There are at present two groups of people possibly facing prosecution for their actions. One is the people who signed up for the Cash-for-Ash scheme, the other is those British soldiers involved in killings here over the years of the Troubles.
Their response to the possibility – and note I say possibility – of prosecution couldn’t be more different. The Cash-for-Ash people have been tumbling over themselves to tell the public that yes, they too were Cash-for-Ashers (no connection to the cake shop of the same name…At least I don’t think so) and they want the public to know that. The fact that the list of those who were involved in the scheme will be revealed tomorrow has had, of course, no part in their decision to jump the gun and out themselves before they are outed.
British soldiers involved in killings here, on the other hand, are a shy group. You won’t find one of them grabbing a microphone or telling a reporter “Listen, I want to make it clear – I was involved in a killing during my tour of duty (sic) in Northern Ireland”. Not only that, but there is more than one Tory MP indignant at the very notion of prosecuting elderly British soldiers. We are assured they were only doing their patriotic duty (which, assuming that doesn’t mean unlawfully killing people, should suggest they have nothing to fear).
The startling blank space that answers to the name of James Brokenshire was on RTÉ Radio this morning, explaining the British government’s position on the soldiers thing and the Irish Language Act. He said that of course the British government was in favour of the law being maintained, but that there has to be proportionality in these things. (At least that’s what I think he said. Mr Brokenshire’s words, like his corporal presence, tend to vaporize and float into the ether the moment they’re spoken.) By proportionality I think he means that there should be an equal number of republican paramilitaries (not to be confused with loyalist paramilitaries) charged with killing people, so that the elderly soldiers don’t feel lonely when and if they’re placed in the dock. Or put it another way: our boys will never be dragged into a court of law for serving their country.
As to the Irish Language Act, which as the RTÉ reporter pointed out was signed up to by Britain at the St Andrew’s Agreement, Mr Brokenshire said (well done, Virginia – you anticipate my very words) that there needs to be proportionality in these things and that an Irish Language Act would have to be something that both communities were content with. At least I think that’s what he said. The RTÉ man again reminded him that Britain and the other parties had signed up to an agreement that said there would be an Irish Language Act, no ifs and buts. Mr Brokenshire answered by saying how concerned the British government were about creating harmonious relations, political progress and little bluebirds tweeting in a heart shape in a restored Stormont Assembly chamber.
But I’ve allowed myself to be side-tracked. A question that intrigues me is that if the Cash-for-Ashers believe they’ve done nothing wrong – and they are of course innocent until proven otherwise – why are they so keen to blunt tomorrow’s announcement by outing themselves in advance? Is it that they might be DUP supporters or relatives of DUP activists/MLAs/MPs?
The second question that intrigues me is how Tory MPs have come to the point where they are insisting on the parallels between republican paramilitaries and members of the British army? All through the Troubles we were reminded almost daily that republican paramilitaries were a bunch of criminals (‘A crime is a crime is a crime’ – M Thatcher), blood-crazed psychotics with no political vision other than a desire to kill innocent people. Now they’re being tightly matched with British soldiers. Surely that would mean either republican paramilitaries who killed were just serving their country or the British army were a bunch of criminals, blood-crazed etcs.
Poor James B. He’s coming slowly to realize that words, spoken or written, have a nasty habit, sometimes years later and when you least expect it, of jumping up and biting your Secretarial bum.
He shouldn’t worry about it too much.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will soon point it out to RTE that the Irish language belongs to the 26 counties and not the british wastelend in the north of the island, and stop rocking the boat what with brexit and all that real business to take care off.
And its not like real Irish people were killed by those hard working british soldiers who were just doing their duty now was it? Not many anyway and sure it was a while ago now.
If we go asking awkward questions we may end up having to share the county with people who don’t even know how to vote democratically for the Fine Gael or Fianna Fail duopoly.
No, I don’t think he has any more to worry about as RTE and its puppet masters do themselves.
Accept it doesn’t. Irish was first commited to writing in the north of Ireland circa 1500 years ago and it is one of those aspects of our hertitage that can’t simply be taken away from us and indeed flies in the face of a 26 county Ireland. This is why it is opposed so vehemently.
Who is opposing a 26 county Ireland so vehemently?
If it wasn’t for Sinn Fein no one would give a toss.
Support for a 26 county Ireland separate from the north has never been so popular in the 26.
Support for a 6 county northern Ireland has never been more abhorrent and intolerable, bordering on insufferable in the 6.
Yet support within the 6 counties for merging into the 26 has never been so undesirable.
Its not like the southern establishment or the southern media has been hiding its disdain of the north.
If there are aspects of our heritage that can’t simply be taken away, then why bother with an Irish language act in any part of Ireland?
