Always question the establishment

On the 20th of February 2012 a representative from the Sheriff's department arrived at the family home of an Irishman in county Laois who had fallen on hard times and was unable to keep on top of mortgage payments to Ulster Bank. The Deputy Sheriff, Mr.Pat Dunne was accompanied by two members of An Garda Síochána. At first, the senior Gardaí seem startled when questioned if they were acting under their oath. Their sole purpose was to oversee the safety of Mr.Dunne as he attempted to unlawfully evict the resident who had fallen victim of the recession which has besieged Ireland. The Deputy Sheriff's aim was to repossess the house and give the keys to the bank in Portlaoise, showing no remorse in putting another Irish family onto the streets.

However, unexpected to Mr.Dunne and the authorities, a group of people had gathered at the dwelling. A group of law abiding citizens who represented a vast array of organisations such as, http://DefendOurHomesLeague.ie, http://ItsNotOurDebt.com, and the newly formed political alliance, http://www.unitedleftalliance.org/. The ULA are a newly formed alliance consisting of members of the Socialist Party which was under the leadership of T.D Joe Higgins but not making significant progress on it's own, a handful of smaller parties such as People Before Profit Alliance, also gathering support from a handful of Independent T.D's and represents some smaller left/far left parties who do not currently have seats in the current Dáil Éireann.

Speaking on behalf of the homeowner who was at risk of eviction was Ben Gilroy. Mr.Gilroy is an integral member of the coalition comprising of many educated activist groups protesting against property repossession from ordinary members of the public. The aims of Mr.Gilroy and this coalition is to educate people in the lawful challenge of debt, inform them of their constitutional rights, and to lawfully challenge evictions. 

If anybody knows of anyone who's situation has become so poorly that they may face eviction, it is of paramount importance that they are made aware of the aforementioned groups. They can contact these organisations in order to obtain legal aid which could make a vital difference in the banks aim of property repossession. This could happen to any resident of Ireland from all walks of life, in what is a very worrying period of Irish history unfolding before us at present. 
In a world where negative news stories are paraded to us on a daily basis across all forms of media, this video is a welcoming change to the apparent doom and gloom of modern Ireland. I urge anyone, both from Ireland and abroad, to view this youtube clip. 

S.Dawson 23/02/2012

Just another dead junkie?

They say all publicity is good publicity. Dublin hardcore punk band, The Crows, certainly adopted this stance when they chose to print the now infamous ‘just another dead junkie’ t-shirt. It came nine months after the death of RTE television and radio presenter, Gerry Ryan. Ryan was found dead in his Leeson Street apartment on the 30th of April 2011. He was a figurehead of RTE who was known extremely well throughout Ireland, devotedly presenting his morning radio show on RTE 2FM on a daily basis since 1988. 

When news broke of his death, tributes poured in for father-of-five Ryan. The loss of anyone is always going to be harrowing to family members and friends alike and with Ryan having such a vast public following there was sure to be many mourners attending his funeral in Clontarf, on the north side of Dublin. However, the tragic loss of Ryan soon turned to controversy with findings that his death most likely was caused by an overdose of cocaine. 

The band in question which printed the t-shirt have stated that, “the t-shirt is an attack on the stiflingly conservative and docile state in which modern Irish society exists”. So they are not out to defame drug abusers across Ireland but just to indirectly attack modern Irish society. Makes sense, right? They claim to have not contacted numerous national newspapers and radio stations, therefore, they are not the ones to blame for their bands name being splashed across magazines and newspapers nationwide. I'm sure it was all coincidental that they were shortly due to release their new album a few weeks after the story broke. 

Although, it may not have been the band itself, it may have been their friends, their old college buddies or even the local barman. Either way, they succeeded in gaining national notoriety, albeit, for a day or two. Keeping in mind that it is a band which plays a genre which has always, except in America during the 1980’s, struggled to blossom in any sort of public sphere. An entirely underground musical genre, in the most authentic sense of the word, playing to crowds of thirty to seventy people in tiny bars, who would all know each other to see and, on the most part, talk to. So was this stunt a genuine dig at a media influenced society that they claim us Dubliners are besieged with, or was it a tasteless hardcore punk band aiming to gain a greater following?

