Cohn-Bendit's criticism of Irish Greens EU stance

[woodie]

What's the reaction from Green members to the piece in last Saturday's Irish Times re Danny Cohn-Bendit's comment that the opposition of the Irish Greens to the European Constitution means US hegemony and the betrayl of green ideology?

[pluralist]

I'm not a Green party but I'm going to answer it anyway.

I think Cohn-Bendit is right. Greens (and others on the Left) need to get their heads out of their a** on this one.

This is what puts me off voting Green - the "holier than thou" tendency that seems to infect the Irish Green Party. Sometimes, principles have to be compromised to make way for pragmatism. The way to change the system is to get power first and then change it. No use in standing outside the tent with arms folded, proclaiming one's moral superiority!

[Danny]

I agree with his sentiments 100% However, I'm mad at what he said-he acted like there is no yes wing in the Green Party when in reality there is-and it's quite sizeable and it's growing.
Dannys one of the reasons why I support the EC. If a former student radical can support it, I take that as a good sign of the EC.

[cain1798]

If a former student radical can support it, I take that as a good sign of the EC.

I'm sorry, I don't understand this. Because someone was radical in their youth, and is no longer radical, you believe their support should be taken as a good sign? Is that not a bit illogical?

[Paraic]

I think Cohn-Bendit is right. Greens (and others on the Left) need to get their heads out of their a** on this one.

[Someone had to]

You mean they're more soixante-neuf than soixante-huit?

[/Someone had to]

Paraic

[ryano]

A good way of securing a No vote would be for the Greens or any other Irish party to campaign for a Yes vote on the basis of Cohn-Bendit's analysis. Any referendum campaign here will see the Yes side furiously denying that the EU Constitution has anything to do with creating a cohesive military counterweight to the US, which is what Cohn-Bendit believes.

He's entitled to his opinion, of course, but I don't see what it's got to do with "Green ideology".

[Danny]

I'm sorry, I don't understand this. Because someone was radical in their youth, and is no longer radical, you believe their support should be taken as a good sign? Is that not a bit illogical?

Pretty much,yes. Here is a man who has devoted his life to social justice, reform ,the environment etc. He risked his life in the 60s to try and take down De Gaulle and he seems an intelligent man.
Generally, I'll trust his decision on what is a complex matter. It's interesting however, that you think I should trust Daniel Cohn-Bendit, when Im sure you put a lot of faith in Martin McGuinness, a former IRA radical who has moved to the centre.