Comments on The Pensive Quill: Ye Royal Energy Programme

Lucille, Not sure we say it as it is but we say i...

2010-12-07T20:47:24.519Z

Lucille,

Not sure we say it as it is but we say it as we see it! None has a monopoly on being right and those that think they do are a danger to the rest of us. There are a lot of good posts coming through.

Robert,

‘the 'Ordinary Joe' needs to be very, very careful when considering the rhetoric of career politicians.’

So true

Nuala,

A shocking account of losing your home. First I knew of it.

‘We sat amongst the charred remains most of Sunday and then two friends
called, one with a considerable amount of money the other with the keys
to a second home they owned. To the day I die I will never forget their kindness, but not everyone has that.’

When that happens you never forget it. I have a friend who at crucial points in my life, when it looked as if the deluge was about to burst the damn, has stepped in and saved the day. That sort of thing you never forget. We carry it to the end of our days.

‘as my son rightly says we are all only a few pay cheques away from the street.’

Well that is absolutely right. I take Larry’s point about getting somewhere else courtesy of local authority but he overlooks the figure of speech dimension. But those who repossess your house are indifferent to any of that that. You on the street is good enough for them. They will do nothing to sort your situation. And at that point you have little say where you go.

Tain Bo no last word required. An entertaining pos...

2010-12-07T10:04:20.304Z

Tain Bo
no last word required. An entertaining post. Good morning to you too sir. Yes, i think the little bit of antagonism crept into things because it was possibly unclear that i was being the devils advocate. Hence 'politically all over the place'. But sure you have to aim the bellows at the fire to get a decent result.
No harm done, sure holy moley much worse exchanges take place in the boozer among the best of friends.
I too value mackers book and the others, voices etc that will provide 'the lie' to the SF spin. I will get Richard's book shortly too. A young man who had just graduated from the course i'm on now used Anthony's book as the basis for his thesis. So it has already begun.
Don't be laying on your couch Tain Bo there are enough of us talking to ourselves already...

Larry I considered my part in the issue dropped a...

2010-12-07T04:25:52.310Z

Larry

I considered my part in the issue dropped after you declined my offer. I was away for a few days and was not going to indulge your baiting until I noticed a jibe on another comment between you and Mickey.
Firstly your opening is just mimicking what Anthony said I am never discourteous when it comes to volunteers and to my knowledge of posting here I don’t believe I have uttered any disparaging remarks though have condemned the leadership.
I have a great respect for Anthony picking through his writings over the years has been educational.
I posted long ago that the Blanket and the Quill would be picked over by the scholarly type.
I have a signed copy of his book that I placed between a catholic bible and a protestant bible for a prod a taig and the atheist an unholy trinity personal joke.

Regarding your posts can you expect to be taken seriously when you admit you are on the wind at the same time?
Perhaps the above may answer your query as to why “some” took a stance against you.
Again you should at least name the some; you’re in general reference sounds exaggerated as it implies you are harassed.

“I shall continue to enjoy, and who knows, maybe get an explanation on the multi property defence league may be forthcoming???”

Perhaps if you delivered a more factual account an explanation would be in order instead of tabloid-comments or articulated better as the dole is a general term.

The ten house dole shysters you speak of are interesting though you never manage to show factual evidence of these hoards who sign on the dole and have ten houses. The issue is hardly new as I recall back in the 80s a number of people trading their housing executive homes for more opulent surroundings not a word was spoken then. I know there are those who have swindled but would keep the numbers to a minimum as exaggeration should be kept for fishermen and their tales.

Regardless I am away to sit upon my couch and ponder as this is much like defusing a bomb after it has exploded in this case nothing much to do but assess the damage “none.”

I understand the nature of the devil’s advocate so shall let you have the last word on the subject as I said my part was dropped.
On a lighter note the only movements that impress me now are those of the bowel but that is out of respect for my own unhealthy digestive tract.

Anthony I would have taken the easy way out if I...

2010-12-07T03:02:37.889Z

Anthony

I would have taken the easy way out if I thought it was a yellow card and took it personal although I might be transferring if I lose my bet and posting as a pro shin vainer. Now that sounds like taking the easy way out.

Tain Bo, most definitely not a yellow card or a c...

2010-12-04T19:56:20.409Z

Tain Bo,

most definitely not a yellow card or a card of any description. All I was doing was explaining our position but there was absolutely nothing wrong with your own.

Nula “I think Tain Bo came out worse than either ...

