Slugger O'Toole

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Latest comments from Eglise en bois (see all)

Eglise en bois has commented 77 times (2 in the last month).

1. Comment on Where so few SF and DUP friendly columnists in the MSM?
   on 25 April 2012 at 2:30 pm

   maybe the answer is fairly simple and straight forward, those who vote for the DUP and are capable and able to write the incisive pieces etc do not want to be identified with them. Possibly they remain embarrassed to be associated with the DUP and voting for them is their “dirty little secret”

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2. Comment on “A mix in society between Catholic and Protestant was lost at that time…”
   on 24 April 2012 at 4:39 pm

   What has always amazed me about the discussion of the exodus of protestants from the Irish Free State and subsequently from the Republic, is the incredible necessity of some Republicans and nationalists to insist that they all went of thier own accord, with no intimidation or threat, especially no sectarian threat or intimidation. They all just left eternally grateful of thier peaceful existance in a beautifully welcoming and inclusive country! Pleasssssssse!

   It would be like suggesting that because protestant trade unionists were expelled from the shipyard at various times that the expulsions of Catholics was non sectarian.

   The simple facts remain, the motivations of those carrying out the murders, burning and imtimidation are long lost in the mists of history, but the perception remains that it was partially/fully sectarian. This is ireland after all, we all have grown up, and for centuries, identifing each others politics on the bases of where we go or don’t go on a Sunday. The need for nationalists and republicans to present themselves as pure as the driven snow is ridiculous.

   Was there a sectarian movitive? among other motives yes, were there other motives – off course. Can we maturely reflect on the past??? I’m not sure

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3. Comment on Bell first DUPer to address Fine Gael ArdFheis…
   on 2 April 2012 at 4:55 pm

   Mr bell, the man who refused to support an SDLP mayor for craigavon – because?I think it was because she was a nat – and now he’s become the darling of the Michael Collins’ party and Eoin O’Duffy’s! Its been a “Long March” from those heady days to where he is now, but simple proof “the worm has totally turned”!

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4. Comment on More on loyalism’s red, white and blue Paddy’s Day in Armagh
   on 16 March 2012 at 1:54 pm

   Ard, your actually probably right, the 1912 unonists did threaten the government, they did get the suppot of the Tories and unlike the provos they ultimately got what they wanted.

   AS for parades on St Patricks day all true irishmen with a spirit of tolerance and inclusion should be welcoming unionist celebratons of Ireland’s patron saint, the conditions etc are irrelevant, the progress is good and like Peter Robinson attending a GAA match soon it will be mandatory for DUP mayors etc

   Soon Chris will be commentating on the Twelth, admiring the current Deputy First Minister in an open topped car on his way to the Field. You can’t stop the change so you might as well go with it

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5. Comment on Can the new UUP leader put an end to the party’s inexorable drift?
   on 15 March 2012 at 2:54 pm

   “wants to develop closer ties across unionism ” – So NI is damned to policyless vacuous political carve up – is this really what is best for Unionism and NI?

   While the policy of cuddling the DUP seems to make a certain sense, it’s only sensible if you support the current status quo. Change is needed and new thinking, the DUP/SF refusal to move to a more democratic system to include an opposition is purely self serving and the UUP should lead – once again and once again put country before party!

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6. Comment on Gay Marriage: Cardinal lobbies against whilst Church of Ireland opens a debate…
   on 7 March 2012 at 2:43 pm

   Couple of points – what is marriage? and why do homosexuals want to be “married”? is it a title, is it respectability, what?

   legally all the benefits of marriage are currently available through civil partnerships, so I can’t understand what the issue really is. Unless you accept the me too position.

   Now clearly homosexuals don’t agree with what the Catholic Church teaches or professes to believe, and yes clearly there is a lot of hypocrisy in the church and evidently the child abuse scandals has rightly eroded the church’s moral authority – if it ever had any, but giving the Cardinal his dues all he is doing is openly and honestly giving the official line. There is no surprise here but what I haven’t heard is a clear articulation of why marriage should be redefined. As as for “marriage” belonging to the church – historically and culturally that might actually be a point worth debating – where did marriage come from – is it not just a religous requirement – a religious straight jacket?

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7. Comment on McNarry: “the party will close ranks and anybody who wants to be a hypocrite will get their photograph taken”
   on 2 February 2012 at 11:23 am

   Sadly for too many of us on this site, we see the end being what is good for the parties, surely the key issue is what is good for the electorate and the democratic process.

   The survival or otherwise of either political parties or politicians should be irrelevant if good government is being delivered and a suitably wide canvass of parties is available form which the electorate can choose.

   Our system doesn’t lend itself to modern dynamic politics and NI historically doesn’t actually do politics in a liberal sense, we do tribal voting. So the current machinations and personal ego trips of individuals and parties are sideshow in what is actually important.

   Can NI be properly and successfully governed, delivering modern; education, health, infrastructures and employment based on our current two block model or do we need proper challenge and therefore opposition.

   The thouhts and fears of unionism losing the FM post should now be irrelevant in the face of the real political challenges, but if this is what drives David McNarry and key elements of the UUP and DUP then we are being done a massive disservice.

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8. Comment on McNarry: “the party will close ranks and anybody who wants to be a hypocrite will get their photograph taken”
   on 2 February 2012 at 9:45 am

   For anyone who has known David McNarry, there is nothing about this situation that will surprise them.

   He has always been a maverick, always been on solo runs, always “working on behalf of the leader” but usually way of the reservation.

   This is vintage McNarry. remeber this is the guy who genuinely believed that he could lead the UUP but got around 10% in the leadership contest. His opinion of himself and his abilities are rarely shared by anyone else and his capacity to be egocentric is legendary.

   In a real sense, if the UUP would (like the DUP always does) refuse to comment on internal matters, all you are left with is a single, self centred MLA making a prat of himself. If necessary then the UUP should put him through any disciplinary process they have – assuming they have some – and throw him out.

   It may not satisfy everyone it may not impress anyone but at least it shows a form of leadership and decisiveness!

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9. Comment on Twentieth anniversary of Teebane
   on 17 January 2012 at 3:56 pm

   In the new era in which we live, is it too much to expect and ask that the republican leadership now openly apologise for what can only be described as a totally unjustifiable murder.

   For too long the ambiguity of “legitimate” and “non legitimate” targets has been maintained. Now we must see maturity, decency and honesty.

   These murders – as all murders in mho – were never justified!

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10. Comment on Department of Employment and Learning goes, but Alliance keep Justice?
    on 11 January 2012 at 12:42 pm

    So all the bluster of being in Government by right – under the D’Hontd principle is sacrificed for David Ford keeping his ministerial car.

    Principles are wonder things, if you don’t like these ones, i have plenty more where these came from!

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