Thursday, August 17, 2006
Nationalist solidarity call and negotiations update
Sinn Fein’s John O’Dowd has rounded on the SDLP for having “have increasingly drifted from a nationalist agenda” because it has similar positions to the DUP on a number of national and local political issues. Meanwhile the Preparation for Government committee has been on a three day week, yesterday it looked at policing with the timing of policing power devolution and the degree and form of republican commitment the two thorny issues.
Fair Deal @ 01:57 PM
A ceasefire, decommissioning, embracing of the consent principle and now calls for the ending of sectarianism within our own community and a proper engagement with Unionists?
It seems to me that it’s SF who are drifting towards the nationalist agenda.
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 02:37 PMMaybe Dualta.
But surely that makes life even harder for the sdlp, who already cut a bit of desparate figure trying to find a place where they can stand (and look different from those bad men with the woolly faces - oh no sorry, now its just a beard). They know themselves that they need to sharpen their image (hence the logo, the web-site, the reports on how to get the boot into the shinners etc.). I think however that it has been to their detriment to constantly oppose SF whenever they can, and that they are quite lost when it comes to the issue a united Ireland - maybe even afraid of the concept as it has a bit of a republican after taste.Yesterdays question of who is the past and who is the future could be posed here again - and I thi the sdlp could do worse than to clearly and voally stand on the side of a united ireland, while at the same time, clearly articulate their policies for this.
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 02:47 PMIt’s a battle royal!
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 03:00 PMWhat a pathetic effort by SF/IRA. Look at the issues they have identified; policing, criminal justice, Community Restorative Justice, 28 day detention without trial, MI5 phone-taps, reform of local government and the maintenance of MLAs salaries. And in recent days senior SDLP members have joined the DUP in disgraceful attacks on the GAA.
Exactly which of these are “nationalist” issues? Surely having a police and criminal justice system supported by all, is in everyone’s interest. On this it is SF/IRA that are out of step with everyone.
Issues like reform of local and MLA salaries have noting “nationalist” about them.
And as for the “disgraceful attacks” on the GAA The SDLP are saying nothing that several nationalist posters here haven’t been saying for weeks. Indeed it is the actions of SF/IRA in organising pro-terrorist rallies that has both embarrassed and split the GAA.
I’m no fan of the SDLP, but this is beyond pathetic.
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 03:37 PMAdams speech at the Sinn Fein rally in Casement was a version of Hume’s single transferable speech.
Sinn Fein are the new SDLP
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 03:58 PMThe people who attacked the GAA - or at best flouted its rules and told lies about it - were the Shiners.
You can tell when they are lying because that’s when their lips move.
Not a bullet, not an ounce???
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 04:06 PMWas the question not whether or not the sdlp have drifted from a nationalist agenda?
Any takers on this one (as opposed to shinners or stoopers stepping up to the plate)?
How do unionists see this? Do you still see the sdlp as a nationalist party with a united Ireland agenda?Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 05:12 PM“How do unionists see this?”
I’m staying well clear!
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 05:26 PMThe SDLP are a party comitted to a United Ireland, of that I have no doubt, and as a Unionist I must say that I would much rather live in the SDLP’s version of a UI, than the bitter, vicious, sectarian UI that Sinn Fein want to see created.
The Sinn Feiners who post here would probably see the fact that a Unionist like I, am more comfortable with the SDLP than them as some sort of perverted endorsement, but the truth is that Sinn Fein’s dominance of nationalism ensures that Unionists in Northern Ireland never, EVER will be persuaded that their future lies in a United Ireland.
I like and respect many of the people in the SDLP - Pat McCarthy, Eugene McMenamin, Mark Durkan to name but a few. They do have a vision of a UI, they are a nationalist party and I would class myself as an Orangeman who would consider giving them a second preference vote (see other thread).
Anyway all this is irrelevant because there’ll never be a United Ireland.
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 05:37 PMIf the SDLP jave drifted from their nationalist agenda, I dont think many republicans want SF talking with unionists either.
I think the GAA issue were the SDLP were against them was the last straw for sinn fein/ira!
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 05:37 PMLondonderry
A-B-C
Well done!!
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 05:39 PMSame old sickly condescension from John O’Dowd. He forgets that it was the SDLP who practically wrote the GFA.
JOD needs to be careful because many of his own supporters see the Shinner leadership turning in to the SDLP. Bomb and bullet yesterday, democratic politics today, policing tommrow?
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 07:38 PMKeith M - And in recent days senior SDLP members have joined the DUP in disgraceful attacks on the GAA.
I suspect you are being just a little disingenuous here:) Weren’t the SDLP’s criticisms reserved for the Antrim Board of the GAA? That is not the same as criticising the whole of the GAA organisation, but then you knew that right?
Glen Taisie - Sinn Fein are the new SDLP
They wish! But what’s that they say about the best form of flattery?Bushmills – Refreshing to hear.
IMO, the Shinners have always worked to their own agenda. The cause of Irish Republicanism was never helped by the sale of drugs, racketeering, “gangsterism”, abduction, torture, murder etc It seems as though the Shinners weren’t even on the right path. They had one for themselves and themselves alone!
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 08:03 PM“Bomb and bullet yesterday, democratic politics today, policing tommrow?”
I am astonished you still think there is need for a question mark here!
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 09:13 PMThe basic outlines of the GFA were in a British policy paper as far back as 1973. Much as people would like to claim credit for it, the reality is it was not a particularly original document.
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 09:44 PM“The SDLP are a party comitted to a United Ireland, of that I have no doubt, “
Post Nationalism.
“and as a Unionist I must say that I would much rather live in the SDLP’s version of a UI, than the bitter, vicious, sectarian UI that Sinn Fein want to see created.”
