Bloomberg Visit - Peace Vigil for Ballymote

by John McDermott - www.soldiersofdestiny.org Tue Aug 15, 2006 16:18

The Israelis were able to defeat all the Arab countries in six days in 1967, but in southern Lebanon this week, they left with their ignoble tails between their legs-for the second time in a decade.
They could not defeat the resistance forces in a thirty day campaign which has destroyed the infrastructure of a helpless nation and caused lasting environmental damage.
Despite the incoherent ramblings of George Bush,this was a Hizbollah victory.
It appears that they took a leaf from the Vietnamese people's fight for freedom against the worlds most powerful armed forces:The U.S.A.
A warren of underground tunnels and bunkers has been constructed which has made it virtually impossible for the most powerful army in the world to take and hold territory without unacceptably heavy casualties.Public opinion even among the warlike israeli citizenry was turning against the conflict.
The decision to send U.N. troops in this continuing volatile situation is incredible folly.if only for the sake of his image as we approach the general election, I hope Bertie Ahern can avoid playing the big-shot-statesman role, and foresee the electoral fallout resulting from the eventual arrival here of bodybags containing our own army personnel.
The Israeli Behemoth-despite the impact of its war atrocities- has taken a beating and they will surely be back for another round.
As long as the root injustices are unaddressed Israel will continue to make the world an unsafe place for the citizens of all nations, from Washington to Warsaw, because terror and suicide is the only weapon that can impact against Tanks and laser guides bombs.

Hezbullah, in the willing sacrifice of so many courageous guerilla fighters- as in the suffering and death of their innocent women and children- have this week seen the Israelis giving the Arab nations and the Palestinians back their "Fenian dead" .

by Noise Hacker Tue Aug 15, 2006 19:13

...

by alex Tue Aug 15, 2006 19:31

A CALL has been made on Sligo/Leitrim Deputy John Perry to cancel the invitation to Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York to visit Ballymote in the wake of recent statements made by the mayor in support of the Israeli invasion of the Lebanon.

Speaking at a Connolly forum meeting in Sligo over the weekend, former local election candidate Mr. Tim Mulcahy criticised Mayor Bloomberg’s recent statement supporting the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.

"The appalling loss of life of innocent women and children and the deliberate interference of the relief effort by the Israeli army and air force is reprehensible and is shameless abuse of power against an unarmed and defenseless civilian population," Mr. Mulcahy said.

He went on: "The total and unqualified support being given by the Bush regime and its failure to put pressure on Israel to even allow a humanitarian relief effort is quite outrageous. It is a gross over retaliation and has been condemned by governments through out the civilised world", Mr Mulcahy said.

"Even our own Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs has come out unanimously against the war and has criticised the Israelis and their activities in the region.

"Amnesty International too has come out and condemned the actions and the loss of life on both sides but also pointed out that the activities of the Israeli armed forces seem to point at a direct targeting of innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said

Mr. Mulcahy added that while Mayor Bloomberg would not be facing the Irish electorate within the next year, John Perry would.

"It is important that he, and all the general election candidates, make their position crystal clear on this humanitarian tragedy in southern Lebanon that is unfolding on our TV screens every night. He can start by telling the Mayor of New York to stay at home, and find someone else to unveil his statue," Mr. Mulcahy concluded.

http://www.unison.ie/sligo_champion/stories.php3?ca=38&...14475

by Arthur Tue Aug 15, 2006 23:46

Everyone is glad to hear there is an end to the unacceptable voilence and Mr McDermot is quite right especially about the environment damage in its many forms. Let us hope that it brings an awarness in the 21st Centuary that humans who are all related should insist on their military influences being reigned in, and an awarness we cannot win fighting ourselves. This latest debauchery should alert any right thinking people that a repeat could dehumanise societies completely and the obivious question, what next.
We are also in the midst of an energy crisis, and any energy use is causing environment problems. Perhaps the war mongers of the military machines and their backers could explain the energy expended in destroying Lebanon, plus the amount required to rebuild it . Then there is the human cost that cannoot be measured at places like Cana,still there is hope ,even Charles Dickens in his time period looked at society and noticed a slight propensity in human behavour to do do good even if it was only small.The Isreal public are now showing concern about the direction of the country,perhaps the nature people will replace the ones with no nature that are now seen to be well beyond their sell date.

by Maura D Wed Aug 16, 2006 01:37

(Article from "Sligo Weekender" August 15th 2006)

Over two-thirds of people questioned in Ballymote say the absence of the New York mayor should not have meant postponing the unveiling of their national monument.

