Comments on: Adams could have answered the criticism… http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/ Conversation, politics and stray insights Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:44:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Yrrab http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-222243 Yrrab Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:13:18 +0000 #comment-222243 Steady on! How can you call Malachi an idiot? That is an affront to the people of west Belfast -and the suburb of Riverdale. This poor man could lose his position as the spokesman for the 'acceptable face' of 'The West': the darling Croppy of the unionist media. A man whose massive ego is matched only by his own self-perceived intelligence. The whole A Town News episode was sad from start to finish, but to misinterpret Squinter's article was a schoolboy error. I feel that MOD's raison d'etre is to twist the knife in the people of west Belfast for the benefit of his unionist paymasters. It may sound a bit obvious but I do believe that Malachi is the original man who came up the Lagan in a bubble.. Steady on! How can you call Malachi an idiot? That is an affront to the people of west Belfast -and the suburb of Riverdale. This poor man could lose his position as the spokesman for the ‘acceptable face’ of ‘The West’: the darling Croppy of the unionist media. A man whose massive ego is matched only by his own self-perceived intelligence. The whole A Town News episode was sad from start to finish, but to misinterpret Squinter’s article was a schoolboy error. I feel that MOD’s raison d’etre is to twist the knife in the people of west Belfast for the benefit of his unionist paymasters. It may sound a bit obvious but I do believe that Malachi is the original man who came up the Lagan in a bubble..

]]> By: paul panther http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-222096 paul panther Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:05:59 +0000 #comment-222096 The ATN made an embarrassing climbdown, no doubt about it. But Malachi made an even more embarrassing mistake in wrongly stating that Squinter called for Adams to resign - he didn't, and if Malachi can't even get that right then it destroys the credibility of his column. Malachi, did you even read Squinter's column. If you did then how could you have drawn that conclusion? You're an idiot, and an even bigger one than the fool who gave the go ahead for the ATN apology The ATN made an embarrassing climbdown, no doubt about it. But Malachi made an even more embarrassing mistake in wrongly stating that Squinter called for Adams to resign – he didn’t, and if Malachi can’t even get that right then it destroys the credibility of his column.
Malachi, did you even read Squinter’s column. If you did then how could you have drawn that conclusion?
You’re an idiot, and an even bigger one than the fool who gave the go ahead for the ATN apology

]]> By: Sarah Holland http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-222073 Sarah Holland Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:58:51 +0000 #comment-222073 I think Norton summed it all up there. People get pissed off at gerry, then pissed off with the andytown news, then pissed off with the PSNI. I think we should focus our anger at the hoods and their families. I'd be delighted to see them fall off the face of the earth but it's not gonna happen. This is a good time for the elected reps to come together and think up a long term strategy for dealing with ASB and disenfranchised youths. I think Norton summed it all up there. People get pissed off at gerry, then pissed off with the andytown news, then pissed off with the PSNI.

I think we should focus our anger at the hoods and their families. I’d be delighted to see them fall off the face of the earth but it’s not gonna happen.

This is a good time for the elected reps to come together and think up a long term strategy for dealing with ASB and disenfranchised youths.

]]> By: Danny O'Connor http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221901 Danny O'Connor Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:24:38 +0000 #comment-221901 Sorry I thought o'muilleoir was the editor,he is the owner ,that was my point,marty shafted robin. Sorry I thought o’muilleoir was the editor,he is the owner ,that was my point,marty shafted robin.

]]> By: spiritof07 http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221892 spiritof07 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:17:24 +0000 #comment-221892 Danny O'Connor: "The columnist who wrote the article must feel totally shafted by the editor." You do realise they are the same person, right? Danny O’Connor: “The columnist who wrote the article must feel totally shafted by the editor.”

You do realise they are the same person, right?

