Quincey Dougan

A general theme of ‘new’ political thinking is evolution. The concept is basically the view that society changes. So change with it. Old morals and systems have no intrinsic value or legitimacy, sometimes they have less value, and we should not shirk changing them. Traditions should change/ evolve, indeed some should disappear we are told. Society finds its ‘level’ if you like, and what it has chose and is choosing should be embraced without attempts to pull it back and … Read more

As featured in today’s Belfast Newsletter, Irish News and Belfast Telegraph; tonight a new report is being launched by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum. The report has interviewed a cross section of bands people across Northern Ireland, looking at views and highlighting the levels of marginalisation felt. The responses to reports like this are close to predictable. Are the predictable (also read stereotypical) responses to this and other reports in any way useful? Of course not. For ALL areas of … Read more

Cormeen Rising Sons of William press release following the success of their 8th annual band procession, this year held in Armagh City:- The Cormeen Rising Sons of William Flute Band sincerely thank all those who contributed to making their St Patrick’s evening band procession in Armagh a success. Despite certain groups attempting to ratchet up tensions the evening passed off peacefully and a great display of music and colour was enjoyed by all. The event started shortly after half past … Read more

The Stephen Lawrence case has once again brought race issues to the forefront of the media. Over its many years of work, the campaign to bring convictions for the young man’s murder has raised many topics that it has deemed as being broadly related to making those convictions and for what it defines as racist offences.   Examined from a civil-rights perspective however it could be suggested that some of these issues actually run contrary to individual freedom and rights. … Read more

Latest reports on the now underway supergrass ‘show trial’ have revealed that a key witness has openly admitted he is ” an alcoholic and drug user who fled NI with money stolen from his parents.” His admissions, as reported by the BBC, include confessions of being a lifelong alcoholic and user of cocaine, LSD and cannabis (among others). His services to the judiciary are being given for the price of a reduced personal sentence for serious crime. Is there ANYTHING … Read more

There have been several prominent incidents of internet activity resulting in prosecution in the last few months. The Facebook threat cases of Gregory Campbell and Neil Lennon are particularly relevant to ‘our wee country’, but there are several others, including Facebook/ Twitter activity during the recent English riots. The incidents in question however seem to have opened a new door for what is seen as genuine news sourcing by several journalists. In the last few days alone there are two … Read more

On Saturday I paid my first visit to Kilmainham Gaol. All I can say is wow. Is it any wonder we have supposed dissident republicans!!! Is it any wonder we still have young men queuing up to ‘fight for Ireland’!! Kilmainham front to back is a monument and appeal for blood sacrifice. It’s an overtly romantic homage to murder and destruction, and a legitimisation for it in the future. The entire historical narrative of ‘occupied’ Ireland since day dot, the … Read more

Given the preoccupation over the past month among many regarding the ill’s and evil’s of bonfires, its surprising that the events of last night have raised relatively few eyebrows. A Divis Street internment anniversary bonfire last night resulted in substantial chaos. One of the busiest thoroughfares in the Province (if not the busiest), the Westlink, was impassable for several hours. Several other surrounding roads were also closed. A relatively small crowd, reported as being a few hundred, was involved in … Read more