Slugger O'Toole

Conversation, politics and stray insights

Profile for Stephen Blacker

I have lived all my life in Harryville, Ballymena. Politically I try to think like the Late David Ervine, someone who made me realise I was less than tolerant towards others. Mr. Ervine's successor, Dawn Purvis MLA, has a connection with voters and an insight to life and society which makes it easy to follow and admire her political aims and objectives.
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Latest comments from Stephen Blacker (see all)

Stephen Blacker has commented 220 times (0 in the last month).

  1. Comment on ‘New facts’ in abortion debate
    on 5 March 2012 at 9:02 pm

    This is a very emotive issue to say the least, no matter what arguement either side comes up with the opposing side will reject it. I believe every pregnancy is unique and there cannot be a standard process that fits all.

    I saw this video on a Facebook page and I thought it would be worth posting on this thread.

    To abort must be the decision of the woman involved.

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  3. Comment on How We Remember: Drama, Discussion & Everyday Objects Exhibition
    on 26 February 2012 at 4:31 pm

    I believe it is important to remember the past with honesty. When revisionism seeps into history then people dismiss the full content of whenever is being talked about but of course revisionism can be used to discredit honest history just because it suits others sensitivities. This does not mean we should just look to the future, the honest past will stand up to scrutiny and The Memory Chair on the Albertbridge Road reminds us of that everyday.

    Events and debates should and must take place to continue the whole process of humanising people and communities again especially after the years of bloody violence here. A fear I have about some of our politicians today is they seem to think if we dont talk or deal with past issues then things will just get better on their own, this is a dangerous game to continue to play.

    The above mentioned events should be interesting to hear and see with those attending receiving a better knowledge of this part of history which had such a profound effect on our society as we find it today.

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  4. Comment on GAA promises to attend all coming ‘milestones’ (even Unionist ones)…
    on 25 February 2012 at 12:42 am

    The leaders within the GAA must be applauded for their magnanimous gesture of pluralism especially in our society. The GAA have recently been leading the way in extending a welcoming hand to those who would have been seen by their main support base as an enemy.

    For me only pictures can discribe the fantastic, warm & genuine welcome The Queen recieved in Dublin and Croke Park especially with all the history attached. All these commemorations are inter-linked because they have helped to shape the society we live in today so we should use these events to educate each other.

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  5. Comment on Football eligibility row illustrates unionism’s inability to respect ‘The Other’ tradition
    on 9 February 2012 at 11:12 pm

    Anyone should be allowed to play for the country of their choice, that would be part of the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. I also believe that if a person is developed into a soccer player in Northern Ireland and then they go to the Republic of Ireland there should be some form of compensation paid to Northern Ireland’s junior soccer training body and vice versa.

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  6. Comment on DUP propose ending ‘community designation’ for the Assembly..
    on 22 December 2011 at 1:02 am

    When the talks were going on to negotiate the Good Friday Agreement the Progressive Unionist Party under the Leadership of the Late David Ervine suggested a weighted majority of 66% but as we know it was rejected. The DUP have helped to erect what some MLA’s call the “ugly scaffolding” of the GFA with antics like using “Petition of Concern” in a manner similar to a baby throwing its rattle from the pram when they dont get their way.

    This is an out-reach idea from the new DUP outlined by their Leader during their conference recently but it seems that they have a long way to go when other speeches like Sammy Wilson’s got laugh’s and cheers so I’m not surprised that this is a long term aim.

    It is such a shame that the DUP were so scared of being political leaders in 1998 that they could not argue their ideas from inside the GFA talks instead of shouting from the gates & letting others do the dirty work.

    I remember Dawn Purvis commenting during the 10th anniversary of the GFA (ad lib) that it was never ment to be a panacea but to be built on and developed as we as a society changed.

    The above idea would be another step closer to “normal” politics here but the actions and deeds from our MLA’s does not give me confidence that this will be fast moving.

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  8. Comment on Healing Through Remembering (new chair Dawn Purvis) refused PEACE III Funding
    on 22 November 2011 at 10:25 pm

    Thank goodness for appeals – here is an update on the funding from Peace III for HTR that I have just seen on their website

    “Following on from the HTR members update dated on 12 August 2011, we have received notification that the decision regarding from the SEUPB Peace III funding has been overturned.

    Please see the following statement from Dawn Purvis, Chair of Healing Through Remembering for more information:

    An SEUPB Review Panel meeting was held last week and HTR was invited to make its case that the rejection of the PEACE III application was unreasonable. Following the meeting we have been informed that the panel overturned the rejection. This means that HTR’s funding application will now progress to stage 2 of the funding process.

    We are delighted with this news and will keep you informed of progress.

    Best wishes
    Dawn Purvis
    Chair ”

    There is now a strong chance that the paid jobs at HTR will be secure for a while.

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  9. Comment on Robinson threatens elections over Prison’s symbols..
    on 16 November 2011 at 12:00 am

    Peter Robinson made this into a story when he said he would resign. The DUP would veto any move with “Petition of Concern” when it suits them and did not need to threaten early elections. Maybe he does not like Jim Allister getting the credit for highlighting this issue so he gave a sound bite to take away Jim’s thunder.

    He comes across as the DUP of old with his, “here look at me I’m a mega British stalwart – Never Never Never Never”

    Peter also said today that he would not have changed the name of the RUC even when he knows that it helped the nationalist community except and join the PSNI. This is very short sighted and shows that the lessons of our “Troubles” have not been learnt within the ranks of the DUP.

    Leadership was needed during the hard talking of the GFA and that is what is needed now not scare mongers and sycophants. The least that should happen is a democratic debate take place on this issue and then do the best for society and not individual political parties.

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  10. Comment on Sean Crummey dies…
    on 13 November 2011 at 9:45 pm

    I am very sad to hear about the death of Sean Crummey. We as a society will laugh that bit less because we have lost this wonderful talent.

    R.I.P. Sean Crummey and condolences to his family, friends & fans.

    Here is a clip from YouTube which has Sean talking about the play he wrote and directed – super stuff!

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