2010-12-04T18:25:15.604Z

Nula

“I think Tain Bo came out worse than either of us and that is unfair.”

On the contrary I am none the worse for wear I don’t consider Anthony’s post as a yellow card in general it is fair and accurate and well intentioned.

I will clarify my position as indeed I was siding with you on the poverty issue however I was not rushing to your aid, as I am well aware you are more than capable of defending your posts.

My position was defending the poor as I consider it a social disease with many serious side-affects it is a subject I am well versed in so in my book anyone who escapes the poverty cycle fair play to them.

On a better note I am glad you pointed out that me and our dear Mickey have one thing in common falling down but in my case well deserved for showing off, made me laugh and ache at the same time.
As for wedding bells well for the now the only bells I am hearing are the ones ringing in my head.

Larry, there are people who bleed the system. I ha...

2010-12-04T16:24:21.094Z

Larry, there are people who bleed the system. I have never been on the dole and hopefully never will so I honestly do not know if it is an amount that people can cope with. If your family gets by then I am genuinely glad to hear that. My friends have never coped in the South, they had to leave here and had it exceptionally hard, bits of work here and there but nothing serious.
He cannot return here, he never got the Royal seal and because he is totally against Sinn Fein, he thinks it is highly likely that he would be put on trial if he returns.
I have seen serious poverty here in Belfast, I know people several of them ex-prisoners who choose between eat and heat and that's bad.
Larry, there is no need to apologise, I think Tain Bo came out worse than either of us and that is unfair.
Albert said if this ends in a trial on the TPQ, he will have to be called as a witness for the prosecution, and 'list all the names he gets called'
I'm away to polish my claws or maybe I will sharpen them for my nite out.

yer well safe fionnuala ive learnt my lesson locki...

2010-12-04T14:32:59.747Z

yer well safe fionnuala
ive learnt my lesson locking horns with you.
probably nothuing much wrong but interpretation.
i was revelling in the fact that after counting eggs and 5 bhat rice portions between wages in thailand myself and my wife feel secure and insulated on the dole here.
We don't see reason for too much complaint.
i can assure you 'paddy' would have different views on poverty if he spent some time in other places, believe me we are greatful for the dole, there isnt one in bangkok or manila.
i may have seemed heartless and gloating, even, at people with multiple houses [many of whom i know never worked before or after swindling the morgages] losing a few or being stuck with them and huge debt, im sorry i cant have empathy for those people.
once again fionnuala my sincere regards and apologies, if we got our wires crossed. I have TOTAL empathy for people in danger of losing a family home,even for those who bought a second rather than trust a pension. But 'dolites' sittin in the boozer with 10 houses...nah. not bending on that one.
BTW im available for a dinner date if you promise not to wear ur blue doc martins.

Larry, read your recent post and I must admit, I d...

2010-12-04T13:34:48.220Z

Larry, read your recent post and I must admit, I do not have a clue what you are speaking about.
'Who is on the dole?'
Larry the saying, 'we are only a few pay cheques or direct debits whatever, of the street.' is quite a sensible statement.
If our pay stopped going into the bank I would lose my home very quickly, would I get another one?
I honestly don't know. Could a person end up on the street? Yes they could.
I don't think anyone on the blog objected to you slagging off the rich, we all do it.
What you were saying at times however, appeared to be inconsistent and muddled, because you then started slagging off the poor, people on the dole, the whole country quite frankly.
Then the dissidents got a touch the aboriginal people, everyone only Marty.
I think Tain Bo intervened in defence of the poor, which is a good quality in my book.
michaelhenry fell a few times yesterday and the Tain fell, are you at the old voodoo doll trick?
Only I am going out later and I am now sort of nervous!

Forgive me guys for returning to the 'housing&...

2010-12-04T12:21:05.557Z

Forgive me guys for returning to the 'housing' issue. But mise eire posted there and it made me reflect upon the situation of the people of Fatima Mansions and my own inconsequential experience in comparison.
The people of fatima have new government housing built and they have the option to buy price depending upon length of previous tennancy in the flats. These guys were seriously happy with the houses built and i'll be honest they were great houses. I was delighted for them. That was 2006.
Today i find myself on the dole in the free state in a rented house after the work ran out.
The point i'm making is the assertion we are only a wage or two from the 'street' doesn't wash in my book. As i say, my wife is very thankful ...for the welfare state.
Perhaps i'm wide of the mark here but would i be at least close if i suggested some people are a wage or two from 'rented' acommodation?
How ghastly!!

