Ireland Police State

international | environment | opinion/analysis

Wednesday August 10, 2005 22:54

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice; Ethics and Environment concerns

The question is.

Where is Restorative Justice?

Following revelations that the CIA is to be allowed secretly interrogate Irish citizens, on Irish soil, further details of the agreements signed by the Washington and the PD Irish Government have started to emerge.

We can now reveal that Achill Island, off the coast of Mayo. is to be cleared of its foreign residents, to allow for the building of an offshore 'terrorist centre' on the model of Guatanomo Bay. Suspected Irish terrorists and citizens wearing beards will be held in rain battered cages on the island and subject to intense questioning on their personal beliefs, by CIA and PD psychologists. A certain amount of psychologica torture will be allowed such as forcing prisoners to watch constant re-runs of Nationwide; Holiday Home Detective and Bord na Mona adverts; and the Riordans!!!

You can rest assured though that the Mad Mullah will respect prisoners spiritual beliefs, according to a Department of Justice spokesperson. The prisoners will be allowed half hour daily for their religious practices. They will be allowed kneel and face Roscommon in the Rain...and study copies of the PD Manifesto.

Washington has still to confirm precisely which offences will necessitate incarceration in the Achill Island facilty but it is widely understood that the list will include the following.

1. Failing to build up large amounts of personal debt of useless consumer durables.

2. Failing to maintain prescriptions for mood stabilising drugs for American MNC's. The excuse is that they are only cause effect is 'Donkey' hallucinations.

3. Failing to drive 4 wheel super jeeps and playing Golf at the K Club where Russian hookers are reported to be flowin in on a monthly basis.

4. Dublin 4 and Dublin 6 have been exempted from these offences according to the Mad Mullah, before he went on holidays.

We don't consider any of these requests to be unreasonable, said a Department of Justice spokesperson but he also stated that his boss, the Mad Mullah, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform??? prior to going on vacation stated that if all these terrorists types refuse to uphold the values of the Motherland then they can be absolutely certain that they will feel the full Wrath of our Christian God.

The Mad Mullagh was also alledgedly in East Belfast with Rev Ian Paisley while our Taoiseach was flying around Connemara in a helicopter with 'Ms. Goggle'. Ireland has been known as a hotbed for Islamic Fundamentalists particularly in the Glenties and Belmullet area.

We asked Department officials for a comment but we got bundled into the boot of a Paddy Wagon, driven to a secret location in the direction of the Twelve Pins in Connemara and slapped around the back with Hurleys and measured up for a blue suit for Achill Island.

Now where does the word Democracy apply....(the anonymous writer of the foregoing says - make sure to remove the beards tonight boys or your door bell might ring and the American accent might say 'Come along little Paddy'.

I call on ex Minister Jim McDaid to help us, he is a decent individual. Let Restorative Justice Prevail and I hope his court case doesn't entail the new Guantanomo Bay model, location, Achill off the coast of Mayo....

It is Michelle now who will add some diversity to this 'rant'.

Lord Mansfield said 'Absolute power corrupts, and power corrupts absolutely'.......It is now a decade since I came across this quotation but its meaning forms part of that search for meaning I apply to living.

I lived in Zimbabwe in the 1990's while funds poured in from the World Bank, the IMF and other major financiers. The pickings were rich in this newly emerged former colony of England. !980 saw the signing of the Lancaster Agreement and the change in name from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe, with Mugabe to the fore.

Like the newly emerging Ireland in 1922, the hidden 'bullying' tactic of a Colonial power left a reminder that instigated a Civil War.

As in the Irish Free State of 1922, in Zimbabwe two tribes dominated, the Shona from the Northern region and the Matebele (of Zulu origin) in the southern drought affected area. The war was bitter; the White colonial people suffered but so did many of both tribes engaged in the bitter divisive politics they inherited.

We in Ireland can identify with this. No family was not affected in some way by the transition from being a colony. Added to this our Capital city Dublin was the 2nd City of the British Empire. There was a trade off. 6 counties remained in England and the remaining 26 became the Republic of Ireland.

