15 January 1998 Edition

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Mála Poist

Principle of consent



A chairde,

Does the principle of consent constitute the essence of democratic rule? No, it does not.

The principle of consent equals majority rule.

Remember Germany in 1933, when a majority of the good citizens voted to establish the Hitler dictatorship. Did the principle of consent constitute or promote democratic rule in this instence? Certainly not.

In fact, the principle of consent or majority rule can in some situations be used to prevent or destroy democracy.

True democracy - ie, equality justice, freedom and responsibility for each and every individual citizen - must never be confused with mere secondary and derived mode of procedure such as the principle of consent or majority rule.

Such procedure might impeach the establishment of democratic government.

Democrats of Ireland must be vigilant that a secondary and derived mode of procedure, non-essential to the establishment of democratic society is not used on this island to perpetuate the Unionist dictatorship that prevented the democratisation of our country for over 70 years.

It defies logic to consider Ireland as a democratic country while the gestapo-like RUC, the British military, and British secret service continue a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the nationalist population of the North.

I just wonder how does Mr Paisley, Mr Trimble or Mr Blair define ``democracy''. Perhaps An Phoblacht might ask them that question. I doubt very much if any other sector of the media wishes to hear their answer. It might just stir their conscience, presuming that they have one.

Martin Ennis,
Castletownbere,
Co. Cork.

Technological writing



A chairde,

The article ``Are You Connected?'' by Bill Delaney in the Christmas edition of An Phoblacht could have dealt with the profusion of web sites in more depth by giving your readers a taste of the Saoirse, Sinn Féin and Noraid sites mentioned.

It would be a good idea for someone to surf the Net and compile a regular column describing Web Sites of interest to Republicans. Most papers I have seen do something similar.

Your intrepid surfer could also delve into another aspect of the Net and give your readers a taste of yet another forum for the discussion of things Republican and political - Newsgroups. With 30,000 newsgroups and millions of articles out on Usenet there is bound to be something there of interest to Republicans.

Continuing on things technological, the latest article by Laurence McKeown - ``Technological New Year'' - made a couple of salient points about the use of new technology but he could have led into an article with the theme that a mid-price computer can revolutionise the running of any Sinn Féin centre, rather than the drivel he came out with last week.

There are very reasonably priced IT Courses and more people within the Republican Movement should take advantage of such courses and strive to become computer literate not only to enhance their own personal skills but to bring their new skills to the advantage of their cumainn etc.

The article by Eoghan McCormaic, ``The Revision of Sanitation of 1798'' could be used as a launching pad for a series about such patriotic ballads and can be an aid to existing and aspiring flute bands. Perhaps you could publish lyrics and scores of various songs, with a brief history of the person, event or ideal being celebrated within? It would be an invaluable education for some of the many existing and aspiring Republican Flautists and Drummers.

Another column that should be expanded is Welfare Rights. I have to commend Ann Marie Willis for her very informative contributions and it has lead me to pose the question, ``Why is there not a similar column dedicated to the 26 Counties?

Robert Stack,
Newry.

Bands for Bloody Sunday



A chairde,

The Bloody Sunday Weekend Committee is presently in the process of organising the annual series of events to mark the 26th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Derry.

Among these events of course is the march through Derry along the route of the original march. Like last year we would like to extend invitations to a specific number of marching bands to participate.

For various reasons there shall not be an open invite to bands and we would very much appreciate if those interested in playing at the march would contact the office either by letter or phone before Tuesday 27 January. Phone 01504-268846.

Martin Finucane
Pat Finucane Centre
1 Westend Terrace
Derry

A Night at the Races



A chairde,

Cairde Shinn Féin is holding its second annual race night in Shelbourne Park, Dublin on Saturday 28 February at 8pm. Our first night was an outstanding success as regards the money raised for the party and the enjoyment of the occasion. The venue is excellent and we promise you a different but brilliant night's entertainment.

Shelbourne Stadium is a top class venue and offers full facilities for its clientele. Race sponsors will have free advertisement in the race programme and entrance to the Oaks Suite.

The night consists of 10 races. The top race is the CSF 525 with prize money of £1,000. Last year Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams presented the cup to the winning owner.

Funds are raised in four ways:

Sponsorship of Races
Sponsorship of Greyhounds
Advertisement in Race Programme
Sale of admission tickets £5 each
Race Sponsorship:

2 races at £500
7 races at £300
The CSF 525 at £1,000.
The sponsorship of the greyhounds is £25 each.
Advertisement in the race programme costs £100 per page, £50 per half page and £25 per quarter page.

Winning greyhound sponsors receive a winning prize.

How you can help:

Contact anyone who is prepared to sponsor a race, an advertisement or a dog. Contact friends who are in the greyhound business, ask them to support us.

Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Further information can be got from Joe Reilly, Bobby Sands Centre, Flowerhill, Navan, Co. Meath (046) 21345/or Sinn Féin Head Office, (01) 8726100.

Joe Reilly,
Director - CSF.

Tigers under threat



A chairde,

In looking at the great problems which are confronting the so-called Asian Tiger economies, it behoves us to look at our Celtic variety of the same animal.

With the globalisation, particularly of the financial markets and with the ability speculators now have to destabilise economies, all countries should now take note of what has been happening in Asia. According to a recent article in Le Monde Diplomatique ``an almost intimate relationship has formed between the stock market and the money market: not only can the `institutional speculators' manipulate the share market, but they have also learned how to plunder the currency reserves of the central banks, destablising whole economies along the way, thus the stability of any country's industries can come under threat''.

In Asia we are seeing the inevitable results of this with the humiliating ``agreement'' which the IMF has imposed on South Korea. The results will be unemployment, worsening of real wages and conditions for workers, and the passing of native industry into foreign hands. The fact that there was a strong concentration of intra-Asian trade will make matters worse, because of the problems of the other countries in the region and the fact that Japan is going through a recession.

In the meantime while these events are taking place, over 100 countries have signed an agreement within the framework of the World Trade Organisation which will further liberalise the financial markets. In line with this agreement investment barriers around the world will be lowered in banks, insurance companies and firms dealing in securities, and involves ten of trillions of dollars.

It does not augur well for the ordinary people anywhere and the pride of those apparently on the crest of the wave here in this puffed-up Tiger at home may be deflated sooner than most people think. As Le Monde Diplomatique remarks: ``it is to be feared that the speculators will now launch an assault against the central banks of other emerging countries, provoking with it a disastrous chain reaction of devaluation and improverishment.'' With all the talk of devaluation vis-a-vis our entry into the EMU, one wonders are the eyes of the speculators wandering in this direction.

Just how sound is the present economic base here in terms of offering an assured future for our people. There is the fact that when repatriated profits, royalties etc are taken into consideration we have a trade surplus of 1% over GNP (much deflated from what we are often led to believe). Inevitably this means little to invest in fixed capital and labour without which growth cannot continue on the present basis.

And just as the skilled Irish worker is played off against the German worker because he will work for lower wages, so an equally-skilled Eastern European worker will be played off against an Iris worker because he will work for an even lower wage, while all the time the wheels of big business and speculation grind relentlessly on. When will we ever learn?

Peter Moore,
Dublin 2.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland