Just because a religious bookshop decides not to stock literature that goes against its philosophy doesn’t mean people shouldn’t read it. The ultimate goal of all religions is unity, which has unfortunately been hindered by narrow-minded individuals like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump who believe they are invincible. In the 21st century, there is a wealth of educational resources available, with some universities even offering free access to the public. It’s tragic that some people fall into a trap of narrow-minded thinking due to a lack of understanding of the spiritual aspects of the universe. True education begins once we leave school, as we start to explore the broader world. To fully comprehend the violence originating from the Middle East, it is imperative to educate ourselves about religions that employ violence to impose their beliefs on others.
Easy to overlook danger Iranian-backed groups pose in the Middle East
I would like to commend Irish Independent for its impartial coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict. It’s important for the Irish media and commentators not to overlook the threat posed by Iranian-funded groups like Hamas and other jihadists in the Middle East. Israel, being a small nation with a narrow width, is highly vulnerable to jihadist attacks. We witnessed this firsthand when invading Hamas fanatics committed heinous acts against innocent civilians.
Those who seek revenge at any cost have no interest in diplomacy. War only brings death and suffering to those caught in the middle. History has shown us time and again that war and terror do not resolve the underlying issues. After World War I, the failure of the Treaty of Versailles led to the rise of Hitler and his Nazi regime. The Korean and Vietnam wars brought further misery to populations, and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia killed millions of its own citizens. The recent example of Islamic State (Daesh) showcases the brutal extremism that some individuals are capable of. We now bear witness to the horrifying stories of young people who have been attacked by Hamas in Israel. It reveals the depths of depravity some individuals are willing to stoop to in order to spread their twisted message of hate. While states have the right to defend themselves, this does not justify starving or bombing innocent civilians to achieve their goals. There are those who disregard the importance of international courts, human rights, and diplomacy, focusing solely on destroying their opponents by any means possible. The tragic consequence is the immense human suffering caused by their actions.
Our national pride has been boosted by sporting giants from foreign soil
There is a heartwarming video circulating ahead of the Ireland v New Zealand game, showing young children dressed in Irish colors, singing Ireland’s Call. This reminds me of American children proudly singing The Star-Spangled Banner each morning at school. These acts foster a sense of national pride in young people, something that has been lacking for some time. Sports figures like Jack Charlton, Andy Farrell, and Vera Pauw have played a significant role in boosting our national pride, despite not being native Irish individuals.
A universal basic income of €350 a week would help create a fairer Ireland for all
National income should be used for the collective good of the entire nation, and this can be achieved through prudent budgeting. However, the recent budget proved to be divisive and left many citizens, including the homeless, unemployed, carers, and disabled, without adequate support. This perpetuates poverty, inequality, and injustice. We have the potential to create a just, equitable, and cohesive society in Ireland, but politicians often prioritize division and maintain an adversarial party system. Implementing a universal basic income of €350 per week would drastically transform our society, benefiting citizens’ well-being, the state economy, and social cohesion, and eliminate the need for the annual budget charade.
Video refereeing is overused, but the GAA might need CCTV
While the concept of video refereeing was initially appealing in soccer and rugby, referees have become too prominent and the games over-refereed. The rules now dictate the flow, and referees seem to showcase themselves. However, referees are crucial, and their role should be respected. To strike a balance, video assistance should be limited only to offsides and red-card checks in soccer, and rugby’s TMO should only be used in more specific circumstances. As for the GAA, the introduction of CCTV may not be necessary at this time. Instead, positioning linespersons at each end of the pitch can help address issues related to low-level violence and diving, which have become normalized in the sport.
Sean Boyle, Galway
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