1968, like in the case in America, the issue of Civil Rights identified prejudice, but it was against Catholics rather than skin colour. The wound festered again and the Troubles came to the fore in the 6 counties. Let us be aware that all that was wanted was one man - one vote and the removal of religious persuasion from application forms; a source of real prejudice against the Catholic population at that time. (Am I stupid but is this not what the US/UK have invaded Iraq about!!! or is there prejudice in the decision there given the value of the commodity oil (greed and raw greed....)

Now the time is crucial. There is a strong possibility for the fruition of the Belfast Agreement in 1997.

Seanna Walsh; a cell mate of Bobby Sands, in Long Kesh (Maze) read out the IRA statement that all volunteers would lay down their weapons and all activities in every respect would cease.

What is the Peace Process worth to the individual people in Ireland? We have had 10 years remission from violence. Is it worth forfeiting the advantages brought about by the Belfast Agreement?

I don't think so. I attended a psychologist and he had a great catch phrase for emotional baggage situations and that was ... Look at the situation and just say 'The price tag is too high'.

The price tag is too high to return to violence. Just think about the Celtic Tiger in the South; there is an impression that it always existed. It didn't. In fact, it was a questioning mind and that of Charles J. Haughey and his team who saw the potential in the Financial Services Centre.

One nugget to consider as 'Dream/Reality' of the 1980's has 50% of the leading world banks with offices in Ireland, mostly in the Financial Centres. A considerable amount of work like Hedge Funds which involves both Risk and back office work are based in the Financial Services Centre. Realistically, this has had a strong knock-on effect but it is only since the early 1990's. This model is now being used in the East European countries and I think in Belfast also.

Just imagine a faltering Peace Process and its effect on the Irish economy. 50% of foreign banks can easily frequent the Irish location and go say to Europe. This is all about a ripple effect. Ireland does not need this. The Island of Ireland has massive potential to enhance 'Diversity in Unity' a quotation from John Hume.

Most importantly; in a turbulent world for the principles of Democracy, the Island of Ireland could foster using the wealth of experience a Peace Process Model. This could assist other countries; faced with similar situations.

My words are lets Embrace Change; let us develop a moral history that empowers the combination of experience and growth going forward.

Now Anonymous is going to write.

A very wise Buddhist monk once said 'When the pupil is ready, the teacher will arrive'

Now let's try explain this wisdom....

When the people of Ripp Off Republic (Eddie Hobbs) have had enough and when the people realise that they are living in a Police State under Camera and Corruption led by the 4% PD's and when they regain their sense of anger, we may have HOPE to regain our dignity and respect for each other on equal terms. Black and White child, Protestant and Catholic and other religions will live in harmony. We hopefully will have no London Bombings or global.

Before I go a little story. It was once alleged when Haughey was questioned by two of his ministers - he asked them for dinner that evening. Sitting with his Mistress Terri, the waiter arrived. Charlie was asked 'Is it the usual, Squire - what about the vegetables? Haughey replied 'My two ministers can order their own food'. Terri smiled towards her lover and the Squire looked at his ministers said 'Never Question me again'.

Now in later years Haughey looked over the floor in Dail Eireann and said to McDowell 'You are the nastiest piece of work that ever entered this House'.

Now here is the question for all out there. Is the first anonymous paragraph of this letter, too far fetched? I don't think so.

I phoned Woody Allen and he said I don't think so either. He also said 'Nobody has recognised that the Mad Mullah is a ringer for Bart Simpson - Now this is about serious shit. But Martin McGuinness said, on his way to America before the IRA statement, the less said about Bart Simpson the better.

We need mentors (gone to the abyss) or here.

A man who greatly impresses me is

Sean MacBride from Clann na Poblachta (Radical Republican Party); Barrister; and founder member of Amnesty

Maybe someone could give some history of the person.

His saying:

'Many voices, one World'

save preference

Comments (11 of 11)

Sean Mac Bio

by Damien Moran

Thu Aug 11, 2005 06:26

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_MacBride

Thanks Damien for the Wikipedia bibliography for Sean MacBride

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics

Fri Aug 12, 2005 21:25

In support of Mentors and a more broadstream education.......I would suggest looking at the entry about James Connolly's home in Moore Street.......

Are we trying to subtely remove people and their line of thinking from Political Culture?

