Friday, March 28, 2008
Backchannel denials
Brian Rowan writes of the DUP-SF backchannel, allegedly facilitated by a well known journalist, and warns that the denials made in the past will come back to bite in the future: “The danger in all of this is that the denial continues and the truth emerges.” Read about it in the Belfast Telegraph and the BBC.
Thanks, Jone, for the link - I didn’t know it was made public. If true it places the journalist in a very compromised position, as how could he report on the peace process while at the same time being so integral to it? It raises a number of other awkward questions, too.
Rusty Nail @ 11:54 AM
Traditional Unionist,
If Jim Allister is against terrorism and violence, then why did he (twice) join a party led by a man who was associated with Third Force, Ulster Resistance, the UDA’s Andy Tyrie (in the late 1970s strike) and who marched people around waving gun licenses ?
Turgon:
I never though I would see the day when you personally gave any credance to that supposed apology from those murderers.
If giving credence to an apology from the IRA is reprehensible, then why do TUV people keep bringing it up ? Isn’t it dishonourable to ask for an apology, and then turn around and refuse to accept it when it is given ?
On this “fitness for government” thing. Let’s face it, unionists are not fit for government. In an ideal world we wouldn’t be governed by lunatics who are elected by the supporters of loyalist paramilitarism. However, I’m prepared to back off on that in the interests of the greater good. I don’t see why it is a certain specific section of almost exclusively unionist opinion is incapable of understanding the need to compromise within politics in order to get stuff done. And please don’t say “unionists don’t compromise when it comes to terrorism” - yes, they did, and the people who are voting for the TUV today supported that compromise when it suited them.
Posted by on Mar 29, 2008 @ 11:21 AMTurgon
Cheers for that. On republicans bowling short concern you just ask for more than you’d settle for.
I agree TUV will have to start providing some meat on its bones. Although I fear some prefer talking about high principles but not doing anything to achieve them.
BTW direct rule is not British rule and has not been since 1985. It is British rule with varying degrees of Irish involvement with the serious risk it become de facto joint rule in the medium-long term.
“neither of us were ever cut out for being proper politicians”
LMAO. Indeed.
Posted by on Mar 29, 2008 @ 12:36 PMfair_deal,
Without being too controversial or insulting to some of our mutual friends, both of whom we do respect: I do sometimes wonder, however, if we did actually had that much less talent than some of them. After all there were some remarkably odd people around that Cloisters coffee table. Then again what is the old saying “All the world’s a little queer save thee and me, and even thee’s a little queer”. Clearly although I am not being homophobic I am not using queer in its current usage.Regards
Posted by on Mar 29, 2008 @ 01:37 PMTurgon
“we did actually had that much less talent than some of them”
I don’t think it is necessarily a case of talent. Some made the conscious choice to go in particular career directions, some wanting a full-time role others as voluntary participants. I seriously doubt that I have the necessary people skills for a front-line role.
Also I must admit the negative impression/relationships I made/had with a number of those people has dogged me since (a problem almost entirely of my own making) although I have learnt a degree of self-control I lacked in my younger angrier days.
Posted by on Mar 29, 2008 @ 02:56 PMi fear for Turgan and like-minded when that time comes (envitable nationalist majority) what will you do?
please dont leave the country but improve it from within. as the statement says ‘all the children of the nation WILL be cherished equally’.
what a great nation we could built together, orange and green, together at last.
aidan.
Posted by on Mar 30, 2008 @ 03:32 PM‘Remembering that even in a united Ireland terrorists would be most unlikely to be in government.’ Turgon.
So you’ll be voting Fianna fàil then?Posted by on Mar 30, 2008 @ 07:09 PMAidian or tiberius as you chose,
I will probably do a blog soon on what I would do in a united Ireland. However, you may not like what I say. Whilst I will never be killing anyone I think Darth Rumsfled’s recent description of the Brave and Thran Unionist Voice is a remarkably good description of what you would end up with.
Posted by on Mar 30, 2008 @ 08:05 PM