]]> By: LURIG http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221888 LURIG Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:45:03 +0000 #comment-221888 After venting the views of MANY Belfast Nationalists towards Adams & Sinn Fein the climbdown from the ATN was a real dagger to the heart. It reiterated the point that debate within the Republican movement OR ANY dissention to Adams is strangled at source. How many Republicans have left over the last while? Dozens I would say and in the high double figures. I used to be one of the sheep who defended the party NO MATTER what but the Quinns & McCartney's appear to be vindicated. Sinn Fein are NOT democrats, they are an enclosed dictatorial clique negotiating for themselves alone. I have NO doubt and am more convinced than ever that the Northern electorate are about to deliver the Shinners the same blow the Southern electorate gave them. In Nationalist Belfast most people look straight ahead and nod in their presence but despise them in private. I have NEVER heard as much contempt directed towards them as now. They lost the people a long time ago. I stopped buying the ATN last week, it is NO longer a credible paper, simple. After venting the views of MANY Belfast Nationalists towards Adams & Sinn Fein the climbdown from the ATN was a real dagger to the heart. It reiterated the point that debate within the Republican movement OR ANY dissention to Adams is strangled at source. How many Republicans have left over the last while? Dozens I would say and in the high double figures. I used to be one of the sheep who defended the party NO MATTER what but the Quinns & McCartney’s appear to be vindicated. Sinn Fein are NOT democrats, they are an enclosed dictatorial clique negotiating for themselves alone. I have NO doubt and am more convinced than ever that the Northern electorate are about to deliver the Shinners the same blow the Southern electorate gave them. In Nationalist Belfast most people look straight ahead and nod in their presence but despise them in private. I have NEVER heard as much contempt directed towards them as now. They lost the people a long time ago. I stopped buying the ATN last week, it is NO longer a credible paper, simple.

]]> By: Gregory http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221854 Gregory Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:20:07 +0000 #comment-221854 'As the master of the half-point on this board i find it distasteful of you leveling the charge at others.' Moi, distasteful? Jeepers creepers, that's damaging to the self-image. I've just got back from Pomerania, I mean Dungannon, the darn hills have done for me. I shall only be doing half-hearted posts for the next day or so. I think Gerry should weigh up his options, maybe that is, and force the ATN to apologize for apologizing. That's my half-point. G. ‘As the master of the half-point on this board i find it distasteful of you leveling the charge at others.’

Moi, distasteful? Jeepers creepers, that’s damaging to the self-image.

I’ve just got back from Pomerania, I mean Dungannon, the darn hills have done for me.

I shall only be doing half-hearted posts for the next day or so. I think Gerry should weigh up his options, maybe that is, and force the ATN to apologize for apologizing.

That’s my half-point.

G.

]]> By: Malachi http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221806 Malachi Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:26:58 +0000 #comment-221806 I have just had Squinter point out to me that he did not in fact call for the resignation of Gerry Adams in his original article. I have too lightly assumed that calling on your MP to take the blame for the constituency's problems amounts to the same thing. I have just had Squinter point out to me that he did not in fact call for the resignation of Gerry Adams in his original article. I have too lightly assumed that calling on your MP to take the blame for the constituency’s problems amounts to the same thing.

]]> By: nmc http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221687 nmc Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:50:53 +0000 #comment-221687 If you think to 2004, the murder of 16-year-old Meghan McAlorum was as much indicative of social breakdown as any of the murders in the past year. It's the quantity of the murders that's the problem. In west Belfast there has been a marked visibly obvious increase in anti social behaviour. The reasons are obvious, the kids balls are growing because no one's getting shot any more, all you have to fear is being caught by the police and that's pretty unlikely. The number of murders, and indeed vicious beatings is on the increase, but that's the tip of the iceberg. For the vast majority of people in the West the effects are more noticeable when being told to fuck off by a fifteen year old using a screwdriver to remove bits of your car, the vandalism, abuse, threats and calls of what the fuck are you lookin' at from drunk teenagers as you try to get to the shop and back after 6 on a friday night. I would say one thing to people hypothesising about the situation in the west - if you aren't living there, it's worse than you think it is. If you think to 2004, the murder of 16-year-old Meghan McAlorum was as much indicative of social breakdown as any of the murders in the past year.

It’s the quantity of the murders that’s the problem. In west Belfast there has been a marked visibly obvious increase in anti social behaviour. The reasons are obvious, the kids balls are growing because no one’s getting shot any more, all you have to fear is being caught by the police and that’s pretty unlikely.