In fact, why bother demanding respect from unionists to share power in stormont but accept a far greater arrogance and disrespect, in fact a total disenfranchisement from those who once considered us to be part of our own nation but which we clearly are no longer considered to be a part off and are just expected to have to suck it up that britain wont leave our island.
Im sure you’re right Colmán. I must be living in la la land and just being too hypersensitive.
Sorry Jessica. The first word should read ‘except’ I am basically in agreement. I was talking people opposing the Irish language vehemently both in the 26 counties and in the north.
I also referred to people not being able to take the language from us as the north of the country had a integral role in shaping the language and this can never be taken from us.
I believe that the continued existence of the Irish language north of the border flies in the face of a 26 county republic and that this is the reason that politicians both north and south – especially those in Fine Gael and the DUP/UUP oppose the development and promotion of the language.
talking about people*
Sorry Colmán
I see that now.
Makes total sense and all the more imperative that we refuse to accept anything less than full equality with every other Irish person on this island including a right to vote for changes to the Irish constitution.
I take it you mean “except” here , Colman , unless you mean something entirely different?
Yes of course Paddykool, my mistake. Maybe that is why Jessica thought I was disagreeing with her.
If you don’t mind Jude I should like to address the potential pending prosecution of ex-Brit’s for murders committed by them during the war in Ireland.
On foot of the ruling at 09.35 that sovereignty in the UK rests with their Dail, rather than with their monarch, and their monarch’s ‘royal prerogative’ is, at least qualified by the right of their Dail wholly changes my understanding of the UK constitution.
The last time this ancient body of power came to the fore in media was, in relation to the grant of freedom, via issue of royal prerogative, to many alleged and actual members of Oglaigh na hÉireann, including one north Belfast Deputy.
If this is so, and here is where it ties to the ex-brit’s and their actions in parts of Ireland over twenty five years, there is a possibility that Gerry Kelly, and others, can now be re-arrested and imprisoned for the ‘crimes’ they were sentenced for in Diplock court’s, if so, and in a new style devolved structure here, the available evidence led to convictions against elderly ex-brit’s for murder then, ex-IRA like, they would be required to face life imprisonment rather than be sentenced, only to be freed under that same, now defunct, royal prerogative
I have little doubt the Justices of the Supreme Court in London, failed to consider this possibility in their efforts to deconstruct the democratically expressed wishes of the people of the UK last June. My own thinking lies with those three dissenting Judges.
poor James Brokenshire, himself of Counsel, how can all this be resolved in favour of elderly men facing life in Maghaberry?
Ta bron orm, one point I forgot to include, does the ruling this morning now make the UK a republic, since, per their Supreme Court, power rests with the democratically elected rather than the monarch?
If so, what of our poor unionist neighbors?
wee eck will be spitting nails over the ruling.lol.she will be calling for another referendum for scotland,when they already had their vote and voted to stay in the uk.just shows these glorified councils are just for looking after bin collections dog poo and the like,proves the point again theres no point voting.
Mark the UK “constitution” is quite a complex idea.
To start there is no single codified document similar to the USA or ROI constitutions which lay out clearly the system of government. The rules that govern the U.K. system have been a organic development that has developed over hundreds of years and have evolved as the UK has went from a absolute monarchy to what we have now which is known as a constitutional monarchy.
The term British constitution usually refers to a whole series of common law, parliamentary legislation and unwritten conventions which set guidelines of how the country is run and where power resides. I admit complicated stuff, but this is my understanding of it.
The central bedrock of the UK “constitution” though since the the Glorious Revolution in 1689 has been that parliament is sovereign. This means that ultimately when the chips are down parliament calls the shots. Both the Queen and the PM are only allowed to hold their positions and exercise their power as long as they hold the support of parliament.
This is what the court case was about. The people who brought this case believed that in matters that fundamentally change are constitutional position I.e leaving the EU, then parliament must be consulted and the PM doesn’t have the right to unilaterally trigger article 50. The courts agreed with them.
My own opinion on your remarks that the UK is a republic are that I in a way agree. I feel that instead of a effectively powerless elected head of state the U.K. has a effectively powerless hereditary head of state. Not a republic in the strictest sense but effectively yes.
Hope that helps.
“Mark the UK “constitution” is quite a complex idea.”
And Ireland has its own complexities Scott, the two clearly don’t mix and they absolutely never will.
The whole of this island must reject british involvement in Ireland with every fibre of our being or we will all regret it sooner or later
Sorry Jessica not interested in a green orange bun fight today. Maybe another time.
It is a bit late for unionists to be coming out with that one im afraid Scott.
I wouldn’t believe a word you or any of your ilk on this island or the other one came out with.
I don’t think the orange and the green have ever been so apart since the civil rights era in the 60s and I mean in all 32 counties of this island.
Whatever you say Jessica, good day to you.
