LEFT TRIBUNE Formerly ‘LYNX’
Official Newsletter of Labour Youth
Issue 10
Irish Neutrality: Dead and Gone? Not If Labour Has Anything To Do W ith It
P L U S
Pat Rabbitte T.D. Interview Why Marijuana Was Criminalised? Student Grants / Make Poverty History Debate Rossport and Shell Palestinian Football and more...
Contributors Contributors Contributors Contributors This is an official publication of Labour Youth. All articles are written by members of Labour Youth and friends of the organisation
Editor and designer Jonathan McDade SubEds: Dermot Looney, Louisa Earls
National Interest
Pages 3,4,5
Contents Contents Contents Contents Contents Contents
Global Report Sporting Matters And the rest... Interview Debate Labour Youth Campaigns Funnies Comment Join Us Burning Issue
page 6 page 7 page 7 pages 8,9 pages 10,11 pages 12,13 page 14 page 15 page 15 page 16
Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Labour Youth National Conference: Nov 4th - 6th NUI Galway Labour Party National Conference: Saturday April 1st, the Helix, DCU
Contact Us Contact Us Contact Us Contact Us Contact Us
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www.LabourYouth.ie youth@labour.ie Labour Youth, 17 Ely Place, Dublin 2.
Contact Editor: jonathan2891@hotmail.com
Labour Pledges to get U.S war planes out of Shannon when in Government National Interest National Interest National Interest
Dermot Looney writes on Labour’s motion to protect the neutrality that the PD/FF Government destroyed
While the Labour Party’s debate on electoral strategy dominated the headlines during May’s National Conference, a crucial decision by the members of the party on anti-war policy was all but missed by the press. A Labour Youth motion was passed with huge support, a move which will secure the withdrawal of the US military from Shannon Airport if the Labour Party is to form the next Irish Government. The resolution is testament to the part played by Labour activists in the anti-war movement and a clear rebuke to the pro-war Fianna FáilPD government who, while claiming to support neutrality, continue to provide vital strategic support to the US war machine in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Labour National Conference motion arose from a resolution, proposed by the UCD Branch, which was passed at the 2004 Labour Youth Conference in Dublin. Labour Youth activists have played an active role in opposing the war on Iraq, attending meetings, organising and supporting demonstrations and taking part in non-violent direct action at Shannon Airport and elsewhere. Joining with other progressive groups and tens of thousands of other peace activists, the Labour Party stood as a proud and unapologetic opponent of a war motivated by strategic oil interests, the desire for profit and deference to the military-industrial complex of a United States administration who would rather spend billions on machines of war than on addressing poverty at home or abroad. While a Blairite-controlled British
Labour at Shannon protest
Labour Party sold out their principles and the majority of their members, supporters and voters in assisting the vile enterprise, Labour in Ireland was among the chief opponents; our Party President and Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Michael D Higgins
troops and hundreds of bombers and machines of war as a strategic launchpad for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
cal replacement of a ruling government who, spin aside, unequivocally supported the war, with a government who will preserve Irish neutrality and truly promote human rights, peace and the environment on a global scale. It was through these values and policies that we presented our motion to the Labour Party National Conference, and with its massive endorsement the Labour Party is now obliged to make US withdrawal from Shannon a prerequisite to forming an alternative government. Nevertheless, we also recognise that elections alone will not defeat these wars and call on all Labour Youth activists to continue to support and organise demonstrations
As socialists our internationalist approach offers a categorical difference to the reactionary localism of conservative politics. But while we recognise that wars such as these can only be halted by the power of people all over the world, we also realise that real change begins at local and national level. Thus our opposition to the war in Iraq does not merely focus on the US and UK administrations and military, but on the support offered to them by the Irish government. In a war that was opposed by some 80% of Irish people, hundreds of thousands of whom took to the streets in the biggest mass movement in a Michael D. Higgins Labour’s generation, the Fianna Fáil-PD coalikey anti war campaigner tion offered Ireland’s services and TD continues to be an erudite and support as part of the “coalition of the U.S war plane at Shannon brave campaigner for the ordinary willing.” people of Iraq in the face of such state-induced terror. Labour branches Labour Youth advocates a dual and actions in the wider anti-war and activists around the country have approach to fighting wars such as movement, a movement which continbeen heavily active in the campaign those in Iraq and Afghanistan – firstly, ues to grow internationally as the against the war, most notably in Co. the mass movement of people slaughter of innocent Iraqis brings the Clare itself. Shannon Airport has now involved in protests, demonstrations deadly lies of the conservative right been used by almost 1 million US and direct action; secondly the politi- home.
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Student Grants
National Interest National Interest National Interest National
David Geary writes about the disgraceful grants scheme in Ireland The current grant allocations are as follows; ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑ ∑
Full Grant 75% Grant 50% Grant 25% Grant Top up Grant
Non-adjacent €3,020 €2,265 €1,515 €755 €5,355
The Grants system in Ireland is well known for its inadequacies. With widespread problems such as lateness and corruption it is perhaps little surprise that the majority of students are unhappy with the current system. The grant can prove to be a make or break situation for students hopes to complete a college course. However even students in receipt of the grant face the
There are few Irish people who have yet to come across the phenomenon of homelessness in Ireland, and Dublin in particular. The burning images of homeless people on the Hal’ penny Bridge or the streets of Temple Bar, will remain with many of us no matter how far we may travel. Which begs the question: in an age of such apparent prosperity, how have we left behind a segment of society reduced to begging in order to provide themselves with shelter for the night? Never in Irish history, has there been a generation as affluent as ours, and yet the numbers of people in poverty remain on the rise. The Homeless Agency estimates
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Adjacent €1,210 €905 €605 €305 €2,145 prospect of working part – time to supplement their grant allowance. This is usually done for things such as rent and food – before a student can even consider a social life. This seems to fly in the face of the purpose of the grant scheme which is to facilitate a student’s third level study. How can the government think that by working part – time a student’s studying ability won’t be affected? Delays in the system mean that students face the prospect of looking to banks for assistance and they are only too happy to help.
