Northern Ireland is associated by many people around the world with sectarian hatred, murder and politics, and not necessarily in that order. Loyalism and Republicanism have become philosophies connected with bigotry, political murder and thuggery, whether it’s shooting or bombing, knee capping children or beating someone to death.
It’s sad that people are filled with so much hate that they think kicking someone to death is not only justified, but a political necessity! Loyalism has no value to anyone, least of all to unionism or even to its own "community".
But as usual the brutal murder of an innocent man is used to score political points
"Unionist" mob murder man"
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Monday, 25 May 2009
Jim Allisters Election Leaflet
Having received Jim Allisters euro election leaflet I'm struck by four things:
First, it makes very little mention of any European issues or TUV policy on the EU
Second, it smacks of pre-GFA DUP rhetoric which is outdated and offers nothing positive or inspiring!
Thirdly, it features Jim in a number of Lenin-esque type poses; having no less than 9 pictures of the man himself, is he big headed or is modelling a side line?
Finally, how can an MEP affect change in the Storment set up? It's almost as ridiculous as Diane Dodds claiming she'll smash her parties partners in government?
For those Unionists wanting to punish the DUPers for whatever reasons, the most important way get at the folks on the hill is to vote for Northern Ireland to play a role at the centre of the union; to put Allister number 1 is a waste of opportunity, so to Diane Dodds!
Jim Nicholson and the Unionist/Conservative New Force actually have a opinion on Europe as well as Northern Ireland, plus they want to put us at the centre of the UK government like we were in the 19th century!
For me Jim Nicholson offers an alternative that's refreshing, UK unionist and honest, for British unionists voting for the Unionist/Conservative coalition will secure our position within the union.
First, it makes very little mention of any European issues or TUV policy on the EU
Second, it smacks of pre-GFA DUP rhetoric which is outdated and offers nothing positive or inspiring!
Thirdly, it features Jim in a number of Lenin-esque type poses; having no less than 9 pictures of the man himself, is he big headed or is modelling a side line?
Finally, how can an MEP affect change in the Storment set up? It's almost as ridiculous as Diane Dodds claiming she'll smash her parties partners in government?
For those Unionists wanting to punish the DUPers for whatever reasons, the most important way get at the folks on the hill is to vote for Northern Ireland to play a role at the centre of the union; to put Allister number 1 is a waste of opportunity, so to Diane Dodds!
Jim Nicholson and the Unionist/Conservative New Force actually have a opinion on Europe as well as Northern Ireland, plus they want to put us at the centre of the UK government like we were in the 19th century!
For me Jim Nicholson offers an alternative that's refreshing, UK unionist and honest, for British unionists voting for the Unionist/Conservative coalition will secure our position within the union.
Vote DUP: Smash Sinn Féin! Really?
Think DUP topping the Poll will "smash" Sinn Féin
Doesn't look like it, does it?Sunday, 24 May 2009
Fundamentalist Christians
The controversy over homosexual Christians and gay clergy is unlikely ever to be solved, at least not when the orthodox and liberal fundamentalists attack each other. Using the bible as a means of supporting prejudice against other Christians is against the spirit of Christ’s love.
I think pro-Gay liberals are being coerced into or are actively committed to a militant gay agenda, which sees any plain truth in the bible that they don't like as a personal affront. Militant gay activists, like other fundamentalists, are of the opinion that they're 100% right and those who disagree or are morally opposed must be swept aside. Every facet of society must be homosexualised, nothing is worthy or sanctified without their total approval or involvement.
Funny how the Gay liberals sound a lot like orthodox fundamentalists?
Gay Christian activists believe that if they simply believe in Jesus and some vague concept of "love" or "commitment" then whatever they do is fine. It isn't. You can be a Gay Christian, but you can't be a Christian and a practicing homosexual, to put it bluntly no sodomy or sexual acts.
For straight Christians who believe they can behave how they like, so long they go to Church on Sundays, they're behaviour is governed by the same moral code.
Christian fundamentalists who believe they can mistreat people however they see fit because they feel morally superior, have lost their love and compassion and abandoned Christ’s example of love your enemy and love the sinner not the sin.
Name calling and insults isn't what Jesus would do!
On subject of schism I say go ahead! Protestantism is all about reform, acting according to your conscience, there are a lot of Protestant churches, breakaway churches and independent ones, and you can always form your own fellowship in Christ. That goes for all sides.
I think pro-Gay liberals are being coerced into or are actively committed to a militant gay agenda, which sees any plain truth in the bible that they don't like as a personal affront. Militant gay activists, like other fundamentalists, are of the opinion that they're 100% right and those who disagree or are morally opposed must be swept aside. Every facet of society must be homosexualised, nothing is worthy or sanctified without their total approval or involvement.
Funny how the Gay liberals sound a lot like orthodox fundamentalists?
Gay Christian activists believe that if they simply believe in Jesus and some vague concept of "love" or "commitment" then whatever they do is fine. It isn't. You can be a Gay Christian, but you can't be a Christian and a practicing homosexual, to put it bluntly no sodomy or sexual acts.
For straight Christians who believe they can behave how they like, so long they go to Church on Sundays, they're behaviour is governed by the same moral code.
Christian fundamentalists who believe they can mistreat people however they see fit because they feel morally superior, have lost their love and compassion and abandoned Christ’s example of love your enemy and love the sinner not the sin.
Name calling and insults isn't what Jesus would do!
On subject of schism I say go ahead! Protestantism is all about reform, acting according to your conscience, there are a lot of Protestant churches, breakaway churches and independent ones, and you can always form your own fellowship in Christ. That goes for all sides.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Gay Schism
Following the row caused by the appointment of a gay Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) Minister Rev Scott Rennie, it seems that both anti-Gay Christian groups and pro-Gay Christian groups are as bad as each other.
As a Presbyterian and a believing Christian I'm saddened by the ridiculousness of the arguments, comparing gay Christian campaigners to Nazi's, calling conservative evangelicals terrorists etc. It amounts to a far-left Vs far-right argument were each side is morally questionable.
I'm not opposed to homosexuals becoming clergy nor am I a supporter of militant "queer" groups who want to hoist their "culture" on everyone. Gay people are in need of God’s love just as much as heterosexuals, maybe more so? If homosexuality is a sin, which I don't believe simply being gay is- it’s the physical actions that are sinful- then turning them away from God is denying Christ’s salvation.
Straight Christians are just as bound by the ethics and morality of faith, as are gay Christians, of course non-believers don't require any religious basis; those people who profess a Christian faith should not do as they please if they truly believe.
No matter the arguments sexual activity outside of marriage is not kosher in Christianity, nor is sex merely for increasing the population when you are married, homosexual sex is more often than not opposed to in the bible despite what some might like or say. Unfortunately on this basis homosexual clergy cannot be objected to, especially as the Presbyterian Church is a democratic institution, but homosexuals must know that their lifestyle choice isn't necessarily Christian just because you say so.
"So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7
As a Presbyterian and a believing Christian I'm saddened by the ridiculousness of the arguments, comparing gay Christian campaigners to Nazi's, calling conservative evangelicals terrorists etc. It amounts to a far-left Vs far-right argument were each side is morally questionable.
I'm not opposed to homosexuals becoming clergy nor am I a supporter of militant "queer" groups who want to hoist their "culture" on everyone. Gay people are in need of God’s love just as much as heterosexuals, maybe more so? If homosexuality is a sin, which I don't believe simply being gay is- it’s the physical actions that are sinful- then turning them away from God is denying Christ’s salvation.
Straight Christians are just as bound by the ethics and morality of faith, as are gay Christians, of course non-believers don't require any religious basis; those people who profess a Christian faith should not do as they please if they truly believe.
No matter the arguments sexual activity outside of marriage is not kosher in Christianity, nor is sex merely for increasing the population when you are married, homosexual sex is more often than not opposed to in the bible despite what some might like or say. Unfortunately on this basis homosexual clergy cannot be objected to, especially as the Presbyterian Church is a democratic institution, but homosexuals must know that their lifestyle choice isn't necessarily Christian just because you say so.
"So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7
Expenses: Just a Friendly Reminder
Tony McNulty: the employment minister claimed £14,000 per year on his parents’ house in his constituency in Harrow. He insists he acted within the rules.
Jacqui Smith: the home secretary is facing an inquiry after claiming £20,000 per year on her home in her constituency in Redditch, saying that her sister's home in London was her main residence. She denies any wrong doing.
Caroline Spelman: The Meriden MP was told to pay back £9,600 after the parliamentary standards commissioner found that she had unintentionally breached Commons rules by paying her children's nanny through Parliamentary allowances, saying that the nanny was working as a constituency secretary.
Nicholas and Ann Winterton: the husband and wife who are both MPs in Cheshire were found to have breached the expenses rule when they claimed £21,600 per year in rent on their London flat after paying off the mortgage and transferring the ownership of the £700,000 property into a family trust.
Derek Conway: the MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup was suspended from the Commons and ordered to return £13,161 in January 2008 for paying more than £200,000 to his family, including to his youngest son, Freddie, who was a full time student in Newcastle at the time.
Tory Anthony Steen, who become embroiled in the expenses controversy for spending £90,000 on his second home over four years, launched an astonishing defence of his spending yesterday.
He said: "I've done nothing criminal, that's the most awful thing, and do you know what it's about? Jealousy. I've got a very, very large house. Some people say it looks like Balmoral. It's a merchant's house of the 19th century. It's not particularly attractive, it just does me nicely.”