The Sligo Weekender asked the question as part of a survey conducted in the town last week.

The results showed that opinion on whether Mayor Michael Bloomberg should have been invited at all was more divided.

The New York mayor was due to travel to Ballymote on Friday, July 28 to unveil a national monument to Brigadier General Michael Corcoran, a Ballymote man who became a US Civil War hero.

The ceremony was postponed when the mayor cancelled his travel plans because of an electricity crises in New York.

Mr Bloomberg is now due to unveil the monument next Tuesday, August 22.
However, Labour party councillor Declan Bree and party activist Tim Mulcahy, say that somebody other than Mr Bloomberg should be invited to perform the ceremony. They believe he is unsuitable because of his position on Israel’s invasion of Lebanon.

Mr Mulcahy has claimed that local feeling in Ballymote is against the visit.
We decided to test local opinion on this issue and on suggestions that the unveiling should not have been postponed after the mayor cancelled his trip.
We spoke to 22 people on the streets of Ballymote last Friday.

Of those polled, 68 per cent (15 out of 22) said that the ceremony should have gone ahead without Mr Bloomberg.

Many people had travelled to Ballymote for the occasion, some came all the way from the USA. But the visitors were left disappointed when they learnt that the ceremony would not go ahead until Mayor Bloomberg could reschedule his visit.

On the separate question of Mr Bloomberg’s stance on Israel, 45.5 per cent of those asked thought that he should not have been invited at all because of his strong support for Israel in the current crisis in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, 36.5 per cent agreed that the mayor should be invited to unveil the monument. The remaining 18 per cent had no opinion on the matter.

Ballymote-based TD John Perry, who has been heavily involved in arranging the visit, completely dismissed the results. He said: "In light of the fact that only 22 people were polled, I would discount this opinion entirely.

“The Israeli question is nothing whatsoever to do with the people in Ballymote, and this visit has the full recognition of the offices of the State".

When asked about the disappointed people who had travelled to Ballymote for the unveiling ceremony, Mr Perry said: "The majority of the people that came from the US were members of the Sligo Association of New York, and did so at no personal expense".

Deputy Perry then pointed out that the comments of Tim Mulcahy, who is an employee of Iarnrod Eireann, did not represent the company, as Dr John Lynch, an Iarnrod Eireann director, would be attending the ceremony. Deputy Perry said: "As he is a State employee, he should put the opinion of his employers first".

by Gurley Flynn Wed Aug 16, 2006 01:38

The New York City Transport Workers Union went on strike last December for better wages and conditions. Immediately Mayor Bloomberg became the chief spokesman and main organizer of the capitalist offensive against the workers. Taking to the airwaves he demonized the workers calling them 'thugs'. But it was Bloomberg himself who behaved thuggishly, while the President of the TWU, Roger Toussaint, acted with great dignity, and was jailed for leading the strike.
The TWU, founded by Kerryman, Mike Quill, for long has been a thorn in the side of New York's capitalist class. Due to their militancy they have given a lead to all othe unions. The gains won by Quill still exist and conservatives like Bloomberg would dearly love to roll them back. Toussaint went to jail for his principles and at rallies he has publicly voiced opposition to the war on Iraq. Bloomberg by contrast is a war monger. Senator Lieberman, in Connecticut was defeated in the democratic primary by an anti war candidate. Bloomberg immediately held a news conference to announce he was supporting the war-mad Lieberman in the November elections. There are signs that Bloomberg himself has designs on the Presidency. Never underestimate someone who has 5 billion dollars.
Lets hope that the Irish anti war movement and the Irish working class movement combine to give Billionaire Bloomberg a fitting welcome the land of Quill and Gralton and Connolly.

by Trackman - TWU Wed Aug 16, 2006 02:33

You said;

"The New York City Transport Workers Union went on strike last December for better wages and conditions. Immediately Mayor Bloomberg became the chief spokesman and main organizer of the capitalist offensive against the workers."
-(Hint , He's the ELECTED official who's supposed to be the chief spokesman, the ADVOCATE for the Citizenry, it's why he's been re-elected twice by a predominently liberal citizenry)

"Taking to the airwaves he demonized the workers calling them 'thugs'. But it was Bloomberg himself who behaved thuggishly, while the President of the TWU, Roger Toussaint, acted with great dignity, and was jailed for leading the strike."

