Re: Rule Britannia? was Re: upheavals in England, 1640 - 1848

[Gary MacLennan <g.maclennan@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Adam, you are not, I am sure as you describe yourself an "argumentative
bastard".  Leastways no more than me or I suspect, Rahul.

Concretely, in Northern Ireland, protestant
>workers are part of the solution, not the problem. Conversely, John Brutton or
>Haughey or whoever are part of the problem, not the solution.


Now this is an interesting part of your argument.  I used to go into a rage
long years ago at Essex University at just this.  Always someone, usually
>from I.S. or Militant, would get up and denouce nationalism and come out
with the ritual formula -Workers of N. Ireland Unite etc.

Comrade Proyect has correctly urged us to be more empirical in our approach
to formulating both theory and praxis.  Well all and I mean abosultely all
the relevant data here suggests that the Protestant working class are
totally committed to British Imperialism.  Theirs is the mentality of the
white settler "colon". They are the pieds noirs of Ireland.  The irony is
that the British would have done some deal long ago but for the last of the
true blue imperialists- the Protestant working class.

Did you know that one of the current "legends" among the Loyalist working
class, a Gusty Spence by name, actually organised in the 50s a demonstration
about Cyprus.  But the good spence was demanding that the British send more
troops to crush the rebels!  Similarly I once kept a collection of the
papers produced by the Protestant militias.  I threw them away in the end
because they festered within me, such was their filth and racism.

Now it gives me no joy whatsoever to say this.  I too would like the working
classes to unite.  But wishing and facile sloganising as you, comrade, are
indulging in will not make this happen.

The enemy is British Imperialism.  While the IRA are confronting it, they
have my support.  Critical of course, but support nevertheless.

regards

Gary






     --- from list marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---