MPs stepping down?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/
http://www.northernexposureni.com/2009/05/sinn-feins-expensive-principles.html
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mps/
Jacqui Smith: the home secretary is facing an inquiry after claiming £20,000 per year on her home in her constituency in Redditch, saying that her sister's home in London was her main residence. She denies any wrong doing.
Caroline Spelman: The Meriden MP was told to pay back £9,600 after the parliamentary standards commissioner found that she had unintentionally breached Commons rules by paying her children's nanny through Parliamentary allowances, saying that the nanny was working as a constituency secretary.
Nicholas and Ann Winterton: the husband and wife who are both MPs in Cheshire were found to have breached the expenses rule when they claimed £21,600 per year in rent on their London flat after paying off the mortgage and transferring the ownership of the £700,000 property into a family trust.
Derek Conway: the MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup was suspended from the Commons and ordered to return £13,161 in January 2008 for paying more than £200,000 to his family, including to his youngest son, Freddie, who was a full time student in Newcastle at the time.
Tory Anthony Steen, who become embroiled in the expenses controversy for spending £90,000 on his second home over four years, launched an astonishing defence of his spending yesterday.
He said: "I've done nothing criminal, that's the most awful thing, and do you know what it's about? Jealousy. I've got a very, very large house. Some people say it looks like Balmoral. It's a merchant's house of the 19th century. It's not particularly attractive, it just does me nicely.”
MPs stepping down?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/
http://www.northernexposureni.com/2009/05/sinn-feins-expensive-principles.html
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mps/
Friday, 22 May 2009
Gaeilge
The recent Londonderry DPP meeting held in Gaelic sparked the usual response from reactionary unionist politicians, however personally I'm not threatened by the Irish language, those Protestants who react with complete animosity to the Irish language are helping militant republicans to politicize a legitimate part of the UKs collective cultural heritage.
Unfortunately Gaelic nationalists use Irish to define it as a sole part of Irish nationalist indentity, but why should it be so? Ulster Unionist member Sir Ian Adamson speaks fluent Gaelic, indeed my grandmother (who was a Southerner) spoke Irish yet was a proud unionist and a monarchist. In the 1970s there was an Orange Lodge in Belfast that promoted Gaelic and Irish Protestant culture.
Gaelic as a language is dwindling as numbers of native speakers decrease, also there is a lack of interest amongst Southern youth in learning it, beyond what they're force fed at school - I know for me being made to learn French at school was a put off - also English is the de facto national language of Ireland.
Personally I believe outside of a cultural context Gaelic is limited, aswell as being constrained by a narrowly defined political identity, interest in reviving the language might be better suited on a voluntary cross-cultural basis.
Unfortunately Gaelic nationalists use Irish to define it as a sole part of Irish nationalist indentity, but why should it be so? Ulster Unionist member Sir Ian Adamson speaks fluent Gaelic, indeed my grandmother (who was a Southerner) spoke Irish yet was a proud unionist and a monarchist. In the 1970s there was an Orange Lodge in Belfast that promoted Gaelic and Irish Protestant culture.
Gaelic as a language is dwindling as numbers of native speakers decrease, also there is a lack of interest amongst Southern youth in learning it, beyond what they're force fed at school - I know for me being made to learn French at school was a put off - also English is the de facto national language of Ireland.
Personally I believe outside of a cultural context Gaelic is limited, aswell as being constrained by a narrowly defined political identity, interest in reviving the language might be better suited on a voluntary cross-cultural basis.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Two Examples of Unionism
As a unionist I have always admired the example set by Sir Edward Carson, his philosophy was whole heartedly "Union first". He was not a bigot nor was he a partitionist, as an Irish unionist and a Dubliner, his motivation was to save Ireland's place within the United Kingdom.
Though he is seen in a very narrow light by both his nationalist detractors and loyalist admirers, his leadership of Ulster Unionists was to him a way to preserve all-Ireland for the union, the 1920 Government of Ireland Act and subsequent partition were by no means his preferred solution but he had to accept the reality of Ireland’s situation.
He acknowledged that a part of Ireland within the UK was better for unionism than no part. Disappointingly he turned down the offer to be elected Northern Irelands first Prime Minister, had he done so perhaps his pragmatic non-parochial example would have created a state free from discrimination and fear of "the other side" or "the enemy within". Instead he chose to warn unionists and Protestants:
"We used to say that we could not trust an Irish parliament in Dublin to do justice to the Protestant minority. Let us take care that that reproach can no longer be made against your parliament, and from the outset let them see that the Catholic minority have nothing to fear from a Protestant majority."
Instead the premiership of Northern Ireland was held by James Craig, an Ulster Protestant and Unionist leader. Craig’s unionism became inward looking and parochial, from being an active part of government life at Westminster, as Prime Minister of Northern Ireland he avoided contact with the UK government whenever possible.
Craig was very much a Protestant with a limited appreciation for civic or inclusive unionism. Although he may not have been an active bigot, like Eamon de Valera his opposite number in the Irish Free State, his national identity was more often than not defined in religious and cultural terms.
In 1931 de Valera declared:
"There was an Irish solution that had no reference to any other country; a solution that came from our traditional attitude to life that was Irish and Catholic."
In a St. Patricks Day address to the nation de Valera reiterated "since the coming of St Patrick 1500 years ago Ireland has been a Christian and a Catholic nation she will remain a Catholic nation". Thus the war of words between the narrow strands of unionism and nationalism was fixed.
Craig declared in return "they still boast of Southern Ireland being a Catholic State. All I boast of is that we are a Protestant Parliament and a Protestant State." His reactionary and narrow view of Unionism was unfortunately the example followed by successive Prime Ministers; similarly those who followed in the wake of Eamon de Valera in the Irish Republic followed his Catholic Nationalist agenda.
My Unionism like Sir Edward Carson’s is not based on a narrowly defined religious or cultural philosophy, although I am proud of the cultural roots I have, by religious or cultural identity is separate from my unionist principles. I believe our place should remain within the inclusive, tolerant and multi-cultural United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
James Craig’s Protestant unionism and political Orangeism are at odds with the civic inclusive nature of Britishness defined within the UK, I am proud of my Irish Protestant roots and Orange culture, but neither of those defines unionism within the UK which embraces many cultures and religions. Unionisms future lies at the centre of the union as a tolerant inclusive society
Though he is seen in a very narrow light by both his nationalist detractors and loyalist admirers, his leadership of Ulster Unionists was to him a way to preserve all-Ireland for the union, the 1920 Government of Ireland Act and subsequent partition were by no means his preferred solution but he had to accept the reality of Ireland’s situation.
He acknowledged that a part of Ireland within the UK was better for unionism than no part. Disappointingly he turned down the offer to be elected Northern Irelands first Prime Minister, had he done so perhaps his pragmatic non-parochial example would have created a state free from discrimination and fear of "the other side" or "the enemy within". Instead he chose to warn unionists and Protestants:
"We used to say that we could not trust an Irish parliament in Dublin to do justice to the Protestant minority. Let us take care that that reproach can no longer be made against your parliament, and from the outset let them see that the Catholic minority have nothing to fear from a Protestant majority."
Instead the premiership of Northern Ireland was held by James Craig, an Ulster Protestant and Unionist leader. Craig’s unionism became inward looking and parochial, from being an active part of government life at Westminster, as Prime Minister of Northern Ireland he avoided contact with the UK government whenever possible.
Craig was very much a Protestant with a limited appreciation for civic or inclusive unionism. Although he may not have been an active bigot, like Eamon de Valera his opposite number in the Irish Free State, his national identity was more often than not defined in religious and cultural terms.
In 1931 de Valera declared:
"There was an Irish solution that had no reference to any other country; a solution that came from our traditional attitude to life that was Irish and Catholic."
In a St. Patricks Day address to the nation de Valera reiterated "since the coming of St Patrick 1500 years ago Ireland has been a Christian and a Catholic nation she will remain a Catholic nation". Thus the war of words between the narrow strands of unionism and nationalism was fixed.
Craig declared in return "they still boast of Southern Ireland being a Catholic State. All I boast of is that we are a Protestant Parliament and a Protestant State." His reactionary and narrow view of Unionism was unfortunately the example followed by successive Prime Ministers; similarly those who followed in the wake of Eamon de Valera in the Irish Republic followed his Catholic Nationalist agenda.
My Unionism like Sir Edward Carson’s is not based on a narrowly defined religious or cultural philosophy, although I am proud of the cultural roots I have, by religious or cultural identity is separate from my unionist principles. I believe our place should remain within the inclusive, tolerant and multi-cultural United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
James Craig’s Protestant unionism and political Orangeism are at odds with the civic inclusive nature of Britishness defined within the UK, I am proud of my Irish Protestant roots and Orange culture, but neither of those defines unionism within the UK which embraces many cultures and religions. Unionisms future lies at the centre of the union as a tolerant inclusive society
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Little Ulsterism in North Down
The rejection of the UUP/Conservative pact by North Down party chairman Mark Brooks has led to his defection to the DUP, coming on the heels of Our Lady of North Down's rejection and UUP defections to the reactionary TUV, it seems like a case of small u unionism and "Little Ulsterism".
Yes the DUP, TUV, Lady Sylvia want to represent the union it’s just they'd prefer to spend as little time as possible in London especially in government. What I'm baffled by is they seem to believe that they're taking a principled stance; really they just want to maintain their own little fiefdom in Northern Ireland.
“The Conservative Party was responsible for the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, the removal of our own Stormont government before, and it is my feeling that they cannot be trusted on this occasion either.”
Trying to paint the Tories as type of imperial power taking over their turf is short sighted, backward and irrational, but then Ulster nationalism is a little far-fetched. I can understand of course, imagine being part of a UK government? In London? Playing a full part within the Union representing Northern Ireland is hardly what Ulster Unionists should be seen doing.
