Thursday, March 17, 2005

Ulster Unionist Council - still clueless after all these years

Brian Feeney on unionism's inability to deal with the modern world:

Who would have thought it? The once mighty Ulster Unionist Council conducted its centenary commemorations at the weekend in circumstances which resembled a wake. They staggered on their zimmers from Belfast City Hall, once northern protestants' Valhalla, visible symbol of their industrial wealth and prosperity, to the actual UUC meeting where they rattled about the Waterfront Hall, an over-ambitious venue for a party in much reduced circumstances: there might have been 400 people present, mostly geriatrics. From the fleeting camera shot it looked a pretty sparse turnout.

What a contrast with the glory days when millionaire industrialists presided. What a contrast with the Sinn Féin ard fheis the same weekend attended by over 2,000 delegates and covered by scores of journalists and camera crews from all over Europe and the US. Of course there was nothing happening at the UUC. No Jeffrey Donaldson trying to oust David Trimble. No knife-edge votes about the RUC or the Good Friday Agreement. Even if there had been it doesn't matter any more.

The old sectarian raison d'etre is still there though. Trimble berated the DUP and warned them against putting up a candidate in South Belfast in case, you've guessed it, they let in a nationalist. You see, that's all the Ulster Unionist Council has ever been about. It was founded in late 1904 and formalised in March 1905 as an ethnic umbrella for northern unionists. They were afraid the British government was going to give some devolution to Ireland, not a government mind you, not anything with power even to run the Post Office, just an arrangement which would give the political majority in the country some control over minor day-to-day matters.

Ulster Unionists couldn't face it, even though their comrades in arms in the south and west had long been used to Home Rule MPs and Home Rulers running county councils. This sectarianism of Ulster Unionists has been so powerful it took on the characteristics of racism. They have simply been unable to live on equal terms with the rest of the people on the island. Read the remarks reported from the Waterfront Hall at the weekend and you see that poison remains virulent.

Furthermore Ulster Unionists made it crystal clear to the Liberal government elected in 1906 that they would use violence to prevent any law passed by the Westminster Parliament being implemented which gave any power to Ireland's political majority. Here's the crunch. In case you imagine that they were thinking of taking on the British army, no, too much of a tall order. The violence would be visited on the Catholic minority in the north-east as it had been in 1886 and 1893 when Home Rule bills were introduced. In both instances unionist mobs fell on Catholic districts in predominantly Protestant urban centres, especially Belfast. In implementing any bill the British government would have to consider how many northern Catholics would die in the process and how to curtail the religious civil war Ulster Unionists would foment.

The body organising such violence and which stood ready to establish a provisional government in Ulster was the UUC out of which emerged the UVF in 1913. In 1920 the UUC got their way. The results we see today. Unionists created the most divided society in western Europe with Belfast the most divided city. The six counties they were given are now a backwater at the top or bottom of every socio-economic indicator, whichever is worse. The one-time industrial behemoth based on low wages and rotten housing is now completely dependant on Britain which denies any strategic or economic interest in the place. Who wouldn't?

Yet still, those people who straggled despondently around the commemorations last weekend are the same people who refused to extend the hand to nationalists in the SDLP who for 25 years offered to let bygones by bygones and share power with them. Now the UUC has been bypassed. It remains to be seen whether their successors as the majority unionist representatives, the DUP, are any more genuine in their stance or if it is simply a ploy to draw the IRA's teeth. No matter. The political undead commemorating a century of sectarianism, for that's exactly what the UUC inaugurated in 1905, can at least congratulate themselves on their consistency. Just as in 1905 they had no idea what their future was, so it is today. Worse, they don't even know what they want it to be. They do know no British government wants any part of it. What they can say is that they've avoided equality with Catholics and nationalists so they've maintained the authentic ethos of the UUC and earned the contempt of all outside observers.

It looks like unionism is as out of touch with the modern world as any other political system that tries to justify colonialism.

16 Comments:

At 2:44 AM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

Diarmuid - the 'COMMENT' function on the thread 'THE MCCARTNEY FAMILY AND THE DUP ' is no longer functioning (possible because it is now archieved) :

You wrote -

"Well if you dissidents represent Irish republicanism why is it that all you can do is attack Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA? "

--- As I said ; Republicans have always verbally attacked ALL Leinster House /Stormont/ Westminster/ political parties : not just the Provisionals - indeed , before the Provos went constitutional , they done the same .


" No one is saying that they are republican soldiers. That is why the PIRA offered to kill them. "

---- the Provos themselves considered them to be "republican soldiers " when they allowed them to join - obviously !

