Letters: As ‘No Kings' protest in US showed, the trick is to outclass the other side
This was no angry mob. It was peaceful, flag-waving and quietly patriotic. The slogans were about liberty, not vengeance; the symbols were constitutional, not cultural. In short, it looked like the America many of us grew up believing in.
And it worked. Donald Trump, who never likes to lose face, has already begun retreating on immigration, tariffs and foreign policy. His showy military parade flopped.
What this tells us – and what Irish eyes might take from it – is that dignity and discipline in protest still carry weight. The trick is not to outshout your opponents, but to outclass them.
In Ireland we know a thing or two about resisting authority, but we also know that it's public opinion, not public fury, that ultimately shifts the ground.
This is not just a moment of American resistance – it may be the quiet revival of the democratic centre.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Occupied Territories Bill must happen now if we really want to help Gaza
The outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Iran must not distract from Ireland's efforts to help the people of Gaza.
While we look on aghast, world leaders are constrained by commercial interests or strategic alliances. Over centuries, Ireland has demonstrated an ability to overcome such constraints.
During a visit to Ireland in 2022, Hagai El-Ad, the former head of B'Tselem, Israel's great human rights organisation, said this country has a major influence on international humanitarian affairs, disproportionate to its size. Since then, Ireland has failed his region.
The Occupied Territories Bill 2018 (OTB) refines public empathy into practical impact. Its peaceful innovation should have long been shared with the world. However, in 2020 it was blocked by the Government. Unjustified delay has followed, despite the bill having gained large majority support in the Seanad, Dáil and among the electorate.
ADVERTISEMENT
Learn more
On May 27, the Tánaiste's comments in the Dáil on reintroducing the bill hinted at its fundamental dilution. At Gaza's 11th hour, Ireland cannot support such futility or further unnecessary delay.
Rumoured external pressures on public representatives might best be shared with the electorate. Threats of legal challenges to this patently peaceful bill can be confidently faced later, if they arise. Similarly, parliamentary voting on the bill should surely be votes of conscience, away from the party whip system?
Ireland's obligation to serve the innocents of Palestine is also at the 11th hour.
Philip Powell, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin
Garda who came out as gay is a real inspiration to all who celebrate Pride
How refreshing it is to hear a gay man say 'Our sexuality, whatever it is, is a proud part of us all, but it doesn't, nor should it, define us' and 'Just be yourself and be proud of your sexuality. Don't shy away from it' ('Top garda who was married with children before coming out as gay says 'Be yourself and be proud of your sexuality'', June 16).
Compare this with the recent diatribe in the Sunday Independent from author John Boyne, who has become disdainful as he gets older. Fair play to GRA president Mark O'Meara, whose words of wisdom are an inspiration to all who celebrate Pride month.
Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry
Despite the myth, Gaelic football was popular in Dublin's inner-city schools
In his review of RTÉ's Hell For Leather: The Story of Gaelic Football (June 9), Pat Stacey trots out the old story that no one in the Dublin 2 and 8 areas was interested in the sport when he was growing up in the Liberties in the 1970s.
I beg to differ. Within distance of where Mr Stacey lived were Francis Street and Synge Street Christian Brothers schools. Football and hurling were played in both schools.
There had always been some interest in the Dublin senior football team, even through some unforgettable years. When Kevin Heffernan and the Dubs reached the promised land in 1974, the spark was rekindled, and it still burns brightly to this day.
Perhaps Mr Stacey was too busy watching TV shows or movies to have noticed this.
Ray Healy, Dublin 11
Alone does tremendous work in helping elderly people have a dignified life
I would like to commend and applaud the sterling service of Alone, the national organisation that provides services to older people who need support at home.
The organisation also focuses on those who have difficulties by supporting them and linking them in with local services, thereby providing them with the support they need to live at home for as long as possible.
A recent report by the charity revealed how important community support is for older people and showed a clear reduction in healthcare use and improved quality of life.
The research found that community support enables older people to live with dignity at home. This itself highlights how the services of Alone are transforming the experience of ageing in Ireland.
This support can encompass a wide range of services, including help with daily tasks, access to health care and opportunities for social engagement. Thank you to Alone for all the support it provides to the elderly of this country.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
EU needs to ask the big questions of itself over financial help for Ukraine
With the US cancelling military aid to Ukraine, the question now is: Can the EU step up to the plate and fill the void?
In recent months, Europe delivered the fifth tranche of its macro financial assistance loan to Ukraine, which is worth a total of €18bn. But this is a drop in the ocean compared with Russia's $160bn (€138bn) spend on defence this year alone.
