THE TYRONE 4 PROTEST-FAST ENTERS ITS 4OTH DAY @ MIDNIGHT, SEPT. 23rd. 2012, YET THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING FROM 'OUR' POLITICIANS, CLERGY, and MEDIA. ALAS, IT IS SAD TO TO RELATE, EVEN SOME 'REPUBLICAN" GROUPS HAVE YET TO TAKE A PUBLICSTAND IN SUPPORT OF THEIR DEMAND FOR THE IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE "SEGREGATION CLAUSES" OF THE STEELE REPORT OF SEPT. 2003. SPEAKING OUT NOW CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - POSSIBLY BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
A HISTORY LESSON, ESPECIALLY FOR 'SLOW-LEARNERS'.
The significance of the Hunger Strike is deeply embedded into
Ireland's history and mythology, and for Irish Republicans especially.
This religio-political martyrdom has an iconic connection with THEIR
pantheon of fallen comrades. The use of Hunger strike (The Troscad)
dates back to pre-Christian Ireland when there was a strong tradition of
oral laws, Brehon Laws (Laws of the Fénechus). In ancient Ireland,
self-help was the only method at people's disposal to enforce a claim or
right a wrong within the context of these laws. The hunger striker gave
notice of their intent and, according to the law tract Di Chetharslicht
Athgabhála, if the person who is being fasted against does not come to
arbitration, and actually allows the protester to die, then the moral
judgement went against them and they endured shame and contempt until
they made recompense to the family of the dead person. If they failed to
make such amends, they were not only damned
by society but damned in
the next world. They were held within Irish society to be without honour
and without morality
