Connolly Festival

by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:50

Will the issue of partition be addressed at this Connolly festival? He obviously wrote quite a bit about it, warning about the carnival of reaction, north and south, if it were allowed to go ahead - and now we're living with the consequences of the continuing partition of the country.

by Sharon - Individual Sun Jun 11, 2006 13:02

Brief 'plug' ( http://www.rsf.ie/connolly.htm) for an article penned by John , from the below-named blog , regarding James Connolly , in which the issue of partition is raised .

Thanks.

Sharon .

by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin Sun Jun 11, 2006 23:25

Why not just read Connolly's own writings? It's especially worth considering in this case, as you'd be spared from the convoluted chair reference at the end. (Gee, I wonder what that could mean. Christ, if RSF are ever going to become a positive influence on Irish politics, they seriously need to get over this SF obsession.)

by Sharon - Individual Sun Jun 11, 2006 23:57

Hi Ciaran !

Did James Connolly himself write one whole document concerning his own personal history ? Or would the document highlighted in the link in my previous post perhaps save some readers time in obtaining said information ?
RSF are not "obsessed" with PSF no more than they are with any other constitutional Leinster House party : however , as with those other Leinster House political parties , RSF will continue to point out what they believe to be the hypocritical flaws in their political positions . I think your objective is to attempt to have PSF "spared " in that regard .

Sharon .

by sean fitzgibbon - none Mon Jun 12, 2006 00:01

why is a socialist defending that centre right party that has nothing to do with Connolly ?

I agree read the man's own writings ,but there was nothing historically incorrect or factually wrong in that pen portrait of Connolly on the RSF site. Connollys words speak for themselves, and no party of his would be involved in the upholding partition, maintaining the status quo or closing hospitals.

As a post script, and on a personal level, I will quote James Connollys words to the Irish Citizen Army on 16 April, 1916.

"The odds are a thousand to one against us, but in the event of victory, hold onto your rifles, as those with whom we are fighting may stop before our goal is reached."

To those people whom Republican Sinn Féin would consider having "stopped before the goal is reached", I point out that the fact that James Connolly died on a chair should not be seen to infer that he wanted that chair placed at a table where a compromise would be the outcome

The provos didnt just stop before the goal. They weren't working toward the same. RSF is SF. No one who is honest could say otherwise, regardless of political affiliation. Anyone who think PSF are either republican or socialist needs the head examined.

by Labour Youth Mon Jun 12, 2006 14:21

In a one line answer the issue of partition is not been addressed at the Connolly Festival.

The festival will cover many topics close to Connolly's heart - but not all of them. It will cover issues including international trade union solidarity (boycott killer coke), equality issues (pro choice activism and same sex marriage), anti imperialism(us military out of shannon) and anti capitalism (shell 2 sea).

by Blah Mon Jun 12, 2006 16:46

To be fair Sharon, that article is by far one of the worst articles I've ever read on Connolly. It's a load of nationalist tripe that ignores his lifetime concern - namely the syndicalist road to socialism. His nationalism (which was bullshit if you ask me) was always a part a broader though ill conceived internationalism. It wasn't as this article would lead to to believe what we was motivated for.

by Sharon - Individual Mon Jun 12, 2006 18:10

Hi 'Blah' !

You should do less 'Blabbing' and more reading : the point of the Connolly link I posted (above) , as I have stated , was to give readers a 'short-cut' to some details regarding the personal life of the man . Nothing more .
In your haste to 'score a point' you ended up completely missing the point . Thanks for posting anyway !

Sharon .

by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin Mon Jun 12, 2006 20:09

LY, thanks for the update. My personal opinion is that partition is an issue that any group considering itself on the left should be tackling, especially in the 26 counties. Obviously however it's not the only question affecting the working class in Ireland today. Best of luck anyway.

Sharon, my comments on Horgan's piece were that it was fundamentally irrelevant to the question I had raised, and obviously reading Connolly's works on partition (and other issues) is a far better resource than someone's interpretations of Connolly's writings. Even short biographies are not free of the personal political bias of the author - though Andrias Ó Cathasaigh's In Éagmais Uí Chonghaile (Macallaí na Cásca 3) and apparently Donal Nevin's A Full Life try to let him speak for himself for the most part.

