When a society prioritises dominance above all else, fundamental virtues such as compassion and empathy are perceived as weaknesses.
In the United States, political divisions have deepened as people abandon personal integrity in favour of ruthless partisanship, with loyalty to one’s side taking precedence over shared values. This shift is not unique to America. Across the world, from Europe to Australia, a similar pattern is emerging as political discourse grows increasingly polarised.
Ireland and the UK are not immune to these pressures.
As public debates become more heated and uncompromising, there is a real risk that a similar erosion of civility and virtue could take hold.
If the focus remains solely on winning at any cost, the social fabric that binds communities together may begin to fray, leaving societies divided and distrustful.
A renewed emphasis on ethical leadership and civic responsibility is essential to prevent such a fate.
Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh
Trump’s deportation plan for Palestine should leave us all very worried indeed
It’s with foreboding we should await Donald Trump’s talk of expanding Israeli territory at the expense of Palestine.
Following his decision to deliver 2,000lb bombs to Benjamin Netanyahu and his vicious regime, he’s more than hinting at helping plan mass deportation of Palestinians into Jordan and Egypt.
He’ll probably tell Mr Nethanyahu: “Forget the two-state solution, just round them up and bus them into Sinai and across the Jordan River. We’ll back you.”
Frank Khan, Dublin 16
Reflecting on the horrors inflicted on Jews in Kerry’s poignant memorial garden
As we recall the plight of over six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the Taoiseach said it is important to remember “to say never again” (‘Taoiseach Micheál Martin decries ‘shocking rise in antisemitism’ ahead of attending Holocaust commemoration at Auschwitz’, Irish Independent, January 27).
Thirty years ago, a solicitor and his wife who were members of the local Rotary Club unveiled a Holocaust memorial in what was formerly a landfill site and before that a limestone quarry.
The memorial is made from old railway sleepers, a reminder of the railways that carried so many condemned people to the concentrations camps of World War II.
The sleepers are bound together with steel bars and surrounded by chains, reminding us of the inescapable horror that faced Jews and anyone else who fell foul of the brutal Nazi regime.
Close to the memorial there is a bust of the poet Friedrich Schiller, known for writing Ode to Joy, which later became the European anthem set to music in Beethoven’s Symphony No 9.
All of this was beautifully incorporated into what is known as the Garden of Europe with over 2,000 trees and shrubs meticulously arranged into 12 sections symbolising the original 12 members of the European Union.
It is Ireland’s only public memorial to the Holocaust and is located in Listowel’s Childers Park and Woodlands overlooking the River Feale and known locally as “The Cows’ Lawn”.
Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry
Éowyn demonstrated the need for better investment in power infrastructure
Storm Éowyn has shown us again the poor state of infrastructure in the west of Ireland.
Much credit must go to the ESB workers, who once again risked life and limb to try and get things back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.
Many of our modern-day utilities require a good electricity supply to perform. No power, as we have seen this past weekend, means no water, no phone, no internet, no heat – not only inconveniencing people, but being a matter of life or death in the case of some medical equipment.
There was always a reluctance by successive governments in doing something about it, and in many cases the reasons were financial.
According to reports, the Irish Government has failed to request financial grants that are available from the EU, as they would not put the required percentage of their own funds towards the overall grant.
Storm Éowyn, and indeed Darragh before that, has exposed our weaknesses.
The Apple money could partially be used to put a better power structure in place. Moving some of it underground is a possibility in certain areas.
Imagine the money saved if this was seriously looked at. Imagine the guarantee of power and the further guarantee of water, heat and internet that this would bring during times of severe weather conditions.
Gerry Conway, Address with the editor
FRC football rules bring new life to game, but hand passing problem endures
It was very refreshing to watch some of the football under the new rules over the weekend. Well done to the Football Review Committee (FRC) on its hard work.
I think the rules are going to make football less defensive, which is badly needed.
However, I think that the goalie should not be allowed out the field. Definitely my biggest disappointment would be that despite all the talk about reducing the number of consecutive hand passes a few years ago, this hasn’t been addressed.
The game is called football, not handball.
Otherwise, these rules changes appear to be a very positive step forward. The hand passing needs to be addressed.
Michael Dillon, Ferns, Co Wexford
It’s truly the end of an era as Dubliners say farewell to beloved 46A bus route
I was very sad to learn that the 46A bus route has ceased operation. It’s to be replaced by a new 24-hour service as part of the wider BusConnects transport plan.
I have to say that the 46A bus embedded itself in Dublin culture and I am heartbroken that the powers that be have decided to get rid of it instead of making it a tourist attraction.
For many people, its the end of an era. Farewell, 46A.
John O’Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary