NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
The Isle of Man in common with other countries throughout these Islands (and indeed in Western Europe faces some significant difficulties going forward but one politician, Chris Roberstshaw MHK, possibly with an eye to the forthcoming election took the situation to ‘another dimension’ this week.
Speaking to the fringe pressure group PAG (see link) he outlined what he described as four ‘apocalyptic’ issues that the Manx government face. They were public sector pension liabilities, the health service, social care and the capital programme.
Now all these issues are important but to use the word ‘apocalyptic’ is stretching it somewhat. The Island currently is, according to government continuing to achieve record growth and unemployment levels are ‘eye watering’ low compared to other States (e.g. in Ireland its just under 10%).
His conjuring up of the apocalyptic reminded me of a review I read of a book on Hitler and the Nazis by Davis Redles entitled ‘Hitler’s Millennial Reich’. The reviewer wrote:
“David Redles has tackled one of the most sensitive subjects in millennial studies – the Nazis. He has done an extraordinarily careful and brilliant analysis of the archival material to reveal Hitler’s messianic charisma, his appeal both on the ideological and psychological level, illustrating that if you can convince people that they live in apocalyptic times and you have the key to their collective salvation, you can get them to do anything. Given that we live in times that lend themselves to such interpretations, we had best understand the apocalyptic dynamics of reactionary modernism.”
– Richard Landes, Director, Center for Millennial Studies, Department of History, Boston University
Interestingly, Robertshaw focused solely on public sector and social issues when in actual fact arguably the main danger presently the Isle of Man faces is caused via the damage to its image internationally caused by some sections of the financial services sector.
Perhaps one of the most under realised strengths of the Island is its political stability and a natural tendency to eschew the extreme talking in terms of apocalyptic scenarios undermines those very strengths.
Chris Robershaw may have been able to ‘play to the gallery’ at the PAG meeting but I warrant most Manx people don’t see some of the current crop in Tynwald as providing the ‘key to their collective salvation’.
It’s a time for reasoned debate not scaremongering!
BERNARD MOFFATT
Issued by: The Celtic News
29/09/15
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The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues
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