- (First of all Toussaint went to jail for violating a law on the books since the 1970's(Taylor Law), NOT because of Bloomberg, you show amazing ignorance of the law. Secondly the union voted down the contract, then when negotiations started again , wanted the same conditions they refused earlier, doesnt work that way, sorry. Thirdly the union threatened anyone who wanted to go to work with Physical Violence, remember there are dissident elements who did NOT agree with a Strike.)

"The TWU, founded by Kerryman, Mike Quill, for long has been a thorn in the side of New York's capitalist class"
-( Capitalist Class? ohh yes the Factory Workers, Janitors, Hospital Workers, Food industry Workers, Teachers, Musicians, Retail industry Workers, etc. If your trying to imply the rich were inconvenienced, they have private auto's, try again. many of those forced to walk for tens of miles were making much less Wages & Benefits than the Transit Workers.)

"Due to their militancy they have given a lead to all other unions."
-( Yes, and it cost them MILLIONS in fines for Violating the LAW)

"The gains won by Quill still exist and conservatives like Bloomberg would dearly love to roll them back. "
- (Sure, he also eats Children, LOL)

"Toussaint went to jail for his principles and at rallies, he has publicly voiced opposition to the war on Iraq."
-( Which of course means nothing in regards to the contract, his jail time, or his Leadership of the union)

"Bloomberg by contrast is a war monger."
- (Do you have any PROOF of that? Bloomberg has disagreed with the Iraq war from the first, Publically.)

"Senator Lieberman, in Connecticut was defeated in the democratic primary by an anti war candidate. "
- (And is now LEADING in Polls in Ct. as an Independant.)

"Bloomberg immediately held a news conference to announce he was supporting the war-mad Lieberman in the November elections."
- (As is his Right) "There are signs that Bloomberg himself has designs on the Presidency." -(Quite possibly, so what?)

" Never underestimate someone who has 5 billion dollars".
-(Bill Gates has money, & is giving great bundles away to charity, for schools, etc., but I see you want war on the successfull, who's the war monger now? )

"Lets hope that the Irish anti war movement and the Irish working class movement combine to give Billionaire Bloomberg a fitting welcome the land of Quill and Gralton and Connolly"
-( Yes, re-inforce the anarchist stereotype of the unwashed middleclass young bored with a cause)

As a Long time Member of the Union , let me say Toussaint is undergoing a power struggle within the leadership, & hoped the Grand stand would help, it hasnt.

by Shay O Loughlin Wed Aug 16, 2006 03:11

Where did this guy Perry come out of? Is he for real?

He says that a director of Iarnrod Eireann (a Dr John Lynch) would be attending the Bloomberg ceremony And he says that Tim Mulcahy as an employee of Iarnrod Eireann should put the opinion of his employers first!!

What’s the chance of some of Perry’s employees from his supermarket participating in the Peace Vigil !!!

And Rabbitte and Co are busting their gut to enter coalition with guys like Perry, Enda Kenny and the other blueshirts

Perry would put William Martin Murphy in the halfpenny place

by JFH Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:53

The whole war in Israel and Lebanon is sad. Neither side would be fighting if they acted in accordance with their core religious beliefs; which guide any society on how to currently conduct themselves with the long term aim of evangelisation and continuity of their race, beliefs and teaching including “Love thy Neighbour”. However the reality is that man is not perfect. This war is basically one of Demographics. The Total Fertility Rate(TFR) of the secular Jewish people is only slightly higher than in the secular European Union (1.47, recognised population replacement rate is 2.1) where the forthcoming Aged Time Bomb is unavoidable. Syria, one of the Arab Countries has a TFR of 3.4.

