Belfast Activists Leave The Writing On The Wall

by Geri Timmons Wed Jul 12, 2006 02:22

I am not understanding your distain for SF fund raising in America, why does this bother you so? It helps keep the doors to their offices open, assists in the day to day operations for the people they so rightly serve. So please help me understand your logic. . .Revolution, did I miss something, your comments are rather baffling!

by Davy Carlin Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:41

Interesting point.

Although I believe that there is many ways of rising issues - and many 'forms of activism.

Primarily though I believe the best way forward is where activists do not fear debate and 'differing opinion, and through respecting each others rights to them - however much they disagree.

And so 'Debate and 'Discussion can be held in that light

Most forward thinkers 'eventually come round to that point of view - I believe - ATB - D

by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin Thu Jun 08, 2006 09:37

Well, at least the people doing this are finally learning to spell properly. I'd still hate to see their attempts at Irish though.

Spraypaint on a wall does not make one an activist. Being an activist requires that you be active, i.e. that you actually be doing something, usually on a regular basis. Coming out every few months to spray anti-SF slogans on walls is not a particularly impressive feat. I seriously doubt anyone is going to stop and think, "Well, if the grafitti says it, then it must be true."

by ok Wed Jun 07, 2006 15:07

you hit the nail on the head with your words.....i will keep my money riding on sinn fein..........check out who now helps sinn fein obtain money once again..........some revolution

what ever happened to sinn fein and republican slogans that were once defaced onto property like "brits out"???? makes ya wonder who really stirs the peace process with their agents in sinn fein and their money going to sinn fein

The Times June 06, 2006

US at odds with allies over bar on Sinn Fein fundraising
From Tom Baldwin in Washington

BRITAIN is pressing President Bush’s Administration to lift a fundraising ban imposed last year on the leadership of Sinn Fein, The Times has learnt.

But Mitchell Reiss, Mr Bush’s special envoy to Northern Ireland, has so far refused to heed calls from the British and Irish governments. They believe that Sinn Fein should be rewarded for renouncing its armed struggle and decommissioning IRA weapons.

Both sides are playing down any talk of a significant row, although sources in London have confirmed that “there is a clear difference of opinion between us on this issue”.

A senior US official acknowledged that it was “ironic” that Britain, having spent years fulminating over the millions of dollars raised by the Irish Northern Aid Committee (Noraid) to finance Sinn Fein and the IRA, should be seeking to get a fundraising ban lifted.

Restrictions were reintroduced by the Bush Administration last year after controversy over the IRA’s alleged role in the murder of Robert McCartney and the £26.5 million Northern Bank robbery.

These do not stop Friends of Sinn Fein (FOSF) raising up to $1 million a year. Instead, the ban limits the scope of visas issued to leaders such as Gerry Adams, preventing him from participating in fundraising. He had relished his star status in America since an earlier travel ban was lifted by President Clinton more than a decade ago.

Much of the $10 million-plus raised by FOSF has paid for luxury hotels and first-class flights for the party leadership, as well as the cost of staging events in the US. Less than 10 per cent of the money was registered to Sinn Fein back in Ireland.

Mr Bush’s ban has proved costly and personally humiliating for Mr Adams. In March FOSF had to refund more than $100,000 to supporters who attended a St Patrick’s Day breakfast in Washington with the Sinn Fein leader. The party president then missed a political event in Buffalo, New York State, when he was delayed at an airport by security staff who spotted his name on a federal terrorist alert list.

Since then, Mr Reiss is understood to have held talks with Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, over lifting the ban. The British Government’s official position is that this “remains a matter for the US authorities”. But privately, Mr Hain believed that Sinn Fein deserved credit for the progress made during the past year and, perhaps, needs to demonstrate to its own community that their sacrifices have been recognised.

Mr Reiss, however, believes that the ban remains a useful lever on Sinn Fein in general — and the party’s refusal to sign up to Northern Ireland’s policing structures in particular.

Mr Reiss confirmed yesterday that he had spoken to the British and Irish governments about the ban, adding: “We remain in close consultation on this matter.”

He told The Times: “This is not so much about pressure from the US Government. If there is any pressure it is from inn Fein’s own constituents to remove sociopaths from their neighbourhoods.”

Significantly, he highlighted his recent article in an Irish-American publication, which stated: “In a worst-case scenario, Sinn Fein will not join policing for many, many years. Who polices these communities until then?” British officials believe that recent remarks from Sinn Fein leaders indicate that it is preparing to change its mind on participating in policing.

A special conference may be held in September, which could help to persuade the White House to lift the fundraising ban by November — the month when Sinn Fein last year hosted a $5,000-a-table dinner in New York.

by T.I.N.A. Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:20

Which boils down, in essence, to

There Is No Alternative to Paisley

suck it up boyos

by Sharon - Individual Wed Jun 07, 2006 09:40

"As for me I'll keep my money riding on Sinn Féin, I personally feel they will take us into a United Ireland."

Their objective is no longer to obtain a united Ireland - they intend to 'operate' the present corrupt system in a less-corrupt manner :

"Republicans are prepared to work an Executive . We are really prepared to administer British rule in Ireland for the foreseeable future . The very principle of partition is accepted . "
-Mr. Francie Molloy , March 1999 .

Sharon .

by think gerri Wed Jun 07, 2006 04:57

What are the alternatives to the provos, you ask. Well, actually, believe it or not Republicanism is the alternative to mainstream constitutional nationalism aka provisionalism for those of us who, unlike yourself, are Republicans.

Now I know this is where you jump in and shout and roar about "war" liked a trained parrot. yet there are other alternatives to rolling over and becoming part of the staus quo. Republican politics, revolutionary politics, Working to build a new Ireland (Eire Nua!) not proping up partition

Authentic Republicanism is the alternative, I'll go with RSF with its intergrity intact, its undiluted Republicanism, - however marginalised -anyday over fianna fail, the1986 edition. Over another goddamn partitionist party. Sinn Fein means more to some of us. Means more than those who sully its name, those who use its name while being nothing of what it was about. what its still about. I know that Republicanism is in a very bad place right now, but its seen worse. Far worse. and unlike others, some of us can not and will not abandon it.

If some young ones take out their frustration and justified feelings of betrayl out by painting on the walls of provo HQ, so what? well done to them, I say.

"TRAITORS"

Speak truth to power. Its a step in the right direction.

by Geri Timmons Tue Jun 06, 2006 22:30

Everyone has an opinion but is it appropriate to deface property to express ones views? What is the alternative to Sinn Féin's policies? Who has a better answer? Instead of complaining do some positive action moves within your community. If you aren't a part of the solution then you are a part of the problem.

As for me I'll keep my money riding on Sinn Féin, I personally feel they will take us into a United Ireland.