Disqus - Latest Comments for MichealOMaoileann

Re: Taoiseach confirms to Ó Caoláin that FÁS-funded centre tried to recruit for British Army | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:32:53 -0000

There's a big difference Sean11.

Firstly you won't get shipped out to Afghanistan after six months, to endure all the environmental delights of that region, namely unbearable heat when you have to wear twenty pounds of kit on patrol, and take a high risk of getting blown up by an IED or shot by a sniper.

Secondly, if you're from southern Ireland and sign up for that, you'd definitely find yourself on the front line a good deal more than any regular British squadies. Cannon fodder is what they called the Irish in the British Army in the World Wars. Some of them arrived in France without even uniforms.

Thirdly, If you want to join an organisation that will give you a gun and the chance to use it, then join the PSNI. At least you'll get well paid for it and will enjoy the popular support of the community in both backgrounds.

Fourthly, The North of Ireland needs a good civil policing service and the PSNI has the potential to provide that, and the best contribution the "Dissidents" can make is to place principles before personalities, give credit to where it is due, in the Adam's Maguiness leadership and get with the peace process.

Fifthly, history can show that splits are not good for the cause of Full Irish independence and that that Independence can only materialise when the Irish people are ready to embrace it.

Sixly, and most important of all, Know the rules and the game before you decide to play. It is always better to humble oneself at the outset than to endure the humiliation of the uninitiated.

Re: Kelly comments on Thomas Devlin case sentencing | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:10:55 -0000

What is thirty years. It's nothing. This guy will be out when he's fifty three. Murder like that should receive a minimum of forty five years. There's no justice under a British or Western system. Life is too cheap here unless you're a VIP, then the killer will get minimum forty every time. One law for the rich and one for the poor. The big surprise is these guys went down at all for this.

Re: Irish government must secure GPO Irish Flag from New York auction house. | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:35:05 -0000

It raises some interesting questions about the nature of ownership methinks.

Re: Tyrone to host National Hunger Strike Commemoration | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:06:47 -0000

There is, Finn OHara, an element of truth in what you have written, but it depends on how you look at it. Is truth subjective? I would say not. What is the truth, Finn? What is the political reality of the day? What do you think of the Good Friday Agreement? How relevant is it to the politics of today?
What is the general consensus amongst the people on Irish unity? In Ireland, in each province, In Scotland (why Scotland) in England. What is Britain? Who are the Unionist's. What is the difference? So many questions Finn. Who is asking? Why is no-one asking me anything about anything? What's it really all about Finn? Do you know? Can you say?

Re: O’Loan attempt to lecture Rasharkin residents ‘insulting’ | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:38:23 -0000

Seany1 and Joe I stand corrected. Only two weeks ago I was guilty of the same offence as Declan O'Loan when I advised you to stay in for the evening or go somewhere else as the OO paraded past the Ardoyne shops.

It's not the Irish way to sit back and do nothing in the face of injustice and it's certainly not the Belfast way. The people should always come out and face down any form of aggresion or provocation from any quarter. So, I owe you both, and the people of Ardoyne an apology.

Dathai McKay has given me a very stark reminder of how not to change under pressure when you're right in the first place. And how it can happen that you turn on your own when faced with a frustrating obstacle with no easy answer.

Re: Events to commemorate Hunger Strikers begin in Dungannon tonight | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:53:55 -0000

I wish I could be with you all in beautiful county Tyrone to honour the memories of the Bravest of the Brave, but I just can't make it this year and I apologise for that. May our beautiful God, who knows what it's all about to make the ultimate sacrifise, bless each and every one of you for turning out for the twelve, and for all the republican fallen.

Today will be a special day when Gerry Adam's speaks about their sacrifice because the hunger strikes are now being rated at the same level of the 1916 Rising in Irish history. Remember, we are all connected through the collective consciousness of a people and we will be free. The 32 counties of Ireland,united, independent and fair.

Re: Tyrone MPs call for big turnout to commemorate Hunger Strike | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:51:57 -0000

Profile of a liar and pest who post's as Biblio and Truthful Account and should not be allowed to post on this website because he/she is only doing so to be gratuosly offensive and has taken himself/herself out of the whole context of what is right and wrong through mindless sectarian hatred. Profile of a nuisance, a contemporary phenomena, The end product of a failed statelet and a dying system of corruption.