Red Sylvia and her North Down rejectionistas seriously need to prioritise they're big U-Unionism. But maybe the failing, broken, washed up Labour Party would've been more like the thing?
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Confucius
Yes the DUP, TUV, Lady Sylvia want to represent the union it’s just they'd prefer to spend as little time as possible in London especially in government. What I'm baffled by is they seem to believe that they're taking a principled stance; really they just want to maintain their own little fiefdom in Northern Ireland.
“The Conservative Party was responsible for the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, the removal of our own Stormont government before, and it is my feeling that they cannot be trusted on this occasion either.”
Trying to paint the Tories as type of imperial power taking over their turf is short sighted, backward and irrational, but then Ulster nationalism is a little far-fetched. I can understand of course, imagine being part of a UK government? In London? Playing a full part within the Union representing Northern Ireland is hardly what Ulster Unionists should be seen doing.
Red Sylvia and her North Down rejectionistas seriously need to prioritise they're big U-Unionism. But maybe the failing, broken, washed up Labour Party would've been more like the thing?
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Confucius
A Tangled Position
Andrew McCann over on A Tangled Web has endorsed Jim Allister for the June 4 Euro elections, not because he believes he can retain his seat, but to simply knock Diane Dodd’s off of topping the polls. Well I'm no DUP fan so Mrs Dodd's top-dog hopes don't much matter to me.
What Andrew McCann, David Vance and Jim Allister really want is to "wreck it" as Ian Paisley once said of the GFA, or at least to get a majority of unionists rejecting the St. Andrews agreement with an unofficial referendum by voting TUV.
"Like David and I, Allister is not interested in reconciliation with physical-force Irish republicanism, only is total and comprehensive defeat."
I'm not sure what point there is to be made from such an outcome, yes I know that they believe getting rid of the Provo’s is an end in its self, but it’s hardly going to render much of a defeat to republicans.
Making them work within partitionist institutions, militarily withering down the PIRA, their lack of support down south and attacks by dissidents; those to me are the only defeat - outside of a bloody and costly military operation Sri Lanka style - that the republicans are going to suffer.
Say confidence is shot and the assembly collapses, yet again. If the Provisional’s retreat back to their shadowy ghettos and their "old ways", blaming rejectionist unionists as they go, what will be the end result? Allister represents the old reactionary unionism, like Paisley of old, yet their reactions are always too late to do much but hope to reverse time to when things were easy to understand.
Now the RIRA are back in town the dismantling of the assembly simply adds Provo fuel to a dissident fire, hardly a great alternative. I'm no great admirer of the executive or Sinn Fein but the alternative is much worse and quite frankly unneeded. Wrecking the relative peace and stability of Northern Ireland for your so-called "principles" is a job better suited to republican hardliners and loyalist terrorists, not Jim Allister.
What Andrew McCann, David Vance and Jim Allister really want is to "wreck it" as Ian Paisley once said of the GFA, or at least to get a majority of unionists rejecting the St. Andrews agreement with an unofficial referendum by voting TUV.
"Like David and I, Allister is not interested in reconciliation with physical-force Irish republicanism, only is total and comprehensive defeat."
I'm not sure what point there is to be made from such an outcome, yes I know that they believe getting rid of the Provo’s is an end in its self, but it’s hardly going to render much of a defeat to republicans.
Making them work within partitionist institutions, militarily withering down the PIRA, their lack of support down south and attacks by dissidents; those to me are the only defeat - outside of a bloody and costly military operation Sri Lanka style - that the republicans are going to suffer.
Say confidence is shot and the assembly collapses, yet again. If the Provisional’s retreat back to their shadowy ghettos and their "old ways", blaming rejectionist unionists as they go, what will be the end result? Allister represents the old reactionary unionism, like Paisley of old, yet their reactions are always too late to do much but hope to reverse time to when things were easy to understand.
Now the RIRA are back in town the dismantling of the assembly simply adds Provo fuel to a dissident fire, hardly a great alternative. I'm no great admirer of the executive or Sinn Fein but the alternative is much worse and quite frankly unneeded. Wrecking the relative peace and stability of Northern Ireland for your so-called "principles" is a job better suited to republican hardliners and loyalist terrorists, not Jim Allister.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Parliamentary Reform
Now that Michael Martin has more or less jumped ship from Westminster a radical reformation of the entire parliamentary system is drastically needed;
1) First of all the speaker of the house should either be directly elected by the people or should be an independent figure of no party political background.
2) MPs salaries should be taken into account when claiming for further expenses, how many houses they own, cars, staff etc.
3) An online database of expenses claims should be made available for the public to view.
4) A Parliamentary Covenant should be drawn up and MPs made to sign it, if they fail to abide by it they'll automatically be deselected for running for further election.
5) Those seeking election should be forced to make personal projections, based on their individual circumstances, of what essential expenses they might likely need to claim for.
6) A points system based on MPs performances during the year should be made available.
Basically any abuse of office that brings parliament into disrepute should be met with swift action.
1) First of all the speaker of the house should either be directly elected by the people or should be an independent figure of no party political background.
2) MPs salaries should be taken into account when claiming for further expenses, how many houses they own, cars, staff etc.
3) An online database of expenses claims should be made available for the public to view.
4) A Parliamentary Covenant should be drawn up and MPs made to sign it, if they fail to abide by it they'll automatically be deselected for running for further election.
5) Those seeking election should be forced to make personal projections, based on their individual circumstances, of what essential expenses they might likely need to claim for.
6) A points system based on MPs performances during the year should be made available.
Basically any abuse of office that brings parliament into disrepute should be met with swift action.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Ireland of Equals?
Why does Sinn Fein feel the need to honour republican death squads on their online store, their claim to be building an "Ireland of Equals" is simply hollow rhetoric with insensitive sectarian displays such as this. The action of Provo terrorists is nothing to gloat over.
If the DUP were selling UDA t-shirts republican hypocrites would be hysterical with rage, but the DUP don't nor should they; this Ireland of equals is business is completely bogus unless we are to fall in line behind the shinners.
If the DUP were selling UDA t-shirts republican hypocrites would be hysterical with rage, but the DUP don't nor should they; this Ireland of equals is business is completely bogus unless we are to fall in line behind the shinners.
Anti-Europeanism
Many people who hold euro sceptic beliefs are often considered anti-European or xenophobic, indeed perhaps some are, for me personally I don’t consider myself as anti-European nor do I like the term "Eurosceptic". I call myself a Pan-European anti-federalist, in that I believe in European co-operation and free trade, but am opposed to the centralisation of the anti-democratic EU.
Unlike UKIP or the BNP I'm not suggesting we pull out of Europe full stop. I don't believe in isolationism or narrow ethnic nationalism, I believe that the EU is an unrepresentative pro-federalist neo-soviet style experiment, a Frankenstein monster in need of total remodelling.
I'm not in favour of the Veritas idea of reformism from within, the EU has grown to powerful for that to work, in my opinion mass secession from the EU is the only way to topple the top down European parliament. A co-operative European council, with bottom up democratic structures, a truly representative parliament and a scrapping of the European commission; such a remodelling is possible, but probably unlikely.
Unlike UKIP or the BNP I'm not suggesting we pull out of Europe full stop. I don't believe in isolationism or narrow ethnic nationalism, I believe that the EU is an unrepresentative pro-federalist neo-soviet style experiment, a Frankenstein monster in need of total remodelling.
I'm not in favour of the Veritas idea of reformism from within, the EU has grown to powerful for that to work, in my opinion mass secession from the EU is the only way to topple the top down European parliament. A co-operative European council, with bottom up democratic structures, a truly representative parliament and a scrapping of the European commission; such a remodelling is possible, but probably unlikely.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Parties Sectarian League Table
Parties should look beyond topping the sectarian league
Patrick Murphy
BY Patrick Murphy
16/05/2009
If we are morally obliged to vote in elections, surely there is an obligation on political parties to give us something to vote for? In the forthcoming European Parliament election, parties in most countries will offer wide-ranging social and economic policies.
If we are not offered the same choice, it would appear reasonable to argue that we may well be morally justified in sitting at home on polling day. [click]
Patrick Murphy
BY Patrick Murphy
16/05/2009
If we are morally obliged to vote in elections, surely there is an obligation on political parties to give us something to vote for? In the forthcoming European Parliament election, parties in most countries will offer wide-ranging social and economic policies.
If we are not offered the same choice, it would appear reasonable to argue that we may well be morally justified in sitting at home on polling day. [click]
Sectarian Songs Racist?
“A Rangers fan, who was convicted of breach of the peace after singing part of the 'Famine Song' at an away game, has appealed against his conviction.
William Walls, 20, was found guilty of the offence, aggravated by religious and racial prejudice, at Kilmarnock District Court in December last year.”
I'm not a Rangers fan or a singer of bigoted songs, which the ridiculous 'Famine Song' clearly is, but what I find highly dubious is labelling the incident 'racial prejudice'. It seems to be a recent trend, an Englishman saying a bad thing about Scotland is a racist, vice versa a Scotsman, Irishmen or Ulster Protestant.
If someone could show me scientifically the overwhelming racial differences between the native peoples of the British Isles, then I might agree, but considering there is no momentous racial difference even between blacks and whites, how likely is there to be a racial difference between WASPs and Irish/Scottish Catholics?
Labelling sectarianism as racist simply fuels the idea of there being a bigger difference between our two main communities than there actually is. Yes sectarianism, religious bigotry and xenophobia are wrong, but stop mislabelling it as racial prejudice.
