tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post7598153638891353429..comments2024-03-05T11:14:40.829+00:00Comments on SINN FÉIN - KEEP LEFT: The resignation of Domhnall Ó Cobhthaighmellowshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12844166986997608405noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-15625769531969438082010-01-11T12:46:26.602+00:002010-01-11T12:46:26.602+00:00Just found out about this resignation. Good news i...Just found out about this resignation. Good news in my opinion. Domhnall is a pompous asshole. At least we won't have to put up with the sight of him swanning about the Ard Fheis again this year, as if he mattered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-22140196192257042282009-12-05T19:45:06.921+00:002009-12-05T19:45:06.921+00:00I just hope that Domhall doesn't have to becom...I just hope that Domhall doesn't have to become Daniel to not alienate protestant workers. Yep its true. The Militant tendancy have a very poor stand on the national question as they refer to it.Roasted Snowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13663245456688040097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-60735996003904198252009-09-24T21:14:31.320+01:002009-09-24T21:14:31.320+01:00Domhnall writes further on what his motivation wa...Domhnall writes further on what his motivation was:<br /><br />http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2009/09/2401.html<br /><br />JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-20178166825679586442009-09-16T01:00:50.677+01:002009-09-16T01:00:50.677+01:00Babeuf: Starry Plough, by Journal, I mean like a p...Babeuf: <em>Starry Plough, by Journal, I mean like a publication where republican ideas can be debated, something many parties have or used to have. There was one for SF in the early '90s, but it wasn't particularly good.</em><br /><br />Funnily enough that journal was called <em>An Camchéachta (The Starry Plough)</em>. Its biggest weakness was that it was very fuzzy on the politics it was trying to debate and disseminate though.<br /><br />A few years ago you had Eoin Ó Broin's <em>Left Republican Review</em>, published out of Belfast, but unfortunately that collapsed before it ever had a chance to develop into what I believe was intended for it.<br /><br />The only periodical offering a voice to socialist republican thinking at the minute would be Tommy McKearney's <em>Fourthwrite</em> magazine. Obviously this isn't a theoretical journal but it does occassionally tend to have a good analytical piece.<br /><br />There's <em>Red Banner</em> as well but republicanism can be fairly muted in that publication.<br /><br />I could be wrong but I think the Socialist Party is the only group in Ireland with its own theoretical journal (<em>Socialist Review</em>). It does generally tend to be the preserve of parties that have enough international backing to cover the cost of such publications.Ciaránnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-72358682817371933542009-09-15T18:34:19.751+01:002009-09-15T18:34:19.751+01:00There is definitely a need for a publication, onli...There is definitely a need for a publication, online or in print which promotes the idea of a 32 County Socialist republic but which is inclusive enough to by read an audience which stretches beyond Sinn Féin. Methinks such a publication would have to be independent of the party as I cannot see the party allowing open public debate on such matters under the name of the party. (I think they are wrong by the way but I think that's the reality)Féilim Ó hAdhmaillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-11538103676851760832009-09-15T15:54:46.260+01:002009-09-15T15:54:46.260+01:00Tgmac - Exactly, there are too many socialists in ...Tgmac - Exactly, there are too many socialists in SF, that are very anti-nationalist, that are uncomfortable with people from some Northern counties, especially Fermanagh, Tyrone, Armagh, whom the see as polluted with religious beliefs, Irish nationalism and generally being non-urban.<br /><br />Until the party starts to listen to its voters and supporters and take that into account, it will continue to be replaced. The days of socialist polices being lifted from past text books has to go, and it has to be replaced with what is good for the people of Ireland. There is a new generation of sticks in the party, lets not give them a platform to undermine the struggle for unity and an equality Ireland.<br /><br />DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-30216430147139655492009-09-14T13:37:39.216+01:002009-09-14T13:37:39.216+01:00Starry Plough, by Journal, I mean like a publicati...Starry Plough, by Journal, I mean like a publication where republican ideas can be debated, something many parties have or used to have. There was one for SF in the early '90s, but it wasn't particularly good. Much like this blog is doing, but in a more organised format. It could perhaps be linked in with this blog.Babeufnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-21738478938048795872009-09-12T16:19:37.667+01:002009-09-12T16:19:37.667+01:00Bryan,
