Gerry Adams on The Dunphy Show

mr_angry · 26-09-2003 10:18pm #1

Did anyone else see Gerry Adams on The Dunphy Show tonight? I have to say, I was really impressed. Apparently (and I'm inferring this from comments Dunphy made on the show) he's the most popular party leader in the country at the moment? I would have found that hard to believe before tonight's show, but having seen it, I'm pretty convinced.

Anyone else agree?

mike65 · 26-09-2003 10:32pm

Adams is always plauisble sounding if you're not paying attention,
I bet Dunphy removed his brain before the interview as well....

Mike.

26-09-2003 10:40pm

Yes it's true, hence my prediction in a different that he could be taoiseach in a few years...

mr_angry · 26-09-2003 10:47pm

Originally posted by mike65
Adams is always plauisble sounding if you're not paying attention,
I bet Dunphy removed his brain before the interview as well....

Mike.

A very cynical view there Mike. Its nice to see a healthy dose of pessimism spread across the boards every now and then...

davej · 26-09-2003 10:51pm

I thought it was a fairly disappointing interview. There were no tough questions asked at all really. Instead we got a whistle stop tour of Adam's new book.

davej

Capt'n Midnight · 26-09-2003 10:52pm

When you say most popular - I take that is within the party.
Anyway Gerry has always been one for publicity & retoric - not exactly a difficult guest to get on to any show...

mike65 · 26-09-2003 10:55pm

A very cynical view there Mike. Its nice to see a healthy dose of pessimism spread across the boards every now and then...

Not so much that as I've seen/heard him so many times smooze
his way through an interview in which the interviewer froze before
"the Great Man" and forgot to ask the tough questions which any other party leader would get. On the odd occasion he is tackled cleanly Gerry Adams tends not to like it.

Mike.

madogwilliams · 26-09-2003 10:55pm

In reply to gerry adams appearing on dunphy,isn'it fresh to
here someone in politics talk from the heart,rather than (like most
down this end of the country)talk from there backside and give themselves big paypackets and not feel guilty about doing it.
would this in mind ,be the reason why he is the most popular party leader in the country?!

mr_angry · 26-09-2003 11:19pm

I appreciate that the man is a politician (with a very chequered background), and no doubt he's "shmoozed" many an interview before. But at least he had the decency to talk about real issues in a human manner, and I got a sense of real sincerity about him - despite my previous reservations. I agree with maddogwilliams - it was entirely refreshing.

Who knows. Maybe he'll go out and run over some poor woman tomorrow night while boozed up, and then have the cheek neither to apologise to her, or to resign from office. It might give our *wonderful* TDs a chance to catch up in the polls.

[/sarcasm]

Villain · 26-09-2003 11:19pm

Originally posted by madogwilliams
In reply to gerry adams appearing on dunphy,isn'it fresh to
here someone in politics talk from the heart,rather than (like most
down this end of the country)talk from there backside and give themselves big paypackets and not feel guilty about doing it.
would this in mind ,be the reason why he is the most popular party leader in the country?!

Well said,

Call Gerry what you like he's a peoples person who knows how to talk the talk.

Enda Kenny could learn a lot from Gerry and I mean a lot.

Sand · 27-09-2003 12:12am

Yeah Gerry Adams can talk the talk, and if talk doesnt suffice to get his way then hell call the boys back off cease fire until youre ready to talk again.

Great man all the same.

Pfffft.

daveirl · 27-09-2003 12:15am

This post has been deleted.

Jake303 · 27-09-2003 3:15am

The best politican on the Island at the moment!
100% Provo but the best politican none the less.

motorbass · 27-09-2003 11:25am

Yep - I thought he was genuinely sincere and would put more faith in him than in most Irish politicians.

After seeing last night's show I really can't understand why Dunphy is on TV - it just doesn't work.

Typedef · 27-09-2003 11:46am

True enough Adams (may) not get asked hard questions.

Then again there was a time when it was illegal to broadcast Gerry Adams' voice on Irish television, but it was (somehow) legal to broadcast Ian Paisley's voice.

*boggle*

I think my favourite quote of "Dr" Paisley is.

