The BBC are reporting that a policeman has been taken to hospital after a bomb exploded under his car in Randalstown this morning.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the officer has been seriously injured. There is an ongoing security alert at the scene of the explosion on Milltown Road in Randalstown. No one has claimed responsibility for planting the bomb, which exploded at 0630 GMT.
This reads as if a mad picaresque tale. Myers as first a reporter for RTÉ and then as a freelance journalist with no real experience, finds himself wandering into savagery as he hastens north as the Troubles explode. A soldier dies next to him; he witnesses an IRA ambush; he sees children shot to death [...] read our review »
Writer Christopher Hitchens has died aged 62. He was as contrary as he was brilliant. Here is a brief In Memoriam from Vanity Fair (his outlet of choice since 1992) and, here, a longer tribute from his friend Christopher Buckley Stanley in The New Yorker. Better, perhaps, though to post one of Hitchens’ own writings in [...] read our review »
Your religion means nothing, you are a partionist who accepts British rule in Ireland and as such cannot call yourself a democrat. There is no point in condemning murder when you accept the murder machine.
Was it murder, Danny Boy, when your government forces riddled the attackers at Loughgall RUC station? A simple yes or no will suffice.
My given name is neither Alastair, Aleister nor indeed Ozzy and I’m not a Christian.
socaire ,I couldn’t care whether they’re in or out,The truth is still the truth ,even if nobody believes it,a lie is still a lie evev if everybody believes it.Sticks and stones. I put my policies to the electorate and if I am elected , then that is my duty,to represent people.I have never asked anybody who they voted for when they come to me for help.and as for being a stoop at least I have enough courage to put my name to my posts.
Courage is not something I associate with terrorists and their cheerleaders.
Would these be the same IRA volunteers set up for liquidation by the leadership of your party Socaire? Do you not find it coincidental that Aine Tyrell reported Liam Adams to the RUC, thus compromising Dear Leader, in 1987 which was the same year as Loughgall and the year in which the liquidations which paved the way for the GFA began in earnest?
Neither was Mr Crowley someone I see is at least known two you.
You know what they say ‘the devil makes work for idle hands’ It appears some hands have found the devils work.
Dragging the north back into conflict drags it away from a United Ireland
Were they in a firefight,which they lost,I dont know.I do know that i believe Aidan MacAnespie was murdered,I believe Pat Finnucane was murdered.I also believe that Jean McConville was murdered and that Eamonn Collins and Robert McCartney were murdered.
Too many have been murdered and still some people want it to go on.
I thought that the objective of real politicians was to be in power, yet you don’t care if the PSF is in government and you’re not? You are a public representative and it’s your choice to put your name to your posts. I, however, am a private citizen and in your democracy it is unwise to sign anything.I don’t doubt that you serve your constituents to the best of your ability and at a high personal cost but that doesn’t get away from the fact that YOU and YOUR party encourage young Irish people to join a foreign police force. You are a neo-Redmondite and have suffered because the Irish people have rejected you.
Ardoyne Republican
It’s pretty clear that you support the continuation of this senseless violence even though the vast majority of Irish people don’t want it. Your attempts at vague ‘explanation’ of dissident attacks are groundless and vacuous.
Go ahead there and point out where I have advocated ‘dragging the north back into conflict’.
Power is not something which I desire above my principles,and I have been asked to join SF by some senior people in that party,but I will not sacrifice what I believe in.There is a saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,news over the past wee while illustrates that.
socaire
I once browsed some British white supremecist forums to see the sort of views they had. Their use of language, their tone and their world-view reminds me alarmingly of yours. They appear to be completely deluded and have a seige mentality rooted entirely in their own heads. Very few Irishmen think like you. Is that because they are not real Irishmen or because you have it wrong? Perhaps you know what is best for them and they should not be allowed to decide for themselves.
Skintown Lad
Well said
They’re just keeping faith with the republican past and ensuring the future of the struggle.
Surely?
Out of curiosity, Danny Boy. What separates yous from the Provisional Alliance at the moment. You both are anti violence, both centre left, both anti partition, both pro Gaeilge. Could you slip a credit card between yous? Both sectarian catholic parties?
Good night everybody.
Just another day in the neighborhood… the talking heads talk a good game, whilst the Neanderthals are still out there playing their little games, where the score is kept in bodies.
I guess its true — they — *neither* sides they — haven’t gone away.
Skintown Lad, you have no problems. Very few Irishmen think like me.If you are happy with the present set-up, maith thú. If not, rage against it.
Good post, Pete. Am leaba.
And to finish off, Mr Crowley. Were you not a member of the Provisional Alliance at the time of Loughgall?
I think you might be drunk so I will finish now. Goodnight.
Adds
I wonder if that’s what Liam Adams told the 40th anniversary commemoration…
In the morning I’ll be sober and you’ll still be …..? I don’t drink or do drugs BTW
Ah, Pete. If Liam Adams says it’s dark, well then it might be dark. If Pete says it’s true, it might just be true.
