AlexWilliamsGloves
Well-Known Member
It makes more of a statement by not attending IMO....if he had, nothing would be said
edit: i should also add...im not particularly arsed about it either
Irish Current Affairs
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edit: i should also add...im not particularly arsed about it either
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
No. I’m not overly arsed about it myself but feel it would have been politicised no matter what he did. Either up their or down here.
I don’t know that he is backtracking or explaining himself which may not be wise either, but his problem seems to be that in his view the DUP, not the Clergy, politicised a religious event by purposely addressing him with the wrong title. President of ROI instead of President of Ireland.
Semantics you might say, but the Archbishops got it right.
Personally, I feel it would have been good if he went but understand his dilemma.
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
Sounds like something AWG said he watched a while back with his son.
I’ve watched a lot of stuff about the setting up of the state but not sure that this centenary celebration program was one of them.
It only aired last week I think. Might be wrong. Once I see it for myself may be worth more comments I guess.
As someone who's celebrating it to be honest I don't care. I would have liked him to attend but completely understand why he feels he couldn't or shouldn't (if what I've read to be true. But as I say not bothered too much and respect his decision
AlexWilliamsGloves
Well-Known Member
If its the one with Paddy Kielty i thought it was good...and worth watching. His Dad was killed by loyalists during the troubles...and he spends time with an (ex) leading loyalist whose organisation would have been responsible....
As an "outsider" still, after 20 years here I still find it mad/sad how the tiniest of things can be blown out of all proportion. Whilst I don't think anyone has actually posted a copy of the letter which seems to have caused all the controversy, the BBC seem to suggest that Mr Higgins was addressed respectfully and correctly
"The letter addresses him as "The President of Ireland, Áras an Uachtaráin".
Taking things on a very simplistic level myself and irrespective of my personal views I have to say I actually feel that Higgins has been put in almost a no win situation. He will be criticised in some quarters no matter what he did and it appears to me that the comments from the DUP have simply made it easier for him to turn down the invitation.
I saw that on the iPlayer the other day and will certainly make a point of watching it. With my son just starting a politics A level I hope it may be something he may get a small bit of insight from and spur him on to wider reading
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
The invite from the clergy was addressed correctly.
The DUP remarks may well have been a good get out clause for him, but I agree, he was on a hiding to nothing.
AlexWilliamsGloves
Well-Known Member
yeah, but...yeah, but...but, yeah.....he said....
mancity2012_eamo
Well-Known Member
Watched Nolan last night for the first time in ages.
Whatever your views on vaccine passports, the DUP representatives always come across as so last century.
His excuse for not getting a pFizer or Astra vaccine was that it’s development in some way was related to stem cells produced from cells of aborted foetus’s in the 1970’s.
Professor Ultan Power went into great detail to explain how far removed the cells generated are from any research in he 70s but he wasn’t having it.
Down south we have our objectors too but we just get on with showing our Covid certs when asked while dining indoors. It’s no big deal. I find it hard to understand those that get worked up about their civil liberties being violated.
Whatever your views on vaccine passports, the DUP representatives always come across as so last century.
His excuse for not getting a pFizer or Astra vaccine was that it’s development in some way was related to stem cells produced from cells of aborted foetus’s in the 1970’s.
Professor Ultan Power went into great detail to explain how far removed the cells generated are from any research in he 70s but he wasn’t having it.
Down south we have our objectors too but we just get on with showing our Covid certs when asked while dining indoors. It’s no big deal. I find it hard to understand those that get worked up about their civil liberties being violated.
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bluethrunthru
Well-Known Member
What is more baffling is they all have a mobile phone ( tracked ) - often use Google maps ( tracked ) - they walk by thousands of CCTV camera's daily ( tracking where they are going ) - pay by credit/debit card leaving a trail behind themselves and many post pics on social media showing where they are where they have been where they ate etc......... but a covid passport is Big Brother?
AlexWilliamsGloves
Well-Known Member
Relevant here and the auld Brexit thread.. just a wee bit of the violence that was predicted...
www.bbc.com
Newtownards: Bus hijacked by masked men and set on fire
Nichola Mallon says it is understood the attackers referenced the Northern Ireland Protocol.
www.bbc.com
Shadz69
Well-Known Member
Sinn Fein announcing support for the special criminal court, something they have railed against in the past is sure to be a vote winner. I can see them running way more candidates next time and destroying the rest. Can honestly see them having enough representatives to form a government on their own.
As they say interesting times ahead......
As they say interesting times ahead......
Yep.
She is pushing all the chips to the table now. Doubt they get enough to form a majority or senior partner but they will likely be in the next government.
Could go either way, people might back off as this time if you vote for them you could put them in power, they are no longer an electoral protest but a legitimate contender. Could galvanise those wanting to break up the duopoly of FF and FG. Hard to know.
One thing is for sure, the last election was the last warning for FF an FG to sort out housing, health and homeless. They couldn't even a build a single estate but have actually managed to make the property crisis worse. They deserve to lose.
Shadz69
Well-Known Member
She is a shrewd operator, find myself constantly surprised by her. I agree about ff/fg letting the country down, pretty disgusting.
I only see sf adding votes, they haven't gone nearly far enough for me personally but I think I may be in the minority next time.
Trying to imagine Boris fielding calls from Mary Lou, maybe they'd become fast friends ala Paisley and McGuinness.
AlexWilliamsGloves
Well-Known Member
Shes a hateful auld bitch.
As someone from a unionist upbringing in Belfast, with nationalist leanings, SF will always represent terror to me
Shadz69
Well-Known Member
I can understand that.
There is a good proportion of the ROI population think highly of her as a politician and they are gaining all the time.
Time will tell, still don't think I could vote for them though.
AlexWilliamsGloves
Well-Known Member
She's bullish and in a way, i reluctantly "respect" how she seems to like shaking things up. Ive been very vocal about moving forward and dare i say, forgetting what has happened in the past...afterall, thats pretty much the crux of the Good Friday Agreement....however, i just cant passed SF...in the same way i cant get passed the DUP.
I wish we had all new leaders to move us forward, but unfortunately we have far too many parties as it is!
Shadz69
Well-Known Member
Not looking back is what's needed I agree. In a way its good to see another party become strong down here, our last two governments have been a disgrace, the two main parties together in government, just a pity its sf but I'm hoping for the best as I said earlier she'd buy and sell most of our current leadership.