With grant overdrafts banks are the first to cash in on this fault in the system. Last year at National Conference Labour Youth voted to campaign to centralize the entire grants system under the Department of Social, Family and Community Affairs. We hope to campaign in every college branch in the country with the aim of clearing up some but not all of the problems with the system. If you would like to get involved email lycampaigns@labour.ie – we’d be happy to hear from you.
Homeless Plight in Ir
As Ireland’s economic wealth spirals into the stratosph
(based on ESRI assessments in 1999 and 2002) that the number of “homeless households” has increased from 1,290 to 1,470, with single people accounting for 80% of this number (source: Making it Home – an action plan on homelessness in Dublin 2004-2006). Clearly, this is a damning indictment of the opinion that economic prosperity automatically guarantees that everyone in society becomes better off. There are many socio-economic factors that contribute to homelessness, a conclusion reached by Homeless Agency in their earlier report (Shaping the Future an action plan for homelessness in Dublin 2001-2003). “In summary, homelessness is caused by a combination of structural (i.e. Social policy, housing) and personal (i.e. disability, behavior, family crisis) factors and
A common sight on Dublin’s streets people are most at risk of homelessness where poverty and personal crisis occur.” One major area for discussion is the suitability of the private rental sector for low-income housing. According to the 2002 census, the share of the housing stock held by the private rental sector grew from 7% in 1991
to 11% in 2002 (22% in Dublin), reaching 141,000 units in the latter year – 40% of whom are estimated to be rent supplement tenants. Threshold has recently highlighted the poor standards of accommodation within this sector. Given the Government’s confirmation that rented accommodation will be used as long-term homes for people depend-
Shame on Shell
l Interest Natioanl Interest National Interest National Interest
Paul Dillon writes on the situation at Rossport and comments on yet another humanitarian abuse by the oil company
The Shell to Sea campaign has towered over and above any other campaign as the dominant issue requiring the support of the Irish left this summer. Those keen to explore the issues involved could do a lot worse than looking at www.indymedia.ie, which provides an excellent archive of articles news and analysis of the story. The five jailed Rossport men, who have become the Rossport Five, have enjoyed huge support from their local community and from right across the west as demonstrations, public meetings and even work stoppages have rocked Munster in a way that has silenced those who argue that ordinary people lack either the will or the means to take on corporate power.
Corrib The demonstration in Dublin, rightly supported by the Labour party, was fine example of solidarity as thousand marched to demand the release of the five.
not close to local communities and families in way that endangers life and livelihoods. It is essentially a campaign to face down a corporate powers desire to maximize its own profits at the expense of a local community and brings up all sorts of questions that tell us a lot about modern Ireland-the role of the courts in curtailing protest movements, the corruption of the planning process and the nature of resistance to corporate power.
It is still to early predict the final outcome of the efforts to put Shell to Sea. The Minister with responsibility for the area, It was worth thinking for a moment about the role of the Left in the Shell Noel Dempsey TD, has to Sea campaign. Some activists have ordered a safety review and work on the onshore pipeline opted to head for Rossport to assist has been suspended. In the the local community in their resistance and assist in telling their story. meantime, as the five remain in Others have taken part in blockades jail and the future of the comand boycott campaigns of Shell and munity lies in balance, there Statoil petrol station, while Munster are any number of things we in the Labour party and Labour left wingers have done their bit to mobilize support across the province. Youth can do, like supporting demonstrations, boycott’s and The campaign demands that Shell blockades, writing in solidarity refines the gas reserves off sea and
reland’s Celtic Tiger
to the men in jail or with anger to Minister Noel Dempsey, who many in LY will have locked horns with before in the successful campaign to beat third level fees. The party leader, Mayo man Pat Rabitte, should put his shoulder to the wheel, turning up the volume in the media and in the Dail when it return sin full support of the Rossport community and their heroic struggle to defeat the Shell corporation.
A futuristic Mayo???
here, many are left behind with little help from an uncaring government ent on welfare, it seems astounding that of 7,232 properties inspected by local authorities in 2004, 2,106 (29%) were deemed to be inadequate, and yet only 4 cases resulted in legal action. (Source: Threshold Annual Report 2004) The Government must not be allowed to privatise this sector, if the result is a deterioration in housing standards.
now find themselves in the position of having to rent from private landlords in often unsuitable living conditions. As a nation we boast of our high levels of home ownership and yet many still find themselves renting sub-standard accommodation from unscrupulous private landlords.
significance of this risk factor cannot be ignore. Further significant areas of concern include illegal evictions, rent arrears, invasion of privacy by landlords and other anti-social problems.
It’s time for Labour Youth to take the lead in demanding an improvement Another major issue highlighted by in this area. The category at most Threshold has been that of deposit risk of homelessness in Ireland, are For homelessness to still exist to the retention. In 2004, their advice young, single men – a grouping that extent it does is a scandal, and a workers dealt with 2,648 cases of need our support and campaigning blight on our society. It is a clear sign deposit retention (44% up on the preabilities as much as any other. The that the success of the Celtic Tiger vious year). Deposit retention Homeless Agency, and the various has still yet to filter through to the increases the risk of homelessness, as agencies and trusts that work with the most marginalised segment of our those affected often lack the funds to homeless, badly need a government society. The economic policies of the put down for a new tenancy. Taking with a social conscience: one that Fianna Fail/PD government continue into account that most rent supplewill fund them, and help them to to allow homelessness to exist in ment tenants are only provided with respond more effectively to homeIreland. The promised increase in funding for one deposit (on the basis lessness and the factors that cause it. social housing has still not been that this deposit can be re-used), the In the meantime, Labour Youth must delivered and 11% of our population
stand for those who need our support, and campaign for a Fair Society that we can all enjoy. Neil Ward Additional research – James Gargan
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Who Is John G. Roberts?
