Andrew O’Hagan grew up in that unsettled extension of Northern Ireland’s political and cultural norms, the west of Scotland. This piece for the London Review of Books is an excellent account of what it takes to be a dissident to your own (footballing) tradition. John Lancaster kicks off his reminiscence of the latest World Cup re-visiting the McCarthy – Keane stand-off, whilst Niall Quinn is rewarded for his efforts with an honourary degree. If you can get a copy of …
The Guardian seems to like reading the Letter. They’ve listed us in their roll of favourite weblogs. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
It seems as if Johnny Adair’s outfit is something of a roll, and attracting new members from his former allies. Meanwhile DUP minister Nigel Dodds has landed a major funding package to be aimed at ‘interface areas’ that have taken the brunt of the violence over the last 18 months or so. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest …
The peace line in Belfast is multiplying and fragmenting, and it seems there is a similar multiplicity of motives for wanting them there. Of all the political ‘coups’ of the last week, Gearoid O’Caireallain regards Maskey’s wreathlaying as the most masterful strategic move of the lot. The Orange leadership at Drumcree seems to be under fire from some who suspect them of having become soft. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of …
The meeting of the pro-agreement parties at Hillsborough today seems to have had a mixed reception. Some are complaining that David Trimble is not showing it the regard he should, in leaving it to his Stormont Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt. However this may have the more mundane (and hopeful??) explanation that this group will be meeting more regularly to more effectively manage the implimentation of the Belfast Agreement. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on …
For a week from tomorrow, there will be a break in ‘transmission’ whilst I go off, get married and take a quick honeymoon. When I return the Letter will move to its new home at: www.sluggerotoole.com, and normal service will be resumed! Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: …
Mayor Maskey decides discretion is the better part of valor (for now at least) over the commemoration of the Somme in Belfast. It may be too soon for both his own and Unionist supporters in the City. Meanwhile Mark Durkan launches his brand New Nationalism, anchored, he says, in the principles of the Belfast Agreement. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is …
The SDLP reveal their new logo today, retaining socialist red, with a slight tinge of nationalist green, and a full crescent of unionist orange. This, and its shift in language from a ‘united’ to ‘integrated Ireland’, is being seen by some as a part of longer term campaign to open up to the Unionist tradition. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is …
As claim and counterclaim proliferate over collusion between security forces and loyalist paramilitaries, there is a first few tentative calls for something like a truth commission to bring the conflict to some kind of final rest. Whilst Ulster does its usual summer trick of ritually beating itself up, there may be a thread of hope that no conflict can drag on forever. James Murray Brown speculates that: “There is a hope that this summer could see the quietest Drumcree in …
The SDLP is the subject of much speculation these days. It appears to be making overtures to Unionists by incorporating the colour orange into it’s new logo. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Whilst the controversy over collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitary death squads continues, there is a new wave of more skeptical coverage of the story. From Malachi O’Doherty who suggests that pushing further is a serious form of illogic for Agreement parties who have already accepted an amnesty on all paramilitaries, to Eilis O’Hanlon who suggests that if such investigation is good enough for one side it is valid for the other. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …
Whilst the hiatus pundits are still speculating about when the executive will next break down, there are still several ministers who are showing a passion for the job of government. Martin McGuinness at Education said at the weekend “I intend to do something before the end of this parliamentary term, which lays out before the people what I believe to be the foundation stones on the future of education in this state for some period to come.” There are signs …
Here’s a few encouraging words about ‘Letter to Slugger O’Toole’ from Spiked-online journalist Brendan O’Neill. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Looks like the UUP are getting caught by the off-side rule yet again in their efforts to get the Parades Commission to re-consider it’s ruling against the Orange Order over the Garvaghy Road route. The Order themselves are not happy, after the Commission binned their proposals from last year, even though they were considered “…a significant advance on the order’s previous position and might provide a basis on which the parties could move forward.” Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of …
Ahern and Blair are to call a meeting of all the Pro-agreement parties next week. The Stevens enquiry rumbles on in the Guardian, whilst the Independent emphasises that MI5 actively obstructed the investigation of the Finucane case. Neil McKay in the Sunday Herald went as far as to suggest that Margaret Thatcher was the one who first ordered such collusion. Meanwhile Kevin Myers calls for a quid pro quo if there is to be a long term continuation of inquiries. …
One little note in the Guardian today says that the Castlereagh job was an inside affair. Mick FealtyMick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
The sniping at Trimble continues as Sammy Wilson of the DUP suggests, “Trimble and his political allies repeated time and time again that the Agreement provided the Government with the powers to exclude those who did not genuinely give up violence. Four years on, he is now admitting that those powers do not exist and need to be introduced”. Father Des Wilson hits Trimble from the ‘other side’, pouring scorn on the idea that he may resign. The Belfast Telegraph …
More from the irrascable Brendan O’Neill, who really can’t stand the patronising attitude of some towards the Irish football team’s sojourn in the World Cup. No doubt the fact that the Irish fans were seen as the best of the tournament is only more provocation. But in terms of public diplomacy, there are some benefits to being seen as ‘cuddly’! Mark Leonard of the Foreign Policy Centre’s latest book looks at the idea from a British point of view. Mick …
Trimble continues to apply pressure with the threat of leaving his post. Wrapped in similar metaphors, Nationalist commentator Maurice Hayes calls it marching, whilst Unionist columnist Steven King sees it as walking. This discussion explores some aspects of the two competing Unionist agendas. Some musing from Paul Fitzsimmons on the long term effect of extreme views clashing. The SDLP take on Sinn Fein over proliferation of flags in the streets. On the other side following the screening of the first …
With a Panorama documentary on BBC TV tonight, papers are full of stories relating to alleged collusion between the police and the paramilitaries. David McKittrick, John Ware, and David Sharrock have all written extensive articles. Rumours of the impending collapse of the peace process unless there is an increase in the confidence of the Unionist population. Pressure continues to be applied to Blair to move against Sinn Fein over alleged breaches of the IRA ceasefire. Here’s an web discussion on …