"Catholics breed like rabbits".

Of course the fact that he was a figurehead for the setup of the UDA, made it 'ok' for Ian Paisley to appear on Irish television, but wrong for anybody even vaugely associated with the Fenian side.

I blame the Brit's orbital brain lasers & mind control devices ***.

The Beer Baron · 27-09-2003 11:55am

I must admit- he's a master orator and politics, both Irish and British, have never had a debater of such calibre, wily, shrewd and the most accurate political compass there is. I can see why they tried to keep him from the media for so long- because he's a weapon.

A master of disguises, having reinvented himself so many times we don't even know who he is- and this ads to the thrill- he's the mystery man, the wildcard and no matter how shifty and beady-eyed the man looks we cannot shake off the assumption that he's just been misrepresented by the media (esp the British media) and that he really isn't a bad guy after all- just misunderstood

Have no bones about it- Adams is a weapon, a political weapon but a weapon all the same. All opposition crumbles when Adams takes centre stage- it's uncanny. Nobody, no interviewer nobody can encroach upon him. I remember seeing him on the Late Late Show a few years back. Gay Byrne, a man famed for his innate ability to lead his audience, carrot-on-a-string style with plaumausing and asinine banter- having already done a good job in brainwashing the audience into thinking he was about to unleash an unsupervised Republican baby-killer on them. But it all backfired, horribly, and on the other politicians in the panel.
By the end of it, the grannies who clutched their handbags tight on the mention of his name were now on the verge of blubbering into their hankies.

Who is he? He's like some sort of Emmanual Goldstien of Irish politics.
His policies, they seem reasonable.
Indeed I find myself agreeing with him more and more. I find myself relating to Sinn Féin more than any other party. And I find myself considering...

Adams is always plauisble sounding if you're not paying attention,

Yes, YES!
He even has me going sometimes.
I'm an intelligent and astute individual who takes nothing at face value.
But he seems ok dunnie?
The smily happy Republican who only wants pace...no NO!

...Dangerous. A dangerous man...
...but what the hay- it's better than Bertie right...
...right...?

I respect Gerry.
I respect him in two ways.
Politically- I respect him in the same way I respect Winston Churchill.
But I also respect him in the same way I respect a dozing grizzly bear.

I can see it happening too.
Ireland will have enough.
We'll have enough of living in the Bertiebowl, we'll have enough of the ineffectual "opposition" and we'll turn, en masse, to Jeh-ray
**** knows what'll become of it.

He might actually turn this country around- I mean I would welcome an intelligent and articulate leader for our country instead of wincing every time an Taoiseach opens his big thick gob****e of a mouth thinking of all the other countries who must be laughing their asses off.

Gerry of course, would have them eating out of his hand. The Bush's, the Blair's, golfing with Kofi and champagne receptions with Jaques. Oh no problem to him.

I can think of this only for so long though. Then I start to think of why Sinn Féin would get the majority vote in the 1st place. This country would have to get a lot worse (ie carry on the way it's going) before that- and we wonder- is this worse like post 1929 Italy worse or wtf?

Sinn Féin, are, primarily a NI party. With values and ideals not always relevant to us down here. Then again they are also a Nationalist party. And I must say I supported their opposition to Nice- which was entirely from a Nationalistic POV.

I think he's the man.
But **** knows what kinda legislature he'll bring in
I'm still confused.
I think he's dangerous.
But the best damn politician we've ever had.
He's- arrgh- AH FUKKIT! I'll vote for him next election- better than bertie.

G'wahn Jeh-ray!

Typedef · 27-09-2003 12:04pm

When he retires... lets make him President.

star gazer · 27-09-2003 12:06pm

He really was able to put the human side of the violence and struggle in the north, maybe history will judge him as a man who made a big contribution to moving Northern Ireland and Ireland as a whole ' politics forward. But i can't see Sinn Féin's policies keeping the irish economy from doing anything except going down the toilet. that is if they do have economic policies apart from spending policies, they never seem to espouse more income tax and the like.

gandalf · 27-09-2003 12:34pm

Gerry Adams is one of the most accomplished and media friendly and savvy politicians in Ireland.

