Comments on The Pensive Quill: Belfast Agreement

Liam, in the 1990s Martin Mansergh, knowing that...

2010-09-04T14:47:20.540+01:00

Liam,

in the 1990s Martin Mansergh, knowing that SF were looking a way out, began developing differing definitions of self-determination to provide some cover. It was clear back in 1995 that SF felt the need for some flexibility on the matter. Vincent Browne was at the time reported to have said something should be done like covering the mouth with the hand and mumbling something indecipherable in order to give SF a way out. At the RDS in 95 I made the point that self determination was moving in the direction of the nation determining that the North would only be part of it when the North agreed. I think that is where we are at now.

I have recently come accross this book: Jonathan T...

2010-09-04T14:14:49.124+01:00

I have recently come accross this book:
Jonathan Tonge, The New Northern Irish Politics? London: Palgrave, 2005
On page 47, Professor Tonge writes that "the 1998 referendum was not an exercise in Irish self-determination but rather a limited device for partial codetermination."
Further on he explains that:
"given the aggregate preference for Irish unity...the claim that a single-option referendum that excluded this option from the ballot paper...constituted a true exercise in Irish self-determination is dubious. assuming, not unreasonably, that the electoral process is designed to facilitate the unfettered will of the people, a UK election in which the Labour Party appeared as the only choice on the ballot paper could hardly be called a democratic contest. None of this is to dismiss the symbolic importance of borth parts of the island voting on essentially the same topic for the first time since 1918, when of course the result of a genuine exercise in Irish self-determination was ignored. Rather, it is merely to puncture the grandiose claims made about the 1998 referedums, which in fact were limited exercise in codetermination in that no alternative choices were put to the people, for pragmatic reasons and perhaps for fear of producing the 'wrong' result." (pp.50-51)

Liam, this is a comprehensive and persuasive debun...

2010-09-04T13:45:36.760+01:00

Liam, this is a comprehensive and persuasive debunking of the GFA from a republican perspective. Concise but incisive

Nuala, ‘It is still hard to believe that these e...

2010-08-14T08:39:46.061+01:00

Nuala,

‘It is still hard to believe that these events were played out before
our very eyes and many of us still could not see the betrayal or the
extent of it .. I really do not know, whether it is the truth or the extent of our own
naivety that people like me find so hard to swallow?’

This sums up the dilemma faced by so many of us. Denialism is so widespread in our daily existence and what is in front of our noses is what we tend not to see. Very few of us do not slip into it at some point. I think it is human nature to have a blind spot in relation to the things we cherish. Look at our own children – very hard to have the view of them that the neighbour has!! I was chatting to a Shinner recently of all people, and ventured an opinion which he proceeded in front of my eyes to take apart. And I thought to myself ‘HTF did I not see that?’ It happens Nuala – all the time and everywhere.

loruairc, Thank you so much for this, I h...

2010-08-07T19:21:04.651+01:00

loruairc,
Thank you so much for this, I have just finished reading it.
For years I have been puzzled as to why the Basque people still flock to Sinn Fein.
Ramon's analysis provides a very articulate and viable explaination.

Fionnuala: I recommend reading this: http://port...

2010-08-07T14:29:05.113+01:00

Fionnuala: I recommend reading this:

http://portal.uam.es/portal/page/portal/UAM_ORGANIZATIVO/Departamentos/CienciaPoliticaRelacionesInternacionales/publicaciones%20en%20red/working_papers/archivos/35_2004.pdf

ATTEMPTING TO END VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE BASQUE COUNTRY:
THE MISREPRESENTATION OF THE IRISH MODEL
ROGELIO ALONSO
Investigador Ramón y Cajal de Ciencia Política,

The article shows the fundamental misunderstanding of the "Irish model" in the Basque country

once again the bold liam thinks that the peace pro...

2010-07-26T19:46:37.702+01:00

once again the bold liam thinks that the peace process begins and ends with the good friday agreement, or to use liams and the unionist term, the belfast agreement, wonder what thats all about,
the war then peace process started with the first shots, and will continue to the end of the last brit guns in IRELAND,

liam says that SINN FEIN kept a low profile during the negotiations, how does he know,
well he listens to what crown supporters say, and he quotes them regularly
he also quotes stupid intellectuals and a sunday newspaper to help him out.

there is no mention to the change in equality law at stormont, the unionists plus the stoops plus the brits now support an agreement which removed the crown from the assembly to the police, no mean feat,this was not available in 1975, did no crown supporter tell you this liam, is this why you do not know.

republicans were able to negotiate freely in 1998, trimple was under the impression that republicans would not take their seats, so he signed, he got a nobel prize, before he got the boot, now sir reg is for the chop, the u.u.p was bluffed, its what good negotiaters do.

walking into a crown free assembly was a totally new ball game,
there was an issue or two to sort out, the assembly is a handy vehicle for those who love equality,
the brits were brought in from the cold to be a persuader for peace.

Liam, have found this fascinating reading. Recent...

2010-07-25T19:35:22.174+01:00

Liam, have found this fascinating reading.

Recently I was speaking to a friend who now lives and works in the Basque country.
I asked him, did the Basque people actually believe the Sinn Fein spin that, we actually achieved some sort of victory here and he told me they did.

I accept the believe that, political power is the end goal for most revolutionary movements.
In the case of the 'mainstream republican' however, it was political power at any price.

Adams had to ensure that he would be portrayed as a facilitator rather than a bit player.

It is still hard to believe that these events were played out before our very eyes and many of us still could not see the betrayal or the extent of it.

I really do not know, whether it is the truth or the extent of our own naivety that people like me find so hard to swallow?