Blinded by a plank

Victor

From the
Sunday Business Post
Blinded by a plank

This week's "Rule Britannia" Award goes to the Financial Times, whose coverage of the shock victory of Jean-Marie Le Pen in France included a half-page illustration involving a map of Europe and pictures of the continent's extreme-right, anti-immigration groups.

There was Jorg Haider and his far-right Austrian Freedom Party, Pia Kjaersgaard's anti-immigration outfit in Denmark, Umberto Bossi's to-the-right-of-Genghis Khan Northern League, the racist Vlaams Bloc in Belgium, Holland's Pim "No Immigrants" Fortuyn, Germany's Ronald "judge merciless" Schill and Le Pen himself.

So did Britain have a representative? The British National Party, perhaps, or their buddies in the UDA? Or even Margaret "Rejoice" Thatcher? Not exactly. Instead, the FT included, as Ireland's representative of the far-right racist trend across Europe, a picture of Gerry Adams!

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Of course, from an Irish perspective, one would consider Sinn Féin radical socialists with a liberal streak, balanced only by a 'victim' chip on both shoulders. Then I remembered two words sprayed painted on a wall near home "BIRTS OUT" [sic] [/B][/QUOTE], hardly what you expect from a party with an 'international' view.

Bateman

I don't know whether that fair to say. Republicanism is about inclusiveness, loyalism the opposite. The mainstream Republican movement has accepted it has to work with loyalists, loyalists ae the opposite.

The people who scrawl "Brits Out" on walls and school desks are probably the same who scrawl "MUFC" on walls. Its stating the obvious, but they don't represent Republicanism.

Victor

Originally posted by Bateman
Republicanism is about inclusiveness

Unless you are English?

Bateman

No. Unless you were born on the island of Ireland and don't consider yourself Irish.
Either way, I'm not going to argue this point as I am not rabid republican, but suffice to say that SF as the best example of a far right party in the UK is laughable.

bonkey

Originally posted by Bateman
Republicanism is about inclusiveness, loyalism the opposite. The mainstream Republican movement has accepted it has to work with loyalists, loyalists ae the opposite.

Neither of which has much, if anything, to do with the "far-right" or "anti-immigration" issues which is what the original article was about.


jc

Bateman

True. I made that point above, realising that what I said went away from the original theme.

Victor

Originally posted by bonkey
Neither of which has much, if anything, to do with the "far-right" or "anti-immigration" issues which is what the original article was about.

No, I would question the "inclusiveness" polices of said "far-right" parties, so its a fair comment to pass on Sinn féin.

ReefBreak

Even if Sinn Fein call themselves inclusive, it's only ever been inclusive on their terms. They may also call themselves left-wing, but in my view, their actions and opinions down the years easily make them as reprehensible, as evil and as fascist as any far-right party in France (or Ireland).

Bateman

>>inclusive on their terms

Yes and no. I mean, there are limits. On their terms, well obviously, I mean democracy is all about elected representatives voting in a way that represents their party/constituency, not their own conscience an/or opinion.