Global Report Global Report Global Report Global Report
John G. Roberts
Patrick McCarthy writes on President Bush’s supreme court nominee and the media whirlwind around these crucial judiciary appointments The U.S Supreme Court Building
Besides the tragic events of Katriona, the news during the last few weeks in the United States has been dominated by the resignation of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and the death of U.S Cheif Justice Rehnquist. The subsequent nomination of D.C. circuit court Judge John G. Roberts Jr. to take the top job was recently announced by President Bush. Today's Supreme Court (without
Justices Rehnquist and O'Connor) is made up of 4 moderate liberals, 1 moderate conservative and 2 staunch conservatives. Since Chief Justice Rehnquist’s death, President Bush must feel in his legacy's interest to stack the Supreme Court with judges who share both his and his supporters hard line far right ideology. This would give the right a 5-4 majority on the court, depending of course on the deciding vote of Justice Anthony Kennedy, an old school conservative in the mold of Justice O'Connor. With the average success rate of a presidential supreme court nominee at 85%, make no mistake that with Justice O'Connor's departure and Chief Justice Rehnquist’s death there will
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still be many undecideds and much molding left to be done to this nation in the Supreme Court. So what is at stake in who takes Rehnquist’s seat for what could be the next 25 years? Well, he or she will be making the crucial decisions on issues such as abortion, gay rights, the right to die, the death penalty and that old chestnut...church and state. So who is John G. Roberts Jr. and what does the left have to fear from his confirmation? Besides what President Bush so warmly put as having been '...the Captain of his high school football team, who worked his way through college by working summers at a steel mill...' he is also a man with close ties not only to this presi-
dential administration but also to two previous Republican administrations. Under the Reagan administration he served as the special assistant to the attorney general from 1981 to 1982, then going on to serve as associate counsel in the White House counsel’s office from 1982 to 1986. Judge Roberts then resurfaced in the Bush I administration as the principle deputy solicitor general from 1989 to 1993. Judge Roberts has been a member of at least two conservative lawyers associations, the National Law Center for the Public Interest (NLCPI) who can count amongst their Board members the C.E.O. of Dow Chemical and he was, according to the infamous Federalist Society's own leadership directory, a serving member of the steering committee of said society's lawyers division, DC chapter from 1997 to 1998. Bizarrely Judge Roberts himself says '[He] has no recollection of it.' He has served on the legal advisory board with Ken Starr, a man who spent a ridiculous amount of time and tax payers money trying to subpoena President Clinton's penis. Revealingly Judge Roberts' name also appears on a government brief defending the gag rule under which federally funded family planning clinics were banned from offering abortion counseling. Rust V. Sullivan, the title of the brief, argued in passing as the Bush II administration contended at the time that Roe V. Wade should be overturned. This should come as no
George Bush: Determined to protect the conservative agenda for a generation
surprise as Judge Roberts has argued successfully in the past on behalf of the government, '...that the acts of anti-abortion protesters, did not constitute discrimination against women.' (Washington Post June 7th 2001) Judge Roberts is a practicing Roman Catholic by the way. But abortion isn't the only thing the left is worried about. There is also Judge Roberts' controversial 1990 court case in which he argued, again, on behalf of the government that, '...private citizens do not have the right to sue corporations over environmental violations, unless they can prove that they themselves have been affected by said violations.' (Environmentalism Magazine Dec 28th 2002) In private practice he has argued that corporations '...have a legal right to end illegal strikes with contempt charges...' In his latest position as a D.C. circuit court judge he has come out in favor of the use of secret military tribunals to prosecute detainees in Guantonamo Bay. So that's the bad news. The "good" news is that there is still the confirmation process, which begins in September. It is then that Judge Roberts must come before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which consists of 18 Senators, 10 Republicans and 8 Democrats, to answer some pretty difficult questions about his professional past. His nomination then goes to the Senate, where it will take a minimum of 51 votes to confirm him. Republicans in the senate number 55 at present, 4 of which are from New England, and in keeping with that part of the country are not known for their radical right wing opinions. Whatever happens it will be a very slim majority that will chose to either confirm or deny him a place on the Supreme Court. Will Judge Roberts be the unlucky 13th supreme court nominee to be rejected in the Senate since the founding of the state? Watch this space.
Sporting Matters
Sporting Matters
Sporting Matters
Football in Palestine
Despite the recent withdrawal of Israeli settlers from parts of the Gaza strip there is little to cheer about in Palestine. Restricted travel, poor education, disease, death, financial struggle, and the threat of attack from the Israeli army are all too common. However there has been a positive force that has gripped Palestine recently, that being the Palestinian Football team.
Jonathan McDade writes on the ups and downs of a team representing the most deprived and dangerous nation in the world
Palestinian Football Association. They are financed by a few wealthy Palestinian businessmen who reside outside there homeland. The team also receives donations from other
The joy of playing for your national team is a challenge under Israeli occupation. There is no home stadium to play in. There is no training ground. There are no facilities at all. Many of the local football clubs have gone. Even players being allowed to travel is far from certain. Palestine’s home ground is ‘for now’ in Qatar. The Palestinian Football Association was established in 1928. In the 1934 World Cup qualifiers, Palestine was the first and only Asian team competing. However Israeli occupation and war made playing football in Palestine more difficult. Local leagues and tornaments ceased and the national team’s existence began to fade into extinction. However, in 1998 FIFA decided to once again recognised the
cause that does not cause terror. The wheels are already in motion as the team competed in World Cup qualification matches last year for the first hail from the United States. time in decades. Unfortunately, the native Palestinians are barely allowed to leave the occu- Whilst the Palestinian team did raise pied state to join their team-mates for some eyebrows during their campaign. The venture ended when they training or matches. lost a crucial match to Uzbekistan 3-0. Although the Germany 2006 dream is dead there is a lot to hope for looking ahead to the quest of qualification for South Africa 2010. A respectable 1-1 draw with Iraq during last years qualifiers gives a lot of hope for the future of football in Palestine.
Arab nations and they receive The dream for world cup glory is what €250,000 from FIFA every year. keeps the team and its fans in The make up of this current team is Palestine clinging to hope. Hope that quite diverse. About a third of the this team could play a crucial but non players are from South America. The violent role in its society. Hope that other players live just outside this team will put Palestine on the map Palestine and play football in Kuwait, of world football. Hope that the peoEgypt, and Jordan. Two players even ple of Palestine can finally support a
For those who doubt the positive effects of sport in a politically turbulent region, you only have to look and see how sport has played a role in reviving the behaviour and morale of a nation. The 1988 Seoul Olympics washed away many human rights abuses in South Korea. Ireland’s 1990 world cup adventure is what many argue to be the catalyst for Ireland’s Celtic Tiger economy when David O’Leary’s penalty kick made a demoralised country believe in itself once again.