It does give food for thought though in a world which is utterly perpetuated by popular media every minute of the day. Our lives are controlled by the news media - whether radio, television, print or on the web. However, despite supplying us with all of our daily information, the media does nothing to ensure unbiased, objective reporting. Sensation has become a mainstay in capitalist society. Sensationalise, shock, to sell more papers, to get more viewers, more listeners. The treatment of Gerry Ryan’s death was much like this in the news media, one day a national hero, a loss to us all; the next, slated and defamed by tabloid media as a junkie cocaine-abuser.

It comes as no surprise that according to a recent report in the UK’s Guardian newspaper, UK newspapers outperform home-grown publications in Ireland. The Irish Times is reportedly at a loss of $1.4 million a month, yet The Sunday Times’ Irish Edition, and tabloids like the Sun, the Daily Mirror and the Daily Star are all benefiting from the 4.5 million Irish population, with the Daily Star gaining 11% of its business from its Irish edition. Despite the recession, Irish consumers are also willing to pay more for their news - about double what their British neighbours pay - especially for gossip tabloids.

With that, the hypocrisy, general inaccuracy and total disregard for objectivity in Irish news media, particularly that of tabloid newspapers, is exhibited  in Ryan’s own show. He regularly condemned drug-abusers but at the same time he had an open secret that he suffered with an addiction to cocaine, allegedly even using it at RTE Christmas parties. Surely this rumour would not have just been swept under the carpet by the higher echelons of the state broadcaster. It certainly would not be accustomed to the executives of a company to engage in dodgy dealings. Be them banks, politicians or broadcasting executives, surely not?

Ryan even went as far as 'rapping' in an attempt to engage an easily influenced younger generation, as seen in this not so popular youtube video;

In Ireland, hundreds die each year due to drug related illnesses. However, none will make newspaper headlines as none will have had such a profound affect on society. Ryan was one of the greats of modern Irish broadcasting both on television and radio but he also was, as Kevin Myers described, “a criminal fool, and an enemy of all that's decent and honourable and true in society”. Yes, cocaine is cool, cocaine is chic, cocaine is football mega-millionaires, cocaine is property in the Mediterranean, cocaine is that immortal feeling, cocaine is a brace of naked supermodels lying akimbo across your bed; cocaine is a 17-year-old working class boy dead in Drimnagh, cocaine is the huddled wino lying in her own filth in a shop doorway near Grafton Street, cocaine is the cartel that runs a criminal state in Colombia. Take cocaine, and you become party to all that, and Gerry did. 

So, Gerry Ryan, a man who possessed a larger than life persona and enlivened a nation for numerous years, who practically received a state funeral, should he be remembered as a stalwart of Irish society or as just another dead junkie? It’s all a matter of opinion.

S.DAWSON 01/02/2012

Kate's Cottage - A hidden gem

As another public house succumbs to the pressure of debt, it may not pain many to see this humble establishment fall by the wayside but it is indeed a prime example of how the recession can negatively affect us all. Ideally located, it is in the middle of Dublin’s transport hub with Connolly Rail Station caught in a staring contest with the front of the building and looming in the shadow of Busáras. It is in the security of Store Street Garda station tucked away behind the building and only a few minutes walk from the centre of Dublin city itself, what more could you ask for? 

Indeed Kate’s Cottage was one establishment everyone knew about but no one seemed to have visited. It provided a well established pint of Guinness among a selection of many draught beers and was highly stocked on weiss beers for the more selective of beer connoisseurs not akin to the mainstream lagers of Budweiser or Heineken. It acted as a sociable pre-concert rendezvous point before tagging onto the Luas bound for the O2 (or The Point, as many Dublin traditionalists will correct you on). It stereotypically defined the north inner city of Dublin, there was a lack of pretentiousness, there was a working class realness with a take no guff attitude accompanied with overwhelming acceptance to strangers. 

Kate’s served many purposes. Students from the nearby National College of Ireland in the IFSC could be seen enjoying a midday drink avoiding the tedious task of attending lectures. Of a Saturday night Kate’s was home to live bands where you can be serenaded with such diversity from Stereophonic anthems to traditional Dubliner tunes with some added Damien Dempsey covers to give it that true north-sider spice. A haven for tourists one might think as they could enter into a wonderful atmosphere of passion and solidarity. 

Between March and November it was often packed with league of Ireland fans, particularly belonging to Shelbourne F.C every second Friday afternoon as they gathered to travel every corner of Ireland supporting their beloved football club. It catered for all walks of life. It was equally convenient for a quick pint while waiting for your bus to arrive outside as it was to attend for a weekend night of revelry. 

