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by Sean Mc Aughey
Sean Mc Aughey is a former University of Ulster Student's union President and has worked in public relations.
He is now a freelance journalist and a regular contributor to the Blanket, which describes itself as “a journal of protest and dissent”.
His material is published unedited on this page.
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At Least 32% of U.S. Mass Shooters Trained to Shoot by U.S. Military
10 May 2023; posted by the editor - General, Features, International, United States

By David Swanson
It’s been two years since I wrote on this topic. At that time, at least 36% of U.S. mass shooters had been trained by the U.S. military. Since then, a grand total of nobody at all has written on the topic.

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Tags: mass shootings, David Swanson, United States

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Benjamin Netanyahu "an Existential Threat to Too Much of the World"       printable version

15 Feb 2015: posted by the editor - Features, International

By William Wraithwrite
Benjamin Netanyahu is an Existential Threat to Too Much of the World: And now he wants to speak to his war crime corroborators: U.S Congress! Baby-bib Bibi is brazen as are his blatant war crimes that were carried out this summer in Palestine—as many people already know.

But then this is what the Old Testament allowed for—a priestly caste of self-appointed people, who claimed to speak for Yahweh and a special sacred tribal mission, in order to command and then ordain what often enough were war crimes (sacrosanct purpose of course for a chosen people). Few dared to challenge the holier-than-thou status of Divine Authority of an all powerful Wizard of Oz.

God could do and decide anything he wanted as his very decisions and judgments were viewed as righteous, by the supposed fact those actions emanated from him himself. Thus Yahweh decided morality however arbitrarily or self-serving (really mortals who pretended to speak for him did so while hiding behind their curtain veil).

Some humans today, especially leaders of countries, too think and act as if they are above any human law or idea of human morality.

The Moses story (and it was mere story) is full of ‘sanctioned’ killing of ‘other’ (outside the tribe). It was very much a story of invasion, occupation and conquest—there is hardly anything truly divine about it—rather it is steeped in the human drama of stealing land, conquering peoples, and war crimes such as raping women and killing children. The Pentateuch exists mostly for the purpose of justifying war propaganda. In fact the Bible was one of the earliest forms of political propaganda (disguised as Holy Writ since back then there was no separation between Church and State—precisely what Zionism is really still about today—even as some paradoxically claim it to be secular).

Netanyahu, who has used the Moses story to justify his politics and Israel’s existence as a Jewish state, like too many politicians (and bullies) act as if feels he is indispensable to this world. In these times of chaos and conflict (too much of Israel’s making and manipulation) his main message is that there is never too much fear to fear—that is there is an ever increasing world of terrorism out there—and thus he uses this simple message of political hysteria to his relatively naïve population of believers, who are equally heavily propagandized with misinformation (not just Israelis but the people of the United States as well) to maintain his position of leadership via fear-mongering—not bad for a man who dedicated his life to the study of terrorism?

Meanwhile many supposedly U. S. Senators and Representatives of the House treat Mr. High and Mighty, or this Ass of Arrogance that he is, as if he were something more reverent than mere mortal leader—as if he too were of some sacred Levite class of being who deserved the type of glorification the God of the Bible always seemed to expect.

Zionism and its belief system via ancient Abrahamic religions, in general, could never imagine any existential threat “within” itself? It couldn’t possibly be the case that justifying political divides today based on the Torah or New Testament or the Koran is far outdated and goes against modern sensibilities and human needs? So of course the threat has to be one as perceived, by some, as “outside” culture.

This is much of the brainwash—we Americans are expected to support a culture whose political values are antithetical to our own such as human equality. Rather we are expected to support apartheid in Israel, which consistently oppresses Palestinians, as we are expected to help make war on any country or political party that supports the Palestinians such some in Iran. But we should never forget the brutal Shah regime and its secret police SAVAK use of terrorism and torture that both the United States and Israel did much to establish in Iran back in the 1950s.

Frankly the very heart of our political philosophy is being ripped and corrupted by a constant guilt trip regarding Germany Nazism and guilt-trips about anti-Semitism if one does not go along with the deformed relation too many right-wing Jews expect to have with the majority of goyim people of the United States.