" But what are you dissidents doing to forward your agenda? All you people ever seem capable of doing is attacking Gerry Adams."

---- We "dissidents" are campaigning constantly to get our message across to other political groups and to the public - we , however , are still affected by the 'Section 31' mentality because we are outside the 'system' . As stated already , ALL Leinster House parties are fair game .


"The leadership didn't know who did the killings. Once they found out they offered to execute them for the McCartneys."

--- the Provo leadership knew within a day who was responsible for that butchery ; the community itself knew within hours .

"So what is your solution then? More bombs? "

---- would you , Diarmuid , be outraged should economic /financial / foreign targets be targetted in England itself , rather than on this island ? Was'nt it "bombs " that got the Provos to Blairs and Aherns table ? Do you object to violence in self-defence , Diarmuid ?

Sharon .
1169 And Counting.....

 
At 9:46 AM, Blogger Diarmid said...

As I said ; Republicans have always verbally attacked ALL Leinster House /Stormont/ Westminster/ political parties : not just the Provisionals - indeed , before the Provos went constitutional , they done the same .

But what alternative policies do you have? All you ever seem to do is attack Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA who have risked a lot to take part in the peace process.

the Provos themselves considered them to be "republican soldiers " when they allowed them to join - obviously !

Which was BEFORE they murdered Robert McCartney. Unfortunately the PIRA lacks your apparent ability to see into the future.

We "dissidents" are campaigning constantly to get our message across to other political groups and to the public - we , however , are still affected by the 'Section 31' mentality because we are outside the 'system' . As stated already , ALL Leinster House parties are fair game .

What "message"? All you dissidents ever do is attack Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA. The reality is that you have no message which is why you can only criticise mainstream Irish republicans.

the Provo leadership knew within a day who was responsible for that butchery ; the community itself knew within hours .

And how exactly do you know this?

would you , Diarmuid , be outraged should economic /financial / foreign targets be targetted in England itself , rather than on this island ? Was'nt it "bombs " that got the Provos to Blairs and Aherns table ? Do you object to violence in self-defence , Diarmuid ?

If dissidents believe in a return to armed struggle then they should come out and say that openly instead of using every opportunity to attack Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA.

 
At 2:47 PM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

" But what alternative policies do you have? All you ever seem to do is attack Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA who have risked a lot to take part in the peace process. "

---- Do I really need to repeat myself for a third time , Diarmuid ? Read 'EIRE NUA' , 'SAOL NUA' and the 'SAOIRSE' paper if you want that question answered - or just ask me that same question again in your next post if you prefer ...

"Which was BEFORE they murdered Robert McCartney. Unfortunately the PIRA lacks your apparent ability to see into the future."

--- Sorry to shatter your illusions , but NOBODY can "see into the future " . Which is where vetting and asking questions in a community come into there own !

"
What "message"? All you dissidents ever do is attack Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA. The reality is that you have no message which is why you can only criticise mainstream Irish republicans."

---- Oh do pay attention , Diarmuid ! Please don't have me constantly repeating myself - the RSF message is contained in 'EIRE NUA ' , 'SAOL NUA' and the monthly 'paper 'SAOIRSE' . I'm going to copy and paste the above as no doubt you will ask that question , again , in your next post . And - once again !- Republicans have always verbally attacked Leinster House , Stormont and Westminster political parties . Is that news to you ?

"And how exactly do you know this? "
--- certainly not by the almost instant claim by the Provos that none of their members were involved - later retracted , as we know ! Nothing takes place in a PIRA-controlled area that they don't here about practically immediately -especially not such a serious incident as that .

" If dissidents believe in a return to armed struggle then they should come out and say that openly instead of using every opportunity to attack Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA."

---- when did the armed struggle ever stop , Diarmuid ? Just because the PIRA stopped attacking the Brits (whatever about their own people and attacking other , true , Republicans) in 1994 , that does'nt mean that the armed struggle itself is over ! Granted , it is for the PIRA , unless they re-commence a campaign to get Gerry Arafat and the others a better seat at a Brit table ! You are greatly mistaken if you think that "armed struggle" equates with the PIRA , only .

Sharon.

 
At 10:55 AM, Blogger Diarmid said...

Do I really need to repeat myself for a third time , Diarmuid ? Read 'EIRE NUA' , 'SAOL NUA' and the 'SAOIRSE' paper if you want that question answered - or just ask me that same question again in your next post if you prefer ...

