| to: | lettersed@irishtimes.com |
Like a more distinguished Dubliner than myself I consider myself every bit as much an incorrigible an Irishman as ever stood on the Pont Neuf in Paris. And, like that Dubliner, I consider myself a Republican.. But I must cast a cold eye on Frank McDonald’s appeal (An Irishman’s Diary, Dec 15) for solidarite “with the people of Paris”.
Which people of Paris?
The people of Paris and citizens of the French Republic are not homogenous nor do they all enjoy Liberte, Egalite and Fraternite. Hundreds of citizens of the Fifth Republic were murdered in Paris on 17th October 1961 by the Police, and their bodies thrown in the Seine. The Prefect of Police, who organised the murders, was awarded the Legion of Honour by President de Gaulle shortly afterwards . The fact that the murdered citizens originated in Algeria (then part of Metropolitan France) and and were mainly Muslim, appears to have disqualified them from the protection of the Republic and the gentle consideration of other European nations.
The Prefect, Maurice Papon, had in 1942 supervised the deportation of 1,600 French Citizens, deemed Jewish by religion or origin, to German murder-camps, ..
Half the humbug poliicians in Europe rallied to the support of “Free Speech” and Charlie Hebdo, earlier this year. “La Libre Parole,” meaning “Free Speech” was the title of a powerful reactionary anti-Semite rag which whipped up rage against the innocent Captain Dreyfus who was sentenced to Devil’s Island for spying. From what I’ve read about Charlie Hebdo it has about as much devotion to Egalite and Fraternite as your Diarist’s Derriere
Yours faithfully
Donal Kennedy
Sorry,
The Paris Bridge is the Pont Neuf.
Too true Donal. History shows us that the French Republic had no qualms about killing people in Indo-China and Algeria in order to reassert its dominance after WWII.
There was no expression of liberte, egalite and fraternite in those conflicts.
France is like most western imperialist countries that loudly proclaim their devotion to freedom and democracy while at the same time subverting nascent democratic movements worldwide if they feel that their economic, political and military interests are threatened.
Historic wrongs by the French state are no reason not to feel empathy for the people undergoing these attacks.
It seems a silly way to look at things to me.
Completely correct Giordanobruno
Gio,
I do not lack empathy but I detest the hypocrisy. It is a year since the Taliban attack on the Pakistani school in which 150 died of whom 132 were children. I do not recall the same outpourings of grief and outrage then.
I think you are referring to the media reaction Dan. I am talking about empathy or solidarity with the people of Paris,which is clearly what the original article in the IT refers to
Donal and yourself (to a certain extent )seem to be suggesting “perhaps not”
Surely it is possible to feel compassion towards those people just as we feel compassion towards those killed in the Pakistan attack you mention?
I seem to recall the Taliban attack received worldwide condemnation, including I am sure from the French.
I’d like to hear more about this one Donal…
“From what I’ve read about Charlie Hebdo it has about as much devotion to Egalite and Fraternite as your Diarist’s Derriere”..
I’d enjoy hearing which pieces you have read just so that I too can make a more balanced judgement.
Great article Mr kennedy.
Here is some stuff re Charlie Hebdo with several links at the bottom of the article that may be of interest-
http://bsnews.info/charlie-hebdo-real-fight-controls-terms-debate/
Hypocrisy sums up the Je suis Charlie prpoaganda.
D
Typo-obviously should read propaganda.
D
Perhaps what I’ve read ABOUT Charlie Hebdo was misinformed, but nobody seems to have
written to enlghten me.
What I read said the magazine went out of its way to insult Moslems It apparently was trailing its coat.