About Us About Us About Us About Us About Us About Us
Overview of Labour LGBT
Labour LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) was originally set up around 2 years ago and has been officially recognised by the party since March of this year. It is a group which is recognised under the section Labour Equality.
The purpose of the group is to allow members of the party who are Bisexual, or Lesbian, Gay, Transgender to exchange ideas and campaign for greater visibility of LGBT people within the Labour Party. It also functions as a network connecting all party members that are interested in the fight for LGBT equality within society.
such as Senator David Norris, Marie Mulholland of the ICCL and Brian Sheehan of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network. Our last forum was so successful that we even ended up recruiting members to the party. As well as the forums we also took the time to write a submission to the AllParty Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution when they called for Public Submissions with regards to During the two years the group has gay marriage and the family in the been active in many ways. We have Irish Constitution. hosted 2 highly successful forums on LGBT Equality Issues in the Mansion At our AGM we elected our commitHouse during Dublin LGBTQ Pride. tee and 2 Co-Chairs – Richie Keane These have attracted such speakers and Rachel Matthews McKay. We
course that Labour being a party that truly believes in equality that getting the parties backing will only be a small hurdle. We are proud of the many advocates of gay rights in our party such as Mary Robinson without whom homosexuality might still be illegal in Ireland.
also adopted policies of; seeking better sexual health education services and a health project specifically aimed at lesbian and bisexual woman, seeking an end to the discriminatory ban on gay men donating blood, deploring the lack of access for disabled gay or lesbian people in many community venues, and possibly an issue that is always current/topical and has the most affect on the lives of many gay and lesbian people – civil marriage and parenting rights.
Some of our members are also involved in Labour Equality – which is a section that is organised around campaigning for equality in Ireland. Labour Equality will be organising different seminars e.g. on Family law, and will be supporting national initiatives such as anti-racism in the workplace.
If you would like more details or interested in joining Labour LGBT email us at lgbt@labour.ie, If you would like more details or interested in joining Labour Equality email us at equality@votelabour.ie We will be working within the party to By Ian McGahon. campaign for and gain support for all the issues above. We recognise of
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Labour Lea
Interview Interview Interview Interview Interview Interview
Left Tribune editor Jonath on politics an
Labour Leader Pat Rabbitte TD Jonathan McDade Is politics still relevant for young people today judging from the trend that young people vote less and are more comfortable in terms of wealth compared with previous generations?
on. JM What was the catalyst that propelled you into politics?
called today’s youth ‘conservative’ in any conventional meaning of that term. Comparing it to my own time in college is really like comparing Mars and Venus, the two eras are totally different and the issues faced then are in so many ways different to now. What heartens me is the number of young people and students who are involved in campaigning for justice in the developing world and in supporting things like anti-racist activities.
PR The awakening of a youth culture in the late 60s & early 70s, the anti war movement, the fact that education was for the privileged only, the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland, the fact we believed we could change JM the world. Why do you think some young people would feel JM compelled to join the Ogra Do you find Ireland’s youth Fianna Fail or the Young to be conservative and how PDs? would you compare it to when you are in college? PR
Pat Rabbitte Yes, of course, politics is still relevant for young people. Where societies become more affluent the pattern is young people tend to be less interested in politics. In Ireland we have a strong economy but a weak society. Depending on what political direction we go, we can use the strong economy as the basis for a strong society that values solidarity, It beats me. I don’t doubt quality public services, PR that some join out of conartistic endeavour and so Well, I don’t think I’d viction, but I do think
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there is an unfortunate perception because of the length of time that these parties have been in government that it would be good for your career. JM What have you noticed most about Labour Youth since you became Leader of the Labour Party? PR Their activism on a range of issues which in turn has caused Labour Youth to grow. There is room and
their ought to be welcome in the Labour Party for the “passive member” who is not pro-active but philosophically identifies with the party’s programme. But above all we must be an activist party and in that respect Labour Youth leads by example. JM
ader Pat Rabbitte TD Interview Interview Interview Interview Interview Interview
han McDade talks with Labour leader Pat Rabbitte nd its relevence to young people today What is the biggest chal- pared with the politicians lenge facing the left in stu- that were around while you were a student? dent politics? PR The challenges facing the left in student politics is a subject that I could once have written enough words to fill your entire magazine on! Now, from an outside perspective, it
strikes me that one of the key challenges for the left in student politics is to persuade the general student body of the relevance of campaigns for justice and equality and why the student movement must have a central role in those efforts.
PR Now that is a tough one, in that you are asking me to compare myself with some of the politicians I would “Free Love and Free Pot were very big in the Sixties”. have dealt with as a stu- PR trust politics and politicians dent. I don’t think I can Free Love and Free Pot since they do not see politics give an objective answer to were very big in the playing an important role in Sixties. Whereas I don’t their lives? believe that cannabis is a gateway drug, my experi- PR ence in dealing with com- Young people ought to dismunities worst affected by criminate between politidrugs misuse is that cians and political parties. decriminalising cannabis One can’t say that all jourwill not help those commu- nalists or all car salesmen nities. I established the are dodgy no more than local Drugs Task Forces as you can say all politicians minister in 1996/7 and don’t deserve trust. Look none of them to my knowl- at the track record, look at edge have recommended what a party or politician legislation. advocates, test it against what that party or politithat- but I would say that JM cian does and repose your politicians on the right What is the biggest issue trust where it has been don’t tend to change that our generation has to earned. much- they thought we deal with? were crazy back in my days in student politics- PR but that was part of the I am loath to answer that fun of it. I doubt if it’s any one. I think the members different now. of Labour Youth would
JM As a student what were your JM views on the decriminalisaDo you think politicians are tion of cannabis and have more out of touch with those changed today? Ireland’s youth today com-
need to tell me that. They do a good job of doing so at all party events I attend….
