Is Sean Gallagher telling lies

raymon wrote: »

I have a different way of looking at things .

Anyone who has helped or was associated with murder is off my list.

Crisis in the Middle East

July 27th, 2006
Response to Michael D. Higgins’s letter to Irish Times of 27 July 2006
Dear Madam,
It is interesting to note that Michael D. Higgins (Irish Times, July 27th) states that “parties of the left have consistently rejected terrorist actions not only because of their impact on civilians but also because of the response they call forth from the powerful.” It seems that in his world, such actions would be open to a lesser form of condemnation if those attacked did not respond and defend themselves. This is a distinctly odd view of the fundamental principles of International Law to which he proclaims himself to be committed. At the very centre of international law is the right of a State to defend itself and its citizens when attacked.
It is particularly depressing that some of those who proclaim themselves to be speaking on behalf of “the left” such as Michael D are attached to an analysis of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and of the current conflict in Lebanon which largely coincides with that of the most extreme fundamentalist elements in the Middle East who have rejected every reasonable attempt to bring about a permanent and peaceful resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
The “refusal” Michael D writes “of the US to agree to talks with Syria, or to an immediate ceasefire, is reprehensible.” No mention is made by him of Iran in his article. What is truly reprehensible has been Iran’s consistent opposition over the past fifteen years to every attempt at developing a viable peace process in the Middle East and its sponsoring of annual conferences of the Rejectionist Front attended by both Hezbollah and Hamas in which those present proclaim their mutual commitment to the total destruction of the Israeli State or to, in the words of the Iranian President “wiping Israel off the map”. The current tragic conflagration in Lebanon is essentially Syria and Iran’s proxy war against Israel.
The fundamentalist Hezbollah movement has been armed and financed by Iran and has with Syrian complicity established a State within a State in southern Lebanon. It is a sad reflection on Deputy Higgins’s lack of objectivity that he reserves his wrath for the European Union and the United States whilst having nothing to say about the responsibility of both Iran and Syria for current events.
He also seems blissfully unaware that many Arab leaders, commentators, and political analysists are convinced that the leaders of Tehran and Damascus are using Hizbollah to divert attention from Iran’s nuclear programme and from Syria’s involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. These two countries have grossly violated the sovereignty of Lebanon; used Hizbollah as a proxy army to prevent the Lebanese government and army assuming control over southern Lebanon and are responsible for the accumulation by Hizbollah of thousands of rockets, over 1,200 of which have in recent days hit Haifa and other Israeli towns and cities.
Hamas, like Hizbollah, is of course financed and sponsored by Iran. Whilst acknowledging Michael D. is right when stating that Hamas formed a government after free elections, he fails to explain how the regular firing of Kassim rockets by terrorists from Gaza into the Israeli towns of Sderot and Ashkelon in the weeks preceding Hamas’ kidnapping of an Israeli soldier contributed to the Israeli/Palestinian peace process.
The sad reality of the Middle East is whenever Israel disengages from territory and attempts to advance a peace process, such behaviour is not viewed as building block to peace but as a sign of weakness and confirmation that terror works. Whilst the leadership of Hizbollah and Hamas are happy to join their sponsors in Tehran for the annual Holocaust Denial Conference, it remains their objective to perpetuate a second Holocaust. It is time that Michael D. Higgins woke up to the type of world in which we live and the threat posed not only to the Israeli State but to all of us in Europe by Islamic fundamentalism.
ALAN SHATTER
4 Upper Ely Place
Dublin 2


http://www.alanshatter.ie/?p=279

raymon wrote: »

The fact that he lies in interviews is a major concern , specifically the lie about his activity in FF.

His whole campaign is about jobs and enterprise ...... for himself

Gallagher ‘abhors’ many of the decisions of Fianna Fáil Governments

Independent Presidential candidate Seán Gallagher today said that he ‘abhorred’ the decisions made by the last Fianna Fáil Governments.
Speaking during an interview on the Neil Prenderville Show on Cork 96fm during a visit to the county, Mr. Gallagher said,
“I have never made any secret of the fact that I was in Fianna Fáil and I have always encouraged people to get involved in youth and community and indeed political parties.”
“I have huge respect for the grass roots of any organisations, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin and those who are out there trying to improve our communities.”
“But what is important to point out is that I have never been a politician, I have never stood for elected office, I have been a voluntary member of an organisation. But sadly many people in grass roots are being demonised for being a voluntary member of a political party.”
“I was asked last night on the Prime Time programme if I would condemn Fianna Fáil.”
“I couldn’t condemn the ordinary grass roots members of the party throughout the country, ordinary decent people, who were not in Government who were not in cabinet, who did not make decisions.”
“I did try to get the opportunity, but didn’t get back in to say that of course I abhor many of the decisions of the last Government and the mismanagement of our economy that has taken us to where we are and the last Government were responsible.”
“I have never used the word condemnation in my life. It is not in my vocabulary.”
“The last Government badly mismanaged the economy. It overheated. We are now left with the issues of businesses struggling and unemployment. I think that there were appalling decisions made.”
“Of course there was mismanagement at senior level and Michéal Martin has accepted that.”
“I was not at the cabinet table. I was a grassroots member working on a voluntary capacity. I do not feel like I need to be answerable, neither do any of the grassroots members need to be answerable for what was happening at cabinet.”
“We can’t change the past. I’m not responsible for what happened in Government. But I can be responsible for what I contribute to the country now. I want to move the debate on.”
“I don’t believe in negative campaigning.”
“I have never believed that I will grow an inch taller by knocking anyone down.”