Michelle

Quotation
Michael Harrington - Economist
'If there is a technologica advance without a social advance, there is almost automatically, an increase in human misery

This is worth thinking about.... How are we treating foreign staff if bars, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels and we all know about the issue at TESCO

Racism sickens me

by Al

Sat Aug 13, 2005 02:22

"This is worth thinking about.... How are we treating foreign staff if bars, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels and we all know about the issue at TESCO" - I treat them very well thank you. Most honest decent and hard working people you will ever meet are flipping burgers.

Have to laugh when people come upto me and start moaning about 'bloody foreigners'. (Why must you think because Im a Garda Im racist?) Folks, they are providing a service and doing a job that the Irish turn their nose up at, typical attitude "Im not doing that, Im too good for that", then whats your problem with them doing it? Thats also whats wrong with the social welfare system in Ireland, too many people are claiming purely because they couldnt be bothered getting a job or think they should be getting paid a 100 grand a year.

full employment Al

by seedot

Sat Aug 13, 2005 02:52

Did you ever think why we have full employment at 4.2% live register? How come 150k are signing on when we have full employment?

We have 2 million in the labour force. Since loads of us aren't public servants we operate on shorter and shorter, less secure and less secure contracts. In general we now change jobs 7 times - 15 if you exclude those who have public service and other permanent positions.

Thats every 3 years in an average 45 year working life.

1/3 of those 2 million are changing job this year. - 660,000.

Even allowing for 2 month job search thats 100k+ just between jobs. But the live register also has 30k who haven't worked for a year (Seamus Brennan says 45k are unemployable?? - 62 and looking for work? fully trained typesetter, no other skills?) and part timers and casual signers - many of them seeking fuller employment, or already employed in childcare and other non paid activities.

Most of the people on the dole work - we have just managed to construct a society where the private sector employer (unlike yours) feels no responsibility to them and doesn't renew their 3 month contract or the agency tells them that they have finished up and its quiet at the moment - call back after the holidays are over. When Willie Walsh was between jobs he didn't need the dole.

Don't say bloody foreigners.

But don't say bloody social welfare recipients either - cos you're not really helping by setting the two groups aganst each other, are you.

Are you drunk?

Sat Aug 13, 2005 04:53

Seedot,
Are you very drunk or just incapable of reading?
First off, its perfecty obvious that I respect the foreign workers, that I have no problem with them. The fact that I was refering to opinions put to me obviously completely went over your head.

secondly, I clearly stated those that dont want to work. Now, do you think that I went straight from school to the Gardai? If so then why and how could I myself have been unemployed in the past? I was in the private sector for long enough, flipping burgers, office, warehouse. I have been there.

Now, if your suggesting that every single person signing on is doing so because they cant find employment then I have two things to say to you, open a paper and read the job section and 2, I have a bridge to sell, interested?

Al: Racism

Sat Aug 20, 2005 21:18

Nor am I racist.

However, sometimes it is necessary to hone in on a subject to highlight an injustice to human beings and society.

Saturday afternoon had an interesting radio programme. I think the name was Spectrum.
A young human rights graduate spoke of the coincidence she had that introduced her to a nun in Doras who works with migrant workers.

The student made an interesting point. I recall as a mature student thinking something similar. Our universities are crying out to the state for funds with the threat the re-introduction of Third Level Fees as the only method of maintaining a global rating standard of education in Ireland.

This student from Limerick said that she would have joined a voluntary organisation in her first year of College but for the absence of details. Like me, she felt there could be a system of points available for the work done by students. This leads to an experience factor and is preferable to students working for funds for University. A country like Ireland has moved to the Knowledge economy, we need to seriously foster life long learning; knowledge; ideas and experience ratings.

We talk about upgrading our intellectual pool but I would put it to people like the CHIU that the fail to seek latent talents/gifts/opportunities within the student mass.

I wonder do people realise how many people drop out of universities.

The night glasses provide a good opportunity for foreign students to integrate.

Lets respect the people no matter where they come from, let us treat migrant workers with respect and see them as adding to the spectrum/diversity contribulion.

Let us ensure as people that the Peace Process born out of Belfast Agreement does not buckle under petty hatred and sectarianism.

Let us remember people of outstanding contribution to Peace, like Mo Mowlam (died 18th August 2005) and Robin Cook.

