Ogra Shinn Fein Claim Demilitarisation Victory

by Confused Mon Oct 16, 2006 12:50

MMMMM.
Slight contradicion in terms here I think. Photos seem to show a high level of militarization. Maybe "Coat Trailing Triumphalism" would be a better description. Oh no sorry there is only one side of the community that does that isn't there?

by Dublin Exile Mon Oct 16, 2006 14:10

Is there not a double standard at work here with OSF and SF demanding 'demilitarisation' by dressing up in paramilitary outfits and marching along in military formation? It reminds me of the position they took over the 'official' 1916 commemorations in Dublin, attacking the government for having a 'militaristic' celebration while continuing their own paramilitary celebrations.

Shouldnt all guns and all military displays be done away with?? Why cant you just come along in normal 'civilian' attire?

by celerate demilitarisation Mon Oct 16, 2006 14:19

all i can do is laugh at the stupidity!

by max Mon Oct 16, 2006 14:40

The british have already agreeed to close the base in 2007. pointless protest. publicity stunt ejits

by Monty Python Mon Oct 16, 2006 15:59

Oh Lordy!

Not only is the comedy of demanding an end to "militarisation" by dressing up in uniforms and marching in drill-formation brilliant but are those men dressed in blankets marching behind them?

Are these the winners of the Ógra SF "hunger-striker lookalike" competition?

by Phil Mon Oct 16, 2006 19:40

So Adams is going to consult with the Grassroots about the latest surrender to Paisley's demands. Consult my arse! The decision has already been made by himself and McGuinness and what will be made clear is back us or you're out. Out of Sinn Fein and out of a job.

It also looks as if Paisley is not satisfied just to have Sinn Fein squirming on it's knees but is now adding to their punishment by making them take an oath. Ouch!

I'm very surprised that someone with the Republican pedigree of Tommy Mc Kearney should continue to have anything to do with the sell out.

by BS Mon Oct 16, 2006 20:23

I can think of no other reason other than Tommy is employed by SF and he needs to keep his job. Sad to see such a waste of a good Republican.

by Republican Youth Mon Oct 16, 2006 20:53

Firstly, Tommy McKearney left the Republican Movement during the 80's while in prison, and he certainly is not employed by Sinn Féin.

ÓSF decided to get Tommy to speak because he was a comrade of Vol. Dermot Crowley, a young Cork Man (19) who died on 25 June 1973 just outside Omagh town when a car bomb he was transporting along with Vol. Sean Loughran and Vol. Patrick Carty exploded prematurely.

Tommy was also on the first Hungerstrike. helped establish EXPAC a former republican centre in Monaghan, is actively involved in Trade Unionism and actually votes for the Communist Party.

But ÓSF are confident enough in our politics to hear different analysis from Republicans not involved in Sinn Féin.

As young republicans we must question and constructively criticise any strategy that the leadership present, we must be proposing alternate strategy and keeping SF in touch with grassroots youth.

The weekend was a massive success, ofcourse we know that the Brits are vacating the site in August 2007, but this was a celebration of that and also to bid slan abhaile, while reclaiming the land back.

The colour party was uniformed and in formation as a mark of respect to the 10 heroes of 1981.

by At ease Mon Oct 16, 2006 21:21

The Brits won't be needing lookout posts anymore, when they'll have the Provos acting as their eyes and ears in the Republican community pretty soon, as part of the PSNI. Remember these foreign bases were built to crush militant Republicans. They are being dismantled, not because they're leaving, but because they feel they have neutered militant republicans. Here's hoping they're wrong.

by Phil Mon Oct 16, 2006 21:55

It's good to hear that Tommy isn't after all a member of Sinn Fein and a part of the current sell out. It seems that there aren't too many former Hunger Strikers or Blanket men still in cahoots with Adams and McGuinness. The most recent to wise up to the betrayal of all the dead volunteers and Hunger Strikers was Bernard Fox and Oliver Hughes brother of Frank.

The Brits might be leaving their camps but that is because Sinn Fein has accepted a 6 county British State under the leadership of Paisley.

You will not last long in Sinn Fein if you think that Adams or McGuinness will accept any criticisms as they have turned Sinn Fein into a dictatorship. Yours is not to reason why.

I am amazed that so many still cling to the belief that Sinn Fein can deliver on the aspirations of all our dead volunteers. How do expect to achieve an United Ireland when it has taken so long and so many concessions and so much humiliation by the DUP even to be a part of a Northern Assembly. I'm afraid it is naivety of the highest order if you believe that the Unionists will accept any attempt at moving in that direction in the future. In fact I can only see more humiliation ahead for Sinn Fein.

by BS Mon Oct 16, 2006 22:34

Ogra should stop the pretence, marching around in uniforms won't achieve anything as the war is over and lost because of SF. As soon as Paisley demands that you stop marching in uniform Adams will put a stop to it.