Actually no Jessica, the UK constitution is simply, all Primary legislation passed by their parliament, however, it also includes ‘convention;s;, which I should suggest, includes the Royal prerogative, the right of the Sovereign to negotiate and conclude treaties, like the withdrawal from the EU treaties.
I will have to admit a lot of the legal talk is going right over my head Mark.
My own view, I don’t give 2 f**ks about what is in any UK constitution
Scott, how;s you? I never stated the UK had a written constitution, rather I mentioned it’s constitution which, as I learned, is an ‘unwritten’ one, albeit still a constitution, being all the primary law’s of Parliament. In this, are the law’s of the EU,EC,EEC, transposed, yes by Act’s of Parliament, into the UK but, and I might be wrong but, nothing in EU,EC, nor EEC law displaces the right of the Sovereign to make treaties therefore, I must disagree with today’s ruling.
Bear in mind the makeup of the Judicial membership of the Lord’s of the self same Supreme court, there was substantial debate at the time of the appeal, that many were pro-europe themselves therefore we must ask, how did they bring their own prejudices to bear upon this judgement?
As such, how might such impact any future judgments regarding potential release in respect of potential conviction of ex-brit shootings?
One hell of a legal question.
Sorry Scott, I was, as with most of my Primary,l and second degree, top of my class with Constitutional law.
Mark when you say the sovereign has the right to make treaties are you referring to parliament or the monarch?
This language is not worthy of being discussed in an Irish context.
English pomposity is all I hear and I have heard enough already.
By convention, the Sovereign negotiates treaties although, using their elected representatives to undertake the actual meetings but, any treaty with another nation, or as in the present case, albeit Brussels would have us believe otherwise, a collection of states sovereign, must have full approval of the reigning monarch, in just the way Uachtarán na hÉireann must approve any law’s before they become valid, if a government attempted to do otherwise any attempt to use such law would, rightly, be unconstitutional, here, I suspect the Supreme court ruling this morning, might, for the reasons outlined above, by distinguished, otherwise, many old Brit’s will be dying in gaol,
Don’t take my word for it, ask Ivor Bell.
Great story jude
Good story Jude. James Brokenarse by name and actions
Brokenshire’s mealy mouthed words on a language act his government are obligated to pass demonstrates very clearly that SF must get any agreement post election written in blood and nailed to the table.
I agree Cal. If there’s any delay in implementing any agreement from political Unionism or the British Government then Stormont should be collapsed again. An Agreement is worthless if its not implemented. Doesn’t take Einstein to work that one out.
Come on Jude
Would it kill you to stick a link in so we can hear what he actually said rather than your (no doubt accurate) paraphrasing.?
I mean you have done them before so its not that you don’t know how!
All sorts of hairs were raised on one’s increasingly balding pate, Esteemed Blogmesiter, while lending an ear from the same pate to the Yawning Ireland interview dealt with today.
Actually, what started out as an interview soon morphed into the type of interrogation one normally associates with RTE when it is a Shinner whose head is on the block. Not least when it is, erm, The Axe Worderer who is on the job.
One can only wonder at this sudden change of tack on the part of the whack-attacker supreme, The Woodman (for it is he!).
Hmmm.
Could it be the actual time slot allotted to the wholesome Brokenshire chappie which was the crucial factor here ? Times lines, unsurprisingly, are not to be confused with Land Lines much the same way as, say, a pair of boots under the bed are not to be confused with geranium pots under same. As the antique ballad of yesteryear has it:
-But laces in geranium pots I never saw before.
To clarify: the time slot allotted to this interview with/ interrogation of Brokenshire actually (gulp) broke all known time-associated protocols on Yawning Ireland.
So, the addled loyal listener expecting a pair of old bootis in the familiar shape of the Spots Slot under the bed got instead ‘geranium pots’ in the shape of the Brokenshire chappie.
And if the mere listener was addled just imagine how the designated interviewer, Cathal Mac Coille (mar is é atá fos ann !) must have felt, and he to be out of his, erm, Southern Comfort Time-zone: addled does not even begin to touch first base. One can only draw comparisons with, say, The First Horseman of The Apocalypse having been (gulp) unsaddled.
That’s how addled The Woodman was; and his addlement was only added to the longer the Geranium Poitboiler continued to fiddle-faddle around the raddled landscape of Norrneverland.
The same raddled landscape which RTE only deigns to take a quarantined bit of notice in if, and only IF it impacts upon our post-fact part of Paradise known as The Free Southern Stateeen.
Thus, while an increasingly addled Woodman did actually broach relatively irrelevant topics like the culpabllity of the B.A. North of the Black Sow’s Dykem, that sorta thingy he did not, repeat, NOT get to ask abort the topic of the impactful Glennane Farms for Arms Scheme, going both backwards and Southwards.
So, why was this Big Ask, erm, axed ?
