Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_10_06/GA_0610_E1_024.pdf 

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24

LETTERS

October 6 2005

Would monologues man have been angry if play had been about a foot?
Dear Editor, That's it. We don't need to worry anymore. We don't need George Bush, the UN or anybody else to take care of us, poor fools. We now have this "angry man from Rahoon" (Ban Vagina Monologues, letters, Galway Advertiser, Sept 29) who knows what's best for the whole of mankind. Wow, that's a heck of a job. Maybe that's the reason why he didn't have time to look up in a dictionary the meaning of the word TOLERANCE. Let me do it for him. Tolerance is, amongst other things, the disposition or ability to adopt a liberal attitude towards the opinions or acts of others. Is that so difficult? He went to see a play (sorry, he was "dragged") and, for various reasons, he didn't like it at all. He is asking to ban it (for its sexual content, I gather), but what about my right to see it and decide for myself if it's worthwhile or not? Even if I thought that it's pure rubbish, who would I be to stop others from going to see it? Feminism could be dead but, unfortunately, there are still plenty of censors out there ready to severely curtail our more basic rights, like the right to think for ourselves. Get a life and let us live! And, by the way, would he have been so upset if the play had been about, let's say, a foot? Thought so. Yours, Fed up Galwaywoman (Name and address with editor)

True Muslims should not be feared
Dear Editor, I was surprised and disappointed to read the letter of a Bemused Reader (Advertiser Sept 15) who, for some unknown reasons, opted not to give his/her name or address. No one should be so worried of true Muslims. According to the definition, a true Muslim is he from whose hand and tongue other people do not apprehend any danger at all. My colleague Mr Ibrahim Noonan has already given a detailed response (Advertiser Sept 22). Avoiding possible repetitions, I would like to present the following points for the benefit of the unknown writer and your learned readership. The Holy Qur'an is in Arabic and those who literally rely on an English translation many a time miss the real point. According to the best available translation, the verse quoted only means: `'O ye who believe! Fight such of the disbelievers as are near to you and let them find uncompromising firmness in you; and know that Allah is with the righteous'' (9:123) As a matter of principle, the verses of the Holy Qur'an should be understood together with other verses on the same subject to grasp the real message. On this subject two other prominent verses are: `'Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made, because they have been wronged and Allah indeed has power to help them'' (22:40) `'And fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you but do not transgress, Surely, Allah loves not the transgressors'' (2:191) I am sure that if the first verse is read in the light of these two verses there remains no ambiguity. Islam literally means peace and submission and all its teachings aim at establishing peace and harmony in society. Islam is very tolerant and respectful to all other religions and their followers. These are the things which are, most unfortunately, not being understood by an overwhelming majority of the people in the West. They unfortunately take a handful of people, who by indulging in terrorist activities, betray their own religion - Islam, and believe them to be representatives of Islam. These defaulters, by any definition, have no right to hijack Islam and it is naive on the part of intelligent and educated Western people to blame Islam because of their doing. Terrorism is, no doubt, worthy of outright condemnation. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association is always in the forefront to do so. But we also feel that blaming Islam on the basis of un-Islamic actions of these terrorists, in whatever name they may operate, is tantamount to another form of terrorism. By the Grace of Allah, I have been lecturing on these subjects throughout UK and in several other countries like Japan, Mauritius, and Australia, etc, and talking to people from all over the world who visit the London Mosque. I honestly feel that there is a dire need of these lectures and dialogue to enable the people to see the true face of Islam and come out of the thick fog of gross misunderstanding about Islam. It is for this purpose of education and enlightenment that we have been conducting these lectures for the benefit of mankind at large. And we do it with love and affection, trying our best not to hurt the feelings and sensibilities of anyone. Does the anonymous writer mean to say that the good natured people of the Republic of Ireland do not need such lectures promoting `Love for all, hatred for none''? Yours, Ataul Mujeeb Rashed

What would a socialist know about Shannon benefit?
Dear Editor, I recently read the letter from Margaret Heneghan in the recent issue of the Advertiser and am saddened by her remarks. But then, what does one expect from a "socialist?" There have been many arguing against American planes landing at Shannon but given what our own country has done to the only major airport in the West of Ireland, the money paid by US entities to land there give us some hope that the airport will continue. Ms Heneghan doesn't seem to be aware of the numbers of workers at Shannon Airport and attitudes like hers may very well sound its death knell. Look what happened to Russia, socialism didn't work in the past nor is it working now. Ms Heneghan should take the time to reflect that all of us who had to leave Ireland in the past, and even currently, eventually gave birth to the economy some enjoy as not all, do. Remember also all of those who owe their jobs in Ireland to American firms. It is bad enough that our government does not like Shannon or for that matter the west of Ireland and their efforts to have flights out of Shannon. It is Dublin, Dublin, Dublin, and its socialistic rhetoric, and our taoiseach mentioned that he is a socialist not too long ago. Think about what can happen if our bubble bursts? Yours, Willy Fahy San Antonio, Texas 78247

