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Davy Clinton ✒ Another Easter Sunday. 

110 years from the Rising and no closer to the Republic.

Today as on many other days my thoughts are with our dead Volunteers from every era who fought for freedom. 

Those who confronted Strongbow in 1169 right through the centuries including the United Irishmen and the Fenians, the men of ‘16 and the War of Independence, and those betrayed after that war. 

To all those who kept the flame alive in the 30’s 40’s 50’s and 60’s. To men and women of our own generation who confronted the Unionist state and their paymasters in London. 

Our Volunteers never acted in a vacuum and I pay tribute to all those who supported them through every generation . . . those whose names will rarely be heard but without whom resistance wouldn’t have been possible. 

Those civilians were the backbone of our struggle. I remember too the families of our dead Volunteers, those left to grieve for decades and many in wonder as to what their soldier sons and daughters died for. 

Thinking too of Republican prisoners across the country who are no less political prisoners than we were. 

Today I remember comrades who did not die in action but are getting old and sick and whose numbers lessen each year. They were the bravest of the brave. The best, most decent people I met in my life were met through Republicanism.

I try never at Easter time to single out individual Volunteers from our generation for their sacrifice but I’m sure you will allow me to mention my dear sister-in-law Theresa murdered by Loyalists on 14th April 1994. Her memory is with me always.

Onward to the Republic

Up the Rebels.

⏩Davy Clinton is a life long Glasgow Celtic supporter. 

No Closer To The Republic

Dr John Coulter ✍ Today is Easter Monday and the official start of this year’s traditional marching season. 

The various republican factions use this Easter period to commemorate the failed Dublin Rising in 1916.

But one element of the republican commemorations makes me cringe every year - the poor standard of marching by the various colour parties.

As someone who has grown up with the Christian movement, the Boys’ Brigade (BB), squad drill and marching were key elements of our activities. The highlight of the annual BB calendar was the company display when parents, relatives and friends would gather in the church hall to see a range of items - including drill.

One of the toughest BB badges I completed in the Seventies was known as the Second Stage Drill. It comprised 12 weeks of BB battalion classes, followed by an exam on squad drill.

We were taught how to march, both quick and slow, right and left wheel, attention and stand at ease. So any time I see a parade of any kind involving marching, especially if it contains a colour party carrying flags, I’m always interested in how they conduct themselves.

This year, God Willing, I clock up 48 years in journalism - most of it in Northern Ireland - and I’ve reported on my fair share of parades, both loyalist and republican.

But there have been times when I’ve had to bite my tongue when reporting on republican parades when I see the quality - or lack of it - in the marching techniques of the colour parties.

Maybe its because many in republican colour parties like to wear sunglasses and cannot see how they are marching. Firstly, there needs to be consistency in the dress codes of the colour parties.

Everyone in a colour party should be dressed in the same attire - so make up your minds, are you wearing sunglasses, a beret, a jacket, or shirt and tie, shoes or black boots? You can’t mix and match when on parade, otherwise you’ll just look like a punk rock band.

Now, when it comes to your flags, decide whether the colours will be held straight up or at half mast. If you insist on carrying an Irish tricolour, make your mind up that its place is in the front of the colour party. It should only be dipped when passing a memorial.

But it’s the marching that really irks me. Why do republican colour parties insist on stamping their feet as they supposedly march? You are marching, not trying to squash a bug on the ground.

March properly, taking clear steps - and stop that silly habit of slamming your left foot on the ground; it makes you look totally amateurish. And tell the members of the colour party to all keep in step, and hold the flags with the same hand, with the other hand swinging as your march.

Journalism has taken me around many unusual corners over the years. Perhaps one of the most amusing was when I was covering a republican parade and a republican councillor, who knew about my BB experience, politely asked me to judge the bands!

It brought back memories of BB battalion drill competitions in the Seventies when, as companies, we would march in step to see which one of us was the best. There was also stiff competition to see who would also be the best drill sergeant giving orders to the boys on parade.

There have been times when reporting on republican parades that I’ve been tempted to say to the colour party - hold on lads, this is how it should be done! Obviously, common sense would tell me to keep my mouth shut, and quietly tut-tut to myself.

Then again, are republican colour parties trying to make a political point by not marching like the British military or loyalist band colour parties. Maybe the left foot stamp as they ‘march’ is really a republican two-fingers up to the concept of proper drilling.

Perhaps I should donate a trophy for the best republican colour party on parade which can actually march in step, look professional, and especially hold their flags at the proper angle?

Before BB competitions, we would practice our squad drill in the church hall for weeks on end. Perhaps the republican colour party members could take a leaf out of the BB drill book and take time to practice their marching.

