There are those republicans who argue a convincing case that Martin McGuinness has sold out. They point to his “administering British rule” as Deputy First Minister in Stormont. They denounce his meetings with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. And they now point to his plan to visit the site of the Battle of the Somme as honouring the British army which over the conflict of the conflict wreaked periodic havoc on the nationalist community.
They’re entitled to their views, the same as the rest of us. I chose to think that McGuinness is doing two things at once: delivering on his promise to advance reconciliation cutting the ground from under not-an-inch unionism.
That he’s delivering on outreach and binding up old wounds is obvious. He’s done all the things that he would have never done if he hadn’t committed himself to reconciliation. It must be difficult for a man who was central to the armed conflict to work with and befriend Ian Paisley, the arch-enemy of republicanism. Likewise meeting with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles invites the contempt of unreconstructed republicans, as does respecting those Irishmen who died in British uniform at the Somme.
But put yourself in the shoes of a not-an-inch unionist. McGuinness’s actions show he is capable of putting the pain of the past to one side as he seeks a new beginning. What initiatives for a better future has unionism built? Attending events which mark dates and occasions of importance to republicans? Hardly. And by staying stuck in their trenches, the contrast between their paralysis and McGuinness’s activity shows the world that republicanism is working for a better future while unionism remains mired in the past. No unionist that I’ve heard of has congratulated McGuinness on his meetings with the Windsors; but that only emphasizes the lack of imagination and courage among unionist politicians.
And the ground-cutting thing? How can you shun republicans and loudly announce your loyalty to the Crown, when that same Crown can set aside the pain of the killing of her husband’s uncle and meet repeatedly with the Deputy First Minister?
James Molyneaux figured that the cessation of hostilities here marked a dangerous time for unionism. He might have added that, thanks to Martin McGuinness, it has become a time for unionism that is deeply confusing as well.
I am delighted Martin Mcguiness is going is going to the Somme. His actions are truly statesman like and I truly believe that his gestures are genuine and are going a long way to heal divisions.
I was disappointed at Arlene Foster for not handling the Rising centinerary with the grace Martin has. It will not erase his past, but the past is the past and I’m glad he’s looking to the future.
Well done Mr Mcguiness
“His actions are truly statesman like and I truly believe that his gestures are genuine and are going a long way to heal divisions. ”
Scott, healing divisions is a two way street.
Sure, I respect Martin for his commitment to reconciliation and it MAY influence a small number of moderate and open minded people from the unionist community.
It wont change the overall opinion of unionism one bit who are moving further to the right if anything.
I have no interest in reconciliation with unionism. Unionism is nothing more than sectarian bigotry and they can go burn as many Irish flags as they want on the road to hell for all I care.
There is no place for unionism in the Ireland I want to see.
In fact it is unionism that needs to be reconstructed.
“Unionism is nothing more than sectarian bigotry”
Am I a sectarian bigot then Jessicca since I’m a unionist? My Catholic girlfriend from Derry will be very surprised to hear that.
“Am I a sectarian bigot then Jessicca since I’m a unionist? My Catholic girlfriend from Derry will be very surprised to hear that.”
You tell me Scott.
You are quite comfortable to declare yourself a unionist at the same time unionist leaders are behaving in a very sectarian fashion.
You may be on the lower end of what I call the sliding scale of bigotry that us unionism, but in my experience, even those at the lower end eventually reveal themselves. I hope one day to be proven wrong.
By the way dating a catholic from Derry might exclude you from joining the orange order but only a unionist would think they deserve merit for it.
Good job then I don’t wish and will never join the Orange order as I believe they are a sectarian organisation.
You don’t seem to grasp that Unionism doesn’t equal Support for the Orange order, Loyalist flag protests, The DUP, The UUP or The TUV, Marching bands.
The only thing Unionism has in common is supporting the Union. After that it is as diverse as the rest of society.
To call me and every other Unionist bigots is just narrow minded.
“You don’t seem to grasp that Unionism doesn’t equal Support for the Orange order, Loyalist flag protests, The DUP, The UUP or The TUV, Marching bands.”
It doesn’t. In that case you are quite right and if you could convince me that were true I would take it all back.
But if you take away the supporters of the above what would be left of unionism?