JM Why should young people
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Was the ‘Make P campaign w
Debate Debate Debate Debate Debate Debate Debate Deb
FOR
Unless you were living in a cave and studiously avoiding all multimedia this year, you couldn’t have missed it. One of the largest campaigns of early 2005 was the Make Poverty History campaign. It involved almost every facet of publicity - there were the white wristbands, the “Click” TV ad with celebrities snapping their fingers, political action such as marches, sit-ins and petitions, the Live8 concerts, celebrities such as Bono, Bob Geldof and Chris Martin making speeches, and endorsement by charities. Over 500 organisations are
involved in the campaign, including trade unions, charities and faith groups. Such charities as Oxfam, Greenpeace and Concern are heavily supportive of the cause, and even the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is a member of the campaign.
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The Make Poverty History campaign has a number of messages. It involves more than just another attempt to help the poor of Africa, but also to draw attention to the severity of the poverty. The “Click” ad shows celebrities clicking their fingers, to show how a child in Africa dies from extreme poverty every three seconds. The white wristband is to show solidarity with the cause, and was chosen as a symbol because a white band is simple to make, whether from a napkin or a strip of cloth.
Denise O’Connell
tied aid and more long-term assistance. The disruption of the G8 summit by the terrorist attacks in London took the focus off African poverty, and probably resulted in less action than would have happened if the eyes of the world had remained on the leaders of the eight nations.
There are many arguments as to why the Make Poverty History campaign was or is worthless. Some argue that it was irrelevant because little changed after the summit. This ignores the political situation at the time, and the possibilities still available in the Ultimately however, the campaign future. Some argue that the aims aims to put pressure on the rich are flawed, that debt relief would governments of the West. The three aims of the campaign are: trade reform, more and better aid, and debt relief. This involves change on many levels, through the medium of the World Trade Organisation, through international banks, change of government policy and financial aid. The campaign aims to change policies instead of just appealing for charitable donations. The campaign focused strongly on the G8 summit in June as a possible point of change. Live8 concerts were held to publicise the issue, large marches occurred in diverse cities, and activists even travelled to Gleneagles to pressurise the leaders themselves. The results were not as effective as had been hoped. The debts of selected countries were relieved, some immediately and some only partially or upon certain conditions. Commitments were made, for less
George Clooney
nonetheless believe it is a worthwhile campaign. It educates; teaching economic reality and the results of such trade barriers as the Common Agricultural Policy. It focuses activism; awareness is not aimed at abstract concepts and policies but instead at the individuals and institutions that create these policies. It links different social groups and countries in a common cause. As members of a youth political party, I believe it is better for young people to get involved in the political process than to remain cynical and apathetic. I believe that education, whether from a celebrity using catchy slogans to grab attention and interest, or in-depth economic texts, is always relevant and important. Most of all, I believe it is better to attempt to make a difference than to predict failure and allow the current world state to be unchallenged.
disrupt the financial system, or that corrupt governments would benefit from this possibility of debt relief. Some argue that protectionism should continue for developing countries, that it should be ‘fair’ trade not ‘free’ The Make Poverty History campaign is not finished. I think that trade. great changes can and will be seen Whether the goals of the cam- in the next few years. paign are fully realised or not, I
Poverty History’ worth while?
bate Debate Debate Debate Debate Debate Debate Debate
Dermot Looney
AGAINST
Aspects of the Make Poverty History campaign are more than worthy, argues Dermot Looney, but the overall movement has been stymied by soft focus politics and an avoidable concentration on questionable celebrities.
Shanda Tomne, writing in Le Messager, a Cameroonian daily newspaper, summed up much of the feeling on the ground in the world’s poorest continent in a widely syndicated exposé of the great ego-trip. “Who here,” he wrote, “wants a concert against poverty when an African is born, lives and dies without ever being able to vote freely?” Give me Youssou N'Dour any day over Madonna. The Senegalese singer was one of the bright lights on a day of decent, if hardly inspirational music in Hyde Park in which “awareness” of the G8’s Scottish meeting supposedly topped the agenda. The lowlights included the increasinglyannoying and ludicrously-patronising Mrs Ritchie, a couple of fairly asinine performances and the cringeworthy sight of more than a couple of popstars doing their Smashy & Nicey serious bit for char-i-dee. But the mildly political concert was plagued by more than the musically annoying. N’Dour being the only African to play in a gig supposedly built around the needs of the people of that continent is faintly ludicrous. N’Dour having to invite himself to the gig to play is clearly so. In a concert built more around egos than awareness, the culmination of the Make Poverty History campaign struggled to make an impact ahead of the story of celebrity appearances, band reunions and Pete Doherty’s inability to find the right key. No doubt, the Live8 event found it hard to straddle between the two stools of politics and entertainment. As we might have expected, the falling momentum veered sharply to the latter. African
columnist
Irish campaign, there has been an increasing focus on the Fianna FáilPD government and the stupendous lie told by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the UN General Assembly concerning our plans to meet the Millenium Development Goal of 0.7% in foreign aid. Nevertheless, the British organisers’ failure to oppose New Labour’s cosying up to MPH as a public relations counterweight to the Iraq war is “The truth is that it was not for us, for lamentable. One of the key reasons Africa, that the musicians at Live 8 were Madonna: singing; it was to amuse was Live8 the crowds and to clear merely an their own consciences, extension of and whether they real- her ego? ized it or not, to reinforce dictatorships. They still believe us to be like children that they must save, as if we don't realize ourselves what the source of our problems is.” Shanda Tomne’s stinging rebuke of the organisers of Live8 also raises serious issues for the wider Make Poverty History (MPH) Campaign. But the political problems of MPH extend far beyond psychological muscle-flexing and Western guilt complexes. In truth, while the aims of Make Poverty History are noble, they appear to be directed at soft targets rather than the real enemies of the poor; avaricious right-wing politics, corporate interests, free market religiosity and increasingly-powerful financial institutions which copperfasten all three together in a form of undemocratic, almost dictatorial global governance.
why the UK government will not meet its aid targets any time soon is the simple fact that so much is being spent on a horrific war based on motives of strategic geopolitical and economic influence. Gordon Brown’s claim to support the thrust of the MPH campaign was a massive PR coup for the British administration, a phoney bait which was taken by campaign organisers hook, line and sinker.