William Walls, 20, was found guilty of the offence, aggravated by religious and racial prejudice, at Kilmarnock District Court in December last year.”
I'm not a Rangers fan or a singer of bigoted songs, which the ridiculous 'Famine Song' clearly is, but what I find highly dubious is labelling the incident 'racial prejudice'. It seems to be a recent trend, an Englishman saying a bad thing about Scotland is a racist, vice versa a Scotsman, Irishmen or Ulster Protestant.
If someone could show me scientifically the overwhelming racial differences between the native peoples of the British Isles, then I might agree, but considering there is no momentous racial difference even between blacks and whites, how likely is there to be a racial difference between WASPs and Irish/Scottish Catholics?
Labelling sectarianism as racist simply fuels the idea of there being a bigger difference between our two main communities than there actually is. Yes sectarianism, religious bigotry and xenophobia are wrong, but stop mislabelling it as racial prejudice.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
SDLP Identity Crisis
When the Social Democratic and Labour Party was established Gerry Fitt tried to create a socialist centrist position with former nationalists and socialist Protestants, a kind of left-wing Alliance party:
“In Northern Ireland it is very difficult to be a socialist without being labelled a Unionist socialist or an anti-partitionist socialist, but I am a socialist”
He opposed hard line republicanism and loyalism and often upset nationalist supporters as well. But the SDLP was still an Irish nationalist party whose focus became centered more on catholic nationalism than purely democratic socialism. Fitt was replaced by the more nationalist John Hume, who tried to steer a middle ground similar to Fitt, but with a so called “Irish dimension”.
Gerry Fitts opposition to the hunger strikers lost him his seat to Gerry Adams in 1983. His criticism of the anti-democratic Anglo-Irish agreement steered the SDLP in a further nationalist direction under Hume. John Hume’s attempts to bring Sinn Fein to cease fire in 1994 meant engaging a more moderate republican strategy known as the “Hume-Adams process”.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan inherited the party’s identity crisis pursuing policies to “out green” Sinn Fein to chase the republican vote, while at the same time trying to present it as a centrist Alliance style alternative party. However his recent declaration that the SDLP is “republican”, as well as a centrist party and also as the “Principal party of the nationalist (Catholic) community” as a search on Google will reveal.
Clearly the SDLP try to be all things to all people at an assortment of occasions.
“In Northern Ireland it is very difficult to be a socialist without being labelled a Unionist socialist or an anti-partitionist socialist, but I am a socialist”
He opposed hard line republicanism and loyalism and often upset nationalist supporters as well. But the SDLP was still an Irish nationalist party whose focus became centered more on catholic nationalism than purely democratic socialism. Fitt was replaced by the more nationalist John Hume, who tried to steer a middle ground similar to Fitt, but with a so called “Irish dimension”.
Gerry Fitts opposition to the hunger strikers lost him his seat to Gerry Adams in 1983. His criticism of the anti-democratic Anglo-Irish agreement steered the SDLP in a further nationalist direction under Hume. John Hume’s attempts to bring Sinn Fein to cease fire in 1994 meant engaging a more moderate republican strategy known as the “Hume-Adams process”.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan inherited the party’s identity crisis pursuing policies to “out green” Sinn Fein to chase the republican vote, while at the same time trying to present it as a centrist Alliance style alternative party. However his recent declaration that the SDLP is “republican”, as well as a centrist party and also as the “Principal party of the nationalist (Catholic) community” as a search on Google will reveal.
Clearly the SDLP try to be all things to all people at an assortment of occasions.
The Lady’s Not For Turning
The pact between the Ulster Unionists and the Conservatives was seen as a positive step for unionism, indeed I believe it still could be, but the prospect of being a Conservative was too much for lone UUP MP Lady Sylvia Hermon, a devotee of New Labour at Westminster; she dismissed her party’s coalition with the Tories arbitrarily.
“If my party chooses to move to call themselves by a different name, I’m terribly sorry and terribly disappointed by that, but I remain an Ulster Unionist,”
She cut the feet from under her own party and her words quite rightly upset party colleagues who are still Ulster Unionists by name and deed even if they are supportive of the move. Personally I feel her opinions on the matter should have been expressed to her fellow Ulster Unionists privately and not in the press.
Lady Hermon has a substantial support base in North Down were she is a respected representative, but her recent petulant behaviour is in the same vein as Jeffrey Donaldson. A democratic decision with full cooperation from her colleagues should have been respected even if she felt unable to agree with it. Grandstanding in the press isn’t justified, especially when the election affecting her position isn’t until next year and with the Euro elections in June.
“If my party chooses to move to call themselves by a different name, I’m terribly sorry and terribly disappointed by that, but I remain an Ulster Unionist,”
She cut the feet from under her own party and her words quite rightly upset party colleagues who are still Ulster Unionists by name and deed even if they are supportive of the move. Personally I feel her opinions on the matter should have been expressed to her fellow Ulster Unionists privately and not in the press.
Lady Hermon has a substantial support base in North Down were she is a respected representative, but her recent petulant behaviour is in the same vein as Jeffrey Donaldson. A democratic decision with full cooperation from her colleagues should have been respected even if she felt unable to agree with it. Grandstanding in the press isn’t justified, especially when the election affecting her position isn’t until next year and with the Euro elections in June.
Friday, 15 May 2009
DUP Bogus Campaign
The DUP seem to be living in a different world than the rest of us if they believe their supposed anti-Sinn Fein agenda will wash, Diane Dodd’s declaration to "fight Sinn Féin and republicanism" is a hollow and nonsensical statement considering her party signed up to power-sharing with Sinn Fein with the St. Andrews agreement.
Did they forget that Martin McGuinness was an "ex-PIRA" terrorist? Did they overlook the fact that Peter Robinson's deputy is that same Martin McGuinness? What is the real motive behind the DUPs campaign? Perhaps they are genuinely scared of Jim Allister stealing their support base with his hardliner rhetoric, so by adopting the same sabre rattling war cries they hope to appeal to those they imagine might be swayed by Allisters moral high ground.
If it does happen the DUPs dishonesty with their voters will be mostly to blame, pre-St. Andrews the message was "no Sinn Fein/IRA in government", then suddenly a sea-change and Ian Paisley was the jolly First Minister laughing all the way to Stormont with his DFM Martin McGuinness. Resentment was obviously going to be the result, as was the "chuckle brothers" routine, no wonder many felt shocked and some betrayed; honesty and modesty would have been the better option.
"I would encourage people to think about just what it will mean if for the first time in the history of Northern Ireland, a republican party tops the poll in a Province-wide test of opinion. It would demoralise Unionism and gives Sinn Fein it’s much sought after publicity coup."
Sinn Fein have been top of the polls amongst the nationalist/republican community for a wee while now, have disbanded the army council, signed up to power sharing and gained key positions at Stormont what more publicity coups can they have?
If the DUP want to regain their position in Europe they need to drop the blindingly obvious dishonesty of supposedly fighting Sinn Fein. Cut out the negative bs and sell the idea that Sinn Fein in the open is better than in the shadows, demonstrate to the people the DUP helped bring Sinn Fein away from violence, more or less work within the UK and that in Europe our largest party needs representation.
If Diane Dodd’s really means it, fight on the positive, not on the negative.
Did they forget that Martin McGuinness was an "ex-PIRA" terrorist? Did they overlook the fact that Peter Robinson's deputy is that same Martin McGuinness? What is the real motive behind the DUPs campaign? Perhaps they are genuinely scared of Jim Allister stealing their support base with his hardliner rhetoric, so by adopting the same sabre rattling war cries they hope to appeal to those they imagine might be swayed by Allisters moral high ground.
If it does happen the DUPs dishonesty with their voters will be mostly to blame, pre-St. Andrews the message was "no Sinn Fein/IRA in government", then suddenly a sea-change and Ian Paisley was the jolly First Minister laughing all the way to Stormont with his DFM Martin McGuinness. Resentment was obviously going to be the result, as was the "chuckle brothers" routine, no wonder many felt shocked and some betrayed; honesty and modesty would have been the better option.
"I would encourage people to think about just what it will mean if for the first time in the history of Northern Ireland, a republican party tops the poll in a Province-wide test of opinion. It would demoralise Unionism and gives Sinn Fein it’s much sought after publicity coup."
Sinn Fein have been top of the polls amongst the nationalist/republican community for a wee while now, have disbanded the army council, signed up to power sharing and gained key positions at Stormont what more publicity coups can they have?
If the DUP want to regain their position in Europe they need to drop the blindingly obvious dishonesty of supposedly fighting Sinn Fein. Cut out the negative bs and sell the idea that Sinn Fein in the open is better than in the shadows, demonstrate to the people the DUP helped bring Sinn Fein away from violence, more or less work within the UK and that in Europe our largest party needs representation.
If Diane Dodd’s really means it, fight on the positive, not on the negative.
Question Time Performance
Last night’s Question Time performance by housing minister Margaret Beckett and ex-LibDem leader Sir Ming Campbell was nothing less than disgraceful. Mrs Beckett was clearly in over her head when the just anger of the audience greeted her pathetic excuses and attempts to squirm away from her own and her colleagues lack of moral judgement. It was clear she held the electorate in complete contempt for daring to question MP’s morals.
She tried everything she could to deflect the annoying questions; denial, feigning anger, attacking the Daily Telegraph by vaguely threatening fellow panellist Benedict Brogan. She tried every political trick in the book to try and deflect the awkward truth that she and her fellow MPs had disgraced themselves and the country. But it didn’t work; her face was red with embarrassment and underlying anger, not directed towards the trougher's in parliament, but at us the people.