Tain Bo i think fionnuala was more than able to ex...

2010-12-04T11:05:58.736Z

Tain Bo
i think fionnuala was more than able to express herself, lady like or otherwise. And good for her. Maybe you had your blinkers on at those times.
Yes respect for mackers, i was in a H-block with the man and until recently had no idea of his connections in the movement. Also his book will turn out to be part of a historical alternative to the SF lies when future kids are studying irish history. It's necessary and good.
Anyhow, i'll know where to go when i need a shrink eh? bit early in the morning Tain Bo, ill try a cup of tae instead.
I'm just interested to know why some people on here got their knickers in such a twist over multiple property owners. And the intensity of the reaction to my views on it. That's what i noticed from the entire exchange. Amazing.
As i say respect to all on here and sincere apologies if things got a bit out of hand. Especially to you fionnuala.
I shall continue to enjoy, and who knows, maybe get an explanation on the multi property defence league may be forthcoming??? or maybe i'll just be dismissed as a tosser?
Thats not a great political stance.
Good morning all.

Tain Bo mo cara sounds like youve fallen heads hea...

2010-12-04T10:50:21.040Z

Tain Bo mo cara sounds like youve fallen heads head over heels for that lady ,you,ve my deepest sympathy for your now on the slippy slope to hell!

Anthony I appreciate and understand your position...

2010-12-04T10:35:42.345Z

Anthony

I appreciate and understand your position as a rule I generally don’t get involved in exchanges between two people. On this issue I made a comment directly to Larry which was ignored or overlooked depending, as following comments can get confusing.
I would have liked to dig a little deeper on the subject and posted the comment below.

Larry

Paranoia is a great friend perhaps my grammar is less than eloquent, as you seem to assume myself and Nula conspire against you in some sort of secret code.
I have made no secret and had the common decency to address you by name until now you have denied me the same courtesy.
I have been patiently waiting your personal invitation for an exchange now you have addressed me I will without doubt define and defend anything I have said.

The reply was not exactly what I expected and I assumed my challenge was declined with his post excusing himself as being on the wind. Which left me confused, as he had no problem hashing it out with Nula again under my own assumption I thought he would have defended his position rather than dismiss it with his last post?

As I said I will without doubt define and defend anything I have said. As far as I am concerned that was the matter dropped as I have nothing personal against Larry or anyone who posts here.
Definitely no hard feelings on my part otherwise I would take the huffs and take up watching the telly.

Tain Bo, Totally appreciated your input, I...

2010-12-04T09:48:14.965Z

Tain Bo,
Totally appreciated your input, I think Mackers is right though, I think Larry and I both dealt each other a couple of low blows, think we will survive it though.
Is there wedding bells in the air? 'wife material'
I think Marty is the best one for marriage advice.

Tain Bo, on the question of the exchanges between...

2010-12-04T08:20:11.641Z

Tain Bo,

on the question of the exchanges between Nuala and Larry, both are adults, and are free to handle the matter as they choose. It has got sharp at times and an element of acrimony has crept in but nothing to the point where the pace of the exchange should be cut by a moderator's chicane. I don't particularly like the tone that has developed but it is not for me to police it. I think the points raised by Larry are views out there that we are somehow meant to politely pretend do not exist or where they do are only on the margins. I am totally at one with Nuala on her interpretation of the issue but that amounts to no reason to muzzle Larry. I think he will pull his own horns in if he feels he has overstepped the mark. Nuala has handled it in her own way and has certainly given no indication that she wants it policed.

I realise the point you are making and I appreciate that you are calling for some self-restraint on the part of posters and not making an argument for intervention. I also take on board your desire to keep the discussion civil. I just want to set out my position.

The whole time the blog has been running only one person has been struck off it. That was to do with sockpuppeting and not the views expressed, the tone used, or the trolling deployed. Elsewhere some comments have not been approved because they appeared libellous. In those cases a form of words chosen by the poster puts the matter right.

So in that spirit may the exchanges continue.

Marty I might need that clinic after all but can...

2010-12-04T04:31:15.367Z

Marty

I might need that clinic after all but can skip the lobotomy I was out on a wee dander through the hills and for some daft reason decided to climb a rock face.
Made the climb to the top about 70 odd feet no bother coming down until the last 15 or so feet, then the girl I was with said something I looked over my shoulder lost my balance and took a well deserved dive.
Landed and burst out laughing now I am aching the great thing was the concerned look on her face as she give me a load of what for and was so worried that I ripped my new coat now if that is not wife material I don’t know what is.

