A bird's eye view of the vineyard
Alternative Copy of thesaker.is site is available Thu May 25, 2023 14:38 | Ice-Saker-V6bKu3nz
Alternative site: https://thesaker.si/saker-a... Site was created using the downloads provided Regards Herb
The Saker blog is now frozen Tue Feb 28, 2023 23:55 | The Saker
Dear friends As I have previously announced, we are now “freezing” the blog.? We are also making archives of the blog available for free download in various formats (see below).?
What do you make of the Russia and China Partnership? Tue Feb 28, 2023 16:26 | The Saker
by Mr. Allen for the Saker blog Over the last few years, we hear leaders from both Russia and China pronouncing that they have formed a relationship where there are
Moveable Feast Cafe 2023/02/27 ? Open Thread Mon Feb 27, 2023 19:00 | cafe-uploader
2023/02/27 19:00:02Welcome to the ‘Moveable Feast Cafe’. The ‘Moveable Feast’ is an open thread where readers can post wide ranging observations, articles, rants, off topic and have animate discussions of
The stage is set for Hybrid World War III Mon Feb 27, 2023 15:50 | The Saker
Pepe Escobar for the Saker blog A powerful feeling rhythms your skin and drums up your soul as you?re immersed in a long walk under persistent snow flurries, pinpointed by
The Saker >>
Interested in maladministration. Estd. 2005
RTEs Sarah McInerney ? Fianna Fail?supporter? Anthony
Joe Duffy is dishonest and untrustworthy Anthony
Robert Watt complaint: Time for decision by SIPO Anthony
RTE in breach of its own editorial principles Anthony
Waiting for SIPO Anthony
Public Inquiry >>
Promoting Human Rights in IrelandHuman Rights in Ireland >>
The Renewable Industry?s Dirty Little Secret Has Just Been Exposed Sat Jul 05, 2025 15:00 | Will Jones
The cat is out of the bag, says Diana Furchtgott-Roth. The vitriolic reaction to Congress?s plans to cut tax credits for renewables lays bare how 'cheap' wind and solar really are, and how subsidies are never enough.
The post The Renewable Industry’s Dirty Little Secret Has Just Been Exposed appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Britain is Turning into a Hotel for the World?s Criminals Sat Jul 05, 2025 13:00 | Will Jones
Britain risks becoming a hotel for?the world's criminals, warns Guy Dampier in the Telegraph, as new analysis?reveals that illegal small boat migrants are 24 times more likely to go to prison than the average Brit.
The post Britain is Turning into a Hotel for the World’s Criminals appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Germany is Not Being Honest About Who is Assaulting Children at Swimming Pools Sat Jul 05, 2025 11:00 | Eugyppius
In the last 10 years, Germany has welcomed a lot of ill-behaved young men for no discernible reason, and along the way citizens have had the dubious privilege of discovering whole new categories of crime, says Eugyppius.
The post Germany is Not Being Honest About Who is Assaulting Children at Swimming Pools appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Defunding Gavi is Good for Public Health Sat Jul 05, 2025 09:00 | Dr David Bell
The Left is in a panic over the defunding of the Gavi 'Vaccine Alliance'. But while the global vaccine industry has been lucrative, the biggest drivers of improved health are sanitation and nutrition, says Dr David Bell.
The post Defunding Gavi is Good for Public Health appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Pet Hates: Are Muslims in Britain Really Trying to Ban Dogs? Sat Jul 05, 2025 07:00 | Steven Tucker
Are British Muslims trying to ban dogs? It's a rumour that's been swirling for years ? and it's true that in Iran hardliners occasionally moot the idea. But in this case the rumour seems to be false, says Steven Tucker.
The post Pet Hates: Are Muslims in Britain Really Trying to Ban Dogs? appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Lockdown Skeptics >>
cork |
anti-capitalism |
news report
Friday May 01, 2009 23:24
by Ray - Cork WSM (pers cap) - May Day Lover
printable version
Digg this
del.icio.us
Furl
Reddit
Technorati
Facebook
Gab
Twitter
View Comments Titles Only
save preference
Comments (8 of 8)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Bob in profile plus march photos...
Bob Bickerdicke, veteran socialist and an inspiration to us all
A devil with a sure grasp of the Great Gas Robbery
Power to the people!
Cuba flag - 50 years since the revolution this July
Cork Pagans new banner - snazzy!