The number of murders, and indeed vicious beatings is on the increase, but that’s the tip of the iceberg. For the vast majority of people in the West the effects are more noticeable when being told to fuck off by a fifteen year old using a screwdriver to remove bits of your car, the vandalism, abuse, threats and calls of what the fuck are you lookin’ at from drunk teenagers as you try to get to the shop and back after 6 on a friday night. I would say one thing to people hypothesising about the situation in the west – if you aren’t living there, it’s worse than you think it is.

]]> By: Star of the County Down http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221684 Star of the County Down Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:01:04 +0000 #comment-221684 Danny, Correct me if I'm wrong, but the columnist and editor are the same person in this case, no? Looks more like Livingstone being shafted by O Muilleoir. Which is nice... Danny,

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the columnist and editor are the same person in this case, no? Looks more like Livingstone being shafted by O Muilleoir. Which is nice…

]]> By: Prince Eoghan http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221672 Prince Eoghan Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:51:28 +0000 #comment-221672 Yep Norton pretty much agree. Simple stuff really, logical despite the attempted ongoing spin campaign(s) What squinter said had to be said, but blaming one man *completely* is daft. Yep Norton pretty much agree. Simple stuff really, logical despite the attempted ongoing spin campaign(s) What squinter said had to be said, but blaming one man *completely* is daft.

]]> By: Danny O'Connor http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221654 Danny O'Connor Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:49:47 +0000 #comment-221654 In my view this was a fiasco.If the press print something that you believe to be unfair, you can demand a right to reply ,or if it is untrue you can sue them for defamation.I do not think the matter was handled appropriately by either SF or the A News.The columnist who wrote the article must feel totally shafted by the editor. In my view this was a fiasco.If the press print something that you believe to be unfair, you can demand a right to reply ,or if it is untrue you can sue them for defamation.I do not think the matter was handled appropriately by either SF or the A News.The columnist who wrote the article must feel totally shafted by the editor.

]]> By: UFB http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221648 UFB Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:02:05 +0000 #comment-221648 Good comment Norton. IMHO a rational level headed analysis. Good comment Norton.
IMHO a rational level headed analysis.

]]> By: jake http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221643 jake Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:45:22 +0000 #comment-221643 malachi o'doherty is so wrong it is unbelievable. robin livingstone didn't write the squinter article on adams, it was written by a securocrat from the northern ireland office who smuggled it into the columns of the ATN when no-one was looking. everyone knows that. those securocrats will stop at nothing to undermine our great and beloved leader. long may he reign over us! malachi o’doherty is so wrong it is unbelievable. robin livingstone didn’t write the squinter article on adams, it was written by a securocrat from the northern ireland office who smuggled it into the columns of the ATN when no-one was looking. everyone knows that. those securocrats will stop at nothing to undermine our great and beloved leader. long may he reign over us!

]]> By: Norton http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221621 Norton Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:42:35 +0000 #comment-221621 I'd take the view that the Squinter column was indeed inspired by anger and emotion rather than by any attempt at an internal Sinn Fein coup. If you think to 2004, the murder of 16-year-old Meghan McAlorum was as much indicative of social breakdown as any of the murders in the past year. No-one blamed Gerry Adams for facilitating the conditions in which that murder took place and indeed he has twice since been championed by the people of the area at the ballot box, never more spectacularly so than last March with a pattern of vote management that was outstanding and which could not have happened against a background of ambivalence. I think the difference was that on two recent occasions, the victims were viewed as being members of the Republican family, certainly so in the case of Frank McGreevy and to a lesser extent with Harry Holland. The people of west Belfast are finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that a man like Frank McGreevy, who in their eyes gave great service to the cause, can be battered outside his front door. It is like a British Army war hero returning to Stowe-on-the-Wold and being beaten to death on his doorstep in 1948. Politically, there is little Winston Churchill could do about that but nevertheless some people would see his face when the anger boiled within him. So two points of conclusion - I think the Andersonstown News would have been better laying out a more tempered article the following week explaining why the original piece was written in the heat of the moment and because it lacked dispassionate analysis, was wrong. On the other hand, I can see why Gerry Adams, who I understand was a friend of Bap McGreevy, would have been very offended for being blamed, however indirectly, for his murder. Therefore he demanded a full apology when the sort of explanatory follow-up may have been better. In essence both Squinter and Gerry Adams have behaved in a hot-headed manner and I think that both have subseqently realised that these things are better discussed, in public at least, with cool words. I’d take the view that the Squinter column was indeed inspired by anger and emotion rather than by any attempt at an internal Sinn Fein coup.
If you think to 2004, the murder of 16-year-old Meghan McAlorum was as much indicative of social breakdown as any of the murders in the past year.
No-one blamed Gerry Adams for facilitating the conditions in which that murder took place and indeed he has twice since been championed by the people of the area at the ballot box, never more spectacularly so than last March with a pattern of vote management that was outstanding and which could not have happened against a background of ambivalence.
I think the difference was that on two recent occasions, the victims were viewed as being members of the Republican family, certainly so in the case of Frank McGreevy and to a lesser extent with Harry Holland.
The people of west Belfast are finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that a man like Frank McGreevy, who in their eyes gave great service to the cause, can be battered outside his front door.
It is like a British Army war hero returning to Stowe-on-the-Wold and being beaten to death on his doorstep in 1948. Politically, there is little Winston Churchill could do about that but nevertheless some people would see his face when the anger boiled within him.
So two points of conclusion – I think the Andersonstown News would have been better laying out a more tempered article the following week explaining why the original piece was written in the heat of the moment and because it lacked dispassionate analysis, was wrong.
On the other hand, I can see why Gerry Adams, who I understand was a friend of Bap McGreevy, would have been very offended for being blamed, however indirectly, for his murder. Therefore he demanded a full apology when the sort of explanatory follow-up may have been better.
In essence both Squinter and Gerry Adams have behaved in a hot-headed manner and I think that both have subseqently realised that these things are better discussed, in public at least, with cool words.