Could it be that the addlement of The Woodman was stoked more by the encroachment on the Time Line rather than the breaching of the Land Line ? Not just any Time Line, mind; for there are Time Lines and then there are Time Lines.
But the Formula 1 Time Line is the Time Line of Yawning Ireland, Tooth-floss Time where the tick-tock of the old second hand on the sanctuary studio clock counts, not least for the Robotic RTE Radio types.
Thus, the presence of Geranium Pots which stayed in place for a full ten minutes or more, that is Six Hundred Seconds and counting from the Six County Plenipotentiary of which there have been plenny, where the Pair of Old Boots ought to have been.
Not so much Boots on the Ground as Boots on the Bedroom Floor.
Little wonder so that The Woodman went on the old whack-attack at the eleventh minute re the eleven year old on a wing and a promise Leprechaun Act, even as Sports Fans were fanning the flames of their Samsung smartphones. out there in Wirelessland.
Finally, two other green-tinted hairs / ribí glasa gruaige were raised:
-Cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan Admad ? / What will we do without Wood ?
This is the opening line in Leprechaun / Unstunted Growth Language from the 18th Century song about Kilcash in County Tipperary. Curiously, the same county is the only (gulp) broken shire in the FSS being divided into a North Riding and a South Riding.
Kilcash is located n the South Riding and is contagious to Tipperary Town which J. Cash painted in one of the Forty Shades of Greenbacks. The song about Kilcash was, erm, sparked by the axing of the local woods at the rate of knots for the purpose of conversion into fossil-fuel or not. So, a precusor of the C. for A. scandal, perhaps.
-Is fearr Gaeilge bhirste ná Béarla cliste / Broken bog Irish is better than cleverclogs English.
To conclude: the nearest parallel one can draw with this breaching of the Yawning Ireland Time Lines is the (gasp) breach of the 17th Parallel during the Vietnam ding dong between the Yanks and the less than lanky locals, known as the Vietcong.
This major bash in Asia Minor was eventually thrashed out of existence with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords.
To find a location, however, fit for the modest, unself-important staff of Yawning Ireland is a hearse of a different cholera altogether.
Paris, Texas, anyone?
Does this mean James wants thousands of British Soldiers to go to prison? because that is what happened to thousands of Republicans and Unionists. Indeed even innocent civilians, the vast majority Catholic, were imprisoned without a trial. Is this what he means by “proportionality”?
Was it British soldiers duty to murder innocent civilians? Not just Catholics, though Catholics made up the vast majority of their victims, but also Protestants, like the 3 innocent Protestants that were murdered by the Parachute Regiment on the Shankill Road. That is often deliberately forgotten by a lot of Unionists, most likely due to “them’uns” remembering stuff like that.
I read recently that the British Government is actually trying to pass a Law to stop prosecutions of British soldiers, specifically because of British soldiers being investigated for crimes they allegedly committed here. That is clearly (and deliberately) obstructing Justice. Me and many other’s tried tweeting with those MP’s on twitter who devoutly support the obstruction of Justice for those murdered by the British Army here and not one, NOT ONE, have replied to our tweets. That’s why I support the victims families and their supporters going over to Britain and protesting at these MP’s offices. Something needs to be done and these people need to be openly confronted for their stance. I’m not advocating anything illegal, definitely not. But these people do need confronted and made to answer questions publically.
Needless to say, if there’s no Irish Language Act and if there’s no British soldiers in the dock, then Stormont is finished. Sinn Fein will never agree to set the institutions back up.
I read in the Irish Times yesterday how a big meeting of senior Republicans in a club in West Belfast (Gerry Adams, Michelle O’Neill, etc were present) was held and how a massive cheer went up at the suggestion of collapsing Stormont. Two days later Martin McGuinness brought Stormont down. As one commentator said: “whats disturbing about this crisis is the fact its Republicans that brought Stormont down, not Unionists”. Indeed the Irish Times article ended with pointing out that there’s an air from Republicans that they have lost faith in the Good Friday Agreement and that its time for a new Agreement and its full implementation…..
To hell with the british, to hell with unionism, to hell with the GFA, it is time to shake off the shackles and stand up and fight for a new Irish constitution.
I want to fight
I cant live with the indignity not to
“To hell with the british, to hell with unionism, to hell with the GFA, it is time to shake off the shackles and stand up and fight for a new Irish constitution”
I agree in general with your sentiments Jessica, this time Enough really is Enough.
“I want to fight
I cant live with the indignity not to”
I know what you mean Jessica but not with violence (just saying that so other’s don’t misunderstand what you or I are saying). There’s more than one way to “fight” and that’s why I support peacefully protesting at MP’s offices in Britain, for example. Violence is a thing of the past, its counter productive now for Republicanism. But it really is time to stand up for what is right and it looks like Sinn Fein are finally doing that.
Ryan, Sinn Fein are doing the right thing and must be allowed to continue down the road they have embarked upon.