The pub twinkled of a spring Saturday where you could watch many sporting events entwined with bunting draped from every possible nook and cranny. Truly one of Dublin’s best kept secrets is now gone. Kate’s had a homely, inviting feeling, and the atmosphere was calm and quiet almost like that of a country pub on a weekday afternoon where one could enjoy cheap but highly recommended ‘pub grub’. Again, this is unfortunately no more. Kate’s Cottage had been designed to resemble a traditional cottage from the outside, which makes some pub-snobs snort about paddy-whackery. However, it’s deceptively spacious and possessed a remarkably tasteful interior. 

With all that said, it pains me to speak of the termination of such a neat pub. As of the 16th of January this year, it was appointed an official liquidator, namely, PJ Lynch of Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. This leaves me with great regret for not frequenting Kate's more often. Amid rumours of other fine public houses shutting, such as Graingers on the Malahide Road and The Oak on Dame Street, it is of pivotal importance Dubliners support their local. Losing the sovereignty of your nation is one thing, but losing a pub you hold so closely to your heart is far worse. One of Dublin’s best kept secrets has sadly and all to abruptly closed her doors, forever.

S.DAWSON 24/01/12

Assessing the popularity of Evangelist Billy Graham in 20th century America

From 1940 to 1970 church membership grew from 49% to 63% of the population. Religious leaders believed that Communism was a great sinister anti-Christian movement. It was clear that in the era of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, being an active church member was a good tactic to use in order to avoid being classified as a subversive. This rapid growth was also credited to the need for Americans to belong in such a rapidly changing society such as the 1950’s and 1960’s. The church provided some stability for families. 

In order to spread their views across the nation churches adapted to modern technology, in particular radio and television. It was through the medium of radio that Billy Graham became a notable figurehead of Christianity nationwide. At this time, there were 1,200 religious radio stations and 36 television stations devoted solely to Christianity across America. Graham utilised this mass media in order to voice his views to a nationwide audience. He was at the helm of a weekly one hour radio programme named, The Hour of Decision. With this, Graham had a weekly newspaper column published across America and he even could be viewed on many television crusades which began from 1957. 

It was clear there was an immediate rise in popularity for Graham. This is evident as in 1950 he started off working in a one room office with the help of a single secretary and yet only eight years later this North Carolina Baptist had over 200 people working for him in a four storey building. Billy Graham’s confidence in public speaking accompanied with his ability to memorise sections of the Bible were the protagonists in creating the mass following he achieved for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (B.G.E.A). This powerful and dynamic preacher was a traditional man who followed the roots of Christianity in a very detailed manner. 

Unlike other preachers of his era Graham was never caught up in adulterous affairs, tempted by drugs or even lured by prostitution. Graham was once accused on his radio programme of setting religion back a 100 years, to which he responded, “I did indeed want to set religion back, not just 100 years but 1,900 years to the book of acts”, this portrayed the extent of his beliefs. It showed how far this Pope of Protestant America,  as Time Magazine referred to him as, wanted to change American lifestyle in the second half of the 20th century.

Graham developed religion as a form of mass popular entertainment. At the peak of his reign he was broadcasting to over 200 million people in 185 different countries. It is important to note however, Billy Graham was apolitical. He had Christian morals and adamantly voiced his views, no matter how controversial or perverse they may have been at the time. Graham opposed segregation, once stating, “There is no scriptural basis for segregation. The ground at the foot of the cross is level and it touches my heart to see whites standing shoulder to shoulder with blacks at the cross”. Graham even paid bail money for Martin Luther King and preached alongside the famous activist.

Graham was invited to speak in segregated auditoriums but refused outright on the basis of his views. Notably, Graham also refused to visit South Africa during apartheid, courageously standing up for what he believed was unjust in the world. Graham had conquered America but he also had bigger plans to preach worldwide, but it was in his homeland where he became such a popular figure, having an almost celebrity like status wherever he travelled across America.

However, it wasn't all clean, controversy free actions Graham was accredited to. Despite opposing Communism he was the first evangelist to speak behind the Iron Curtain. He supported the wars in North Korea and Vietnam, although so many of his fellow compatriots were killed after being drafted to fight in wars which were never essentially needed to be fought. Along with this, Graham was accused of anti-Semitism on agreeing with Richard Nixon that Jews controlled the United States media. Later, Graham recanted this statement. 

Assessing the pros and cons of Graham, it was clear his popularity was nearly untouchable in America. No matter what, he would always have a loyal following. This devote following was due to the charismatic way he carried himself. This showed the ability of religion, and in his case Christianity, in lifting the spirits of a nation. In preaching core values and a traditionalist ethos it, in turn, resulted in a more content America, something which is sorely lacking in this current era of recessionary hardship. 