As a BB traditionalist who still believes in the role of drill in the movement, I’m available for any republican colour party who needs a drill sergeant. In the meantime, a happy Easter to all and I live in hope that I will witness a good, precise and professional example of republican colour party marching this year.
 
Follow Dr John Coulter on Twitter @JohnAHCoulter
John is a Director for Belfast’s Christian radio station, Sunshine 1049 FM. 

Republicans Need To Put Their Best Foot Forward This Easter

Lynx By Ten To The Power Of One Thousand Nine Hundred And Thirty Three

 

A Morning Thought @ 3108

Anthony McIntyre ⚽I wan't sure if I would turn up for this one. 


Annoyed at the treatment of Joanna Byrne by the owners my instinct was to flip the bird in their direction. In the end I returned to watch the Drogs while still sharing the middle finger with Trivela, and remaining steadfastly in favour of Ms Byrne being reinstated as Joint Chairperson. I already have a season ticket so the owners don't get a cent more by my going or a cent less by my staying away. 

Those fellow Drogs supporters that I have spoken with and who are resolutely opposed to Israeli genocide, believe that there are options open to fans unhappy with the Trivela cancel culture which don't necessitate missing games. Joanna Byrne herself is refusing to walk away and has committed to returning to the terraces to cheer on her team. Little point in going it alone and becoming the Enoch Burke of Drogheda United, standing outside home fixtures with my badge strewn beanie like some sandwich board Jeremiah in Dublin's Henry Street entreating the sinners to repent, the end is nigh! When I told Paddy about my Enoch disinclination, he burst out laughing, reinforcing my view that aversion not conversion is the better option.  More collective deliberation will undoubtedly take place, and and we shall see what the future brings. 

With the clocks having jumped forward an hour, it was pleasant to drive across town on a bright sunny evening. As we took our seats the glare from the sun made us long for baseball caps with their peaks  rather than the Drogs beanies we were wearing. Just on cue, as kickoff was about to commence, the sun disappeared behind the stand across the pitch from us. Vision perfect, we settled in for the game against the league leaders, Bohemians. 

My beanie was slightly heavier this week, increasingly weighing more like a helmet than a hat. My neighbour and his son had just returned from Anfield having watched the 2-2 draw between the Legends and Dortmund, and had thoughtfully picked up a badge for me on Merseyside, which I squeezed in beside one of Diego Jota at the front of the beanie.  

Just prior to disembarking from the car, I had asked Jay for his prediction. When he said 0-0, I reminded him that he had predicted a draw in the previous game and was on the money. This time he not only forecast the outcome but called it right on the scoreless draw that was eventually served up. Maybe he was going on form, the last two clashes between these sides also ending in draws.

On a nippy but not bitterly cold evening the Drogs were determined not to roll over in the face of the league leaders. Bohemians came to the game on an unbeaten run of nine games in which they had only conceded three goals. They would be very difficult to break down so it was important for the Drogs to prevent them scoring. From the outset the Claret and Blue were combative, almost taking the lead in the opening minutes only for Mark Doyle to do a Mo Salah in front of goal after being put through with a beautiful pass from Warren Davis that left the Bohs defence floundering and short of pace. The home fans gasped in disbelief but applauded the pass that almost made it happen.

Edwin Agbaje made one of the finest blocks the Premier Division is likely to see this season but almost ruined it minutes later when a careless back pass nearly handed victory to the Bohs. Dennison, last man standing, did just that, stood his ground and parried what looked a certain goal. 

When Shane Farrell, not long on the pitch as a sub, went to ground in the 87th minute few predicted the drama about to unfold as Good Friday turned bad very quickly. When the Bohs medical team raced to his side to assist their Drogs counterparts, a feeling of uneasiness set in. That type of intervention is normally not called for. When Coach Kevin Doherty was allowed onto the field by the referee, it was clear this was no ordinary injury. After around ten minutes Shane Farrell was stretchered off, oxygen mask covering his face, to a standing ovation. Fortunately, he was released from hospital the following day after an overnight stay. 

Once the injured player was safely off, the game resumed, the stoppage causing about ten minutes to be added on. Despite the setback and trauma at losing Shane Farrell, the Drogs steeled themselves. Agbaje's earlier heroics were repeated as the game drew to a close, this time with Warren Davis, I think, shutting down Zane Myers as he looked certain to find the net. The Drogs held on to secure a point. It was a better point for the home side than the visitors because as a result the Bohs have been overtaken on the outside lane by Pat's. Bohs sensing the threat to their poll position forced the referee to play poker with the amount of cards he handed out. Nine games in, ten points notched up, the Drogs now sit in seventh place. 

