The English Monarchy: A Tolerance of Differences 

At the same time I have no time for hierarchies, aristocrats or royalty, whether they are political, religious, secular or industrial. They are all about power for elites. No one should have an entitlement to a life of privilege and wealth because they are deemed to be divine rulers.  I believe in equality. In community.  In citizenship.  In self-determination. None of us should ever be anyone’s subject. Working people should always be mindful of our own class and of our own history, our  values and entitlements


Colm’s Harps
 I was very pleased to get an email from Colm Dawson from New York. Colm, who is originally from Belfast, read my article about Long Kesh handicrafts in The Irish Echo.
He writes ‘During internment my mother used to bake homemade soda farls and send them up to the Cages.  In 1973, in recognition of her contribution, we received this lovely little harp.  I believe it came from Conn McHugh, Owen Quigley and your good self.

It has been sitting in my living room in NY for over twenty years.  And it’s in great shape. That wee harp sat on top of our TV in Belfast for decades.  We had another one that my dad won in a raffle at the PD, also in 1973, that sat beside it.  Both are now here with me.’