As for RSF, in what way are they currently active on the political front? Is involvement in broad-based movements still an expellable offence?

by Sharon - Individual Mon Jun 12, 2006 23:34

Hi Ciaran !

Sharon, my comments on Horgan's piece were that it was fundamentally irrelevant to the question I had raised, and obviously reading Connolly's works on partition (and other issues) is a far better resource than someone's interpretations of Connolly's writings.
John's surname is Horan , not 'Horgan' : as I stated when I posted that link , it was a "brief 'plug' for an article penned by John regarding James Connolly " - hardly "irrelevant" to the subject matter in question . And you are the only one of the two of us that has described that RSF-linked piece as "someone's interpretation of Connolly's writings" - I made no such claim , nor is such a claim made in the piece itself .

As for RSF, in what way are they currently active on the political front? Is involvement in broad-based movements still an expellable offence?
RSF attend political gatherings/functions/events which are and have been organised by other political groupings and/or individuals , if that is what you mean . The RSF website will show you the political activity and campaigns which RSF are involved in . Did you not think to check there first ?

Sharon .

by james Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:42

"This year will mark the first ever Connolly Festival, taking place in the Teachers Club on Friday 16th and Saturday the 17th of June.

The idea of the festival is to organise an event to commemorate James Connolly by looking at issues and campaigns that are relevant today. It is hosted by Labour Youth and the event is open to all left wing activists. It is our hope that the workshops will be informative and interactive with the clear intention of a unified campaign emerging at the end of each session. Although speakers have been asked to speak, it is hoped that all activists present would make contributions and help ensure a lively discussion."

The "issues" listed in workshops are all interesting and of concern to all on the left. However, I would argue that they are not the issues of concern to the working class in Ireland. Moreover, they are not the priority issues for the Left. Unfortunately the absence of discussion (and I presume any LY campainging) on any of the following issues is an opportunity missed.

Neo Liberal privatisation
Stealth Taxation like the Bin charges, future water charges etc
Poverty - the widening gap between the wealthy and the rest.
Sex education/availability of contraception to working class kids

Partnership

by Lab Y Wed Jun 14, 2006 14:51

Lab Y defend the conference in this Daily Ireland article.
http://dailyireland.televisual.co.uk/home.tvt?_ticket=X...opp=1

by Blah Wed Jun 14, 2006 18:15

Sharon,

I'm not point sociring. I'm far from a fan of labour and won't be attending the conference. I'll be at the Revolutionary Women Dayschool.

You should do less 'Blabbing' and more reading : the point of the Connolly link I posted (above) , as I have stated , was to give readers a 'short-cut' to some details regarding the personal life of the man. Nothing more .

No the was that it mentions partition. If the point was that we need to know about his private life, (a Hello article on Connolly?) then no wonder I missed it cos the article isn't about his private life. It's about his political life. And yet it casually ignores what Connolly's political life consisted of which was socialist (and primarily syndicalist) activity.

The only reference to unions in the whole article is "he became Belfast organiser for James Larkin's Irish Transport and General Workers Union." I mean its hardly a balnced article. It ignores almost everything he did. But instead focuses on yeah he was a nationalist with guns as well.

It's an awful article.

by Sharon - Individual Wed Jun 14, 2006 18:53

I'm not point sociring. I'm far from a fan of labour and won't be attending the conference. I'll be at the Revolutionary Women Dayschool.
I did not suggest that you are attempting to 'score points' for the Labour Party : rather that you are attempting to 'score points' against RSF .

No the was that it mentions partition. If the point was that we need to know about his private life, (a Hello article on Connolly?) then no wonder I missed it cos the article isn't about his private life. It's about his political life. And yet it casually ignores what Connolly's political life consisted of which was socialist (and primarily syndicalist) activity.
The point was not that we need to know about Connolly's 'private life' , but that it is no harm for readers to be aware of what the man went through , which no doubt went some way towards 'flavouring' his political position . It is , I believe , information which may help some of those intending to attend the conference .

The only reference to unions in the whole article is "he became Belfast organiser for James Larkin's Irish Transport and General Workers Union." I mean its hardly a balnced article. It ignores almost everything he did. But instead focuses on yeah he was a nationalist with guns as well.
The article was not penned to describe "everything he did" , which has been my point all along ! As I said - it may be of use to readers as 'background' information on the man .

