Sinn Fein? They have gone away, you know.

[muppet]

If SF want to attract the middleclass nationalist vote, they will need to stop pandering to the baser elements within their immediate working class support. That means temperate language and none of the crass remarks a la Bobby Storey. They need also to reign in on the monkey see monkey do mimicry of loyalist parades and commemorations.

[Nally Stand]

It is also interesting to know the SF canvassers have been instructed to behave and told to not let rip during the many times that they feel like it. Householders can breath a sigh a relief!

I wonder how many other parties need to instruct their canvasers to behave themselves?

I'd assume every party that is involved in canvassing.

For example, the main government party...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lhqGE7Kq1M
"Be polite"
"Don't take shortcuts over people's hedges"
"Don't ever get involved in an argument"
"Engage in a non-confrontational manner"

As do their coalition partners in the Labour party, but their guide isn't available online.

Fianna Fáil do too...
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48360481/Fianna-Fail-Canvassers-Guide
"Be courteous and polite at all times"
"don't get intoarguments with voters about issues."

As does the DUP...
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/dup-s-election-canvassing-guidelines-in-full-1-6026453
"Never raise your voice to a voter"

etc etc etc

[Nally Stand]

The SDLP are still in disarray. Al and Dolly can't stand one another

They both have a point.

[cockahoop]

where my post go?have SF control over this board as well?

Anyway its not unionism destroying the education system (although im not sure they would do much better),my local primary school were told they had not enough pupils to sustain it,but in the nxt couple of years they were way over the number required so the school went looking extra funding for the increased numbers,guess what they were turned down flat and the school had to turn away pupils,go figure that one...yet if myself and my wife were umemployed claiming benifits,polish or traveller our child would get in!!!we had to send our child 8 mile away to play school when our local primary is 1.2 mile from our front door!!
SF shouted for years that unionism had no alternative to sunningdale and the anglo irish agreement yet they go and scrap the 11+ which in theory i have no problem with but what have they put in place to replace this?nothing and inturn created a system which will turn out just like england where there will be private and public schooling.Then they come up with the bright idea to cut school funding to give it to areas of need!!so basically my chid does not have the same needs as a child who lives in a deprived area!!
SF idea of socialism is a hell of alot different from my idea

[cockahoop]

i agree screen that DUP will take a hit but i think SF will take a bigger hit,SF got alot of support due to the SDLP being totally incompetent and also trying to oust bigots like mccrea from mid ulster but with politics here becoming more "normal" people are starting to see through SF.They are single handly destroying our education system and the real thing that sticks in my throat about SF is if you dare to speak against them you are a "dissendent".

I agree but I think the SDLP are still clean useless so I can't see where SF are going to lose some of their vote unless people are that apathetic now that they just don't turn out!

I've yet to look at anybody in NI Politics who I would say "Yeah that's a serious operator who will work hard for me I want to pick him!". Probably had I been at voting age at the time Hume but other than that the rest are a crowd of fcukwits.

Let's vote for SF for Westminster so that they don't even go! What the fcuk is the point in that?!

Thats exactly what i can see happening,unfortuately there arent many options if you dont agree with SF policies

[Applesisapples]

where my post go?have SF control over this board as well?

Anyway its not unionism destroying the education system (although im not sure they would do much better),my local primary school were told they had not enough pupils to sustain it,but in the nxt couple of years they were way over the number required so the school went looking extra funding for the increased numbers,guess what they were turned down flat and the school had to turn away pupils,go figure that one...yet if myself and my wife were umemployed claiming benifits,polish or traveller our child would get in!!!we had to send our child 8 mile away to play school when our local primary is 1.2 mile from our front door!!
SF shouted for years that unionism had no alternative to sunningdale and the anglo irish agreement yet they go and scrap the 11+ which in theory i have no problem with but what have they put in place to replace this?nothing and inturn created a system which will turn out just like england where there will be private and public schooling.Then they come up with the bright idea to cut school funding to give it to areas of need!!so basically my chid does not have the same needs as a child who lives in a deprived area!!
SF idea of socialism is a hell of alot different from my idea