Evangelistic type preaching of Graham in order to achieve positivity is still being mirrored today. However, it is unfortunately being reincarnated in much darker forms being picked up by the world media in cases such as the Westboro Baptist Church. Although, this must be seen as a branch off from the majority of practicing Christians beliefs. In a world where the media is ruler, it is hard to stick to the core values of Christianity and the emergence of such groups hinders that sentiment even further.

As previously stated, Graham was, in his eyes, apolitical. Publicly, he did not want to get involved with politics, even though he was a registered democrat. He is on record as saying, “We evangelists cannot be closely identified with any particular party or person. We have to stand in the middle in order to preach to all people”. In this way, Graham differed from more extreme fundamentalist Christian preachers of the time. This cunning on the fence attitude towards politics increased his ever growing popularity once more. 

His influence and reputation was held in such high regard that many American presidents consulted with him, from Eisenhower and Kennedy to Johnson, Nixon and even Gerald Ford. He was particularly friendly with President Nixon whom he had a closer relationship, both officially and socially, compared to the other American leaders he advised. Graham was a terrific author, this no doubt also contributed to his popularity in 20th century America. Two of his most famous books were, Peace With God and How To Be Born Again. He was a prophet to Americans from all walks of life, from every corner of the country.

It is fair to say that nowadays the worldwide view on born again Christians is not as popular as in Billy Graham's time, but why is this? Does the world need another Billy Graham type character? Life has developed more in this new age media planet and perhaps preaching is lost on too many people in a much more liberal environment. On the other hand, born again Christianity is viewed as an illness more so than a morally healthy way of life due to the negative reporting on such matters by the media, at present. 

In the second half of the 20th century, Billy Graham had achieved such a highly regarded status due to the influence he had on Americans nationwide. Ordinary Americans could relate to him, he was the voice to millions of Americans who made up a quiet, staunchly Christian country. Americans followed Graham because they felt it was the right thing to do. As Graham gained more momentum in preaching the word of God his popularity continuously rose. It could be argued Graham took advantage of many vulnerable Americans at a time of economic hardship and promised them a stairway to heaven if they chose to live a way of life preached by the Evangelist, Billy Graham. 

He received many honours in his career, the pinnacle being the Congressional Gold Medal he was honoured with in 1966 for his preaching, an award which is the most prestigious in all of America. His wife Ruth was also presented with this for their outstanding and lasting contributions to morality, racial equality, family, charity and religion. By now, Graham was world renowned and could not achieve any more popularity in America such was the success of his career. 

Simply, Graham represented a strong religious tradition of America and subsequently he was fuelled by the following he amassed at home and further afield in many countries across the globe. World views at the time may have worked in favour of Graham as a platform to voice any negative opinions towards Graham was never obtainable, because doing so was almost seen as a heinous crime. Would Billy Graham flourish to the same extent as in the 20th century in a modern society be it in America or any other part of the world? I think it's safe to say it would be extremely difficult. That said, there is no questioning the popularity of this man, particularly in the second half of the 20th century, thus making an everlasting and profound impression on modern American culture in its entirety.

S.DAWSON 19/01/2012

Muhammad Ali ushered in an attitude of black is beautiful

“The man who sees the world the same way at 50, as he did at 20, has wasted 30 years of his life.” These were the words of Muhammad Ali and that quote alone, in my opinion, sums up his views on life and the world in its entirety. 

For modern American culture Ali was of paramount importance. He was a negro American who had potential to be respected by white people. He was the “all American boy, if he was white,” as described by Malcolm X. Ali came along at a time when negro Americans were discovering who they were; he ushered in the attitude of black is beautiful. He uplifted the morale of an entire race of people every time he approached a camera and said “I’m pretty.”

Ali was from a different generation. He possessed a different frame of mind than other negro men at the time. Cassius Clay was his birth name before converting to Islam while simultaneously parting himself from his black slave name. At the time, he was hated by the vast majority of the blue collar white Americans who were not accustomed to seeing a black man boast and have such a charismatic and confident persona. Even some older generations of negro Americans disagreed in the manner Ali carried himself, they thought he should be more humble.