Make Poverty History has been about awareness of poverty more than any Jean-Claude In fairness to the organisers of the other issue, but it is in the politics of
poverty around we must seek, to borrow a phrase, to educate, agitate and organise. And while again the Irish organisers of MPH are now turning their attention to the World Bank and IMF it is almost as if these institutions are an afterthought, rather than a gushing source of global poverty through requirements for welfare retrenchment, privatisation and religious adherence to free market principles. I was proud to attend the Dublin rally against poverty organised by the Make Poverty History Campaign with some 20,000 others last June. On my way to the event, however, the visual imagery of Irish poverty was even more striking than usual – drug addicts and the homeless dotting the bus route in. What I’ve no doubt is much worse are the hidden symptoms in a country with such incredulous inequality as ours. Fighting poverty needs more than softly, softly pop concerts, celebrity campaigners and slick campaigns which attract all, sundry and Madonna. It is in fighting to preserve and improve our social policies, reduce inequalities in health, housing and education and joining with other progressive groups that we can defeat poverty at home. It is in tackling the great alphabet soup of the neoliberal concensus and empowering the participation of all people in their societies and their economies that we can defeat poverty around the world. If we are truly, truly serious about making poverty history, it is the singleminded quest for profit and wealth at the heart of capitalism, not mere cosmetic packages such as that proposed at the G8, which must be defeated.
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Coca - Cola
Labour Youth Campaigns Labour Youth Campaigns Labour Youth
Since the International Day of Action Against Coca-Cola in July of 2003 the boycott has grown in size and strength throughout the world. Student groups have teamed with trade unions to make the beverage and food conglomerate feel the pressure. The rush of trade unions lending support to Colombian solidarity were given a significant boost in June of 2004 with the addition of Unison, the UK’s largest trade union, joining the boycott. In addition to Unison, large North American trade unions such as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have joined the fight with their membership of
The Blossoming Boycott Killer-Coke Campaign Starts to Bear Fruit
joined the movement as well. On March 31st of this year the Union of Students of Ireland (USI) voted for a boycott of Coca-Cola and subsidiary Nestle. This action was followed a nearly unanimous vote by the
Columbian worker protests
over 1.3 million strong.
In Ireland teachers have lent their support to the boycott as well; both the Teachers’ Union of Ireland and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation have broken all ties with Coca-Cola and its subsidiaries. Irish students in a growing number of universities have
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National Union of Students UK to do the same. The multi-million pounds sterling contract they have with CocaCola supplying drinks to universities throughout the UK expires in March and if this resolution is any indicator, Coca-Cola’s chances for renewal look bleak. The movement that saw its roots take in Ireland has found fertile ground and has spread throughout the globe as universities large and small
have responded SINALTRAINAL’s the campaign would need to be call for help and solidarity and news stepped up around the globe if progress towards the goals of the boyof Irish student action. cott are to be achieved because a conThe successes of grassroots boycotts tinuation of media stunts that Cocain areas of abuse are being shown in Cola have thus far tried to counter the massive drops in profit of Coca-Cola campaign with inevitably will. and its subsidiaries in those regions. In the April-June quarter sales in India dropped 14%, the quarter when its sales are usually the highest. A prominent photographer’s work depicting Coca-Cola’s role in the water crisis in that country is currently on display at a busy intersection in Chennai, despite threats of a lawsuit, will surely bolster the movement among local Indians. In Latin America, the site of the CocaCola backed, paramilitary-enforced executions of Colombian labour leaders, sales have dropped 20% in the same period to the tune of $19 million USD (€15.3 million). These drops in quarterly earnings show the boycott is communicating to the multinational beverages giant in the only language it seems to understand, the language of money. The campaign is beginning to show some successes from the pressures caused by the international union and student boycott. Coca-Cola has established a ten million dollar fund to provide for the victims of Colombian violence, seemingly a direct result of worldwide negative press it has received due to its involvement in the violent deaths of at least eight of its employees. Unfortunately, this fund appears to be wholly a public relations stunt meant to stem the swell of public support and worldwide solidarity exhibited following the 2003 call for a Coca-Cola boycott by SINALTRAINAL. The nature of the CocaCola fund as a hollow stunt is clear knowing that the families of Isidro Gil and other murdered labour leaders have to this day not received any portion of the newly established fund. SINALTRAINAL leader Edgar Paez thanked protesters worldwide for their show of solidarity but explained that
Boycott Special
h Campaigns Labour Youth Campaigns Labour Youth Campaigns
Corruption and Collusion
On the 24th of June this year a delegation comprising members of Labour Youth and the Labour Party visited Colombia at the invitation of Sinaltrainal and the CUT (Colombian Congress of Trade Unions).
The Colombian Story by David Geary
our two-week visit. The trip comprised a series of meetings in Bogotá, Barrancabermeja, Bucaramanga and Arauca. This gave us a broad picture of the crisis facing social organisaThe Colombian Solidarity Network tions in Colombia as they face the based in Dublin organised what was onslaught of the state and its paramilits first ever delegation to the country. itary allies. We met with a wide range of social organisations, trade unions and Sinaltrainal: indigenous people over the course of Edgar Paez, head of international rela-
tions at Sinaltrainal outlined developments in the boycott coke campaign. There are boycott coke campaign groups in over 67 US universities while 250 town halls in Italy have joined the boycott. Due to the pressure of the campaign Coca Cola have met with Sinaltrainal to discuss possible reparations. However to date they have not committed a single cent in compensation for Sinaltrainal members, but instead have launched a 10 million dollar fund for victims of violence in Colombia as a PR exercise. This fund as it stands will do nothing for the orphans of Isidro Gil and his wife or the other family members of deceased Coca Cola workers.