Listen, you need to go research this topic thoroughly rather than base it on your experience with one school. Look at the position of all the educationalists, they support SF's position. A large part of the problem is the plethora of education boards inefficiently using resources. The decisions on funding schools would not be the ministers direct responsibility but that of your ELB. Your argument seems to be based on a dislike of SF rather than logic. And before you accuse me, I have a record on here of calling SF out when it's needed.

[cockahoop]

where my post go?have SF control over this board as well?

Anyway its not unionism destroying the education system (although im not sure they would do much better),my local primary school were told they had not enough pupils to sustain it,but in the nxt couple of years they were way over the number required so the school went looking extra funding for the increased numbers,guess what they were turned down flat and the school had to turn away pupils,go figure that one...yet if myself and my wife were umemployed claiming benifits,polish or traveller our child would get in!!!we had to send our child 8 mile away to play school when our local primary is 1.2 mile from our front door!!
SF shouted for years that unionism had no alternative to sunningdale and the anglo irish agreement yet they go and scrap the 11+ which in theory i have no problem with but what have they put in place to replace this?nothing and inturn created a system which will turn out just like england where there will be private and public schooling.Then they come up with the bright idea to cut school funding to give it to areas of need!!so basically my chid does not have the same needs as a child who lives in a deprived area!!
SF idea of socialism is a hell of alot different from my idea

Listen, you need to go research this topic thoroughly rather than base it on your experience with one school. Look at the position of all the educationalists, they support SF's position. A large part of the problem is the plethora of education boards inefficiently using resources. The decisions on funding schools would not be the ministers direct responsibility but that of your ELB. Your argument seems to be based on a dislike of SF rather than logic. And before you accuse me, I have a record on here of calling SF out when it's needed.

I have absolutly no dislike to SF whatsoever i just dont agree with alot of there policies,yes there are one or two individuals i just cant warm to but thats the case with all parties.
i am not basing my views on just my own experience,did SF not say they would be cutting funding to all schools outside as they say it "deprived" areas?and ELB only control the funding in which the SF minister give them!you say educationalists support SF position,well for everyone you find that do i can provide you one that doesnt,my family are heavily involved in education so i am listening to them everyday and i can tell you they certainly do not agree with SF policy on education,and one family member who teaches in a so called deprived school told me they had money left from there budget this year so they spent it on a mini bus which they did not even need yet SF want to give them more money!!just doesnt make sense.

[Applesisapples]

where my post go?have SF control over this board as well?

Anyway its not unionism destroying the education system (although im not sure they would do much better),my local primary school were told they had not enough pupils to sustain it,but in the nxt couple of years they were way over the number required so the school went looking extra funding for the increased numbers,guess what they were turned down flat and the school had to turn away pupils,go figure that one...yet if myself and my wife were umemployed claiming benifits,polish or traveller our child would get in!!!we had to send our child 8 mile away to play school when our local primary is 1.2 mile from our front door!!
SF shouted for years that unionism had no alternative to sunningdale and the anglo irish agreement yet they go and scrap the 11+ which in theory i have no problem with but what have they put in place to replace this?nothing and inturn created a system which will turn out just like england where there will be private and public schooling.Then they come up with the bright idea to cut school funding to give it to areas of need!!so basically my chid does not have the same needs as a child who lives in a deprived area!!
SF idea of socialism is a hell of alot different from my idea

Listen, you need to go research this topic thoroughly rather than base it on your experience with one school. Look at the position of all the educationalists, they support SF's position. A large part of the problem is the plethora of education boards inefficiently using resources. The decisions on funding schools would not be the ministers direct responsibility but that of your ELB. Your argument seems to be based on a dislike of SF rather than logic. And before you accuse me, I have a record on here of calling SF out when it's needed.

