Feeney Watch - 28.07.06

They say that if you kiss the Blarney Stone you'll never lose the gift of the gab.  It'll be an age, if ever, before I visit the Republic again, so my chances of kissing the stone from that precarious ledge are pretty much zero.  I have no desire to spend my hard-earned money in a country where the nearly 10% of the electorate think it is appropriate to vote for IRA terrorists; or a country where the government attempts to interfere (in contravention of statute) in the internal affairs of a part of the United Kingdom.  Israel has shown us how to treat a neighbouring jurisdiction that pays little more than lip-service to cracking down on terrorists who want to destroy their country.  It's a pity we didn't have the same balls during the Troubles.

Irish love to gab.  Boy, do they love to gab!  Sit down in a conversation with the average Irishman and it's seldom possible to get a word in edgeways.  The only trouble is, 4,000 words are used when 40 could do the trick.  You emerge from a social encounter with an Irishman with you ear-drums battered and your brain attempting to wade through anything in the conversation of intellectual value - which transpires to be very little.  Thus, it is hardly surprising then that the phenomena of political summer schools on the island or Ireland are almost solely the preserve of nationalists.  Bigoted Bri has noticed the trends, stating summer school programmes are not only predominated by nationalists, but have an overwhelming nationalist audience.

'First, and not surprising because they're Irish summer schools after all, they are overwhelmingly concerned with Irish history, politics, music and literature. Secondly, where politics and history are concerned they are overwhelmingly examinations of nationalist issues or even just republicanism as a political creed. Thirdly, unionists don't organise any summer schools to examine unionism or anything else for that matter.'

It is only when you scroll further down the page you discover the Bigoted Bri interpretation as it springs out on you like a flasher from a hedgerow.

'Is the phrase 'unionist intellectual' an oxymoron?

Is it because unionists never had to think about unionism as a political creed because the British government simply guarantees unionists can do what they like without ever having to justify their behaviour? Is unionism a political creed, or a ploy to avoid democracy? Is it because questioning unionist certainties means admitting unionism has to change, that the unionist project has failed?

Is it simply because no unionist knows how to make the north, in Martin Mansergh's phrase, "a workable entity" without giving equal political rights to nationalists which is the opposite of the purpose for which the north was created?

Can no unionist say that publicly?'

Is Feeney just a moron?  Answers please!

Unionists are British, not Irish.  They don't share the Irish penchant for endless inane chatter.  That's the first reason why they don't have to gather around in a conclave and chew over their place in the Union, or their culture.  BB's analysis suggests Irish figures at nationalist summer schools are covered because the participants are self-evidently Irish.  Yet he has the damn cheek to request Unionists to form a discussion group where they have to justify their Britishness.  I'll put it straight to you, Feeney!  Unionists have their place in the United Kingdom justified in law and as of right.  Who the hell do you or your squalid terrorist-voting community think you are in asking Unionists to justify themselves?  They don't have to do so to you, to Gerry Adams, to Bertie Ahern, to Martin 'I'll go and have a natter with the Real IRA and tell them if they call a ceasefire, we won't pursue the Omagh investigation' Mansergh, to Mitchel McLaughlin, to Jude Collins, or to anyone else.

Unionists have their Britishness legitimised - both by its very existence and by the recognition of the international community.  Why should they stand before an audience who can give a post-dated electoral endorsement to the mass murder carried out in the name of Irish nationalism?  Nationalists talk in the abstract: focusing endlessly on achieving the unobtainable.  For Unionists, their goal has already been reached, and was reached 85 years ago.  For them, and for their supporters, there's nothing to talk about.

Below is a picture of a typical house in the overwhelmingly Catholic village of Culmore, near Londonderry.  Such dwellings are common right across the Province.  As you can see, Catholics are positively starving in the oh-so-bad Northern Ireland.

Comments

[Brainless Brian]

* Is Feeney just a moron? Answers please!*

Yes. One of the more crabbit, bitter and bigoted ones at that. He works for a bum newspaper too...(No pun intended)

[Madradin Ruad]

What is so funny is that he , like so many in SF, is on the Queen's payroll, in the sectarian annexe to QUB .....

[Reg]

Let's see, your explanation for the lack of self-examination within unionism is...

a) Irish people ("nationalist Ireland" only of course) are stupid and talk too much

b) As NI exists, unionists have what they want and thus don't need to talk about the "national question". (Quite. Why all the whinging then?).

You really are an imbecile.

[Andrew McCann]

Why all the whinging?

Because they expect to be treated the same as everybody else in the Union, and are not at present. If rates and other household costs are becoming the equal of the rest of the Union, the political structure should do likewise.

You really are a pillock!

[smcgiff]

Can you not see the owner is reduced to driving a wine fiesta! Oh the humanity!!!

[Madradin Ruad]

Seamus - that's the servant's runaround ;)

[SG]

A phot of a home in a Catholic village to prove a point?

Andy dear you are losing the plot more and more by the day!

The question was settled 85 years ago you are right - but unfortunately our forefather chose to include two Nationalist majority counties when drwaing the border (Fermanagh & Tyrone) if these had not been included we would have had relative peace and would not have the present situation where 42 percent of voters are choosing Nationalist parties.

If their numbers get higher we will have to think the unthinkable and look at the border again.

[Andrew McCann]

SG

I think the house photograph is entirely appropriate to rebuff a hoax that Catholics have it rough in Northern Ireland.

The only figure that counts is the figure in a referendum - should it ever transpire.