Ming Campbell’s performance wasn’t much better than Mrs Beckett’s, his attempts at deflection were just as hard and as futile as Beckett, his worst excuse was simply “they were guidelines”. But Ming the Merciless went even lower in attempting to insinuate that the expenses row was deflecting attention from the plight of our troops in Afghanistan, i.e. if you’re angry about the MPs thievery you’re not remembering the soldiers; don’t our armed forces personnel pay taxes? Should they not be upset that their MPs were stealing their money while they are fighting for their country? Mr Campbell is a disgrace.
But at least they’re sorry, eh? Sorry they were caught! These people don’t deserve our trust and respect until they have taken radical actions that completely alter the system and rules they created.
Until then the facts are clear
She tried everything she could to deflect the annoying questions; denial, feigning anger, attacking the Daily Telegraph by vaguely threatening fellow panellist Benedict Brogan. She tried every political trick in the book to try and deflect the awkward truth that she and her fellow MPs had disgraced themselves and the country. But it didn’t work; her face was red with embarrassment and underlying anger, not directed towards the trougher's in parliament, but at us the people.
Ming Campbell’s performance wasn’t much better than Mrs Beckett’s, his attempts at deflection were just as hard and as futile as Beckett, his worst excuse was simply “they were guidelines”. But Ming the Merciless went even lower in attempting to insinuate that the expenses row was deflecting attention from the plight of our troops in Afghanistan, i.e. if you’re angry about the MPs thievery you’re not remembering the soldiers; don’t our armed forces personnel pay taxes? Should they not be upset that their MPs were stealing their money while they are fighting for their country? Mr Campbell is a disgrace.
But at least they’re sorry, eh? Sorry they were caught! These people don’t deserve our trust and respect until they have taken radical actions that completely alter the system and rules they created.
Until then the facts are clear
Thursday, 14 May 2009
32CSM: Illusion of Legitimacy
It is interesting to see that while the Real IRA are murdering unarmed civilians and soldiers, their political wing the 32 County Sovereignty Movement is trying to submit a case to the United Nations to overturn partition and destroy Northern Ireland through international law, of course if they really believed that they had a legitimate case they wouldn't need the RIRA death squads.
Still a UN submission gives them the illusion of legitimacy while pursuing a campaign of terrorism, intimidation and murder; it allows them to appear genuinely oppressed and downtrodden while they fight their dirty war.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign nation recognised by the United Nations as is the Republic of Ireland, the 32CSM want the UN to recognise a non-existent republic which exists on paper only? It'd be purely delusional if I took it seriously at all.
The Peoples Republic of China is recognised by the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Egypt all of which have far worse records of human rights abuses than the UK.
Still a UN submission gives them the illusion of legitimacy while pursuing a campaign of terrorism, intimidation and murder; it allows them to appear genuinely oppressed and downtrodden while they fight their dirty war.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign nation recognised by the United Nations as is the Republic of Ireland, the 32CSM want the UN to recognise a non-existent republic which exists on paper only? It'd be purely delusional if I took it seriously at all.
The Peoples Republic of China is recognised by the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Egypt all of which have far worse records of human rights abuses than the UK.
The Jim Allister Show
I'm not sure if the TUV is a political party or the lone voice of Jim Allister, I haven't seen his team nor any colleagues, all I've seen is the Jim Allister Show
Allister is good on traditional unionist sabre rattling and moralising, but offers no real alternative, his "plans" appear to be taken from Ian Paisley circa 1999 and offers nothing constructive or any viable alternative, just vague notions of principled "traditional unionism".
As an MEP he has a sound grasp of the issues, on his European record he might win alone but in turning it into a referendum on the assembly he has perhaps set himself up for a fall.
It would be a breath of fresh air for one MEP from our wee country to tackle the issue of freedom and sovereignty in Europe, the rights of small nations, democracy and independence. Jim appears to be distracted:
"This will be the first time that right across this Province people have the opportunity to give a verdict on terrorist-inclusive government."
That's good, but 10 years out of date. What principle is there in opposing the assembly and creating an excuse for Sinn Fein to blame unionists for "wrecking the peace process", how many would die if the Provo's went back to their old tricks? Do the 32CSM need more pissed off ex-Provo recruits?
Its time to keep your friends close and enemies closer.
Voting For Dummies
What use is democracy, accountability and freedom, if we have only mostly corrupt politicians to represent us? What use is there in voting if any party you choose is as greedy and corrupt as the next?
Protest voting is all well and good, but worthless if done only by the courageous few; to spoil a ballot is perhaps a satisfying feeling if only a fleeting one at that. If I were to do so, I'd think of those who gave their lives for the right to vote, but did they give their lives for the current bunch of B'Stards in parliament!?
I don't know the answer to any of the above nor do I honestly know which party to elect to the Euro trough. In all honesty I'm considering the possibility of not voting! But then what difference will it make by not voting, so I might as well pick a name or two and tick some boxes I suppose that I guess is voting for dummies.
Protest voting is all well and good, but worthless if done only by the courageous few; to spoil a ballot is perhaps a satisfying feeling if only a fleeting one at that. If I were to do so, I'd think of those who gave their lives for the right to vote, but did they give their lives for the current bunch of B'Stards in parliament!?
I don't know the answer to any of the above nor do I honestly know which party to elect to the Euro trough. In all honesty I'm considering the possibility of not voting! But then what difference will it make by not voting, so I might as well pick a name or two and tick some boxes I suppose that I guess is voting for dummies.
Stop The BNP
Whatever anyone thinks of the BNP, the anti-democratic “Stop the BNP” campaign is a petty and futile exercise. Anti-fascism it is not; is it not ironic that supposed anti-fascists want to stop a registered political party campaigning for election? But when one realises that the sponsors of the campaign is Searchlight magazine, a far-left communist publication with about as many successful libel suits against it as Private Eye, the real motivation is revealed.
I’m not a BNP supporter nor will I ever be one, I don’t believe that they’ll ever be a viable choice, but democracy and freedom of speech are fundamental rights which are not respected by the communist activists of Searchlight. If Searchlight had any progressive or positive ideas on combating fascism or neo-Nazism they wouldn’t have a “Stop the BNP” campaign, they might even put candidates forward for election on their own platform but I doubt they’d gain much trust or support.
When you start moralising and telling people what to do they will often do the opposite, no one likes being patronised or told what to do in a free society, the “Stop the BNP” idea will probably amount to nothing or else backfire completely much like the BNP.
“Extremes to the right and left of any political dispute are always wrong.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
I’m not a BNP supporter nor will I ever be one, I don’t believe that they’ll ever be a viable choice, but democracy and freedom of speech are fundamental rights which are not respected by the communist activists of Searchlight. If Searchlight had any progressive or positive ideas on combating fascism or neo-Nazism they wouldn’t have a “Stop the BNP” campaign, they might even put candidates forward for election on their own platform but I doubt they’d gain much trust or support.
When you start moralising and telling people what to do they will often do the opposite, no one likes being patronised or told what to do in a free society, the “Stop the BNP” idea will probably amount to nothing or else backfire completely much like the BNP.
“Extremes to the right and left of any political dispute are always wrong.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Sinn Feins Expensive Principles
Sinn Fein's abstentionism in Westminster is an expensive principle. One wonders why an abstentionist anti-British republican party needs to be in London at all, never mind needing to spend almost "£500,000 in housing expenses since 2001." according to the Daily Mail.
Even if we concede that spending taxpayers money on accommodation is necessary, they don't really need £3,600 a month properties nor do they require flat-screen TVs or stereo systems, but allow Sinn Feiners to abuse a system and they'll do just that.
I wonder will these revelations sicken their community's support base back home? Will the abusing of taxpayers money for frivolous expenses damage their reputation and drive more republicans to hard line movements?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1180234/MPs-EXPENSES-Sinn-Fein-flats.html
Even if we concede that spending taxpayers money on accommodation is necessary, they don't really need £3,600 a month properties nor do they require flat-screen TVs or stereo systems, but allow Sinn Feiners to abuse a system and they'll do just that.
I wonder will these revelations sicken their community's support base back home? Will the abusing of taxpayers money for frivolous expenses damage their reputation and drive more republicans to hard line movements?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1180234/MPs-EXPENSES-Sinn-Fein-flats.html
Politician Expenses Solution
Sack all the abusers and every shadow cabinet MP, labour minister or backbencher, who acted like a moral vacuum hovering up taxpayers money for horse manure, porno’s or whatever!
Oh wait...we can’t! If we did that the sky would fall down, volcanoes would erupt, meteorites would fall from space and the terrorists would destroy us.
Oh wait...we can’t! If we did that the sky would fall down, volcanoes would erupt, meteorites would fall from space and the terrorists would destroy us.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Gerry's Vision
While visiting Gerry Adam's blog Léargas (vision) I came across his usual appraisal of unionists, as with all Irish Republicans, ignorance is bliss when it comes to the "silly wee Prods". Needless to say Gerry sees unionists as lost sheep or confused Irish nationalists led astray by the evil Brits.
Far from seeking to build an 'island of equals' Sinn Fein seem only interested in turning unionists into republicans; and making hollow speeches about our rights guaranteed in a United Ireland serves no purpose but to make themselves look good and feel better inside.
What republicans seem unable or unwilling to grasp is the fact that we our British, proud citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, aye and like Edward Carson Irish as well. We will not change or stop being what we are; pro-union, British, Irish Ulstermen & women, our heritage and culture will not end with a redrawing of the border or under intellectual or physical persuasion by Catholic Nationalist republicans.
"Like the Afrikaaners some unionists continue to oppose change."
