I am not a historian and as a pacifist wouldn’t want to get into a debate on the balance of power theory that suggests national security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so that no one state is strong enough to dominate all others. Nevertheless, it is an interesting theory which has been about for a very long time and reflects the current anxiety experienced by countries that wrestled their freedom from totalitarian dictatorships in recent decades and became enthusiastic members of the European Union.
Now they find that their new found freedom could be threatened by the potential breakup of the EU as a direct result of the stupidity of the Brexiteers who, for the most selfish of reasons, have the capacity to destroy the organisation which gave stability to many European countries after years of poverty, oppression and indeed bloodshed.
Where is the vision of these people who encourage Russia and its cronies to begin reclaiming control over neighbouring countries that lived under their tyranny for a very long time?
The occupied part of the Ukraine – the Crimea – is already a victim but others feel increasingly vulnerable and bewildered that such a dysfunctional band of inward-looking politicians could have gulled more than 17 million people to vote for a future where there is no plan, no vision and every possibility that the ‘balance of power’ is once again tilted in favour of those who left millions of people behind the so-called ‘Iron Curtain’ to face death, oppression and corruption on a scale which has filled the history books.
Our concerns here in Ireland are real. They are serious and the Irish government is quite right to tell the Brexiteers to sort out the mess because it is of their making but that being said the potential for many more border issues far beyond these shores is real and has the capacity to affect the lives of millions of people who believed passionately that by joining the EU they would be among allies – people with a vision that was truly European, forward-looking people representing strength through friendship, free trade and freedom of the movement of people.
How wrong they were.
Let us hope that the current Tory/DUP coalition collapses sooner rather than later and the Labour Party, when it returns to power, has the courage to spell out the consequences of what is currently happening to the very existence of European stability. There are too many dangerous idiots about meddling not just in our affairs here in Ireland but among our European friends and especially those on the eastern borders with Russia and her allies.
JOHN DALLAT MLA
SDLP, East Derry
Why are taxes being used to fund road race carnage?
It’s a high risk sport; the riders know the dangers; they commit to all possible risk reduction; measures have been taken and the riders lives would be incomplete if they were unable to participate in this sport. Yes, we have heard it all before and I accept that most of the above is possibly true .
What I want to know is why am I – through the best efforts of my elected representatives, at assembly and council level, (Lisburn and Castlereagh Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Council ) together with Northern Ireland Tourism giving succour and money to support this carnage? Does former communities minister Paul Givan believe he has got value for money after last October’s announcement of £124,000 funding. He said ‘It will go towards the purchase of important equipment to help improve the safety of the course (NW200) for competitors and spectators alike... much of the equipment will be available to other event organisers so this is not just an investment that will benefit the NW200’.
Maybe its simply a case of not having yet spent enough to stop the carnage?
We all know that preventative measures cannot reduce the attendant risks of road racing to anything comparable to other sports. We are being blindsided by the ‘economic benefits’ – real or otherwise which this sport is reputed to deliver to the NI economy. I’m not making a case to ban road racing – that would impede upon the freedoms and rights held by us all. I just don’t want any part of my taxes being used to fund and support road racing carnage.
Condolences to the friends and loved ones of Mr Jamie Hodson who was killed recently at Dundrod.
AIDAN TONER
Ballycastle, Co Antrim
Pro-choice morality theme
Our gay rights taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, will give us all ‘pro-choice’, so he claims. This pro-choice morality theme is now, it would seem, in the legal system, higher education and is not challenged in public or in the media so where will this ‘pro-choice’, anything goes morality lead to?
A man leaves his wife and children and starts a family with another woman – why not? Or a woman wants to abort her baby – why not? What of children raised by gay couples, where is the mother touch for the young ones?
Has the pro-choice any future? A very distorted one I think.
Time for Irish families to put their young ones to the fore and do it with a strong voice and votes. With a young family you do not have a pro-choice you need a home, love, schools, food and support and love from your neighbours.
Let the taoiseach know that the change he thinks is in the country is farcical.
OLIVER McKAVANAGH
Lurgan, Co Armagh
Ireland first
With regard to the article in The Irish News (August 7) where Sinn Féin is accused of being complicit in poll rigging in Venezuela, I feel that Fianna Fáil is trying to score political points in its condemnation of Sinn Féin’s involvement.
However, it is my opinion that Sinn Féin would be better to stay out of other countries’ problems and increase pressure on Britain to give a commitment to eventually withdraw from the six counties.
Other issues throughout the world should be sidelined until our own house is put in order. Ireland first should be the goal.
VAL MORGAN
Newry, Co Down
Alliance double standards
I saw a Green Party councillor on television rightly ask for a more humane way of dealing with the goose population near George Best Airport. The method used is to make a hole in the egg, then inject the unborn chick with oil to kill it.
The Greens, however, demand a similar method be introduced here to deal with our unborn human children.
Which do the Greens value most – baby geese or baby humans?
Why the double standards?
JOHN AUSTIN
Limavady, Co Derry
Leaving strategy
Economist Yanis Varoufakis has stated that leaving the EU is like the Eagles song Hotel California – you can check out anytime you like, but leaving is much more difficult. Is this simply not confirmation that Ireland, like the UK should never have joined back in 1973?
M CAIRNS
Belfast BT15