It cannot be left up to Sinn Fein to fight for us.
It is time a new fight began and it must rise out of the 26.
And this fight is not with MPs or even with britain, you are still thinking in your 6 county bubble.
This island is as much our country as it is any gobshite in Fine Gael of Fianna Fail.
If the 26 county caretaker government mismanages this country and neglects large sections of Irish people wherever they may live on this island, it is the right of every Irish citizen to do their duty as Irish men and women have had the courage to for centuries.
That needs to be made crystal clear to them.
But it needs to begin on the streets of Dublin and should be directed at the cowardly TDs who are failing our people.
If they threaten or use violence in response as happened in the north then so be it.
Sometimes change can only ever be achieved by being prepared to cross the precipice, and usually when we have nothing left to lose.
That is how I feel at the moment.
The question is, how do the Irish people throughout the rest of this island feel.
Jessica, in the first, I must apologise for not, sooner, clearing up my comment,the other day regarding your comment was simply my curious humour, but, please sign me up, I’m myself quite fed up, at last, it appears Sinn Féin are too.
No problem at all Mark.
You mentioned the other day that all the elite groupings were afraid to tackle the north bar one.
I meant to ask whether or not you could mention which one that would be?
Dia duit ar maidin Jessica, it’s not one group, rather, one individual. A person whose proven track record on advancing the cause of a peaceful Republic cannot be questioned, can’t name him but not hard to guess, the others, in my direct experience, are interested in pocket lining, their own, sounds a bit like the DUP, and, as before, are scared of the occupied territory.
sign me up Jessica, I’m fed up of the hypocrisy and lily livered politicians on this island too.
I listened to the interview and Jude , you are absolutely right he was a total embarrassment to himself – He reminded of a Michael Flatley trying to dance like a Ballerina with a Tutu – he was so out of step with reality !
A good upcoming Election for SF and what I suspect will be a brutal one for The DUP , might just soften his cough ???
“By proportionality I think he means that there should be an equal number of republican paramilitaries (not to be confused with loyalist paramilitaries) charged with killing people, ”
Given that the nationalist death squads unlawfully killed many many more people than did the Army, it’s unlikely that he thinks proportionality would mean equal numbers being charged.
“Given that the nationalist death squads unlawfully killed many many more people than did the Army, it’s unlikely that he thinks proportionality would mean equal numbers being charged”
How many people nationalist “death squads” killed is irrelevant to this topic MT. We’re talking about the British Army and who they killed. As I told you many times before, “lawfully” or “Unlawfully” killing is still killing. The British Army shooting someone dead is the same result as Republicans or Unionists shooting someone dead. If your relative was killed by a republican or by a British soldier, would it make any difference to you? If your relative was “lawfully” killed, would you feel better?…. The British Government or “the Law” doesn’t have a monopoly on life and death, I think that’s what you have difficulty computing to your brain.
And also, the British Government/Army was behind a lot more deaths than you may think. Collusion, the MRF, the FRU, the SAS, etc were all involved in killings. So, many killings carried out by “Unionist death squads” (as you may call them) were backed by the British Army/Government. So the British Army’s kill rate is a lot more than they are letting on, hence why they are terrified of documents being released and examined.
“How many people nationalist “death squads” killed is irrelevant to this topic MT.”
It’s not irrelevant. On the contrary, it’s very relevant as it relates to proportionality, which is the subject under discussion.
“We’re talking about the British Army and who they killed. As I told you many times before, “lawfully” or “Unlawfully” killing is still killing.”
Of course it is. But lawful killing is lawful and thus not liable for criminal charges, so the distinction is very relevant in a discussion about prosecutions.
“The British Army shooting someone dead is the same result as Republicans or Unionists shooting someone dead. If your relative was killed by a republican or by a British soldier, would it make any difference to you?”
If he was killed lawfully in self-defence while engaged in a terrorist attack, yes it would make a difference than if he was killed by a bomb while eating his lunch in a cafe. Of course it would.
“If your relative was “lawfully” killed, would you feel better?…. ”
Yes of course. I’d still feel bad in the former circumstances but obviously not as bad ithe latter circumstances.
But how relatives feel is irrelevant. If you commit a crime you should be brought to justice and if you didn’t vomit a crime you shouldn’t be brought to justice.
“The British Government or “the Law” doesn’t have a monopoly on life and death, ”
I’m not sure what having a monopoly on life and death means, but nobody has said that either the British government or the law has such a monopoly.
“think that’s what you have difficulty computing to your brain.”
Perhaps you could explain what having a monopoly on livfe and death means and then explain why you believe I think the British government and the law have such a monopoly.
And I’m still waiting for the list of ‘facts’ I have got wrong. Why did you run away when I asked you for it? Was it because the list is empty?
Why does the british state refuse to release documents and evidence relevant for solicitors over state directed murders?