If you dissidents really believe that your views are more popular with the Irish republican voters then why don't you run candidates in some elections.

Sorry to shatter your illusions , but NOBODY can "see into the future " . Which is where vetting and asking questions in a community come into there own !

And yet you blame the Provisional IRA for not being able to see into the future. There is no way that Irish republicans could have anticipated the McCartney murder.

Oh do pay attention , Diarmuid ! Please don't have me constantly repeating myself - the RSF message is contained in 'EIRE NUA ' , 'SAOL NUA' and the monthly 'paper 'SAOIRSE' . I'm going to copy and paste the above as no doubt you will ask that question , again , in your next post . And - once again !- Republicans have always verbally attacked Leinster House , Stormont and Westminster political parties . Is that news to you ?

As I have said if you believe that rank and file republican voters support your positions then run some candidates in the elections.

certainly not by the almost instant claim by the Provos that none of their members were involved - later retracted , as we know ! Nothing takes place in a PIRA-controlled area that they don't here about practically immediately -especially not such a serious incident as that .

Oh, please! This is silly even for you!

when did the armed struggle ever stop , Diarmuid ? Just because the PIRA stopped attacking the Brits (whatever about their own people and attacking other , true , Republicans) in 1994 , that does'nt mean that the armed struggle itself is over ! Granted , it is for the PIRA , unless they re-commence a campaign to get Gerry Arafat and the others a better seat at a Brit table ! You are greatly mistaken if you think that "armed struggle" equates with the PIRA , only .

What are the dissidents doing besides attacking Gerry Adams and chanting EIRE NUA?

 
At 3:54 PM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

" If you dissidents really believe that your views are more popular with the Irish republican voters then why don't you run candidates in some elections. !

---- RSF HAS fielded candidates previously , and is presently contesting the Udaras na Gaeltachta elections , in Conamara . You should check the subject matter BEFORE you post on it ! Incidentally - if you give such credibility to elections , you would no doubt agree that Pearse and Emmet , Tone etc all had a great mandate from the people to carry-out the actions they undertook ... (!)

"And yet you blame the Provisional IRA for not being able to see into the future. There is no way that Irish republicans could have anticipated the McCartney murder."

----What is this fixation you have with being able 'to look into the future ... ' ?? Vetting proposed new members and checking them out within their own community . A 'common-sense' crystal ball ...

" As I have said if you believe that rank and file republican voters support your positions then run some candidates in the elections. "

---- See my first reply , above .
Tell me - because more people vote for Fianna Fail than vote for PSF - does that mean that those people believe the FF position to be 'more republican' than the PSF position ?

"Oh, please! This is silly even for you! "

---- so the PIRA don't control the areas in which they operate ?
You are now being more naive than usual , Diarmid - gullible , even for you ....

" What are the dissidents doing besides attacking Gerry Adams and chanting EIRE NUA? "

---- "chanting... " !! As I stated before : ALL Leinster House , Stormont and Westminster political parties are 'fair game' for Irish Republicans . If Gerry Arafat can't handle it , let him write a book about his 'pain' and , perhaps , retire to his holiday home in Donegal in dispair !


Sharon,
1169 And Counting.....

 
At 10:19 AM, Blogger Diarmid said...

RSF HAS fielded candidates previously , and is presently contesting the Udaras na Gaeltachta elections , in Conamara . You should check the subject matter BEFORE you post on it ! Incidentally - if you give such credibility to elections , you would no doubt agree that Pearse and Emmet , Tone etc all had a great mandate from the people to carry-out the actions they undertook

So when and if the dissidents beat Sinn Fein in the elections they can claim to represent the majority of Nationalists in the Six Counties in the same way that Sinn Fein could after beating the SDLP.

What is this fixation you have with being able 'to look into the future ... ' ?? Vetting proposed new members and checking them out within their own community . A 'common-sense' crystal ball

Like most dissidents you are long on criticism and short on solutions. If there had been any indication that these men would perpetrate such a murder then I am sure that the PIRA would not have recruited them. The only way these men could have been "vetted" out was if the PIRA only recruited non-violent men but such men would not be very useful in an organisation that uses physical force means to resist British colonialism.

Tell me - because more people vote for Fianna Fail than vote for PSF - does that mean that those people believe the FF position to be 'more republican' than the PSF position?

Fianna Fail beats Sinn Fein in the Irish Republic because the 26 counties are not under British colonial rule. In the Six Counties - which is under British colonial rule - Sinn Fein is the political party supported by the majority of native Irish Catholics.

so the PIRA don't control the areas in which they operate ?
You are now being more naive than usual , Diarmid - gullible , even for you
.

