Northern Ireland
Discussion
ooo000ooo said:
DUP have been made to lucky silly by backing Arlene past the point of no return when they should have told her to step down and then managed it afterwards.
Marty has, as usual, played a blinder and left them flapping.
I can see the other unionist parties picking up a lot of DUP votes, maybe a few more defectors?
McGuinness isn't a stupid man and has played the political game well, it looks like he is going to die soon from the press conference yesterday, in many ways this will be a challenging time for NI as I am not sure who SF have to replace him. He has an odd charisma that has allowed him to get on with people who should hate him totally and not want anything to do with him as there is no doubt he was involved in many murders. Marty has, as usual, played a blinder and left them flapping.
I can see the other unionist parties picking up a lot of DUP votes, maybe a few more defectors?
Katzenjammer said:
I'm inclined to agree with mrmarcus.
It will never ever change sadly.
Agreed. I'm English living here 12 years, the youngsters on both sides, but particularly the Unionists, are being brought up just as divided and bigoted as previous generations. Nothing to do with schools IMO, just communities who cannot move on, cannot accept any change.It will never ever change sadly.
You think English politicians are bad - over here they reach new heights of stupidity. McGuinness is smarter than most.
Shame because it's a lovely country and most people are great.
ooo000ooo said:
DUP have been made to lucky silly by backing Arlene past the point of no return when they should have told her to step down and then managed it afterwards.
Marty has, as usual, played a blinder and left them flapping.
I can see the other unionist parties picking up a lot of DUP votes, maybe a few more defectors?
The DUP has a history of getting caught doing daft things but just like the snp in scotland they have the mob who will vote for them no matter what.Marty has, as usual, played a blinder and left them flapping.
I can see the other unionist parties picking up a lot of DUP votes, maybe a few more defectors?
I think this time we will find the DUP playing to the mob MENTALity and scapeing the bottom of the barrel to keep the status quo. alliance has lost the vote in east belfast due to not being able to explain the flag issue. One can only hope for enough people to not be bothered to vote for them to lose seats.
95% of Northern Ireland whether Catholic, Protestant, Atheist or other get on well. Like a well run wood pellet boiler in fact.
The problem is with the 5% of the population which either love the IRA or love King Billy and the UDA etc
The news is always banging on about the 5% DUP/SF idiots and mentions very little about the other forward thinking and progressive.
The biggest problem with the NI assembly is that if there is a majority across the board on an issue the Undemocratic bigots of the DUP use something called a 'Petition of Concern'
This means that no law is passed even if it's nearly 60/40 majority as it it was with the gay marriage vote.
The Alliance and Greens in NI are almost forgotten but hold considerable support in NI. Just hope the population of NI see sense and vote for parties which aren't wither obsessed with terrorism and the past ism take the bible as law which should be adhered to by the letter.
The DUP and SF have a stranglehold over working class areas come election time. They seen round the goons and tell people that if you don't vote for the party candidate then 'the others' will have a first minister.
As for Arlene Foster she's had enough scandal that would put the majority of politicians in the UK in jail.
Red Sky scandal, Nama scandal, constituency office scandal, Charter NI scandal and now the RHI scandal all that corruption and still the arrogance is flowing from her.
The RHI scandal has it seems not gone unnoticed and a poll today by a newspaper went to working class Shankill area and found that overwhelmingly the people said they wouldn't support the DUP and a few even said they would vote for SF.
I live in NI before anyone questions my knowledge.
The problem is with the 5% of the population which either love the IRA or love King Billy and the UDA etc
The news is always banging on about the 5% DUP/SF idiots and mentions very little about the other forward thinking and progressive.
The biggest problem with the NI assembly is that if there is a majority across the board on an issue the Undemocratic bigots of the DUP use something called a 'Petition of Concern'
This means that no law is passed even if it's nearly 60/40 majority as it it was with the gay marriage vote.
The Alliance and Greens in NI are almost forgotten but hold considerable support in NI. Just hope the population of NI see sense and vote for parties which aren't wither obsessed with terrorism and the past ism take the bible as law which should be adhered to by the letter.
The DUP and SF have a stranglehold over working class areas come election time. They seen round the goons and tell people that if you don't vote for the party candidate then 'the others' will have a first minister.
