I know, Virginia – I have blogged on this same subject and person. But I thought I’d let people know that if you keep writing for long enough, you may eventually penetrate to the Letters Page of the Irish Times. This appeared this morning and I’ve just two gripes: they replaced my term “the good Doctor” with “the writer” – not in good taste? Libellous? Confusing? Dunno. The other thing they’ve changed is what I called ‘the Good Friday Agreement’ to “the Belfast Agreement”. I’m not sure which is the document’s official title but in my view “Good Friday Agreement” tells you the day it was agreed, and for many of us recalls the drama and headiness of those days. But dull ol’ Belfast Agreement it has to be.
And on the subject of letter-writing: don’t ever underestimate the worth of said activity. Not just to the editor of a newspaper but to RTÉ, UTV, BBC. You’ve no idea how nervous three or four letters will make the average producer/editor. The same applies to calls to the Nolan Show or to Joe Duffys Liveline on RTÉ or any other broadcast programme. If you agree or disagree with something or somebody, don’t hang back from sending in a letter: praise and criticism carry surprising weight. It seems to me that unionists are much better at doing this than republicans/nationalists.
Time to get with the programme…
Jude
If you are going to post your reply to an article you might at least stick the article up too.
Unless for some reason you want to quote that line out of context!
On a more interesting note, I have often wondered why the GFA is referred to as the Belfast agreement by the DUP and the Good Friday Agreement by SF.
I suspect there is some petty minded reason for it, possibly of a religious nature, or maybe just because they don’t want the word ‘Good’ attached to it.
Gio – I think the reference to “Belfast Agreement” instead of the GFA, is to try and avoid the Shinners associating it with their quasi-blasphemous death cult fetishism around Easter time.
joe
I suspected it might be something like that.
Your masters call it the GFA.
Big up his newspaper cutting, Bruno. If you know how?
fiosrach
I did already, the first time Jude left it out.
Go and have a look if you know how.
I had to choose between being rich and good looking or smart.
Lend us a tenner then you handsome devil!
You’re easily bought.
Great letter Jude.