About Us
Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,
Beasts of every land and clime,
Hearken to my joyful tidings
Of the golden future time
Addendum: Winter 2007/Spring 2008 - We’ve been termed ‘crypto-Provos’, ‘Sticks’ and whatnot. Utterly contradictory charges. Vastly entertaining and completely incorrect. Read on to get an idea of the approach of the Cedar Lounge Revolution (and no surprise that the political situation has swerved away from our predictions below when this was first written in 2006. Someday we’ll get around to updating this, or perhaps we have in our posts).
Okay, admittedly the last thing the world needs is another blog, let alone another ‘political’ blog. So, why are we bothering with this one?
Well, we believe that there’s room for an Irish blog with a unashamedly, but undogmatically, left-wing view of the world, and that’s what we’re trying to put together with ‘The Cedar Lounge Revolution’. As a group of individuals who have met on Politics.ie, arguably the single finest Irish political resource on the web, and continue to post there on an often daily basis, we’ve come to a conclusion separately, but simultaneously…
It seems that, on the internet (we hate the word ‘blogosphere’) as in the ‘real world’, ‘right-wing’ thought is on the ascendant. Whether it’s coming from Ayn Rand-worshipping libertarians, religious fundamentalists or 19-year old university students who love wearing suits and dream of growing up and becoming Richard Perle, the right is confident and unapologetic in putting forward its ideas. By contrast, left-wing opinion seems more divided than ever (never forgetting, of course, the truism that in every generation, left-wing opinion is always ‘more divided than ever’). Whether it’s Stoppers vs. Mongers, Trots vs. Stalinists, Revolutionaries vs. Reformers, Social Democrats vs. Democratic Socialists vs. those who are finding it increasingly hard to tell the difference, the left has always saved its greatest ire for those closest to it, and tends to spend far more time fighting amongst itself than against those on the other end of the political spectrum.
But that’s not the whole story. This seems to be the end of one period of recent history and the beginning of another. George Bush has only two more years in the White House. His legacy has largely been constructed. That means that new political choices are opening up across the Atlantic. Tony Blair, the architect of contemporary politics in the UK is moving towards the end of his years in power. Here in Ireland we have the prospect of the full implementation of the GFA in the next six months, or some new structure administered by the UK and the RoI. And there are less than twelve months until the next election to Dáil Éireann. All in all it seems timely for a new engagement by leftists with the events that, for better or worse, will shape the global and national political landscape for the next decade. There’s opportunity in them thar hills…
That’s why we think that it would be useful to take a step back right now, and think about issues in a somewhat calmer, less adversarial way. We don’t think that those who support the progressive political values should have to apologise for their beliefs in the face of opposition from those who disagree. On the contrary, we think that ‘now, more than ever’ (to use the cliché) there’s a need for those who consider themselves left-wing to assert themselves in the face of an increasingly ‘centrist’ consensus. This blog is our small attempt to contribute to this (although we might throw in a little leftie-bashing for good measure – splitters!). We’re also aware of that defining issue on the Irish left, the relationship between the left and nationalism and Republicanism and that relationship will be part of the discussion.
You’re not going to find a consistent line on here, as our contributors each have their own distinct perspective, some being members of political parties, others just sympathetic and others coming from the ‘Plague on all your houses’ school of thought. You’re not going to find a Drudge or Slugger-esque news digest, with immediate links to every political story as it breaks (as some of the members have lives outside the internet, and the ones that don’t are too lazy to do it).
What you will get, hopefully, is some interesting, but not too heavy or humourless, analysis and debate of Irish and international current affairs. You’ll also get reviews and discussions on books, films and music (oh, and maybe Big Brother as well). And every once in a while we hope to throw in a bit of commentary from people who don’t necessarily share the same values as ourselves, people from the conservative or libertarian right, in order to demonstrate that not all original thinking on economics, politics and society comes from the left side of the street.