Ali, however, was a whole new breed of athlete and the younger generations of both black and white men began to accept and eventually adore this tenacious fighter. He paved a path for many Americans to become more liberal in their views and attitude towards all aspects of life. Ali evoked emotions inside people, emotions that some people didn’t even realise they were capable of. He stood up for himself, he stood up for a race against a partially racist nation. Through this, he revolutionised American culture forever. 

Ali was an outstanding boxer and at the age of only 18 he won a gold medal in the Rome Olympics in 1960, which was one of his proudest moments. Suddenly however, he was to suffer one of his lowest ebbs only days later. On his homecoming to Louisville, Kentucky he was denied entry to a restaurant. An American gold-medallist Olympian refused entry to a local eatery purely because of his skin colour. This act revealed the severity of the racist actions in certain parts of the U.S.A. It was a vulgar act towards a hero of their nation.  This was the hardship Ali had to endure throughout his life.

Ali was openly critical of the treatment of his fellow negro Americans and following on from his publicised discrimination and other reported cases of racial discrimination Ali threw his prized possession, his Olympic gold medal, into the Ohio River. This symbolic action made Americans nationwide sit up and take notice of his protest methods. Ali wasn’t just another negro preacher, this boxing hero hailing from Kentucky was something far more iconic. He was special, both in the sporting and political world. Ali had endless courage, determination, and energy, and he used these characteristics as a protagonist to attempt to change American culture. 

Muhammad Ali was not only a boxer, he was a revolutionary human. Ali was his own. Malcolm X left the nation of Islam but Ali did not follow his departure. He was a leader not a follower and throughout many heart felt speeches it was clear he wore his heart on his sleeve, in many circumstances.

He showed America he was his own man by taking one of the most memorable stances in American history by refusing to be drafted and fight in the Vietnam War. This decision made him both the most beloved and hated athlete of that era, and arguably of all time. Ali defended his actions by stating: “Why would I go to Vietnam, no Vietcong never called me a nigger” and “I will not go 10,000 miles to murder and kill for people to continue to enslave the black people.” Ali refused to travel on the grounds of war being against his religion, as he was a practicing Muslim minister. 

As we look back on the life of Muhammad Ali, one cannot confine themselves to talking about sport. Yes, he was probably the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time but he was also called to bring about a change regards the racial discrimination negro Americans were being subjected to. His anti-war stance resulted in his boxing licences being revoked. He was stripped of his world title that he won in 1964 after beating Sonny Liston and with this, Ali also had his passport confiscated by government officials. Ali fought two legal battles in the Supreme Court while simultaneously having two whole years of boxing in the prime stage of his career ruthlessly taken away. 

However, Ali was not afraid or deterred by this and it was this attitude which empowered many negro Americans across the nation, while simultaneously making an everlasting impact on American culture. Once all of his court cases were settled in one way or another Ali made a swift return to the boxing ring. Sadly, his reflexes, power, and speed would never match the levels he possessed in his prime. Ali was no longer able to taunt opponents and show such confidence in his graceful and powerful boxing techniques, metaphorically comparing himself to being able to, “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.”

Before retiring from professional boxing in 1979 at the age of 38, Ali partook in world renowned, now infamous fights, such as ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ and ‘The Thrilla in Manilla’ where Ali defeated George Forman and Joe Fraizer, respectively. On his retirement from boxing, Ali now had more time to devote his attention to other topics he was just as passionate about. It would be a while yet before Muhammad Ali stepped out of the public eye.

Ali became heavily involved in politics, even more so than when he was juggling it with a professional boxing career. He supported Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign in 1980 and worked for the release of four US hostages captured in Lebanon. Tragically though, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and so finally, Muhammad Ali would have to bow out of the political world after making such a profound impact on American society.

Ali was an inspiration to many Americans, regardless of colour or creed. He inspired athletes in sport to train to the edge of breaking point, and then train some more, in order to achieve the best possible results. He inspired politicians and activists to never be afraid to voice their opinions and stand up against the unjust actions of a nation. He inspired a whole race of young negro Americans to not fear society. They no longer had to accept racial discrimination; they now were becoming brave enough to stand up against oppression and not see it as a way of life. They now had motivation for change. They now had an overwhelming hunger for change.

It was Ali’s unapologetic and determined attitude that made this boxing legend become an iconic American figurehead for change. Ali could now be recognised as the ‘all American boy,’ even if he was a negro. He paved the way for a diverse American future, a liberal welcoming future. Undoubtedly, his impact on American culture was omnipotent and he certainly won a battle for change in modern American culture, but the war still continues, even if it is not as heavily publicised today.

S.DAWSON.