He is also the most slippery and one that never answers a question directly (or even at all).

Personally I would emigrate from Ireland if the Shinners ever got into power. They are too focussed on Northern Ireland especially when we down South have moved on from that issue and are embracing Europe. And until the IRA disband they still have a shadow organisation waiting in the wings to "throw the rattle out of the pram" if they don't get their way.

Gandalf.

Cork · 27-09-2003 12:38pm

Originally posted by daveirl
I don't even get angry about it anymore, Adams and Co., never get asked hard questions, and yet the media are out to get all the FF TD's.

Don't get me wrong all the FF TDs (and Lowry) should be brought to justice but to me the offences the IRA/SF are still committing to this day are far worse and yet their isn't a hint of the media asking for these people to be held accountable. Now there's bias!

I agree. Gerry needs to come clean. He should have been asked about the bodys of the disappeared and punishment beatings.

Gerry while impressive on TV now - failed to condemn some acts of sheer carnage in this country in the past.

The Beer Baron · 27-09-2003 12:40pm

He is also the most slippery and one that never answers a question directly (or even at all).

Well- that's what being a politician is all about I thought.
Hell @ least he does it with style- not like the age old Fianna Fáil, "I'm glad you asked me that question, and I feel it is an issue that needs to be addressed..."twaddle twaddle twaddle.

Cork · 27-09-2003 12:56pm

I think SF spokepeople usually offer quiet similar responses. I think that SF/IRA needs to dis-arm. There is certainly no room for private armies in this country.

He also needed to be asked on locating bodys of the disappeared. I think the media need to focus in on SF and start asking more than soft focus questions.

colster · 27-09-2003 1:07pm

Have to admit that Adams was quite impressive last night.
However I wouldn't say he's the best politician on the island.
How can you say that? He's an one issue wonder.
He's never held a ministerial post. His party is profoundly anti-establishment. The popularity they have at the moment is down to this stance and not to do with any coherent policy that they have.
I have yet to hear a SF TD come out with anything other than comdemnation of the government. I haven't heard them once come out with a policy of their own.

daveirl · 28-09-2003 2:40am

This post has been deleted.

Jake303 · 29-09-2003 1:34am

Thankfully now that Ryanair has so many planes in the sky, you should have no problem getting a flight out of the country.

sorrento · 29-09-2003 8:10am

Originally posted by Cork
...Gerry while impressive on TV now - failed to condemn some acts of sheer carnage in this country in the past.

Hey lets all live in the past... that way we can never move forward!!

We can keep the same arguments going for years then. How clever.

In the present your beloved Fianna Fail and their drunken wacky racer antics are causing more carnage than the IRA is. Ironic eh?

ReefBreak · 29-09-2003 9:32am

I thought Eamon would be the man to take on Gerry and prod him, needle him, refuse to accept diverted responses and weasel-worded double-speak over why he supported the murder of 1500 people, including over 800 innocent civilians. But no, it became just one long IRA/Republican love-in. All smiles and jokes and light banter. Eamon could have asked him about his role in the murder of Jean McConville, Eamon could have asked him why he didn't condemn the Enniskillen Bomb, Eamon could have asked him why he was recently pictured smiling with the murderers of Garda Jerry McCabe. He didn't, he didn't and he didn't.

Anyway, never mind, it doesn't matter a damn that he let me down. But, there are a lot of families on this island that he did let down, and for them, it does matter.

mr_angry · 29-09-2003 10:06am

Originally posted by Cork
I think SF spokepeople usually offer quiet similar responses. I think that SF/IRA needs to dis-arm. There is certainly no room for private armies in this country.

Gerry actually stated that the IRA should eventually dis-arm and disband altogether.

Also, there's no evidence to suggest that Gerry knows anything about the bodies of the disappeared, or the Enniskillen bombing. Any statements about such events have always come from the IRA themselves.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not naive enough to think that Gerry knows nothing about these things. But I presume any question about them would have been met with that answer, negating the point of asking it in the first place.

I'm not trying to justify the lack of tough questions, but I think it is explainable. In any case, he made himself look a damn better politician, and human being than Peter 'Mandy' Mandleson - the man is an utter b*stard.