I think you are mistaken about there bein...Bryan, <br /><br />I think you are mistaken about there being a reactionary (?) element in the party.<br /><br />As Eoin o Broin argued so passionately in his book being a nationalist and a socialist is not exclusive but instead its the only way that Sinn Fein can avoid the failures of the past and deliver a credible alternative.<br /><br />Here is an i question though for you: Is the person who betrays a Socialist Republic the person who turns their back on it or the person who consistently fails to deliver and never adapts to circumstances so as to eventually deliver it.<br /><br />At the end of the day they are both the same arent they. <br /><br />Also agree with TmacGs comments about neg vibes. Suspect you are being naughty and trying to stir things. <br /><br />J<br /><br />JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-1210030819449436722009-09-12T12:38:40.021+01:002009-09-12T12:38:40.021+01:00I'm an external observer with great sympathies...I'm an external observer with great sympathies for the left in SF. I thought Gerry saying that he didn't want to manage the economy but change it was significant. But the reaction to it illustrates the unavoidable bind the party is in.<br />SF is trying to ride two horses with only one arse. In the north, they are part of the right-wing establishment, are busy closing schools (even Gaelscoileanna), agreeing a step-change in PFI (a recent report in University of Leeds puts the value of public services up for privatisation to £10 billion over the next ten years). That's a lot of services in a population of only 1.6 million. Oh yes, then there's the recent RPA bill SF agreed with the DUP which includes a specific provision to allow local authorities to privatise waste disposal and treatment (possibility of a bin tax) reflecting reality on the ground in some SF dominated councils with our support. The party also voted *for* incineration in Belfast City Council despite the position being against elsewhere.<br />At the same time, leadership are content to allow lefties in the south to engage in protests and *talk* about socialism. But who really expects such politics to prevail over the realpolitick of compromise necessitated by a coalition for wider strategic objectives.<br />Riding two horses at one time doesn't work. The leadership know that, it's a shame the left in the party don't. <br />Adams' recent statement was designed to solidify support within the left-wing and he was pilloried by the right-wing media for it. Gerry's clever enough to have expected that so he must consider the short-term loss of credibility a price worth paying to maintain party cohesion and keep the left onside after the destabilising loss of O'Cobhthaigh.<br />At the same time, the SWP report linked on the last discussion exposes the realities of SF in govt for anyone on the left - hob-nobbing with the IDF and a trade mission to Israel! That undoes all the good a radical statement like Adams made in one go. So we end up with a situation where the media slag us for being economic illiterates losing us mass support and the wider left continues to think we're sell-outs. The dangers of riding two horses...VAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-40309177523961105792009-09-11T20:38:10.550+01:002009-09-11T20:38:10.550+01:00I see Nouvelle Sectarianism, with a new dyanmic of...I see Nouvelle Sectarianism, with a new dyanmic of ' ... them northerners aren't like us', is now rife among some so-called, self-styled Irish socialists. Very telling. There has always been a coterie of so-called socialists who've been exclusionary and determined to dictate their vision on others. (One vision fits all circumstances.) Sorry Brwyan, I lived in a exclusivist society. Didn't like it - ain't buying your neg vibes and vision.xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17714769524873176633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-87555548041445981312009-09-11T16:29:08.951+01:002009-09-11T16:29:08.951+01:00From some of the comments posted here, we can see ...From some of the comments posted here, we can see that there is still a reactionary Nationalist element in the party, which would happily co-operate with the total betrayal of the ideal of a socialist Republic. There's the door for ye!<br /><br />More and more, the prediction of outside observers is being proven true. That Sinn Fein will become the Fianna Fail of its generation, and it will be the third so-called Republican party to follow this route in the past century.<br /><br />I for one can see the reasoning in Cllr. O Cobhthaigh's move to the Socialist Party rather than continue following a Nothern leadership targeting Middle Class votes. Frank Ryan always noted the Northerners were weak in their committment to the Socialist aspect of the Struggle.Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-38826022228949802942009-09-10T21:47:11.349+01:002009-09-10T21:47:11.349+01:00Ignore the source just read this article and tell ...Ignore the source just read this article and tell me what's happened to the movement?