Sunny Disposition wrote: » The Republic put in a huge effort to curtail the IRA something is curiously misrepresented by some unionist politicians. The Gardai had a genuine revulsion for what they were doing and a determination to thwart them. Anyone who knows any Gardai knows this, it still endures. The IRA killed a number of Garda members. Basically the IRA were pariahs in the South, hated by the vast majority. It is sometimes forgotten now but they were despised. And rightly so.
Fionn1952 wrote: » And if they did you'd complain anyway, likely parroting some nonsense about a foreign government trying to tell you what to do. Probably not worth pointing out Jeffrey Donaldson's attendance (and the applause he received) at a Fine Gael national conference, or recent engagement from Leo Varadkar with the DUP despite him having to hold his nose any time he has to deal with SF. Realistically it is all about fear though, fear that what was done at the foundation of the state would be repeated from the other side. Ireland is a much more modern, outward looking place than NI even now though, let alone in comparison with the NI of a hundred years ago. The corrupt, self serving mess that was the government of NI back then wouldn't be tolerated in any modern democracy now and there would be international outrage (and immense political pressure brought to bear) if your community was to be discriminated against in that manner.
downcow wrote: » I don’t actually care who the Roi government supports in ni. I am challenging the notion that somehow they will be sympathetic to unionists in a UI. The evidence is that they support the nationalist community in ni 100% and don’t give a toss about the unionist community. Here is a simple example of what they could do. They could make a statement that Irish language signage in a UI would not go up in communities who resist it. That would be groundbreaking for them to take the unionist side on just one controversial issue. I know there is not a chance of it as I know there is not a chance of fair play for unionists in a UI
beerguts wrote: » I would have described myself as very lukewarm to reunification until recently. Some of the shinners on here would probably describe me as a blueshirt and that would be apt. However the recent English manoeuvres and the ulster loyalists provocations have made me reassess my views. I now wholeheartedly want the destruction of the northern Irish state economically as I believe this will lead to the reunification the quickest and protect our place in Europe. I would still class myself as a right of centre voter and I cannot stand the Northern irish politics but we will have to put an end to that statelet. Not very popular opinion but if northern Ireland does well out of this protocol and as a result stays within the UK as there will be no incentive to leave the Brits will have us over a barrel. They could be continually messing with our sovereignty just to distract from whatever domestic issue they want to hide.
Sunny Disposition wrote: » Partisan how?? Irish government fought the IRA for decades, worked very hard on the Belfast Agreement, have really done an awful lot to make NI function. I know there is always a lot of suspicion towards the South among unionism, but for decades the Irish government has been very helpful to unionism.
Ffff221 wrote: » It didn't really look like that to unionists since Northern Ireland was disputed territory claimed by both the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom up until the late 80s. Claiming they "fought the IRA" is a bit of an exaggeration the Gardai were able to "fight the IRA" unarmed when a few miles up the road was the most heavily militarized zone on the planet with 25,000 British soldiers (more soldiers than were in the whole of Ireland during the war of independence) plus armed police with some places like South Armagh being under 24 hour surveillance, you could be an average Joe and there's still a fair chance you could be under 24 hour surveillance.
wexfordman2 wrote: » Here is a list of where they are not.or were not.onntje same page. 1) Border poll 2) unification preparation 3) The EU (SF are very eurosceptic) 4) Resumption of power sharing (before it was resumed). Oh yeah,. Also, BORDER POLL, and number 1 above, and let's not forget the old border poll. Did I mention Border Poll ?
Junkyard Tom wrote: » It's hard to make sense of this blather, unless of course you've just arrived back in 2021 from the future. Next time you're in the future will you get the lotto numbers for me? Good man.
downcow wrote: » I can’t think of a single issue that they are not on the same page as ni nationalists. And that’s fine because they clearly see them as their people and want to support them.
jh79 wrote: » Looks likes the lesson didn't work as the polls since then show a good majority in favour of remaining in the UK.
Junkyard Tom wrote: » All those 18-to-60 year olds who support a UI at considerably greater numbers than those who don't are getting a good lesson in why they need to bring this poisonous little unionist experiment to a permanent end.
UDAWINNER wrote: » [/B] There's one thing for sure that the Irish Govt in the event of an United Ireland won't collude with any group to burn out Loyalists from their home, murder their solicitors and plant bombs in the UK. Not evryone will treat the minoririty the way that the British Army and loyalists did.
downcow wrote: » There needs to be a bit of growing up in gear. Continually hating back to the partition of the state to allow Roi to separate from the UK family. 100 years ago. Name any single country and I will show you disgusting, systematic discrimination and abuse against minorities. You seem to think that Irish Catholics in ni had some Devine right to be more special than black people in USA, Asians in England, Unionists and travellers in Roi etc etc etc All discrimination is wrong.Time for you guys to move into this century
jm08 wrote: » I don't think that is the reason she was appointed Commission President. If Manfred Weber (a man) had any ministerial experience, he would have been Commission President.
downcow wrote: » A lot of misquoting going on. I didn’t say they acted against the Protestant community. I said they are unashamedly partisan and there is no reason to expect that to change in a UI
Sunny Disposition wrote: » Really don’t act against the Protestant community in the north, can’t think of an Irish government that had much to do with it to be honest. But I would agree that should change and the centrist parties here do need to engage as much as possible with unionism from now on.
downcow wrote: » Both points are irrelevant Boris is not trying to woo Irish nationalists to join the UK As for 100 years. I am pointing out you guys are barking back 100 years and suggesting ni was some how different because there was discrimination. I am pointing out that there was discrimination in every state
Bambi wrote: » If the EU did not have a policy of using gender as a major factor in appointing commisioners you would have a point, but they are and you don't.
downcow wrote: » A very simple way to evidence that (if it were true) would not be by cozying up to us, but rather supporting our community a little and not rowing in 100% behind nationalist community on every issue. Actions speak louder than words! Why would we think that suddenly when there is a UI you would take an interest in our rights, culture and identity when you act 100% against it currently?
downcow wrote: » If you get a chance catchup with Bbc ni news at 6.30 last night. It’s very very funny. John Finucane MP is being interviewed where he complains twice on the short interview about boris photo op. Where did he ask the bbc to film the interview? Haha in front of a big sign advertising his own business. Lol you couldn’t dream up the hypocrisy
Fionn1952 wrote: » I'm sure you can furnish us with a long list of times when Boris Johnson has commented in support of Nationalists? Perhaps taking their side on the Irish Language Act (the same sort of legislation that hasn't been at all problematic in Scotland and Wales, and which the British government agreed to as part of the GFA) like you expect the Irish government to take the Unionist side on for some bizarre reason? An interesting response to me stating that the events of a hundred years ago couldn't happen again with the shoe on the other foot as the world has changed. I don't know how pointing out that the world has changed counters that point in any way.
ILoveYourVibes wrote: » ugh just why???:rolleyes: You can't just say she is bad at her job?
downcow wrote: » A contemptible response and very poor excuse. They have no problem commenting to support nationalists when they don’t even run the place. I am suggesting they comment on what they might do in the future to show an even hand if they ever did run the place. But we all know they won’t
downcow wrote: » There needs to be a bit of growing up in gear. Continually hating back to the partition of the state to allow Roi to separate from the UK family. 100 years ago. Name any single country and I will show you disgusting, systematic discrimination and abuse against minorities. You seem to think that Irish Catholics in ni had some Devine right to be more special than black people in USA, Asians in England, Unionists and travellers in Roi etc etc etc All discrimination is wrong. Time for you guys to move into this century