I don’t know because you don’t know until you’re put in that sort of situation.
If there’s a societal consensus she’s not far outside it I suspect.
This Weekend I’ll Mostly Be Listening To ….. The Red House Painters June 18, 2011
Posted by irishelectionliterature in This Weekend I'll Mostly Be Listening to....12 comments
If its misery you’re after The Red House Painters were right up your street. I’ve heard them described as ‘Slow Fi’ or ‘Slowcore’. Songs often as slow as they could be with Mark Kozeleks haunting vocals on top. Usually too the themes were melancholy, although they have recorded songs about a cat. Often at home I’d be happy listening away when my peace would be interrupted by please to turn off that miserable noise.
The First song on their first album was ’24′… a slow plodding bass with the opening line
“so it’s not loaded stadiums or football parks”
From the very first listen to that song on I’ve been hooked to the Red House Painters and anything Kozelek has done.
I’ve been lucky enough to have seen them live a few times and it was a treat.
They released 6 albums ,Down Colorful Hill (September 14, 1992) , Red House Painters aka Rollercoaster (May 24, 1993), Red House Painters aka Bridge (October 18, 1993) , Ocean Beach (March 27, 1995), Songs for a Blue Guitar (July 23, 1996) and Old Ramon (April 10, 2001). Down Colourful Hill and Song for a Blue Guitar are probably my favourites.
All through RHP recorded covers of artists from Genisis song Follow You Folow Me , Paul Simons “I am a rock”, “The Star Spangled Banner”, The Cars “All Mixed Up”, Wings “Silly Love Songs” and “Long Distance Runaround” originally by Yes as well as a John Denver cover or two.
In his solo career and in Sun Kil Moon , Kozelek has released albums that are totally covers such as “What’s Next to the Moon” which is all covers of AC/ DC songs and The Sun Kil Moon album “Tiny Cities” is all Modest Mouse covers.
Red House Painters
Sun Kil Moon
Cover of Modest Mouses Never ending Math Equation
Gentle Moon
Are 3/4 of people in NI Unionist? June 17, 2011
Posted by Garibaldy in Northern Ireland, opinion poll.69 comments
The Guardian reports the results of the most recent Life and Times Survey, which suggests that 73% of people in the north want to remain within the United Kingdom. Not just that.
Fifty two per cent of Catholics living in Northern Ireland wanted that union to continue, while 35% said they desired a united Ireland.
Only 4% of protestant respondents said they wanted a united Ireland. There may well be good grounds for thinking that both those results are too high.
The DUP seems pleased with the results anyway.
The Democratic Unionist party – the single biggest party in the Stormont Assembly – welcomed the Life and Times survey and said it showed that traditional communal loyalties were “crumbling away”.
The idea that the DUP wants to see such loyalties crumble is of course laughable.
So the elections tell us that the majority of catholics vote for militant nationalism. These results tell us the majority of catholics are keen to remain within the union. So what does all this mean? The most obvious answer is that it doesn’t mean very much. That elections are better judges of what people think than surveys, and that we need to take all this with a large pinch of salt. On the other hand, as pointed out in the article, there has been a clear trend in this survey to suggest that a united Ireland is of declining importance to large numbers of catholics, and that that number has been growing. Unionists liked to argue even during the troubles that around a quarter of catholics wanted to stay within the union, rather than see a united Ireland tomorrow. What we could be seeing here is that the number of catholics who have at the least put the idea of a united Ireland on the back burner has grown with the GFA and with the collapse of the economy in the south illustrating the advantages in terms of public services etc that come with being part of the UK.
Could we be seeing a situation where a vote to make Martin McGuinness First Minister does not contradict the desire to stay within the union for the forseeable future? That’s a hard idea to believe. Then again, if we look at the history of what is called Irish nationalism before the 1918 election, it was constitutional nationalism that was dominant. We should remember that Redmond was a British imperialist. At the same time, northern nationalists after partition continued to vote overwhelmingly for constitutional nationalist parties, as they do today. When we talk about the popularity of constitutional nationalism, could we really mean that securing a better deal for catholics within the existing framework has been more important than long-term aspirations for independence (assuming for the moment that we can characterise repeal and home rule as forms of independence)? It seems likely that that has always been true for a certain amount of constitutional nationalist voters, but the proportion is extremely hard to estimate at any given time, never mind over the longer run.
But if the Life and Times Survey is right, then there are more of that type of voter than there has been for decades. If that is true, and if they now feel comfortable voting for Martin McGuinness, Gerry Kelly et al then we could be looking at major changes underway in northern nationalism in terms of what aspirations it must represent. Are we looking at the transformation of their party into something much closer to the old Nationalist Party than to the politics of the 1980s and 1990s? Or is this all nonsense based on a poorly done survey?
“The highlight of the summer calendar for the well-off and well-connected” being ruined by a “less distinguished breed of racegoer.” June 17, 2011
Posted by irishelectionliterature in Uncategorized.6 comments
Saw this and couldn’t resist posting it. The Daily Mail giving out about “the highlight of the summer calendar for the well-off and well-connected” being ruined by a “less distinguished breed of racegoer.“ The pictures alone are worth a look.
For 300 years, it has been the highlight of the summer calendar for the well-off and well-connected.
But these days, it seems, the enclosures and stands of Royal Ascot are becoming increasingly popular with a much less distinguished breed of racegoer.
As the Queen’s favourite racing event celebrates its tricentenary, fights have been breaking out amongst the male racegoers at the historic Berkshire course, watched by worse for wear women who can barely stay upright in their high heels.
A quick glance across the terraces reveals a sea of flesh and unsightly tattoos – of women in cheap, tawdry dresses and men who have shunned the expected top hat.
This Week At The Irish Election Literature Blog June 17, 2011
Posted by irishelectionliterature in Irish Election Literature Blog.Tags: election ephemera, fianna fail, Irish Politics
1 comment so far
First up this week….
I was honoured to have Fionnan Sheehan write an article in the Indo based on leaflets from the site.
Needless to say no credit was given…
On then to a leaflet from Brian Pelan “For a United Socialist Ireland” from the recent Assembly Elections in West Belfast
Then delivered to the house last week a Newsletter from Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy
Then from I presume late 2005, a flyer from the late Tony Gregory
From the same year a “Release The Rossport Five” leaflet from Sinn Fein.
Then from 1987 a leaflet from Mary O’Rourke, Albert Reynolds and the now Judge Henry Abbott
and finally when Willie O’Dea was William O’Dea
Leaving private schooling. You say adversity… I say… June 16, 2011
Posted by WorldbyStorm in Culture, Economy.32 comments
Here’s an interesting insight into our society. Boy’s parents divorce, financial troubles ensue, boy’s parents unable to pay private school fees on time. Boy’s barred from private school. Subsequent court case sees the judge upholding the barring and demanding that parents pay outstanding fees.
While I have every sympathy for the child and indeed anyone who must leave a school and go to another, in terms of understanding how friendships have developed and now must be made afresh – and I know of a nine year old whose parents due to the economic situation have been forced to move from one part of the country to another and consequently take him out of his old school and put him in another, is it me or does the following seem a little over the top…
Judge Collins said the person most affected by what had transpired was Daragh. She recounted a conversation with a “respected and wealthy” Irish businessman whose parents had to take him out of a fee-paying school when he was 15, but who did not let it defeat him. She hoped that Daragh would be able to turn into a “fine young man” despite the adversity he faced.
