Mary McAleese back in NI
Following Mary McAleese’s intervention linking a visit by the Queen to the RoI to devolution of policing and justice (later confirmed as Dublin government policy) there was universal anger from unionists; her comments being condemned by the DUP, UUP and TUV.
After McAleese’s last set of unacceptable remarks (the infamous “Prods are like Nazis” comments) she had to cancel a visit to Belfast. She has, however, been back in Northern Ireland this week according to her website. She appears to have been to a number of maintained schools, an integrated school and a nursing home.
One wonders how long it will be until she tries visiting a predominantly Protestant school or unionist area or event. She may have decided that keeping a low profile will allow this row to blow over. However, after two extremely unpopular episodes seemingly calculated to annoy unionists; one wonders whether or not she will be welcomed by anyone other than protestors if she tries any further “Unionist engagement.”
Sorry, the above should read ‘hunting ground’
“I think she has good intentions”
TAF, why on earth is she endorsing organisations like the Finaghy Crossroads Group, a seemingly cross-paramilitary collective?
TAF just because your paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you.
and i was merely asking a question.
I wouldn’t take at face value the actions of everyone TAF, you might think that a problem, i think it a way of advoiding problems.
UFB, thanks for the correction, I should have said operating from. I don’t know the precise boundaries in Belfast and would have guessed that Millfield was in West Belfast.
>>Eoghan, I wonder if my name gets mentioned in the Paisley households, following their fall from grace!!<<
Lol! I wonder if you are held in the same high esteem in that household, as the fella that UFB has associated you with, is held by the ‘moral guardians’ here on slugger, as opposed to the electorate. I doubt it!
“Isn’t Jackie McDonald a Protestant Major?”
‘Should there be a comma there’
“Attacking the presentation rather than the substance of a comment is a sure sign of losing an argument.”
For the record I want to defend this particular piece of pedantry. Without the comma, and to this casual reader who initially didn’t notice that one of the contributors uses the pseudonym ‘Major’[Doolittle], the statement appears to give credence to the notion that the UDA is a professional army of some sorts, with Major McDonald at the helm. So the comma was critical to the structure of the statement and its absence was very disorienting to the debate!
How fooled, Eoghan? I was very disappointed that the UUP and the SDLP have dallied with the PUP and SF respectively – but I wanted to give the centre ground some support.
The 50%+1 thingy and governments appeasement of the bully boys IMO means few votes for liberal candidates in either ‘tribe’.
I meant fooled by your early support of Paisley, which would be at odds with your newer beliefs once you took a closer interest, ach you know what I mean.
BTW I am no great fan of SF, but they seem to have been polarised(I accept by some of their own actions) despite wishing to appeal to liberals and working classes across the divide.
TAF, why on earth is she endorsing organisations like the Finaghy Crossroads Group, a seemingly cross-paramilitary collective?
Maybe for similar reasons as we all voted to let killers out of jail?
People can make difficult choices for good reasons, even if we don’t agree with them.
Eoghan, I don’t think my down the list ‘support’ for Paisley and Hume counted for much; our/my cross-community activities were more important and more rewarding.
TAF, I voted for a lot more than early release. I don’t think I can be blamed for the later appeasement actions of the governments. Nimbyism can hardly be presented as a ‘good’ reason.
‘The Duke of Edinburgh is not a racist.
He may be a bit of a bumbler (aka Boris Johnson)’
Since Boris Johnson a) routinely uses a pejorative racist term (‘piccaninny’) to describe black Africans, bemoans the fact that white people aren’t in charge of Africa anymore, portrays Africans as people who think that an airplane is a ‘big white bird,’ calls Nelson Mandela a ‘tyrant,’ has admitted to distributing the racist poem that caused Tory councillor Eleanor Bland to be deselected, described the introduction of on-the-job diversity training into the Met following the MacPherson report as ‘worse than the worst excesses of Ceaucescu’s Romania’ and adopts a curious faux-pidgin speech pattern when he’s writing about Africa, it’s much more likely that he is in fact a racist than, as you say, “a bumbler.”
This is not to express an opinion on whether or not Phil is a racist, just to say that the argument “like Boris Johnson, he’s not a racist” is fundamentally flawed.
What nonsense. A few ill judged remarks do not make someone a racist. Personally, I would like to see Boris as secretary of state for NI.
He is a brilliant politician.
“What nonsense. A few ill judged remarks do not make someone a racist. Personally, I would like to see Boris as secretary of state for NI.
He is a brilliant politician.”
We are not talking about a few ill-judged remarks, here, we are talking about an entire journalistic and political career.
That said, in the context of this thread, I’m delighted to see you have such a forgiving attitude to “a few ill-judged remarks.” Does that mean that you’ve changed your stance on President McAleese?
Or do they only count as “a few ill-judged remarks” if they’re said by people with whom you ideologically identify?
I think Boris Johnson is a decent bloke. from a decent background. we need more like him.
McAleese never will be in the same league, in terms of ability, or keeping her bigoted trap shut. we need less of her ilk.
‘from a decent background’
meaning not catholic/nationalist/republican/irish (delete as app)
‘McAleese never will be in the same league’
quite right as a President she is quite a few above him and will always remain so.
Minor Knows Little
You havent been upto Ballymena sampling the fare of your pals in the uda have you?
I have no knowledge of Boris’ religious convictions, if any. Not relevant.
