The Unsafe and Independent Thinker? Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crackpot' than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost. - Thomas J. Watson Joseph McDaid   I read and felt the irony in the Thomas J. Watson quote at the top of your page. I have for years done little else than state my opinions honestly to many forums and for having done such have been criticized in the most extreme manner by all sides. I come from people that were strong supporters of the I.R.A. and I myself have been an avid supporter in the past, but have come to doubt my own position. I have found all to be the same in the end, they in the end tend to look after their own interests. I find people on a whole nothing more than sell outs. My father, a Donegal Irishman who held the one time aims of the I.R.A. dear to his heart, would be ashamed of the ones at the helm today. My father although he supported the I.R.A. was not an ignorant man, he realised as did many other great Irishmen that Ireland was held in bondage by the cowardice of its own people. He often said that if all were like "Kevin Barry that Ireland would long ago been free". Ireland like all oppressed countries has too few brave men that refuse to sell out. Padraig McKearney, I believe, was sold out by his own because he was a man that refused to give in and sell out his country. Isn't ironic that it is the cowards that end up benefiting from the deeds of the few brave men that gave their all. I have been routed from nearly every Republican site I ever visited. I have and never will be liked because I hold to the truth and don't give a shit about appearing diplomatic. I was not born in Ireland; I was born in Canada but I consider myself a better Irishman than most I have come across. I have no coward in me, I would never give in the murdering Brits and compromise my position. I would never shower shit on the truly great men that gave their lives and died as men and stood for something that counted. I hate slavery wherever I see it and I see it in many places. I hate and deplore the U.S. for its murderous thieving policies. The U.S. is nothing more than a whelp pup of Britain and Canada the same, only Canada hasn't the guts of rat and sold out years ago to the bully next door. Anyway, I got a great kick out the Thomas J. Watson quote.           Index: Current Articles + Latest News and Views + Book Reviews + Letters + Archives

Letters of interest to local and international media, as well as letters sent to the webmaster of The Blanket will be posted here. The Blanket welcomes your opinions, letters to the editor, and other contributions. All submissions must include your name, address, and a phone number for verification; anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Pseudonyms are discouraged but will be considered if necessary or for satirical purposes. The author bears sole responsibility for the opinion he or she expresses.   The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously. - Hubert H. Humphrey   LETTERS

The Blanket

http://indiamond6.ulib.iupui.edu:81/