It'll be sad if Kenny's becomes a Starbucks
Dear Editor, I am writing to you to express my wholehearted agreement with Cllr Niall O'Brolchain's comments in the recent issue of the Advertiser. Galway is very much in danger of losing the unique character which makes our city great. There has been a worrying trend of local businesses closing down and being replaced by chain stores. There are so many towns and cities across Britain now that look exactly the same because they are full of chain stores. A similar situation exists across North America. Super-size malls and "big box stores" have sucked the life and soul out of city centre areas, and guess what? All of these malls are full of the exact same stores with ugly plastic and neon shopfronts. Galway is a beautiful city and its main attraction is the city itself. If we are not careful it will just become a carbon copy of so many British towns. The people of Galway need to act now and get on our councillors' case to do something. We have already seen a number of ugly apartment blocks built without planning. We have seen Taylors Bar turned into a strip club and we have seen the fiasco in Eyre Sq. It is about time that the powers that be stop talking and start acting. If a Galway cultural landmark like Kenny's ends up being a Virgin Megastore or Starbucks it will be a sad, sad day for our city. Galway is a twin city of Lorient and Seattle but if we don't act now we will be twinned with half of the boring towns across Britain. Cllr O'Brolchain mentioned a number of initiatives that could be put in place.Act now! Save our City! Yours, A Concerned Galwegian, (Name and address with editor)

Is it `that part' that frightens monologue man?
I refer to the letter last week from the angry Galwayman who had to be dragged to see The Vagina Monologues by a friend. No doubt he went kicking and screaming. As I have not yet seen this production myself I will only comment on what I have heard about it and the contents of his letter. Why is he so angry? Surely by its very nature and what it is called, this production is bound to, at the very least arouse a curiosity in most men. It's the nature of the beast. Haven't we women listened for years about the glories and the power of the penis? Oh yes we have. He used words like horror, disgust, repulsed, painful memories (you poor lad) trash, and so on, but what really bothers him? Is it "that" part of the female anatomy or is it that these women dare to talk about "the vagina." After reading his letter, I'm definitely going to be one of the fools who goes to see it and I'll "drag" my husband with me!! Methinks this angry Galwayman doth protest too much. Yours, Roisin Steed, Menlo, Galway.

Bold's display and Playboy's shelf move are playing to the ways of Satan
Dear Editor, Some people will read this letter and laugh, some will mock, and many more will not even read it to the end. For the few who read it and identify with it, you are the lucky ones and I thank you. On a rare trip down Galway city on Thursday I was deeply saddened at the attack on the senses and conscience of so much depravity, filth and loss of identity. This is not just confined to our city but has sadly become the norm in the sin filled society we live. Walking down Merchants Road, a woman stood naked in a gallery window in a stunt, which was described to the passing public as "art". The only other place I have seen a naked woman standing in a window was on a tour to Amsterdam, where it was a common sight in the red light district. Is that the direction we are heading in? Carrying on to a well known newsagents I see Playboy, has come down from the top shelf to take pride of place in the Back To School section with a wide range of school accessories aimed exclusively at young girls. Conditioning of our youth to the ways of Satan is at a pace unprecedented in history. In the same newsagents, compatriot magazines of Playboy which once adorned the top shelf, are now on the second bottom shelf, well within the reach of all ages, advertising with glee their naked females and gay males. Blue movie stores open without any objections from our city fathers. Gambling casinos and lap dancing clubs are sold to us as "gentleman's clubs". Expectant mothers are given the "freedom to choose". Don't be seduced with pretty phrases, abortion is murder and nothing else. Soap operas glorify divorce, broken homes, infidelity, murder and violence and this is packaged to us as "entertainment". Sex scandals have occurred in all corners of society, yet the media salivate at the chance to make sure that a priest in the same situation receives even greater coverage. Money and the relentless greed for it has become the new God, shopping the new religion, and shopping centres the new Churches for Sunday Worship. Living in Munich, Germany, a few years ago, the majority of shops closed at 2pm on a Saturday and stayed that way until Monday morning. Are we so busy and sophisticated that we need stores open 24 hours a day to cater for a city of our size? Drink companies tell us "don't see a great night wasted", yet our councils make sure there are few other alternatives than pubs and clubs for evening/night-time entertainment. Is this the Ireland that you want to live in, or want your children and friends to grow up in? Our tolerance levels are being tested each day and week to see how much we will put up with. Unfortunately no one is standing up and being counted. I think its time to stop for a moment and ponder when and where it is all going to end? This is not a warning about the end of the world or such like, but a realisation that we as a nation have lost our faith, our identity, and are in danger of losing our souls. It is worth remembering where we have come from, and where we will end up if we don't heed the warning signs. Hell is not a pretty place, and no matter how greedy, proud or arrogant we are, none of us wants to go there. There are many good churches, prayer groups, and confessional boxes in this city with some excellent Priests and laity waiting to help you along the way. I'm not one to lecture. I'm as big a sinner as anyone else and had turned away from God for over 20 years until I saw the real evil that exists. As a result it's now my duty to warn others and I hope many turn back before its too late. Don't say you haven't been warned. God bless and thanks for reading. Yours, Claregalway reader, (Name and address with editor)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
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