Tomorrow, night the Drogs host Galway. Neither Paddy nor I will be there. He is for Galway to celebrate his birthday while I have a long standing boozing arrangement in Dundalk with an old friend from the H-Blocks where we were part of the blanket protest for years although in separate blocks. Whiskey is much more pleasing to the palate than the H-Block dishwater which was served up as tea. Jay will fill in as the onsite cub match reporter. 

While the Shane Farrell incident was the most dispiriting aspect of the evening it was disappointing to once again see a flare ignite amongst the Ultras. It had been hoped that after a child sustained a facial injury as a result of a flare at Oriel Park a few weeks back, that never again would they make an appearance as part of fan culture. Despite enhanced security measures, flares somehow still get through. That being so, it is essentially down to the to the Ultras to manage their own turf and ensure safety for all. 

Most important of all, Shane Farrell is out of hospital and on the mend. That was the evening's real victory . . . for both sides.

⏩Follow on Bluesky.

Drogs ⚽ Bohs ⚽ Good Friday


Azar Majedi  & Yassamine Mather🎤 take the political temperature in Iran as it resists assault from US imperialism and Nazi Israel. 

The interview took place one day before military attacks on Iran, and explores the situation in Iran, the January protests and possible outcomes: war, regime change, Balkanisation of Iran. 

The interview was carried out by Dorna, an Iranian/German leftist.


⏩ Asar Majed is the Chairperson of Organisation for Women’s Liberation.

The Bloody January Uprising, The War And What Does Future Hold For Iran?

The Guardian ★ Written by . Recommended by Tony Roche.


The brutalisation of global norms by figures like Pete Hegseth must be seen as an ethical issue. It’s a fight against chaos, and all major religions must play a role.

That combative old hymn, Onward Christian Soldiers, is not much heard these days, though it was once a favourite with church congregations and school assemblies. Written in 1865 by Sabine Baring-Gould, an English clergyman and religious scholar, its belligerent refrain urges the faithful on to battle, victory and conquest: “Onward, Christian soldiers / Marching as to war / With the cross of Jesus / Going on before!” 

Its martial tone suited the Victorian zeitgeist but it made succeeding generations uneasy (though it was still sung in my primary school in the early 1960s). Nowadays, this sort of triumphalism gives religion a bad name.

Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, and a leading Christian soldier, would certainly disagree. He probably hums it on his way to work. 

At a recent Christian worship service in the Pentagon – an irregular event, given the constitution’s dislike of anything smacking of state religion – Hegseth, referencing Iran, prayed for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy”. 

Continue @ Guardian.

As Team Trump Wage Unceasing War On Iran, Evangelical Nationalists Are Destroying Any Moral World Order We Once Had

Independent ★ Written by Brendan Rascius.


This week, Hegseth prayed that ‘wicked souls’ be ‘delivered to the eternal damnation’ in the fight against Iran

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has upended long‑standing norms by repeatedly invoking his religious faith, blurring the line between church and state in a way that has become particularly pronounced amid the Iran war, according to a new report.

Hegseth — who has a large Jerusalem cross tattooed across his chest — has long worn his Evangelical faith on his sleeve in a manner that has unsettled some military officials.

The former Fox News host has said that the U.S. was “founded as a Christian nation” and that it “remains a Christian nation in our DNA, if we keep it.” He’s also hosted Pentagon worship services that legal experts have branded “unprecedented,” The Washington Post reports. One faith leader invited to preach to servicemembers has said women shouldn’t be allowed to vote.

Hegseth’s proselytizing has drawn heightened scrutiny in connection with the U.S.–Israeli war against Iran, which has now stretched into its second month and shows no signs of abating, according to the Post.

During a press briefing on March 19, he encouraged viewers to pray for the success of U.S. troops in the Middle East.

Continue @ Independent.

Pete Hegseth Is Changing The Way The Pentagon Handles Faith 🪶 Some In The Military Are Finding It ‘Terrifying,’ Report Says

Right Wing Watch 👀Written By Peter Montgomery.


Anti-abortion leaders are cheering legislation introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley to ban the distribution and use of mifepristone, a medication used in most abortions in the U.S.

Anti-abortion groups have been frustrated that women living in states that banned abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade have been able to access abortion medication by mail. They have been urging the Trump administration to withdraw a more than 20-year-old FDA approval for the drug’s use. Anti-abortion activists were outraged when in October 2025 the FDA approved a second generic version of the drug. Under pressure, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr., announced a review of the drug’s safety.

Hawley apparently got tired of waiting for the administration to act. And he wants Congress to take the decision out of the FDA’s hands. After his press conference announcing the legislation on Wednesday, Hawley spoke with the Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins. “If Congress says we’re gonna take mifepristone off the market for abortion, that’s how it’s gonna be,” Hawley said. “No future liberal administration will be able to roll that back. It will be in the law.”