I suppose you will just say it doesn’t
But it is hiding behind national security to protect itself and that is despicable.
journalists have said openly, they will never release this information as it would too difficult for us to hear.
As if that makes it ok?
That veto must go and it is now a red line to save what is left of the good Friday agreement.
Sinn Fein have given their word, and we must hold them to it.
” Now they’re being tightly matched with British soldiers. Surely that would mean either republican paramilitaries who killed were just serving their country or the British army were a bunch of criminals, blood-crazed etcs.”
No. It means soldiers who unlawfully killed broke the law. That doesn’t make soldiers generally equivalent to the nationalist death squads.
“No. It means soldiers who unlawfully killed broke the law. That doesn’t make soldiers generally equivalent to the nationalist death squads.”
That’s right MT, british soldiers aren’t worthy to wipe the boots of any of the irish citizen armies who made them tremble in fear more than any other nation on this planet did.
“No. It means soldiers who unlawfully killed broke the law. That doesn’t make soldiers generally equivalent to the nationalist death squads”
I agree British soldiers aren’t equivalent to “nationalist death squads” MT but I think we’ll not agree on the way they are not equivalent lol
As I said on a previous comment, the British Government/Law doesn’t have a monopoly on Killing or on morality. So hiding behind pieces of old paper called “The Law” is a very poor argument, especially when its obvious that that very same Law broke its own Laws lol
I think the old quote is: “When those that make the Law break the Law, then there is no Law”.
“As I said on a previous comment, the British Government/Law doesn’t have a monopoly on Killing or on morality.”
You didn’t. You said they didn’t have a monopoly on life and death
As for having a monopoly on killing or morality, nobody has claimed they do. Especially on killing as the vast majority of people are killed by entities other than the British government,
“So hiding behind pieces of old paper called “The Law” is a very poor argument, especially when its obvious that that very same Law broke its own Laws lol.”
I’m not hiding behind anything, but it is a bizarre suggestion to say thatthe law is irrelevant in a discussion about prosecutions. How can somebody be prosecuted without reference to the law?
You’re out of your depth here.
“I think the old quote is: “When those that make the Law break the Law, then there is no Law”.”
This quotation is untrue. The law still exists even if a lawmaker breaks it.
MT, when a United Ireland is declared, I’m coming round to your house for a ceilidh, Craic agus ceoil!!!!
I heard the interviewer on Good Evening Six Counties today pushing Michelle for an answer whether an Irish language act would be a deal breaker. No answer was forthcoming. I think this tells us a lot about their attitude to the upcoming talks. As usual, they don’t want to appear to have as spine.
I can already hear the oven being turned on to start cooking the fudge , fiosrach.This language act will be shuffled off to Buffalo again .Wait and see.
Any future agreement between the treacherous and deceitful British government and ourselves should be made through ” an Gaeilge ” and then transcribed into Bearla..That way we can ensure no backtracking from our perfidious neighbours ! I believe that a rarely presented opportunity has been gifted to Sinn Féin to gain both support and credibility….we have a set of circumstances where we can squeeze both the British government and flat earth Unionism without any collateral damage…..both have reneged on international agreements. Today ,apparently , we have the SDLP calling for transfers between themselves and their sister unionist party ….the UUP, leaving only Sinn Féin to represent nationalism/republicanism throughout Ireland. This is an occasion ,not to be squandered , we have an completely inept British minister , a government embroiled with the complexities of Brexit whilst watching their ally America implode and the EU and the warmongering UN appear to be in convulsing death throes …..what an opportunity !
wouldn’t be a problem for them Eolach.
Enda Kenny as demonstrated in his mocking of Mick Wallace has a sufficient grasp of ” an Gaeilge ” and is part of an equally treacherous and deceitful Irish government that will simply do the dirty work for them and probably with more perfidiousness than britain could muster.
Indeed, Sinn Fein is the ONLY party to represent nationalism/republicanism throughout Ireland.
But that in itself is shameful.
How did Ireland come to this?
And by the way, who is this person that features in the news – Marsheen o Moolier?
I watched with dismay Kenny’s derision of Mick Wallace and pig and grunt did come to mind. Everything you say about the “Irish” government ,whether it’s tweedledee or dum is absolutely correct…it’s embarrassing ,more for them than me…..they’re like the so called “stars” , their ego is much larger than their brains. However , Jessica ,I’m old enough to remember the beginning of our euphemistically called troubles….I remember the despondency and despair , the hurt and the longing for help from our fellow Irishmen , the Taoiseach Jack Lynch’s infamous words in 1969 “It is clear also that the Irish Government can no longer stand by and see innocent people injured and perhaps worse ” and he didn’t … he gave Britain a helping hand…..but we came through it , we grew stronger ,brought Stormont to it’s knees….The Hunger Strike was the darkest most soul-destroying time in my life….but we came through stronger again eventually wrangling the GFA from Britain.I am absolutely confident that we’ll have a reunited Ireland on OUR terms….my family has grown…..many more votes in our camp now and they ,like myself , are confident in our combined abilities…. confident and proud Irishmen and women self assured about our future.