Re: Adams Challenges DPP | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:41:46 -0000

A justice system is, in my view, what is required, not a criminal, "justice system" like the one's that operate in both Irish juristictions and on the UK mainland.

The criminalisation of certain groups and classes of people is a systemic devise designed to exclude people of these groups and classes from particular employment opportunities and the professions, thereby conserving these opportunities for the benefit of narrow class interests and based on the premise that it's easier to live in obeisance of a pathetic and stupid legal system- that seeks to make everything illegal, based on fear- when not exposed to the reality of working class life.

A Sinn Fein socialist government of a united Irish political juristiction has a responsibility to roll out a decriminalisation programme which will put an end to this criminal system which seeks to criminalise citizens, which is what English Law is all about and the American and Irish legal sytems are based on English Law. Banish the English law system. It's completely putrid and criminal.

Re: Disappointment at Parades Commission decision on ABOD parade – Cllr McClenaghan | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:55:38 -0000

Lot's of things are wrong Joe. We don't live in a perfect world. I'll bet unionists aren't exactly thrilled to be on an equality power sharing basis with Sinn Fein either. There's as many of them struggling to deal with that also and as many that can't, without resorting to violence. But it's just an excuse, for men with hearts full of violence, wretched abusers in a gutter of their own pride and vanity, stunted undermen, trapped in a relentless netherworld. A Hell of their own minds' making.

When I was a boy the Orange Order could march where they liked at will. They didn't need to "file" for a parade. They saw what they wanted and they just took it and the RUC, UDR, B Specials, UDA and any ammount of other quasi fascist organisations made sure of it. And the British Army offered the garantee. I just don't see it anymore, Joe, and I don't need a new lense.

Re: Gerry Adams comments on release of Kevin Walsh and Pearse McCauley | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:32:28 -0000

Shock horror, John Rogers, the butter wouldn't melt in his mouth Altar boy of morality is a true republican. What a surprising twist at the end of such a comment. Life on the free state reservation is so simple and straightfoward John, eh? Padraic Pearse didn't fight and die for a betrayal. Even Judas Iscariot was never promised a Nation.

Re: Disappointment at Parades Commission decision on ABOD parade – Cllr McClenaghan | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:37:51 -0000

Seany1, don't sit in the road then. Sit in and watch TV, or go somewhere else for a couple of hours and let your elected representatives- in that area Sinn Fein- deal with it. That's what you elect them for, to deal with problems. And they know how to. They have the experience. But they havn't got a magic wand.

We all have to put up with a certain amount of stuff we don't like. That's called life. I sometimes wish I had a lot of money so I could just travel around and stay in nice places. But I havn't so I can't. I have to go to work instead and put up with a load of nonsense there.

As for not towing the party line, that's why people join political parties, because they agree with the party politics and can function on a consensus. But people shouldn't be thrown out for being disagreeable, I'll agree with you there.

Re: Disappointment at Parades Commission decision on ABOD parade – Cllr McClenaghan | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:07:56 -0000

It is a very disapointing decision by the parades commision to allow any orange march into the Ardoyne, let alone one after the other. Nationalists have got to write letters (as I have) and make representations to the Parades Commision and just increase the line of peaceful protest generally.

Sinn Fein is being put in an awkward position over these parades, time and time again, and I think that that is what is motivating the Orange Order.

That is why it's important that the community remains united and behind the Sinn Fein peace initiative. Rioting against the PSNI is too dangerous, unfair to resident's and to the PSNI, and does nothing to highlight the irresponsibility of the Orange Order in putting in for these contentious parades without dialogue.

Eventually, there will be widespread dialogue between the OO and Republicans, and then this kind of injustice will have become a thing of the past like 90% of the "troubles".

Republicans who don't support Sinn Fein are missing two very important pieces from the jigsaw. Firstly, widespread community support for their strategy, and secondly, this is the best level of democracy the Irish nation could get at this stage, considering the convoluted nature of it's history.

Re: Disgust at Nigel Dodds comments regarding McAnespie announcement | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:01:18 -0000

Nigel Dodds' comments on Shaun Woodward's announcement about the murder of Aiden McAnespie are nothing short of callous. He has revealed an inner nihilism that is totally at odds with his claim of Protestant belief. That makes him a hypocrite, in my opinion, and I certainly wouldn't return to a church, or belong to a political party, that had the likes of him in a position of leadership.