The main point is that the EU and Israel is becoming weak because of its predominantly secular culture. Not a single European country has a birth rate that will enable it to survive in its present form through this century. By 2050, only one-tenth of the world’s population will be Europeans, and it will be the oldest tenth on earth, with a median age of 50. “The forthcoming and dramatic depopulation of Europe and Japan will cause many problems," writes Ben Wattenberg in "Fewer," his excellent book on the subject. "Populations will age, the customer base (for businesses) will shrink, there will be labor shortages, the tax base will decline, pensions will be cut, retirement ages will increase." All plausible. In 2000, one in six people in Germany and Japan were 65 or older; by 2050 the projections are for one in three. Of course, projections go wrong. But they could as easily underpredict population loss as overpredict.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20....html

Remember, the EU is made up of former Colonialists (English, French and Italians) who have plundered and pillaged the Arab world over the years. Elements in the Arab world will see Europe’s weaknesses as a way to readdress former military and political imbalances. Think about the euphoria in connection with the possible greater numbers of Republicans in NI as a result of the higher birth rate and its attended terrorist deeds.

There are roughly 50,000,000 less citizens of fighting age in the former EU15 (it is an altogether complete disaster in the former Communist run countries of Eastern Europe) since the 1960s. There is c. 250,000 less children in Ireland today than in the first half of the 1980s. It is this situation that causes WAR; the terrorism that the world is experiencing now is a direct result of our Secular lifestyle. When you have an old aged society that previously hogged much off the world’s wealth, surrounded by a young society that has being continuously plundered and pillaged; What do you expect the outcome to be among mortal men? Ironically, Ireland is the only country in the EU that can demographically send a proportion of its young men over 20 yrs (women if you are secular minded) to war. The pressure is going to be tremendous on the Irish Government to increase its army numbers etc and go on UN or EU Taskforce missions etc.

Now, who did you say is going to demonstrate against Mayor Bloomberg’s visit to Ballymote? Those who are totally blind or are without a splinter in their own eyes; I guess!

by G.H.B Thu Aug 17, 2006 02:42

"A great victory"

you must be kidding.

we should stand against state AND religious terror.

Israel killed more innocent people, but murder is murder- if the scales are different, we must still remember that simple fact.

Hizbullah are as best as the IDF. Neither side deserves the support of anyone "on the left" We should stand with the innocent people throughout the Lebanon in particular, and those in Haifa too.

HOW can we on the left support right-wing religious fundamentalism?

God,Allah and whatever else they call the man upstairs-always a banner for murder. He blesses America and Fundamentalist Fascists too. We can't side with the religious terrorists against state terrorists.

we must simply stand against terror.in all its forms. From an imperialist tank or a sick suicide bombing. There was no "victory" and it was far from "great". The streets are filled with bodies. Nobody wins in war like this.

by Blueshirt watcher Thu Aug 17, 2006 21:07

This is the guy that invited the Wolfe Tones to the FG Christmas Party in 2003 ......!

He was appointed Fine Gael Spokesperson on the Marine in October, 2004. John served as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee between September 2002 and October 2004 and is Vice-Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications and Natural Resources.

He was first elected to the Dáil in 1997. He was Fine Gael spokesperson on Science, Technology, Small Business & Enterprise and the Border Counties from 1997-2000. In June 2000 John was appointed Assistant Director of Organisation and Junior Spokesperson with special responsibility for Border Issues. He held this post until February 2001.

He is Chairman of Ballymote Community Enterprise, the first economic community enterprise established in Sligo aimed at creating long-term employment for the area. He is also Chairman of Ballymote Cattle & Horse Show and a member of various community and development committees and organisations.

John was the recipient of the Sligo Person of the Year Award in 1993 and the winner of the Irish Quality Business Award in 1991 and 1992.

by paul Fri Aug 18, 2006 13:03

Those who intend protesting in Ballymote at the visit there next week of the Mayor of New York have been condemned as "whingers" who do not speak for anybody.

Sligo Fine Gael councillor, Paul Conmy, has criticised members of the Sligo Anti-War Movement for indicating their objections to the visit of Michael Bloomberg, insisting his visit to Ballymote has nothing to do with politics.

http://www.oceanfm.ie/onair/sligoleitrimnews.php?articl...03303

by R. Moore Fri Aug 18, 2006 15:46

It’s interesting to note that Cllr Conmy is the only Blueshirt councillor in Sligo to publicly support Bloomberg’s visit.

