Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams is at his absolute best when he is challenging the powerful, the elite, for abusing their power; when he is instilling confidence in the powerless to recognise their innatestrength; when he is using important figures and events from history as examples to motivate others to follow their lead; when he is encouraging people to reach forthe stars to fulfil their destiny; when he is appealing to people to stand up for their rights, to combine with others to shape society to benefit working people.