Re: Sinn Féin to join protest supporting Irish neutrality at EU Defence Directors meeting | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:33:16 -0000

Yes, getting the british out of Ireland is the republican priority, and speculating about future european military occupation is just a red herring. The Irish nation holds a gaelic culture, and the 32 counties is our country. I support gaelic games, not soccer, and I thank God for my Irish, republican, gaelic,culture and identity every day. They can't take that away from me.

Re: ‘They need to justify their actions to the people of Ardoyne’ Kelly | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:56:37 -0000

Those are strong words, Seany1. I see no justification for they're use. I reiterate; attacks on Sinn Fein activists are attacks on the peace process and yes, as someone who remembers the 70's and 80's and 90's too clearly, I believe that there is a peace process. And what's more, I believe it can deliver a united Ireland within 15 years. I'm a lifelong republican and I've seen a 90% success rate in the realisation of the strategic aims and goals of the republican leadership over time.

I believe in not starting to do something unless you know you can do it. So I don't have much time for cowboy's and emotionalists. Whereas, I agree that nationalists have a right to meet PSNI force with retaliatory force, nationalists also have a responsibility toward unity and respect for the elcted Sinn Fein representatives.

Re: Serious concerns expressed after PSNI shooting | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:39:01 -0000

At a time when there has been such a public outcry in London because of the shooting dead of Jean Charles DeMeneses and police brutality at the G20 summit, it is shocking to see the PSNI using live rounds and rubber bullets against the Nationalist community in the North of Ireland. Both incidences constitute a breach of the ceasefire by maverick elements at the top of the PSNI who know that Hugh Orde is leaving soon.

These recent incidents point out the importance of bringing responsibility for policing and justice to the power sharing assembly. I hope that for the sake of the peace process the unionist politicians will not make the major mistake of rejecting joint responsibility for policing and justice. If they do reject these responsibilities the peace process will be on a tight rope without a safety net.

Re: ‘They need to justify their actions to the people of Ardoyne’ Kelly | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:40:44 -0000

These are attacks on the peace process itself and I agree with Minister kelly that the people involved with this have a responsibility to explain their actions.

Whereas it's understandable that people are angry that the six counties are still occupied, and that there is a degree of perversity in the status quo, it's not going to be rectified over night. It will, in my view, take another ten to fifteen years of widespread prioritising before a settlement can be finalised.

That means political activity by the people for the people. Attacking Sinn Fein people is symptomatic of what can happen amongst an unfree people. Turning on the liberator, in an unconscious attempt to gain favor with the oppressor, or perceived oppressor, is a common feature of the psychological profile of the man who is struggling to come to terms with the reality of his existence.

Rioting against the police may be a good way of bringing media attention to an unjust situation but it's not good for the peace process. It causes further class estrangement and that acts as a buffer to reconcilliation.

Re: McGuinness challenges Orange Order over parades | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:39:19 -0000

Very well and succinctly put by the joint First Minister. Without conflict, however, what would the Orange Order be, the Salvation Army???

Re: David McNarry ejected from Assembly chamber | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:51:12 -0000

People who say things like this- people like David McNarry- are just being offensive for offensiveness's sake.

Re: Irish Unity - A realistic and realisable Goal | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:03:47 -0000

Another excellent expoundation from an excellent chap indeed. This fellow, Adam's, could easily have become an American president, a british prime-minister, or an irish taoiseach in a different set of circumstances. I know his own people appreciate him but i think it's high time that this man receives the international reckognition that he deserves. He's up there with the best of them, in my opinion.

Re: Now loyalists threaten Kevin McDaid’s son | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:08:39 -0000

Ryan, you've made some good points there and some rambling points as well. Clearly you're right to point out the political futility of the negative emotional undertones I expressed toward the unionist population. Your question as to what i want to achieve for ireland got me thinking for two days. Unity between orange and green is the best way foward. religous and cultural freedom and republican principles generally with a seperation of church and state so that we can be political equals regardless of whether we're prodestant or catholic. the bible says that if a nation lives in a land other than the land given to that nation by god then those people will live under a curse. It has certainly been my experience of living in the UK for 25 years. I'm trying to get back to ireland and being a political activist there is the only thing that really captures my imagination but i have a lot of fears about what i will find there as well and I think I was well under the grip of the curse before i left. I would like to see a 32 county independent republic and I would like to discuss my political vision further with Sinn fein to as to fall in with a consensus of opinion rather than just present a dictat. go raimh mile maith agat Ryan.

