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A key piece of attitudinal research was released today. On the face of it the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey 2001 confirms the widespread belief that the two communities are increasingly divided on on every matter of substance around the ‘Peace Process’. The lead authors, University of Ulster researchers Joanne Hughes and Caitlin Donnelly, said in a statement it was crucial for politicians and community activists “to explore the factors contributing to recent negative trends and to identify strategies …

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The peace line in Belfast is multiplying and fragmenting, and it seems there is a similar multiplicity of motives for wanting them there. Of all the political ‘coups’ of the last week, Gearoid O’Caireallain regards Maskey’s wreathlaying as the most masterful strategic move of the lot. The Orange leadership at Drumcree seems to be under fire from some who suspect them of having become soft. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove …

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Whilst the hiatus pundits are still speculating about when the executive will next break down, there are still several ministers who are showing a passion for the job of government. Martin McGuinness at Education said at the weekend “I intend to do something before the end of this parliamentary term, which lays out before the people what I believe to be the foundation stones on the future of education in this state for some period to come.” There are signs …

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Here’s a few encouraging words about ‘Letter to Slugger O’Toole’ from Spiked-online journalist Brendan O’Neill. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove the wrinkles in Slugger’s technical carpet. You will need to know about the comments policy to stay off the fightin’ side of me and there is a bit of background about me here. You can email me using this spam-proof link if you really need to, and Slugger is @sluggerotoole …

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Looks like the UUP are getting caught by the off-side rule yet again in their efforts to get the Parades Commission to re-consider it’s ruling against the Orange Order over the Garvaghy Road route. The Order themselves are not happy, after the Commission binned their proposals from last year, even though they were considered “…a significant advance on the order’s previous position and might provide a basis on which the parties could move forward.” adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans …

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Ahern and Blair are to call a meeting of all the Pro-agreement parties next week. The Stevens enquiry rumbles on in the Guardian, whilst the Independent emphasises that MI5 actively obstructed the investigation of the Finucane case. Neil McKay in the Sunday Herald went as far as to suggest that Margaret Thatcher was the one who first ordered such collusion. Meanwhile Kevin Myers calls for a quid pro quo if there is to be a long term continuation of inquiries. …

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One little note in the Guardian today says that the Castlereagh job was an inside affair. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove the wrinkles in Slugger’s technical carpet. You will need to know about the comments policy to stay off the fightin’ side of me and there is a bit of background about me here. You can email me using this spam-proof link if you really need to, and Slugger is …

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The sniping at Trimble continues as Sammy Wilson of the DUP suggests, “Trimble and his political allies repeated time and time again that the Agreement provided the Government with the powers to exclude those who did not genuinely give up violence. Four years on, he is now admitting that those powers do not exist and need to be introduced”. Father Des Wilson hits Trimble from the ‘other side’, pouring scorn on the idea that he may resign. The Belfast Telegraph …

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More from the irrascable Brendan O’Neill, who really can’t stand the patronising attitude of some towards the Irish football team’s sojourn in the World Cup. No doubt the fact that the Irish fans were seen as the best of the tournament is only more provocation. But in terms of public diplomacy, there are some benefits to being seen as ‘cuddly’! Mark Leonard of the Foreign Policy Centre’s latest book looks at the idea from a British point of view. adminA …

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Trimble continues to apply pressure with the threat of leaving his post. Wrapped in similar metaphors, Nationalist commentator Maurice Hayes calls it marching, whilst Unionist columnist Steven King sees it as walking. This discussion explores some aspects of the two competing Unionist agendas. Some musing from Paul Fitzsimmons on the long term effect of extreme views clashing. The SDLP take on Sinn Fein over proliferation of flags in the streets. On the other side following the screening of the first …

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With a Panorama documentary on BBC TV tonight, papers are full of stories relating to alleged collusion between the police and the paramilitaries. David McKittrick, John Ware, and David Sharrock have all written extensive articles. Rumours of the impending collapse of the peace process unless there is an increase in the confidence of the Unionist population. Pressure continues to be applied to Blair to move against Sinn Fein over alleged breaches of the IRA ceasefire. Here’s an web discussion on …

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Peter Robinson’s appeal against the legality of the re-election of the First and Deputy First Minister comes to a head next Monday. It could lead to the meltdown, many have talked about and few outside the growing ranks of DUP supporters have wished for. Some commentators argue that breaking democratic rules has a limited lifespan in NI. Trimble takes the initiative with Sinn Fein. Malachi O’Doherty provides an interesting take on IRA military strategy during the peace process. There have …

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It’s summer and trouble continues: in the streets and in the political backrooms, though the real threat to Trimble may come in form of next month’s meeting of the UUP’s executive. In Belfast Mayor Maskey intends to embrace the Union Jack AND the Tricolour. His taking office after several previously failed attempts, marks the end of protestant Belfast, according to Andy Gimson in The Spectator. Eilis O’Hanlon highlights the double spin being played around last week’s trouble in East Belfast. …

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The forthcoming report by Metropolitan police commissioner Sir John Stevens into the Finucane murder finds collusion between the RUC and Loyalist paramiltaries and is causing it’s first rumbles today. Meanwhile leading Unionists claim that links between the Columbian leftist paramilitary group FARC and the IRA, indicate that Provisionals may have been over there testing new weapons. The Daily Telegraph suggests this is a breach of the IRA ceasefire. Perhaps the unseasonably early runctions on the streets of Belfast may mean …

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A bit further from the current street action and the cost of the Holy Cross dispute becomes clear. Johnny Adair’s brother is jailed for riotous behaviour at the time. New Lord Mayor Maskey visits the Presbyterian church. One Alliance counsellor pays the price for having street murals removed. Elsewhere famous Seamus Heaney warns of the disaffection and fury of the Protestant youth. Meanwhile further afield, a rock star from the south is more concerned with development of Africa than the …

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Argentina leave the World Cup and England under the cool hand of their Swedish manager fight on. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove the wrinkles in Slugger’s technical carpet. You will need to know about the comments policy to stay off the fightin’ side of me and there is a bit of background about me here. You can email me using this spam-proof link if you really need to, and Slugger …

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Looks like Reid is standing firm on the status of the ceasefires. Meanwhile the rioting has tempted the normally anti-Republican Malachy O’Doherty to make a strong attack on Loyalist tactics. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove the wrinkles in Slugger’s technical carpet. You will need to know about the comments policy to stay off the fightin’ side of me and there is a bit of background about me here. You can …

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Full time: 3:0 It wasn’t always pretty, but it should do the team no harm to score three in open play. And what about England tomorrow? Here’s a Scottish perspective on the attitude of supporters in the Celtic Fringe towards England teams. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove the wrinkles in Slugger’s technical carpet. You will need to know about the comments policy to stay off the fightin’ side of me …

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The big match against Saudi Arabia is coming up soon. Looks like controversial journalist and ex Republic of Ireland player Eammon Dunphy will be cooling his heels for a while after a controversial week or two trying to attack the Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. He has put his head above the parapet once too often and nearly (unfairly according to some) had it shot off. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove …

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The Short Strand has it’s back to several walls whilst East Belfast loyalists’ ceasefire is being strained to the limit. Nationalists call Unionists to account for loyalist violence as Gerry Adams claims much of the violence is down to a weakness in Unionist leadership, a claim disputed strongly by Ian Paisley Junior. adminA slightly inhuman presence that bans bad comments and works late at night to remove the wrinkles in Slugger’s technical carpet. You will need to know about the …

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