“The only thing Unionism has in common is supporting the Union. After that it is as diverse as the rest of society.”
But you are not just supporting the union, you are supporting the division of a country against the wishes of the majority of its people. You are supporting the denial that unionism started the conflict in Ireland, you are supporting the cover up of british involvement in that conflict.
I don’t care how diverse individual opinions are within that group, that us what truly unites you and it is not narrow mindedness, it is what I have experienced in my life. I would truly love to be proved wrong.
Scott
I agree about MGuinness, he seems genuine in his efforts and has gravitas that Adams and Kelly are lacking.
As you say Unionists could be more responsive although I don’t think Jude’s ‘not an inch’ tag is helpful as both sides have moved more than their hard core supporters would like.
He is not Mandela by any stretch (and MK were not the same as the IRA despite what Ryan claims below) but I think he is genuine in his efforts for reconciliation.
Eg(s), please, gio?
“As you say Unionists could be more responsive although I don’t think Jude’s ‘not an inch’ tag is helpful as both sides have moved more than their hard core supporters would like.”
I would say the unionist political leadership is more hard line and has moved less than the people in their community would be supportive off.
They are leading the hard-line stance in my opinion and have done next ot nothing to promote reconciliation which is why I think they can go and get stuffed.
Jude
I think sharing power with SF is a pretty major example of Unionism acting in a way that their hard core support would not have been happy about.
There have been small gestures to such as Robinson attending a GAA match.
I am not trying to say those are in any way praiseworthy as they are no more than what most people would expect. But certainly they would have left the more intransigent supporters unhappy.
I don’t think anyone could deny that the greater efforts in reconciliation are coming from SF, but I don’t know that ‘not an inch’ is fair towards unionism in general.
(i) Why wouldn’t the DUP share power with SF – do they see them as unclean?; (ii) Did the DUP share power because they had other alternatives or because they had no alternative? (iii) P Robinson attends a GAA game – sweet Mother of God.
Jude
I did state that these are things hard to swallow for the hard core support, just as going into powersharing has been hard for some SF supporters.
do you disagree?
The GAA attendance was a small thing but symbolic and I imagine many would see shaking hands with members of the Royal family as small but symbolic.
It depends on from whose point of view you are looking does it not?
Everything depends on point of view, of course. But I wouldn’t equate a gawk at a GAA match with M McG shaking the royal mitt – on several occasions. When can we expect a unionist counterweight to McGuinness visiting the Somme?
“I did state that these are things hard to swallow for the hard core support, just as going into powersharing has been hard for some SF supporters.”
Power sharing only works when both sides are reasonable.
Unionism has been getting away with being totally unreasonable, I would rather see the whole shebang come crashing down than suffer their insolence any longer.
Jude
The Somme commemoration is not just for unionists!
However I am not trying to be an apologist for unionism here (in case jessica picks on me again) I already agree that they are lagging behind.
My point was that labelling them ‘not an inch’ is a bit harsh when they are sharing power and doing deals every day SF in a way that would have once been unthinkable.
“My point was that labelling them ‘not an inch’ is a bit harsh when they are sharing power and doing deals every day SF in a way that would have once been unthinkable.”
Doing the bare minimum does not warrant any respect gio and should get none.
So Unionism now ranges from ‘not an inch’ to ‘not an inch more than we have to’, that is still not worthy of any respect.
“I think sharing power with SF is a pretty major example of Unionism acting in a way that their hard core support would not have been happy about.”
That is so pathetic it is incredible.
In essence, what you are really saying here gio is, we know unionists are sectarian bigots, but it is part of their heritage and culture. They have always been that way and it is up to everyone else to accommodate them.
“I don’t think anyone could deny that the greater efforts in reconciliation are coming from SF”
You don’t say.
What gave it away?
Was it the holding noses, curry my yoghurt, rogues and renegades or just the run of the mill insults?
“but I don’t know that ‘not an inch’ is fair towards unionism in general.”
I agree, they have gone beyond that their attitude is more on a par with that of the nazis.
Hail Alrene Fuhrer
jessica
I know you feel very strongly about all this but if you know anything about Hitler and the Nazis you would not be making such an insulting comparison.
Between that and truthrevisionist pouring out jew-hating bile I feel a bit depressed with my fellow republicans.