We'll see how many remain in SF after the final sell out Ard Fheis. Only those in full time employment with SF or who have made money out of the war will remain, as money and greed is the main driving force in the present SF Party.

by max Tue Oct 17, 2006 01:16

Guys you forgot to stop in market street!
lots of martyrs created there.

by paidi Tue Oct 17, 2006 09:45

Whether your republican, unionist or some other shade of opinion, sticking your own flag everywhere is never going to solve any problems.

And I certainly wouldn't welcome a black-uniformed political party marching military style through my streets, remember how it all started in Italy....

by ogra supporter Tue Oct 17, 2006 14:57

well done ogra. the colour party looks good- keep it up. i would have loved to go the weekend but i didnt know about it-also im not a member of ogra sinn fein but i would have been interested.
British army out of Omagh
British army out of Ireland

by confused/happy/sad Tue Oct 17, 2006 15:49

I was "confused" at the top of these comments, then pleased to see some of the following comments that seemed to be a fairly sensible bunch of statements. Then comes "Well done" the colour party looked great.......wish I had been there...etc etc..... Just what this country needs, perpetuate the divisions. When will this place grow up?

by Phil Tue Oct 17, 2006 18:24

When Sinn Fein gets into Government and strives for even more 'respectability' then you'll see them do away with these military trappings. The dead Volunteers and Hunger Strikers will gradually be forgotten as they will become an embarrassment to the new Sinn Fein, just as the IRA was and look what happened. It was disbanded and consigned to the attic of history with the discarded principles which we would supposedly carry with us into the new Republic.

by Big Mac Tue Oct 17, 2006 19:36

It looks as if the DUP aren't just satisfied to have stripped Adams and McGuinness of their trousers but they now want their underpants as well. The Shinner leadership must stand naked before Paisley and take the pledge before he allows them to become part of his Government.

You could have felt sorry for the Shinners as they stood before the cameras with forced smiles on their faces looking every bit embarrassed as the bearded one droned out the usual drivel about problems being sorted. Even Martin didn't look convinced.

How can anyone in Sinn Fein remain convinced that this leadership is going to take them anywhere other than to further humiliation at the hands of Paisley. At least during the Blanket protest the prisoners refused to be degraded by the prison authorities and took beatings before they would allow themselves to be stripped of their dignity. 10 men died before they would surrender their principles to Thatcher and the Shinner leadership can't even stand up to Paisley.

They are a disgrace to the memory of all who died.

by BS Tue Oct 17, 2006 20:54

Just seen the news, Adams and his nodding dogs looked like they had just been caught out doing something they shouldn't have been doing. Well they have actually been caught out and it was that they had already agreed with the Brits and DUP to supporting the PSNI/RUC before they had consulted their grassroots. It seems as, like grassroots, the SF rank and file are there to be trampled on.
,
Yes Friday the13th is looking more like Black Friday for the party formerly known as Republicans.

I bet there is no dissention among the grassroots when it comes to the Ard Fheis farce, because Adams pays their wages [ with the help of British funding ] and woe betide anyone daring to question the master. Yes the membership of SF will prove to be full of mealy-mouthed subordinates just as they have been since 1986.

by Sean Oglach Wed Oct 18, 2006 20:48

Why does Ogra SF continue with the pretence that the war is moving towards a successful conclusion playing all sorts of silly marching and dressing up as IRA games. Don't yous silly kids get it? The war is lost......... Adams & McGuinness have sold out by accepting the PSNI they are accepting the RUC a British Police force who have colluded in murders shot and killed children with plastic bullets and fitted up Republicans.

Can't you see the faces of the older members of SF around you? The realisation that things are falling to pieces is written all over those once smug faces who in 1994 waved flags and cheered at the Historic victory of SF. I've seen it several times today and have you actually heard anyone in SF grassroots talking about The St Andrews agreement? They seem to be keeping eerily quiet.

This is truly a Historic betrayal and the only way it can be over turned is by the SF grassroots having the courage to vote against it in the Ard fheis.

by Ráiméis Wed Oct 18, 2006 21:07

1969 - IRA - I Ran Away

2006 - ISO - I Sold Out

by tomas Wed Oct 18, 2006 21:44

"As young republicans we must question and constructively criticise any strategy that the leadership present, we must be proposing alternate strategy and keeping SF in touch with grassroots youth."

please give examples of how OSF has and currently is criticizing the current SF leadership. any articles or press releases or planned actions or planned protests?

and if you could please let us know of OSF's offical stance on the PSNI (who you seem to have protested many times and issued press releases on this website) and Sf's policy of agreeing to and supporting the same PSNI by taking an upcoming oath.

thank you

by BS Wed Oct 18, 2006 22:55

Tomas, I bet you won't get an answer from anyone in Ogra SF about their official stance on the PSNI because the only official stance in SF is the official stance of Adams and McGuinness and personal opinions are not tolerated.