Francisco Ramirez the president of the union gave a brief overview of the situation of conflict in the country and its relationship to the exploitation of natural resources. He explained how royalties from oil production were been heavily subsidised in the interests of US and British MNC’s operating in the country. Furthermore the Harken Energy Company which is owned by the Bush family has received even more favorable treatment with 3 dollars of tax reduced off each barrel of oil it exports. He described how the task of environmental regulation had now been transferred from a state agency to the com-
Edgar Paez stated that the strength of the campaign internationally has caused Coke to set up a website to dispute the allegations and have forced them to create the 10 million dollar fund. However he stated that the campaign will need to be stepped up over the coming months in order to ensure that Coke meet the demands of the campaign rather than simply investing in PR stunts. Edgar outlined the importance of the boycott coke campaign as a means of establishing the responsibility of multinationals operating in Colombia as the driving force behind panies themselves. Para militarism. The Wayuu Massacre: During this meeting we were given Mining Workers Union: We met with Sintramineralco (The the opportunity to speak with Debora mining workers union). The building Barros Fince a member of the Wayuu in which the union is based and to tribe. Debora gave us first hand testiwhich we were taken for our meeting mony of the massacre of 18th April had been bombed by the paramili- 2004 when 150 armed paramilitaries taries in May of the following year. entered their village and brutally mur-
dered leading social members of the Tribe. Victims included Debora’s aunt who was taken from her home and in front of some of the local children had her head cut of with a machete. They called on the house of another of Debora’s aunts and this time they stuck a grenade down her mouth and exploded it. The horror which was visited upon their peaceful community has scarred their youth for life. As Debora recalls of her son knowing his grandmother was dead because he saw her sweeping up the body parts. Many of the members of the paramilitary present in the village on that day were recognised as been members of the state military. This type of collusion between the legal and the illegal armed actors in the state is fairly common in the country. Debora who has spoken out publicly about the massacre in her village explained how she has received numerous threats from the paramilitaries. She told the Irish delegation that she "would rather die speaking out than die in silence". A member of Sinaltrainal explained how in June of 2002 he was threatened by paramilitaries. The paramilitaries tried to kidnap his four year old son. They were unsuccessful. Then in May of 2005 he was informed by the paramilitaries that he was on a list of people due to be executed. His family were forced to move to Bogotá for several months. He has been awarded precautionary measures by the Inter American Commission on Human Rights. Theses measures simply put mean that he has two armed body guards at his side 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
A complete report on the trip is available from the Colombian Solidarity network. Email: lycampaigns@labour.ie
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Funnies Funnies Funnies Funnies Funnies Funnies Top 5 awkward moments during Dubya's bicycle ride with Lance Armstrong. 5. The first time Dubya fell, Lance didn't know about the "when the President falls, everybody falls" protocol and kept on riding. 4. Bush's assurance to Armstrong that he would put the "war on cancer" on the list right after Iran and Syria. 3. When the going got tough, Dubya refused to lead, preferring to draft. 2. Armstrong passed his drug test. 1. Lance stopped to talk to Cindy Sheehan for an hour and finished the ride with a four minute lead. Go to www.toostupidtobepresident.com for more.....
BILL HICKS QUOTES
If you don't believe drugs have done good things for us, then go home and burn all your records, all your tapes, and all your CDs because every one of those artists who have made brilliant music and enhanced your lives? RrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrEAL fucking high on drugs. The Beatles were so f**king high they let Ringo sing a few songs.
People ask me what I think about that woman priest thing. What, a woman priest? Women priests. Great, great. Now there's priests of both sexes I don't listen to.
They lie about marijuana. Tell you pot-smoking makes you unmotivated. Lie! When you're high, you can do everything you normally do, just as well. You just realize that it's not worth the fucking effort. There is a difference. The worst kind of non-smokers are the ones that come up to you and cough. That's pretty fucking cruel isn't it? Do you go up to cripples and dance too?
bbs.zol.com Cults: A Handy Reference Guide according to the George W. Bush’s White House go to www.whitehouse.org for more....
It is a dangerous world out there. As our Christian nation opens its doors to more foreign trash, God's people are unfortunately exposed to exotic new ideas that might cause some to question their True Christian™ beliefs. In order to assist you in defend ing the Bible, we believe it is important for you to at least understand in the simplest of terms what in tarnation all these false religions are going on about. As such, we have prepared the quick handy reference guide below. Each cult is linked if you require more resources to help you share Jesus with these deluded, lost souls.
Mormons - You get your own planet when you die. The more wives you have on earth, the more planets you get. Elite members get their own pair of magic underwear. Scientologists - A cheap science fiction story by mediocre writer, L. Ron Hubbard, about a space opera that happened 75 mil lion years ago. Anyone who reads the story without paying the Board of Directors enough money will get pneumonia and die.
Jehovah's Witnesses - A social group of fat old colored women who shop at K-mart and knock on doors, begging for food. They don't celebrate holidays or birthdays. They believe that hospitals are evil and that Jesus was really the angel Michael and He died on a stake instead of a cross. Their core belief is that since 1884, God works behind a small desk in an office in Brooklyn, New York. Quakers - Modern day peasants who live on a strict diet of oats and practice idolatry by praying to an image of their god imprinted on oversized cardboard canisters of oatmeal.
Seventh Day Adventists - Snooty pick and choose bible literalists who believe Saturday is the Sabbath since it is the literal last day of the week, but they ignore verses about God's command to stone their disobedient children.
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Comment Comment Comment Comment Comment
The Genesis of Terrorism
Terrorism is bred by our own destructive actions on the innocent says Daniel Stanford
In 1972, when the British Para Troopers met a civil rights march on the streets of Derry with a shower of bullets, and when 14 citizens died due to their fatal encounter, the Official, and Provisional Irish Republican Armies, were inadvertently given a better recruitment campaign than they ever dreamed possible.
The visceral hatred of “The f**kin’ Brits,” held onto like a safety blanket by young working class boys in some of the most poverty ridden areas of both Northern Ireland, and the Republic; was potently fuelled and became so easily justified, ironically by the actions of the British themselves. Many hundreds of these young impressionable boys, were given every reason they needed, to join an organisation that would arm them, and point them in the direction of a Protestant pub, or chip shop, and ask them to take as many lives as possible. This is exactly what we the West, are doing in Muslim countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan right at this moment.
easily identified and defined. Western leaders, like President Bush, and Prime Minster Tony Blair, have stated time and time again, that they will not be intimidated by terrorists, that groups such as Al Qaeda will be stopped, and that their campaigns of fear and hatred will be brought to an
tion, with fear and anger in their hearts. The West literally flattens two countries, and we seem surprised that Islamic fundamentalism is not waining, but growing fruitfully.
We are reaping exactly what we are I tell you now that especially in a post sowing in more ways than that my friends. We in the west are very enthusiastic advertisers for Al Qaeda.
