Below is an article by Gerry Ruddy, a leading member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, which sets out the reasoning behind the decision by the leadership of the INLA to stand their volunteers down. By publishing this I am not expressing support for the IRSP, although I welcome the INLA decision to stand down. Given the nature of this organisations history and the disillusionment many Left Republicans feel with the progress made since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, I feel it ... Read Full Story
Eleanor Kasrils, the ANC and CPSA activist, and wife of former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils, died on Sunday after suffering a stroke. She was 73. Ronnie Kasrils said Eleanor had suddenly collapsed and after just a few hours at Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic, died in the early afternoon. The couple would have been married for 45 years next month - the "most wonderful, happy marriage", Kasrils said. Sounding emotional but calm, he said she had done "some fantastic things" in her l... Read Full Story
Those who have touted the ‘red poppy’ over the last month, have more than had their day this year. Due to the UK's military involvement in the war on Afghanistan, the lead in to remembrance day started way back in the first week of October. The main UK media outlets in the run up to yesterdays Remembrance Day, have mounted what can only be described as a full blown advertising campaign in support of the war. With the tabloid press, the Mirror, Sun and Daily Mail having had page after pa... Read Full Story
Obituary: Ernesto Leal JimenezBy Roger Sutton.Ernesto Leal Jimenez was born to communist parents on January 11 1938. At that time they were on the run, persecuted by the government of Arturo Alessandri for their part in organising the peasant struggle for better living standards.His father, a self-taught man, was the Communist Party organiser for southern Chile and he and his wife were denounced as agitators and forced into clandestinity from their home in Valvidia.Eventually they settled in ... Read Full Story
After I posted an article about the Red Poppy early this week, a number of people contacted me to ask about the White Poppy. Terry L directed me to the Peace Pledge Union's web site , whilst not a pacifist myself the PPU web site has some interesting articles about WW1 and the origins of the White Poppy and where they can be purchased today.-----------------------------------------------------------------WHITE POPPIES ARE FOR PEACEThe idea of decoupling Armistice Day , the red poppy and ... Read Full Story
Like many working class men of my generation, I reached adulthood as a fully formed sexist bigot. Looking back my attitude to women was appalling, which was hardly surprising if one takes into account the values of the society I was brought up in. We workers were exploited by just about all those who had an opportunity to do so, so many of us not knowing any better, behaved likewise to those whom we did not consider to be our equals. There is absolutely no doubt the feminist movement wh... Read Full Story
One again the yearly charade of concern for the UK’s war dead and wounded is upon us. Whether you wear one or not it is difficult to argue with the fact the ‘Red Poppy,’ and those like the British Legion who stand behind it, glorifies war in all its putridity. It is bad enough the ‘red poppy’ emerged after WW1* as a front for a charitable organization when the government of the day had all but forgotten the military victims of WW1. That such a charity exists today to meet the needs of the UK’... Read Full Story