<br /><br />Northern Ireland friends of Israel<br />By Eamonn McCann <br /><br />Many supporters of the Palestinian cause have been dismayed - and Sinn Feiners have been embarrassed - by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness meeting with the Israeli ambassador to the UK during his visit to Belfast in May.<br /><br />Sinn Fein puts itself forward as a supporter of Palestinian rights and an opponent of the State of Israel . This stance can’t be reconciled with the scenes at Stormont.<br /><br />Rest at<br />http://www.swp.ie/index.php?page=374&dept=NewsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-77042598814799812612009-09-10T19:57:13.357+01:002009-09-10T19:57:13.357+01:00i follow with great interest what happens in irela...i follow with great interest what happens in ireland, many good friends there,i hope sf gets to the point where u can be nationalist and socialist.<br />it will be moments were thinghs will be hard, but will be sad to see sf becoming something like snp in scotland.<br />keep up the good work for the socialist republic.freedom and socilisim for the basque country.basquenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-75008933737894239532009-09-09T18:25:39.970+01:002009-09-09T18:25:39.970+01:00tgmac
Not at all a windbag, there is some interes...tgmac<br /><br />Not at all a windbag, there is some interesting stuff there that gives one pause for thought.Organized Rage.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07627288401631451362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-91227876420353028802009-09-08T22:11:30.306+01:002009-09-08T22:11:30.306+01:00Don't know the man, despite being a few miles ...Don't know the man, despite being a few miles from his constituency. Don't really care to know.<br /><br />What I'd like to know is if the party is in complete disarray on economic issues or have the SP and their offshoot PBP systemcatically decided that SF is the one soft target in Irish politics. It seems so on both accounts<br /><br />This guy who departed seems more progressive than leninist, so I just can't fathom his move to the SP. If he hasn't really found a proper ideological home, he's not going to find it in the SP.<br /><br />Anyhow, the north, being in a specific arrangement unlike any other in Europe, will have to be handled differently than the south. It's called real politik. If, as posters suggest, Stormont isn't viable for a means to progress a coherent economic agenda (one, I might add, that requires a dynamic and informed spokesperson) then the party should get ready to jettison the project on its own terms - not the conservatives's, unionists's, sdlp's or ff's.<br /><br />As for the struggle, it's main aim must be economic. Every day the right wing economic agenda is pursued through propoganda in the MSM. FF will be doing the broad left family a great service if it puts the last piece of the puzzle in place on the back of their property ponzi scheme which has ended so disasterously.<br /><br />The right wing agenda is aimed at consolidating asset prices in order to protect their investments, non-productive income streams and set themselves up as the new rentier class. The wage earners will be legislated into spending on taxes, privatised public services and insurance premiums in order to feed the rentier class in the unsatiatable thirst for more and more money and assets.<br /><br />There is, increasingly, no middle ground in Ireland. It shrinks day by day. Garret Fitzgerald and Duke have announced their support for cuts and increased taxes on wage earners (but not on the wealthy). They rely on the core FG ideology of free market capitalism - and they don't need votes. FG once in office, just like FF, will pursue the rentier agenda.<br /><br />I consider myself a progressive who believes in core socialist objectives. SF need not ape the SP's policies that have failed so miserably in the past. There is alot of good research being done and delivered on the web about progressive economics. I can't help feeling that the opportunity for SF to grasp a new economic doctrine is emerging that doesn't carry the baggage of failed socialist policies but is dynamic, practical and allows the ordinary citizen to become engaged in our own economic destiny. It's emerging. Can SF adapt? <br /><br />Uniting Ireland one vote at a time isn't sexy. Creating practical economic solutions that incoroprate both tangible and fair outcomes isn't sexy. Creative thinking isn't too sexy.<br /><br />SF was know for its grassroots work. For councilors who worked for the people. None of this was too sexy. This is the ethos we need to incorporate into the national scene. Forget about the grand gestures and policies. Identify some winnable economic objectives and make them happen.<br /><br />Fulfilling stated objectives is sexy - especially when the opposition seems to have all the ammunition at the outset - when the obstacles are huge and you are told by the establishment you must fail.<br /><br />SF, trying to emulate the existing political ethos and methodologies, will probably stagnate. A SF that doesn't give two damns about the way things work now but want to create new methods of doing the socio-eco-political work of the future isn't only viable but may be re-energised. SF is rightly seen as being an outsider. We should always retain this mentality - even should it go into govt.