What was really surprising, though, was his reason for quitting. Kent wrote on Twitter that he couldn’t continue because he believed Trump’s assault on Iran was unnecessary, saying that Tehran posed “… no immediate threat to our nation…” adding that the conflict was launched “… due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby…”.
Not that such a trenchant criticism — and indeed exposĂ© — of the USA’s blood-soaked campaign of conquest in the Middle East was having any impact on the Irish delegation to the White House.
While America’s imperial master was absorbing the news that a one-time devotee (along with several other leading MAGA supporters) was causing a headache for the regime, his ego was being massaged by a kowtowing MicheĂ¡l Martin, sliding in to present Trump with a bowl of shamrock.
Amazingly, this crawling performance from the Taoiseach was reported by the Irish mass media as a successful day’s work. Not only had the Fianna FĂ¡il leader apparently managed to avoid antagonising the emperor but had even contrived to speak up for Britain’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
All of which missed the very real point that the photos of a simpering Martin alongside Donald Trump were effectively dismissing the murderous behaviour of US imperialism’s frontman. Ireland’s premier was greenwashing a cruel monster who had facilitated, if not actually supervised, genocide in Gaza, ordered an illegal and unprovoked attack on Iran that began with the massacre of 168 schoolgirls, and had ordered a savage blockade of the small Caribbean island that is Cuba.
In order to counter criticism of this revolting pandering in the White House, the coalition government promoted the excuse that the Republic is economically dependent on the goodwill of Trump. To antagonise the tanned autocrat, they said, would risk endangering US investment in the 26 Counties.
Notwithstanding the fact that acquiescing in this charade is morally repugnant, the reasoning underpinning the decision to “cuddle up” with the US empire is flawed — and dangerously so.
In the first instance, it is widely accepted, even by free-market economists, that the Republic’s government should be seeking to diversify the economy away from its over-dependency on a few US multinational companies. Last month a study¹ delivered by Professor Alan Ahearne of UCG stated that this degree of reliance was “… a structural vulnerability of the Irish economy which public policy should seek to address.”
The reason MicheĂ¡l Martin and his coalition cronies refuse to instigate a different economic policy is not due to being unaware of the need to do so. Their motivation arises from a determination to preserve the current class structures. Not antagonising Trump also extends to endorsing the US model of capitalism with its rule by the wealthy privileged few.
By the same token, the warm words for Keir Starmer (and Winston Churchill!) were designed to embed still further the southern Irish state within the imperialist sphere. To achieve this end the old Empire, on which the sun has now set, was recently invited to send its navy back into the Republic’s territorial waters.
Last month the Financial Times reported² that during a meeting in Cork, Martin and Starmer agreed a “defence and security pact” which would, in a statement issued later from Downing Street, mean that “… both countries have … committed to completing a series of joint exercises…”. The article continued by saying that the Irish government has recently unveiled a maritime security strategy involving working closely with the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, composed of ten NATO members.
Taken together, we have a situation whereby the government in Dublin is seen to have a servile relationship with US imperialism and its despotic president. Any doubts about the nature of the connection are set aside by the granting of Shannon Airport for use by the American military.
When this fact is considered in tandem with the Irish state joining a NATO expeditionary force led by Britain, it is not remotely credible to claim the country is neutral. In reality it has to be accepted that the 26 Counties is a participant in the imperialist world order and is, moreover, seen to be so. The implications of such a stance are obvious. In the event of a global conflict, Ireland is a target. And all this done to maintain an economic system that preserves existing class structures and the privilege it provides for the few.
For the sake of decency and for the protection of the people it is imperative that we remove the current ruling class and its capitalist programme and, in its place, establish a Workers’ Republic.
While America’s imperial master was absorbing the news that a one-time devotee (along with several other leading MAGA supporters) was causing a headache for the regime, his ego was being massaged by a kowtowing MicheĂ¡l Martin, sliding in to present Trump with a bowl of shamrock.
Amazingly, this crawling performance from the Taoiseach was reported by the Irish mass media as a successful day’s work. Not only had the Fianna FĂ¡il leader apparently managed to avoid antagonising the emperor but had even contrived to speak up for Britain’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
All of which missed the very real point that the photos of a simpering Martin alongside Donald Trump were effectively dismissing the murderous behaviour of US imperialism’s frontman. Ireland’s premier was greenwashing a cruel monster who had facilitated, if not actually supervised, genocide in Gaza, ordered an illegal and unprovoked attack on Iran that began with the massacre of 168 schoolgirls, and had ordered a savage blockade of the small Caribbean island that is Cuba.
In order to counter criticism of this revolting pandering in the White House, the coalition government promoted the excuse that the Republic is economically dependent on the goodwill of Trump. To antagonise the tanned autocrat, they said, would risk endangering US investment in the 26 Counties.
Notwithstanding the fact that acquiescing in this charade is morally repugnant, the reasoning underpinning the decision to “cuddle up” with the US empire is flawed — and dangerously so.
In the first instance, it is widely accepted, even by free-market economists, that the Republic’s government should be seeking to diversify the economy away from its over-dependency on a few US multinational companies. Last month a study¹ delivered by Professor Alan Ahearne of UCG stated that this degree of reliance was “… a structural vulnerability of the Irish economy which public policy should seek to address.”
The reason MicheĂ¡l Martin and his coalition cronies refuse to instigate a different economic policy is not due to being unaware of the need to do so. Their motivation arises from a determination to preserve the current class structures. Not antagonising Trump also extends to endorsing the US model of capitalism with its rule by the wealthy privileged few.
By the same token, the warm words for Keir Starmer (and Winston Churchill!) were designed to embed still further the southern Irish state within the imperialist sphere. To achieve this end the old Empire, on which the sun has now set, was recently invited to send its navy back into the Republic’s territorial waters.
