SDLP Youth: Save Our Children Now

by Acheron Thu May 24, 2007 20:56

I wasn't talking about Rayethon in particular and was refering more to the constant criticism which is only based on hatred, I was probably caught up in that myself, but I appreciate you giving that information as it is something I was unaware of.

by Raytheon 9 supporter - DAWC Wed May 23, 2007 18:39

Actually, John Hume - and co-Nobel Peace Laureate David Trimble - did not bring Raytheon jobs to Derry while children were losing their parents in the conflict here. They brought Raytheon as part of the 'peace dividend' - an irony which was not lost on those in Derry who stand for a better, more peaceful world. As a result, the Foyle Ethical Investment Campaign and the Derry Anti War Coalition were opposed to Raytheon from day one despite all the hype about hundreds of jobs. Since last year's occupation and decommissioning of Raytheon in Derry, it has emerged that there were never more than about 40 jobs based in the Derry office and about half of these thought 'based' in Derry were, in fact, located in the US.

A recent report on the labour market in Derry shows that - because of poverty levels in the city - there are very low levels of skills in the unemployed workforce (more than half of the working age population). As a result, jobs in places like Raytheon are not going to local people but to people coming to Derry specifically to take up work. Nothing wrong with that, but don't pretend Raytheon has been as good for Derry as it has for the politicians, including Hume, who supported it.

by Acheron Tue May 22, 2007 23:36

It is sad that people are so hell bent on picking fights. John Hume brought jobs to Northern Ireland that people desperately needed during a time when children were needlessly losing their parents in the "war for freedom". It seems that people forget the good things that were done in a time when very little good was at the forefront. Should we not be thinking primarily about the Children here who are homeless or living in abusive homes!

The issues of Child Poverty affect all the parties in Northern Ireland and it is good to see that young people are actually noticing that this is a serious issue. There are several debates coming to the Assembly in the near future concerning childrens issues and that should be welcomed by all of us. Hopefully there is a positive message being sent out from that if not from some of the posters here.

by Red Tue May 22, 2007 17:25

I wouldn't worry about that fool going on about Raython at the top of the thread (the esteemed Chairman of Whataboutery Central)- no matter what the SDLP says you're always going to get some nuts who have a go regardless. I welcome parties of any persuasion highlighting important issues- unfortunately though some people are more interested in sad political point scoring. Keep 'er lit.

by leftist Fri May 18, 2007 21:25

Hey no name, criticising stoops for being 'pro business' is a joke. All the major parties in the north are pro business incl SF. Difference here is stoops probably value paying tax more than shinners, thats about it. Didnt see any SF people banging away against raytheon. Is this the new dig at sdlp now that noone can accuse them of ebing more pro brit that sf?

by honest to goodness Fri May 18, 2007 12:18

The problem with Northern Ireland, The 26 counties and the UK are very similar.

Too much time and money has been invested in the idea of conflict repeating itself.
Ordinary people just want to get on with their lives.
They want truth on the bombings so that they can move on.

This is denied them by the people who want to delineate their ideology of
nationalism and monarchism and the people who desire to create
political issues where there are none- like Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern.

They have spent masses of cash on schemes to fit Ireland and Britain into
a cultural vortex while always betraying their own people on simple issues
such as education and health.

They are molehill-makers.

They have not responded to the problems of war and inequality.
They have copperfastened religious bigotry.

= they have failed to respond to a changing planet with a political will.
So they can fuck off now and let people fix their own problems in peace.
feed their own kids and mind their own ill/dying etc.

whilst they walked on the boyne Site there are nurses strikes, heritage destruction,
over sized school classes, diseased water, hospital bugs and the very rich
are creaming the money from their creation of a bureaucracy in place of
mandated government.

were they all inhaling since 1998?

by Jack Fri May 18, 2007 12:08

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6646223.stm

"reland's new multicultural mix
In the run-up to the Irish general election, the BBC News website is looking at some key issues affecting modern Ireland. Here, the BBC's Stephen Fottrell considers the mass immigration that has transformed the country in recent years."

What do 400,000 immigrants know that the grand wee Norn Ir'n folks don't want to know? Slow learners, perhaps. Even McAleese has been imported.

by Gan ainm - Belfast ABC Wed May 16, 2007 09:49

The SDLP are pro business to the core. This ethic allows John Hulme to introduce raytheon to derry, a firm responsible for killing kids in their droves in lebanon and elsewhere. Anyone with a brain knows that adherence to capitalist economy is responsible for child poverty. So either you dont have a brain or you will leave the SDLP. Stop using poor kids to boost the profile of your sad dying party.