If he becomes Mayor of London, as i sincerely hope he does, he will have a lot more power and influence than the shellsuit in Dublin Castle.
I believe him to be the best politician on the mainland, apart from David Cameron.
I have no pals in the UDA or any other terrorist organisation.
what shellsuit in Dublin Castle?
shows the extent of your knowledge majorknowslittle
Áras an Uachtaráin is not Dublin Castle
Wherever….
As long as there is a mini-mart nearby where she can get her Buckfast and Lambert and Butler.
Aras an thingy no doubt also has a Primark nearby.
majorknowsfuckallindeed
‘McAleese never will be in the same league, in terms of ability’
this about a man who has never held a ministerial post, and is only an MP for about 6-7 years. who is an unrepentant bigot/racist/liar, and who is only publicly well known because of his foot-in-mouth syndrome…sure major, a great man no doubt !
many thanks minordonothing for actaully revealing alot about yourself through your unadulterated approval of this pot bellied bigot !
A pathetic ad hominem attack on one of the greatest political minds of our generation. Jealous of his intellect RS? resorting to cheap unsubstantiated assaults on his character.
I think most readers will be disgusted or saddened at your malicious bletherings.
Boris Johnson and intellect……theres a thought !
´´A pathetic ad hominem attack on one of the greatest political minds of our generation´´.
Is this a windup? Coming from the person who has been consistently dragging this thread into the gutter with cheap, classist and almost unbelievably unfunny jibes againt Mary McAleese:
´Buckfast´, ´shellsuit´ etc. If any is making pathetic ad hominem attacks it is you.
´´A pathetic ad hominem attack on one of the greatest political minds of our generation´´.
Is this a windup? Coming from the person who has been consistently dragging this thread into the gutter with cheap, classist and almost unbelievably unfunny jibes againt Mary McAleese:
´Buckfast´, ´shellsuit´ etc. If anyone is making pathetic ad hominem attacks it is you.
Foreign Correspondent
I accept some of my remarks were a bit “classist” on reflection. However, classism is not necessarily a bad thing. Are you from the lower orders yourself? I do consider myself upper middle, and this may colour my judgement at times.
However, look at the difference between that commie prole Livingstone, and his decent minded challenger for London Mayor, a man of impeccable character and disposition. Who would you rather have in charge?
I do not know much about Boris Johnson but isnt he just a vacant blondes smile in a vacant blonde head? Intelect? Surely you jest
“They gave to their children an irrational hatred of Jews in the same way that people in Northern Ireland transmitted to their children an irrational hatred, for example, of Catholics, in the same way that people give to their children an outrageous and irrational hatred of those who are of different colour and all of those things,”
I couldn’t put it better myself.
Stoneyford, Donegall Road, Harryville etc
a man of impeccable character and disposition.
You think nothing of having an affair then and betraying the person who you married, and who is raising your children?
If he is willing to put the stability of his children’s home on the line, just to get his leg over, what makes you think he would treat the electorate with more respect?
Impeccable character my arse.
TAFKABO
is there any proof in this allegation?
He was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford. President of the Oxford Union
He has been shadow minister for higher education, editor of The Spectator. Other achievements too numberous to mention.
His private life is not remotely relevant even if he did indulge in a spot of “playing away”.
Hopefully he will get the mayorship. Ideally I would like to see him as secretary of state for NI. The electorate here would probably be astonished to get such a star player at Stormont Castle.
If his private life is of no relevance, then why are you playing up the (false) claim that he is of impeccable character?
His marital infidelity is a matter of public record, as is his soliciting of someone to beat up a journalist.
What makes people like you craven lickspittles of anyone with a plummy accent and the correct school tie?
TAFKABO
That’s a bit mean. He’s only human, a few minor indiscretions.
In my view he has probably the greatest vision and political outlook of anyone alive. The only people who come close are David Cameron, Ariel Sharon (yes i know only technically alive) and Tim Collins, who has the potential to be PM if only he would enter politics.
I believe Tim Collins to be the greatest living Ulsterman. What an inspiration to all young people in Northern Ireland, of all political hues.
majordolittle:
“I believe Tim Collins to be the greatest living Ulsterman”
That is quite a claim majory baby.. great than…
Alex Higgins
Denis Taylor
Big Ian
Slab Murphy
or even… Gina Adair ?
majordolittle:
“I believe Tim Collins to be the greatest living Ulsterman”
That is quite a claim majory baby.. greater than…
Alex Higgins
Denis Taylor
Big Ian
Slab Murphy
or even… Gina Adair ?
… oops …
Yes, Dr Strangelove
Even greater than Bob McCartney, who comes 2nd.
Mayory Wajory.. As a judge of character I do not think I have ever come across anyone so insightful…
Thank you
Many of the posts here have been distasteful and antagonistic. And in poor taste.
It’s good to know that many in Northern Ireland, the great majority I think, are of the same mindset as myself.
I should say though that I found Bob to be a tiny bit arrogant at times.
And some from the nationalist community may have thought him slightly overbearing. Someone like Tim Collins is probably regarded as a hero by both communities in NI.
I should add, Dr Strangelove
Greatest living Ulsterwoman…
Mary Peters or Christine Bleakley.
Zoe Salmon running close 2nd with Rose Neill.
What do you think?
1. Christine, a national treasure.
2. Arlene Foster