Villain · 29-09-2003 11:39am

Originally posted by ReefBreak
why he supported the murder of 1500 people, including over 800 innocent civilians.

Anyway, never mind, it doesn't matter a damn that he let me down. But, there are a lot of families on this island that he did let down, and for them, it does matter.

Can we ever move on, I know people have been hurt in the past but we have to move on. Politics is the only way forward we need to get these elections going and get a government back up and running in the North.

Gerry Adams is no saint far from it, but he is our only hope of the republican movement moving forward in a non-violent manner.

The IRA has decommisioned more weapons that UVF or any other Unionist terriosts group, it really bugs the way people harp on about the decommisioning of the IRA weapons and nothing is ever said about the Unionist Groups who have had the SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH ARMY in the past.

Theres 2 sides each story.

And I think Eammon is wise and old enough to know that he couldn't get the better of Gerry Adams on Live TV.

hallelujajordan · 29-09-2003 12:27pm

Originally posted by irish1

And I think Eammon is wise and old enough to know that he couldn't get the better of Gerry Adams on Live TV.

I really, really hoped that Eamonn would be tough on Adams . . . would've made for an enthralling debate. . . but it looks like he bottled it and with that interview, I'm afraid the Dunphy show will go down the swanny !

I agree with other posters who say that we have to move on, put the past behind us etc, but there are some very real questions relating to what is going on RIGHT NOW that need to be answered . . . .

. . .Does Gerry Adams think it is acceptable for elected SF TD's to have a group photo taken with the murderers of Garda McCabe ?

. . .Does Gerry Adams have any comments on the Colombia Three . . . why were they there, what were they doing ?

. . .Does Gerry Adams have any comments on the IRA's inability to identify the location where Columba McVeigh was buried ?

. . .Will Gerry Adams condemn the daily punishment beatings that are going on in NI . .

Eamo's inability to ask the tough questions relegated him, in my mind to a second rate interviewer.. . .

One other point, with regard to Adams being the most popular party leader in Ireland . . . I think it is important to point out that Adams does not hold public office in Ireland . . . . other leaders are judged by their policies, their party's performance in the Dail, or in the case of the government parties, how the economic climate is doing . . . Adams doesn't have to worry about any of this . . . He simply has to schmooze through a few cosy interviewers in order to impress people, the likes of which have posted on this thread . . . .

Finally,

In the present your beloved Fianna Fail and their drunken wacky racer antics are causing more carnage than the IRA is. Ironic eh?

Get real . . .

Have you any idea whats going on, on the streets of Belfast . . . do you really think that a TD driving over the limit and knocking someone down is comparable ? ? ?

IgnatiusJRiley · 29-09-2003 12:38pm

Originally posted by mike65
On the odd occasion he is tackled cleanly Gerry Adams tends not to like it.

Mike.

I agree. He tends to bully his way out of difficult questions rather than actually answering them.
He's a smooth customer and know's what he's doing.

Capt'n Midnight · 29-09-2003 12:55pm

Two words spring to mind - Empty Retoric
or the art of "speaking without promising anything definite"

Of the other parties only Alan Dukes would get close when it comes to worming out of questions.

Two other words "Proxy bomb"

A lot depends on your view and the reality of the links and influences between politians and "the men of violence" (on both sides) Can the politicians get any more concessions from them or is that only a rouse to get support on the basis they are trying...

PS. Dunphy is a "hack for hire" and got off a life time driving ban due to a technicallity, so I have no respect for his integrity or moral.

sorrento · 29-09-2003 1:03pm

Originally posted by hallelujajordan
Have you any idea whats going on, on the streets of Belfast . . .

That sounds like the starting line of a melodramatic U2 "troubles" song.

Lighten up...

Villain · 29-09-2003 1:25pm

Originally posted by hallelujajordan

. . .Does Gerry Adams think it is acceptable for elected SF TD's to have a group photo taken with the murderers of Garda McCabe ?

. . .Does Gerry Adams have any comments on the Colombia Three . . . why were they there, what were they doing ?

. . .Does Gerry Adams have any comments on the IRA's inability to identify the location where Columba McVeigh was buried ?

