Slugger O'Toole

Latest comments from Kevsterino (see all)

Kevsterino has commented 719 times (29 in the last month).

1. Comment on Ann Travers: “If had joined the IRA or a loyalist paramilitary and killed someone, I would be being listened to…”
   on 23 May 2013 at 2:25 am

   So, no troubles anticipated should a Sinn Fein Minister of Finance and Personnel appoint a Committee to vet all SpAds appointed by, well, everybody.

   Smooth sailing it will be. I would not have anticipated that, but that would be good.

   Go to comment

2. Comment on Ann Travers: “If had joined the IRA or a loyalist paramilitary and killed someone, I would be being listened to…”
   on 22 May 2013 at 10:20 pm

   @Mick, the fact that Sinn Fein has already submitting 2 appointees for Sammy to vet, to my thinking, confuses the purpose of this Bill even further. But leaving that aside, what would become of the Committee set up by the department of Finance and Personnel vetting these folks if, God forbid, a Sinn Fein minister comes to occupy that seat? All hell breaks loose?

   Go to comment

3. Comment on Ann Travers: “If had joined the IRA or a loyalist paramilitary and killed someone, I would be being listened to…”
   on 22 May 2013 at 5:26 pm

   So, considering that means for vetting are already in place, the Bill is meant to accomplish what, exactly. I’m not trying to play the dim yank here, but the more I read about this the less my understanding. I read the Hansard debate and saw no mention of Sinn Fein saying, in essence, “Look, we already have agreed to let any future SpAd’s be vetted so quit whipping a dead horse” or some such. The one that drew all this attention to this issue has returned from whence she came. What is the real issue?

   What does the Bill accomplish beyond the vetting of SpAd’s? Or is the process in the Bill more rigorous, thus the SDLP’s amendments characterised by unionists as hallowing out the Bill and insulting victims somehow.

   Go to comment

4. Comment on Ann Travers: “If had joined the IRA or a loyalist paramilitary and killed someone, I would be being listened to…”
   on 22 May 2013 at 4:55 pm

   It is a problem that won’t be fixed without resources that are in scant supply at Stormont, I think. Allister appears to want to use the issue to illustrate a larger point. Neither the DUP or UUP want to appear any weaker than Allister in regards to how affronted they are by Sinn Fein’s appointment of McArdle. SDLP apparently fears being portrayed as the party that went back on its commitments to ex-prisoners in the GFA more than portrayal as ignoring the suffering of Ms. Travers.

   What a mess.

   Go to comment

5. Comment on Ann Travers: “If had joined the IRA or a loyalist paramilitary and killed someone, I would be being listened to…”
   on 22 May 2013 at 4:09 pm

   I forget where I heard this growing up, but it goes “Pardoning the bad is punishing the good”. Transposed to this Ann Travers’ Bill, giving a job to an ex-convict is taunting that ex-convict’s victim.

   I’m not so crass as to attempt to tell someone like Ms. Travers how to feel or think or whatever, but the intent an purpose of the Bill appears to be to restigmatise (if that is a word) a conviction which was dealt with by provisions of the GFA, in the hope that this gives comfort to the victim’s sister.

   It isn’t that I’m opposed to giving Ann Travers her comfort, but can the cost of reneging on the portion of the GFA regarding those released prisoners be worth it. As I recall, that prisoner release was excruciatingly difficult at the time.

   Go to comment

6. Comment on Ann Travers: “If had joined the IRA or a loyalist paramilitary and killed someone, I would be being listened to…”
   on 21 May 2013 at 10:26 pm

   As far as the broader public interest in knocking it back, I’ve never felt I got the whole story of its purpose when it was first proposed. These SPAD positions, correct me if I’m wrong, are not seats of power, but serve in a mere advisory capacity. The ministers whom they are to advise are not subject to any vetting beyond the ballot box. Are the advisors to be held to a higher standard than those they are to advise? Sounds backwards.

   A larger question might even be what are the employment rights of ex-prisoners. Do their victims have the right to veto their employment? I’ve not noticed any satisfactory answer to either question.

   Go to comment

7. Comment on Ann Travers: “If had joined the IRA or a loyalist paramilitary and killed someone, I would be being listened to…”
   on 21 May 2013 at 8:37 pm

   It has become par for the course that when victims desires are not heeded, they believe themselves unheard.

   No red blooded human can deny their right to their perspective, but it must be said that their recommendations are not always in the broader public interest. Of course, no politician is going to say it that plainly.

   Go to comment

8. Comment on And the most racially intolerant country is…
   on 16 May 2013 at 8:54 pm

   It is a pretty map, but I’ve always tried to put more stock in what people do than what they say, let alone what box they are willing to tic on a survey.

   In my experience, large urban centers are the most racially tolerant as a rule. Another rule that applies peculiarly to America, “A southern racist will let you live close as long as you don’t get uppity, a northern racist will let you get uppity as long as you don’t live close”.

   Go to comment

9. Comment on Cleveland rescue: “I barbecued with this dude, we ate ribs and listened to salsa music…”
   on 14 May 2013 at 1:28 am

   Just like anything else, eh Comrade. If you can’t admit there’s a problem, chances are it’ll go unfixed.

   Go to comment

10. Comment on Cleveland rescue: “I barbecued with this dude, we ate ribs and listened to salsa music…”
    on 14 May 2013 at 12:02 am

    Comrade, I’m sure you’ve seen a similar phenomenon in your corner of the world. De Jure discrimination is relatively easy to dispose of.

    But when you have to change hearts and minds and transgenerational suspicions, well, that is a big job.

    Go to comment