Continue @ RWW.

Religious Right Cheers Josh Hawley Bill To Criminalize Abortion Medication

Lynx By Ten To The Power Of One Thousand Nine Hundred And Thirty Two

 

Pastords @ 38

 

A Morning Thought @ 3107

Anthony McIntyre ☠ Often, when I write about the attitude of the UK state to the genocide in Gaza, I focus on the role of Der Starmer.

At the very outset of the worst crime in the statute book Starmer approved the use of war crimes against a civilian population and has pointedly refused to call Israel out on its genocidal actions, instead arming the fiend so that it might maintain its military structure of domination and destruction. 

But Starmer did not magically appear in some Garden of Eden moment where he succeeded in a way that the mythical Adam did not: refusing to succumb to the charms of the strategically created wily serpent of Islamism. Starmer's arrival was the process of a long evolutionary trait within an institution usefully termed by Nicos Poulantzas as an Ideological State Apparatus, the British Labour Party.  Ludicrously, this body has on occasion been described as the party of organised labour. That's on a par with describing Jimmy Savile as the protector of children.

In a recent article, attention is drawn to this evolutionary process by the Guardian columnist Owen Jones who lashed the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for his smear against the political left in Britain that it is part of an unholy alliance with Islamists . . .  that snake thing in the Garden of Eden again. The Great Liar of London broadened his observation to include the charge that the left's supposed embrace of Islamism was a manifestation of antisemitism.

Blair's real concern is the growing opposition to Israel which he sees mounting in the UK. Like Starmer, Blair is eager to deflect the charge of genocide away from Israel, trying to reduce it to a mere “barb particularly aimed at Jewish memories of the Holocaust”. Owen Jones asks for proof, stating:

Extraordinary accusations require extraordinary evidence. Yet unlike with his illegal war on Iraq, our former prime minister has not even troubled himself to assemble a dodgy dossier . . . What of the pre-eminent Israeli scholars of genocide who have reached precisely that conclusion, such as Omer Bartov, Amos Goldberg, Daniel Blatman, Shmuel Lederman and Raz Segal? Are these distinguished Jewish academics, who dedicate their lives to studying genocide, diminishing the charge and targeting Jewish distress over the Holocaust?

Shmuel Lederman, the prominent Israeli Genocide scholar referred to by Jones, identifies why so many people are opposed to Israel, and it is not because of its Jewishness:

Much of Israeli society either participated in it actively or gave it legitimacy . . . the majority of Israeli politicians criticising Netanyahu are not doing so on moral grounds—they're talking about hostages or tactical failures . . .  The dehumanisation and demonisation of Palestinians has been ongoing for a long time in Israel—especially when it comes to Gaza . . . For many young people, mocking the suffering in Gaza is almost a form of entertainment, revenge.

In case we forget, Tony Blair is a war criminal responsible for the crimes against humanity inflicted in Iraq. Along with George Bush he lied for the purposes of starting a war which resulted in the exponential growth of the Islamism he so ineloquently rails against.

Now he serves on the Orwellian named Gaza Board of Peace, an institution created by another GOP warmongering president. Moreover,  a Guardian article from 2023 showed the Tony Blair Institute continuing to milk the government of Saudi Arabia for cash after the regime had murdered in its own embassy in Turkey, the dissident journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, When homicidal Islamists are filling Blair's coffers they metamorphize into alright sort of guys, the type who are good for business.


Jones is unrelenting in his castigation of Blair:

Let’s be clear. If there were not a single Muslim in Britain, the left would still oppose Israel’s actions just as forcefully. And what Blair will not confront is that this position reflects mainstream public opinion. A recent poll found as low as 12% of Britons support Israel’s actions in Gaza, while an overwhelming majority supports an arms embargo on Israel, sanctions and the arrest of its leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, for war crimes.

In all of this I am reminded of an old joke:

A Labour Party member dies and goes to Heaven, where she meets St Peter:

Labour Party member:  What are all those clocks behind you?

St Peter: Each clock is for every human being born. It keeps a record of their honesty.

Labour Party member: Explain that.

St Peter: The hands of that clock closest to us have never moved. It belongs to Mother Teresa. She never told a lie. The next clock shows that the hands have only moved twice. That belongs to Abraham Lincoln. He only lied on two occasions.

Labour Party member: Where is Tony Blair's clock?

St Peter: Oh, that, we use it as a ceiling fan. 

When the powerful smear the powerless for the purpose of providing cover for genocide, no need to show them the door. The ceiling will do just fine.

⏩Follow on Bluesky.

The Great Liar Of London

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