None of the Fine Gael councillors from the Ballymote electoral area have come out publicly in support of Bloomberg’s visit despite the fact that it is John Perry’s base.

Its obvious that many in the local community are unhappy at the manner in which Perry has taken personal control of the whole unveiling ceremony to advance his own political status The local gombeen TD pictured in the papers with the Mayor of New York – although Perry may be having second thoughts at this stage!

Given his record, the last public representative anyone in Sligo would want defending them is Councillor Paul Conmy - it seems that Perry is now scraping the bottom of the barrel.

by slugo Fri Aug 18, 2006 20:49

Perry owns half the town of Ballymote, he needs to be shamed for this warmongerring carry-on, yes it would be good if the supermarket (+other) staff would come out and protest him tho thats doubtful, small town, no jobs, the usual. But come one come all>>

by Felix Quigley Sat Aug 19, 2006 13:31

What has happened here in Sligo by the intervention of the Irish Neoleft is shameful.

This was a monument to an Irish hero in a great American event, one of the great struggles and most progressive struggles of history and it has been transformed into hatred for Israel.

The hatred of the Irish Neoleft and of this Anti-Wart movement for Israel is something quite abnormal (see my post on the Derry Raytheon affair on this site)

I hope the people of Sligo will stand firm and will warmly welcome this man and will eventually come to know more about the Fascist nature of this Hezbullah which is aided by the Irish Anti-War Movement and by the Irish Provos.

by Tiger - Anti war Sun Aug 20, 2006 13:49

Wake up people!, all war is moraly and ethicaly wrong. The protest against mayor Bloomberg is to highlight the injustices against humanity not to take sides. The majority of anti war protesters are pacifists and decry the loss of human life no matter which ethnic group is represented. We should be careful that this protest in Ballymote doesnt deteriorate into a one sided affair. It really irritates me that this protest is degenerating into a slagging match.

by uh huh - anti everything Mon Aug 21, 2006 04:24

When You say ALL war is Morally & Ethically wrong, I wonder. This ceremony is to Honour an Irish Hero who fought to FREE Slaves from Bondage.

Fighting vermin like Hitler was Morally wrong? another enslaver practising Genocide among Gypsies, Jews, Slavs, Homosexuals, Clergy, Socialists, etc, etc.

If someone were to attack a Child in front of you, would you not step forwards and say; "ENOUGH" and stop the attack by any means neccessary, including physical violence ?

Was fighting the Fascist Franco not right?, is it not right to step up for the ones who cannot fight back?

PACIFISM is all well & Good in Theory, but it's a harsh world out there, without being able to fight back .

I'm reminded of George Orwells comment; "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night, because Strong Men stand ready to do Violence on their behalf"

by tiger - None Mon Aug 21, 2006 14:18

WHAT RUBBISH! people like you sicken me, two wrongs don't make a right. You sound like a total vigilante. Why don't we all go out and bomb the innocent? Thats why there is a word called morality, if all humans followed their instincts none of us would be left standing. Maybe you get a kick out of violence. What planet are you living on ? Your analogy on child abuse is PATHETIC, there is no comparison. I take it you must have military connections.

by DA Mon Aug 21, 2006 14:32

'The majority of anti war protesters are pacifists and decry the loss of human life no matter which ethnic group is represented. '

What evidence do you have to back this up? All but a tiny % of those that I know who are involved in anti war activities support the right of the victims to fight back. There are very few pure pacifists around. Please desist from abusing or ascribing malign motives to those who disagree with you.

by Uh Huh - Anti-Everything Mon Aug 21, 2006 17:24

"WHAT RUBBISH! people like you sicken me, two wrongs don't make a right." - And thats why when Fascists take over, persons like You wind up in Camps, while persons like me Kill Fascists.

"You sound like a total vigilante. Why don't we all go out and bomb the innocent?" - So I take it you'd have dropped Rose petals on the Fascist SS then?

"Thats why there is a word called morality, if all humans followed their instincts none of us would be left standing." -Absolute RUBBISH, refusing to defend ones self no matter the circumstance can only be afforded by those who rely on "Others" for their Protection.