….but we came through stronger again eventually wrangling the GFA from Britain”
What do you think the benefits of the GFA are was it worth murdering 2000 people to realise them?
Keyna, Aden, Cyprus, Palestine, the America’s, Australia, New Zealand. The list of brit atrocities are endless, and they whinge when there are attacks on their holiday makers in foreign resorts by indigenous people who are simply retaliating for past wrongs.
Same thing here MT.
“Keyna, Aden, Cyprus, Palestine, the America’s, Australia, New Zealand. The list of brit atrocities are endless,”
The list of atrocities (as we now see them) of all imperial powers is endless. Those committed by Britain are not exceptional.
“and they whinge when there are attacks on their holiday makers in foreign resorts by indigenous people who are simply retaliating for past wrongs.”
They don’t whinge. But are you suggesting that Islamic terrorist attacks today are justified because of events from many decades ago? That’s appalling.
“Same thing here MT.”
You’re saying that nationalist terrorism is revenge for atrocities committed centuries ago?
Wow.
MT, that is precisely what I’m saying, facts are only preposterous to those who can’t accept facts, for some queer reason.
Colonialism is as prevalent today as previously, it’s just practiced differently.
“MT, that is precisely what I’m saying”
Wow. I think this is a first. We now have someone whose nationalism had taken him to the point of supporting Islamofascist terrorism.
Please, point out, precisely, where, in any post I have ever made, I have supported what you term ‘islamofascist terrorism’ in responding, do be careful, this is how I make money, defamation, an oft misunderstood area of law, especially in occupied Ulster.
“Please, point out, precisely, where, in any post I have ever made, I have supported what you term ‘islamofascist terrorism’”
Certainly.
On 25 January, I asked ‘But are you suggesting that Islamic terrorist attacks today are justified because of events from many years ago’ and ‘You’re saying that nationalist terrorism is revenge for atrocities committed centuries ago?’
To which you answered today ‘that is precisely what I am saying’.
Should I infer from your most recent post that your answer related only to the second question? If so, then I withdraw my comment of 2.20pm today.
Please, point out, precisely, where, in any post I have ever made, I have supported what you term ‘islamofascist terrorism’ in responding, do be careful, this is how I make money, defamation, an oft misunderstood area of law, especially in occupied Ulster.
Mark
How does that work then?
How would you, an anonymous poster, be said to have suffered defamation?
Are you recognised in the real world solely by the name Mark? Like Elvis?
Genuine question.
My name is Mark, what’s yours, and MT’s, genuine question but, where is my support for ‘islamofascism’ indicated?
Mark
I think MT cleared that one up.
I am just curious as to how such a defamation might work?
Any precedent?
I’m equally interested in the assertion that nationalist terror atrocities were ‘revenge’ for centuries-past actions perceived to have been carried out against presumed ancestors or of the the terrorists.
While repugnant, at least im some ways this is refreshing honesty. No.tortured logic trying to justify these crimes, simply ‘it was revenge’.
We can hardly blame you for feeling this way MT.
Even Fianna Fail would concur with you, with Michael Martin claiming Sinn Fein aren’t fit to govern the 26 counties.
De Valera would be proud of his defence of the 26 county divide he helped create, pretended to oppose and then forged a division of our people deep enough to ensure it would endure.
You probably think every Sinn Fein voter is a terrorist sympathiser the way he gets on.
“We can hardly blame you for feeling this way MT
Feeling what way?
They have left us to deal with the unionist and british scourge on this island on our own and that will not be quickly forgotten Eolach.
Then they have the audacity to abuse us from their high pedestal while their rabid and rancid media try to blacken our names.
You are right, we must deal with the unionist scum in the north on our own, then turn our attentions southward.
We will see who has the long term futures on this island.
“You are right, we must deal with the unionist scum in the north on our own,”
Jude if somebody talked about nationalist scum on your blog would you tolerate it?
Jude can ban me if he wants MT, but I have had my fill with your lot.
“Jude can ban me if he wants MT, but I have had my fill with your lot.”
Jessica, stop feeding the troll. We all know what MT is and we all have seen his “arguments” (I use that word very loosely, btw) that stinks of hypocrisy and just downright intolerance towards our community. He’s set in his ways and feels the need to come here and read our comments despite hating what he sees. He has never engaged constructively like other Unionists on this blog have and has only come to be a Troll. He is simply not worth you getting banned. He’s a Willie Frazer type, only believes in his own version of History, the one in his head. I stopped taking him seriously a LONG time ago lol
So take a step back, stop taking him seriously and simply laugh at him knowing that MT’s version of Stormont is as dead in the water as the British Empire is, and he knows it.