Jesse Jackson Civil Rights activist quotation
'Never look down on anyone unless you are helping them up' is a good marker in life.

As the sun sets tonight, think of the spectrum of colour; the rainbow; and think of diversity, acceptance and tolerance.

Again to people like the CHIU I say -open up: The time has come fo venture away from a too streamlined process like the UK. Knowledge is different to technology and diversity is at the route of ideas; growth etc.

I say this with reason. I am but one/ four essays away from a BESS degree in Trinity. I have both a Bipolar condition; Thyroid and brain damage (hearing, sight, smell. sensation affected 50%), Bipolar, medications - I know I have the education from Trinity but I fell short on technicalities from gaining the degree. How many are like me?

Awareness, listening. hearing are often overlooked for the benefits they bestow to life in general.

Michelle Clarke
Gandhi 'You have to be the change you want to see'

'Live as if you are going to die tomorrow and learn as if you are going to learn for the rest of your life'

We need visionaries. We need mentors. We need Humanitarians.

Which?

Sun Aug 21, 2005 17:41

Im not sure I picked up your point properly. Are you suggesting that a system similar to the American system where people can compensate marks by way of external activities? Or are you suggesting that students work in a voluntary organisation as a way of 'paying' college fees?

I have no particular problem with either. I believe education should be free however please dont pretend that students that work do so purely to pay education fees. I see drubnken students everyday of the week. in fact, I was one so many many years ago.

Reply to Al

Sun Aug 21, 2005 20:57

I too look to free education.

Either or plan for combined voluntary work/study and marks or work study allowance.

Does anyone know how it operates in the US?

Michelle Clarke

Quotation:
'I grew up with the need to prove that a 'hal caste'; a 'igger' and 'orphan child' could be a Whole Person.

It took a long time for me to discover I had a value'

May Optiz (1981- ) Afro-German writer
Taken from New Internationalist Publications
The Little Book of Great Women.

I agree.

by rimjaw

Sun Aug 21, 2005 22:04

Yeah more accuracies - yeah we're a police state - why with the concentration camps, toture devices corfu's at night, obeying one leader, being beaten daily by police with oozi's...its surprising that we can even have time for our Socialist Party meetings where the smoked salmon portions are miserly and one glass of champagne is abnomnible. Here's to misery and complaining the cornerstone of any constructive political ideology.

I'm glad that was cleared up.

Points

Mon Aug 22, 2005 12:24

the American system is quite straight forward. Everything works on points there (thats where they get their grade/point average) If they require extra points for a subject they can perform an activity thats relevent outside of school and obtain extra points for doing so.

An example being, playing for the local football team could gain additional points in PE. Working in a local business could gain additional points in business studies, etc.

Obviously theres limits on how many additional points you can pick up and its usually restricted to when a person needs an extra point or 2 to get a required grade/point average or to pass a subject. Remember in the States they are tested and graded all year through, not just 2 weeks after 6th year.

Follow on to reply from AL about US system of examinations.

Wed Aug 24, 2005 21:30

Thanks Al.

The Leaving Certificate results are out and the places offered by the various Universites and CAO colleges now remain to be accepted.

Sadly, we are witnessing a loss in technology based jobs in Donegal and elsewhere. This is about being out of pace with the Plans of Politicians and tax incentivised businesses attracted to Ireland.

Yes, Ireland is now a 'Knowledge' economy and people need to be alert to the significance of this.

I read recently that Ireland has 50% of the top leading world banks with offices in areas with tax incentives. Do people realise the significance of this Corporatism empire?

Something for people to consider.
Depta, a German Bank, are locating an office in Dublin.

They encountered a problem with our lack of places in schools. Plans exist to deal with the problem their way. It is proposed to establish an International School in Dublin to cater for their employees' children.

The effects of this are both positive and negative. What is vital is for people to know what is about to happen in Ireland, the Knowledge economy with attractive financial incentives to those participants of the Global Empire of growth.

A wise old Judge saying.
'Knowledge is no load'

There is wisdom here. It is about keeping ahead of the posse perhaps.

I sincerely hope the people are to lose their jobs in Donegal and elsewhere find an alternative route through the employment process.

Michelle Clarke

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Comments (11 of 11)