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Surely, Mr. Fox (Rough justice for cowardly thugs, March 3, 1999) does not promote human rights violations, even when relating to those few individuals who might be worthy of such treatment? A civilized society is defined primarily by the treatment of its citizens…all of its citizens.
The entire premise of incarceration revolves around the rehabilitation of offenders, not the cruel mistreatment of them. Obviously, the punishment must fit the crime; and sending local bullies who harass the local constabulary to a cold, empty environment, void of positive reinforcement would have only a negative effect. They will be released into society as an even greater threat to the stability of peace.
Perhaps the gentleman who aggressively chased them down with the "hurley" should be sent to the old Army barracks as well? No, no, no! Although it’s difficult to remain objective when human emotions are involved; we must if we indeed strive for the betterment of our people. We must think of ways to a.) prevent aggressive behaviour, and rehabilitate aggressive individuals into productive members of our society.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe
Edificio "L"
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli
Italy
Without provoking an ongoing banter, I must disagree with the kind Mr. Keane (Anger Over Golfer’s Theory, Examiner, March 6th.) The number of participants that a nation has in any sport has very little to do with the quality of play. There aren’t many good Chinese golfers on tour either, but there certainly are many Chinese! If Mr. Keanes summation is correct, shouldn’t the United States be dominant in football (soccer) as well? The quality of a professional sports program is essentially dependent upon the existence and enthusiastic support of organized youth programs, transforming young, natural talent into future professional masters.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli
Italy
As the Irish-American husband of a Sligo native, the thought of eventually moving to Ireland excited me. Recently, however, my romantic visions of Irish life were soiled by the harsh reality of progress’ effects on the country. Housing prices are exorbitant, and the current salaries don’t seem to be raising in a proportionate fashion. A picturesque cottage nestled in the autumnal bliss of Vermont would cost half as much as a house one third of its size with views of the N-17 in Ireland. One of the primary reasons that my wife and I decided to relocate to Ireland rather than back to New York (my original residence) was to escape the urban decay of a big city. I certainly hope that the Irish plan of attack to confront the issue is not limited to the development of character-less and crowded estate communities. We want to move to the Ireland that my wife grew up in, while embracing the positive changes taking place. I pray that Ireland has learned from the negative effects that "progress" has had in other areas of the world. I pray that quality of life is not stepped upon in the pursuit of dominance during these modern times. Let’s ask ourselves one question: "Where are we going, and why do we want to get there so quickly?"
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli
Italy
I agree with the good Mr. O’Sullivan that we must put things in perspective during times of difficulty (Some can’t afford to sit in traffic jams, Letters, March 23). However, we could use the same logic, for want of a better word, when discussing the increase in housing prices. There are, in fact, homeless people who would love to be in the position to "settle" for a cottage a few miles outside the town centre. While putting matters into perspective rates highly as a psychological self-help tool; it does very little to resolve problems. Thinking about my grandfather walking to school, up-hill both ways, in the snow, and in stocking feet does very little to accommodate 100 motor vehicles in a lot built for 30.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO)
Viale della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli - Italy
With the gradual depletion of the world’s natural resources, and high costs associated with emerging alternatives for growing energy needs; there is a plethora of information regarding the issue. Sometimes, however, we become so caught up in the search for solutions that we overlook the causes of the problem. Before blindly spending our hard-earned money on an available alternative to pylons, and CERTAINLY prior to our acceptance of their installation, we should first look closely at how we are consuming existing energy sources and, more importantly, how we can utilize that energy in a more efficient manner? Amory Lovins provided some enlightening information on the subject ten years ago at his Keynote Address at the Green Energy Conference in Montreal (1989.) Similarly, he asked the following questions:
What do we want the energy for? What are the end uses we are trying to provide, such as comfort and light and torque? And how much energy, of what kind, at what scale, from what source, will meet each of those end use needs in the cheapest way?
This Keynote Address can be found on the Internet at http://www.ccnr.org/amory.html. I urge you, as residents and tax payers, to not only research energy alternatives, but your own use of energy. There is a very good possibility that we could avoid pylons and other unsightly masses, even if they are swept under the blue-green carpet. The choice is ours.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO)
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli
Italy
A Tiger’s survival is dependent upon the destruction of other living energies within its habitat. It must eat in order to maintain its strength and ferocity. Its evolution is based on instinct, without regard for the consequences of its actions. A human society, for better or worse, must take into account the impact that its progress has on its people, traditions, and ethical structures. We are burdened, or blessed, with accountability.