See recently article: "Why I Will Not Be Attending PM Netanyahu's Speech to Congress" by Jewish Representative John Yarmuth at: http://yarmuth.house.gov/press/statement-why-i-will-not-be-attending-israeli-pm-netanyahus-speech-to-congress/

Yet what has been most striking about Israel’s so-called special relationship with the United States is how completely one-sided and dishonest it has been in many ways.

And we should start with the constant manipulation of misinformation fed the American people via the mainstream media (and too often Zionist sources) about Iran’s so-called nuclear bomb program, as well as various misquotations taken out of context to present Iran’s previous leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as some monster. We Americans have been constantly lied to about a supposed nuclear threat and the Netanyahu government has been centrally behind such deceit. See book: Manufactured Crisis: The Untold Story of the Iran Nuclear Scare by Gareth Porter at: http://justworldbooks.com/manufactured-crisis/ (and listen to his interviews at ScottHorton.Org).

More importantly we Americans (conditioned in the Hebrew tradition) have learned to see enemies in Biblical terms as one-sidedly evil as Satan. It takes a mass media of some very sophisticated accomplishment to continually portray supposed enemies like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, Muammar Gaddafi, several Middle Eastern leaders as Satan. One needs to be somewhat steeped in the Biblical Literature to create such black and white conclusions. This is one legacy the Bible has bequeathed to modern politics—the absolutism of naming the enemy in terms of good versus absolute evil. Israel plays a master game of such portrayal of their supposed enemies.

The current leader of Syria, Bashar al-Assad is the new version of Zionist Satan, but even this casting of totally evil Muslim figure is not good enough for a finally questioning society—we have a new entity that does the most obviously sensational sins—behead journalists and engage in egregious forms of violation—the ISIS/ ISIL phenomenon that America magically armed and some claim even trained (see in alternative media) and magically uses to create even more war powers to an already criminal torture state that Barack Obama has no power to quell.

Nevertheless the Biblical drama of Satan has been mostly about rebellion against tyranny (politics). Very little did Lucifer do, according to the mythology, that actually have to do with regular crime? The Bible therefore is about explaining human politics in cosmic terms. And Bibi is just our latest example of a man who thinks he knows more than he does and instead engages in the latest exaggerated lies and propaganda to get his way. Nothing, especially morality, is sacred in the Bible because morality is twisted to meet political objectives.

Nevertheless there will be at least one person in U.S. Senate who has the intellectual wherewithal to understand the likes of Bibi’s kid cartoons of big bombs—namely InSane McCain. John McCain graduated 5th from the bottom of his Naval Academy class—yes a man who not only grew up in a navy family but his father was an Admiral! And this is before he suffered from various kinds of mental and emotional post-traumatic disabilities. He too is a major existential threat to too many—especially given that he is not grounded in reality.

Meanwhile Israel takes on the attitude that it can have any kind of weapon system it wants and it doesn’t even have to declare the type and extent of its nuclear weapons program to anyone? Apparently when you own the copyright to what God thinks you can pretty much do whatever God thinks he or she can get away with.

American Middle East foreign policy has been heavily influenced by what is thought best for Israel and not what is best for the people of the United States. Our very government has been occupied by this foreign power and so when Benjamin Netanyahu comes to bombaste in Washington he is coming to talk to “his” Senators and “his” Congresspersons—not ours (and so it should be Israelis whose taxes pay the salaries of those in the Beltway—not the American peoples’).

This is exactly the way Netanyahu and many influential Zionists think—American resources are theirs to be exploited (and if you complain you are ignored or labeled an anti-Semitic).

And so it goes that within the enormous profit motive for war somewhere to everywhere, the so-called new enemy label ISIS will likely be perfectly fit to turn eventually for Zionist goals to get American war power in violent action this time with Syria and Iran. America has been basically fighting wars and torturing people for Israel for a number of years now.

