Comments on The Pensive Quill: Pumping Up The Volume

Anthony agree with that mo cara,but its a problem ...

2011-07-16T14:16:19.529+01:00

Anthony agree with that mo cara,but its a problem they cant sweep under any agreement carpet,or to quote the bearded one it wont go away you know!

Marty, the problem for the Shinners is that each ...

2011-07-16T12:35:10.892+01:00

Marty,

the problem for the Shinners is that each time they take up an issue like this they are being confronted with a problem they told every body they had solved.

Anthony if the boot was on the other foot so to sp...

2011-07-16T11:43:34.343+01:00

Anthony if the boot was on the other foot so to speak i.e. if Marian was a uvf/uda member you can bet your ass that there would be plenty within the dup including ministers would be demanding her immediate release,

Larry, and that media profile is not being used t...

2011-07-16T08:07:07.607+01:00

Larry,

and that media profile is not being used to highlight the plight of people like Marian Price. You would imagine that rather than giving time to chasing after money from the Sunday World over something mundane said about him 15 years ago Kelly would be openly pushing for the release of Marian.

Tiarna, 'I understand that a number of Republ...

2011-07-14T15:35:32.196+01:00

Tiarna,

'I understand that a number of Republican prisoners returned to jail
support the GFA?'

A far as I am aware that was true in the case of the abandoned volunteers. from the Tohill operation. I can't think of any others.

Unbelievable! The stance SF took over Mary McArdle...

2011-07-14T13:04:37.077+01:00

Unbelievable! The stance SF took over Mary McArdle (and rightly so), and the stance they're taking over Marian Price (i.e. none)is disgusting! What will it take to get these mealy mouthed Uncle Toms (a name they used to hang on Gerry Fitt) to even comment on this? Sorry, I'm away here to throw up in a bucket!

Ms Price should be released immediately, even if, ...

2011-07-13T14:15:16.137+01:00

Ms Price should be released immediately, even if, only on grounds of bail. However, this case highlights much wider issues.

This blogg in some ways holds direct relationship to other recent bloggs highlighting the proliferation of various Republican groups; with the only distinguishing feature between them for most observers seems to be no more than their leaderships.

In the absence of an Amnesty I would imagine it would be unwise for any brand of Republicanism(including SF variety), Loyalism, or Security Forces to assume that they have a clean slate as result of the GFA. While it would not be hard to figure why dissidents might specifically be targeted for return to jail or face fresh charges relating to a pre-GFA incident, it cannot be assumed that they would be the only target, or infact that they will be exclusively Republican. I understand that a number of Republican prisoners returned to jail support the GFA? If that is true then that would rubbish arguments of dissidents being 'victimised'. Realistically it would probably still be as unlikely to see former members of the security forces put in prison for past actions (not least because many of those actions may have been sanctioned from higher up)?

While I make no judgment in regard the controversy regarding the Boston Tapes I can understand why anyone who believes that they have been named might have real concerns to know exactly what has been said about them --especially as they could be subject to legal action resulting in imprisonment. As has been pointed out, academia does not enjoy the same protection as journalism no matter how well intentioned.

For anyone named on the BT's they have no way of knowing if the Contributor/s were inadvertently prepared, shaped or polished in their delivery of their recollections, or if any attempts were made to eliminate inconsistencies, avoid details or conceal information.

If Contributors consulted with friends or former collegaues before recording their history on tape then they may have been vulnerable to suggestion or cues independent of the Interviewer's and without their knowledge?

It is also possible that while Contributors to the BT's may have intended to be truthful and accurate the errosion's of time or developed prejudices may inadvertently have crept into their narrative's?

There will always be a legacy of the past, for some it might be ever haunting nightmares but for others it could be stalking inquisidors.

While the subject of what constitutes 'assisting terrorism' is a matter for the court to decide Ms Price's treatement is excessively oppressive and legally questionable and she should be released immediately -even if pending any future court hearing.

Effectively Ms Price's life sentence has been revived on what at best is a minor offence (do these minor offences only exist in cases where the perpetrator is encumbered with a previous life sentence? Then a breach of equality laws would arise for arbitrary arrest) That Ms Price committed an offence at all is for a court to decide and not an Executive Court. While the 'law' means whatever those in political power want it to mean in places like Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Burma, China, or many similar states, NI is said to be a democratic society?

Eddie, The Feet was about you being spied on was ...

2011-07-13T11:16:52.989+01:00

Eddie,

The Feet was about you being spied on was it not? I forgot all about it until you mentioned the title. Long time ago! One of the many that made it into the Cynic’s Book Of Alternative Poetry and Prose.

What is happening to Marian should cause concern further afield than republicanism. We can expect silence from the usual suspects.

Frankie,

approved and unapproved!

Interestint the media 'profiles' of Price ...

2011-07-12T20:04:06.185+01:00

Interestint the media 'profiles' of Price and Kelly. The media were the biggest players in putting SF leaders on a pedestal.

Greta article that, just says it like it is.

Some excellent points in this article Mackers.This...

2011-07-12T16:40:47.145+01:00

Some excellent points in this article Mackers.This latest strategy by the Brit occupiers should be of a concern to republicans.I can say without fear of being proved wrong that SF need not worry as they are now a party more akin to American repulicans rather than the Irish variety.Their collective silence over this new form of internment is deafening.

Ps Mackers,I dont think I am the Eddie O person you thought I was.
I know you will remember me if I remind you that I inspired you to write a poem called, The feet.lol+

Q...If both Marian Price & Gerry McGeough are ...

2011-07-11T22:49:25.100+01:00

Q...If both Marian Price & Gerry McGeough are 'guilty' of breaking terms laid out in the GFA..Then why isn't the same rule of law applied to Marty Mc G.? Wasn't he not so long ago at a memorial for IRA vols..where children were dressed up as 'terrorists' and holding replica guns...? He could-should be charged with supporting 'terrorists'...

A damning assessment. Gave me plenty to think abou...

2011-07-11T20:32:00.716+01:00

A damning assessment. Gave me plenty to think about.