. . .Will Gerry Adams condemn the daily punishment beatings that are going on in NI . .

Firstly I don't think Gerry has all those answers, secondly I don't think anwering the ones he does know would solve anything. Infact it may create issues.

ReefBreak · 29-09-2003 1:31pm

Originally posted by irish1
Firstly I don't think Gerry has all those answers, secondly I don't think anwering the ones he does know would solve anything. Infact it may create issues.

Well, I hope it would create "issues". It might even solve even solve some "issues" as well.

Interviewer: Did you order the murder of Jean McConville?
G.A.: Firstly I don't think I have all the answers. Secondly I don't think anwering would solve anything. In fact, it may create issues.
Interviewer: Well, okay then, that sounds good enough to me, I won't bother you any more about the torture and murder of Jean McConville, mother of ten children.

sorrento · 29-09-2003 1:42pm

This makes about as much sense as the above...

Interviewer: Did you order the murder of Jean McConville?

Gerry Adams.: Ach sure, no, I did not. It was that wee fecker Reefbreak who did, I tried to stop him but he overpowered me with his amazing powers of logic and reasoning...

qwertyphobia · 29-09-2003 1:46pm

Originally posted by Cork
I think SF spokepeople usually offer quiet similar responses. I think that SF/IRA needs to dis-arm. There is certainly no room for private armies in this country.

He also needed to be asked on locating bodys of the disappeared. I think the media need to focus in on SF and start asking more than soft focus questions.

Gerry adams and SF at this time can only go sofar in what they can/can't say, like no other party they have a huge weight of history bearing down on them.

The hard question have been asked and answered as much as they will be untill the next big move forward in the northern situation.

This is an intergral part of the peace process. we could have got an agreement 20 years ago between the moderates and it would have been worth nothing. Peace process only work if you have the guys who did the bombs and the killings and the dissappeared in the heart of the process.

So ask yourself whats more important a final end to this conflict or hearing certain words from gerry adams lips?

One thing that i think does come across in interviews with gerry adams is his genuine wish to resolve the situation in Northern Ireland (but it is niave to think all he has to do is say the word, he is dragging along the provos behind him with every step he takes)

when i see the likes of trimble or really any of the UUP or DUP being interviewed I get the sense off them that they would preferr to sit in this stalemate forever rather then give an inch

Villain · 29-09-2003 2:57pm

Originally posted by sorrento
This makes about as much sense as the above...

Interviewer: Did you order the murder of Jean McConville?

Gerry Adams.: Ach sure, no, I did not. It was that wee fecker Reefbreak who did, I tried to stop him but he overpowered me with his amazing powers of logic and reasoning...

LOL

Joke as you will I stick by post

Originally posted by Irish1

Firstly I don't think Gerry has all those answers, secondly I don't think anwering the ones he does know would solve anything. Infact it may create issues.

mike65 · 29-09-2003 4:24pm

I just mention this en passant but the only journalist/presenter I've heard interview Adams in a clear concise robust fashion
is er.....Pat Kenny.

Mike.

gurramok · 29-09-2003 4:36pm

Have you any idea whats going on, on the streets of Belfast . . . do you really think that a TD driving over the limit and knocking someone down is comparable ? ? ?

Most violence that happens up there is loyalist orchestrated.

Anyway, Belfast issues do not figure highly on daily lives of dubliners, they are more likely to be mugged or knifed or hit by drink driving TD's than getting hit by ira.

Jake303 · 30-09-2003 4:15am

I think for Gerry Adams and indeed all Shinners its a case of damned if you do damned if you dont at the moment!

If it wasnt for Adams/McGuinness there would be no piece process, simple as that, but Il be damned if youll ever hear about the lives that have been saved by the Good Friday Agreement!
Indeed they still spend much of their time keeping the hardliners within the IRA who are still very sceptical about the whole process but are just about staying onside from switching to the Real IRA or Continuity which would be a disaster!

To "own up" to past deeds now would be the end of the piece process as the rejectionist unionists, which by the way are now the vast majority within unionism, would bring the whole process to a complete halt and god knows where that would end.

