A chara, – Perhaps it would be better to call social media platforms that permit “neknominatinons”, which encourage reckless behaviour, dangerous drinking practices, and have been linked to the death of at least one person in this country, “anti-social media”. – Is mise,
Revd PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.
Sir, – The public debate over the neknomination craze seems to blame the internet for all the ensuing tragedies. How very convenient.
Ireland’s attitude of amused tolerance to alcohol abuse is a serious and deadly flaw that needs addressing at the highest levels of government.
The Minister for Health has publicly declared his determination to stamp out smoking because of the health risks. Which habit is responsible for street violence, domestic violence, higher mortality rates among young people, social dysfunction and many other ills?
If the “game” involved the innocent enjoyment of a cigarette, cigar or pipe, millions in public funds would be brought to bear, and public fulminations would reach boiling point as the health Nazis geared up to full outrage mode. Priorities indeed. – Yours, etc,
JG LACEY,
Lough Atalia Grove,
Renmore,
Galway.
Sir, – Why are we all so outraged by the actions of our young? For years we have been nominating the likes of Obama and Clinton to neck pints of stout every time they visit us.
It’s time we all grew up. – Yours, etc,
JOHN MUGAN,
Woodlands Park,
Moycullen,
Co Galway.
Sir, – Justice Paul Carney’s remarks (“Neknomination risks ‘tsunami of homicide and rape prosecutions”, February 3rd), regarding the link between the “neknomination” game and rape are outrageous.
It is deeply troubling that a member of our judiciary of his rank would make such comments about rape, so wholly disregarding the nature of this crime. To suggest that otherwise upstanding men from “good families” (whatever that means) only commit their brutal crimes against women because they’ve had a few too many drinks ignores the undercurrent of sexism and misogyny that pervades many aspects of Irish society. It is this deep-seated misogyny which is the driving force behind violence against women.
The “long line of cases” of rape that Justice Carney has been dealing with lately is not the result of some drunken poor decision-making; it is the result of the normalisation of violence against women, as evidenced by high rates of male-on-female domestic violence and incredibly lenient sentencing for such violent crimes. We need to be addressing the negative attitudes towards women that make our fathers, brothers, and sons do these terrible things, not trying to censor Facebook for a drinking game. – Yours, etc,
RUTH KILCULLEN,
Shankill, Dublin.
A chara, – Regarding neknominations: to my mind the moral question Facebook has to ask itself is: Is it merely the ticket seller at the turnstile to the games in the amphitheatre of life, or is it the promoter? – Is mise,
COLUM FORDE,
The Park,
Cabinteely, Dublin 18.