Comments on The Pensive Quill: Way Forward for Dissident Republicans

AR, I think this happened because post-Omagh the ...

2012-08-27T07:19:29.478+01:00

AR,

I think this happened because post-Omagh the term dissident took on a very pejorative inflexion. It was reshaped to ensure in the public eye it equated with violence. Republicans are by nature dissidents. It is when they cease to be that problems arise.

Dr. Coulters no meat on the bone repeated offer re...

2012-08-23T18:46:43.755+01:00

Dr. Coulters no meat on the bone repeated offer reads more like a unionist recruitment drive.
It seems like the Dr. is more concerned with weakening PSF than reaching out to the militant factions.
Building a unified Independent Irish Republican party is the only logical way forward.
By Coulter's logic, it is a win, win no matter which way anti treaty republicans go form a party and support coulter's fear of PSF or the unionist will unleash their SAS hounds. Considering they are highly unlikely to vote PSF at present already doing what the Dr. suggests but with the usual unionist domination insisting that revenge is the only reason anti treaty republicans should build a party.

The Dr. sounds disappointed that unionism did not smash PSF and worried now they are partners.

Ardoyne Republican, I agree with you on the “diss...

2012-08-23T18:31:30.444+01:00

Ardoyne Republican,

I agree with you on the “dissident” term.

Dave, hopefully that question never has an answe...

2012-08-23T18:31:08.738+01:00

Dave,

hopefully that question never has an answer.

Ardoyn Republican 'Thus, the political, socia...

2012-08-23T07:37:34.362+01:00

Ardoyn Republican

'Thus, the political, social and economic way forward is a Socialist-Republican Ireland.'

Correct as you may be; some sort of repackaging is needed at the very least. Belting that statement out time and again isn't enough, people have tired of it. If it was the TV dating game 'Take me out'90% of the lights just went out straight away. People need a bit more at this stage. Not slating you, just making a point. Don't now the answer myself.

Benefits or bombs?. To me that insinuates that al...

2012-08-23T03:36:21.009+01:00

Benefits or bombs?.

To me that insinuates that all Catholics are unemployed and on benefits, but that would be proper thinking from a staunch right wing unionist, brought forward from his forefathers because in the old days, "Catholics could not get PROPER work, and, they were forced to shovel snow for no extra money in loyalists areas were they were spat upon, called obscene names and degraded, is that called FREEDOM?.

That’s the key question republican dissidents have to ask themselves?.

dissidents?

Please use the proper terminology .
ANTI TREATY, show respect for those who reply to your piece before you put pen to paper then keyboard to computer.

Do they truly have the interests of the Catholic nationalist working class as their main ethos?.

Answer = yes, but also includes Protestant working class as well as other religious denominations, we don't differentiate on religious grounds.

What many in the Unionist and loyalist communities are also asking themselves - would the real dissident republicans please stand up?.

were not lying down John, I hope you relay that to your Communities.

Modern dissident republicans now have a perfect opportunity to show the world how they can be peace makers in a post conflict society. They can pull a fast one over the Provos by adhering to a purely democratic path within a decade. It took the Provisionals almost three decades of violence to reach a ceasefire.

Post Conflict?
Peace Makers?
They can pull a fast one over the Provos?
1 The conflict has not stopped.
2 There will never be peace on the Island of Ireland whilst British forces occupy it.
3 The P.I.R.A. ie Adams and Co. made sure they had everyone in place, PSF made the backdoor deals in secret, they accepted that which was rejected in 1975, just to further their own political agenda and let men die in 1981 for that very reason.

At first reading, is the formation of the New IRA merely a resources and manpower issue where they need to pool their weaponry and members for a massive disruption of Londonderry’s City of Culture festivities?

Well I know that's a question.
NO COMMENT John.

And now that Sinn Fein has formally recognised the PSNI and sits on the Policing Board, don’t tell me there aren’t republicans slipping the authorities some juicy tit-bits about the activities of their rival dissidents.

Well John, I wont tell you anything, I am not into tittle tattle, but its possible, don't you think, since all the Loyalist supergrass trials, Spies in the Pie??.

But across the North, the recession is biting deep into traditional republican communities.

John , are you forgetting the ordinary working class Protestant communities and other denominations who are also feeling the rececission, or, do you just disregard the common working class overall?.

Is there now a real opportunity for republicans to put up a viable alternative to Sinn Fein in time for the next Stormont poll in 2015?

ffs John, to many questions, so Honestly, whats it like to be an Author and give info to the British MI5/MI6/PSNI, catch yourself on, this is 2012, not, 1690, and I could go on and on and on. But I'm sure your U.D.A. contacts would like a word with you????.

A very thoughtful and insightful article from a Un...

2012-08-23T00:17:11.222+01:00

A very thoughtful and insightful article from a Unionist...

Firstly, the term 'Dissident' shouldn't be used when describing Anti-Agreement Republicans chara. It is seen as a negative term by us all.

Secondly, there are those within Eirigi, IRSP and RNU who wish to pursue a political path to a Socialist Irish Republic and they shouldn't be sidelined by seasoned observers.

Finally, Unionism like Nationalism in Ireland has failed as has a capitalist economy. Thus, the political, social and economic way forward is a Socialist-Republican Ireland.

Dave Can't disagree wth that. Just pointng out...

2012-08-22T13:49:13.985+01:00

Dave
Can't disagree wth that. Just pointng out the 'peace-process' has become wearisome.

'or are they so stuck in the fantasies of the ...

2012-08-22T12:30:28.189+01:00

'or are they so stuck in the fantasies of the failed 1916 Dublin Easter Rising that all they can offer Ireland’s entire hard-pressed working class is more Padraig Pearse-style blood sacrifices?'

That is precisely what is needed should we have the will to be free. It may be that the will is no longer there for most, but that only increases the onus on those who want freedom and are prepared to take the necessary means.

How many people would a 2,000 lb kill ? All for t...

2012-08-22T12:07:25.783+01:00

How many people would a 2,000 lb kill ? All for the right of the 6 counties (like the failed 26 )to be bullied by Wall St & Germany !

is this a repeat? 'And now that Sinn Fein has...

2012-08-22T09:18:24.653+01:00

is this a repeat?

'And now that Sinn Fein has formally recognised the PSNI and sits on the Policing Board, don’t tell me there aren’t republicans slipping the authorities some juicy tit-bits about the activities of their rival dissidents'

Absolutely without a doubt. Which is why Derry SF got a public apology recently from the RUC/PSNI for raiding the Lord Mayors house on the 12th of July.

Many republicans may feel there is unfinished business. Others that it's a waste of time. However difficult Marian Price's supporters may be finding it to generate widespread support, the brits are missing a very important point. As dare I say it [in 1916]? The point is that whatever peoples view on Marian's parole and pardon and her own actions, she is being interned. The campaign on her behalf has been successful in establishing that as fact in peoples minds. Therefore, should a 2000lb bomb demolish the new Belfast court in protest, few nationalists would be surpised, nor have empathy with the state. The more things change, the more they stay the same.