As much as Gerry Adams grandstands people on this forum seem to do the same!

The Beer Baron · 30-09-2003 1:26pm

Jake- first and foremost- learn the difference between peace and piece.

Indeed they still spend much of their time keeping the hardliners within the IRA who are still very sceptical about the whole process but are just about staying onside from switching to the Real IRA or Continuity which would be a disaster!

I find myself wondering if he has any clout with them at all, certainly not with splinter factions, does he even have any with the (old skool) IRA?

I also wouldn't be surprised if the bulk of "decommissioned" munitions weren't just moved across the border and buried in the fields of sympathetic farmers.

As much as Gerry Adams grandstands people on this forum seem to do the same!

hehe- of course we do.
I mean, it does say politics right at the top now doesn't it?

monument · 30-09-2003 6:23pm

Originally posted by Cork
I think SF spokepeople usually offer quiet similar responses. I think that SF/IRA needs to dis-arm. There is certainly no room for private armies in this country.

The IRA was doing so vie an independent disarming body. But others were not.

Your statement is very one sided they are other private armies in the north. Did you forget about them or even know about them to start with?

monument · 30-09-2003 6:25pm

I’m really concerned about view of some of the posters. It’s sad to see some people not really care about what happens a few hours away. This attitude can be somewhat compared to people in the U.S. not caring about what happens around the world. Only considering what effects the here and now is a large part of what is wrong with politics, business and society in general.

In my view SF might not be the ideal party to be in power, however they are the one of the least corrupt and I’d think that the streets of Dublin would be a lot safer if they were.

NI is a big issue for any Irish government, the only really difference is that SF would care and highlight it more, however to even point at the possibility of them neglecting the south is unfounded and silly.

And just to make things clear – I’m not a ranting fool who thinks the north should become apart of the Irish Republic over night or even with in a year or two from now (it’d cause more problems then it would resolve). (</START RANT>However in the long run, even to say 20 - 50 years plus (with a lot of work) having “a united Ireland” could be good for both sides, but maybe it is not the way to go? <END RANT\>)

At the end of the day what is needed in the north is an end to hostilities on all sides, for the NI government to be re-established and (even thought how hard this will be) for the past to be left where it belongs.

The Beer Baron · 30-09-2003 7:27pm

Your statement is very one sided they are other private armies in the north. Did you forget about them or even know about them to start with?

It's one sided because we're discussing Adams, Sinn Féin and I was questioning his influence on the IRA and other Republican armies. Regarding the issue of disarming, I realise that the Loyalist side have been less than cooperative.

So if by other "private armies" you mean Loyalist Paramilitaries then it's hardly worth mentioning them considering both the nature of my post and the discussion is about Dunphy & Adams.

I'm not an expert on Northern Ireland of course but then again I never claimed to be. However when you try to paint someone else with the ignorance brush, you'll destroy any credibility you might have. None the less I'm certain you feel quite smart and empowered after that little outburst.

Time to settle down.

monument · 30-09-2003 8:53pm

Originally posted by The Beer Baron
It's one sided because we're discussing Adams, Sinn Féin and I was questioning his influence on the IRA and other Republican armies. Regarding the issue of disarming, I realise that the Loyalist side have been less than cooperative.

So if by other "private armies" you mean Loyalist Paramilitaries then it's hardly worth mentioning them considering both the nature of my post and the discussion is about Dunphy & Adams.

I'm not an expert on Northern Ireland of course but then again I never claimed to be. However when you try to paint someone else with the ignorance brush, you'll destroy any credibility you might have. None the less I'm certain you feel quite smart and empowered after that little outburst.

Time to settle down.

"then it's hardly worth mentioning"

There is no point talking about one side if you are not going to talk about the other. Doing so is unfair, biased and one-sided.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’d think that would be common sense.

Also I don't recall any outburst on my part.

EDIT: Maybe the way I wrote my reply to Cork’s post could be interpreted as an outburst. I apologise if it came out that way, I was only trying to point out it is not just a simple case of the IRA disarming.

