IRA OUTSIDER

international | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Friday January 07, 2011 17:58

by The Outsider - ...that great and respectable class, the men of no property". ...

Just and Unjust War

Don't walk in front of me,
I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,
I may not lead.

Walk beside me and be my friend.

Albert Camus - Author of the Outsider

Ireland is presently in many ways at a crossroads. Its youth now generally face economic slavery, to the international corporations and bankers or emigration. They are also at a crossroads of either embracing a peace process or another attempt at revolution.

Don't walk in front of me,
I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me,
I may not lead.

Walk beside me and be my friend.

Albert Camus - Author of the Outsider

By nature I am a pacifist, for example I cannot kill any of the insects that invade our home and some would say I cowardly ask others to dispose of invaders, such as snakes in our garden, yet despite all of this I volunteered three times for the IRA, in the full knowledge of all the consequence to everyone including myself.

I am fifty eight years of age now and I still never cease to be amazed by the contradictions of my own life and life in general as I have experience it. Ireland is my country although I have spent close to half my life outside of it.Ireland itself abounds with contradictions, I both love and hate its current identity and people with a passion.

Ireland is presently in many ways at a crossroads. Its youth now generally face economic slavery, to the international corporations and bankers or emigration. They are also at a crossroads of either embracing a peace process or another attempt at revolution.

I have been actively involved with the Workers Revolutionary Party, Irish Republican Socialist Party and Sinn Fein, yet despite all of this inter-activity, I have always strongly identified with this term the 'Outsider'. A lot of people who have known me would use every derogatory term under the Sun to describe me but one thing is certain, I was born a rebel, it's in my genes.

What is a rebel? A man who says no.
Albert Camus, L'Homme revolte (The Rebel),

I could not tell any young person in Ireland what is the correct path for them but after my own experience but I would suggest that they watch the above interview with Sean McBride and read the article below by Howard Zinn......read more and see interview @