"The Socialist"

by The Voiceless Tue Nov 16, 2004 11:46

"New look paper from the socialist party. Please tell us what you think. "

Same old sectarian crap!!

"It is crucial that all local campaigns now meet to discuss the various direct action tactics that the anti-bin tax campaign can employ to stop the government's non-collection policy in the new year. As it now seems likely that Labour will vote for the bin tax, the battle against non-collection in the new year will be the decisive battle. The anti-bin tax campaigns and residents can't depend on anyone but themselves to fight this battle."

True. Campaigners and residents can't depend on anyone but themselves to fight this battle.
Of course they could always do what the 'true leaders' did and do deals with the council.

"Token anti-racism campaign not enough! "

Indeed it's not but that's what the SP engaged in when it came to the referendum.

by Trotwatch Tue Nov 16, 2004 12:10

In the SY News section there is no mention of Shane Kenna or how he was thrown out of the SP/SY. Got something to hide?

by Non Aligned Reader Tue Nov 16, 2004 12:23

This version is not much different from the old one: too much generalised rhetoric and simplistic sloganeering. No trace of debates about tactics or theory. Its ends up reading more like an internal bulletin than a paper aimed at workers in general. To be fair to the SP most left newspapers in Ireland and Britain follow the same tedious formula.

So heres a few suggestions to the editor that might encourage non-members, average joe/josephine soaps to read your paper:

*Have an article or two by people who are not members or supporters of the SP.

*Include a column in where members of the SP or better still socialists in general can seriously debate a controversial issue on which socialists differ.

*Try to include some articles that deal with a question in detail, not in a generalised rhetorical way.

*A bit of humour would'nt go astray now and then...even Marx enjoyed a laugh now and then!

*Have a letters page and print critical letters as well as supportive ones.

*Include some international news that does not relate to a CWI affiliate.

Remember, its your paper, you still have editorial control, you dont have to print anything you dont like! I would bet you all the tea in China that if you implemented these changes your circulation would increase with the positive result that more people would read about the SP.

by Charles Tue Nov 16, 2004 16:57

in reply to trotwatch Shane Kenna was not expelled he left. And anyway it happened ages ago and is hardly worth a mention in the paper. find something worthwhile to complain about.

by Trotwatch Tue Nov 16, 2004 17:26

Doesnt work here. Shane made it quite clear that he was forced out. His crime: wanting to take time off from political activities to study for his exams.

by jealous as fuc*k Tue Nov 16, 2004 17:33

And who said there was no humour in the SP !!

Seriously though, these guys earn 1400 Euro a week according to the chap interviewed! Fair play to them but they are hardly going to be interested in a revolution are they?

by African Watch Tue Nov 16, 2004 17:53

And the Nigerian General Strike was called off.

by Tony Tue Nov 16, 2004 18:33

Also the site carries the story of Nigerian Juliet Imiruaye who was specifically named by the Nigerian embassy for bringing their country into disrepute by peddling a story that cannot be substantiated, depite extensive investigation.

by hs - sp Tue Nov 16, 2004 23:32

to non aligned reader, some good ideas, though you must remember a once a month 12 page party paper's purpose is actually to tell people about the party and it's positions, its the point really. Try to fit all your suggestions into a paper and include the health issues, the war and all the stuff that has to be covered etc. (so the party's position is put out) in 12 small pages.
What I think would be better would be a non party paper to do all you suggest, or a weekly. or even daily party paper. can't see that happen soon though. Not to mention all the work that needs to go into such a paper. But go for it if you think it's possible i'm sure you'd have no problem finding writers. (i'd be happy to help) You should check out www.cpgb.org.uk though, you might like it. can get complicated but has all the debate you talk about, some of it can be meangingless to non leftists though.
for the more generalised stuff there's the local sp party papers but they don't go on the net. fingal voice etc. thing to remember is its a small political party, not just a small newspaper publisher.

by R. Isible Wed Nov 17, 2004 07:23

Tony says: "Also the site carries the story of Nigerian Juliet Imiruaye who was specifically named by the Nigerian embassy for bringing their country into disrepute by peddling a story that cannot be substantiated, depite extensive investigation."

So, we're supposed to take the _Nigerian embassy's_ statement as the gospel truth? That's a pretty weak argument Tony. If you could point to an impartial, third-party to the "dispute" with a longstanding reputation for accuracy (e.g. Human Rights Watch, or Amnesty International ) then it'd be more convincing.

But this is like quoting Bush as saying that Iraqis shouldn't complain because the USA is spreading Freedom and Democracy!

by Angela Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:04

"What I think would be better would be a non party paper to do all you suggest, or a weekly. or even daily party paper. can't see that happen soon though."

Why? So the SP junta could boycott it saying the objective conditions weren't right to contribute to it?
You've been away too long hs or just have a poor memory.

by Tony Wed Nov 17, 2004 19:17

Sorry Riso, wrong again.

The claim was rejected first by the UNHCR who administers the asylum process. I believe they consult such august bodies as Amnesty for relevant information so that argument is adequately dealt with.

It was again rejected on appeal.

It was rejected on humanitarian grounds though a stay of 6 months was allowed.

At this point the media was circulating the false story with scant regard to these decisions.

Then, and only then, did the Nigerian embassy issue a statement as it had failed to substantiate the story as well.

The article I referred to explicitly states that FGM is illegal and confined to rural locations in Nigeria where efforts are being made to stamp out the practice.

We could just ignore these institutions as you suggest and instigate an alternative asylum process administered by the bodies you suggest.

But that doesnt solve the problem of what to do with applicants that submit bogus claims that are ultimately rejected.

Unless we simply choose to believe whatever story is presented and abandon any checks whatsoever.

Is this the asylum process you envisage?

by hs - sp Wed Nov 17, 2004 21:18

you have strange idea's of people in political parties, my party won't go into an election pact with the swp, (partly out of sheer embarrassment) therefore we no one could contribute to a non party publication? I must have been imagining indymedia so.