We are not a people opposed to change or afraid to meet changing circumstances, the Plantation, Siege of Derry, American Revolution; United Irishmen the Union of Great Britain & Ireland, Ulster Crisis, Ulster Volunteers and World War 1, Partition. We are not opposed to the changing tides of history, we are opposed to cultural genocide and Orangephobia, and we are opposed to republican patronisation and propaganda. We are not the oppressors or segregationists nor do we feel ashamed of being who we are.
Irish Republicans want to grab a branch of history and beat unionists over the head with it, yet they say we live in the past and are unwilling to or our slow to change. But again we won't change fundamentally what makes us who we are; there is no final solution to the unionist question, certainly not in a non-existent united Ireland in the foreseeable future.
You really want a United Ireland?
If republicans desire a United Ireland sooner rather than later, maybe they should consider these issues:
1 Accept Unionists as they are, your fellow Irishmen, our Britishness are an integral part of our being as are our symbols and emblems of identity - stop the cultural genocide in Craigavon and Newry and everywhere else.
2 Orangephobia is a real and present threat to unionists cultural expression and identity, remember the tricolour has an Orange fly. It is our right to define our history, heritage and culture, not to have it dictated to us by republicans and statist structures.
3 You talk of Afrikaners (we know you mean Unionists are bigoted racists), but you raised an issue; minority rights. In your proposed Ireland of equals, we would constitute your largest minority group, arming republicans and nationalists with a huge veto.
We must be allowed our own space for cultural expression. Like Afrikaners and Zulus in South Africa, like Flemings in Belgium, African-Americans in the US, Catalans & Basques in Spain or Arabs in Israel.
4 Our experience of the brutality and violence of the PIRA's campaign against our existence as a unionist people must be acknowledged, the veneration of dead IRA volunteers who committed violent atrocities must be done without triumphalism.
"We are back with that great Protestant patriot Wolfe Tone. Genuine democrats and thinking republicans will recognise the validity and wisdom at this time, of Tone’s great call for the unity of Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter. That my friends is what this is all about."
Wolfe Tone was a United Irishman not a Provo, he was not motivated by Catholic Nationalism, and he did not fight the same fight the PIRA fought because he was a true republican who did not take up arms for a narrow Gaelic Irish nationalism like the Fenian Brotherhood, Patrick Pearce or you Gerry.
Far from seeking to build an 'island of equals' Sinn Fein seem only interested in turning unionists into republicans; and making hollow speeches about our rights guaranteed in a United Ireland serves no purpose but to make themselves look good and feel better inside.
What republicans seem unable or unwilling to grasp is the fact that we our British, proud citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, aye and like Edward Carson Irish as well. We will not change or stop being what we are; pro-union, British, Irish Ulstermen & women, our heritage and culture will not end with a redrawing of the border or under intellectual or physical persuasion by Catholic Nationalist republicans.
"Like the Afrikaaners some unionists continue to oppose change."
We are not a people opposed to change or afraid to meet changing circumstances, the Plantation, Siege of Derry, American Revolution; United Irishmen the Union of Great Britain & Ireland, Ulster Crisis, Ulster Volunteers and World War 1, Partition. We are not opposed to the changing tides of history, we are opposed to cultural genocide and Orangephobia, and we are opposed to republican patronisation and propaganda. We are not the oppressors or segregationists nor do we feel ashamed of being who we are.
Irish Republicans want to grab a branch of history and beat unionists over the head with it, yet they say we live in the past and are unwilling to or our slow to change. But again we won't change fundamentally what makes us who we are; there is no final solution to the unionist question, certainly not in a non-existent united Ireland in the foreseeable future.
You really want a United Ireland?
If republicans desire a United Ireland sooner rather than later, maybe they should consider these issues:
1 Accept Unionists as they are, your fellow Irishmen, our Britishness are an integral part of our being as are our symbols and emblems of identity - stop the cultural genocide in Craigavon and Newry and everywhere else.
2 Orangephobia is a real and present threat to unionists cultural expression and identity, remember the tricolour has an Orange fly. It is our right to define our history, heritage and culture, not to have it dictated to us by republicans and statist structures.
3 You talk of Afrikaners (we know you mean Unionists are bigoted racists), but you raised an issue; minority rights. In your proposed Ireland of equals, we would constitute your largest minority group, arming republicans and nationalists with a huge veto.
We must be allowed our own space for cultural expression. Like Afrikaners and Zulus in South Africa, like Flemings in Belgium, African-Americans in the US, Catalans & Basques in Spain or Arabs in Israel.
4 Our experience of the brutality and violence of the PIRA's campaign against our existence as a unionist people must be acknowledged, the veneration of dead IRA volunteers who committed violent atrocities must be done without triumphalism.
"We are back with that great Protestant patriot Wolfe Tone. Genuine democrats and thinking republicans will recognise the validity and wisdom at this time, of Tone’s great call for the unity of Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter. That my friends is what this is all about."
Wolfe Tone was a United Irishman not a Provo, he was not motivated by Catholic Nationalism, and he did not fight the same fight the PIRA fought because he was a true republican who did not take up arms for a narrow Gaelic Irish nationalism like the Fenian Brotherhood, Patrick Pearce or you Gerry.
Party Website Homepages Rated
Being slightly bored I decided to rate the local party websites purely in terms of their aesthetic appeal, use of colour, design and functionality. I numbered them 1 to 7; 1 being the best, 7 the worst.
1 Green Party (NI) - Is the most visually attractive site with the use of flash as the header, changing colourful photographic backgrounds, with the party’s slogans and views highlighted - although "Change we can believe in" is an annoyingly unimaginative Obama-ism. Also their leader Steven Agnew looks like an out of shape Ronan Keating.
2 Sinn Fein - Comes in second for visual with their cloudy pastel blue header background set off by their new logo, a damn site better than the ghastly old logo. Information is easy to locate and they have the modern sign ups, YouTube, face book & Bebo etc.
3 TUV - Jim Allisters party site is very much red, white & blue, but the royal blue and white mix well together. The header features the party logo to the left on white with a sky blue cloud and faded union flag to the right. Twitter is the only sign up available. On bad thing is Jim Allisters mug plastered over the page three times, makes it look like a one man outfit.
4 Ulster Unionist - Fourth behind Sinn Fein the UUP header is a dark sky blue, with the party logo on the left and small version of the Euro election poster on the right; Jim Nicholson has a fixed Botox smile. It also has sign ups to twitter and face book. UUP get extra points for humour with a "dup pants on fire" link site.
5 SDLP - With a good use of their colours and logo is visually appealing without being OTT. Mark Durkan however looks like Harry Enfield's "Tory Boy" character. Info on policies is quick to locate, but they have no sign ups available.
6 DUP - Update: Damn DUP, they've gone all Diane Dodds crazy and set up a Euro elections site, ruining my rating. They've lost my vote anyway!
One of the plainest sites, but with good simple graphics & logo placement. The main header picture features all the DUP gang in what looks like a wedding photo. They have a YouTube sign up.
7 Alliance - Unimaginative and dull sums up the site and the party. Blue, yellow and white, it’s more of an early 90's site than 21st century....boring!
1 Green Party (NI) - Is the most visually attractive site with the use of flash as the header, changing colourful photographic backgrounds, with the party’s slogans and views highlighted - although "Change we can believe in" is an annoyingly unimaginative Obama-ism. Also their leader Steven Agnew looks like an out of shape Ronan Keating.
2 Sinn Fein - Comes in second for visual with their cloudy pastel blue header background set off by their new logo, a damn site better than the ghastly old logo. Information is easy to locate and they have the modern sign ups, YouTube, face book & Bebo etc.
3 TUV - Jim Allisters party site is very much red, white & blue, but the royal blue and white mix well together. The header features the party logo to the left on white with a sky blue cloud and faded union flag to the right. Twitter is the only sign up available. On bad thing is Jim Allisters mug plastered over the page three times, makes it look like a one man outfit.
4 Ulster Unionist - Fourth behind Sinn Fein the UUP header is a dark sky blue, with the party logo on the left and small version of the Euro election poster on the right; Jim Nicholson has a fixed Botox smile. It also has sign ups to twitter and face book. UUP get extra points for humour with a "dup pants on fire" link site.
5 SDLP - With a good use of their colours and logo is visually appealing without being OTT. Mark Durkan however looks like Harry Enfield's "Tory Boy" character. Info on policies is quick to locate, but they have no sign ups available.
6 DUP - Update: Damn DUP, they've gone all Diane Dodds crazy and set up a Euro elections site, ruining my rating. They've lost my vote anyway!
One of the plainest sites, but with good simple graphics & logo placement. The main header picture features all the DUP gang in what looks like a wedding photo. They have a YouTube sign up.
7 Alliance - Unimaginative and dull sums up the site and the party. Blue, yellow and white, it’s more of an early 90's site than 21st century....boring!
Sunday, 10 May 2009
The Problem with Republicanism
The idiotic remarks of our First Minister Peter Robinson that “Nobody is boasting about Irish unification by 2016 anymore.” spurred me to examine the central problem of Irish Republicanism and its destabilising effect on Northern Ireland. More important than Mr Robinson’s deranged statement are the remarks our deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness made on April 10:
"I am working towards the possibility that Ireland could be unified by 2014. Important steps can be made in the life of this Assembly, but even more importantly, in the life of the next Assembly."
This underscores the central tenet of the republican movement, the establishment of a '32 County [socialist] Irish Republic'. Whatever else is held aloft by republicans as "principles", the achievement of a United Ireland overrides them all, especially for the provisional’s and Catholic Nationalist republicans. Stability in Northern Ireland and the peace process is simply a strategy shift for the Provos, a game to be played in order to attain their coveted united Irish republic.