Last month the Financial Times reported² that during a meeting in Cork, Martin and Starmer agreed a “defence and security pact” which would, in a statement issued later from Downing Street, mean that “… both countries have … committed to completing a series of joint exercises…”. The article continued by saying that the Irish government has recently unveiled a maritime security strategy involving working closely with the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, composed of ten NATO members.
Taken together, we have a situation whereby the government in Dublin is seen to have a servile relationship with US imperialism and its despotic president. Any doubts about the nature of the connection are set aside by the granting of Shannon Airport for use by the American military.
When this fact is considered in tandem with the Irish state joining a NATO expeditionary force led by Britain, it is not remotely credible to claim the country is neutral. In reality it has to be accepted that the 26 Counties is a participant in the imperialist world order and is, moreover, seen to be so. The implications of such a stance are obvious. In the event of a global conflict, Ireland is a target. And all this done to maintain an economic system that preserves existing class structures and the privilege it provides for the few.
For the sake of decency and for the protection of the people it is imperative that we remove the current ruling class and its capitalist programme and, in its place, establish a Workers’ Republic.
 |
| Tommy McKearney is a left wing and trade union activist. He is author of The Provisional IRA: From Insurrection to Parliament. Follow on Twitter @Tommymckearney |
Agree with much of the sentiment but where has a "Worker's Republic" successfully worked out? Doesn't human nature always win out? Like Animal Farm?
ReplyDeleteThe extent to which the Repressive State Apparatuses would need to exist and function to curb entrepreneurial spirit flourishing would be so great that it would deprive the Workers Republic of its shine. That is a strategic and political problem that requires a solution which we on the Left have yet to come up with. Trying to kill the type of creativity that drives the profit motive seems like trying to kill the sex drive. Yet we are confronted with the irrepressible logic attributed to John Maynard Keynes that capitalism is: ‘the astonishing belief that the nastiest motives of the nastiest men somehow or other work for the best results in the best of all possible worlds’.
DeleteAs a strong advocate for wealth re-distribution, I often ponder on the problems of capitalism, my thoughts often conflict because, it seems that capitalism in theory does have certain merits, even if I'm discontent with the inevitable outcomes.
DeleteSome thoughts -
There needs to be more robust measures to counter insider trading, and a dismantling of many of the complicated financial instruments that exist, not to mention legal loopholes. Of course there are too many examples to list, but the comedian Trevor Noah once highlighted one such problem to do with
unrealised capital.
Ego is also something that lies at the heart of capitalism, and so many other problems. It is encouraged, promoted, and applauded. Caoimhin O’Muraile pointed out examples of the shameless promotion and applause in his last piece, although I don't recall ego being specified.
I think human society as a whole needs to curb the ego. Success should also not be perceived as being directly proportional to one's accumulation of wealth, nor should it be promoted as such. Greed and avarice should not be something to aspire to or be coveted.
Problems -
If the dismantling of financial instruments is not implemented globally, haven countries will remain.
How to globally advocate, promote, and educate a move away from ego and the idolatry of wealth, while ensuring the message is embraced as an organic cultural shift, fostering the necessary personal voluntary transformation, rather than imposing an indoctrinated ideology or enforced as dogma.
Further thoughts -
Could and/or would such an education and/or state of mind be embraced, absorbed and freely adopted by the masses?
Perhaps there is truth that there is no such thing as true altruism, and ego and greed will always prevail.
I certainly don't advocate the idea of a Borg-like hive, and I do think there should be certain protections for the individual against the collective.
Ultimately, a global paradigm shift in consciousness must occur. Yet big things can grow from small seeds. Perhaps inspiration can be drawn from those who would lead by example, which could serve as a catalyst for a conversion of values, and state of consciousness.
Matt - I am challenged by any suggestion that the type of society we seem to prefer might be achieved by anything other than the Borg Hive (had to check it out as I am not a Trekkie). Yet I could not imagine wanting to live in such a society - resonates too much of 1984. I have always viewed the world through a Marxian descriptive lens without ever being attracted to Marxist prescriptions.
DeleteIn 1981 I read The Desert Is Fertile by Helder Camara. He still swirls around in the mists of my mind as as an influence, and there are strong echoes of what he advocated in what you have said in your last para. He had developed this concept of Abrahamic minorities. I just wonder how far they can ripple out. I think what you suggests is the necessity for a Gramscian type shift in the societal common sense. Yet how do we get to it when that crucial qualification raised by you of the haven seems to operate as a veto?
Short answer - I don't know.
Long answer - I still don't know.
AM - I think the seeds are there. As to whether they can be carefully nurtured, cultivated to maturity, and eventually bear fruit, or whether they are to be drowned out by the thick rampant weeds, I also don't know, haha. But I think "I don't know" is okay. I think maybe acceptance of the concept alone might just open minds to the possibilities and lead those to seek and find answers.
DeleteThe Desert Is Fertile by Helder Camara
The name is somewhat familiar, but I'm unfamiliar with the book. I'll add it to my ever-growing list and hopefully get round to it sometime soon. Cheers for that Anthony, very much appreciated.
Sure many will have seen the visit as an obsequious charade, and there's truth in that Tommy - and yet others, a majority perhaps, will be minded of discression being the better part of valour. Alas, the gap between the idealists and the realists remains wide, and that unfortunately will remain so.
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't prominent irish Americans ( including Noraid supporters ) criticising American imperialism ? Tommy conveniently forgot to mention them .
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because their offspring are fully paid up members of the Yankee / Israeli murder machine . 20 % of the I D F are U S A citizens .