Jude,
I am one of those Irish Republcans who is VERY critical of SF and of Martin McGuinness in particular. He constantly speaks of reconciliation with Unionists and of protecting the ‘peace process’. Of course he’s entitled to do whatever he wants but in my opinion it’s not only anathema to all things republican but it doesn’t make one difference to Unionists what he does. I would argue that they constantly laugh at him as he grovels at the feet of British royality. Also by going to a commemoration to Flanders doesn’t mean he’s going to bring the unionists flocking to his door.
Martin is slowly but surely putting manners on those Unionists of the “NOT AN INCH” variety.
His leadership should allay sensible Unionists fears of living (in the future) in a United Ireland
In reality what MMG or other republicans do to try and cement good relations, is written off as not being truthful, they see it as a ploy to try and wrong foot them. One only has to remember that a week ago Arlene said she wouldn’t trust republicans.
There is also the fact that unionists think they have already given the most, allowing nationalists to have civil rights, one man one vote, equality legislation etc, as if it was in their gift. There is no recognition that the actions of unionism was a factor in the troubles here. Hence this preposterous position that they will not allow republicans to re write history.
Finally, they also lack a generosity of spirit. Forget commemorating republican anniversaries, just look at their attitude to the Irish Language act because it is Sen as important to Irish Nationalists, unionists are not going to facilitate its enactment.
And we want that to be around in a future Ireland PJ?
No thanks!
McGuinness has been taking lessons from Nelson Mandela. Not many people know the whole truth behind Mandela. Mandela was in a paramilitary group like the IRA that bombed train stations, malls, etc aiming to bring down Apartheid, which was as corrupt and wrong as the state of Northern Ireland. Mandela was arrested and imprisoned. He was offered early release as long as he would condemn violence, he refused. Amnesty International refused to take his case due to his support for violence. It was only when Mandela adopted the whole reconciliation stuff that he gained proper Worldwide support. Though Apartheid was always unpopular abroad, just like Unionist Northern Ireland.
Now am I saying McGuinness is another Mandela? No but he’s doing what Mandela did, he’s reaching out, he’s making it clear he wants peace and reconciliation. Unionisms response? Rejection of that outreach, rejection of that peace. That paints them in a bad light, a very bad light. Indeed the Unionist and Nationalist electorates are polar opposites. The more extreme you are the more votes you get from Unionism, look at how the DUP got where they are? On the back of a Anti-Catholic, Protestant Fundamentalist preacher, who we all know was directing violence from behind the scenes and stoking it up. SF on the other hand got where they are when they adopted peace. They didn’t overtake the SDLP until 2001. Of course the Hunger Strikes kicked started SF but that was due to the viciousness of Margaret Thatcher and the suffering of the Hunger Strikers that garnered Worldwide sympathy.
Has McGuinness sold out? At the minute I’d say no, I understand what Sinn Fein are doing, its better to be in Power at Stormont than outside it but I think Sinn Fein need to do far more to achieve something for their electorate because many are now impatient. Most who voted for the GFA didn’t vote for it to end with Marty being Joint First Minister, it was simply for a step closer to Irish Unity.
Brexit could provide a great opportunity for Irish Unity. I’m not one to depend on “gut feelings” but I really do sense Irish Unity isn’t as far away as most think…..
PS: on the subject of Mandela, its interesting to note that Mandela advised Republicans in the early 2000’s that they should NOT decommission their weapons….I don’t believe for a second they did anyway and rightly so, the UDA, UVF, MI5 and British Government are still active here.
……. but that only emphasizes the lack of imagination and courage among unionist politicians. If he is up against a brick wall, then why is he doing it? Is it for the US and British optics? It’s certainly not to endear himself to the republican core (or ex core) voter. Did I hear on the news that the Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment and his second wife are visiting the 6 counties? Just my imagination.
“Likewise meeting with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles invites the contempt of unreconstructed republicans, as does respecting those Irishmen who died in British uniform at the Somme.”
I have the utmost respect for Martin McGuinness. There is no better statesman on this island, not even Michael D who took a nose dive in many peoples estimations over the Belfast snub.
Having said that, what stood out for me in that article was the use of the term, “unreconstructed republicans”
I found myself thinking, was I on the reconstructed side or unreconstructed.