Many countries across the world contain territory where people have a different national allegiance. Shall we tear up the entire post-war world political map to feed a nationalist orgasmic fantasy.

Northern Ireland - all six counties of it - are in the UK and are staying put.

[Hugh Green]

MR,

Why do you criticise Feeney for receiving payment from the British state? Do you believe that payment from the British state (or any state for that matter) for services rendered entails that you should be nice to it in return?

[Emmett]

"The only trouble is, 4,000 words are used when 40 could do the trick"

Brilliantly concise from the englishman. 750 words used to say "i hate Irish people".

It fills me with glee that these things drive you insane with rage. The rest of us will move on to a future united while you and the rest of the british 'subjects' can waste your time dreaming of your lost empire. Don't get too wound up! It can lead to ill health you know...

actually do get wound up...

:)

[Ross]

Andrew don't you realise that although the house looks nice, due to evil Unionist oppression there are actually twelve families living in it.

[smcgiff]

'Seamus - that's the servant's runaround ;)'

Clearly a Castle Catholic then! ;¬)

[Madradin Ruad]

Why do you criticise Feeney for receiving payment from the British state?

Does "biting that hand that feeds" ring any bells ?

[SG]

And if their numbers continue to rise Andrew as they have done consistently? What then? Hypothetical I know but it is useful to think ahead.

The point made about the inclusion of Fermanagh and Tyrone is valid. Had they not been included everything would have been fine.

[Andrew McCann]

'750 words used to say "i hate Irish people.'

Can't argue with that brilliance, Emmett. Meanwhile, whilst you and the rest of the Fenian MOPEs rabbit on about unattainable objectives, Unionists will continue to live under the relative stability of Direct Rule without the need or the requirement to justify it to anyone.

As for ill health, do the words 'drop dead' help any? It's one less vote for a nationalist party.

[DUP2WIN]

"Unionists will continue to live under the relative stability of Direct Rule"

Mr Mc Cann - Direct rule is not in Ulster's interests. The southern government have more input than they ever did. Break up of Ulster into 7 council areas - on geographical and sectarian lines is a direct result of Dublin input.

What do you suggest to do about that?
How do you think you will change it?
What makes you think Unionists are enjoying relative stabilty under this SoS?

[Armaghlite]

I love it that he hates the Republic so much! Hatred only eats at the person who hates - Carrying on hating !!!

[Madradin Ruad]

Direct rule is not in Ulster's interests.

and having terrorist criminals in Government is ?

[Andrew McCann]

Armaghl(sh)ite

Or perhaps you and Emmett can take yourselves and your spawn down the Loughgall and let the SAS do the job with relative ease.

DUP

Direct Rule is by far the lesser of two evils. Under any system you're going to have Dublin political infestation for the foreseeable future. However, what you will not have are two players dedicated to the ongoing instability of NI as they seek to delegitimise it in order to destroy it.

Direct Rule is subject to change according to the government at Westminster. Allow the IRA back into Stormont, and you've got them permanently.

That's the plain truth.

[smcgiff]

'and having terrorist criminals in government is ?'

Some would argue, after Blair's involvement in the war on Iraq, that you're already so governed!

[noselfishstrategicoreconomicinterest]

"rabbit on about unattainable objectives"

The told us that destroying the UDR was anunattainable objective.

They told us that an enquiry into Bloody Sunday was anunattainable objective.

The told us that destroying the RUC was anunattainable objective.

The told us that giving the Republic a legal say in running NI was anunattainable objective.

They told us that the nationalist vote ever reaching 40% was anunattainable objective.

They told us that Nationalists in government was anunattainable objective.

They told us that Britain declaring it had no interest in the Northern Ireland was anunattainable objective.

Carry on living in fantasy land Mr. Mc Cann There are many things that are attainable for us and we are only getting into our stride.

Many things.

[Madradin Ruad]

Some would argue the the earth is flat Seamus :)

To be honest - looking at the corruption in local government and the low quality of most of our local politicians, I'm all in favour of taking ALL political pwer away from the buggers at council level as well.

Clearly a Castle Catholic then! ;¬)

They'll be wanting a vote next!!!!

due to evil Unionist oppression there are actually twelve families living in it.

Time to introduce a poll tax for the Romanists ;)

[Madradin Ruad]

p.s and only those producing a British passport are to be allowed free treatment under the NHS!

[DUP2WIN]

Mr McCann,

Your analysis, although well meaning, is flawed. The only change at Westminster would be to a Conservative Government and while they were not as bad as this lot they were not averse to selling us out - Thatcher with AIA and Major with everything from Downing Street Declaration to Framework Documents.

If all parties verifiably remove themselves from terror & crime, if we make govt here more accountable It will work.

I would prefere Unionists taking decisions rather than English politicians in London with no sympathy for Ulster be they Tory or Labour in conjunction with the Republic.

[Andrew McCann]

Nationalists told us the Union would be history by the 1980s. WRONG!

Nationalists told us the IRA would maintain its level of killing until the 'British' had stated an intention to leave NI. WRONG!

Nationalists told us the 2001 Census would mark the start of a demographic victory. WRONG!

Martin McGuinness told us the purposes of Sinn Fein entering the peace negotations in 1998 was to 'smash the Union'. WRONG!

As for the 'no strategic interest' bit, that was a political statement from a politician. It is not legal fact, which is why you won't find those words in the Belfast Agreement or any of its parliamentary implementation legislation.

Sorry to rain on your republican parade. BTW, how is Fisherwick these days?