As this is another reason the “terrorist” Netanyahu (his war crimes has well qualified him as such) is coming to speak to his American minions—he wants to again explain to our elected leaders who are America’s enemies (that they just happen to be Israel’s enemies is besides the point) and he wants a completion of Zionists’ demand of an entire remake of the Middle East (see NeoCon planning as Project for the New American Century—Wikipedia).

Better yet google “video PNAC”. There are at least video that explain this real conspiracy.

9/11, as fear mongering strategy that it was intended to be, has to be milked for everything it can be worth. 9/11 was the very catalyst to start the Neo-Con-Artists’ policies for American aggression abroad as well as the death knell to any Vietnam Syndrome of not wanting to be involved in foreign entanglements. War profits could start accumulating again.

Still the only accomplishment achieved by invading Afghanistan was to re-open up the heroin trade—the Taliban had actually closed down. Now billions of dollars are flowing, and likely a big chunk through the Russian mafia (which is heavily a Jewish mafia).

(Note: Facts are facts. It is not inappropriate to tell truth even if some claim because it sheds disgrace on some who claim to be Jewish then one can be labeled anti-Semitic. I’m an American and my loyalty is to the people of the United States and our Constitution. If it is true that Israel is parasitically using its relationship with the United States to basically bilk the taxpayer here, as well as damage our country’s viability at large when trying to have normal relations with other countries and peoples, then that is a truth irrespective of whether others scream about the message or try to intimidate as to end discussions.)

The fact is the heroin trade is booming there and yet the people actually making the real money are those moving huge quantities of drugs from one country to other countries—not the Afghanis themselves. And it is almost a certainty much of this trade is connecting to the Russian mafia (even as there may be significant CIA or U.S. Military connections as well).

So given the so-called noble motives for U.S. invasion and continuation in Afghan they had nothing to do with stopping or quelling the drug lords and all the crooked stuff that transpired over the years—including torture there as well.

Once Afghanistan was smitten Zionist planning here in the United States was quickly implementing more U.S. aggression to include several Middle Eastern countries to invade starting with Iraq. Lies had to be created and propagated. All manner of deception was utilized and thus Israel would get its goals met based on lies and an illegal war of aggression as employing U.S. resources in process—and even having our leader Secretary of State Colin Powell lie to the United Nations. Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was directly involved in all of this deception (in the Bible they called it the work of the devil as the great deceiver—how ironic).

And in all likelihood Israel was right there in Iraq training Americans in the art of torture—since it is basically de facto legal in Israel (given the loopholes) to torture—and there has been a lot of torture allowed in Israel with Palestinians for a long time. Who then would be better qualified to train American GIs at Abu Ghraib? This is likely one reason the CIA torture report is being buried. Torture is something God’s devils do in hell—nothing cultures do here on earth.

Torture is not as much medieval as it is ancient Middle Eastern as ingrained directly into the mythology of Angel wars of Lucifer and rebellion (although it was very much a medieval art during the Spanish Inquisition etc.). This is to say all three Abrahamic religions are about fear and terrorism and propaganda.

Abraham was originally a “migrant” from the Fertile Crescent area. Apparently he traveled the caravan trade routes to Amoritic Canaan as he must have felt somewhat dissatisfied with his lot in the East? He was not born anywhere near Palestine.

But today, in the so-called Holy Land of Israel, it is OK to torture as Israeli authorities apparently get away with it consistently. This is why the CIA borrowed from this “Israeli Example” to justify Americans torturing Muslims in our now known horrific acts (still mostly buried). But even some of our own Senators talk of very disturbing truths?

Practically everything the United States does in the Middle East on Israel’s behalf alienates much of the rest of the world. The American people are the biggest losers with billions of trillions of dollars in wasted Pentagon expenditures to big bucks military industrial complex as war profiteering. More importantly the more we work for the NeoCons and AIPAC the more we frustrate our relationship with many other countries and peoples (including our own people who equally do not see justice in our manipulated foreign policy).

Israel and the United States are both too much viewed as being morally deprived and criminal (as governments and as societies of people). Both countries could and should be tried by the International Criminal Court as guilty of war crimes by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government this summer and the cowardly injustice by American leaders who stood by as to stand down to not walk the talk of American values or protest against such despicable injustice and mass murder.

