Re: Re-sectarianism-for John Buckman

Date: 4th Aug '02

Name: john buckman

Country: ireland

Just before I deal with your points I have to say I again find myself defending the republican movement against people unwilling to pin their own colours to the mast by saying what alternative they represent. Maybe you could do that and I can have a go at the record of whoever it is you represent? I bet it is not half as good as the record of the republican movement or you would be shouting about it. Anyway- It is not that sectarianism is not in the interests of republicans of course it isnt but rather that we abhor it for what it is narrow, reactionary etc etc when we on the other hand are forward looking revolutionaries looking to create a socialist republic based on equality and inclusiveness of all traditions. Secondly and even more importantly loyalist paramilitaries are not a result of Kingsmill type own goals by the IRA. They are a wing of the British war machine in Ireland, a consequence of the war and the attempt by loyalists to keep the nationalists down. Further they are clearly a classic counterrevolutionary reactionary force, and are state sponsored for that reason. If the IRA had conducted their revolutionary struggle without a single civilian casualty there would still be a UVF, Billy Wright or someone like him etc etc. Of course certain actions of the IRA led to certain people joining the loyalist paramilitary groups at specific times but you cant BLAME the IRA for the existence of people like Billy Wright. This is exactly the type of thinking the original post was designed to adress the idea of tit for tat actions in a war largely of loyalists against republicans. The war was never like that the republicans war was with the British the loyalists war was against the IRA and it was the IRA which responded to their war. Similarely the situation in Belfast at present is, with the exeption of a few kids throwing stones on the odd occasion, one way traffic and orchestrated to derail the peace process. NOTHING the IRA have done in anyway led to the recent deaths. That was the purpose of my post, your agenda is clear.

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