" Maybe you get a kick out of violence." -Not at all, But I dont run from a fight for whats right, cowering behind some pathetic theory, I deal in Facts & Steel "IF" Neccessary, Violence is not My first responce

" What planet are you living on ? Your analogy on child abuse is PATHETIC, there is no comparison." -Au Contraire, it's perfect, I would stop someone beating a Defenceless Child by whatever it took, while your ilk would watch appalled, then rant on &on, like here.

"I take it you must have military connections" - I know my way around an Kalashnikov, Armalite, RPG-7 if I need to, other than that No Formal Military Training.

by Gurley Flynn Tue Aug 22, 2006 01:09

Bloomberg has held a press conference backing Senator Lieberman of Connecticut for re-election in November. This after Lieberman lost the Democratic primary to an anti-war candidate. Leiberman backs Bush to the hilt in his war against the Iraqi people. So Bloomberg is a war monger.
The TWU, mainly because it is founded on the industrial unionism principles of the great revolutionary James Connolly, is the most radical union in NYC. The Manhattan Institute, a 'neo-liberal' right-wing think tank, believes that the working class gains historically made by the TWU, are the reasons why taxes are 'too high' in NYC. The radicalism of Quill, based through James Gralton, on the teachings of James Connolly, is a threat to Bloomberg and the war-mongering class he represents. Roger Toussaint, President of the TWU, is well aware of this. He was a radical activist in his native Trinidad before emigrating to NYC. And after he was elected President of the TWU, he made a pilgrimage to the rebel home of Mike Quill in County Kerry. He has denounced the war on the Iraqi people from many a platform, pointing out that the billions spent on war is being taken from education, public transportation, and housing. Yes he went to jail under the Taylor Law, which makes it illegal for public workers to go on strike. But this draconian piece of anti-worker legislation was passed by the capitalist class to curb the radicalism of unions such as the TWU. Indeed the history of this type of legislation can be traced directly to the gains made by Quill and the great strike he led.
Anyone who believes that Billionaire Bloomberg is some kind of impartial arbiter between contending industrial forces badly needs to have his head examined.
In December Bloomberg used the bully pulpit of his mayoralty to demonize and attempt to criminalize the strikers. His non stop anti-working class onslaught created an atmosphere where the powerful and the priveliged could jail a working class leader for exercizing the right to strike. Capitalists, such as Bloomberg can withdraw capital anytime they wish, and frequently do so with impunity. But when the members of the TWU withdrew their labour, their leader was jailed. The injustice and attack on civil liberties is clear. Speaking outside the jail before he entered, Roger Toussaint said that if Rosa Parks had not broken the law, many members of the TWU, instead of driving buses would still be sitting in the back of the bus.
Mike Quill, back in 1961, had a young preacher named Martin Luther Quill, address the TWU annual convention. Welcoming King, Quill said that King's tactics were similar to those of the union movement-the boycott, the sit-down strike, the strike itself. The class that Bloomberg represents has withdrawn the basic civil right to strike from over 300, 000 New York workers.
Let the people of Ireland say to the war-mongering, anti-worker Bloomberg: There is something stronger than your billions, stronger than the parasitical class you represent, stronger than the privileges and power you command; and that something is the same spirit which moved Roger Toussaint to go to jail, the spirit which animated Connolly, Gralton and Quill, and it is the same spirit which inspires the Irish anti-war movement to oppose your visit and your political ambitions.

by Cynical arent we? Tue Aug 22, 2006 07:37

"Bloomberg has held a press conference backing Senator Lieberman of Connecticut for re-election in November. This after Lieberman lost the Democratic primary to an anti-war candidate. Leiberman backs Bush to the hilt in his war against the Iraqi people. So Bloomberg is a war monger."

-By that definition, one could say Your responsible for Stalins actions if you've ever voted Socialist, truely Pathetic attempt to marginalize. Bloomberg has criticized Bush on Numerous occasions, including the war in Iraq. Leiberman has a 90% Democratic voting record, yet was "Mccarthy'd" by a small faction within his party. interestingly, he leads in polls in his state, so now if he does win, do you think he will help the party that Cast him away like Rubbish?