Comments on The Pensive Quill: Forever Young

Stray Taoist - much appreciated coming from you. T...

2009-05-12T21:32:00.000+01:00

Stray Taoist - much appreciated coming from you. Thanks.

Kate I don't think any of us who were there at the time have ever forgotten him or the others who died.

Westie, good to see you are still about. You will always find that type of attitude in all walks of life.

A very moving tribute. You've never forgotten him...

2009-05-11T21:34:00.000+01:00

A very moving tribute. You've never forgotten him, I'll give you that.

Anonymous When you ask 'For what?' I think you ar...

2009-05-09T17:18:00.000+01:00

Anonymous

When you ask 'For what?' I think you are missing the point somewhat of Anthony's piece. In 1981, it seemed like 'for everything' and the prisoners themselves took the fight to the British - the war had moved into the H Blocks for a number of years and the Hunger Strike was the culmination of that phase of war. The price was very high, too high many would argue, but taking a position on it's merits and the legacy it left for Irish Republicans as well as the Brits is easier to do almost thirty years after the event than it was in 1981 and the immediate years thereafter.

Your comments about the Dunville Park and Donegal (note it has one 'L' as opposed to Lord Donegall) are typical of those who like to criticise others but do very little themselves for their community or their country.

Slán

Westie

for wat

2009-05-07T23:47:00.000+01:00

for wat

i ask again for wat bobby might as well as watched...

2009-05-07T23:43:00.000+01:00

i ask again for wat bobby might as well as watched his granchiler playing in the dunville park then again he might not the counsil usally closes it a sf led councill the laughter of our children my childers not seeing any benifits wish somebody would lend us a home in donegall

Very sad but very well presented, as I read this p...

2009-05-07T21:05:00.000+01:00

Very sad but very well presented, as I read this post one is thinking on two fronts firstly all the hurt the deaths caused to everyone involved and secondly and more important would all those whom were at the heart of the Hunger Strikes be as fully supportive if our current day "freedom fighters" were to embark on a similar road. Here's hoping we never see the like again

"Fuair Roibeard bás"-- the Irish that Brendan anno...

2009-05-07T19:06:00.000+01:00

"Fuair Roibeard bás"-- the Irish that Brendan announced, captures better than stolid Béarla the way he died, and perhaps that "the Dark" would also depart. "Death found" one, "death took" you away.

Bobby did not want to leave. His choice was confirmed beyond his power, as his control slipped away into inner resolution. Go dtuga suaimhneas dóibh anamachaí. May peace rest on their souls.

Very well written piece Anthony...nearly 4000 peop...

2009-05-06T20:07:00.000+01:00

Very well written piece Anthony...nearly 4000 people dead and god knows how many families ripped apart due to OTRs and jailed parents..including my own family and I wonder really to myself was this all so we could get a "Super SDLP". We no longer have reds under the beds or for that matter pinks.. a large portion of republicans as outlined by some of the posts here are more like a light shade of Lilac..

Excellent post

2009-05-06T17:22:00.000+01:00

Excellent post

Ardoyne Republican: Shaming the authorities is al...

2009-05-06T10:47:00.000+01:00

Ardoyne Republican:

Shaming the authorities is all well and good, and reform was (and still is, in the wider sense) needed. However, someone dying for whatever cause does not make it just. Many have died throughout history for many different causes, some just, some not. That was my point.

More of the same? God no, having lived through it, seen more than I should have, I wouldn't want that. When did I imply more of the same? That is the standard response.

My issues with a 'Socialist Democratic Republic' (note I never used the word 'Irish' in there, this is a wider point) is that socialism is the farthest thing from democratic, and is lowest-common-denominator politics. Progressive? Not a bit of it. Logical? Only in the most twisted, perverse way. And it certainly isn't just. The politics of envy and destruction.

Meet me in the pub sometime and we can argue this out more :)

Stray Taoist: Every hunger-striker from Tomas Ashe...

2009-05-06T10:01:00.000+01:00

Stray Taoist: Every hunger-striker from Tomas Ashe in 1917 to Micky Devine in 1981. Knew their deaths would shame the authorities about their comrades treatment. As well as,proving they were indeed Political Prisoners!

Seeking,promoting and struggling for an Irish Socialist Democratic Republic is far from 'mythical or misguided'. It is the only logical and most progressive of political idealogies on this island.

What is your own theory for a new type of Ireland? More of the same?

Anthony: A great post, I have to say, it really is...

2009-05-06T09:28:00.000+01:00

Anthony: A great post, I have to say, it really is, and much better (even from my alternative perspective) than any of the other partisan pieces I have read on the subject.

Ardoyne Republican: I am not sure how dying for a cause makes it just, less so some mythical (and misguided) 'Socialist Democratic Republic'.

Oglach. Bobby Sands M.P. will forever remembered a...

2009-05-06T00:44:00.000+01:00

Oglach. Bobby Sands M.P. will forever remembered as will his nine comrades. Who gave everything including their lives to prove to the world that the struggle for a 32 County Socialist Democratic Republic was just!

Beir Bua Bobby!

what was it all for i keep asking myself

2009-05-06T00:34:00.000+01:00

what was it all for i keep asking myself