“The challenge facing us is to be avowedly anti-sectarian, to face up to making peace with the unionist section of our people and that means we should not be afraid to make correct strategic compromises”
Cower in FEAR at the bitter UI envisaged.
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 09:55 PMPersonally read that Adams speech as “Sorry lads that the decommissioning didn’t reap large and quick political rewards. We may need to make a few more moves too before that happens but trust us we will get you unity sometime.
Posted by on Aug 17, 2006 @ 11:00 PMThe sdlp never changed. They supported the military campaign of SS/RUC during the most recent phase of armed struggle. They are in essence a shower of Uncle toms posing as nationalists. Their current raison d’etre is merely to undermine Sinn Féin and pursue their pro-partitionist agenda at the behest of their Orange cheerleaders. People like Mallon, Hendron, Attwood, O’Donnell and McGrady would not be out of place in the UUP/UVF. Fortunately, the Uncle toms’ party is in terminal decline and the few who are genuine nationalists would better serve the noble cause of Irish reunification by joining Sinn Féin. The rest are destined to follow Gerry Fitt’s path to oblivion and good riddance.
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 01:12 AMI am a Unionist and I certainly acknowledge the SDLP as a nationalist party. I live in south belfast and our SDLP MP is doing a superb job, serving both sections of the community. The SDLP can generally look at political decisions without having to look for what’s best for the ‘nationalist’ cause but what’s best for society as a whole. They are doing a tremendous job of breaking down barriers and building trust. I think the problem is that republicans see the DUP gain strength, thus they get a little nervous and vote SF. As SF get stronger unionists get nervous and vote DUP and the cycle continues and we get nowhere!! I realy believe if there wasn;t so much suspician in our society, the moderate parties would pick up the votes and we mihgt make some progress!!!
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 06:55 AMciaran damery - The sdlp never changed. Thank God!
They are in essence a shower of Uncle toms posing as nationalists.
And I suppose SF represent the great men of Ireland? Seems you are happy for unelected groupings to take it on themselves to terrorise, abduct, torture, murder and mutilate your fellow countrymen, women and children?
spice girl - I fully agree.
IMO SF/DUP as just as bad as each other. The power hungry Shinners are a little envious of the fact that the SDLP are able to reach out to Unionism. Though unapologetically a Nationalist party, they endeavour to win over Unionism purely on the merits of their argument. No guns. No Bombs. No bullets. Just the strength of the argument. In return the SDLP listen. They listen respectively to pro-Unionist arguments of remaining within the United Kingdom. One seeking to win over the other, purely on the strength of the argument. Difference is respected not ridiculed. Common ground is sort and a common voice is found in the condemnation of all terrorist groups. Yeah, I think the Shinners are more than just a little envious of the SDLP and I think this blog is showing it…
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 07:31 AM“Personally read that Adams speech as “Sorry lads that the decommissioning didn’t reap large and quick political rewards. We may need to make a few more moves too before that happens but trust us we will get you unity sometime.”
Yeah, but if you actually read the words rather than listeing to the voices in your head, it says something comletely different. Try it sometime.
“Though unapologetically a Nationalist party”
Post-Nationalism.
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 09:18 AMkensei
…but if you actually read the words rather than listeing to the voices in your head…
Gratuitous and insulting comment noted.As for Gerry’s speech…., where is it to be found? In these days of ultra fast downloading times with wireless blue chip broad band technology…, where everyone on he planet is connected thanks to the amazing advances in audio-visual streaming… Until yesterday at least (I haven’t checked today), the PR masters of spin, haven’t quite managed to get it on their website yet. I wonder why that is? If the speech appears, post a link here will you?
It amazes me tat we still read the Shinner spin on “Post-Nationalism”. It is clear that this one phrase hurt the Shinners. It strikes a chord with how they view themselves. What is also clear is that they didn’t really understand what was being said. Not that they would allow ignorance to stand in the way of soundbite. John Hume always sought to play down tribal differences, preferring instead to stress “post nationalism” in an EU context. Shinner sycophants are happy to think all of Irelands will be solved if we could get read of the border Simple politics for simple people. Sadly the rest of us know that peace isn’t won the easily.
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 09:37 AMMuch of this can be explained when you realise that John O’Dowd is nothing more than the political wing of Colin Duffy - he has to sound off like this on a regular basis to stop his local Lurgan paramilitary associates switching over an officially-declared dissident position.
O’Dowd’s game is well known in his constituency, hence the against-trend drop in Sinn Fein’s overall absolute vote in Upper Bann. He is a distinctly unimpressive performer, a sort of hard-line version of Catriona Ruane, and destined for similar failure.
Take heart, Sluggers. None of you despise the ‘boul O’Dowd as much as Gerry does!
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 09:53 AMThis is a bit of party politics between practising party politicans, nothing more and nothing less. Sinn Fein were in the position of being able to recruit the brightest and the best for many years and of course they want things to continue that way.
I’m not close enough now to know whether the SDLP is succeeding in it’s attempt to do a Lazarus-type comeback from the dead but if it happens it will be good for republicanism generally. Anything which broadens the appeal of republicanism in an increasingly post-unionist NI shouldn’t be resisted too strongly. Even if they only vote SDLP to keep Sinn Fein out it would be a demonstration of their growing political sophistication by unionism.
John Hume, on behalf of the SDLP helped SF to establish itself as a credible political force and sacrificed his own party in the process. Maybe it is time to repay the favour?
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 09:55 AM“increasingly post-unionist NI”
gotta love the self-delusion, lib.
Posted by on Aug 18, 2006 @ 09:59 AM
