ENDA MULCAHY,
Sir, - Declan Mansfield (October 4th) attempts to answer the question "Why is Communism not excoriated?" by suggesting that people of the left - in human-rights organisations, in environmental movements, and in trade unions , for example - are the intellectual heirs of that brutal, unfair, and disastrous experiment.
Does Mr Mansfield not remember that it was a trade union, Solidarity, which brought about the end of Communism in Eastern Europe? Is he not aware that not only is Communism not dead but alive and kicking in China (kicking, torturing, raping and murdering)? Is he not aware that while Mr Ahern was playing host to a Chinese State visit, a large protest was organised to protest at the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in general, and Mr Zhao Ming, a student in Ireland, in particular, and that human rights campaigners and those of the left were prominent in that protest? Intellectual heirs of Communism I don't think.
May I suggest that another reason is behind this? Has anyone noticed the glut of "Cuba" and "CCCP" Tee-shirts and sweatshirts worn by the young and not-so-young of this country - shirts those of the left would not be seen dead wearing! - no doubt manufactured by large multinationals? And has not the best-known multinational drinks company in the world now started running Soviet-esque ad campaigns called the "Red Collection" with tag-lines such as "Always submit to the will of the Party"?
If Mr Mansfield wishes to help those suffering under Communism and end the nostalgia for Communism, may I suggest a boycott of any company promoting that nostalgia, or worse still, investing in Communist China? But, please, whatever you speak out against, do not speak out against the very people speaking out against, and acting against brutality, or looking for a better world. Yours, etc. -
ENDA MULCAHY, Ashton Avenue, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.