Opinion

Brian Feeney's bitter jealousy

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. Picture by Niall Carson, Press Association<br />&nbsp;
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. Picture by Niall Carson, Press Association
 
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. Picture by Niall Carson, Press Association
 

I have given up reading the thoughts of one Brian Feeney in this paper on his former party the SDLP.

Were Colum Eastwood to surge to victory and capture 30 seats for the party at the next election it still would not be enough for Mr Feeney, unless he were one of the successful MLAs.

Perhaps Mr Feeney’s bitter jealousy would be better served as a serialised tome in An Phoblacht rather than a good paper of record like The Irish News?

SEAMAS de FAOITE


Belfast BT7

Yes, let’s have a vote for Brexit but let’s make it for Nato

While I believe the main protagonists behind the campaign for a Brexit are motivated by southern English nationalism and a public school elite that believe they have a God-given right to rule in a feudal fashion, nonetheless they make some interesting points. If they genuinely believe that issues such as sovereignty, democratic accountability, economic cost and security they should consider leaving Nato.

This undemocratic organisation, led of course by the US – a country that has been at war with someone for the last 100 years and whose main ambition is to rule the world economically. Nato insists that all members spend at least two per cent of GDP on armaments (mostly American) and its aims are dictated by American foreign policy.

Nato has fermented the wars in the middle-east breaking international law in its invasions and fermentation of unrest in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan. Have these actions made Britain safer? Did Britain have a democratic vote in Nato? Israeli hawks have long argued for the US to take action against Saddam, and as we know of US neo-cons their influence and middle east foreign policy is formulated in Israel.

Currently Nato has developed missile sites in a ring around Russia in the hope of starting a new provocation against Putin and a subsequent build up of arms on which much of the US economy depends. Russia withdrew from all its neighbouring countries on an agreement that Nato would not threaten or have a build up of arms. So when did Britain have a democratic vote on this? The US acted arbitrarily as Nato is a front for its ambitions.

Does anyone believe that these actions have made the world safer? The US always needs an enemy and has always acted in breach of international law when it suited them. Their fermentation  of events in the middle-east have caused the death of millions and created an unprecedented refugee problem. 

Nato is ethically wrong in its abuse of international law and undemocratic abuse of power. It argues for actions against Assad for his brutal denial of human rights while it turns a blind eye to its allies in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Israel. It puts sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea while it arms Israel to complete its occupation and on whose behalf and authority.

As one third world diplomat to the UN put it: “The US have bribed one half of us and bullied the other half with the threat of Nato action if we disagreed.” Yes, lets have a vote for Brexit but make it for Nato.

FRANCIS RICE


Belfast BT11

Amazed at line-up of Casement Park obstructions

After watching BBC’s Spotlight programme on Casement Park I cannot but be amazed at the line up of obstructions to this project. Spotlight was yet another example. 

I also note the lengthy list of shall I call them – non-GAA sympathisers – joining the fray. Does anyone believe Nelson McCausland and other unionist voices raising their various great concerns wish for a positive resolution? 

As a pensioner I recall there was a time when Casement Park safely held a capacity of 50,000-plus at big games and as a Sunday game traffic was manageable. Incidentally the surrounding objectors’ homes were there at that time. However, now in 2016 the ‘Nanny State’ uses the vast new industry of health and safety to lecture us all. As usual all horrors are foreseen. The logical conclusion of serial health and safety enthusiasts should be barriers along all road footpaths to stop us endangering ourselves with traffic. Has anyone been to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff – dramatically high stands with a 72,000 capacity in a built-up inner city location? 

West Belfast needs this project badly for a wide variety of reasons. 35,000 should be the new lower capacity and like Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium a limit put on the number of concerts annually. Ravenhill can host their biggest rugby finals so also Windsor Park. It is long past time that the Ulster provincial capital be able to host the Ulster GAA final and 35,000 capacity is the need. 

In conclusion there are too many influential voices in nationalist west Belfast keeping a low profile rather than become involved pro-actively for this long-awaited boost to the area.

Of course engage constructively with the local householders but the few cannot unreasonably add to the continuing deprivation of thousands of their  neighbours.

A LAVERY


Lurgan, Co Armagh

SDLP won’t be lectured on democracy

Having read opinion pieces from Brian Feeney and Jim Gibney (May 25) it’s hard to know where to start as both attack the SDLP for going into opposition.

Gibney has the audacity to suggest that Sinn Féin will have to represent the people who voted for the SDLP – as if SDLP voters would want that. When Sinn Féin had very little mandate they had little problem supporting a campaign of murder and mayhem without the permission or support of the majority of nationalist voters who supported the SDLP strategy for peace.

As for accusing SDLP from moving away from the GFA that is the height of double standards, when Sinn Féin did not sign up to the GFA and did everything along with the DUP (for different reasons) to undermine the agreement.

How could the SDLP join an executive when it was made impossible (to change the lives of people) by the constant blocking mechanisms employed by both the larger parties during the last term, resulting in good policies on the economy, health and justice getting binned simply because they came from the SDLP and then to (in some cases) be resurrected by the same parties in slightly different clothes.

In conclusion, the SDLP will not take lectures on how to use the democratic process from Sinn Féin and if opposition is such a bad place how do they explain their choice of opting for it in the Dáil?

PETER McEVOY


Newry, Co Down

Prodigious skills

As one who first saw the light of day in the beautiful lake-land county, I was delighted to read Maureen McHugh’s contribution ‘Homemade is best’ (May 24).

In the unlikely event that her gifted granddaughter isn’t immediately head hunted by a succession of four and five star hotels and restaurants, she should consider a career change. 

The NI Executive must harness this woman’s prodigious skills swiftly as she is required for immediate start as health minister.

NOLLAIG O'FARRAIGH


Ard Mhacha

Republicans here to stay

The last but one paragraph of Fionnuala O Connor’s column ‘Still no sign of Arlene’s magnanimity’ (May 17) caught my attention.  

It read: “It’s perfectly within the DUP capacity to keep on deriding Irish, blocking housing for north Belfast Catholics in need spiting (sic) Sinn Féin.

‘We won’ says Arlene. What did you win? That you are the leader of a party that will have no truck with those that differ?

Bold news Arlene and the DUP, republicans are here to stay. Republicans have left their trench. Is it not time you and yours left theirs?

MANUS McDAID


Derry city