More photos...
Boycott Israel - Cork solidarity for Palestine
March setting off
The march on Merchants' Quay
Turning on to Pana
Going down Patrick St.
More photos....mmmmmmmmm!
March arriving at Daunt Sq. and getting showered with flowers!
Mick Barry (SP) speaking at Daunt Sq.
May Day marchers - Cork Women
Singing the Internationale
Free the weed! Legalise cannabis!
A special mention should go out to the many children who joined us on this evening's march. It did the heart great to have so many of our younger fellow-citizens with us for today, and hopefully they'll be taking us to May Day marches when we're in our dotage. Happy May Day to all!
Free the weed! Legalise cannabis!
A previous recipient of the lifetime achievement award struts his stuff!
Young May Day marchers - our hope for the future
Reclaiming the streets for fun and dance - long may we celebrate May Day!
Good turnout - solidarity to all of ya!
The following speech (or something almost exactly like it) was spoken at the gathering in honour of Bob by John Ryan of the May Day committee:
Bob was born in Leitrim 89 years ago. Before the 2nd world war he and his father toured Ireland with the circus doing a clown and acrobat act. Visiting all the towns and villages in Ireland he became struck by the lack of equality and the injustice ordinary people suffered. In the 'hungry thirties' he developed a passion to see society transformed in a radical way. He received little formal education but was a voracious reader and he became self-taught.
After the war, like so many Irish people he emigrated to England. He lived and worked in the industrial heartland of the West Midlands and in other places. While there he developed his understanding of the trade union movement and to this day he retains the values of solidarity, integrity, and courage - always ready to to speak out and challenge the power of capitalism and the state.
Bob from day one fought against any form of racism, sectarianism and sexism. He never sought positions for himself or the preferment of cliques. He has always struggled against the military-industrial complex and joined CND in 1952.
Bob returned to Ireland in the 'sixties and settled in his current home of Youghal. To his joy he raised a family - two boys and a girl - and in recent years he has been delighted with his grandchildren. Yet in all that time he also threw himself into activism. Any trade unionist who needed help, any stand against imperialism, he was there. He was a staunch member of the tenants' rights movements. In the late 'eighties and early 'nineties he intensified his activity when others were thinking of retiring. He went to prison in connection with tenants' rights issues and briefly went on hunger strike. He also was elected as an independent anti-establishment candidate in Youghal town council and he was a founder member of the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed.
In the period around 2000 and 2001 though he had reached his eightieth year, Bob made friends with a new generation of activists. Many of his old comrades had passed away but his personality made it easy for him to open up new relationships whereby he slotted in to action with a hands-on approach. His compassion always burned brightly - he marched, took part in demonstrations, canvassed (indeed I remember struggling to keep up with him on the hillside doorsteps of Youghal during the first Nice referendum campaign!) and was always encouraging in meetings. He realised the significance of events like Seattle and the global movement against corporate take-over, which would be a struggle for survival.
Bob was green before it was popular; he knew about recycling and was a beekeeper. Even in this decade his commitments would be exhausting to the young. He frequently went to Shannon to oppose the warplanes there and picnicked at the Old Head of Kinsale for open access for all. He helped form the Cork Autonomous Zone and the Cork Peace Alliance, where he loved the non-hierarchical structure and where his sense of humour and warmth came out.
He is a fitting working class hero here in 2009, a socialist for seventy years, a figure of true humanity, and a selfless maker of community.
And a message from Bob on the day, as noted by Paul, and read by Joan Casey of the May Day committee:
Since my teenage years I've been involved in working-class struggle and been fascinated by the ideas of socialism and co-operation. Think of all the people killed in wars - all in the name of capitalism. That's why I hate capitalism. If we socialists had our way there'd be an end to conflict. Socialism is such a lovely idea and one day with God's help, it will be a reality.
Just heard that Bob died at home last night at about 10 pm, in the company of his family. He was in his ninetieth year. My sincere sympathies to Bob's children, grandchildren, relatives, comrades, and friends. He was and still is much-admired and loved among activists on the left throughout Ireland and further afield. His memory among the living will never perish so long as the dream of a future without capitalism is dreamt. There's no word yet of the funeral arrangements, maybe check the Echo or the Sunday papers for details.
I have just posted the story online here http://www.indymedia.ie/article/92692
Funeral details will be in tomorrow's Irish Examiner.