Dean Is Correct

I WRITE in response John Rogers letter in last week’s issue titled “Don’t Do Dean.” Mr. Rogers seems to believe that the Irish Voice has become the mouthpiece of Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Well, I seriously doubt that’s true, but if it is, let me say it’s high time. I’m fairly sick of listening to those on the far right constantly maligning Mr. Dean for his “outrageous” statements.
The funny thing is, Dean was pretty much on the money every time. He said President Bush made a huge mistake invading Iraq. Polls show most Americans now agree (a bit late for all those who already died or were hurt, but better late than never, I guess).
Dean also said capturing Saddam didn’t make us any safer. Considering the fact that over 1,600 American troops have died since we captured Saddam (compared to the 400 or so that died before we got him), that statement seems unarguable.
Dean said Tom DeLay was a crook. Anybody care to debate that one?
Dean also said recently that we can’t win in Iraq. History will judge that statement, but I’m willing to bet Iraq will be seen as an ill considered, poorly executed debacle.
It seems that the more truth Dean speaks, the louder some Republicans complain. For too long their hubris and power kept the press under the thumb of the administration, and there was little or no real questioning of the administration.
Well, thankfully it seems the third estate is finally awake and asking questions. Just in time too, it appears, as our president now seems to believe he is a crowned king with unlimited powers, and not an elected official at all.
No man or woman is above the law, least of all the president, who is bound and sworn to uphold the law of the land — not to twist and distort it to suit his wishes.
Terrible foreign blunders compounded by the breathtaking corruption on so many levels in this government leave one wondering why Americans are so apathetic. Are we really so easily frightened that September 11 can be constantly used to justify everything this administration has done for years on end?
Do we really honor the memory of those who died by living in fear and giving control of everything to the executive branch, becoming a kind of Orwellian society? I think not.

Mary O’Sullivan
Yonkers, New York

Give Terrorists to Irish

A TERRORIST attack spilled biological agents throughout the metropolitan area of Dublin on Tuesday, killing scores. It is estimated that hundreds will die by the time the agent is identified and a cure is available to negate the effects of the virus which attacks the central nervous system leading to paralysis and death.
Thousands marched throughout Ireland on Wednesday when it was learned the Irish government had a suspected terrorist in custody that had detailed knowledge of the attack, but failed to pressure him citing mandatory humane treatment of all detainees.
True? No, but I bet I know who would lead the parade of those criticizing the government for not beating the hell out of the terrorist who knew when, where and how the attack was to be conducted.
Why don’t I read about the outrage from these people when a terrorist victim is decapitated? Or 30 people are blown up while sipping coffee in Starbucks? Would the do-gooders feel the same way if the Number 10 from Donnybrook to the Pillar was blown up?
So what if the U.S. is flying terrorists through Shannon? Maybe they should drop a few off and give the self-righteous do-gooders in Ireland something to really think about.

Jerry Hoosier
Orange, California

Who Is Spain to Talk?

LAST week’s John Spain column titled “Silence of the Wolves” was full of innuendo and half-truth, the worst kind of gutter journalism.
Frankly I am appalled that a reputable Irish American newspaper would descend to this level by allowing an imbecile like Spain to rant and rave in its pages. Do you really think the views promulgated by Spain are shared by your advertisers ?
Who is John Spain? Does he have any pride in being Irish or is he Irish at all?
Does he accept that for 500 years England attempted to subjugate Ireland in the most brutal fashion, and the only thing the English understand is the gun? Where did he live during the Troubles?
Has he any idea what it was like being a Catholic in the North during the struggle with British thuggery evident at every corner? (Note the European Court of Human Rights have ruled repeatedly against the British for human rights abuses).
Look at internment, at lawyer Pat Finucane’s murder, at lawyer Rosemary Nelson’s murder. Everywhere you look you will see the dirty hand of British intelligence.
Being cynical one could suppose that Spain is only tolerated since the Irish Voice likes the controversy, or the paper has a misguided belief that controversy helps sell newspapers. Surely some editorial oversight is essential to ensure accuracy.
The democracy in the “free state that Spain lauds is the one that has seen tens of millions spent on tribunals, proving beyond doubt that the entire system is rotten to the core.
Irish Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s job is to uphold the law and not take shortcuts with confidential information for political gain.
The entire episode of Guantanamo and U.S. involvement in Palestine in the Middle East is a total disgrace. The British tried policies like that in the North.
Anyone with a head on them can see that American foreign policy is a complete mess. The country is clearly in the grip of Mad Cowboy Disease.
Yes, the IRA fought the British, and yes, there were civilian casualties. That is inevitable in any war.
For ten years now Sinn Fein has fought electoral wars against constant government gerrymandering. I believe the North is the only country in Europe to demand yearly voter registration.
People are voting for Sinn Fein in increasing numbers. This cannot be hidden no matter how much the refusniks would like them to go away.
The reality is that people like Spain are afraid to accept the political reality. Obviously he does not read the papers and so is not aware that the so called Stormont spy ring was, once again, British dirty tricks.
In Spain, the blame falls mainly on the sane.

Des Donnelly
East Durham, New York

British Crimes

THE only good thing to emerge from the fiasco of the “On the Runs” legislation is the implicit admission by the British government that its forces have committed crimes in Ireland for which they have not been brought to justice.
Hopefully those who have now recognized that British forces have been involved in murder, torture and collusion will now give full support to the families of the victims who have struggled to achieve justice since the first killings in 1969.
I suggest a good starting point would be to ascertain if any of the killers of Samuel Devenny and 9-year-old Patrick Rooney in 1969; the killers of children like Julie Livingstone and women like Nora McCabe with plastic bullets; and those Special Branch members who colluded in the killing of Pat Finucane and hundreds of others are now in the ranks of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Dessie Ellis
Dublin, Ireland

Keep It Clean

WE can but hope the players will not use any bad language lest they be banned or sent home during the tenure of Steve Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager. We know how “upset” he was when Roy Keane allegedly used a few expletives in Saipan.
No doubt the players will be warned not to use lingo which could see Staunton taking drastic action should his “sensitivities” be assailed.

Robert O’Sullivan
Bantry, Co. Cork
Ireland