The IRA doesn't have god-like powers. Things will happen that are always beyond anyone's control.

"chanting... " !! As I stated before : ALL Leinster House , Stormont and Westminster political parties are 'fair game' for Irish Republicans . If Gerry Arafat can't handle it , let him write a book about his 'pain' and , perhaps , retire to his holiday home in Donegal in dispair !

By the term "Gerry Arafat" I take it that you don't like Yasser Arafat anymore than you like Gerry Adams. How come?

 
At 3:16 PM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

" So when and if the dissidents beat Sinn Fein in the elections they can claim to represent the majority of Nationalists in the Six Counties in the same way that Sinn Fein could after beating the SDLP."

--- "Elections.... " again ! What "elections" did Tone , or Emmet , or Pearse , win ? To my mind , (R) Sinn Fein is a revolutionary organisation , NOT a 'political party' . If you want to go by a mere 'headcount' , then Fianna Fail (in this Free State) are 'right' and PSF are 'wrong' !

" Like most dissidents you are long on criticism and short on solutions. If there had been any indication that these men would perpetrate such a murder then I am sure that the PIRA would not have recruited them. The only way these men could have been "vetted" out was if the PIRA only recruited non-violent men but such men would not be very useful in an organisation that uses physical force means to resist British colonialism."

--- when did the PIRA last use "physical force to resist British rule ... " ? That is not now their objective : the PIRA are a 'bargaining chip' and are being used as such by Adams and Co and will then be discarded , much the same as Dev and , later , Macgiolla and de Rossa done. "Short on solutions ... " ?- 'Eire Nua' , 'Saol Nua' etc . You're short-sighted , Diarmid , we're not short on solutions at all - if you bothered to look .


"Fianna Fail beats Sinn Fein in the Irish Republic because the 26 counties are not under British colonial rule. In the Six Counties - which is under British colonial rule - Sinn Fein is the political party supported by the majority of native Irish Catholics."

--- How wrong can you be ! Fianna Fail never campaigns on its 'record' re getting the Brits out of the FS because it could'nt - it collaborated with them !! Much the same as Provo Sinn Fein now collaborates with the Free Staters and Westminster .

"The IRA doesn't have god-like powers. Things will happen that are always beyond anyone's control."

--- Of course they will - but they can be minamilised , in this case by proper vetting procedures . If an applicant(s) is a known thug , you don't accept him/them . . PIRA did . Why ? To 'use' him/them as an enforcer ?

"By the term "Gerry Arafat" I take it that you don't like Yasser Arafat anymore than you like Gerry Adams. How come? "

--- Arafat started with the PLO as a sincere and genuine member (ref. de Valera , Collins , MacGiolla , de Rossa and others in the Irish struggle ) but became corrupted by the power he wielded . He was , in my opinion , too willing to make a 'deal' to ensure his place in the history books . Like Adams.

Sharon .
1169 And Counting.....

 
At 10:12 AM, Blogger Diarmid said...

"Elections.... " again ! What "elections" did Tone , or Emmet , or Pearse , win ? To my mind , (R) Sinn Fein is a revolutionary organisation , NOT a 'political party' . If you want to go by a mere 'headcount' , then Fianna Fail (in this Free State) are 'right' and PSF are 'wrong'!

What have you dissidents ever done that makes you think that you could even be classified amongst the likes of Tone, Emmet and Pearse? All you do is complain about Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA.

when did the PIRA last use "physical force to resist British rule ... " ? That is not now their objective : the PIRA are a 'bargaining chip' and are being used as such by Adams and Co and will then be discarded , much the same as Dev and , later , Macgiolla and de Rossa done. "Short on solutions ... " ?- 'Eire Nua' , 'Saol Nua' etc . You're short-sighted , Diarmid , we're not short on solutions at all - if you bothered to look .

Unlike the dissidents, Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA are able to do more than complain. They have taken great risks by involving themselves in the peace process which is why most Nationalists in the Six Counties support them.

How wrong can you be ! Fianna Fail never campaigns on its 'record' re getting the Brits out of the FS because it could'nt - it collaborated with them !! Much the same as Provo Sinn Fein now collaborates with the Free Staters and Westminster.

That's right. Sinn Fein is collaborating with the British which is why the British, Irish and US governments along with the unionists, loyalists and their allies in Fine Gael are all attacking them. When are you dissidents going to stop living in this fantasy world that you have created for yourselves?