How much further must Americans witness our obsequious leaders fawn and flatter his nastiness—this ass of arrogance? Netanyahu and his likes should be in Guantanamo (rotting in Hell as smug Senator Cotton so says is the purpose of the prison) not running around the world trying to impress people.

Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal as are plenty of his cohorts. Equally there are also war criminals here as well in the United States especially that we have been so implicated in carrying out these many foreign entanglements under false pretenses.

The sooner Israel finds a different “special friend” on which to exploit the better.

Americans at large do not need a special relationship with Israel or any country. The very idea smacks of inequality. Americans need a country of their own and not one that is as corrupt as it currently is or has been.

A good place to start is with an attitude of awareness to demand Israel stop dictating our foreign policy (or manipulating it covertly) especially as related to other countries in the Middle East, Meanwhile Israel should be thinking about dismantling its own nuclear arms—that are a reality.

The United States of America has a right to have any kind of deal with Iran it wants to have irrespective of what most Israelis feel or think. It is time for the American government work for the American people and not the special interests of one specific foreign country or two (the other being Saudi Arabia).

There is a big reason American politicians are constantly pledging allegiance to Israel (and AIPAC constantly playing psychological blackmail games to get it) and that is because in truth many, many Americans are tired of this suffocating relationship with Israel and the Likudites. Why cannot people who claim to have divine inspiration get beyond so much of their own self-centered ethnocentricity?

How many people must yet suffer and die for the exaggerated fears of Israelis who show little moral compassion toward other peoples and who refuse to understand the enmity they fear is the same enmity they themselves have inspired?

Amen

Other essays by William Wraithwrite:
Revised: Michael Brown Story Killed All Focus To Semitic Hate Crimes in Gaza http://la.indymedia.org/news/2015/01/267021.php
The Southern Poverty Law Center and Its Double Standard on Free Speech http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2015/01/519218.html
YOU CANNOT DIE IN HELL: Using Indefinite Detention for Political and Religious Purposes http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2014/03/515855.html
The Demonization of Dissent in the United States http://www.indymedia.ie/article/102642
Israeli Smack-Down of Christian Political Philosophy: A Deeper Analysis of the Latest Israeli Atrocities in Palestine  http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2014/08/05/18759603.php
See also: “When God Became the Terrorist: Traces Of The Authoritarian Nature of the Three Abrahamic Religions” at:
https://indymedia.org.uk/en/2013/07/511565.html free ebook

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Friday, January 14, 2005
Leading Human Rights Solicitor "Shut Down” by Law Society
Society claims ‘substantial history of complaints going back ... years’
Exclusive report by Sean Mc Aughey
Sources and friends close to lawyer Padraigin Drinan are saying the official reasons behind an enforced closure by the Law Society of the offices of Ireland’s foremost human rights defender and solicitor remains wide open for damaging speculation.

Former clients who contacted the Law Society say they were immediately re-directed to a voice mail inbox belonging to the Deputy Secretary; Suzanne Bryson who was unavailable.

On Wednesday a Law Society spokesman was asked if Ms Drinan’s certificate to practice been fully revoked. The spokesman described the measures against Ms Drinan as a “removal of her provision to practice.” and added that a full Law Society press statement on the matter would be available.

In a statement released on Friday, January 14, 2005, the Law Society said: “Ms Drinan has a substantial history of complaints going back a number of years. These have led to a series of decisions by the Law Society to bring proceedings against Ms Drinan before the Disciplinary Tribunal, established for this purpose by the Solicitors (NI) Order 1976, as amended. The Disciplinary Tribunal operates independently of the Law Society.”

