Rusty Nail It’s not long, but given the speculation in the comments section as to her position, it is a side note worth making. “I have decided not to put my name forward for re-selection due to both personal reasons and concerns I have over the direction Sinn Féin is taking on the policing issue. It has been reported that I remain a member of Sinn Féin. While this is true at present, if a special ard fheis mandates Sinn Féin to …
Did Sinn Fein’s scare tactic pay off? Will the election be called off? UTV’s report BBC take here. Rusty Nail
Today’s Irish News front page: “Former Sinn Fein assembly member John Kelly, and west Belfast republican Brendan Hughes, allege that the party has tried to silence people “who seek a wider debate on the policing matter”. “We are concerned that in a bid to stifle wider discussion within the republican community, Sinn Fein leaders are pursuing a strategy of threat against dissenting voices. “They are disguising their own menace by attributing violent intent to these voices. “Such voices are healthy …
The BBC is predicting that the majority of British troops in the north will be sent to Afghanistan in 2007. But before they go, it appears they will give granny something to remember them by? Via the Register. Rusty Nail
Not the best quality, but two snippets of video, both running about 1min each, of the debate on policing recently held in Conway Mill. The first features Francie Mackey of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement answering a question from the audience. The second is Jim “Flash” McVeigh putting a question to the panel. More videos of the debate are said to be forthcoming. Francie Mackey: Jim “Flash” McVeigh: Rusty Nail
The Belfast Telegraph is reporting that SF MLA Geraldine Dougan, Mid-Ulster, is stepping down. Suzanne Breen in the Sunday Tribune earlier reported that Dougan, a relative of Dominic McGlinchey, had voiced opposition to SF’s policing policy.
Won’t Get Fooled Again – The WhoWe’ll be fighting in the streets With our children at our feet And the morals that they worship will be gone And the men who spurred us on Sit in judgement of all wrong They decide and the shotgun sings the song I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution Take a bow for the new revolution Smile and grin at the change all around Pick up my guitar and play Just like yesterday …
Everybody Knows, written by Leonard Cohen. Performed here by Rufus Wainwright. Everybody knows that the dice are loaded Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed Everybody knows that the war is over Everybody knows the good guys lost Everybody knows the fight was fixed The poor stay poor, the rich get rich That’s how it goes Everybody knows Everybody knows that the boat is leaking Everybody knows that the captain lied Everybody got this broken feeling Like their father or their …
A little tongue-in-cheek rebel music: Everybody, sing! The Impartial Police Force If you’re in Andytown or the Creggan we’ll greet you with tiocfaidh ár lá, Oh we’re nice and polite, by day and by night, we’ll answer to “níl agus tá”? Don’t mind the machine guns and pistols we wear them now only for show, And if ever they’re used – Orange men we’ll abuse and we’ll teach them the bigots own lawOh we are the impartial police force, the …
BBC News reports “two members of Northern Ireland’s arms decommissioning body have been appointed honorary CBEs.” A third man involved in the decommissioning of the IRA has also been awarded. Peter Hain described it as a “fitting recognition”. “Through their integrity, diligence and commitment to peace, they have helped to deliver what many thought would never be delivered – the decommissioning of IRA weapons,” he said. Rusty Nail
Patrick Murphy, in today’s Irish News (subs only), writes of the remnants of the war: old soldiers that now must be tidied away. “The remnants of war must now be tidied away, so that a new and sanitised version of the past can underpin their joint achievement of political power. The most obvious of those remnants are the ordinary people who were encouraged to fight that war in the first place.” “Some may say that those who fought did so …
Bimpe Fatogun secured a rare interview with Santa’s chief elf in the run up to Christmas. Christmas temps -brought in from Reindeerland under, one imagines, special work permits – are toiling in the Royal Mail’s Tomb Street building, having completely taken over one whole room. Did you know that Belfast is where all Santa’s letters from children in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales go? Now you do. Chief Elf, Elfis (no word on whether Elfis prefers the early style …
A founding member of the Provisional IRA, Laurence O’Neill, has been threatened over speaking out on the policing issue, and has spoken out about the campaign of vilification against those who disagree with party policy. This follows the public letter by former director of elections for Sinn Fein, Tony Catney. The Sunday Tribune is also reporting that Dominic McGlinchey, “until recently a strong Sinn Féin supporter who”, it is claimed, “was instrumental in organising meetings of republicans who believe Sinn …
One of Sinn Fein’s former director of elections, Tony Catney, weighs in today with a hard hitting letter to the Irish News. It challenges the standard Sinn Fein line regarding debate and dissension within the party by exposing the repressive actions used to police those who disagree. Always tell the truth Within the past few days it has been brought to my attention – and confirmed by a member of the Sinn Fein leadership – that senior members of Sinn …
No, no one has been bored to death, however, BBC’s Stormont Live reported on air that a man walked into Stormont with a bag (have you heard this one?), and as such the alarms were rung. Right in the middle of David Ford’s speech, too. A suspended assembly indeed. More to come later. UPDATE: BBC 24 is now reporting a man walked into the foyer claiming to have an incendiary device. It is being suggested he is a loyalist (?). …
While we await the vote on the emergence of the Provo PSNI, it appears that the C-PSNI and R-PSNI are making a last ditch effort to show they are the true inheritors of the policing mantle. Is the thinking behind the strategy to show up the Provos, and display their superior alternative? Or is it merely an attempt to justify their existence, a last gasp before the Provos become the legitimate arm of the state and goes after them when …
Him about the place sure seems to get journalists waxing poetic. The man is described as “an ancient Galapagos turtle, older than time itself, five times the age of those who come to gawp at him” in today’s Guardian; The Times relates an exchange between him and Peter Hain: “At this, the Ancient Mariner�s face cracked into a brief smile. Mr Hain beamed back in full Star Trek transporter mode.” Does this mean if the Assembly is up and running …
Get your groove on (Guardian report here). Mobile clubbing: Dance in the streets, not your bedroom. Next stop, Belfast? Rusty Nail
The Sunday Life is reporting that Hugh Orde may not be seeking renewal of his contract come August 2007. If so, this fits with a scenario proposed that may illuminate Sinn Fein’s policing timetable, for it will be the Policing Board that appoints his replacement. Connect the dots yourself. Also in the Sunday Life, Ian Paisley Jr is chasing Gerry Adams’ fingerprints in regards to the murder of two policemen in 1971, with Hugh Orde confirming that the case is …
Brendan Hughes, the leader of the 1980 Hunger Strike, is losing his sight, which doctors have said is a result of the 53 days he went without food while on hunger strike in prison. The Irish News interviews him in today’s paper. “I’m not unique, there are hundreds of men out there carrying around problems from that time. If not physical problems there are men with mental problems, alcohol problems, depression, trouble holding down a job or a relationship. The …