We’re trying to make this a blog for those of us who’ll look in on indymedia, but wince at some of the comments; for those who cross their fingers when singing the Red Flag, but still know the words; for those of us who roll our eyes when we hear that the Irish media has a left-wing bias, but wish it were true; for those who dislike the use of the word ‘liberal’ as an insult, but don’t much like liberals either; for those of us used to being on the losing side but are too stubborn to give up yet.
Time will tell if we succeed or not but, for now, enjoy!
Fraternally yours,
The Cedars
Wow, it feels just like p.ie on holidays over here!
Congrats on a great blog and an inspiring manifesto. Good luck.
Welcome! And thanks for the link!
Ah, something decent to add to the blogroll finally!
Thank feck.
Feckin Great website!
Happy Christmas from SW France lads - have looked quickly over your pitch but don’t see an explanation of the name. I assule it’s a reference to the Cedars in Raheny, am I right ? Or is it a gesture of solidarity to the poor auld Lebanese ??
Hi Seán, to be honest it’s both, some of us having come from Raheny/Kilbarrack. Haven’t been there in a while though…
“We’re trying to make this a blog for those of us who’ll look in on indymedia, but wince at some of the comments; for those who cross their fingers when singing the Red Flag, but still know the words; for those of us who roll our eyes when we hear that the Irish media has a left-wing bias, but wish it were true; for those who dislike the use of the word ‘liberal’ as an insult, but don’t much like liberals either; for those of us used to being on the losing side but are too stubborn to give up yet.”
Jeez, that’s me to a T. Don’t know what took me so long to find you!
Interesting website you guys have there John.
I’d not read that statement before. I’d say it was very much what I want to hear.
If I said the major problem with the left was not what line it takes on this issue or that, but its inability to discuss those issues fraternally, would that sound about right to you?
I’d completely agree ejh, and I think everyone else who posts on here would take much the same view.
I’m not interested in a political competition as to who is ‘right’ but rather how we move forward collectively and individually and allow for space for people to do so as best they can.
Is the Left Wing Bias - for or against the left?
I have tried for years to get the media interested in the corruption of SIPTU but to no avail, that is - until recently, when Utv did a programme on Belfast Dockers dying from asbestosis. The Northern Sunday World has taken up their plight.
We we ordered to discharge this deadly cargo without protection, to save the employers money.
SEE POSTINGS ON INDYMEDIA.
Actually, since indymedia were closed down they’ve become very conservative, with my postings anyway. Anything that attacks De Rossa, any TD or a SIPTU official - UNLESS it has been previously printed in the media, has been taken down.
My posting, about an hour ago noting my meeting with Joe HIggins and his refusal to help the Belfast Dockers was very quickly taken down.
Have you gone to your local TD, or the political parties?
I’ve gone to the very Top, Bertie, and worked my way down. No-one wants to know.
As stated on indymedia, I was one of the Belfast Dockers ordered to discharge asbestos - the result of this is the present day Dying Belfast Dockers.
I have the absolute proof that ITGWU became corrupt.
This union persecuted the Belfast Dockers with heavy fines, and ultimately sided with the Belfast employers to SACK its own members. They both formed an illegal COURT for disciplining and SACKING dockers.
To put a legal face on this corrupt court the union and employers put everything in writing. I still have these traitorous documents.
All the documentation relating to my sacking - along with proof that the union and employers refused to supply the Dockers with a Contract of Employment - even though ordered to do so by an industrial court - I passed to Bertie Aherne, Michael McDowell and all the other TD’s I’ve written to.
No-one it seems wants to expose this corruption because it’s just too BIG.
That’s fair enough Hugh. All I’d say is that you have to take this again to a media outlet that has credibility. Show them the stuff you have and let them deal with it. Also it might be worth your while to get legal advice since you have written documentation.
Dear WorldbyStrom,
I have tried them all, from The Irish Times, down.