Hardly, given that I was 12 years old.
My apologies, young Crowley. You hadn’t even joined at that stage.
Mr Crowley your tacit support for dissident republicanism is in itself an indication. It is obvious whether you like it or not that the vast majority of the people of this Ireland, whichever government is in power, do not want to go back to the old ways.
I suggest that it is possible, and indeed quicker, to persuade unionists (already M McGuinness is popular with both sides)to vote for the party of their choice. To that end we should discourage religious politics and concentrate on policies. I look forward to F/F and F/G challenging as they should have been doing long since.
I am a Republican and I am not a ‘dissident’ as I don’t dissent from Irish Republican principles. This doesn’t mean that I do or indeed have to endorse physical force; which I don’t.
I desire neither to go back to the ‘old ways’ nor continue with the present ways. As for your ridiculous notions about FG and FF organising in the 6, that’ll do wonders for eliminating political corruption.
Try actually thinking for yourself as opposed to recycling half-assed rhetoric and sloganism.
Eliminating political corruption?? Are you off your head??? As for my ‘ridiculous notions’ as you so succinctly put it, they will certainly happen. I just hope sooner rather than later.
If I was not thinking before you ignorant edjit I am certainly thinking now and I note that I was right about the ‘dissident republicanism’. Half-assed rhetoric appears to be your favorite indulgence.
Mr. Crowley
I don’t dissent from Irish Republican principles. This doesn’t mean that I do or indeed have to endorse physical force; which I don’t.
Why not?
Good man, keep throwing out the ‘dissident Republican’ label as your fallback strategy. I suppose it’s easier than actually attempting debate. Have you seen the state of the 26C, how could you consider FF and FG organising in the 6 as a positive development?
Irish Republicanism is about the empowerment of all the Irish people and an end to their exploitation by both foreign and domestic oligarchies. It’s no accident that it was founded by mainly dissident Protestants in the age of enlightenment.
The Irish people north and south might yet wake up and realise their potential. Few of the present political encumbents will play any worthwhile part in that process.
Henry 94,
I feel that physical force activity is too prone to infiltration and misdirection. Consider the infiltration, manipulation and assimilation of the PRM by the British establishment and the manner in which the Omagh bombing stifled the development of Republican opposition to the GFA. It could be argued that limited armed action can have disproportionate political effect, i.e Massarene, however the inherent risks and limitations outweigh the apparent strategic gains, imo.
Mr Crowley: “I suppose it’s easier than actually attempting debate. Have you seen the state of the 26C, how could you consider FF and FG organising in the 6 as a positive development?”
For starters, the current crop of clowns are past their sell-by date — a few new additions to the fun fair freak show couldn’t hurt… maybe a bearded lady or a fella with a parasitic twin.
The current crop of freaks and geeks in the Executive aren’t even trusted with real power are really are just a side-show to impress the rubes.
Good man? Pippakin is my cats name but we both have claws. I was not the first to resort to abuse, except for the Crowley thing which I admit was a low blow.
I have no faith in any of the political parties, but I feel strongly that neither the DUP or the UUP will ever gain a clear majority within Ireland. S/F will not because they are too socialist, that leaves Labour who I confess I lean toward, but again are too socialist or, since I cannot see a majority voting Green, the big two.
It will happen it has to there aint nothin else.
Stormont is just that; a sideshow, a corrupt sectarian pantomime tasked with the normalisation of British rule. It doesn’t work, can’t work and won’t work. The entire process needs to be renegotiated from the getgo without preconditions. Unfortunately there are few who could be trusted with such responsibility.
Mr. Crowley: “I feel that physical force activity is too prone to infiltration and misdirection. Consider the infiltration, manipulation and assimilation of the PRM by the British establishment and the manner in which the Omagh bombing stifled the development of Republican opposition to the GFA.”
Sure, an’ the fella couldn’t have possible managed to do something counterproductive all on their own — had to be them British devils in pulling their strings… The dissidents were too illiterate to read the writing on the wall.
Mr. Crowley: “It could be argued that limited armed action can have disproportionate political effect, i.e Massarene, however the inherent risks and limitations outweigh the apparent strategic gains, imo. ”
Not at this late date — as a minimum, a return to any sort of sustained armed action would be something of an uphill sale. While it takes little in the way of resources to sustain a revolutionary movement, it would open the door to all the old problems. Hell, it might even force the PSNI to find their balls and enforce the law.
Mr. Crowley: “Stormont is just that; a sideshow, a corrupt sectarian pantomime tasked with the normalisation of British rule. It doesn’t work, can’t work and won’t work.”
Ah, but it does and it can, Mr. Crowley. So long as the groundhogs are focused upon the sideshow, so long as you have SF / PIRA tasked with the administration of British rule, it is working and will continue to work. It benefits that they have so little power that they fight like starving dogs over a bone. For the purposes of the Executive, the recent unpleasentnesses for the Robinsons and the Adamses are gravy.
Bread and circuses were replaced with the dole and the Executive. Enjoy the show.