<br /><br />I think this site is a step in the right direction. The talent is there and only needs to decide amongst themselves to create agendas, policies and pressure to forward a leftist agenda that speaks to people's needs and is seen by wages earners as workable and embedding principles of fairness.<br /><br />sorry for wind bagged, long response. gl all.xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17714769524873176633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-38842961282956863332009-09-07T16:27:38.524+01:002009-09-07T16:27:38.524+01:00Sad and surprised to see Domhnall has left Sinn Fé...Sad and surprised to see Domhnall has left Sinn Féin. I wish him well in the Socialist Party, a party I wouldn't have seen as particularly sympathetic to republicanism but then no doubt he felt Sinn Féin wasn't that particularly sympathetic to socialism! I think Sinn Féin will miss his intellect and commitment. I think socialists in Sinn Féín will feel that bit more isolated and marginalised. <br />Féilim Ó hAdhmaillUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09558582587884246492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-22144025160001578042009-09-07T07:41:33.467+01:002009-09-07T07:41:33.467+01:00He has left because of the contradiction between b...He has left because of the contradiction between being part of the present stormont set up and claiming to be a socialist party, sin é. If we do not sort this out we will become a party with a very small active membership because who wants to go around knocking on doors, selling tickets, putting up posters and attending meetings if all you are going to get is what Stormont has given us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-88766484348705909972009-09-06T16:13:20.702+01:002009-09-06T16:13:20.702+01:00WN - No I would not organise such an event, but i ...WN - No I would not organise such an event, but i would be interested in seeing one happen.<br /><br />Babeuf - I agree that any such event would not be antagonistic to SF and people need to realise that. <br />What exactly do you mean by journal?starry ploughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01481013510515056679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-17108603321089395012009-09-06T14:09:46.329+01:002009-09-06T14:09:46.329+01:00As above, would be most interested in such a meeti...As above, would be most interested in such a meeting. Some sort of theorectical based journal may be a good starting point to? As ever, position is not antagonistic to SF, and some party members as ever need to realise this!<br /><br />...That said, I really don't see how a Republican could join the SP. :/Babeufnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-34173693074325095702009-09-06T12:17:50.363+01:002009-09-06T12:17:50.363+01:00An interesting piece and I agree his resignation i...An interesting piece and I agree his resignation is the most damaging of all the ones of late. For me the left needs to really organise and the question is who will do this? Will it be you starry plough? If you organised a meeting I would attend.<br /><br />WNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-1424466104478870512009-09-06T12:11:08.861+01:002009-09-06T12:11:08.861+01:00Z - I see where you are coming forom in your post ...Z - I see where you are coming forom in your post and it is clear that view has support within the party, but my main question for you is how do you see Sinn Féin growing in the South? As Mick says the middle ground down here is packed, so what is it about the Sinn Féin agenda that is going ot convince people to switch from voting FF, FG, Green or labour?starry ploughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01481013510515056679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-58831031227638203642009-09-05T20:49:50.040+01:002009-09-05T20:49:50.040+01:00good post mick. SF keeping left is as real poli...good post mick. SF keeping left is as real politic as you get. it has to be that way. <br /><br />stormont will come down. its only a matter of when. the conservatives are going to win power in britian, the DUP top brass are opting for politics in westminster, the writings on the wall. if SF don't do it someone else will. not an argument for SF to do it but it does look like happening at some point. <br /><br />on the cllr leaving. if he wasn't comfortable then he did the right thing, giving the seat back also shows a sign of character so fair play to him. but people come and people go all the time. the world is on a crusp of history and so is ireland, things are changeing. SF in my view is the most organised and structured to deal with this from a working class point of view, we need to up our game but i think it can be done and is being done.<br /><br />to the anon who quoted mao. thats it nail on the head. adams and o brion have been on about this for the last two years. z's thinking is binned, no disrespect but adams wants a mass movement, after 2007 he accepted <br />SF on its own won't be a mass movement so he's argueing for SF to be a part of a greater mass movement of the left. some people in dublin probsbly wished he came to that conclusion 3 years ago but any way, its the direction the parties moving in now.