28 January 1999 Edition
Editor's desk
We reported before Christmas on America OnLine, the world's top Internet Service Provider's censorship of Irish nationalist and republican ideas and of the Irish language.
The response from Irish America has been swift and decisive. The Irish People, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Irish American internet users have demanded an explanation from AOL for their actions.
One internet user described it as ``a latter day form of (cyber) McCarthyism.''
AOH President Thomas Gilligan wrote: ``If this episode is the product of loyalist and British collusion to harass and intimidate bona fide participants in these Heritage Boards, I have asked our [legal] counsel to consider a class-action lawsuit.''
AOL partly rescinded their ban but so far they have come up with no evidence to warrant their action.
Thomas Gilligan wrote to AOL Chairman Steve Case: and one question he asked him was: ``Just what specifically is the objection to the Irish language other than you apparently were not aware there was one?''
We'll watch the battle with interest.
RUC pennypinchers fell out over lottery money when a poor old RUC office clerk found out the hard way that ``if you're not in you can't win'' when she sued ticket holder Janice Robinson for her share of £5,700.
Diane Smart (or not so smart) from Huntingdale Manor, Ballyclare was trying to get a share of £68,000 won by an RUC office syndicate in the English national lottery. Her claim was dismissed by Judge John Petrie as she was on sick leave over 12 July 1997 when the money was won and, therefore, she had not paid her stake.
A Presbyterian minister has offered `Hope' to all those who are suffering at the hands of sectarian bigots. At an annual function held in Armagh to mark Christian Unity Week, which had the theme `Hope', he announced that bigots `can be rehabilitated'. The speech was delivered to an audience which included the unreformed bigots of the RUC.
Unfortunately the minister did not offer any suggestions on how bigots can be rehabilitated. May we suggest, as a first step, the disbandment of the RUC?
Up to as many as seven soldiers serving with the 26 Counties army, in the Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin, have been warned by their commanding officer, who is also the local intelligence officer, to stay away from the Felon's Social Club on the Falls Road.
All of the soldiers were questioned, in depth, about their attendance in the Republican club and asked why did they go.
When all seven reported that the Felon's was the best night club in Belfast, it would be fair to say that their O/C was none too happy.
They were then asked if they knew that the club was run by Republican ex-POWs, and that the money raised went to the cause, the boys replied they didn't know this. Asked if they knew that the RUC was trying in vain to shut the club, and that it had been covered in the papers, again they replied in the negative.
The top man then took a different line of questioning the lads, asking if they were acquainted with any IRA Volunteers, drug-dealers or joyriders. Despite their long stay in Belfast, they all said that they didn't know anyone who fitted these descriptions.
They were let off with a warning that if they returned to the Felon's they could say ``bye-bye'' to their career in the army. So much for peace and reconciliation.
The response from Irish America has been swift and decisive. The Irish People, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Irish American internet users have demanded an explanation from AOL for their actions.
One internet user described it as ``a latter day form of (cyber) McCarthyism.''
AOH President Thomas Gilligan wrote: ``If this episode is the product of loyalist and British collusion to harass and intimidate bona fide participants in these Heritage Boards, I have asked our [legal] counsel to consider a class-action lawsuit.''
AOL partly rescinded their ban but so far they have come up with no evidence to warrant their action.
Thomas Gilligan wrote to AOL Chairman Steve Case: and one question he asked him was: ``Just what specifically is the objection to the Irish language other than you apparently were not aware there was one?''
We'll watch the battle with interest.
RUC pennypinchers fell out over lottery money when a poor old RUC office clerk found out the hard way that ``if you're not in you can't win'' when she sued ticket holder Janice Robinson for her share of £5,700.
Diane Smart (or not so smart) from Huntingdale Manor, Ballyclare was trying to get a share of £68,000 won by an RUC office syndicate in the English national lottery. Her claim was dismissed by Judge John Petrie as she was on sick leave over 12 July 1997 when the money was won and, therefore, she had not paid her stake.
A Presbyterian minister has offered `Hope' to all those who are suffering at the hands of sectarian bigots. At an annual function held in Armagh to mark Christian Unity Week, which had the theme `Hope', he announced that bigots `can be rehabilitated'. The speech was delivered to an audience which included the unreformed bigots of the RUC.
Unfortunately the minister did not offer any suggestions on how bigots can be rehabilitated. May we suggest, as a first step, the disbandment of the RUC?
Up to as many as seven soldiers serving with the 26 Counties army, in the Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin, have been warned by their commanding officer, who is also the local intelligence officer, to stay away from the Felon's Social Club on the Falls Road.
All of the soldiers were questioned, in depth, about their attendance in the Republican club and asked why did they go.
When all seven reported that the Felon's was the best night club in Belfast, it would be fair to say that their O/C was none too happy.
They were then asked if they knew that the club was run by Republican ex-POWs, and that the money raised went to the cause, the boys replied they didn't know this. Asked if they knew that the RUC was trying in vain to shut the club, and that it had been covered in the papers, again they replied in the negative.
The top man then took a different line of questioning the lads, asking if they were acquainted with any IRA Volunteers, drug-dealers or joyriders. Despite their long stay in Belfast, they all said that they didn't know anyone who fitted these descriptions.
They were let off with a warning that if they returned to the Felon's they could say ``bye-bye'' to their career in the army. So much for peace and reconciliation.