Oh Mr Crowley we let the people choose if they choose a bearded lady, well did not some place in Yorkshire vote for a bloke in bear suit?
The executive is not designed to be permanent. The Brits could leave tomorrow. The whole set up is actually geared to a handover.
I have yet to see a political system which is not corrupt, it is certainly one of the things the Brits and the Irish have in common.
Protestants can be persuaded, as you say and as we see, the existing Unionist parties are corrupt, do you think we are the only ones to see that. I believe protestants are Irish too and I hope it will not be long before they think so too.
pippakin: “The executive is not designed to be permanent. The Brits could leave tomorrow. The whole set up is actually geared to a handover.”
Sure’n, and the sun could rise in the west tomorrow, but I shan’t hold my breath on the matter.
pippakin: “Protestants can be persuaded, as you say and as we see, the existing Unionist parties are corrupt, do you think we are the only ones to see that. I believe protestants are Irish too and I hope it will not be long before they think so too. ”
Sadly, the point you seem to overlook is that the parallax is equally valid.
It is late and I am getting tired so I could be wrong, but did you just suggest that republicans/nationalists could vote for Unionists?
Name one, name one Unionist worth a vote, they may not be up to the ears in muck, but the shite is rising fast. No, no matter what the stories are, the Unionists do not have the backing to appeal large scale.
The sun will rise in the east and set on the Unionists without the need for another death.
Pippakin: “It is late and I am getting tired so I could be wrong, but did you just suggest that republicans/nationalists could vote for Unionists?”
Not really, although that is within the realm of possibility, at least as Mr. Crowley measures that realm…
What I was suggesting is that the main crop of Republican politicians seem have some difficulties where ethics are concerned. Also, for being the alleged smart fellas, they’re none to bright. About the only one that strikes as having the wits the Lord gave a rodent would be wee Marty, and that’s based mainly on his cunning ability to know when to keep his mouth shut.
The pain and the joy of a democracy is that the electorate always gets the government and leadership they deserve. When they decide they deserve better, they will get better, but not before.
Knowing when to keep your mouth shut is a gift indeed I wish I had it! besides he probably kept quiet over poor Peters latest problems because he could not have kept the smile off his face long enough to get the pious, sympathetic words out.
All politicians have problems with ethics, most of them would have to buy a dictionary to find it, but then they would just claim on expenses.
Goodnight Dread Cthulhu I hope you have an eventful night.
pippakin: “Knowing when to keep your mouth shut is a gift indeed I wish I had it! besides he probably kept quiet over poor Peters latest problems because he could not have kept the smile off his face long enough to get the pious, sympathetic words out.”
As the rabbit said, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all… Marty’s done a good job on this front. Grand sweeping pronouncement usually require moral authority or an electorate so deep in your hip pocket that they have to fax in the daylight. Marty has been fairly circumspect — almost thoughtful in picking his fights, at least his political ones. I c’n respect that.
pippakin: “All politicians have problems with ethics, most of them would have to buy a dictionary to find it, but then they would just claim on expenses.”
Amen
Pippakin: “Goodnight Dread Cthulhu I hope you have an eventful night. ”
Beats living in interesting times… you have a good night yourself!
Mr Crowley
The entire process needs to be renegotiated from the getgo without preconditions. Unfortunately there are few who could be trusted with such responsibility.
If only we had ideal representatives and an ideal electorate made up of the ideal “Irish People” in your head then we’d be flying.
Last time we had the leading and most successful politicians of their generation in Britain Ireland and America involved. We had Paisley the leader of hardline unionism throughout the whole of the troubles and we had the people who had shaped the Republican Movement. And they were all working to John Hume’s indisputable analysis of the problem.
What would we start from scratch with? The hard-line Johnny Come Latelys from both rows of the slow class. And hey Obama, if you’re not too busy could you give us a few years of your life?
When your argument hinges on statements like that you are in trouble.
Another own goal by the fat, middle aged, balding, inarticulate, chain smoking, council estate heroes that constitute the true governmnet of Ireland…..
These murderous attacks by dissident republicans such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA are much like the actions of a brutal man whose wife and family have ceased to love and who have rejected him because of his violent nature. He then determines that he will restore his family by beating them further until they grow to love him anew and give him the respect to which his insanity has permitted him to believe he is entitled.
RC
Good post, that about sums it up.
These brutal attacks seem more like well timed attacks on Catholic “collaborators” to me. The BBC reports today that thei njured copper was helping the PSNI/RUC with their Irish and that one of his relatives is a top Sinn Feiner.
The Guardian and The Daily Mail have big covereage of it too, as well as pages and editorials on Mrs Robinson’s fling with the gigolo.
They also report that a British Army officer at Sandhurst was freed even though he screwed an underage girl. (= mandatory rape). So maybe Liam Adams will be fine. After all, better to concentrate on the sex flings of menopausal women with worthless gigolos than in protecting four year olds from Sinn Feiners and Nutting Squad chappies.