Slugger O'Toole

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Latest comments from the wrong side of 40 (see all)

the wrong side of 40 has commented 41 times (0 in the last month).

1. Comment on Sean Crummey dies…
   on 14 November 2011 at 1:54 pm

   The show was good, but he was much better doing a stand up at a dinner dance or something like that. His was satire but never with the viciousness of some of his ilk.

   I also have fond memories of him as a teacher in La Salle (also the school that brought us some of “The Hole in the Wall Gang” – so not all good), even then it seemed like entertainment was his real calling.

   It`s shocking to hear the death of someone at such a young age. Sympathies to his family – RIP.

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2. Comment on Opposition or bust
   on 7 November 2011 at 9:45 pm

   I don`t think its bitterness, more annoyance that this concept is even getting any kind of a serious hearing. There is so much that difference between the UUP and the SDLP that it is an entirely stupid debate. I also firmly believe that by fault or design any percieved linkage or common purpose between those parties cost the SDLP votes and seats in May.

   I know of no SDLP supporter that want to set aside ANY victims of the troubles, that party always argued that there was an alternative to conflict – that is what makes them SDLP supporters!

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3. Comment on Is the SDLP now ready to take a bet on its own future?
   on 7 November 2011 at 9:28 pm

   I get your point! My wife can`t understand my interest in politics and looks at me with disdain when she sees me on slugger or similar sites. I am getting to the point that it might be better to say I am addicted to online poker or a similar vice to hide the shame of being a political anorak.

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4. Comment on Opposition or bust
   on 7 November 2011 at 9:20 pm

   The entire arguement about an opposition pact is a complete non starter. I am truely amazed that anyone things it has any potential whatsoever.

   The SDLP would be spit completely and I know many that would turn their back on them once and for all – I count myself amongst that number.

   We don`t forget the history of the UUP over the decades as they mismanaged the North and created the conditions for the “troubles”, we don`t forget the recent Tory link up, the fact that the appalingly bad Tom Elliot has gone unchallenged to date shows how awful they still are.

   The SDLP are not in a great position but they are years ahead of the UUP. I think that the SDLP have bottomed out and under a genuine collective leadership, the only way is up. The decline of the UUP will contine for the forseeable future.

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5. Comment on MTV EMA: How was it for you?
   on 7 November 2011 at 9:04 pm

   I`m delighted that we had it here, however I am equally delighted that the opportunity to get a ticket did not arise.

   It`s a youngsters game, think i`ll wait for Van the Man.

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6. Comment on McDonnell: “We must face up to the reality that the Agreement has run out of road”
   on 7 November 2011 at 9:00 pm

   From what he has said so far and from his leadership literature I think that Al is going to take on the SF/DUP axis which he rightly sees as failing to deliver.

   He`ll target poor performance from both of those parties and not just the Shinners. Coming from a nationalist perspective it could be percieved that he is attacking them specifically but i think an overall lack of delivery will be in his sights.

   I think that Dublin/London will also be getting the strong message that survival is not enough for the people. At least with Big Al things will get interesting!

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7. Comment on Is the SDLP now ready to take a bet on its own future?
   on 7 November 2011 at 8:52 pm

   LH, I think that the reason thjat there was no -one there to take your call is that most staffers having propably worked 14-16 hour days since last Thursday, may have taken today off. Anyone that was about were propably dealing with the technical issues story.

   I would imagine that come tomorrow your call will be most welcome, out of curiosity and if it`s none of my business please say so but would you want to be an “active” member or pay the £20 annually and leave it at that?

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8. Comment on What on earth was that Dr Al?
   on 7 November 2011 at 10:06 am

   The papers will make for a bit of uncomfortable reading this morning, but the story will pass.

   I see in the Irish News there is reference to the lack of “Big Al T-shirts, badges and ballons” I know that Patsy and Conall went down that line and fair enough, but ultimately it didn`t work for them. Both Alex and Al did not go down that overt branded line. I think it was a very conscious decision for both of those campaign teams.

   Despite the bad headline, a key point of the piece was “For party members the real shame was that his speech on Friday was such a blinder that it might have been the final element that convinced the SDLP that he was the man for the job.” I wasn`t there but from all accounts it was a fantastic performance.

   I`m sure that given the character of the man he will bounce back quickly and put this behind him.

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9. Comment on Is the SDLP now ready to take a bet on its own future?
   on 6 November 2011 at 9:53 pm

   People talk about Opposition as if there was an opportunity to go into a formal Opposition. There simply is not. Our system of goverment sim ply does not allow for it.

   I saw Jim Allisters random Tweet yesterday, I have absoloutely no idea what that was about. I am sure that if anyone in the SDLP was considering Opposition they would try and have a serious debate within the party itself. I doubt anyone would be going to Jim Allister to let him know first.

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10. Comment on What on earth was that Dr Al?
    on 6 November 2011 at 9:44 pm

    On saturday evening I was delighted with the result when I heard it, I sat down to watch his speech and there’s no denying it was a grim start. It is very unfortunate that he was unable to give the kind of speech that he did on Friday. At the last Hustings he rightly recieved great praise from all those that are now damning him including Martina Purday and Eamon Mallie.

    People should not though jump to any quick conclusions, I understand that for large parts of his speech he could make out only very small parts of what was on screen and for other chunks none of it all. The problem was that this was the set piece opportunity, live on Inside Politics. Had that not been the case he or his press officers would have stopped it, sorted out the offending lights and simply started again – the public would not have been any wiser, many such set pieces take a couple of takes.

    But the damage is done, he has to move on and he will. Today`s problems are systematic of why Big Al his now in charge. He is leader because he has promised a wake up call, a “kick up the arse” to every area of the party – got knows they need. I still believe he is the man to do, if he and his team didn`t know that before lunchtime today, they do now.

    I saw his literature and there was an emphasis on the first 100 days, I would say that after that is when we can pass an initial judgement not after 1 occasion when the technical gremlins conspired aginst him.

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