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When/why did SF become so pro EU ?

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blackwhite wrote: »
    You've mis-represented my post there Francie (again :rolleyes:)

    For once, would you try and respond to what is actually posted instead of the endless straw-manning and deflection

    They were opposed to membership until after the Maastrich vote. The first document indicating a shift in their attitude towards membership was publsihed in 1994.

    However - from 1994 up until quite close to the UK Brexit Referendum, they were actively opposed to every EU Treaty and remained opposed to nearly everything that the EU was doing.
    They no longer opposed membership - but they were in no way supportive of the EU itself (hint - which is what I posted).
    It was only when the Brexit sh*t hit the fan, so to speak, that SF have actually been pivoted to supporting the EU in most of it's roles and functions.

    Read very carefully what I am asking for:

    Can you show were they were 'actively campaigning to leave the EU for decades' or not? We know they did at 1989 elections.

    Last time I'll ask and I'll just throw my hat at it.

    I could also ask you to demonstrate this apparent u-turn when Brexit happened, but doubtless you will twist and turn and pivot away from what you were actually asked too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,327 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    I'd say it is moot because you can't answer, to be honest.

    Farage has been floundering around politics attaching himself to anything that will promote his aims. Here he is spouting traditional SF politics :):) at one point:



    Natural bedfellows alright! :):)

    You know Francie, you really argue some absurdities.

    I have set out clearly how the EU policy of Sinn Fein and at various times UKIP and the Tory Party have aligned. I have never once suggested that their policy on a united Ireland aligns, yet you counter argue on that absurd basis.

    Have you no answer but to furiously make new strawmen every five minutes?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,327 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    Nowt like a bit of invective when all else fails.

    You are absolutely right, and it was in only the 29th post of this thread that we saw the first incarnation of this type of invective......
    No, I said nothing about what maccored had said, he can answer for himself.

    I 'lambasted' the usual trite, false comments being made by others. And laughing at those who demand constantly that this party change and when they have demonstratively evolved a position over 30 - 40 years call them 'populists' and 'hypocrites'.

    It is fantastical stuff really, if you'd think about it for a minute.

    ......people in glasshouses and all that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,961 ✭✭✭blackwhite


    Read very carefully what I am asking for:

    Can you show were they were 'actively campaigning to leave the EU for decades' or not? We know they did at 1989 elections.


    Asked and answered already Francie. Just more of your usual BS of ignoring anything that doesn't suit. Grow up for once would you :rolleyes:

    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=111718151&postcount=258

    The 70s and the 80s are two distinct decades. Even you must be capable understanding that.


    I could also ask you to demonstrate this apparent u-turn when Brexit happened, but doubtless you will twist and turn and pivot away from what you were actually asked too.

    There's a marked difference in SF's attitude to EU leaders and policy makes over the last 3-4 years.

    Take the repeated anti-EU rhetoric spouted in the 2008-2013/14 period by Sinn Féin and contrast it to any utterances from them about the EU now.

    Only the most blinkered of SF acolytes would pretend there hasn't been a big shift in attitude from the party in the past 5/6 years - but then I guess I must remember the track records of who we have to deal with on here :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blanch152 wrote: »
    You know Francie, you really argue some absurdities.

    I have set out clearly how the EU policy of Sinn Fein and at various times UKIP and the Tory Party have aligned. I have never once suggested that their policy on a united Ireland aligns, yet you counter argue on that absurd basis.

    Have you no answer but to furiously make new strawmen every five minutes?

    You suggested they are 'heading to the same destination'...entirely ignoring that SF have for a long long time accepted that we should be at 'the heart of Europe'.

    UKIP and Farage have NEVER been of that opinion. Any alignment is co-incidental therefore and should, by anyone with an ounce of political sense, never be compared.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    There's a marked difference in SF's attitude to EU leaders and policy makes over the last 3-4 years.

    Take the repeated anti-EU rhetoric spouted in the 2008-2013/14 period by Sinn Féin and contrast it to any utterances from them about the EU now.

    Only the most blinkered of SF acolytes would pretend there hasn't been a big shift in attitude from the party in the past 5/6 years - but then I guess I must remember the track records of who we have to deal with on here :pac:
    Here is Matt Carthy MEP in August this year:

    Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has said that the European Parliament needs to be radically reformed if it is to earn the trust of citizens across Europe. Carthy was speaking at a debate entitled “Is the social Heart of Europe still beating?” during the Roger Casement Summer School in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday.

    The Midlands North West representative told the gathering that “The European Union was an economic project from the start and one that was led by a European elite as opposed to the people of Europe. The people of the European member states while permitting this to happen had little input into how it developed. While in many cases the European Union has had positive impacts on the lives of the people of Europe, the social agenda was never at the heart of the European project. It was first and foremost an economic project serving the economic interest of the large European states.

