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Haass It All Been A Big Waste Of Money
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I'm probably going to get it in the neck from one or two of the others for saying some of this but to hell with it, here goes:
The flegs issue is still there however and all it takes is for some rabble rouser to get their brain dead followers back on the streets causing bother. The same goes for the parades commission; there's still the pointless exercise of "Fort Twadell" which the OO are going to keep their as a reflection of their intransigence in not accepting they're ever going to be allowed to make the symbolic and victorious parade back past the Ardoyne shops.
I'm with you on the cuts to medical services although I don't know much about the schools issue. Since they closed A&E at the City the service provided to Belfast and Greater Belfast has been atrocious and I do not accept it's because they cannot get the staff to run a service at the City. For some reason Antrim too, a supposedly "showcase" hospital is badly affected too, and that's been going on now since well before the cuts.
Providing immunity for past crimes is a quid pro quo, that's for definite. Stormont and Westminster both want answers to questions, as do the public here. Certain members of Sinn Fein, the PUP and their followers are desperate for immunity. Stormont and Westminster want to see an end to the parade of Sinn Fein sponsored litigation coming before the courts which is costing the country a fortune in compensation.
I still don't see these things as manufactured although I can see why you would view them as such. I think the issue of immunity is a natural consequence of the two sides trying to finally disengage from the conflict and draw a line under it. Plus the people want answers as well as an end to the interminable blether about it all.
I think there is every need for a foreign diplomat too. Sinn Fein would cry foul if a UK personality was employed and similarly the array of unionist parties would whinge if an Irish one was used. America has the most influence so why not avail ourselves of their generosity?
With regards to pay packets: I know your major concern is that Sinn Fein are collecting them but I believe their over-riding concern is to stay in government. The money is of secondary importance although because of their policy of making everyone on an official salary to hand over part of it to the party it's also a useful source of funding. Some of which has been removed by the DUP passing the law preventing convicted terrorists from taking up advisory posts, something we all know wasn't done on merit but as a reward for their "active service".
The Sinn Fein story is largely known but still and all they try to pervert history by constantly repeating things which they know are untrue in the hope that at least some people will believe them, and this policy does work to an extent because you'll find people, even here, even yourself, repeating falsehoods which are now entrenched. Policies like this are well know facets of nationalism the world over however, as is the lust for power, because ultimately nationalism is about power, disguised as emancipation.
On the other hand, the predictable unionist response is driven by fear. The fear of losing power and once again that is a characteristic displayed by all former governments in one party states, shared by Russia, Zimbabwe, and many tin-pot states whose hierarchy is driven by power and greed. A fear always backed up by a violent response from the proletariat who become convinced by their masters' twisted appeals for a defence of what they stand for. In this case it's despite continued assurances from the mother country that the Britishness of Northern Ireland won't be eroded, last said by John Major just a fortnight ago.
Stick to rolling pins and loose women?0 -
highrisklowreturn wrote: »Stick to rolling pins and loose women?
The funny thing is I'm reading a book just now on the origins of the troubles and the situation in 1968 bears a remarkable resemblance to the one we're in now. The agenda is different but what's the same is the fact that nobody can agree. Mind you, why should any of us be surprised at that!0 -
The funny thing is I'm reading a book just now on the origins of the troubles and the situation in 1968 bears a remarkable resemblance to the one we're in now. The agenda is different but what's the same is the fact that nobody can agree. Mind you, why should any of us be surprised at that!
at the risk of repeating myself,
our politicians have a limited skill set when it comes to politics, in that they feel most comfortable and effective when they are talking about issues relating to the "peace process". but they are totally limited and ineffective when it come to ordinary bread and butter politics. Could you imagine one of them on the "national" BBC Question Time programme?
In reality two of the three issues Parading and the Flegs are false issues in the first place and would be solved with some resolute policing. This is unlikely to happen though.0 -
I bet the boys and girls from the "Jobs 4 Us" are kicking themselves there was no "agreement",various committees being touted were as replacement for the parades commission,A select commemoration committee and an authority for public events adjudication.
All a bit of a mouthful but good for at least £35K a year for several days attendance a month plus expenses...0 -
just a couple of questions...
1. how much did all this cost?
2. Who`s paying for it?0 -
at the risk of repeating myself,
our politicians have a limited skill set when it comes to politics, in that they feel most comfortable and effective when they are talking about issues relating to the "peace process". but they are totally limited and ineffective when it come to ordinary bread and butter politics. Could you imagine one of them on the "national" BBC Question Time programme?
In reality two of the three issues Parading and the Flegs are false issues in the first place and would be solved with some resolute policing. This is unlikely to happen though.
I've been reading a book this past few days. It's called, "Northern Ireland: The Origins of the Troubles" by Thomas Hennessy. I got it from the library. I recommend it to you because it's a hard hitting, no punches pulled, history.
The impressions I've got from it are these: in the 1960's the standard of politician in this country was far superior to that which we have now. The Prime Minister was an Eton educated "big house" unionist whose main focus was on making this province a superb place to live in, for everyone, with jobs aplenty. There were issues however, much like the ones which Haas focused on regarding flegs, marches and history which the left were pressing for changes on but the PM couldn't deliver, even with extreme pressure from Westminster, because of the lack of support within the grassroots element who wouldn't accept change.
So in reality nothing has changed, except that the politicians are of a much poorer standard.
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The talks are over...
No Agreement Made.....
Parties still miles apart on many issues.......
No Further Forward on Parades, Flegs or the Past............
BIG WASTE OF TIME & MONEY !!!!
They should all be sacked, the lot of them......... or at the very least not get paid till they sort their bl00dy differences out......0 -
It would be nice to know what was actaully proposed.0
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