Leo should promote a symbol of real peace
RTÉ News reports that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar wore a shamrock poppy in the Dáil on November 7.
The wearing of the poppy is associated with British military imperial involvement in the First World War in which more than 18million people were killed and 23million wounded.
This was the most unjustified war in human history, but was justified at the time as ‘the war to end all wars’.
Far from achieving this, the war was the root cause of the Second World War, which exceeded even the depravity of WWI.
All the Irish men who perished in WWI died needlessly. And many of the Irish soldiers who fought in WWI killed many German soldiers whose deaths were also tragic and needless.
In reality the wearing of the red poppy tends to celebrate militarism, rather than commemorate those who needlessly died.
Ireland is once again being surreptitiously dragged into military alliances including the so-called NATO partnership for peace, European Battlegroups, and the EU naval Operation Sophia.
Like the period prior to WWI, imaginary enemies are being created in Eastern Europe to justify the militarisation of Europe, regardless of the reality that Russia is no longer the expansionist Soviet Union.
Ireland should be reinforcing its positive neutrality and promoting international peace, rather than helping to threaten international peace.
It would be far more appropriate for the Taoiseach to wear the white poppy of peace rather than the divisive and militaristic British red poppy. EDWARD HORGAN, Veterans for Peace Ireland, Castletroy, Co. Limerick.
...ALTHOUGH some here dislike the wearing of the poppy, it is useful to reflect on what it means throughout Britain where the tradition originated.
For most British people, of all faiths, colours and creeds, the poppy is simply a way of paying tribute to those men and women who died in the First and Second World Wars and other conflicts.
For them, it is certainly not a political or nationalistic statement nor is it point-scoring against the Germans. Neither does it reek of triumphalism. It is important to note the majority there dislike the way the poppy and Remembrance Sunday are hijacked by extremists – in the same way we frown on those who shamefully abuse the Tricolour.
PAT MURPHY, Dublin.
Handle with care
IN the light of the untimely death of the British politician Carl Sargeant, as reported in the Mail yesterday, Fiona Looney’s excellent piece on her experiences of real life in the workplace was a timely reminder that these important issues must be dealt with in a measured way – and that mere political correctness can have very tragic consequences. MARTIN MCDONALD,
via email.
Late Late no no
AS a rule, The Late Late Show is not part of my Friday night television viewing but last week while flicking through the channels I noticed one of my sporting heroes, jockey Kieren Fallon, on it and watched the programme for a few minutes.
The great man from Clare was featured as a guest to coincide with the publishing of his autobiography, but the interview by Ryan Tubridy was an insult to a sportsman who achieved so much in his riding career.
Some controversies were mentioned but little prominence was given to the big race victories and being champion flat racing jockey in Britain a few times.
The lack of respect shown to the high-profile guest is the latest good reason for continuing to ignore The Late Late Show.
The old films screened on TG4 on Friday nights hold a lot more appeal for this writer
NOEL COOGAN, Navan, Co. Meath.
Make the rich pay up
IT is not a democracy when those with money, power, influence or fame can subvert what should be morally and legally correct. Everyone should pay their fair share of tax.
It is also clear that despite the hand-wringing, politicians do not seem willing to engage with this problem. Only little people pay tax. I worked all my life, paid tax without complaint and never tried to evade my obligations, and am now paying tax on my pension.
RICHARD STEER, Hartlepool, Co. Durham. ...RECENT revelations appear to substantiate what I have many times written on creation of a new age of corporate feudalism in the world.
Such a development is facilitated by enormously powerful technology which rather than being used to provide full and plenty for the whole human race, is concentrated into ownership and manipulation by the few.
Not satisfied apparently with the enormous unprecedented wealth such technology generates, everything possible is done to withhold a rightful entitlement from society – although it is ordinary tax-compliant members of society who sustain the infrastructure and political stability necessary for generation of unprecedented wealth. PADRAIC NEARY, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.