I have absolutly no dislike to SF whatsoever i just dont agree with alot of there policies,yes there are one or two individuals i just cant warm to but thats the case with all parties.
i am not basing my views on just my own experience,did SF not say they would be cutting funding to all schools outside as they say it "deprived" areas?and ELB only control the funding in which the SF minister give them!you say educationalists support SF position,well for everyone you find that do i can provide you one that doesnt,my family are heavily involved in education so i am listening to them everyday and i can tell you they certainly do not agree with SF policy on education,and one family member who teaches in a so called deprived school told me they had money left from there budget this year so they spent it on a mini bus which they did not even need yet SF want to give them more money!!just doesnt make sense.

As I stated your reasoning seems confused, SF do not control the ELB's, the SF minister sets policy within the Department which then filters down. No way O'Dowd can be personally responsible for every crisis in just the same way Poots is not personally responsible for every crisis in A&E. Outside of the Grammar sector I have not heard one teacher or educationalist who supports the idea of the 11+.

[cockahoop]

its more than Just the 11+,anyway i dont think we agree on whos running the education system so we will just leave it at that

[Myles Na G.]

The phrase, "A week is a long time in politics"  perfectly sums up the past week.

For anyone following the case of Jean McConville and Gerry Adams alleged involvement over the past while, it came as no surprise that he was going to be questioned about the allegations. He knew that as well, and he stepped up to the plate and made himself available for questioning. Over the course of 4 days, he was interviewed and then released without charge. A file has been sent to the DPP, and a few months later, a decision will be made whether to charge him or not.

Now, the response from Sinn Fein, and in particular Martin McGuinness, Mary Lou McDonald and Bobby Storey was very immature and they did themselves no favours. They didn't show proper leadership at a time where they should have remained calm.

A few weeks ago when Ivor Bell was arrested, Mary Lou said "that she would welcome any measure which would "provide additional comfort to the McConville family." The arrest of Gerry though was a measure too far for her.

Martin McGuinness revealed for the 1st time what thousands of Republicans and nationalists have known for years, and who were ridiculed for saying so, and that there still lingers an old guard of the RUC in the PSNI. For years though Martin never mentioned it, and at every opportunity backed them to the hilt. Sure only a few weeks ago he got them re instated in the St Patricks day parade. For him to throw the toys out of the pram and throw these allegations at the PSNI showed a serious lack of judgement.

Bobby Storey shouldn't have stated at the mural unveiling "We havn't gone away you know". The irony of that statement and people holding "save our peace process posters" wasn't lost on too many.

During the 4 days the party should have shut up shop and said very little until they seen how it was going to pan out with Gerry. In the end, it took Gerry Adams upon his return to steady the ship. He did a great job in calming every body down.

In relation to the Boston Tapes, the whole project is now destroyed to a certain extent. The use of a legal loophole by the PSNI to get access to them never should have been allowed to proceed. Peter King and John Kerry among others warned that they shouldn't be handed over. Hilary Clinton probably could stopped them, but didn't.

Only a couple of tapes were released that contained information on Jean McConville. Ivor Bell was arrested on the back of these tapes, and while he was charged in relation to her death, the PSNI can't prove that he was X or Y on the tapes. The contract that he signed confirming who he was on the tapes is lost. So are many others. However, in a statement yesterday, Gerry Adams said " Anthony McIntyre's interview with the late Brendan Hughes and his interview with Ivor Bell formed the mainstay for my arrest last week." Did Gerry just positively identify Ivor from the tape? Could Gerry be called as a witness in Ivor's trail by the PSNI?

The hate campaign stirred against The Boston Tapes is out of line and inaccurate. To say that everyone one the tapes are telling lies and are anti peace process is based on what? Only a couple of tapes have been heard out of a total of 28. How can such a judgement be made on the basis of a couple of extracts from a couple of tapes? The continued use of the word tout, and the spread of graffiti across west Belfast is appalling. It's not that long ago when Martin and Gerry were surrounded by 3 top British Agents.

