Anonymous said...
Plaid and Jill's neutrality and obsession with pacifism is a vote loser in the Valleys. Does Plaid not see the link between pacifism and never making a true breakthrough in English-speaking working class areas?
People don't trust pacifists 'cos they know if push came to shove, the pacifists would give into the bully and would not stand up and fight for their identity and society.
Plaid is not a pacifist party. If Jill and yourself want Plaid to be a pacifist party then put it on the agenda at the annual conference and lets see it in black and white. Otherwise, grow-up and stop thinking that talking about peace brings peace. Ironic as it sounds, war sometimes brings peace and war is preferable to servitude and conquest.
19 June 2009 00:59
alanindyfed said...
I would like to point out that the Irish fought for their freedom for hundreds of years because of English attempts to bring servitude and conquest, and having won their freedom the Irish are neutral.
The choice here is between militarism (Iraq, Afghanistan,Vietnam etc) and neutrality. The obesession you speak of is with militarism and interference in the politics of other countries, and not with the position on neutrality.
Sweden and Switzerland have strong defence capabilities yet are neutral.
Plaid has its roots in pacifism and Gwynfor Evans was a pacifist, but this is a question of neutrality as a principle.
A distinction should be made here between pacifism (not fighting under any circumstances) and neutrality (non-interference and non-aggression unless attacked).
19 June 2009 02:25
Anonymous said...
Looks like Plaid needs to spell out its defence policy better so the pacifist 'charge' cannot be laid. As the UK is a rapidly failing state - going bust internally and over-stretched militarily - Welsh independence will come sooner than we think. Scotland is setting the pace, of course.
Come on, Plaid, get moving on this one!
19 June 2009 03:03
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Neutrality, the Key to Peace":
I don't think Jill Evans is a pacifist, so where does that label come from? But let's not forget that pacifists were / are some of the bravest people in the world.
Ireland has armed forces which have a proud record of working with the United Nations. Even the new EU set-up has potential for peace but only if it is de-coupled from NATO.
The bottom line is Wales must get out of militaristic UK and re-direct its national budget.
Come to think of it, though, we may soon have to defend our water resources against English-based predators.
N.B.Letter from the President (see COMMENTS)
"The Nineteenth century saw a great Springtime of Nations as the revolutions of 1848 saw new countries created the length and breadth of Europe. In our world today we are now seeing our own Spring Awakening with people and cultures that have long been dormant and subdued asserting their right to exist, their right to dream." Adam Price MP
Looks like Plaid needs to spell out its defence policy better so the pacifist 'charge' cannot be laid. As the UK is a rapidly failing state - going bust internally and over-stretched militarily - Welsh independence will come sooner than we think. Scotland is setting the pace, of course.
ReplyDeleteCome on, Plaid, get moving on this one!
Annwyl Alan,
ReplyDeleteI have spent my adult life fighting for a cause I believe in, the cause of Wales.
I am, as a Christian, a pacifist, because I believe that the ways of peace are preferable
to the ways of war.
Plaid Cymru is not a pacifist party, but is opposed to the militarism embedded in the
British government's mind-set. When we achieve independence, we believe that Wales should
have a civil force to protect the freedoms of our citizens, and to contribute to the peace-
keeping role of the United Nations.
I think it is time to stop arguing about words ("pacifism" v. "neutrality"), and work together to achieve a free Wales,
and a peaceful world brought about by mutual understanding between people rather than by the threat, or exercise, of military might.
Dros Gymru,
Dafydd Iwan,
Llywydd / President
Look at Sweden, or better yet Switzerland. Wales will need sufficent military force to intimidate any future Edward I into staying on his side of the border! ha ha ha.
ReplyDeleteWWIII IS COMING! are Welshmen willing to serve as mercenaries, fighting in a war which will be of no benefit(and is not intended to benefit) the Welsh people.
No Conscription and to hell with the Crown!
I got told off when I used the word mercenaries.
ReplyDeleteHowever World War III is not in the Tarot cards for the foreseeable future.