However, no clarrification of the substance or nature of the ‘complaint’ was given. The statement continues: “Complaints against Ms Drinan came before the Disciplinary Tribunal in May 2004. On considering the evidence presented by the Law Society, the Tribunal found that the complaints had been duly substantiated. It may be helpful to explain that in addition to imposing certain fines and costs penalties, the Tribunal Order records as follows; ‘The Tribunal noted with regret the Respondent’s (Ms Drinan) previous history of proven complaints before the Tribunal which were all similar to the complaints today. They formed the view that the Respondent was not functioning at any acceptable level as a single practitioner and that in the interest of the public and the Respondent herself, they are ordering that she is restricted from practising on her own account or in partnership. She may accept employment from another solicitor provided they have at least seven years post qualification experience. The Tribunal also orders that she shall not work in any practice using her name on the title or as one of the principals.’ The Tribunal were prepared to defer the implemantation of the Order for a reasonable period to allow Ms Drinan to make alternative arrangements. This deferment initially applied until September 2004 with a subsequent deferral to a date than fixed by the Tribunal at 6 January 2005.

“As and from that date, Ms Drinan is not entitled as a matter of law to practise on her own account. If she continues to do so, she will not only be in breach of the Order of the Tribunal, but will also be committing a criminal offence. In these circumstances the Law Society is under an obligation to see that the terms of the Tribunal Order are complied with.

“Ms Drinan is not inhibited from practice as an employed solicitor.

“The inability of Ms Drinan to continue in practice on her own account is not an action taken by the Law Society but is a function of an Order made by the Disciplanary Tribunal. Ms Drinan has not to our knowedge at any time sought to contest or appeal the Orders made by the Disciplinary Tribunal.” The statement was signed by Don Anderson, for the Law Society.

An informed source close to Ms Drinan said it was believed that as a result of her civil rights involvement she was seen by the establishment as an embarrassing and troublesome ‘thorn in the side’ who had done nothing wrong other than to try to provide legal advice to those who could not otherwise afford it.

IRSP spokesperson, Terry Harkin described Ms Drinan as “someone who was on par with James Connolly especially in terms of helping the poor and the voiceless all over Ireland” and he asked “where will the most vulnerable in our society get legal help now ”?

“Padraigin Drinan,” he continued, “is a once in a lifetime heroine who ought to be recognized and elevated for her tireless work and not punished, bullied and intimidated by some of her colleagues, who have left her open to a humiliating whisper campaign. ”

A Spokesperson for the Anti Racism Network described The Law Society’s actions as “questionable” and she asked where was the Law Society’s energy when legal immigrants were imprisoned with their children, being bombed from their home or loosing their legs due to frostbite. The immigrants she said are only a small example of the many communities throughout Ireland who are indebted to Padraigin Drinan. ”

Padraigin Drinan speaking from her Belfast office said: “At this stage it appears that I am accused of being a poor business manager but not guilty of any financial impropriety. I have been instructed also that I must amalgamate with other solicitors. ”

But she added: ”I am heartened by the hundreds of calls from well wishers and supporters from all over the world including a call from among others, Gareth Pierce.”
          background items

Thursday, 28 October 2004
Féile an Phobail, West Belfast
By Sean Mc Aughey
The West Belfast community was demonised for many years by both the establishment and the media and this reached fever pitch in March 1988 as a result of the tragic events which followed the SAS killings of three unarmed IRA volunteers in Gibraltar. In reaction to this unparalleled negative and damaging portrayal of the West Belfast community, local groups and their MP, Gerry Adams, decided to organise a festival. Its purpose was to celebrate the positive side of the community, its creativity, its energy, its passion for the arts, and for sport. And it aimed at providing events and entertainment at a price that the majority of the community could afford.

*1 The West Belfast Féile which is entering its 17th year is the largest community (people) powered festival in Europe. It is internationally regarded as a ten day long festival "on par" with the best community festivals in England and Ireland. The Féile includes, a colourful carnival parade, discussions, debates, concerts, exhibitions, children's events, i.e street parties, bouncy castles etc, sports, literary and drama events, Féile radio, widespread community events on a street to street, pub to pub basis and various political, cultural or historical tours and walks.