The tapes were described as having serious merit by only the 3rd person to have listened to every tape. Their value for generations to come to study the history of our time, and to learn from it would have been immense. To protect those still alive, a limit of 50 or 75 years should have been imposed.

If there is no evidence against Gerry, and he is cleared, that should be it. For far too long the brutal murder of Jean McConville and accusations of his involvement has been thrown at Gerry, from all sides and especially by Enda Kenny. Now is the time to get to truth if we can. However, if he is charged, then that will be a serious blow to the party. From what we saw last week, there were very few who could lead like he can.

Nail on the head there. The Shinners missed a huge chance - they only had to shut the fcuk up for 3 or 4 days and wait until their leader was released and their journey from the political wilderness to mainstream political party would've been complete. Instead, Marty threw a tantrum and set them back about 20 years.

Lol, You may wish that to be the case, but I'd say you know yourself that it isn't.

It won't have affected their core support, obviously not, but SF's handling of this whole affair, the dummy-spitting and threats, has alienated a whole lot of people who were starting to think that SF were maturing as a political party, that maybe it was time to set aside long-held perceptions and to give them a chance. Those people - and I'm one - are now heading straight back to the SDLP or the Alliance Party.

[Nally Stand]

SF's handling of this whole affair, the dummy-spitting and threats, has alienated a whole lot of people who were starting to think that SF were maturing as a political party

Evidence?

Those people - and I'm one - are now heading straight back to the SDLP or the Alliance Party.

Hate to repeat myself here, but...

SF and the IRA are a bunch of w**kers. Most of the island believes that to be the case.

Irishmen and women will never allow republicans to take ownership of this country. The sight of Kelly walking down the road with a bunch of clowns dressed in dark sunglasses and berets, was a reminder of just why the man is unfit to run a bath, never mind a country. One day northern unionists will cotton on to the fact that the best way of sidelining w**kers like Adams and Kelly is to have an all Ireland parliament based in Dublin.

What I find most sickening is that this arch bigot is being facilitated in his efforts to reintroduce gerrymandering in a different guise by the cooperation of Sinn Fein.

Why Sinn Fein Are A Bunch of Hypocrites

1. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, SF recognised and signed up to what they had previously derided as the 'unionist veto'. It was rebranded as the consent of the people of the north to spare their blushes. As an SDLP supporter I've always supported the consent principle. Republicans used to brand people like me as subservient for doing so.

2. Under the same Agreement, SF agreed to enter the Stormont Assembly and take part in the administration of British Rule in Ireland. Indeed, their burning ambition now is to hold the post of First Minister in this Assembly. As an SDLP supporter I've no problem with a local Assembly. However, republicans used to brand people like me as west Brits for holding such a view.

3. SF supported the right of every Irishman and woman to take up arms against the British 'occupation'. 'Ireland unfree will never be at peace', etc etc. SF now consider the so called republicans dissidents as 'traitors' to Ireland for doing so. Only Gerry and Marty, apparently, have the right to declare war.

4. SF preach equality for all and the rights of women, yet they deny justice to women who've been abused or raped by leading republicans.

That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more.

It's about the Shinners trying to rewrite history by seeking to normalise the deeds and atrocities carried out by the IRA.

republicans are trying to rewrite history and steal the laurels that rightly belong to others. Shameful, but typical.

I'm only interested in impartial sources, not propaganda crap from the Shinners.

Let's find out exactly what part Gerry Adams played in the abduction and murder of a mother of 10.

(Questioned, and released without charge)

typical Shinner shite, to be honest.

[Myles Na G.]

SF's handling of this whole affair, the dummy-spitting and threats, has alienated a whole lot of people who were starting to think that SF were maturing as a political party

Evidence?