Dia duit Larry Nietzsche once quoted “In a time o...

2010-12-04T04:02:04.684Z

Dia duit Larry

Nietzsche once quoted “In a time of peace a war like man turns upon himself.”

“Tain Bo
i respect everyone on this blog out of respect for mackers and his way of going.
i can take the piss/devils advocate a bit ott and forget print leaves the recipient without bodylanguage or tone of voice or facial expression/
it can be awkward at times. i enjoy the blog. its great craic.
i dont take myself or politics too seriously.”

If I may throw my tuppence in admittedly perplexed though shall make a genuine effort to deconstruct what you said and what I translate from it.

Reading the first line I can ponder the definition of respect as I pointed out in a previous post
“I have been following your exchanges with Nula on the issue of poverty down to your last discourteous post ending in how you find her void and rude.”
A question if I may how exactly can one claim respect for another they find void and rude?

“Out of respect for Mackers and his way of going.”
Are you implying that he is somehow responsible for your comments?

As for the ribbings I don’t think anyone minds a bit of well delivered stick as Robert pointed out I am not short of a quip myself his style and delivery are always well executed.

When reading a book do you have the same problem as they lack body language and facial expression?

Finally for one who claims to be laid back and easy going, you certainly have me fooled reading your aggressive serious position on poverty and the self-pitying Irish.

In fairness Larry it is nothing personal I enjoy the quill and stated before that it offers certain freedoms though that is not a license to abuse the freedom and in my humble opinion you have been well out of order with Nula. If you read through your comments the jibes were not relevant to the issue.

Sláinte mo chara agus ádh mór

Tain Bo i respect everyone on this blog out of res...

2010-12-04T01:21:48.222Z

Tain Bo
i respect everyone on this blog out of respect for mackers and his way of going.
i can take the piss/devils advocate a bit ott and forget print leaves the recipient without bodylanguage or tone of voice or facial expression/
it can be awkward at times. i enjoy the blog. its great craic.
i dont take myself or politics too seriously.

Larry Paranoia is a great friend perhaps my gramm...

2010-12-04T01:04:20.799Z

Larry

Paranoia is a great friend perhaps my grammar is less than eloquent, as you seem to assume myself and Nula conspire against you in some sort of secret code.
I have made no secret and had the common decency to address you by name until now you have denied me the same courtesy.
I have been patiently waiting your personal invitation for an exchange now you have addressed me I will without doubt define and defend anything I have said.

2010-12-04T00:31:15.630Z

This comment has been removed by the author.

Tain Bo no idea what you are needing to know. Are ...

2010-12-04T00:29:03.453Z

Tain Bo
no idea what you are needing to know. Are we now in cheltenham GCHQ? conversing in code?
i'm not mono political "ireland is never wrong", thats bunkum.
I'm not 'anti' assisting people in need.
I think my attitude about property speculators has hit a raw nerve with some of you guys and girls.
i can't help that. i dont have sympathy for multi property adventurers who fell foul through their own greed.
Socialism and marxism etc all getting an airing here and me taking the mick about speculators has raised heckles.
All joking aside, THAT IS INTERESTING.

Marty As always you are a fair referee I stand co...

2010-12-04T00:13:30.865Z

Marty

As always you are a fair referee I stand corrected, as I was unfair to Mickeyboy as at least he sticks by his comments and never back tracks. As for Larry it’s nothing personal but reading the wee spat he is all over the place.

Nula I think I might have had better luck using a ...

2010-12-04T00:08:20.655Z

Nula
I think I might have had better luck using a worm as I went fishing for some answers from Larry.
To my dismay my challenge was dismissed I remain unrepentant though shall trudge through the confusing comments once more just to make sure I am reading them correctly.

larry's war against the poor ffs how can ye be...

2010-12-03T21:24:35.582Z

larry's war against the poor ffs how can ye be poor with 10 fraudulent morgages? give me a break guys pick up the pace...get with the programe...
shysters, swindlers, fraudsters, in my book does not equate with the 'poor'.
comprende??

Tain Bo gawdalmighty no no no no one Mickeyboy is ...

2010-12-03T20:55:53.648Z

Tain Bo gawdalmighty no no no no one Mickeyboy is one to many the thoughts of two of them doesnt bear thinking about, if it turns out to be so mo cara would yould like to join me at Iris,s clinic!