]]> By: Shore Road Resident http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221616 Shore Road Resident Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:31:02 +0000 #comment-221616 I hope this means O'Doherty is returning to the Tele - they don't have a single good regular columnist now apart from Eamonn McCann. I hope this means O’Doherty is returning to the Tele – they don’t have a single good regular columnist now apart from Eamonn McCann.

]]> By: Hogan http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221614 Hogan Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:30:23 +0000 #comment-221614 "Having said that, what does Malachi mean precisely?" Gregory As the master of the half-point on this board i find it distasteful of you leveling the charge at others. “Having said that, what does Malachi mean precisely?”

Gregory

As the master of the half-point on this board i find it distasteful of you leveling the charge at others.

]]> By: Gregory http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221592 Gregory Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:59:43 +0000 #comment-221592 "Anyway GA is our MP whether Malachi, the SDLP , or anyone else for that matter, like it or not." He is the MP, he's not my MP. SF are a hick party, they can't stop being that, that may sound terribly condescending, but it is the blunt truth. “Anyway GA is our MP whether Malachi, the SDLP , or anyone else for that matter, like it or not.”

He is the MP, he’s not my MP.

SF are a hick party, they can’t stop being that, that may sound terribly condescending, but it is the blunt truth.

]]> By: John O'Connell http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221589 John O'Connell Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:55:04 +0000 #comment-221589 Malachi must be losing his sharpness. It wasn't a lost opportunity for Sinn Fein or Gerry Adams. It was simply the way of Sinn Fein and Adams, weak political leaders for a democracy, bolstering themselves up through censorship, intimidation and sheer ignorance. Mugabe methodology happens for a reason. Malachi must be losing his sharpness. It wasn’t a lost opportunity for Sinn Fein or Gerry Adams. It was simply the way of Sinn Fein and Adams, weak political leaders for a democracy, bolstering themselves up through censorship, intimidation and sheer ignorance. Mugabe methodology happens for a reason.

]]> By: west belfast http://sluggerotoole.com/2008/04/10/adams-could-have-answered-the-criticism/comment-page-1/#comment-221588 west belfast Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:51:56 +0000 #comment-221588 Ah the return of the flogged dead (and surely rotten by now)horse. I know Malachi is a good friend of Gerry so I am surprised that he has decided to resurrect this! Anyway GA is our MP whether Malachi, the SDLP , or anyone else for that matter, like it or not. Ah the return of the flogged dead (and surely rotten by now)horse. I know Malachi is a good friend of Gerry so I am surprised that he has decided to resurrect this!

Anyway GA is our MP whether Malachi, the SDLP , or anyone else for that matter, like it or not.

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