Richard Haass was invited here by DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin leader (in the north) Martin McGuinness. He was chosen because of the fact that he was an outsider, someone without a dog in the fight. He gave us every chance to come to an agreement, and returned after Christmas in the clear expectation that a meeting of minds was imminent. He hadn’t reckoned with the capacity of unionist parties to be spooked by the Orange Order and subtle thinkers such as Jamie Bryson.
The final final final final final final final Haass document (well it did go to seven versions, thanks to unionist objections) was a document built by the parties here. In saying it’s not good enough, we’re saying that we’re not good enough. And you can say that again. Or seven times.
This is an election year. The DUP are deeply worried that they might be seen as going soft, particularly since the flag protesters and the Woodvale camp suggest there’s a hard-core constituency out there that’s in need of red meat. So the word of the day and every day is ‘No’. This, they hope, will show that the unionist parties are no patsies and aren’t rolling over for anyone, especially republicans.
Martin McGuinness (in my opinion ill-advisedly) threw nay-saying unionism a life-line yesterday when he said that March 17 would be a date when all parties would be heading to Washington, and how could we look the Yanks in the eye if, when they’ve given us every conceivable help, we still can’t agree? I say ill-advisedly because predictably, instead of seeing it as a life-line (don’t forget Haass urged us to quit negotiating and start implementing), unionism has viewed McGuinness’s comment as a depth-charge and have said (you got it, Virginia) No.
The DUP and the UUP want this disagreement to spin on into May, so they’ll be able to enter elections looking as they are hard men and women who let republicans know they can’t pull any monkey tricks with them. This kind of absurd playing at politics disgusts a sizeable number of unionists. One of the problems we face is the falling numbers of people going to the polls to vote. Does unionism really think that this will increase their standing among their unionist electorate and add to their votes at the May polling stations? Think again, guys. The garden centres are already ordering in extra stock.
I’m surprised, but content enough that Robinson has, by bringing an American into the whole morass here, as he has walked unionism into a corner with the Haass debacle, because the DUP will not be able to prevent the question being asked repeatedly what whas the sticking point and why can’t Robinson simply tell the world, but we know he can’t because he’s going to a bit of trouble justifying having no code of conduct for marches. He’s hoist either way. checkmate.
The more I see and hear unionist politicians (I nearly called them `leaders` there…) waffling away about victims and harping on about Catlederg (yawn…) the more I realise Bernadette was right. The war is over and the good guys lost.
Yes indeed, gio, you’re a pedant – among other things. You’re also not very good at reading.
1. ‘Richard Haass was invited here by DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin leader (in the north) Martin McGuinness.’ – fact. 2. ‘The final final final final final final final Haass document (well it did go to seven versions, thanks to unionist objections) was a document built by the parties here’ – fact. 3. This is an election year.’- fact. 4. Martin McGuinness (in my opinion ill-advisedly) threw nay-saying unionism a life-line yesterday when he said that March 17 would be a date when all parties would be heading to Washington, and how could we look the Yanks in the eye if, when they’ve given us every conceivable help, we still can’t agree?’ – my opinion that he he threw them a life-line, fact that he said March 17 as deadline. 5. ‘The DUP and the UUP want this disagreement to spin on into May, so they’ll be able to enter elections looking as they are hard men and women who let republicans know they can’t pull any monkey tricks with them’ – technically an opinion but just watch it become a fact.
I’m surprised, but content enough that Robinson has, by bringing an American into the whole morass here, as he has walked unionism into a corner with the Haass debacle, because the DUP will not be able to prevent the question being asked repeatedly what whas the sticking point and why can’t Robinson simply tell the world, but we know he can’t because he’s going to a bit of trouble justifying having no code of conduct for marches. He’s hoist either way. checkmate.
The more I see and hear unionist politicians (I nearly called them `leaders` there…) waffling away about victims and harping on about Catlederg (yawn…) the more I realise Bernadette was right. The war is over and the good guys lost.
Jude
Fact number 6. Most of those are opinions.
Yes I’m a pedant.
Yes indeed, gio, you’re a pedant – among other things. You’re also not very good at reading.
1. ‘Richard Haass was invited here by DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Féin leader (in the north) Martin McGuinness.’ – fact. 2. ‘The final final final final final final final Haass document (well it did go to seven versions, thanks to unionist objections) was a document built by the parties here’ – fact. 3. This is an election year.’- fact. 4. Martin McGuinness (in my opinion ill-advisedly) threw nay-saying unionism a life-line yesterday when he said that March 17 would be a date when all parties would be heading to Washington, and how could we look the Yanks in the eye if, when they’ve given us every conceivable help, we still can’t agree?’ – my opinion that he he threw them a life-line, fact that he said March 17 as deadline. 5. ‘The DUP and the UUP want this disagreement to spin on into May, so they’ll be able to enter elections looking as they are hard men and women who let republicans know they can’t pull any monkey tricks with them’ – technically an opinion but just watch it become a fact.