Villagers: Letters to the Editor 2006-09-28
It is truly amazing that the Minister for Justice should propose to abolish the stamp duty provision. But then, what would one expect from the leader of a party whose sole aim is to enrich the well-heeled in our society? If the Minister feels the State does not need this money, could I respectively suggest that it be put to good use in the elimination of poverty, which is all too prevalent in our society?
Paul Doran, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
An Post: Praise where praise is due
I wish to congratulate An Post on the launch of their Lenticular Stamps to mark the Ryder Cup being held in Ireland. Lenticular Images, like holographic ones, are those that appear to move when you change their angle. In other words, 3D. Very few postal administrations in the world have ever issued Lenticular Stamps due to the sophisticated software required to produce them. Where is all the praise that should have been heaped on An Post for commissioning and issuing the stamps from their critics in the media and correspondents to the newspapers? Instead of always criticising An Post, why don't you give credit where credit is due?
Paul Kinsella, Santry, Dublin 9. Member, CPSU An Post Branch Committee
Young Muslims: Foreign policy contributes to terrorism
UK Home Secretary John Reid has warned Muslim parents that their kids are being groomed – a word with deep resonance in relation to children – by extremists. This is simply an echo of the line put forth during the Northern Ireland Troubles. The fighting was all because of crazy 'hard men' intimidating their communities and leading the kids astray. Nothing to do with British or unionist policy, police harassment and so on, of course.
When challenged on Channel 4 news about whether UK foreign policy might have anything to do with the radicalisation of Muslim youth, Reid sidestepped the question and stuck to the 'brainwashing' line, reiterating that Muslim parents were unaware of the menace.
Perhaps for the first time publicly, a UK politician is admitting that terrorism cannot be defeated by either army or police, but requires the deeper involvement of the community. The Muslims will effectively have to police themselves, and by implication, be held more morally responsible if they fail to prevent attacks.
Channel 4 went on to interview a former member of an extremist Islamic group, and asked if foreign policy had anything to do with radicalisation. He answered that the extremists had been trying to radicalise young Muslims for the last 20 years, which unintentionally seems to prove the point that recent foreign policy must be having the desired effect. If these 'brainwashers' have been around for the last 20 years, why is it only now their message seems to be getting through? That's not to say UK – or US – foreign policy is the sole cause of terrorism, but refusing to acknowledge it as a major contributor is to ensure the problem won't be solved anytime soon.
Nick Folley, Carrigaline, Co Cork
Anti-war march: Where were those in opposition?
On Saturday, my partner, my children (including our wheelchair-bound handicapped son) and I caught the 7.55am train to join the Dublin anti-war (global day of action) march, equipped with food, drink and waterproofs.
RTÉ reported nothing at 9pm. Who could, on this occasion, blame them? It just wasn't worth reporting. We estimate that under 1,000 attended – our family actually constituted 0.5 per cent! Mallow's sugar industry redundancy payments issue was reported. Hundreds queueing at a Dublin Easons branch (we witnessed this) in adulation of U2 was reported. Tens of thousands visited the Ryder Cup. On Sunday, my partner joined 9,000 women for the Cork Mini-Marathon.
We know of no friends and aquaintances who agree with the Iraq war or other actions associated with the "War on Terror". Yet, disgracefully, under 1,000 in Dublin! Shame on those who claim they oppose US/UK/Israeli aggression and lies, who claim they care, who protested in 2003, but didn't bother to turn up. It was inexcusable. Shame too on all those who worship shopping, gawp, and just don't give a damn. One speaker claimed "we have them on the run". On this evidence, not bloody likely! "They" must be laughing.
WILLIAM PAUL, Ballincollig, Co Cork
National Spatial Strategy: Dublin is not Ireland
In the Mansion House, Dublin on 18 September, Bertie Ahern told journalists: "I think decentralisation is a good thing for this country, we have to get away from this concept that Dublin is Ireland."
In his introduction to the government's National Spatial Strategy document, he says: "The Greater Dublin Area is facing problems of congestion, while a number of regions suffer from under-utilisation of their potential and resources." He goes on to say: "In order to achieve more balanced regional development, a greater share of economic activity must take place outside the greater Dublin area."
What a pity his government does not practice what Bertie preaches.
In the Dáil on 15 September 2005, Minister Martin Cullen used the same document to argue that the reckless development of Dublin Airport with its new terminals and new runway, designed to cater for 55 million passengers a year, was wholly consistent with National Spatial Strategy.
Minister Cullen has refused even to consider alternatives to this uneconomic and unsustainable expansion by the Dublin Airport Authority, such as development of Cork and Shannon airports or the building of a new airport to serve the greater Dublin area.
This is in spite of the fact that Finance Minister Brian Cowen requires public bodies to subject their spending proposals to a rigorous economic evaluation, including an objective consideration of real alternatives.
Just who is in charge here?
Matthew Harley, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
Bertie's finances: Some leaks more important than others
I have sympathy with the Taoiseach on the damage done to his reputation by leaks from the tribunal. I would have more sympathy for him, however, had he made an issue of Minister McDowell's leak of a garda file to damage someone else's reputation. Neither he nor his cabinet colleagues seemed to see anything wrong with that particlar leak. To complain about one leak and to condone another appears, to say the least, inconsistent.