As for Arlene Foster she's had enough scandal that would put the majority of politicians in the UK in jail.
Red Sky scandal, Nama scandal, constituency office scandal, Charter NI scandal and now the RHI scandal all that corruption and still the arrogance is flowing from her.
The RHI scandal has it seems not gone unnoticed and a poll today by a newspaper went to working class Shankill area and found that overwhelmingly the people said they wouldn't support the DUP and a few even said they would vote for SF.
I live in NI before anyone questions my knowledge.
Edited by BlueHave on Wednesday 11th January 04:39
Even if we assume the majority in the North want reunification would the South want the North as part of an eventual united Ireland?
What value would it add to the South? Reunification would cost the South money and potentially result in violence. It would be like adopting an economic basket case.
What value would it add to the South? Reunification would cost the South money and potentially result in violence. It would be like adopting an economic basket case.
BlackLabel said:
Eric Mc said:
I'm always mystified by this place called "The South".
Okay then Republic of Ireland/ROI/Eire. "The South" may not be the official name but everyone knows what it refers to in a discussion involving Ireland.
BlackLabel said:
Eric Mc said:
I'm always mystified by this place called "The South".
Okay then Republic of Ireland/ROI/Eire. "The South" may not be the official name but everyone knows what it refers to in a discussion involving Ireland.
BlueHave said:
If you have ever watched the NI Assembly the hardline Republicans call Northern Ireland 'The North' as some of them don't even recognise Northern Ireland exists.
And they are being equally wrong. They use the term "The North" because for political reasons they don't recognise the existence of "Northern Ireland".I don't agree with that either.
Eric Mc said:
BlueHave said:
If you have ever watched the NI Assembly the hardline Republicans call Northern Ireland 'The North' as some of them don't even recognise Northern Ireland exists.
And they are being equally wrong. They use the term "The North" because for political reasons they don't recognise the existence of "Northern Ireland".I don't agree with that either.
pim said:
It is Ireland the North bit was added on.The people are Irish a different culture than ours.Blame Prince William for all the upheaval the fight between Catholics and Protestant goes back a long way.
It will become one country again one day it would be better for all the Irish.
Oh it is our fault again.It will become one country again one day it would be better for all the Irish.
Why do Catholics and Protestants live happily together in the Netherlands then?
They even have integrated their political parties into the Christian Democratic Party.
cloggy said:
pim said:
It is Ireland the North bit was added on.The people are Irish a different culture than ours.Blame Prince William for all the upheaval the fight between Catholics and Protestant goes back a long way.
It will become one country again one day it would be better for all the Irish.
Oh it is our fault again.It will become one country again one day it would be better for all the Irish.
Why do Catholics and Protestants live happily together in the Netherlands then?
They even have integrated their political parties into the Christian Democratic Party.
The protestant still celebrate the battle of the Boyne.Don't be so touchy Hollander.
Dont think for a second the problem is a catholic/ protestant religious thing. Do you really think its all about whether purgatory exists or not!? Its about culture, Irish v British. At the time of the plantation, Ulster was the most Irish area of Ireland which is the reason why it was planted, to be controlled.
The loyal protestant British unionist planters were sent there to colonise for the crown. The mindset 400 years on has not changed for many.
The loyal protestant British unionist planters were sent there to colonise for the crown. The mindset 400 years on has not changed for many.
Eric Mc said:
Lost course?
If you are implying they have lost their way - I'm not sure they ever found it.
I actually think the new young generation coming through are going to save the place. Once the old dinosaurs (like McGuinness et al) have all shuffled off into retirement or beyond, I think younger people coming through have far less historic hang-ups and baggage to carry around.
Cant happen soon enough!!!If you are implying they have lost their way - I'm not sure they ever found it.
I actually think the new young generation coming through are going to save the place. Once the old dinosaurs (like McGuinness et al) have all shuffled off into retirement or beyond, I think younger people coming through have far less historic hang-ups and baggage to carry around.
Out of about 95% of my mates not one cares one iota anymore about catholic this or protestant that. The ones that are still hung up on their perceived injustices come from stty housing estates in stty areas and they work stty jobs.
Unfortunately it could well be another generation or two before it all disappears.
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