A United Ireland. Opening up the discussion.

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Gildernew pretty poor in the discussions that I've seen

She has given the headline comments justified murder and shit hole which takes away from the actual subject of the podcast so agreed not great. Peadar on the other hand was head and shoulders above any of the other politicians on Nolan last night presenting a sound and robust argument for unity. Compare it to the clown Gaston whose argument basically involved that he has spoken to some people and feels support for the UK is now greater,😂

[JPGJOHNNYG]

It reminds me of a recent discussion on irishborderpoll.com. Kevin meagher gives a great pro unity pitch discussing demographics, services, quality of life , economy etc and then Ruth Dudley Edwards pitch for the union is something along the lines that a recent taxi driver she had in Dublin didn't want a united Ireland

[trueblue1234]

The good Friday agreement has not worked for Nationalists, our culture and way of life is being tramped on by unionist Politian's at every opportunity.

Irish language is not to be promoted or encouraged
Gaelic games are not to be promoted or encouraged
Irish history is ignored
The west of the statelet to this day see little or no investment except for the unionist strong holds like Fivemiletown etc.

Its time for change but I don't think SF are the party to deliver it, I think they done the right thing by sticking to the ballot box and what they have done for nationalists has to be commended but its time for the SDLP to get their affairs into order and get their asses into gear and drive for a border poll and put an end to this shit place.
 

This is a little like the great white hope of a player who's too fond of the drink. Does nothing for about 12 years but you keep hoping that he'll get off the drink and come good. It just never happens.

[RedHand88]

Michelle Gildernew not the best debater to put forward for that podcast. When Ian made some valid points her response was to laugh without actually challenging them.

That said when Ian was asked what British culture entailed all he could say was the Premier League. And when the young lad said he didn't like soccer he then mentioned Coronation Street lol.

[Sportacus]

Was pretty easy for Ian to brush off any courting in favour of a UI simply because he's a Unionist and isn't interested. That said, that doesn't take Unionism anywhere as they're just locking down with what they have, so eventually they lose.
Gildernew wasn't very impressive at reaching out and winning new supporters. More pub talk from her than anything convincing.

[Armagh18]

Mob of pond life turn up at Naomi Longs house last night..

[Pub Bore]

Unfortunately Unionists don't have to make an argument to stay in the UK as that is the status quo position.  It's up to those who want to effect change to make that argument.  I have long been of the opinion that the SF accepted the border poll element of the GFA being watered down and left woolly in order to get the prisoners released.

[weareros]

Captures how twisted those Unionist politicians are - every party. Loyalists tell the Sunday Life they will burn council vans over Irish language. Naomi as justice minister takes the threat seriously. The PSNI then say they are not aware of any threat (Jesus Christ, if they are informing the biggest Sunday newspaper in North, that might be a sign there's a threat). Unionists then rail on Naomi for making threats up and not checking with PSNI who are unaware of threats (obviously blind and deaf to Loyalist threats). Then masked men storm her house. Unionists politicians then with mealy mouthed words this has nothing to do with us. 

[armaghniac]

Unfortunately Unionists don't have to make an argument to stay in the UK as that is the status quo position.  It's up to those who want to effect change to make that argument.  I have long been of the opinion that the SF accepted the border poll element of the GFA being watered down and left woolly in order to get the prisoners released.

They accepted all sorts of stuff to get prisoners released. Even leaving aside a border poll, which was inevitably some time in the future, things like the Irish language or further All-Ireland bodies were not included in the GFA.

[Truthsayer]

Unfortunately Unionists don't have to make an argument to stay in the UK as that is the status quo position.  It's up to those who want to effect change to make that argument.  I have long been of the opinion that the SF accepted the border poll element of the GFA being watered down and left woolly in order to get the prisoners released.

They accepted all sorts of stuff to get prisoners released. Even leaving aside a border poll, which was inevitably some time in the future, things like the Irish language or further All-Ireland bodies were not included in the GFA.

I don't get why Irish language is even a debate, other than sheer bigotry. There is Welsh language signs used throughout Wales which is an English speaking country.. and Scotland (tho not sure is that a language or dialect.. 'haste ye back!'). Are we not entitled to same respect for our language?
This is Ireland.. clue is in 'Northern Ireland'...

[JohnDenver]

Unfortunately Unionists don't have to make an argument to stay in the UK as that is the status quo position.  It's up to those who want to effect change to make that argument.  I have long been of the opinion that the SF accepted the border poll element of the GFA being watered down and left woolly in order to get the prisoners released.

They accepted all sorts of stuff to get prisoners released. Even leaving aside a border poll, which was inevitably some time in the future, things like the Irish language or further All-Ireland bodies were not included in the GFA.

I don't get why Irish language is even a debate, other than sheer bigotry. There is Welsh language signs used throughout Wales which is an English speaking country.. and Scotland (tho not sure is that a language or dialect.. 'haste ye back!'). Are we not entitled to same respect for our language?
This is Ireland.. clue is in 'Northern Ireland'...

It would appear you do get it   

That's all it boils down to really

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Unfortunately Unionists don't have to make an argument to stay in the UK as that is the status quo position.  It's up to those who want to effect change to make that argument.  I have long been of the opinion that the SF accepted the border poll element of the GFA being watered down and left woolly in order to get the prisoners released.

They accepted all sorts of stuff to get prisoners released. Even leaving aside a border poll, which was inevitably some time in the future, things like the Irish language or further All-Ireland bodies were not included in the GFA.

I don't get why Irish language is even a debate, other than sheer bigotry. There is Welsh language signs used throughout Wales which is an English speaking country.. and Scotland (tho not sure is that a language or dialect.. 'haste ye back!'). Are we not entitled to same respect for our language?
This is Ireland.. clue is in 'Northern Ireland'...

The whole west of Scotland is full of Scots Gaelic signs which is just a branch of old Irish. The haste ye back is Scots and more in the lowlands and is pretty much the same as Ulster Scots so yes a dialect

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Just finished episode 2 of borderlands. It didn't get any better for Gildernew. In episode 1 as a nationalist I found it worrying to be thinking that Paisley sounded more reasonable than her. It was only when Eastwood and Harvey entered the discussion did his mask start to slip and he started to sound his normal self. In episode 2, tools like Bryson and Gibson were running rings around Gildernew, even the loyalist bandsmen seem to argue their position better ffs. As we get closer to a poll these debates and programmes will be important as it may help the middle ground decide one way or the other. With that in mind nationalism needs to make sure their very best performers are out batting for us and all lightweight, poor and ill prepared individuals kept out of sight. Fortunately most of these debates it's usually the other way round with Unionists looking foolish.

[Rossfan]

Are you saying,like many others, the last people we need promoting an AI outcome are Shinners?

[Armagh18]

Are you saying,like many others, the last people we need promoting an AI outcome are Shinners?

Seem to be the only ones who ever mention it, we'll be waiting a while on the leader of the "Republican Party" to promote it, Leo Varadkar showed no interest while in power but seems to be all for it now.

Claire Hanna seems a lot more capable than that other bollix she replaced, so encouraging signs there. Hopefully the SDLP and Sinn Fein can work with rather than against each other.