Slugger O'Toole

This user has not yet written a description

Latest comments from keano10 (see all)

keano10 has commented 549 times (10 in the last month).

1. Comment on Sinn Féin: Hyde Park bomb charges “vindictive, unnecessary and unhelpful”
   on 22 May 2013 at 10:16 pm

   Pete,

   Firstly on a general point – It’s about time now that you ceased supplementing every comment or quote that you make with imaginary endorsements from “Ed”. You have previously admitted that “Ed” is actually yourself using a bit of diplomatic licence but to be honest, it has become really boring and pointless.

   All of us who blog or post on Slugger are open to our opinions being ripped to pieces by other contributors. That’s the nature of any form. We are all fair game and so it should be.

   Anyway, on to the point. Gerry Kelly’s quote in relation to what was said to The Weston Park Agreement & the subsequent letter to John Downey is surely highly relevant. Whatever he is alleged to have done, it seems clear that the British Government has reneged on a commitment made during crucial negotiations. If one cannot fulfill a commitment then dont make one…

   There is considerable potential for destabilisation in such cases and it cannot be trivialised.

   Go to comment

2. Comment on The PUL Community and the Peace Process: An Audit
   on 21 May 2013 at 4:23 pm

   Alan,

   With all due respect it is truly mind-boggling that you are eulogising Jackie MacDonald for declaring that there “cannot be a Protestant Ulster”. This is 2013 for heaven’s sake…

   Where have Loyalists been for the past 20 years if this statement is being presented as a visionary declaration???

   It just seems that Loyalism is simply never to blame. Always the victims, even if that is not the case. Always the most disadvantaged even if the statistics tell a very different story. I am not sure how much optimism or forward thinking that I sense at the end of this conference. Please correct me if I am wrong about that…

   Go to comment

3. Comment on 25% increase in homelessness as a result of intimidation (just one OFMdFM’s real problems)
   on 16 May 2013 at 1:18 pm

   Mick,

   You may have somewhat prematurely apportioned joint blame here as it is my understanding is that the large majority of these cases were as a result of threats made by Loyalist Paramilitaries (inclusive, as it happens, of a significant number of threats to Foreign Nationals). Something which has been consistently under-reported by local media circles for some time now.

   In any case, regardless of this, surely it is the case that both Dissident Republicans and Loyalist Paramilitaries cannot be controlled or influenced in any way by OFM/DFM?

   Dissidents have already threatened to assasinate McGuinness and their seething hatred of him is almost palpable.

   With regard to Robinson, the illiterate rump of Loyalism typified by the Flag Protestors, East Belfast UVF, Willie Frazer et al, have absolutely no intention of compromising or seeking any sort of resolution with their neighbours across the divide.

   OFM/DFM could produce a million different policies in a calendar year, but none of these buffons would pass a second glance. Surely it’s about time that a resolution should be sought from within these communities. From the parents who bring up their children to practice this hatred. From the communities and organisations who are happy to bang their sectarian drums and increase tension at every available opportunity.

   Why should’nt some of that lot be held accountable for a change…?

   Go to comment

4. Comment on Increasing numbers of passengers let the train take the strain … apart from a 10 year decline on the Enterprise
   on 14 May 2013 at 7:09 pm

   Today’s local newspapers are offering £10 day return fares on The Enterprise between Belfast and Dublin. Whether this is desperation or a calculated response to financial realities, it still represents fantastic value for commuters. All is not lost perhaps…

   Go to comment

5. Comment on Team Jasil – that’s John and Basil – say: “Get off your backsides and vote for people that are trying to make a difference”
   on 13 May 2013 at 2:03 pm

   Sorry to spoil the “love-in” here, but let’s try and cut through all this ‘visionary’ nonsense in relation to erm, Team Jasil.

   1. They will be just another Unionist Party. Never mind any novelty name scenarios, esssentially they will be primarily competing for their votes with the multitide of existing unionist parties.

   2. Basil’s vision of increased “smaller government” devolving power to the individual and community groups was tried after The good Friday Agreement and died a not-so-slow sdeath….

   3. Basil is clearly the more erratic of the pairing. He enjoys media attention and one cant help feel that ultimately Basil would sell out a lot of these ‘radical’ policies at the first opportunity of power.

   Finally anyone who believes that the phrase ” I’m Northern Irish. I am Irish. I am British” is going to make it easy for them on the battle-hardened electoral doorsteps is living in cloud-cuckoo land. Might get them a few votes among the students in The Holyland but that’s about the height of it…

   Go to comment

6. Comment on PSNI responsible for “persecution of the Protestant people” – DUP
   on 6 May 2013 at 8:46 am

   Never has there a struck a more pathetic figure than Mike Nesbitt. Completely and totally out of his depth and most likely the most incompetent leader of a once-proud party in it’s long history. Parading through the streets of Carrick with the lowest common denominator of modern day Loyalism. Jim Allister, The Protestant Coalition, and multitudes of overweight Loyalist women singing the Billy Boys. The list goes on and on…

   Nesbitt has become a living caricature. Bizarre. Truly bizarre…

   Go to comment

7. Comment on Open thread for the holiday weekend (usual rules doubly apply)…
   on 4 May 2013 at 10:59 pm

   DC – If you are referring to On The Pitch then you have a point. A couple of bad tackles. I was eluding to off the field matters though.

   Go to comment

8. Comment on Open thread for the holiday weekend (usual rules doubly apply)…
   on 4 May 2013 at 10:21 pm

   No DC, they were the paramilitary modern-day flags. To be fair to Cliftonville fans they were really restrained today. The true Glens fans were ok too. Just seemed that a few battalions of East Belfast Flag Protestors had decided to have a day trip to South Belfast. Charming chaps…

   Go to comment

9. Comment on Open thread for the holiday weekend (usual rules doubly apply)…
   on 4 May 2013 at 9:19 pm

   An alternative opinion on the above post

   1.Two Cliftonville players were hit by missiles from the Glentoran Fans.
   2.The number of UVF flags among Glens fans was a disgrace to Irish League Football.
   3. If I had a tenner for everytime the words “we are up to our necks in Fenian Blood” were sang today, then I would be extending the pending family holiday abroad for at least another two weeks.

   PS : Glentoran were the much better team and thoroughly deserved to win. Congratulations to Eddie Patterson and also to the true Glens fans who applauded Cliftonville players during the medal ceremony.

   Go to comment

10. Comment on Shared future means “free and equal access to public and residential space”
    on 3 May 2013 at 11:37 pm

    Sorry to go off topic but not a single thread on Slugger in the past 2 days in relation to the catastrophic tenure of Edwin Poots???

    Tomorrows Belfast Telegraph headlines with ” Day of Chaos – Poots fights for his Job and axes Chief”. “Minister admits Care Home Plan a Disaster”. I cant even begin to imagine how many leas threads you would have posted Mick if this was a Sinn Fein Minister presiding over this total shambles…

    Shameful stuff…

    Go to comment