The Right People
On The Take For A Change

Following the successful factory occupation of Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago, the workers of Waterford Glass now show the way to fight redundancies and lay offs. In a year where it is estimated that up to 50 million workers are due to lose their jobs, and banks continue to be propped up with billions of dollars and euro, we need to demand that companies are nationalised and jobs defended.

The Direct Action by the Waterford Workers now puts it up to the Irish government- who is more important, workers and their families or the tiny financial elite of the banks?

Nationalise the Glass, and let the workers run the factory. They'd do a better job of it.

Solidarity,
Joe Carolan (Socialist Aotearoa)

'Birds of a feather warmonger together' sez Wag

The recent attacks on Gaza by the Israeli state have brought some strange bedfellows out of the Irish woodwork, marching together in lock-step. Almost to a man, and woman, those who were vitriolic in opposition to the Irish Peace Process have been four-square behind the slaughter in Gaza. Eoghan Harris, Kevin Myers, Tom Carew, and Ruth Dudley Edwards - please take a bow.

For Edwards, Myers, Harris and Carew - Sinn Féin equals Hamas (or previously, Sinn Féin equals PLO, when the PLO were the international right’s bad guys) . It is good copy for right wing politics. Unfortunately for the Gaza warmongers, ignorance of strange sounding foreigners in far away places has been replaced by pictures of slaughter in every living room in the country. We can see who is suffering and who is killing. Israel’s Irish friends would like us to focus on Hamas rockets, the ones Hamas started firing again when Israel deliberately broke a ceasefire that was working, in order to provoke the rocket firing, in order to provoke an excuse for the slaughter. It’s not rocket science.

Below is a short but sharp report on the recent role they played in support of the Israeli Defence Forces, and how that role relates to their Irish politics.

The Irish Times in a front page article expose their total lack of journalistic focus.

One of the problems with the media today is their tendency to focus on scandals as opposed to analysing the spin coming from the political establishment. Instead of offering the public a critical eye of the spin, the media likes to focus on ‘big scandals’ as that’s what ‘sells papers’. The desire to focus on a scandal often means that the substantive issue that should have been focused on gets ignored in the tabloid style moral outrage. Wednesday last, 14th January, in a front page article by Mary Minihan we were exposed to a crass example of the problem I have expressed. Read The Irish Times article here.

During the Israeli ambassador's visit to the Dáil, at an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss the conflict in Gaza, Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Sinn Féin TD) attacked the ambassador and resident Zionist Alan Shatter, Fine Gael TD. It seems that Aengus, unhappy with the spin that the two were bringing into the debate compared their methods to “that of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.” Aengus was unhappy with their attempts to expose the Oireachtas committee to “propaganda, twisted logic and half truths”.

Full Quote: 'I ask Deputy Shatter, who spoke about the relationship between Sinn Féin and violent groups, to reflect on his relationship with one of the most violent states in the world. He could do much more to appeal to that country to end its violence. The arrogance of the Israeli ambassador and Deputy Shatter seems to know no bounds. The comments they have made at today’s meeting are a form of propaganda. Goebbels would have been proud of the twisted logic and half-truths to which they have exposed this committee. I do not say that lightly. They are trying to justify the unjustifiable, which is what Goebbels and his colleagues tried to do during the Holocaust. What we have heard today...' - debates.oireachtas.ie

A Little Shindig For The Server
(for larger hi-rez version of poster, Click Here)

As editors, we, more than most, realise Indymedia.ie's had it's ups and downs in contributions and content. Editors have come and gone, and the very nature of online publishing and user generated content has fundamentally changed with the Web 2.0 revolution.

But once the dust of discussion has settled, one clear fact remains, the Irish movement has yet to create a media outlet with the reach and scope of Indymedia.ie. Until something better comes along, Indymedia.ie remains a vital communicative node for those in struggle in Ireland, it binds us together where usually we fracture. But to survive, we need your help.

Read on to see how you can help...

Caoimhe Butterly on The Dignity
in International Waters off Gaza

Thousands have been protesting all over the world against the current military attacks on one of the most densely populated parts of the world - The Gaza Strip.

Hundreds marched from the Israeli Embassy to the nearby US Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin last night.

Palestinians both Hamas and Fatah supporters were part of these protests. Most chants were in Arabic.

The march returned to the Israeli Embassy where people surrounded it just as Gaza is surrounded.

An Israeli flag was also burned by two young women.

Images of last nights rally and march below.

Protests all over Ireland...
• Dublin, Dec 28 2008: 'Hundreds take to the streets to show solidarity and mourn for the people of Gaza' - Photo series
• IPSC at the US and Israeli Embassies: 'For the third day running Palestinian and Palestine solidarity activists demonstrated in Dublin against the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza.' - News story
• Belfast Dec 29th: 'close to 100 people assembled in front of Belfast City Hall to protest at the barbaric Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip. Those present included members of the Palestinian and Muslim communities in Belfast.' - More news
• The North West Solidarity Network, based in Donegal and Leitrim counties: 'We feel humanity does not do not have the option of standing idly by watching such horrendous events without trying to do something to stop it.' - More news
• During the protest at the US embassy some Dubliners took time to celebrate the new year by throwing shoes at George W Bush.... Photo Series
• On New Year’s Eve, Derry Stands up in Solidarity with Palestine - More info
• On New Year’s Eve, Dublin Palestine activists keep up the pressure on NYE and NYD - More info & pictures ... and even more nice photos

and, in case anyone forgot, Ireland's Shannon Airport is still Aiding and Abetting War in Iraq.

Caoimhe Butterly WatchBlog continues...CLICK HERE for latest updates
[ previous Caoimhe WatchBlogging here. ]