I don’t recall ever being reconstructed and am not really sure what it means. Sounds very unionisty. Perhaps all this talk of reconciliation is rubbing off.
The DUP once considered Martin an “unrepentant terrorist”, is he now considered a “reconstructed republican”.
As always, I went to Google for guidance.
“To cause to adopt a new attitude or outlook:”
So are we no longer seeking a “united Ireland”, but a “reconstructed Ireland”
I wonder what the criteria is to be considered a “reconstructed republican”?
“What initiatives for a better future has unionism built?”
They have had a few Jude.
There was bad laws. When a law is passed that they didn’t like, they declared it was a bad law and not to be heeded.
That’s showing initiative, unionist style.
Then there was civil disobedience. Again, when things don’t go your way, without breaking the law of course, calls for civil disobedience was another ditty.
Occasionally it resulted in mass riots but these were not asked for and not unionisms responsibility in any way of course.
The graduated response is worth the mention but was a bit of a flop to be honest, I believe it may well have failed to graduate.
Flag protests. They have agreed to meet up weekly forever until the flag is restored to its rightful place.
Now if you could only bottle that soft of commitment, I would have a case of regular exercise and healthy eating,
Then there was the holy cross pickets where they tried to stop schoolchildren and their parents from walking to school through their area.
We had protesters shouting sectarian abuse, throwing stones, bricks, fireworks, blast bombs and urine-filled balloons at the schoolchildren and their parents.
Where else in the world would you get that type of initiative?
And we think we are the ones who need reconstruction?
Any wonder they tell us the 1918 election victory for Sinn Fein was a vote in support of partition.
“And by staying stuck in their trenches, the contrast between their paralysis and McGuinness’s activity shows the world that republicanism is working for a better future while unionism remains mired in the past”
They say the electorate are fickle, just ask Fianna Fail.
I do get what you are saying, but in comparison I would say the world doesn’t really give a fickle and unionism knows it.
If you still think the international community gives a monkeys or will tell unionists to catch a grip, it just isn’t going to happen.
They are the special people. Bad behaviour is simply part of their culture.
Jude, your theory is admirable, but in practice the Sinn Fein gestures are getting us nowhere.
As you admit, no one has congratulated Marty for any of his conciliatory measures, nor has there been any reciprocation from any brand of unionism, as any gesture made is pocketed by unionists and they just demand more gestures, apologies and grovelling!
There is also the fact that Sinn Fein gave way on the Irish Language Act, then on the Long Kesh project, recently when Arlene blocked money for investigations into victims cases, and it looks like they are going to give way again on the justice ministry.
And they wonder how PBP gained two Stormont seats.
For how long will Sinn Fein turn the other cheek, just to get a kick up the backside?
Showing a little bit of spine now and again would not go amiss!
I have to agree with you Sherdy.
The SDLP are taking the loss of 3% of their vote very seriously but SF, in my opinion, are more concerned about who gets the Justice Ministry seat than a drop of 2% of their vote. I cant help but get the feeling they aren’t taking voters in the North seriously.
Unionism has openly shown contempt for Catholics yet again by not wanting a SF or SDLP Justice Minister. Alliance is just another Unionist party. You can say the same about the Greens. SF just appear weak over the past few years and willing to accept their lot. As commentator Chris Donnelly said “This isn’t something that impresses the Republican electorate”.
The South’s elections are important and SF has done very well down there but they need to get back to business up North.
Jude,
Your analysis and observation is fairly straightforward… so what next?
What ideas or policy direction would you suggest that (and I hate the term as much as CNR) the PUL half of the country embark on? Power Sharing? Coalition Government?
What exactly do you expect from a portion of Society that, rightly or wrongly, has everything to loose and nothing to gain from softening a seige like mentality, built on a never an inch mantra.
We need to be realistic about the speed of progress and what normality would, could and should look like here…. and it may take a number of generations of stagnation before we move on. One definite issue though… is that the current protagonists, all need to leave the stage, and new blood, new ideas, new focus is developed by a different set of players.
I think you might be about to start seeing that very thing…a new younger generation of younger politicians with little connection to a violent past and possibly with some new ideas….Steven
a time for unionism that is deeply confusing as well…………..they dont seem to confused,majority in stormont,majority in opposition,justice minister.by the way whos he representing when hes honouring these brits.