I have told Vincent Brown, Fintain O’Tool and Kevin Myers, when he was with Irish Times, that:
“When someone whose job is to expose corruption… ignores corruption… than that is also corruption.”
I believe the right wing are protecting SIPTU because it’s keeping the work-force docile.
If SIPTU is destroyed then a myriad of smaller unions will dominate, Partnership will go out the window and the Capitalist Establishment will face a FREE FOR ALL in wage demands.
You wouldn’t call Vincent Brown or the others mealy mouthed, but none of them would take offence… WHY!
Reporters won’t often acknowledge letters, especially when ‘home truths are said about them’, but I did receive two replies from Irish Times, one from Paul Cullen and the other from the woman who was the legal correspondent, I can’t remember her name but she has a new job, something to do with children, I think.
The so-called independent MEDIA here is in the pocket of the government and Partnership. They are quelling a good story for political objectives.
Okay, how about blogging about it on your own blog?
No-one was reading it so I stopped, it’s called CORRUPT SIPTU.
On this topic, I just answered SIPTU MEMBER on indymedia and my comment was up for about 30 seconds.
Talk about Big Brother.
The truth about SIPTU’S cover-up of corruption will be aired in open court, as Arthur Rafferty, one of the Dying Belfast Dockers is taking a case against them.
Well, although in a tragic circumstances, you and those you support will get a day in court.
I am getting very angry.
The so-called socialists in indymedia have just taken down a posting I put on - Protests at Mayday in Belfast.
I related how Jack O’Connors ears seemed to turn bright red in the Mayday parade, when a contingent of Young Socialists behind him, from DUBLIN I think, took up the slogan of the widows and children of DEAD Belfast Dockers.
“What do we want for the Belfast Dockers, JUSTICE! - When Do We Want It– NOW!!!
I also stated that a Poster a lady was carrying, and which wasn’t in the photos as she was on the other side of North Street, SAID:
JUDAS
Got 30 picies of Silver
What did ITGWU
GET
I also related how, at the speeches part, when Jack O’Connor went to speak I climbed onto the platform and took the mike from him. As I attempted to inform the Trade Unionists present about the betrayal of Larkin and the betrayal of the Belfast Dockers, the mike was TURNED OFF.
As my voice isn’t as strong as it used to be, I told a few Home Truths and then left the platform to O’Connor and his lies, and DID he LIE.
When the parade passed the protesting Dockers and families of Dead Dockers nearly all were sympathetic and SHOUTED support, with MANY crossing the street to shake our hands.
It SEEMS that INDYMEDIA has joined the RIGHT WING CONSPIRICY which intends to keep SIPTU in power and THUS the working class in subjection.
In DEED.
…as in the ‘real world’, ‘right-wing’ thought is on the ascendant. Whether it’s coming from Ayn Rand-worshipping libertarians,…
Right-wing????
Ayn Rand?????
Urge to kill…… RISING
Yup, ‘right-wing’, put in quotes to indicate that it’s an imperfect term, but one which I still broadly fitting when talking about the pretend philosophy of Objectivism.
Just a thought, but might we want to consider a bit of a small rewrite of this in a wee while? Blair gone, possibly a new government in the South and a functioning Executive in the North.
That’s a very good point.
Hugh:”It SEEMS that INDYMEDIA has joined the RIGHT WING CONSPIRICY which intends to keep SIPTU in power and THUS the working class in subjection.”
Hugh, posts to indymedia are only removed if they break the guidelines there. In your case you’ve been posting the same few lines hundreds of times. That’s not news. It’s just repetition.Indymedia is there for new articles and so if your contributions amount to extremely little, extremely, often they you can’t expect them to remain.
We’ve asked you to write up something substantial, with as much evidence and coherence as possible. That’ll probably stay up, though frankly, I suspect the moderators will be somewhat skeptical given the frequency of your past posts. For what it’s worth, the bizarre remarks about indymedia joining right-wing conspiracies doesn’t help your credibility.