PS: BTW MT, Jude doesn’t read every single comment on the blog and I think he can tell a troll quicker than I could.
Thanks Ryan
I am aware he is a troll
I suppose it is a weakness we have, our natural desire would be to reach out and have mutual respect and discussion.
When even the most moderate unionist, refuses to even talk about Irish unity as such a conversation would be considered as defeat, there is really nowhere to go with that.
They will push it until it gets nasty and then as why we don’t want to talk when id does.
Unionism is as insanity
“We all know what MT is and we all have seen his “arguments” (I use that word very loosely, btw) that stinks of hypocrisy and just downright intolerance towards our community.”
What am I?
And what arguments stink of hypocrisy and downright intolerance towards your community?
You seem to be suggesting that opposing terrorism means one must be intolerant towards your community. That implies that you believe your community is pro-terror.
“He’s set in his ways and feels the need to come here and read our comments despite hating what he sees. He has never engaged constructively like other Unionists on this blog have and has only come to be a Troll. He is simply not worth you getting banned. He’s a Willie Frazer type, only believes in his own version of History, the one in his head. I stopped taking him seriously a LONG time ago lol.”
Ironically it is you who is intolerant. Intolerant of different views Intolerant of those who oppose terror. Intolerant of those who know more than you do and point out your errors and inaccuracies. The greatest irony is that *you* are more like Willie Frazer – one-sided, ignorant and pro-terror.
“So take a step back, stop taking him seriously and simply laugh at him knowing that MT’s version of Stormont is as dead in the water as the British Empire is, and he knows it.”
I don’t have a version of Stormont so it couldn’t be dead in the water.
The only terrorists in Ireland were the british and their supporters MT
“The only terrorists in Ireland were the british and their supporters MT”
That is untrue.
There is more than one point of view MT.
Yours is not the one divine truth you know?
“There is more than one point of view MT.”
I know. However, my comment was a point of fact not opinion.
“Yours is not the one divine truth you know?”
Truth being objective, it cannot be mine, divine or otherwise.
Ryan
You obviously don’t know what a troll is or else you think it means someone who challenges your views.
In terms of posting inflammatory or off topic remarks jessica is obviously more trollish.
MT whatever you think of him simply challenges the statements made by others especially where they use lazy generalisations which seems fair enough to me.
In the end no-one is forced to reply to him.
But phrases such as ‘ we will deal with the unionist scum’ are obnoxious, and a bit chilling even and should have no place in adult discussion.
It is not MT who likes to use such language but a so called republican.
Of course no sanction will come from Jude beyond a ‘tut tut jessica’.
I am not being inflammatory or off topic, my anger is reflected across large sections of this community.
Do you deny this?
There is no going back to the status quo, we will not be tolerating unionism or british misrule any longer.
A rubicon has been crossed and there will be no going back on it now.
Perhaps you should reflect on your own attitude , it was you suggested unionism would be foolish to even talk about the benefits of a united Ireland as it would be accepting defeat backed up by so called moderates on this site.
As I said, our epitaph will be “too little, too late”.
Perhaps Fine Gael should use it in their next general election campaign and save themselves quarter of a million euros.
Jessica, you’re basically spot on….you’re better than Google Translate…
The ‘unionist scum’ comment comes after this comment directed at me on the ‘Truth, Lies and Disdain’ blog:
‘ …you ignorant little unionist scumbag prick.’
Needless to say Jude took no action.
Snide little remarks intent on raising a reply are no more than a mild irritant brushed assde and forgotten about….however if you do want an adult discussion ,feel free to initiate one any time….but your factual history had better be correct !….no picking numbers from thin air…..
“Snide little remarks intent on raising a reply are no more than a mild irritant brushed assde and forgotten about….however if you do want an adult discussion ,feel free to initiate one any time….but your factual history had better be correct !….no picking numbers from thin air…..”
So it seems you are unable to articulate what the benefits of the GFA are, nor why they were worth 2000 lives.
My last comment as for the attention of MT.
MT ,Imigh leat agus ná bí do mo crá….tá duine ciapadh tú !
Eolach I am curious what this means. I tried google translate but it doesn’t seem to be able to translate this.
Would you be so kind to translate this for me?
I only have a little irish, but will give it a go Scott, based on the words I do recognise
“get away of that with you and stop bothering me you annoying person”
Cheers Jessica
No problem Scott, that shouldn’t be too far away.
He isn’t as crude and uncouth as me 🙂
Jesica , you’re basically spot on ….you’re better than Google Translate..
Why thank you Eolach
It is nice to know we humans can still have an edge over the machines.
For a little while longer at least. 🙂
Is bean cliste tú…tá tú go h-iontach maith