Billy
As a unionist myself I don’t find McGuinesses attempts of reconciliation unnerving or confusing, I find it heartening that we are truly moving on from the past.
You’d have to admit though for it to the DUP needs to show a bit more give to help heal divisions.
I think, Jude, that Nelson Mandela’s attitude may have influenced Sinn Fein’s direction too. Mind you, for a certain kind of unionist ,Mandela will always be seen as a terrorist. What’s really lacking sometimes is a little bit of imagination. That doesn’t come to everyone, sadly, but someone like Mandela could see a much bigger picture and I have a notion that Our Marty is reading from that same page .
Nailed it, PK
Pk, being a unionist is like being pregnant. You can’t be a little bit. No matter what crafty psychological tricks that PSF play no one is fooled. The colonists can see through him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing and republicans are becoming more and more pissed off with the turn the other cheek shenanigans. BTW thanks for the erudite answer on Italian wine – not.
fiosrach
Can you be a little bit nationalist?
Not a principled nationalist, you can’t
“Can you be a little bit nationalist?”
You can be a little bit pregnant.
Otherwise, how can you be heavily pregnant?
Same as you can carry a load or a heavy load. It’s still a load. I think,jessica, your mother would need to take you to one side for a wee talk.
“Same as you can carry a load or a heavy load. It’s still a load. I think,jessica, your mother would need to take you to one side for a wee talk.”
Indeed, we can quantify most things fiosrach.
If a load was just a load, which load would you choose to carry up a hill, the light load or the heavy load?
If I was a little bit pregnant, I might even help you with the load, whereas if I was heavily pregnant, you would hardly expect me to carry any load or your mother would have needed to take you to one side for a wee talk don’t you think 😉
“He might have added that, thanks to Martin McGuinness, it has become a time for unionism that is deeply unnerving as well.”
Really? I don’t see any signs that unionism is unnerved. Quite the opposite in fact (Taking for granted, of course the paranoia of ill-educated loyalists, which is a constant.)
Unionism isn’t unnerved MT? I cant think of a time when Unionism was “nerved”. You must have slept through the entire “Fleg” episode when SF/SDLP got the Union flag demoted to designated days and the bulk of political Unionism fled into hiding for a number of weeks. Peter Robinsons car was even attacked by flags and sticks as he drove away from a visit to East Belfast. Stormont and the entire peace process was at the edge of a cliff because of a flag….
What will be the reaction when SF become the official First Minister? Or Nationalists hold a majority in the Assembly? Or when Nationalists gain a majority in Belfast City Hall and other councils and remove the Union flag completely? Because most, if not all, of those things are very likely to happen.
Sure you can point to a 5% drop in nationalist turnout at the Assembly Elections…..but it is only 5%….you might be on to something if it was 50% but its 5%…..Nationalists have had set backs before like in 1992 when Gerry Adams lost his West Belfast seat but by 1997 he won West Belfast back and Marty took Mid Ulster from the DUP. In contrast Unionism has maxed out, DUP considered this a excellent election but yet they didn’t gain a single MLA from 2011. Once SF learns how to get the voters out again, and they will, then you’ll see how unnerved Unionism really is.
“Really? I don’t see any signs that unionism is unnerved. Quite the opposite in fact (Taking for granted, of course the paranoia of ill-educated loyalists, which is a constant.)”
So unionism wasn’t unnerved about Martin potentially being first minister?
Would that be the same ill-educated loyalists who wasted the best years of their lives rotting in cells to do the dirty work of their political representatives who used them to control and intimidate when the need arose only to cast them aside and call them murderers when that suited better.
Is it any wonder I feel more in common with working class loyalists than I do with mainstream unionism.
Mr McGuinness does his best to pour oil on troubled waters, even though the price of oil is rising in global markets. All the evidence suggests that parish pump politics remains the norm in Dáil Éireann with ‘new politics’ now on life support complete with instructions not to resuscitate under any circumstances, while the body politic in the Assembly remains in intensive care.
Mr McGuinness is clear about his leadership and the goals of his party. Political leadership will be tested in the weeks and months ahead, better oil on troubled waters than on burning tyres.