In pursuit of our own financial strength and ferocity, technology has infested our land like a virus that spreads throughout the human organism. Millions of miles of inter-connective, vein-like cables, telephone lines, and power cords have been lain throughout the island, and are entering the homes of every citizen, like weeds, through the cracks of walls. This growing network of veins; however, is doing everything but "connecting" human beings with each other. Conversely, people are spending their time staring into the cold glow of monitors rather than into the warm eyes of their fellow man. The technological revolution has been forced upon us, and it has grown into an inescapable requirement for the function and sustenance of everyday life.
The original idea behind 20th century technology was probably more compassionate than its reality. I imagine that the intent was to create a system wherein tasks could be performed easier than before; a natural evolution intended to improve our way of life, and to make day-to-day living less strenuous. Its evolution, however, mutated into a looming, overgrown, progressive, constantly changing, and competitive system, which, in fact causes more stress and increased workloads. An incredible amount of time, money, and energy is invested into sustaining the life of this man-made monster; time, money and energy that could be far better used to respond to those human needs that are so often neglected. You see, our basic human needs don’t change in relation to technological advancement.
Stepping back for a moment from the intoxicating glow and power of our Tiger’s path; we will see that the there are many leaves that fall as we knock down the trees racing towards progress. The surge in housing costs; the destruction of the environment; the separation of families; increase in crime, corruption, and greed; devaluation of traditional values; and the increase of stress-related health problems are but a few of the consequences that we must consider when evaluating the success of our "progress".
The impact that this progressive, benign growth of technology has on our lives is not so much due to the technology itself, as the "system" is inanimate; moreover, it is based on how we decide to utilize the system. Thus far, we have allowed the novelty and lure of its power to herd us quickly in step onto a fast track in life. I suppose that it is synonymous to a child with a new toy. We can only hope that, like a child’s new toy, it breaks before it breaks us.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO)
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli - Italy
We are merely nine months away from the entrance of a new millennium. One thousand, nine hundred, and ninety-nine years will have passed since He walked upon this same earth. My question is this: Has our "progress" truly improved us? As I read the March 8th edition of the "Examiner", I noticed something very interesting. I noticed that our pursuits to improve as a society have actually failed at the most basic levels. In our blind rush to advance with the modern, scientific, and technological surge of the times; we have overlooked the most critical factor needed for advancement…ourselves.
Sean McCarthaigh reported on the violence against women; Linda McGrory wrote of the challenges of current suicide rates; Neans McSweeney and Niall Murray spoke of the growing problems with student discipline; The Examiner reported on the increase in greed and resulting youth exploitation; and several articles addressed the criticism of Archbishop Connell’s voicing of theological concerns.
Before we continue blindly with our present course towards progress, we should ask ourselves where it is that we want to progress to? What do we want to achieve as a society? How do we want our history to read? Most importantly, we must remember to put ourselves into the equation. Throughout the years, our basic human needs have remained unchanged; and the most important of these is love. With a positive vision and true focus on our goals as a society, there is nothing that we cannot achieve. It is the responsibility of each individual to keep us on course. It is the responsibility of the mother, the father, the teacher, and the employer to embrace even the malice in a child; for with each embrace, true progress is made. Believe it or not, there is good within each of us. Let us not be discouraged, but excited for our capability to change.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO)
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli
Italy
I would disagree with the good Mr. Gallahue’s desire for "absolute transparency" in the Dail if his definition includes the personal lives of public officials (Cleanse Party Political System, Letters, March 29th). Public officials should be entitled to the same privacy shared by the citizens whom they represent. We have not become more corrupt recently, but more intrigued by, and thus more aware of our corruption. It is not a lack in confidence nor trust that prevents quality men and women from vying for public office; conversely, it is the reluctance to have their own lives, and the lives of their family monitored ever-so-closely by the societal microscope.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O’Leary
HQ Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO)
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli - Napoli - Italy
Although I understand the frustration of the good Ms. COLGAN SHAQIRI (Crisis in the Balkans, Letters, 19 April); I must disagree with her suggestion that bombing is the only solution. Even sadder than the fact that refugees have lived in fear for years in the Balkans, is our nonchalant acceptance of such aggressive acts as a resolve to anything. Today, there are over 25 civil wars ongoing throughout the world. It would be easy to rationalize our involvement with each and every one of them. Whether or not an on-looking country, like Ireland, chooses to involve themselves in them or not, however, is a political decision, not a personal one. The people of Ireland, and the world, have every right to debate the issue.
Ms. COLGAN SHAQIRI states that "People who had probably never heard of Kosovo four weeks ago are spouting the most outrageous cant about negotiations, sanctions and other such nonsense...." Yet it seems to be her desire that the same people who don't truly understand the situation blindly accept the war there? Why should it be easier to support bombing than attempts at non-aggressive resolve? We could spend our lifetime fighting other people's wars.
Yours, etc.
Thomas F. O'Leary
Viale Della Liberazione
Bagnoli, Naples
Italy