The Festival aims to provide events of interest for everyone at a price that the majority of the community could afford while simultaneously serving also to elevate a positive West Belfast self image contolled by its people despite the forces acting against the people and the official resources denied them. The Féile continues to grow into a major tourist attraction. The August Féile continues also to easily attract "top of the range" participation from local and International entertainers, artists and commentators. This year's Féile line up included, Arthur Scargill leader in 1984 of the National Union of Mineworkers presenting The 10th Annual Frank Cahill Memorial Lecture and The P.J. McGrory Memorial Lecture - Long Road to the Truth delivered by Mrs Geraldine Finucane who was shot and wounded at the time of her husband Pat's, assassination 15 years ago. Top British band Big Brovaz, Irish Traditionalist singer/songwriter, Donal Luney and Andy Irvine, Christy Moore and Declan Sinnott, novelist Roddy Doyle, comedian Rich Hall and Bob Marley`s band, the Wailers demonstrating that the Feile is going from strength to strength and most definitely growing in popularity not only among the audience but the artists, as well. The choice of August for the Féile by the West Belfast Community and many other Republican communities like Ardoyne and New Lodge is pertinent. Because, August 9th 1971, brought a re-introduction to nationalist areas of widespread house raids, arrests and imprisonment without trial or a release date. The yearly anniversary of Interment was previously marked in the community by a display of bonfires of defiance. But, the bonfires provided the RUC and British Army with the ideal opportunity for provaction and delivered in British terms "a fool proof" excuse for the entire "Mechanism of the State" to "justify" any injury or death perpetrated by State violence and especially the use of plastic bullets, when framed within the same context of a nationalist bonfire.

Teenager shot dead returning home from Internment night bonfire.
The DPP refused to initiate proceedings on the grounds that it was impossible to establish which RUC officer fired the fatal shot. The jury found that at the time of Seamus' killing that he was not engaged in any rioting and that there was no rioting at the time of his killing.

*2 "The fatal shot" that killed 15 year-old Seamus Duffy from the Oldpark area was fired from a passing RUC patrol on August 9th 1989. The plastic bullet crushed his heart and tore a four-inch laceration in his left lung.

*3 Seamus Duffy was returning home from an internment night bonfire and there was no rioting in the area. The initial RUC response indicates according to The Relatives for Justice group, the RUC believed Seamus Duffy did not die as a result of being hit by a plastic bullet and that they would appoint a 'top policeman' to investigate the exact circumstances of the death.

*4 Secretary of State, Peter Brooke said: 'There are no grounds for suggesting their use (Plastic Baton Rounds fired by RUC officers) last night was other than in accordance with the law'.

*5 Darkness
Over a very short period of time, bonfire culture in most Republican communities has been easily transformed to the community-orientated ethos that permeates participative festivals. Bonfires were already long since stigmatised as negative and destructive by the collective wisdom and experience of the community and most especially by those members of the community who vividly recall how life once was before the bright lights and colour of the Féile. A time, when, West Belfast was in darkness because the various combatants shut down the streetlights and fear was a way of life. The local dogs barking were for those of us making our way home hoping to avoid a beating from the British Army patrols, a most welcomed concert of sorts, alerting with pin point accuracy the exact location of the four, eight, 16 or 32 blackened faces of the British Army foot patrols in the area.

“Riddles' Field" - Daddy Makes A Dream Comes True (Thanks to the Féile)
When I reflect on the quality of life my teenage children are currently enjoying and compare this to my teenage days, I owe a lot to the efforts of the many people behind the West Belfast Féile who are continually raising the esteem of our people and enhancing our quality of life. There is clearly a massive gulf between my teenage days and that of my teenage children today in terms of confidence, opportunities and simply attending a concert by their favourite "pop stars" in West Belfast. This in itself remains a source of immense joy and pride. Especially, when I think about what used to be -"Riddles' Field", (Beechmount Leisure Centre) and look at the here and now concert venue, where teenage dreams are fulfilled. My daughters were in seventh heaven a few years ago at the Féile in "Riddles' Field" during a Westlife concert and then the Atomic Kitten concert. My teenagers' expectations are obviously higher today and undoubtedly more realistically obtainable thanks to the Féile. My children's confidence is part of the vibrancy that makes West Belfast Féile buzz. This buzz has been harnessed, channelled and most importantly of all, encouraged by the various F éile projects and events.

