Comments on The Pensive Quill: No Minute Silence

Therein lies the dilemma. Too many already lost to...

2008-09-20T18:43:00.000+01:00

Therein lies the dilemma. Too many already lost to give it up - too many certain to be lost if it goes on.

"Where we would differ I imagine is that you feel ...

2008-09-19T09:11:00.000+01:00

"Where we would differ I imagine is that you feel a prescription for a way forward is possible whereas I do not."

I hope you are wrong. Too many lives have been lost and ruined.

It strikes me that you feel there is a vacuum in t...

2008-09-17T20:27:00.000+01:00

It strikes me that you feel there is a vacuum in the substance of the critique; that it only takes the analysis so far but does not address the question of 'what is to be done?' It fails to prescribe a course of action which in my view, you feel, is vital if the situation is to be rectified. I think you are right on this. Where we would differ I imagine is that you feel a prescription for a way forward is possible whereas I do not.

"You feel the need for something prescriptive."
2008-09-17T13:07:00.000+01:00
"You feel the need for something prescriptive."

Sorry, but what does this mean?

'Expertise' is always a contested concept. I tried...

2008-09-16T18:37:00.000+01:00

'Expertise' is always a contested concept. I tried to be descriptive. You feel the need for something prescriptive. Where it might come from I am not sure. That it has not so far is a comment in itself on what I feel is the devaluation of the republican project.

"I have not the slightest intention of being impal...

2008-09-16T11:22:00.000+01:00

"I have not the slightest intention of being impaled on any more hooks. Unfortunately, this is it. Hence the title of the book."

Fair enough. Sorry if I came across wrong. My intention was to encourage a continued expert analysis of events.

I have not the slightest intention of being impale...

2008-09-15T19:13:00.000+01:00

I have not the slightest intention of being impaled on any more hooks. Unfortunately, this is it. Hence the title of the book.

I really like this book, loved the "lying still" c...

2008-09-11T16:00:00.000+01:00

I really like this book, loved the "lying still" comment.

Marvellous speech at the Hunger Striker commeration. Really encapsulates what so many felt but couldn't express as eloquently as yourself.

But I'm still wondering "what now?". Is that it, have SF pulled it off? And Durkans recent speech about majority rule, could this be another "never but maybe" situation.

Sorry but you can't be let off the hook so easily. Lets have the epilogue this book so richly deserves.

Anonymous, bitterness was not the dominant emotion...

2008-08-26T20:57:00.000+01:00

Anonymous, bitterness was not the dominant emotion I experienced while writing. At least I do not recall it being. People have sometimes said that there was bitterness there and I remember discussing it at length with a SF friend who felt it was bitter. I imagine bitterness comes when there is no outlet. I always found writing a great outlet. Sometimes defiance is confused or conflated with bitterness. I suppose it will always be open to interpretation, some seeing in it bitterness and others sweetness. A case of whose ox is being gored I imagine.
How do I feel today? Vindicated without feeling any urge to say I told you so.
I am not sure an epilogue is needed. I think the title is epilogue enough.

Karen, my autograph. Not want something useful? Ye...

2008-08-26T20:35:00.000+01:00

Karen, my autograph. Not want something useful? Yes, it all came to so very little. Such a poor political return for a huge human investment

I bought your book anthony from queens book shop. ...

2008-08-26T18:45:00.000+01:00

I bought your book anthony from queens book shop. I haven't read it all yet, but it looks good, plenty of pieces in there that I hadn't seen before. Only one thing has struck me, there is no epilogue, which is a pity - an update on how you see things would have rounded it off quite nicely.

Also when your essays are put together like that, a lot of vitrol and anger comes out, do you still feel that way?

Good Friday: The Death of Irish Republicanism . . ...

2008-08-18T14:21:00.000+01:00

Good Friday: The Death of Irish Republicanism . . . an autographed copy would be nice to have in hand someday! (hint:)

When people were caught up in the midst of the Provisional death throes and for whatever ideal they thought they were furthering, their lives were full of busy-ness about it and all-consumed with possible outcomes.

Now when reflecting back on THE outcome, there is not much in all those minutes, hours, days, months, and years of activity worth remembering. There is only the persistent silence of the many dead and of the living made to suffer. For who? For what? For the sight of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness slurping ice cream cones at a Hunger Strike Commemoration publicity shoot? That was the apex? Agony traded for that 'achievement'? What success!