The Beer Baron · 30-09-2003 9:06pm

never mind sorry

bonkey · 01-10-2003 7:59am

Originally posted by monument
There is no point talking about one side if you are not going to talk about the other. Doing so is unfair, biased and one-sided.

So, what you're saynig is that it would be unfair of Dunphy to have asked Adams questions that pertained to Sinn Fein and the IRA, without also asking him to comment on other political groups and paramilitary organisations which is in no way connected to?

What, exactly, would be the "common sense" of this? Do terrorists become less terroristic in nature when they can say "but the other side are doing it too" or something?

jc

monument · 01-10-2003 1:18pm

Originally posted by bonkey
So, what you're saynig is that it would be unfair of Dunphy to have asked Adams questions that pertained to Sinn Fein and the IRA, without also asking him to comment on other political groups and paramilitary organisations which is in no way connected to?

No it would not be unfair to ask such. But it is unfair to as such with out somewhat pointing out that there is another side. But then that would be unfair because their would be nobody from the other side to give their view. So in the context of the interview I think Dunphy was right not asking such questions.

Originally posted by bonkey
What, exactly, would be the "common sense" of this? Do terrorists become less terroristic in nature when they can say "but the other side are doing it too" or something?

I was trying to say that it would be common sense to not only point at any one side.

Also on the subject of terrorist, I would never condone any act of violence against any human or animal (unless in defence of your self or others) by a state, “private army”, group or just an individual.

bonkey · 01-10-2003 2:04pm

Originally posted by monument
So in the context of the interview I think Dunphy was right not asking such questions.

OK, but you're criticising someone here for not bringing up the same issues when discussing the interview. If it was ok for the interview to avoid such issues as not being pertinent, why is it not ok for us to do likewise here?

Indeed, why is it "unfair, biased and one-sided" for us to discuss things - as you perceive it - one-sidedly, but "right" for Dunphy? Surely, as a national broadcaster, he should be more wrong than us, not less so?

I was trying to say that it would be common sense to not only point at any one side.

So, Dunphy was right, but lacking in common sense?

And why is it common sense?

People are aware that there is another side. I think it is actually somewhat insulting to reader's intelligence to suggest that no in-any-way-focussed topic should be discussed if it is only discussing one side as it might mislead people to think it was a one-sided issue.

So, for example, your logic would say that if we wanted to discuss the demographics of those killed by the IRA, common sense would dictate that we would have to also discuss the demographics of those killed by all other groups. Why? relevance do they have to the subject?demographics of who the IRA killed?

Similarly, if we are discussing Gerry Adams and his appearance on the Eamonn Dunpohy show, what possible relevance do other organisations have to that?

As a matter of interest, if someone was slating the loyalist organisations here, would you be insisting they tar the equivalent republican movements with the same brush as well?

jc

Hobart · 01-10-2003 3:03pm

Firstly Adams was on the Show to promote his book. Not to talk about the Past/Present or Future of the struggle in the North. Secondly most of the educated viewing public are bored to **** lintening to what SFs' views on the Past/Present and Future of this country should be, imo.

Dunphy was obviously briefed before hand on what the prime subject matter should be, and he stuck to it. IMHO it was a boring interview, hardly worthy of comment, but as always when SF are mentioned we get the usual silly reactionary comments like "what about the 800 innonicent civilians" and "They should have condemmed this" et-al.

The fact of the matter is that everytime we open a topic on the US we don't find it necessary to talk about the illegal murder and slaughter they conducted under the auspices of "freedom" or for that matter thier co-horts in the UK. Why o why does any discussion on Sinn Fein always deteriorate into a complete nonsense of mis-informed and inaccurate statements such as "Yeah Gerry Adams can talk the talk, and if talk doesnt suffice to get his way then hell call the boys back off cease fire until youre ready to talk again" and "Adams and Co., never get asked hard questions, and yet the media are out to get all the FF TD's" I mean FFS.

Can somebody tell me of what benefit it would be to the family of any murdered person if Gerry Adams came out and condemmed the atrocity? Seriously? He's dammed if he does and he's dammed if he does not. This idea of condemnation is a complete mis-nomer and is actually laughable if one thinks about it clearly.

Gerry Adams on The Dunphy Show

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