Loath them or love them but the SDLP are right when they state that what they did years ago, SF are only now getting round to doing. Pity they didn't do this years ago and many including Volunteers would still be alive.

by ogra supporter Thu Oct 19, 2006 17:24

i am not a member of ogra so i may stand to be corrected but at their congress last year ogra sf passed a motion witholding support for policing including the psni until there is a 32 co. police service i.e a united ireland

by BS Thu Oct 19, 2006 19:56

I knew that a member of Ogra wouldn't answer the question. However that was last year and as you've seen since the ceasefire Sinn Fein's stance on political issues changes to appease those who are keeping them out of Government, namely the DUP.

What about 'not a bullet not an ounce'? Then they surrendered the lot. 'They haven't gone away you know' Then Adams had the IRA stood down. Of course the best of the lot was the Total implementation of Patten. How they are about to pledge their support for the PSNI.

Does anyone really believe them anymore?

by Voting NO? Thu Oct 19, 2006 21:12

I take it then that Ogra will be voting against the policing 'initiative' at a special Ard Fheis? Can someone from Ogra confirm this. I don't mean to be smart but can we infer from Ogra's silence (if members or more appropriately, Ogra's leadership continue to remain silent), that their often stated willingness to hold the leadership to account if not in fact the reality of their relationship with the SF leadership.
Any takers from Ogra members/leadership?

by Disband The RUC/PSNI! - Ógra Shinn Féin Fri Oct 20, 2006 14:59

Ógra SF current position from their last National Congress is that they ask Sinn Féin never to endorse the PSNI, and will only enter into policing when Ireland is Free. In the interim ÓSF are in favour of community policing which has the confidence of communities.

Ógra SF spoke against SF joining policing at the SF Ard Fheis in February, and voted against it. It was well documented on RTE.

Ógra have campaigned massively against State Policing, what about all the so called 'dissadents' on here who are supposedly against policing, what are they doing?

by Big Mac Fri Oct 20, 2006 20:27

Your senior colleagues will support the PSNI / RUC as they are too weak to stand up to Adams and McGuinness, the worst leadership in the history of Republicanism in Ireland.

Republicans are now left with nothing to show for 30 years of war because that leadership wouldn't stand up to the bullying of Paisley. The Hunger Strikers died before they would give into the greatest bully of all, Thatcher. The leadership of Sinn Fein are as cowardly as those who follow them in embarrassed silence, shame on you all.

If as you say you are against Sinn Fein's stance on Policing will you leave and encourage others to do so when they endorse the PSNI?

As for the Dissidents I agree that they are a total waste of time, but too many have died for nothing and they should realise this before others die.

by tomas Fri Oct 20, 2006 21:36

"Ógra no confidence in State Policing!
by Disband The RUC/PSNI! - Ógra Shinn Féin Fri Oct 20, 2006 13:59"

why is it that as soon as someone speaks against or debates with either SF or OSF about their policies and their recent changes, they are automatically labelled "dissidents". since when did it become acceptable to just follow any leadership blindly? i think after SF adopts the PSNI/RUC as the british police for the six counties, there might alot more people who will call PSF the "dissidents" of irish republicism. and i also wonder since OSF is so against british state policing, will they be leaving the PSF movement in protest? would there be a press release and photos to follow that action?

by Totti Fri Oct 20, 2006 21:43

I always wanted to know, is Sinn Fein nationalist or more socialist. Or is it nationalsocialist? In that case I may stay clear of Ogar Shinn Fein members.

by Totti Fri Oct 20, 2006 21:52

Those republicans in the pictures above look like muppets. With their sun glasses and the stupid uniforms. Is this some kind of fetish? Why can't people demonstrate in normal clothes rather than showing all this militaristic display. Is Sinn Fein fascist, bolshevik or what? I am leftwing but prefer the labour party at any time. At leats they are civilian and don't rely on nuremberg rallies.

by pit Sat Oct 21, 2006 22:45

letter to this weeks ulster herald from strathroy resident
...................................................................................................................................
Concerned over the image of Strathroy

As a resident of Strathroy, I would like to put forward my opinion on the recent march and erection of H Block Hunger Strike memorials.

I, and many others on this estate, are dismayed by these events, as we feel that this misrepresents Strathroy as Republican through and through. This is not the case. Can we not move on from this rubbish?

The turn-out at the march proved that the residents are not behind these events.

Who came to my door to ask my permission or opinion? No one.

I have many friends of other religions and, when they come to visit me, I feel embarrased by what meets them when they come into the park.

Why not have a designated area behind the estate where people can pay their respects if they wish? At least then it is not shoved in the faces of others.

I feel I cannot go to our local Sinn Féin councillor with my opinions as I would feel it would not be welcome and I do feel intimidated by the minority in this park who can shout louder than I can.

We are not any different than other large estates in the town, but it is easier to let these events go on than risk the wrath of the minority.

So, next time someone tells you they live in Strathroy, don't judge them by minority actions. We want to live decent and quiet lives, just like you.

Dismayed

(Name and address supplied)

by jim devlin - comon sence Sun Jun 03, 2007 00:20

what about august 15th are yous intending to march in market street