Provisional strategy is to maintain loyalty and order within the republican community by a campaign of distraction politics; a sustained attack on Unionist culture and emblems, unequal demands for the promotion of nationalist Irish culture and identity. Irish republicans have never desired mere reform or justice in Northern Ireland.
When the false promises by republican leaders like Martin McGuinness raise the hopes for a united Ireland, the rank-and-file republicans on the street will perhaps tow the party line, but when the time comes and no united Ireland has been established that same rank-and-file will most likely abandon the new strategy for that similar to the dissidents and the men of physical violence so admired by republicans.
"I am working towards the possibility that Ireland could be unified by 2014. Important steps can be made in the life of this Assembly, but even more importantly, in the life of the next Assembly."
This underscores the central tenet of the republican movement, the establishment of a '32 County [socialist] Irish Republic'. Whatever else is held aloft by republicans as "principles", the achievement of a United Ireland overrides them all, especially for the provisional’s and Catholic Nationalist republicans. Stability in Northern Ireland and the peace process is simply a strategy shift for the Provos, a game to be played in order to attain their coveted united Irish republic.
Provisional strategy is to maintain loyalty and order within the republican community by a campaign of distraction politics; a sustained attack on Unionist culture and emblems, unequal demands for the promotion of nationalist Irish culture and identity. Irish republicans have never desired mere reform or justice in Northern Ireland.
When the false promises by republican leaders like Martin McGuinness raise the hopes for a united Ireland, the rank-and-file republicans on the street will perhaps tow the party line, but when the time comes and no united Ireland has been established that same rank-and-file will most likely abandon the new strategy for that similar to the dissidents and the men of physical violence so admired by republicans.
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Our Orwellian Future
At this moment in time we appear to be losing more rights and freedoms, or at least theres a sustained campaign to justify the invasion of our privacy, namely Jacqui Smith & Co. They've threatened us with a "national database" but opted instead to do it by proxy promoted the idea of "National ID Cards" to keep us safer?
In Manchester a "voluntary" trial of ID cards is taking place to try to legitimise the expansion of state control over our private lives.
On a European level democracy and sovereignty are held in contempt by unnamed unaccountable euro-federalists who voted by a majority of 499 to ignore the Irish Republics 'No' vote on the anti-liberty expansionist Lisbon Treaty. This requires the employment of subversive means to redraft the failed treaty in order to usurp the democratic will of countries that voted no.
"Public opinion will be led to adopt, without knowing it, the proposals that we dare not present to them directly, all the earlier proposals will be in the new text, but will be hidden and disguised ... What was difficult to understand will become utterly incomprehensible ..." Valery Giscard d'Estaing
The time seems right to me for everyone to familiarise themselves with George Orwell's "1984" it may be the blueprint for our Orwellian future!
In Manchester a "voluntary" trial of ID cards is taking place to try to legitimise the expansion of state control over our private lives.
On a European level democracy and sovereignty are held in contempt by unnamed unaccountable euro-federalists who voted by a majority of 499 to ignore the Irish Republics 'No' vote on the anti-liberty expansionist Lisbon Treaty. This requires the employment of subversive means to redraft the failed treaty in order to usurp the democratic will of countries that voted no.
"Public opinion will be led to adopt, without knowing it, the proposals that we dare not present to them directly, all the earlier proposals will be in the new text, but will be hidden and disguised ... What was difficult to understand will become utterly incomprehensible ..." Valery Giscard d'Estaing
The time seems right to me for everyone to familiarise themselves with George Orwell's "1984" it may be the blueprint for our Orwellian future!
Thursday, 7 May 2009
European Elections: Unionists Divided
With the upcoming European elections on June 4 the unionist parties and their respective candidates are now split three ways.
Our current top MEP Jim Allister is leader of his own Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) after breaking off from the DUP over the St. Andrews Agreement. His stance is that of Ian Paisley pre-St Andrews, anti-Sinn Fein, opposed to power sharing with ex-provos, with an air of moral untouchability.
Jim Nicholson is now the candidate of the Ulster Unionist Coalition Party (UUCP) a pact between the UUP and the UK Conservative Party. The popularity of such an alliance is not widely known, with recent defections to the TUV and early criticism from Lady Sylvia Hermon the parties only MLA.
Peter Robinson our First Minister and leader of the DUP has selected Diane Dodd’s, wife of Nigel Dodd’s our Minister of Finance, to replace Jim Allister. Although small and seemingly quiet, Mrs Dodd’s is well spoken, but between Peter and Nigel looks more like a well trained poodle.
Jim Allister blames the DUP for betraying their promises not to share power with Sinn Fein/IRA and claims the moral high ground Ian Paisley used to, while the DUP blame Allister for splitting the unionist vote and behaving like a circus act. Jim Nicholson blames both the TUV & DUP of claiming the position the UUP once held under David Trimble, of course now his party are playing with the big boys of Cameron & Co.
As can be seen from this, European issues are playing second fiddle to local pettiness; Euro federalists want to create a united states of Europe, destroying national sovereignty, democracy and any remaining semblance of individual nationhood. Our political leaders seem only to be paying lip service to addressing European issues.
Not being a party loyalist I have no ties or unwavering support for either of the unionist parties, so my choice isn't based on tradition or factionalism. But I'm unsure whether my concerns about European imperialism are shared by the candidates.
Right now I'm leaning towards Jim Nicholson UUCP. Labour is internally split and weakened under Gordon Brown, so the conservatives could well form the next UK government, an alliance then could provide a greater role for unionism within the heart of the UK and Europe?!
Check up on your MEPs
Ps
While researching the role of MEPs I noticed many questions or speeches unrelated to European matters; human rights in Tibet, riots in Thailand and poverty in Africa, which demonstrates to me that the EU doesn't see itself as a European parliament but as an international body; my question then is what’s the UN for?
Our current top MEP Jim Allister is leader of his own Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) after breaking off from the DUP over the St. Andrews Agreement. His stance is that of Ian Paisley pre-St Andrews, anti-Sinn Fein, opposed to power sharing with ex-provos, with an air of moral untouchability.
Jim Nicholson is now the candidate of the Ulster Unionist Coalition Party (UUCP) a pact between the UUP and the UK Conservative Party. The popularity of such an alliance is not widely known, with recent defections to the TUV and early criticism from Lady Sylvia Hermon the parties only MLA.
Peter Robinson our First Minister and leader of the DUP has selected Diane Dodd’s, wife of Nigel Dodd’s our Minister of Finance, to replace Jim Allister. Although small and seemingly quiet, Mrs Dodd’s is well spoken, but between Peter and Nigel looks more like a well trained poodle.
Jim Allister blames the DUP for betraying their promises not to share power with Sinn Fein/IRA and claims the moral high ground Ian Paisley used to, while the DUP blame Allister for splitting the unionist vote and behaving like a circus act. Jim Nicholson blames both the TUV & DUP of claiming the position the UUP once held under David Trimble, of course now his party are playing with the big boys of Cameron & Co.
As can be seen from this, European issues are playing second fiddle to local pettiness; Euro federalists want to create a united states of Europe, destroying national sovereignty, democracy and any remaining semblance of individual nationhood. Our political leaders seem only to be paying lip service to addressing European issues.
Not being a party loyalist I have no ties or unwavering support for either of the unionist parties, so my choice isn't based on tradition or factionalism. But I'm unsure whether my concerns about European imperialism are shared by the candidates.
Right now I'm leaning towards Jim Nicholson UUCP. Labour is internally split and weakened under Gordon Brown, so the conservatives could well form the next UK government, an alliance then could provide a greater role for unionism within the heart of the UK and Europe?!
Check up on your MEPs
Ps
While researching the role of MEPs I noticed many questions or speeches unrelated to European matters; human rights in Tibet, riots in Thailand and poverty in Africa, which demonstrates to me that the EU doesn't see itself as a European parliament but as an international body; my question then is what’s the UN for?
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Obama: Just Another Politician
President Obama despite all the praise, deification and outlandish claims of his cult-like followers, is nothing more than a typical politician.
All of the talk of his first 100 days as President was the usual media hype and OTT reporting. Of course beyond the hype and media coverage Obama was faffing around with his cabinet appointments, engaging in corporatist takeovers, increasing un-necessary spending and relocating US troops from Iraq to Afghanistan.
As a foreign Obama supporter my reasons for supporting his campaign was, like many Americans, I was unimpressed with the nutty John McCain and his supposedly "folksy hockey mom" running mate Sarah Palin. Perhaps I'm too cynical but I didn't buy her routine as an "average Jane", she is as power hungry and manipulative as any Hillary Clinton or John McCain.
Joe Biden on the other hand has nothing to learn from George W Bush when it comes to bumbling about and gaffe making. Then again "The One" himself isn't immune from gaffes; is their only 50 states? And his malfunctioning teleprompter of course.
Obama is not the saviour of America or a superman president, perhaps he’s more articulate and media savvy, although it wouldn't be hard considering the last guy who was in the White House or with a media still besotted with their great black hope. Indeed the honeymoon isn't over and 100 days is nothing out of 4 years.
That said President Obama has already broken many of his election pledges and his, to be fair rather unachievable promises; indeed his ultra-liberal supporters will have a lot of overlooking to do if they want to still believe in "Yes We Can".
He promised to shut down Guantanamo because of its "inhumane treatment" of enemy-combatants.
