Slugger O'Toole

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Latest comments from CongalClaen (see all)

CongalClaen has commented 30 times (0 in the last month).

1. Comment on Beautiful Minds features Northern Star
   on 9 April 2010 at 3:01 pm

   Lots of NI Physicists are forgotten. How many people do you know who have even heard of John Stewart Bell? Yet, he would be one of the top 10 physicists ever. He was schooled on the Lisburn Road and also attended Queens. Ironically, he’s most famous for “Bell’s inequality”.

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2. Comment on Unity Won’t Solve Ireland’s Two Major Problems
   on 2 March 2010 at 5:05 pm

   Hi all,

   The way the Euro is going could throw up interesting questions for the Republic and certainly test the republic’c “Europeaness”. It’s looking more likely that for the Euro to succeed that monetary union means fiscal union. So, no more el cheapo corporation tax, etc. That will be a BIG decision. I personally think the Republic is more or less the same as the rest of the British Isles and sees Europe as a free trading zone. Ceding fiscal policy to Brussels will be the biggest decision since independence. Who knows, the Republic may rejoin the UK and Ireland will be united once again… (more a hope than expectation)

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3. Comment on “It will be made up by 3 MLAs from the DUP and 3 from Sinn Fein.”
   on 11 February 2010 at 5:31 pm

   Hi ardmaj55,

   Have to agree with your point. The same could also be said about Gaelic with respect to the ILA and does the GAA need to be taxpayer funded?

   Personally, I think it’s better to promote our cultures rather than become some mundane English speaking western region. But it has to be both cultures. Or, even better, could we think of them as one? Parity of Esteem and all that…

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4. Comment on “It will be made up by 3 MLAs from the DUP and 3 from Sinn Fein.”
   on 11 February 2010 at 4:09 pm

   Hi ardmaj55,

   The OO were formed as a “defence” force against similar “defence” forces of a Catholic nature approximately 100 years AFTER the Battle of the Boyne. That battle was not a total Catholic/prod thing. For example, the Pope was on the side of William and William’s Blue Guards were Catholic. It was to do with the Glorious revloution (a bit over the top I Know) and was supposedly about Civil and religious liberty for all.

   So maybe Catholics should consider 1690 the victory of toleration (well, at least a start to it) rather than the defeat of catholicism. Afterall, there’s no Irish Catholic equivalent to the French Huegenots is there?

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5. Comment on “It will be made up by 3 MLAs from the DUP and 3 from Sinn Fein.”
   on 10 February 2010 at 5:19 pm

   Hi Ian,

   I could also have added that Ian Adamson is a fluent Irish Gaelic speaker and there are Gaelic classes in some very loyalist areas. Some OO lodges have gaelic on their banners as do Irish regiments. But we’re talking generally here…

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6. Comment on “It will be made up by 3 MLAs from the DUP and 3 from Sinn Fein.”
   on 10 February 2010 at 5:17 pm

   Hi Ian,

   I thought we were talking about NI unionists here.

   Hi ardmaj55,

   Sorry, I never meant to imply you were. Not that that is something to be ashamed off. I just think there’s more hope of SF/DUP coming up with something than UUP/SDLP.

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7. Comment on “It will be made up by 3 MLAs from the DUP and 3 from Sinn Fein.”
   on 9 February 2010 at 11:10 pm

   Hi ardmaj55,

   And conversely if Unionists/loyalist embraced Gaelic SF wouldn’t give a toss about it. Gerry’s pigeon Irish would seem so mainstream…

   The other thing is SF want a “united” Ireland. Why would you want to unite with something you detest? It’s like trying to win the affections of someone by calling them a slag, etc. Maybe, if they embraced the Orange they’d have more to show for their efforts. Murder and mayhem doesn’t seem to have worked.

   On the flipside Unionists’ snub of all things Gaelic is at least logical as they want nothing to do with the RoI. Although, personally for me, I’d like to see a United (British) Isles and would rather promote and embrace Gaelic. But it has to be mutual to truly work…

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8. Comment on “It will be made up by 3 MLAs from the DUP and 3 from Sinn Fein.”
   on 9 February 2010 at 6:35 pm

   The UUP/SDLP had no problem “excluding” people when it was their turn. That the Alliance was allowed to change it’s designation to get more than 50% of the “unionist” votes needed was a disgrace. So, don’t go whingeing now. Although I see the SDLP have just selected the high priestess of whinge as their new leader. So, no change expected there.

   As for the parades issue – it should be extended to culture. At the present it only affects unionist/loyalist culture. Something the SDLP pushed for. If it’s widened to include the GAA and the ILA perhaps we’ll have progress. SF say they’re proud of the tricolour and that the orange is part of the nation. Well, act as if that is true. Don’t just tolerate parades. Welcome them. Likewise, unionists need to embrace Gaelicness as one of the most ancient forms of British culture. Certainly much older than the English language for example. Bring Gaelic to state schools…

   Just my 2p worth.

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9. Comment on Look not to Derry but Lower Ormeau, Clifton Park and Garvaghy for model solutions
   on 27 January 2010 at 4:44 pm

   Hi Stephen,

   There should be no commemoration of terrorists in any loyalist band, regardless if they had been a member. The majority of unionists do not approve of it. Nevermind how it looks to nationalists. BTW, I’m unionist/loyalist.

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10. Comment on Look not to Derry but Lower Ormeau, Clifton Park and Garvaghy for model solutions
    on 27 January 2010 at 6:11 am

    Hi Jaggers,

    You’re not the fist Nationalist on here that thinks sectarianism is purely a religious thing. Although it can be it can also have a cultural or nationalistic side. The GAA are sectarian taking this more encompassing view. On the OO thing when was the last time you remember ar argument between the OO and protestors over religion? Parades are not a religious dispute between Protestanism and Catholicism. Most of the protagonists probably don’t even know the difference. For a start, if they were Christian they shouldn’t support terrorism. Turn the other cheek, etc, etc…

    To support your argument you name Prod GAA players. It may surprise you to know that there have been Catholics in the UVF. Does that then mean the UVF are non-sectarian?

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