All mcguinness is doing is showing future generations(potential republicans?) that it is ok to like royalty,bigotry,imperialism etc. Stop scratching your head then when you wonder why those future generations become assimilated to the UK and care not to vote etc etc. He’s doing a fantastic job at ‘nothernirelandising’ the six counties.
Whilst he whistles in the wind trying to reach out to convince unionists the merits of Irish unification, the unionists are ensuring the most important people, future generations, are suitably conditioned into accepting the status quo of norn irelan.
“Whilst he whistles in the wind trying to reach out to convince unionists the merits of Irish unification, the unionists are ensuring the most important people, future generations, are suitably conditioned into accepting the status quo of norn irelan.”
That is exactly what is happening WT, plus the Dublin establishment are relishing it.
The more they suck up to unionism, the more I despise unionism.
Roll on the next revolution
It’s a real case of give and take, Esteemed Blogmeister, where Martin McGuinness and the Free Southern Stateen Unanimity are concerned: the more he gives the more pot shots they take.
Shoulder that Boulder !
Shoulder that boulder to the top of that hill
For us to watch it roll back down is only brill
Each Southern prissy puss
Calls Martin ‘MacSisyphus’
Nothing regales them as this whale of a thrill.
Could be, it is time for the First Minister of Nationalism in Norneverland to take five from playing the role of Hero and to don the black hat of the passive villain for a change? Let the M.O.P.E’s* make the effort now.
As GI’s were a not unknown phenomenon on Foyleside during WW2 maybe it is even time, as it were, to recall Cinematic Cliché 312:
-WW2 GI’s always give nylons and cigarettes to the local women, yet never take advantage of the situation by asking for, erm, favours in return.
Come to think of it : perhaps, on second thoughts, that might well be asking too much. Even an other Martin – de Porres – could hardly be expected to go that far !
(*Most Oppressed Prods Ever).
Can anyone point to a single significant achievement (as opposed to gesture) by SF while in office? Apart of course from actually BEING in office.
No. Enough.
This is silly. SF are licking the backside of entrenched unionism and getting nowhere. Their vote is falling and nationalists are turning away in their droves. If there’s a unionist justice minister following on from Arlene ‘Rogues and Renegades’ Foster insulting SF voters by ruling out a SF Justice Minister then it will confirm the complete capitulation of SF. Their vote will continue to fall because a lot of nationalists are sick and tired of never ending unreciprocated outreach.
Where’s the Irish language act ? Where’s the symbols of nationalism at Stormont ? Where’s the economic equality ? Where’s the infrastructure west of the Bann ?
SF need to deliver real advances for nationalism and leave the tv stunts alone. Soon SF will be cutting taxes for business at the cost of public services. I won’t be voting for them again – no, enough is enough.
“Where’s the Irish language act ? Where’s the symbols of nationalism at Stormont ? Where’s the economic equality ? Where’s the infrastructure west of the Bann ? ”
Now you’re talking.
another orange justice minister,and a screws daughter into the bargain.conflict of interest surely.
McGuinness and his team of collaborators are dancing to their masters’ tune. Subservient and humiliated, they will never have power of any kind, – just temporary managerial duties on the reservation. Because the owners in the big house have appointed their own loyal slaves to help control the bewildered goyim, who wander aimlessly with their polling cards hoping for a United Ireland or a British Ulster.
Or as Mencken observed ‘ the pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance’.
The SF republican ‘sellout project’ was,- like the disgusting Mandela treachery – orchestrated from within. – Albie Sachs and his other ‘yiddish’ friend Yossel Mashel Slovo (Joe Slovo) devoted themselves, to moving the ANC from a ‘murdering terrorist gang’ (sound familiar?) – to a ‘peace-loving’ democratic party -who let the ‘pharisee’ bankers keep all the gold and diamonds and control the nations natural rescources for the benefit of themselves. And the people starved.
And so whilst the liar and fake statesman Mandela and his bolshevik cohorts in the ANC, stuck their noses further into the trough, Marc Rich and his kosher nostra mates Ivan Glasenberg of Glencore and the Oppenheimers, De Beers and Lonmin were, with the help of Goldman Sachs ‘fleecing the fuck’ out of the country. And still are.
But the sheep had their ‘Rainbow Nation’ so that’s OK.
Now We don’t have any gold or diamond mines.