Those people - and I'm one - are now heading straight back to the SDLP or the Alliance Party.

Hate to repeat myself here, but...

SF and the IRA are a bunch of w**kers. Most of the island believes that to be the case.

Irishmen and women will never allow republicans to take ownership of this country. The sight of Kelly walking down the road with a bunch of clowns dressed in dark sunglasses and berets, was a reminder of just why the man is unfit to run a bath, never mind a country. One day northern unionists will cotton on to the fact that the best way of sidelining w**kers like Adams and Kelly is to have an all Ireland parliament based in Dublin.

What I find most sickening is that this arch bigot is being facilitated in his efforts to reintroduce gerrymandering in a different guise by the cooperation of Sinn Fein.

Why Sinn Fein Are A Bunch of Hypocrites

1. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, SF recognised and signed up to what they had previously derided as the 'unionist veto'. It was rebranded as the consent of the people of the north to spare their blushes. As an SDLP supporter I've always supported the consent principle. Republicans used to brand people like me as subservient for doing so.

2. Under the same Agreement, SF agreed to enter the Stormont Assembly and take part in the administration of British Rule in Ireland. Indeed, their burning ambition now is to hold the post of First Minister in this Assembly. As an SDLP supporter I've no problem with a local Assembly. However, republicans used to brand people like me as west Brits for holding such a view.

3. SF supported the right of every Irishman and woman to take up arms against the British 'occupation'. 'Ireland unfree will never be at peace', etc etc. SF now consider the so called republicans dissidents as 'traitors' to Ireland for doing so. Only Gerry and Marty, apparently, have the right to declare war.

4. SF preach equality for all and the rights of women, yet they deny justice to women who've been abused or raped by leading republicans.

That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more.

It's about the Shinners trying to rewrite history by seeking to normalise the deeds and atrocities carried out by the IRA.

republicans are trying to rewrite history and steal the laurels that rightly belong to others. Shameful, but typical.

I'm only interested in impartial sources, not propaganda crap from the Shinners.

Let's find out exactly what part Gerry Adams played in the abduction and murder of a mother of 10.

(Questioned, and released without charge)

typical Shinner shite, to be honest.

Could you not find anything more recent than 9 months ago? I'm sure you looked hard enough. 

[foxcommander]

Those people - and I'm one - are now heading straight back to the SDLP or the Alliance Party.

somehow doubt you ever voted Sinn Fein before.

The SDUUPAlliance in the next election might suit you.

[orangeman]

Gerry got out last Sunday after 3/4 days of SF reps coming out with stuff like " we'll have to review our support for policing" and accusations and allegations about the arrest being politically motivated etc etc.
Looking back now SF reps ( and others too ) will be sitting down to their Friday night fish supper and wondering what exactly the hullabaloo was all about and why SF reps protested publicly so much instead of keepng their counsel and saying little if anything.

So - almost a week later - what was it that led Martin and Gerry ( Kelly ) and others lead a public outcry ?. - I wouldn't call it throwing the toys out of the pram as some here have - rather it was a bit of a strop - a threat to spit the dummy out.

Was it that SF thought that the cops were just at their usual old shite and the "cabal" were out to get Gerry and SF and it was therefore time to stand on their toes and say to the cops and everybody else that enough was enough ?

Was it cos SF WERE concerned that the cops might charge Gerry with whatever and that it would end Gerry and seriously damage SF so best way to deal with it is huff and puff ?.

On reflection, it seemed that SF were very nervous indeed, fearful that the cops might have pinned something on Gerry.

Whay would have happened if Gerry had have been charged ?. Would DUP have walked ?


So many questions - not many answers.

[Myles Na G.]

Those people - and I'm one - are now heading straight back to the SDLP or the Alliance Party.

somehow doubt you ever voted Sinn Fein before.

The SDUUPAlliance in the next election might suit you.

I've never voted SF in my life. I think you've missed the point a bit with this one.