Of course they will - but they can be minamilised , in this case by proper vetting procedures . If an applicant(s) is a known thug , you don't accept him/them . . PIRA did . Why ? To 'use' him/them as an enforcer ?

You really are quite sad, aren't you? Obviously the men who murdered Robert McCartney never did anything like that before or they wouldn't still be in the Provisional IRA.

Arafat started with the PLO as a sincere and genuine member (ref. de Valera , Collins , MacGiolla , de Rossa and others in the Irish struggle ) but became corrupted by the power he wielded . He was , in my opinion , too willing to make a 'deal' to ensure his place in the history books . Like Adams.

So now you are accusing Arafat of being a lackey of Israel? This will come as a shock to the likes of Ariel Sharon and George W. Bush.

 
At 2:57 PM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

"What have you dissidents ever done that makes you think that you could even be classified amongst the likes of Tone, Emmet and Pearse? All you do is complain about Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA. "

---- Perhaps , Diarmid , you should be asking what we did NOT do ! Decommission , collaborate with the Free Staters and the Brits and provide safe passage for a Brit foot patrol through a Republican area of our country !

"Unlike the dissidents, Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA are able to do more than complain. They have taken great risks by involving themselves in the peace process which is why most Nationalists in the Six Counties support them."

----- much the same as Dev , Collins etc took "great risks ... " , eh ? And the likes of Dev and Collins , after the 1921/2 split , had (majority) "support " , too . But WE know , now , Diarmuid , don't we , that that "support" was mis-placed !

"That's right. Sinn Fein is collaborating with the British which is why the British, Irish and US governments along with the unionists, loyalists and their allies in Fine Gael are all attacking them. When are you dissidents going to stop living in this fantasy world that you have created for yourselves? "

---- When Adams and Co are judged , by their new-found 'friends' , to have 'stepped out of line' then those same 'friends' WILL attack them - nothing new there !
This "fantasy world... " of ours is one in which six of our counties are under foreign jurisdictional control . What , exactly , is "fantasy ... " about that ?

"You really are quite sad, aren't you? Obviously the men who murdered Robert McCartney never did anything like that before or they wouldn't still be in the Provisional IRA."

---- " Obviously .... " ? They are one-time psychos , then , Diarmuid - you know that ? Do you also know that they will never do it again ? Yes- thought so ... !

"So now you are accusing Arafat of being a lackey of Israel? This will come as a shock to the likes of Ariel Sharon and George W. Bush."

---- " ...lackey of Israel... " , Diarmuid ? Your words , not mine . I do , however , know that he offered to 'police' the occupied zone for Israel ; is that news to you ? Was that Arafat " taking great risks for peace ... " , as Adams is doing ?

By the way - how do you feel about Provisional Sinn Fein applying for , and receiving , permits from Leinster House to distribute Easter Lilys , which are sold in memory of Irish Republicans who had been executed by those same Leinster House politicians years ago ? Is that , too , another move by PSF at "taking risks for peace ... " ? !!

Sharon .
1169 And Counting.....

 
At 10:48 AM, Blogger Diarmid said...

Perhaps , Diarmid , you should be asking what we did NOT do ! Decommission , collaborate with the Free Staters and the Brits and provide safe passage for a Brit foot patrol through a Republican area of our country!

What I see is Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA taking risks to make the peace process work while all the dissidents do is complain and whine all the time.

much the same as Dev , Collins etc took "great risks ... " , eh ? And the likes of Dev and Collins , after the 1921/2 split , had (majority) "support " , too . But WE know , now , Diarmuid , don't we , that that "support" was mis-placed!

Instead of whining and complaining about how people like Gerry Adams are traitors why don't you dissidents just do something positive for a change?

When Adams and Co are judged , by their new-found 'friends' , to have 'stepped out of line' then those same 'friends' WILL attack them - nothing new there !
This "fantasy world... " of ours is one in which six of our counties are under foreign jurisdictional control . What , exactly , is "fantasy ... " about that
?

More complaining and whining from the "B" team of Irish republicanism. Why not do something positive for a change? Just pretend that Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA don't exist and go about formulating a strategy for achieving an united Ireland.

" Obviously .... " ? They are one-time psychos , then , Diarmuid - you know that ? Do you also know that they will never do it again ? Yes- thought so ...!

Unlike the "sane" dissidents who were responsible for Omagh. The reality is that the dissidents have most of the lunatics of Irish republicanism.