Anthony Leavy, Sutton, Dublin 13
The Pope's comments: Pope hasn't grasped his political role
Very sincere thanks for printing Tina Beattie, (Village 21-27 September 2006). The best commentary yet on the Regensburg Incident. The key lies in her indication that a correct translation of the German word used by the Pope in relation to the Emperor Manuel's strictures on the Prophet Muhammad was not "brusqueness" but "harshness". A much stronger distancing of the Pope, (and us), from Manuel. Bizarre as it may seem, this Pope has a very fundamental problem with language. Not only are many of the valuable things he has to say utterly lost in translation, but they can be – and are – wildly misinterpreted.
While JPII radiated certainty. Pope Benedict clearly has had – and has – a daily struggle between dogma and what may not be 'doubt' as such but is certainly a ('Doubting') Thomas Didymus empirical craving for the exact truth.
As Beattie implies, neither the Pope nor his handlers seem fully to have grasped that his day-job is political. No Sir Humphrey vetted the Regensburg address. Hardly anybody will read that actual address but the world knows the spun sound-byte by heart.
This is not in any way to try to soften the blame. Quite the contrary. This incident is extremely serious. Firstly because it suggests that this papacy will end in failure – because of its inability to communicate the very important reinterpretation of the Christian message that Benedict XVI may want to offer the contemporary world. Secondly because more of this may get us all thoroughly fried and fricasseed.
Maurice O'Connell, Tralee, Co Kerry
Ryder Cup: Bord Fáilte: spend money more wisely
The country is awash with money, and this week, it was awash with wealthy golfers and their fans who are flocking to see them practicing their art. While the world 'oohs' and 'aahs' at Tiger Woods' birdies, the behemoth that is the Ryder Cup will consume vast sums of money from the budgets of various councils and arms of the State, such as the Garda Síochána.
As a Kildare local, it is quite bemusing to see members of the police force out cutting hedges and directing traffic at night-time (when there is no traffic to direct). I have no doubt they will earn their overtime when the weekend is out. It's just refreshing to see so many, even if they are not there for my protection, per se.
And what of Bord Fáilte Ireland's budget? How much have they spent on the whole affair? Even Fianna Fáil must be envious of the number of lamp-posts covered with promotional material. Perhaps when they have finished with their orgy of advertising, they might spend a few quid looking after a few of our own monuments; monuments that actually will be around for a few years to come (unless they have the misfortune to lie in the path of a motorway).
I'm thinking in particular of Tara, which is routinely overlooked from a tourism point of view. Not by the National Roads Authority, though. They seem to be able to target the area quite well. What say you, the good men and women at Bord Fáilte Ireland? If the Ryder cup is a 'hole in one' opportunity for promoting Ireland, then the planned carnage at Tara is an own-goal.
Declan Kenny, Leixlip, Co Kildare
Ryder Cup: The Dubliner and Ireland's golf set
If The Dubliner magazine had grossly misrepresented a footballer's wife, I wonder would the denizens of the K Club and Irish golfing 'society' in general have taken such umbrage?
Keith Nolan, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
STATEMENT: Fathers wince at Twink's phone message
A number of mainstream media articles have recently discussed the phone message purportedly left by Twink on her ex-husband's machine. This two-minute ventilation is now available all over the internet and has even been morphed into a disco rap called 'Zip up your Mickey' on one website. Unfortunately, the articles concentrate their attention on the "entertainment" and "reality media" aspects of this issue and many even hint at a kind of respect for the spurned ex. Some shrug off this vindictive, vitriolic phone call, seeing it as "losing her cool" and understandable in the heat of the moment.
While many of my friends and colleagues laugh when listening to the tape, there are also fathers who wince, for whom it is all to reminiscent of their own painful experiences. Many fathers have received similar and often worse abuse from their ex-partners.
Three distinct elements of this phone message require particular comment.
Firstly, there is the repetitive use of the term "bastard" in a very focused abuse of an innocent child. Readers will remember how using this same term in an Irish Times column, in order to stimulate constructive debate about a Lone Parent culture, led to a witch-hunt for journalist Kevin Myers. Where now are the righteous voices who criticised Mr Myers and called for his resignation?
Secondly, the message threatens physical violence against the man concerned, which, in an equitable and just society, would automatically provide a basis for protection for him under domestic violence legislation.
Thirdly, and most worryingly, is her unambiguous threat that if the father ever had his picture published with his new partner and child, he would "never see" his "daughters again, never". This threat of a disconnection between father and children, unilaterally dictated and controlled by a spurned estranged wife, purely to satisfy her anger, has frightening ramifications for the real but hidden truth of family breakdown in Ireland and how custody and access is culturally and legally prescribed.
The potential for building robust, sustainable relationships between men and women is impeded if we don't have "warts and all" honesty, with women and men sharing both their strengths and weaknesses, fears and dreams, with mutual respect and equal treatment, support and protection by the State, the law and the family services.
Liam Ó Gógáín, Chairman Parental Equality, 1 Muirhevna, Dublin Road, Dundalk, Co Louth
Response to Michael McCaughan: Middle class in Guatemala effected by Stan too
Michael McCaughan's article in Village 14 August was very interesting and very touching, but perhaps the case presented to the world about our country was exaggerated.
It is true that the Tropical Storm Stan left Guatemala in a very bad state, but not only for the indigenous populations. We too – the middle class "ladina" or mestiza – suffered enormous loses from which we have not recovered; and the worst is that for the international community, only the indigenous population matters.
The world must act in a more even-handed manner regarding issues relating to a land which traditionally, and not just recently, has been multi-ethnic, as is proven by the Peace Accords.
Julio Rodolfo Custodio, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. difusorasrc@gmail.com