<br /><br />sdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-15928742965277751162009-09-05T15:07:17.458+01:002009-09-05T15:07:17.458+01:00The argument for SF to move to the centre ground s...The argument for SF to move to the centre ground simply does not hold water, in the South the centre is already taken and overcrowded at that. Personally I doubt the SP would appeal to many republicans, although they may feel at home for a while, as its methodology is top down democratic centralism. Whilst SF does not operate under that burden, its comes pretty close at times, and this is something that still needs to be rectified. The war is long over, let a thousand flowers of debate bloom.<br /><br />In the long run, the only way SF's participation in the Stormont administration was going to work, was if it had brought real economic and social gains to the party's core support base. SF could have then gone before the Southern electorate, pointed to their success in the North and moved forward from there. <br /><br />In all probability this was the plan, but it seems to me to have failed dismally, and like the Greens in the South, who inexplicably willingly jumped into bed with the reactionary FF, SF is liable to pay the cost of this failure at the polls<br /><br />I am a 'little surprise' that the Left in SF have not made more of the failure of their Stormont 'ministers' to deliver to the support base. True some northern party members have been found births in this or that government financed schemes, nothing wrong with that, but over all, the return on participating in the Stormont administration for the majority of working class Northerners has been small change. [Not talking about the ending of the war here]<br /><br />There is a list of SF's manifesto promises which have not been met; by participating in the Stormont admin, SF is quiet rightly getting equal blame for the bad things Stormont does and in return has nothing to show to its own support base. The ending of selective education which should benefit both nationalist and unionist W/C communities is a car crash, policing and the Irish language have been parked.<br /><br />As an after thought, I would say this to those who suggest the party move to the centre, if SF lose it main support base, the men and women of no property from town and country, then there will be no party to move to the centre, right or left.Organized Rage.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07627288401631451362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-6966752137028553262009-09-05T14:20:48.291+01:002009-09-05T14:20:48.291+01:00(Cont'd) The party has a primary strategic obj...(Cont'd) The party has a primary strategic objective: a United Ireland; it needs to concentrate on that. Riding two horses is an impossibility.<br />I reckon that if the party moves to the centre like the SNP in Scotland - we might achieve similar successes as they have on the national question on the basis of a common-sense agenda.<br />If you study the SNP they are well capable of projecting themselves to the left of Labour – not a hard task admittedly - but maybe that’s what our party needs to be doing? <br />I think that at this stage, retaining our current ‘paper’ commitments to nationalisation and commitments to spending which will only be ditched on entry into institutions of governance only detract from our ability to compete. The party needs to speak to the realities of advancing unification in the concrete circumstances we face.<br />Domhnall has chosen political oblivion on the principle of consistant marxist politics and at some stage he may or may not emerge on that basis but that's not relevant to the immediate political tasks facing our organisation at this time.<br />We need to clarify our agenda if we are ever to be listened to by a public who are conditioned to think in terms of market-led economics. We need to develop the concrete arguments around integration. Over time unity will appear more and more relevant as the small, agile 26C economy eventually pulls out of recession while the weak, peripheral and dependent economy of the 6Cs remains mired in stagnation. <br />Left wing politics are not just congruent with a strategy predicated on institutional integration through executive authority both sides of the border.<br />I realise that this is a minority opinion on this site but be sure that the most wise councils in our party see this problem clearly and it is on that basis that the party must and will proceed if it is to succeed. I've made my point and won't continue. Z.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7727561618191456901.post-5173720521911326062009-09-05T14:16:35.407+01:002009-09-05T14:16:35.407+01:00Sorry Z I have not received the second part of you...Sorry Z I have not received the second part of your post yet.starry ploughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01481013510515056679noreply@blogger.com