" ...lackey of Israel... " , Diarmuid ? Your words , not mine . I do , however , know that he offered to 'police' the occupied zone for Israel ; is that news to you ? Was that Arafat " taking great risks for peace ... " , as Adams is doing ?

By the way - how do you feel about Provisional Sinn Fein applying for , and receiving , permits from Leinster House to distribute Easter Lilys , which are sold in memory of Irish Republicans who had been executed by those same Leinster House politicians years ago ? Is that , too , another move by PSF at "taking risks for peace ... " ? !
!

Look instead of complaining and whining about Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA all the time why don't you dissidents do something constructive for a change?

 
At 3:35 PM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

" while all the dissidents do is complain and whine all the time......

.....Instead of whining and complaining about how people .....

.....More complaining and whining from the "B" team of Irish republicanism.....

....lunatics of Irish republicanism......

....Look instead of complaining and whining ......." -

Diarmid - pathetic response , even by your 'standards' ! It appears you can only attack (rather weakly!) the messenger , because the message itself frightens you .
Extremely poor response to my post - very disappointing.

Sharon.
1169 And Counting.....

 
At 10:44 AM, Blogger Diarmid said...

Diarmid - pathetic response , even by your 'standards' ! It appears you can only attack (rather weakly!) the messenger , because the message itself frightens you .
Extremely poor response to my post - very disappointing
.

What "message"? That "real" Irish republicans should sit, complain and whine all day instead of taking risks by getting involved in the peace process?

 
At 12:15 PM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

"What "message"? That "real" Irish republicans should sit, complain and whine all day instead of taking risks by getting involved in the peace process? "

---- what "peace process ... " , Diarmid ? The mere absence of war is not in itself "peace " .
A true "peace process ... " has to contain a date for British military and political withdrawal ; and that is not on the present agenda , no more than it was in 1985 at the time of that other much-lauded "peace process " , the 'Hillsborough Treaty ' . Which is why , it , too , failed . Adams and co, are , in effect , simply saying to Westminster - 'Stay if you want , just treat us better ... ' (ie 'give us better civil rights') : perhaps that is what the last 836 years was all about for you , a chara , but not so for Irish Republicans .

Sharon .
1169 And Counting.....

 
At 2:39 PM, Blogger Diarmid said...

what "peace process ... " , Diarmid ? The mere absence of war is not in itself "peace " .
A true "peace process ... " has to contain a date for British military and political withdrawal ; and that is not on the present agenda , no more than it was in 1985 at the time of that other much-lauded "peace process " , the 'Hillsborough Treaty ' . Which is why , it , too , failed . Adams and co, are , in effect , simply saying to Westminster - 'Stay if you want , just treat us better ... ' (ie 'give us better civil rights') : perhaps that is what the last 836 years was all about for you , a chara , but not so for Irish Republicans
.

So your solution is for Sinn Fein to go off into a corner somewhere and allow the SDLP to become the sole representatives of the Irish nationalist population of the Six Counties?

 
At 8:02 AM, Blogger 1169 And Counting ; Irish history, Irish politics. said...

"So your solution is for Sinn Fein to go off into a corner somewhere and allow the SDLP to become the sole representatives of the Irish nationalist population of the Six Counties? "

--- The Republican solution is to build a single parliament which would be representative of the whole island , Diarmuid ; not to 'prop-up' a corrupt and (obviously) partitionist 'parliament' in the Six Counties (Stormont) and a similar , imposed , 'parliament' in the Free State . PSF are not attempting some type of a 'new solution' : it has been tried before (Dev , Collins) and failed.
By the way - you never answered my earlier question : do you agree with seeking 'permits' from those in Leinster House to commemorate the men and women of 1916 , Diarmuid ?

Sharon.
1169 And Counting.....

(PS - Since when did 'republicans' seek to "represent ... " nationalists : are you not aware of the difference between chalk and cheese ?).

 
At 9:45 AM, Blogger Diarmid said...

The Republican solution is to build a single parliament which would be representative of the whole island , Diarmuid ; not to 'prop-up' a corrupt and (obviously) partitionist 'parliament' in the Six Counties (Stormont) and a similar , imposed , 'parliament' in the Free State . PSF are not attempting some type of a 'new solution' : it has been tried before (Dev , Collins) and failed.

The why don't you dissidents go off and do that instead of wasting so much time bashing Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA?

By the way - you never answered my earlier question : do you agree with seeking 'permits' from those in Leinster House to commemorate the men and women of 1916 , Diarmuid?

I don't care what you dissidents do.

 

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