Spot the difference???
abrupt end. But if Al Quaeda are a clandestine, secret and invisible organisation, why attack a constitutional country, with a leader and citizens? The purpose of this will not be to demonstrate the already well made point that the war in Iraq was wrong, but to demonstrate that we are not solving the original problem, we are in fact fanning the fire of terrorism.
The war on terrorism is an odd kind of war. The rules of engagement have 14 people in Derry were murdered by been altered, and war is no longer so an army, and countless young men joined a secretive terrorist organisa-
Can we blame them for seeking out groups that will arm them and ask them to kill as many people as possible?
Few televised speeches by President Bush are made without the implantation of fear into all viewers hearts by the ominous mention of that invisible enemy.
Al Qaeda may well be a large organisation of militant fudimentalist Islam, it could on the other hand be a far reaching cell structure, with orders being handed down from the never “911” world, we have no right to be ending heights of the power structure. surprised at what happened in Madrid. A kind of, “you never know who And we have no right to be surprised you’re working for,” situation. at what happened in Bali and in London. Then again, if 10 guys want to form their own fundamentalist Islamic If Islamic villages, towns and cities jihad, what better name can it have, are being destroyed at frightening other than the most fearful word in our rates, if civilians are coming between current lexicon? western armies and their targets, or Islamic militias and their intruding If we were allowed any kind of targets, and being killed in their thou- knowledge on how they work and sands, can we really blame young operate, we would be a lot less afraid. Islamic men for doing exactly what We are being told by our leaders to the young men of Derry did in 1972. hate Islam, without question. Fearing Islam, makes it much easier.
Join us Join us Join us Join us Join us Join us Join us If you would like to join Labour Youth please fill in the form below and return it to us as 17 Ely Place, Dublin 2. or e-mail us at youth@labour.ie, supplying us with the information requested below. Membership is free. Name: _________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Phone:_________________________________ E-Mail:_________________________________ Date of Birth:_____________
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Burning Issue
Burning Issue
Burning Issue
Burning Issue
A Ban On Mother Nature
Left Tribune Editor writes on his observations regarding one of the most ridiculous laws that exists in Ireland
It was reported on the news that the Gardai seized vast amounts of cannabis off the punters attending the Electric Picnic music festival. I cannot help but have visions of Garda officers harrassing a quiet circle of stoners whilst ignoring the drunks stumbling around them. So I would just like to say well done to the Gardai. Your seizures of weed will earn you endless amounts of paperwork. Thus keeping you from protecting citizens from people who roam our streets intoxicated on ALCOHOL!!! Good job lads.
Does it make people aggressive and violent? No. Is it addictive? Maybe. Do alcohol and cigarettes kill? Yes. Are cigarettes addictive? Yes. Does alcohol cause some people to do harm onto others? Yes. So why is cannabis illegal, whilst booze and fags are legal despite putting a greater strain on our health service, mental stability, and This begs the question of why this kills more people than all other plant, this weed, this herb is ille- drugs combined. gal. Its a law against nature if you will. Does it kill anyone? No. Furthermore, why are the few
cannabis addicts there are treated like criminals instead of people who have a health problem? In a free society there should never be any reason explained as to why something should be made legal. The question should be asked of why something is made illegal.
is a gateway drug. The only scientists that claimed it was a gateway drug were sponsored by industries (timber and oil) who felt threatened by the vast production of hemp (a marijuana by product). “Oh yeah, well what benefit would legal marijuana have for society?” I hear some ask. Lots of benefits is the answer. From environmentally friendly production of material to aiding those who suffer from MS or cancer. Not to mention the cut down on Garda paperwork and a slight boost for the tourism industry whilst pumping some funds into the economy.
“But cannabis is a gateway drug, isn’t it?” some people ask, (maybe they have never heard of alcohol or nicotine). Wrong is the answer. So how did this creation of God There is no, and I mean no, credi- get criminalised by man? Read ble scientific proof that cannabis for the answers below.
How was Cannabis made Illegal?
The story of a ban on a plant that stems from racism, greed, and ignorance by Jonathan McDade
An ambitious man by the name of Harry J. Anslinger spear headed a campaign to ban marijuana. He was the first ever drugs csar of the United States. His motives were just as appaulling as his actions.
As the United States government was cracking down on alcohol in the 1920’s and 1930’s they also decided to focus there attention on drugs. The Harrison Act was passed in order to tax and control the supply of many drugs including marijuana. In 1930 the Treasury Department established the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Harry Anslinger was made their director. In order to build his new agency he would not be able to do it with the criminalisation of just cocain and opium. He needed a more common and widespread drug to target in order for his bureau to survive. So he turned his attention to marijuana. Anslinger used the themes of racism (which was even more rampant and accepted in U.S back then) and violence in his propaganda campaign against the plant. He came out with some absurd statements (in other
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words, LIES) such as “marijuan is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.” He got help from media tycoon William Randolph Hearst who had many reasons to wage war on the weed. He had heavy investments in the timber industry which would have beeen threatened by the mass production of hemp. He also hated Mexicans who were the main sellers of marijuana. He spread the Anslinger lies through his vast network of newspapers.
Then the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act was introduced to Congress. Anslinger lobbied politicians with stories of marijuana related violence, death, and threw in the odd racist jibe too. The infamous ‘Reefer Madness’ movie was made which depicted people turning into blood thirsty murderers after smoking marijuana. Anslinger had no backing from the medical profession and the bill was passed very quietly by Congressmen who were told (again more lies) that the American Medical Association backed the bill. On the 2nd August 1937 Marijuana became illegal on a federal level. Decades later the U.S government twisted the arms of fellow U.N members to follow suit and they succeeded which is why this harmless plant is illegal in Ireland to this day. The propaganda war still continues from the American government. Every year over one billion dollars of tax payers money is spent on drug prevention campaigns. Although they do not claim that marijuana is deadly, they are now calling it a “gateway drug” and that it makes users a follower of Satan (thanks for that one Ronald Reagan). So there you have it.
Infamous quotes from the first drugs csar giving reasons why marijuan is bad
“marijuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing” “Marijuana is the most violent-causing drug of mankind” “You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother” “Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men”