But still, whilst the liar and fake statesman Gerry Adams and his mate McGuinness ‘snort’ and check their mobiles for instructions from Lloyd Blankfein and Ben Bernanke, – the sheep here dream on.
Or as Ezra Pound put it -‘A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him’.
tr
Very unpleasant stuff there,
‘Goyim’ ‘yiddish friends’ ‘kosher nostra’…what are you trying to say?
Gio,
Truth is often unpleasant.
Now go use your imagination.
Truthrevisionist, I couldn’t agree more. Ruling by fooling is a fine art.
I can see both sides of the argument, Unionist leaders seem incapable of making big gestures in the way the Sinn Féin leaders have but I think that is because most of them were reared to hate and despise Catholics and the Catholic Church. Even Arlene and her ministers standing beside Martin would have been unthinkable a few years ago. The simple fact is things are not the way they were back in the day, Republican voters by and large accept that. What is the alternative? Support another brutal guerrilla campaign with all the horrors that would bring? No thank you.
Spot on Another Jude. The key question is ‘what is the alternative?’.
The Billys of this world along with other dissatisfied or disaffected Republicans come on here and whine about what SF are doing or what they’re not doing. And that in itself is fair enough. SF are a political party and deserve to be critiqued. I’ve no problem whatsoever with that.
Wouldn’t it be better though that rather than just complaining about the current state of affairs they could outline alternative courses of action that could be taken? Actions that could realistically help us achieve the goal of seeing the creation of a 32 county Irish Republic that would treat all its citizens fairly and with respect.
Even better than perhaps even suggesting such courses of action perhaps they could take such actions themselves?
Unionist politicans in the main have been begrudging, disrespectful and I don’t think they’ve made any great efforts to truly embrace the concept of power sharing and treat their nationalist/republican neighbours with respect. That’s an issue for them and I’d hope in time they can rectify that. In the meantime I’m happy for Republican representatives to reach out and show respect to others. Why let bigots dictate or determine how you yourself behave?
Republicans were prepared to engage in a long war in order to achieve their objectives. I’m more than happy to engage in a long peace and to those who somehow might think that going back to violence might make things better then I think a reality check might be needed.
“Spot on Another Jude. The key question is ‘what is the alternative?’.”
Patrick, there is no going back to violence.
Sinn Fein have a strategy which involves building up the economy in the north, building bridges and trying to seek reconciliation among the people in the north.
That is the agenda in the north only.
Their main strategy and the bigger picture is success in the south and taking control of Dublin in order to pursue the creation of a new 32 county Ireland. This new Ireland will be based on the vision aspired to in the rising and through the proclamation, it will be fully inclusive of all people on this island and fully embrace unionists who will hopefully play a full and equal part in this new venture and make Ireland a country we can all be proud off..
That is a fine and noble aspiration and I can see why many people find it easy to get behind.
But let us not forget, it was unionism that started the conflict. They have yet to acknowledge this fact and have done zilch to reach out to the community they brought the conflict to.
Britain played a very active part in the conflict, direct murder, running paramilitary groups, controlling agents on both sides, bombing and killing.
They have covered up atrocities, redacted and denied access to evidence. Is this now acceptable?
MI5 allowed the sexual abuse of our children to collect information on loyalists, allowing members of british cabinets to ruin the lives of Irish children, flying them over to england for orgies was the only trail of evidence and that was covered up and the investigation moved to an agency without the power to pursue the evidence found.
MI5 are still recruiting, running agents and controlling dissidents and will turn it on and off as required.
Sinn Fein have out grown the peace process, they are now not really any different than Fine Gael and Fianna Fail in that regard.
I only hope that unlike the other two, should they get into power in Dublin, they will revive the aspiration for a united Ireland and kick start the creation of a new Ireland that will treat all of its people better than it has to date.
But if the price of a united Ireland is to forsake those who have been seeking truth and justice about what went on during the conflict and I include the victims of the kingsmill massacre in that who also deserve to know the full story.
Dublin has done nothing for its citizens in the north, the closer Sinn Fein get to the establishment in Dublin, the more they go down the same road.
Screw a united Ireland. Only one survivor from Kincora remains alive today. The SOS gave him a kick in the teeth and we have done nothing. If it continues I will soon be ashamed to be Irish.