|
|
|
Issue
No.5 Summer 2001
Overview
As we go to press with the fifth issue of The
Other View, different political parties are moving into full swing in
their efforts to win votes in both the British General Election and in
Northern Ireland local government elections. In spite of the changes that
have taken place over the past few years there remains many areas of contention
in our society and this will be reflected by the very different positions
adopted by politicians at the polls. As is the custom with this magazine,
we also continue to address these areas of disagreement and offer people
the opportunity to put differing points of view.
In this issue there are articles about the difficulties
posed for the IFA ( and to society in general) by sectarian chanting at
Windsor Park and how the football authorities attempted to deal with the
problem. As the writer points out in his article, it is too early to say
that the problem has gone away. Nevertheless, the fact that the IFA addressed
the issue bluntly and acknowledged that a problem did indeed exist, has
helped greatly in the search for a solution.
There is a lesson in this for us all and for
this magazine in particular. Difficulties do not go away by being ignored
and are certainly not solved by being misinterpreted either intentionally
or by misunderstanding.
This point is well illustrated in an article
by Billy Mitchell as he looks back to his childhood days when his family,
in common with many others, endured hard times. An experience that has
caused the author to underline the similarities between working people
all over the country and the issues that they need addressed.
As usual with this publication, we carry articles
that are not contentious in the context of Northern Ireland. A writer
looks at the problems caused for us all by the recent outbreak of Foot
& Mouth Disease while another article comments on the ugliness of
litter in the countryside and the need to convince people not to despoil
the scenery with rubbish.
Whether one agrees or disagrees with the opinions found in this magazine,
the issues covered will be recognisable to all in our society. We are
delighted to be able to provide this forum for debate and hope to continue
to enjoy the goodwill of our readers .
|