A Teenage Nightmare I hold by comparison to my children, a teenage tale of woe. One of my favourite Rock n' Roll bands in 1975, Showaddywaddy had agreed to play in Belfast at the ABC. I was all set for my face to face with my teenage "Top of the Pops" idols and unfortunately this was as near as I got. Showaddywaddy pulled the plug on the Belfast tour when news surrounding the murder of the Miami Showband reached their agents. I was shattered. The people responsible for killing the Miami Showband musicians were pro-British and some were also members of a British Army Regiment. Showaddywaddy were a Sheffield Band.

On the 31st July 1975, a Loyalist gang murdered three members of the Miami Showband. Tony Geraghty (23), Fran O'Toole (29), Brian McCoy (33). Two of the UVF gang were also killed, Harris Boyle, described as a UVF Major from Portadown, and Wesley Somerville, described as a UVF Lieutenant from Caledon, Co Tyrone. Two men from the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) were jailed for 35 years in connection with the murders of members of the Miami Showband. The Miami Massacre, a part of our past, had also a lasting impact for many engaged in the Arts and for one Belfast man the Miami murders would bring about his film debut.

Angel - Galway Film Fleadh Michael Dwyer: The thing that triggered Angel was the murder of the Miami Showband musicians...
Neil Jordan: Kind of. I was playing in a band and we used to travel up and down to Belfast and Derry and places like that and we'd be driving back late at night. It was in the 1980's when all those sectarian killings were happening. It was very black; you always presumed it wouldn't happen to you - that you were safe - and when the Miami were shot it seemed quite shocking. They were innocent and I felt totally numb I suppose and that put images in my mind. I like to write things with people in mind and I had written Angel with Stephen Rea in mind

*6 How are ye Jeffrey? - West Belfast Féile Talks Back
During the Féile Talks Back debate, a former IRA POW, Seanna Walsh—who was sentenced to twenty-two years when he was caught making explosives and mortar bombs— courteously welcomed The DUP's Jeffery Donaldson to the Féile debate. Mr Walsh then asked: “Jeffrey, when you talk about the IRA's capacity to make war, I can go out of here tonight with a couple of hundred pounds in my pocket and purchase the equipment to make Baltic Exchange/Canary Wharf type bombs. How are you going to remove that capacity? "

*7 The DUP man addressed the question in repetitive mantra. Seanna Walsh also said: "The point I was making was that I can produce homemade explosives and mortars. You cannot decommission that knowledge. What is more important is our commitment to peace and to politics. But all of the initiatives taken by the IRA to date have had absolutely no effect on the unionist community. Trust is a two-way street. We suspect that at the root of it unionists cannot deal with equality and sharing power and that the idea of republicans being in government was a bridge too far for them. Everything else is an excuse not to go there. ”

*8 The IRA and its weapons is being used as an excuse
About 24 hours after the Festival debate, Mr Gerry Adams, The West Belfast MP and President of Sinn Fein told PA News:
“ While I would not like to minimise what may be genuine fears and concerns within unionism, I do think the issue of the IRA and its weapons is being used an excuse.” The Sinn Fein president commended Mr Donaldson on his appearance at the festival and paid tribute to his colleagues on the committee, which organised the event. Mr Adams also said he would like to take part in a similar event in a loyalist area.

*9 Community Empowerment
Mr Adams sums up the spirit of the Féile in a sentence by saying he = would like to take part in a similar event in a loyalist area. Community festivals bring as in this case politicians face to face with the voter in the voter's home territory. The Shankill Road and East Belfast "Think Tanks" did likewise to enpower the community and expose the politicians. The voice of the community can be best heard at festival time.

References and sources used in this article:
*1 http://www.feilebelfast.com/ourhistory/
*2 http://www.relativesforjustice.com/victims/seamus_duffy.htm
*3 http://www.relativesforjustice.com/victims/seamus_duffy.htm
*4 http://www.relativesforjustice.com/victims/seamus_duffy.htm
*5 http://www.relativesforjustice.com/victims/seamus_duffy.htm
*6 http://www.iol.ie/~galfilm/filmwest/fleadhjordan.htm
*7 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3543518.stm
*8 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3543518.stm
*9 http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3D3300413

by Sean Mc Aughey