Re: Now loyalists threaten Kevin McDaid’s son | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:55:38 -0000

Ryan, if Sinn Fein moved in my direction we would already be back in the middle of a war. The far right of the republican movement are already seeking to bring an end to the peace process in a direct challenge to the Sinn Fein leadership's non-violence strategy. Thank christ somebody in sinn fein actually knows what they are doing.

In my revised opinion, any further liberalisation of republicanism and attempts to put ourselves further out of shape to accomodate unionism should be abandoned. For the sake of unity, let's all get back to a simple, "brits out" mentality with regard to our aims, whilst continuing to support the creative and winning approach of the Sinn fein leadership as opposed to the destructive violent approach of groups within republicanism, who I won't mention, but who I suspect are working on behalf of outside interests anyway.

I don't think that David Cameron is "old guard" but britishness is by definition an imperialist political philosophy that is juxtaposed to Irish republicanism. I think a change of government here will be good for politics in Ireland.

As for the EU, well it's just so far removed from the reality of Irish/british politics that it's really like the spectator that doesn't really know what he's looking at but might gain personally from certain outcomes.

I think every member of Sinn Fein is a "leading member" because it is the person who can join the party that has something to offer and has that connection with the country. and Ireland is that country. Anyone can deny that, and that's free will,and free will can lead to the creation of seemingly spectacular things, but all of those things are essentially castles made of sand.

Re: Now loyalists threaten Kevin McDaid’s son | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:42:15 -0000

Ryan, I agree with you on your points 1. 2. and 3. It would probably make more sense to have good political relations in these islands- aside from the EU treaty- than to try to establish a version of Cuba.

4. i'm not so sure about. I think a national service type approach to defense, such as germany takes, with an EU connection, would be better.

Low interest rates and low inflation is a positive aspect of European central banking and a fairer wealth distribution at the national level can offset financial injustices that are sometimes blamed on this.

The EU does bring positive and progressive change but there's no way europeans could relate, for example, to the hundreds of years of dispossession, oppression and brutalisation visited on the irish people by british imperialists. The differences in the national characteristics of the participants is very stark and, whereas, it's nice to chat to them and be nice and friendly, at the end of the day we go back to our own neigborhoods, so to speak. the kind of integration people are visualising isn't realistic. So what if an EU president is elected or not.

Yes to more north south bodies and what about a parliament for each province with a federal interprovincial executive, with federal responsibilities, meeting somewhere in the midlands.

Thanks for your good ideas ryan. i enjoyed mulling them over.

Re: Toiréasa Ferris - Consistency: is it too much to ask for? | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Sat, 30 May 2009 10:38:13 -0000

Your lucky you've got a strong sense of identity and you know who you are Toireasa. I think most people don't really have those qualities of personality and they can easily strive to serve interests which seem to reflect an embodiement of the aspects of personality that they simply don't have. Social and political systems promote, in my opinion, a false sense of belonging and I can see how easy it is to become molded to serve the narrow financial interests of the in-groups with stronger personalities within those systems. When you take into account the bigger picture of how people's cultures and languages have been stripped away from them over time, a wider picture of exploitation and control emerges. So don't be too surprised by the personalities of the individuals who inhabit the ruling classes. you'll see a lot stranger things yet.

Re: Now loyalists threaten Kevin McDaid’s son | Sinn Féin

MichealOMaoileann — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:37:15 -0000

Thanks for you considered reply Ryan. Go raimh maith agat. Firstly ,let me say that good traditions are useful foundations that can be modified to suit the people in their time. Remember, "Man is not made for the sabbath, the sabbath is made for man". (teachings of christ).
The six counties are as important as any other counties, so it is, as important, for irish people to be engaged politically there, as in any part of ireland. There was a time when that wasn't possible because of the sectarian repression and discrimination of the administrators of the unionist state. So why should republicans not claim their political rights now when there is a hard won opportunity to do so.
Also, the primary question is not what "the south" or "the north" or "the british" want for ireland but rather what polity the irish people are going to create- or not create- that best reflects the character and culture of the irish nation. In my opinion Sinn Fein contain this inheritance and are working toward it's achievement for all of us irish people.
And finally, I don't think that maintaining adversarial politics just for the sake of a lack of willingness to embrace change does anyone any good and is in my opinion one of the saddest ongoing effects of british imperialism in Ireland.