Just noticed your posting James.
No-one from indymedia has ever asked me to write “something substantial.” But, as a matter of face I have. It’s a stage-play entitled ONE BIG ONION.
This is taken from Larkin’s slogan - One Big Union.
As for my remarks being bizarre - who would ever think that a LEFT WING UNION would collaborate with employers to sack its owm members, or drive these same members to their deaths, as proven by the DEAD Belfast Dockers who were forced by their union to discharge asbestos.
Also - who would think that Joe Higgins would refuse to help the still living Belfast Dockers who at the present moment are dying.
A comment I made on indymedia last night about Joe Higgins refusal to help was quickly taken down.
Anyone in any doubt about the BIZARRE CORRUPT behaviour of this ITGWU and the cover-up by SIPTU should see http://www.nvtv.co.uk where dying Belfast Dockers have their say about ITGWU and SIPTU.
The bizarre behaviour of Joe Higgins when I asked him to publicise the corruption of SIPTU IS WHAT IS BIZARRE!
As my noteworthy comments on indymedia about the new newspaper have been taken down, I will just say on this site that it’s reassuring to see that the HSE has stopped the demolition of Ballymun Towers because of the threat of Asbestos.
If only the Belfast employers and the Dockers union had had the same concerns for the People of Belfast and the Belfast Dockers.
What is particularly disgusting about this whole issue, is - that the Human Rights Commissions, North and South DON’T see this as a Human Rights issue - OR if the TRUTH be told, they PRETEND not to.
Dudes! Your RSS feed doesn’t work anymore. Did you turn it off or something?
What’s an RSS feed? Nah, I know what it is. I’ll go and check. Cheers for that Pidge….
I just spotted that you’re mentioned on an 18 Doughty Street as being a “top class blog”.
Nice one!
(http://doughty.gdbtv.com/player.php?h=a04f3fca4289ac83c797808cee5dde80)
Most people hate left wing politics. look what happened to pat rabbit.Why dont ye just go a\wy.
AS for youth defence. At least the women are beatiful as appose to that pig called ivana and her gay bum boy norris
Puerile and wrong… a combination one sees sadly all too often.
I think that was the appeal to the intellect, as it were.
Rubbish spelling too.
Really nice site you have here. I’ve been reading for a while but this post made me want to say 2 thumbs up. Keep up the great work
Thanks automated message generator…
I was searching for info regarding the death of Monty Johnstone when I came across this blog. After reading the intro It is going to be my favourite. I have been in germany 25 years, so out of touch with everything.
Very good.
I am seeking consent to use the image of the burning earth
SER_27052007125123 on a CDROM for graduate students
Consent granted.
Oh, that image… Erm, I think it’s clip art… still what smiffy says…
Oh, hang on. Was that a real request? I thought it was just spam.
Doh!
Consent revoked.
Hey you guys! Are any of ye interested in meeting up to discuss a few ideas about left-wing collaboration on d’interweb? At this stage, I’m just talking about meeting for a pint to throw out a few ideas and see if there is any interest. Let me know - chekov AT indymedia DOT ie
http://irishpiratereview.wordpress.com/
ROFLMAO
I like it… y’arrr…
okay, who’s behind it?
I’m guessing Toss…
It could be… it could very well be…
Hello,
I’ve recently looked over your site and believe that your reader-base and visitors might be a possible advertising venue for us.
I am interested in traditional link advertising as well as using link “blurbs” on certain pages of your site, or on certain articles. Perhaps even submitting articles. This includes but is not limited to purchasing a post also. We are open to any idea that would allow us to capture interested readers, but would prefer to avoid the traditional “Ads by Google” and “Sponsored Links” sections.
Please let me know if you’d be open to discussing advertising possibilities further.
Thanks in advance,
Travis
Abazias.com
Stock Symbol: ABZA
It’s all ABC1s on here…