The irony is that the EU is dependent on Russian energy sources and provides Putin with €20bn a year to support Moscow's war machine. Europe makes a lot of noise and promises much, but long-term delivery is another matter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland closing embassy in Tehran amid 'deteriorating situation'
The Irish government has decided to relocate its embassy staff out of Tehran amid what the Tanaiste described as a "deteriorating situation" in the region. It comes after Israel and Iran exchanged further strikes a week into the conflict. Simon Harris, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, said: "My department has been closely engaged on the situation in Iran and the continuing conflict between Israel and Iran. "In recent days, I have discussed this dangerous situation with European and regional counterparts, and have been regularly updated on the important work of our embassy teams on the ground, who are providing support and assistance to Irish citizens across the region. "I have become increasingly concerned about the operational environment for our embassy in Tehran, and the ability of our diplomatic staff to perform their functions safely. "In light of the deteriorating situation, following consultation with my officials and in close consultation and co ordination with EU partners, I have decided to temporarily relocate our personnel from Tehran." Mr Harris said the decision was not taken lightly, adding that arrangements have been made for the embassy to continue its operations from Dublin. Staff at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters have assumed the embassy's consular functions and remain in contact with the "small number of Irish citizens remaining in Iran". Mr Harris said the arrangements will continue until it is possible for Irish personnel to return to Iran. He said: "I would like to thank ambassador Laoise Moore and her team for their professionalism and public service operating under very challenging circumstances." The department's travel advice remains that Irish citizens should not undertake travel to Iran. Citizens who live there and who wish to leave are advised to consider departing through one of the land borders that is open, as long as it remains safe to do so. Mr Harris said those who may be concerned about the wellbeing of friends or family located in Iran can contact the consular team at +353 (0)1 408 2527 (or +353 (0)1 408 2000 out of hours). He added: "My hope is that a diplomatic solution can be found to resolve this conflict, without further escalation or further loss of life in Iran or in Israel. "I continue to call for restraint and de-escalation by both Israel and Iran." Mr Harris will discuss the latest developments in the conflict at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘Putin has blood on his hands' blasts MEP as Irish mother seeks answers about son's death in Russian air strike
Liam Cosgrove Today at 06:00 Russian president Vladimir Putin has been accused of having the blood of a Reuters news employee with strong links to the midlands 'on his hands' as his Irish born mother desperately seeks answers over the circumstances which led up to his death. Thirty-eight-year-old Ryan Evans was working as a safety adviser with news agency Reuters when a missile struck the hotel he had been staying in with colleagues in the city of Kramatorsk on August 24 last year.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Pakistan says it will nominate Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
The Pakistani government has said it will nominate US president Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize , a move that may have as much to do with annoying rival India as it does with building stronger ties to Washington. The recommendation is being made for Trump's 'decisive intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis', according to a social media post on Saturday by Pakistan's government. Trump's 'robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi' served to de-escalate 'a rapidly deteriorating situation, ultimately securing a ceasefire and averting a broader conflict', according to a separate statement from Pakistan's embassy in the US. The move is likely to irritate Indian officials, who were caught off guard when Trump announced the ceasefire in a conflict that erupted in April following a terrorist attack in Kashmir. India blamed the attack on Pakistan, which rejected the accusation, and the two sides' militaries skirmished in the aftermath. READ MORE Pakistan officials celebrated Trump's announcement, while officials in Indian prime minister Narendra Modi 's government seethed. India has rejected Trump's claims that US mediation or the prospects of a trade deal helped defuse tensions with Pakistan. Modi rebutted many of those claims directly in a call with Trump this week. But in saying it would nominate Trump – who met Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir this week – Islamabad has suggested it understands how to assuage the American president. Government of Pakistan Recommends President Donald J. Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal… — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) Trump has long grumbled about the fact that his first-term predecessor, Barack Obama , won the Nobel Prize in 2009 – a controversial decision that came before Obama surged US troops in Afghanistan. Nonetheless, Trump has repeatedly said over the years that it's an accolade he, too, deserves. During a speech last year, Trump said: 'If I were named Obama, I would have had the Nobel Prize given to me in 10 seconds'. The American leader was back at it late Friday, issuing a lengthy post saying he merited the award – which recipients typically don't lobby for – for easing tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, keeping the peace between Egypt and Ethiopia and getting some Middle East countries to establish relations with Israel. Then he said it didn't necessarily matter if he won the prize because 'the people know and that's all that matters to me!'. – Bloomberg