"The Obama administration is moving toward reviving the military commission system for prosecuting Guantánamo detainees, which was a target of critics during the Bush administration, including Mr. Obama himself."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/us/politics/02gitmo.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss
His agenda for a fiscal stimulus descended into 'earmarks' and corporate takeovers resulting in a tightening of free enterprise.
"Obama criticized pork barrel spending in the form of 'earmarks,' urging changes in the way that Congress adopts the spending proposals. Then he signed a spending bill that contains nearly 9,000 of them, some that members of his own staff shoved in last year when they were still members of Congress. 'Let there be no doubt, this piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business, and the beginning of a new era of responsibility and accountability,' Obama said." http://www.nypost.com/seven/04252009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/100_days__100_mistakes_166177.htm?page=0
"In this NPR interview, Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, gives her perspective (and her boss's) on the auto industry (HT: TJ Goss). In the second quote from her, I have tried to reproduce the sounds she makes in trying to avoid telling a ridiculous lie. She tells it anyway. From the 3:35 mark of the interview:
Jackson: The President has said—and I couldn’t agree more—that what this country needs is one single national road map that tells auto makers who are trying to become solvent again, what kind of car it is they need to be designing and building for the American people.
NPR reporter (interrupting): Is that the role of the government. though? I mean that doesn’t sound like free enterprise.
Jackson: Well, ih it , it is free enterprise in a way. Umm uhh you know, first and foremost the free enterprise system has us where we are right this second (laughs) and so some would argue that the government already has a much larger role than we might have when Henry Ford rolled the first cars off the assembly line."
http://www.cafehayek.com/hayek/2009/04/the-woman-and-man-of-system.html
The old saying "be careful what you wish for" sums up Obama’s first 100 days as President. Not exactly "The One" or "like a messiah", just a regular politician in a fancy house.
All of the talk of his first 100 days as President was the usual media hype and OTT reporting. Of course beyond the hype and media coverage Obama was faffing around with his cabinet appointments, engaging in corporatist takeovers, increasing un-necessary spending and relocating US troops from Iraq to Afghanistan.
As a foreign Obama supporter my reasons for supporting his campaign was, like many Americans, I was unimpressed with the nutty John McCain and his supposedly "folksy hockey mom" running mate Sarah Palin. Perhaps I'm too cynical but I didn't buy her routine as an "average Jane", she is as power hungry and manipulative as any Hillary Clinton or John McCain.
Joe Biden on the other hand has nothing to learn from George W Bush when it comes to bumbling about and gaffe making. Then again "The One" himself isn't immune from gaffes; is their only 50 states? And his malfunctioning teleprompter of course.
Obama is not the saviour of America or a superman president, perhaps he’s more articulate and media savvy, although it wouldn't be hard considering the last guy who was in the White House or with a media still besotted with their great black hope. Indeed the honeymoon isn't over and 100 days is nothing out of 4 years.
That said President Obama has already broken many of his election pledges and his, to be fair rather unachievable promises; indeed his ultra-liberal supporters will have a lot of overlooking to do if they want to still believe in "Yes We Can".
He promised to shut down Guantanamo because of its "inhumane treatment" of enemy-combatants.
"The Obama administration is moving toward reviving the military commission system for prosecuting Guantánamo detainees, which was a target of critics during the Bush administration, including Mr. Obama himself."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/us/politics/02gitmo.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss
His agenda for a fiscal stimulus descended into 'earmarks' and corporate takeovers resulting in a tightening of free enterprise.
"Obama criticized pork barrel spending in the form of 'earmarks,' urging changes in the way that Congress adopts the spending proposals. Then he signed a spending bill that contains nearly 9,000 of them, some that members of his own staff shoved in last year when they were still members of Congress. 'Let there be no doubt, this piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business, and the beginning of a new era of responsibility and accountability,' Obama said." http://www.nypost.com/seven/04252009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/100_days__100_mistakes_166177.htm?page=0
"In this NPR interview, Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, gives her perspective (and her boss's) on the auto industry (HT: TJ Goss). In the second quote from her, I have tried to reproduce the sounds she makes in trying to avoid telling a ridiculous lie. She tells it anyway. From the 3:35 mark of the interview:
Jackson: The President has said—and I couldn’t agree more—that what this country needs is one single national road map that tells auto makers who are trying to become solvent again, what kind of car it is they need to be designing and building for the American people.
NPR reporter (interrupting): Is that the role of the government. though? I mean that doesn’t sound like free enterprise.
Jackson: Well, ih it , it is free enterprise in a way. Umm uhh you know, first and foremost the free enterprise system has us where we are right this second (laughs) and so some would argue that the government already has a much larger role than we might have when Henry Ford rolled the first cars off the assembly line."
http://www.cafehayek.com/hayek/2009/04/the-woman-and-man-of-system.html
The old saying "be careful what you wish for" sums up Obama’s first 100 days as President. Not exactly "The One" or "like a messiah", just a regular politician in a fancy house.
Friday, 1 May 2009
1 May 1707: Acts of Union
On this day in 1707 the Acts of Union, joining together the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland, passed into law creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain. A new flag combining the flags of the Cross of Saint George (England) and Saltire of Saint Andrew (Scotland) was created. The 1801 Act of Union would add the red Saltire of Saint Patrick (Ireland) to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
McIlveen Murderers Get LIGHT Sentences
"Michael McIlveen's brutal killers get life
Four told they will serve minimum of 10-13 years in jail"
The brutal sectarian murderers of Michael McIlveen in Ballymena did not get "life", by any definition of the word, it seems light sentencing in Europe is a pandemic especially in the Britsh Isles. Here in Northern Ireland child molesters, rapists, terrorists and murderers, will never face the sentences they deserve. Especially with a liberal judiciary afraid to commit the un-pc crime of issuing righteous justice.
"Today at Antrim Crown Court, Christopher Francis Kerr (22), of Carnduff Drive, was jailed for a minimum of 13 years, Jeff Colin Lewis (20) of Rossdale and Aaron Cavana Wallace (20) of Moat Road were each jailed for 11 years, and Mervyn Wilson Moon (20) was jailed for 10 years for murder."
Lewis, Kerr and Wallace were all convicted of murder following a lengthy trial. Moon had pleaded guilty to murder at the start of the trial in September 2008.
The judge imposed the highest sentence on Kerr, stating that he had gone to “considerable trouble” to secure the baseball bat which was used in the attack and that he had indicated no remorse for his role in the murder and has failed to accept any responsibility.
He added that in the case of Lewis and Wallace, there is “no clear evidence of remorse or contrition”.
So Kerr shows no remorse for killing an innocent human being with a baseball bat, yet he only receives 13 years of a supposed "life sentence"! Life should mean life, otherwise don't insult our intelligence by calling it a life sentence.
"In a family impact statement produced to the court, Michael’s mother Gina told of her heartbreak over her son’s death and said she was very proud of him.
She said: “For anyone to have their son taken from them so suddenly is a horrendous experience. For it to occur in such a violent manner and the public attention that followed only magnifies this.
“It has been extremely difficult trying to make any sense of what happened to Michael that night. My health has suffered and there have been times when I have not been able to cope. We sympathise with the families of those convicted in connection with Michael’s murder. We would not wish any other parent or family to experience what our family has gone through over the past three years. Michael was a brilliant wee fella and we were very close. He was happy go lucky and always had a big smile. He made me so proud to see the young man he grew into and I just hope he realises how much we all love and miss him.”
I express my sympathies to the McIlveen family.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/michael-mcilveens-brutal-killers-get-life-1677359.html
Four told they will serve minimum of 10-13 years in jail"
The brutal sectarian murderers of Michael McIlveen in Ballymena did not get "life", by any definition of the word, it seems light sentencing in Europe is a pandemic especially in the Britsh Isles. Here in Northern Ireland child molesters, rapists, terrorists and murderers, will never face the sentences they deserve. Especially with a liberal judiciary afraid to commit the un-pc crime of issuing righteous justice.
"Today at Antrim Crown Court, Christopher Francis Kerr (22), of Carnduff Drive, was jailed for a minimum of 13 years, Jeff Colin Lewis (20) of Rossdale and Aaron Cavana Wallace (20) of Moat Road were each jailed for 11 years, and Mervyn Wilson Moon (20) was jailed for 10 years for murder."
Lewis, Kerr and Wallace were all convicted of murder following a lengthy trial. Moon had pleaded guilty to murder at the start of the trial in September 2008.
The judge imposed the highest sentence on Kerr, stating that he had gone to “considerable trouble” to secure the baseball bat which was used in the attack and that he had indicated no remorse for his role in the murder and has failed to accept any responsibility.
He added that in the case of Lewis and Wallace, there is “no clear evidence of remorse or contrition”.
So Kerr shows no remorse for killing an innocent human being with a baseball bat, yet he only receives 13 years of a supposed "life sentence"! Life should mean life, otherwise don't insult our intelligence by calling it a life sentence.
"In a family impact statement produced to the court, Michael’s mother Gina told of her heartbreak over her son’s death and said she was very proud of him.
She said: “For anyone to have their son taken from them so suddenly is a horrendous experience. For it to occur in such a violent manner and the public attention that followed only magnifies this.
“It has been extremely difficult trying to make any sense of what happened to Michael that night. My health has suffered and there have been times when I have not been able to cope. We sympathise with the families of those convicted in connection with Michael’s murder. We would not wish any other parent or family to experience what our family has gone through over the past three years. Michael was a brilliant wee fella and we were very close. He was happy go lucky and always had a big smile. He made me so proud to see the young man he grew into and I just hope he realises how much we all love and miss him.”
I express my sympathies to the McIlveen family.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/michael-mcilveens-brutal-killers-get-life-1677359.html
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