It's an awful article.
....by which you seem to mean it did not cover "everything he did" : but that was not the intention of the article .
That was not its purpose - similarly , if you purchased a toaster and then complained because it did not wash the dishes for you - as "awful" as that might be (!) - you would have only yourself to blame !

Sharon .

by Mark C Thu Jun 15, 2006 00:02

I was in Edinburg about two weeks ago and there was a march on to commorate Connolly. Quite a big demonstration it was. I was a bit taken aback by the reactions of the "socialists" when I tried to join the march:

Marcher: Fuck Off! Get the fuck out of here! Go on, Fuck Off!
Me: I'm Irish, surely I can join your march.
Marcher: I told you to Fuck Off! Get the fuck out of here.
Policeman (very nicely): Right, come on.
Me: That doesn't seem like socialism.

Perhaps I shouldn't have been so taken aback. I spoke to some young guys before the march too:

Me: Is there ever much trouble at these marches in Edinburgh?
Young Lad #1: Ah yeah, sure that's what it's all about.
Me: Really? Who would start the trouble?
Young Lad #2: Combat 18 or some other group would usually turn up by the end of it.
Me: And why do you march for Ireland when you're Scottish?
Young Lad #1: Our mothers are Irish, so it's our heritage, y'know?
Me: I see, and do you march for Scottish independence from England?
Young Lad #2: Nah, wouldn't be bothered, no-one's bothered.

I hope these people are not "representative" of James Connolly, but then again it takes all sorts.

by Blah Thu Jun 15, 2006 16:23

if you purchased a toaster and then complained because it did not wash the dishes for you - as "awful" as that might be (!) - you would have only yourself to blame !

But If I bought a toaster and it only toasted the top left hand corner of one side of each slice of bread. I think describing it as an awful toaster would be an accurate description.

by Sharon - Individual Thu Jun 15, 2006 21:58

" But If I bought a toaster and it only toasted the top left hand corner of one side of each slice of bread. I think describing it as an awful toaster would be an accurate description. "

Having looked at the 'toaster' and seen that it made no claim to do everything that you wanted from a 'toaster' , but purchased it anyway , only to complain later that it was an "awful" toaster , would be your fault , not the fault of the product .

Sharon .

by Graham Ó Maonaigh - Labour Youth Fri Jun 16, 2006 12:32

Aside from the issues being discussed at the Connolly Festival(you can only do so much in one weekend). Labour Youth has strongly opposed the current Partnership regime and we believe it to be fundementally not in the interests of the workers of Ireland.
For more on this and the The Future After Social Partnership we held with Mick O'Reilly (ATGWU) and Cllr. Mary Murphy (Poverty Activist) visit

http://www.labour.ie/youth/news/index/20060207175141.html
http://www.labour.ie/youth/news/index/20060530181939.html

We also campaigned heavily and gave mass support to the campaign for Joanne Delanney, a Dunnes Stores worker who was organising the staff in Crumlin who was sacked for wearing her union badge. We organised weekly demonstrations outside Dunnes' through out the country and took part in the broad demonstration outside Ashleaf each week getting the issue on the minds of anyone who went near Dunnes' at the time.

http://www.labour.ie/youth/news/index/20060116154340.html

Labour Youth has an extensive and broad amount of progressive campaigns and policy that can be viewed here:

http://www.labour.ie/youth/news/
http://www.labour.ie/youth/campaigns/
http://www.labour.ie/youth/policy/

It would be great if we could campaign on all the issues we want at the same time but we're only human. Labour Youth isn't concerned with talking about these issues and will be formulating new directions for Same-Sex Marriage, Pro-Choice, Boycott Killer Coke and Union Rights, US Military Out of Shannon and Shell 2 Sea campaigns on the back of the Connolly Festival. I urge all those in and outside of the tent of the Left to come along and forward their views and suggest ways forward.

If you have any positive suggestions on future campaigns or events Labour Youth can be involved in I'd be more than happy to hear them.

I look forward to seeing as many faces as possible at the Connolly Festival tonight (at 8pm) and tomorrow (at 10am - all day) in the Teachers Club.

Come along and get involved