    On the other hand, it has been progressive left parties like Sinn Féin who have articulated an alternative way, a better way, a more democratic way. Sometimes it has been difficult to have this alternative vision heard primarily because any criticism of the EU is brushed aside as being ‘anti-European’.”.

    Where is the 'about face' stuff you are talking about?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,961 ✭✭✭blackwhite


    Here is Matt Carthy MEP in August this year:


    Where is the 'about face' stuff you are talking about?

    Compare that to the Syrzia-flag waving anti-EU rhetoric of 5-10 years ago. A major shift away from portraying the EU as the big bad boogeymen of everything that's wrong in Europe.



    You aren't even able to keep yourself consistent anymore Francie. In one post you are trying to argue how SF have evolved their position. In the next you try to claim they haven't changed at all
    Need to make up your mind a bit there :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blackwhite wrote: »
    Compare that to the Syrzia-flag waving anti-EU rhetoric of 5-10 years ago. A major shift away from portraying the EU as the big bad boogeymen of everything that's wrong in Europe.



    You aren't even able to keep yourself consistent anymore Francie. In one post you are trying to argue how SF have evolved their position. In the next you try to claim they haven't changed at all
    Need to make up your mind a bit there :D

    This is from Gerry Adams in 2008:
    “It is important given the role of the European parliament and of the EU in the lives of the people of this island in the years ahead. Europe impacts on so many areas of ordinary peoples lives and often the impact is not a good one.

    “The Union is moving in an overly centralised, privatised and militarised direction. Sinn Féin's approach to Europe is rooted in our republicanism. And it is this that marks us out from all of the other political parties. We want to see a social Europe and a democratic, citizen based EU. Throughout the union there are many millions who share our view.

    A HUGE difference to what Carthy was saying in August of this year???

    What the f***.

    What can I do here, you just rant something and then don't back it up and your head goes into the sand.

    There were many people critical of how the Greeks were treated as there were about how we were treated. The EU is not immune from criticism once you join it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,961 ✭✭✭blackwhite


    This is from Gerry Adams in 2008:



    A HUGE difference to what Carthy was saying in August of this year???

    What the f***.

    What can I do here, you just rant something and then don't back it up and your head goes into the sand.

    There were many people critical of how the Greeks were treated as there were about how we were treated. The EU is not immune from criticism once you join it.

    From your own two quotes - do you even read what's in them?


    Gerry: Europe impacts on so many areas of ordinary peoples lives and often the impact is not a good one.

    Matt: While in many cases the European Union has had positive impacts on the lives of the people of Europe, the social agenda was never at the heart of the European project.



    Whilst both are from individual speeches taken out of context, they demonstrate the big shift in tone from how SF speak about the EU.

    The rhetoric used be that the EU was the big bad boogeyman that was having a negative impact on people, and needed to be fundamentally changed.

    Now the rhetoric is that the EU has been largely a positive influence on people, but change is needed so it can go about things better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blackwhite wrote: »
    From your own two quotes - do you even read what's in them?


    Gerry: Europe impacts on so many areas of ordinary peoples lives and often the impact is not a good one.

    Matt: While in many cases the European Union has had positive impacts on the lives of the people of Europe, the social agenda was never at the heart of the European project.



    Whilst both are from individual speeches taken out of context, they demonstrate the big shift in tone from how SF speak about the EU.

    The rhetoric used be that the EU was the big bad boogeyman that was having a negative impact on people, and needed to be fundamentally changed.

    Now the rhetoric is that the EU has been largely a positive influence on people, but change is needed so it can go about things better.



    So no 'big bad boogeymen' in this from Carthy in August then?
    “People across Europe are rejecting the EU model that has created winners and losers, precarious employment, wealth inequality, debt dependent growth and privatised public services. A failure to recognise this will pose a threat to the future of the European Union itself.”

    'Positive influence' rhetoric there alright! :):):)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,961 ✭✭✭blackwhite


    So no 'big bad boogeymen' in this from Carthy in August then?



    'Positive influence' rhetoric there alright! :):):)

    “Positive Impact” are the words that Carthy used

    Are we going back to the “he said it, but meant something completely different” bolloxology again?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blackwhite wrote: »
    “Positive Impact” are the words that Carthy used

    Are we going back to the “he said it, but meant something completely different” bolloxology again?

    He said,
    While in many cases the European Union has had positive impacts...

    Many cases...but not all. Exactly the same thing Adams said years before.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,961 ✭✭✭blackwhite


    He said,



    Many cases...but not all. Exactly the same thing Adams said years before.

    No - the opposite of what Gerry said actually.

    Gerry highlights the EU as mostly bad, Matt as mostly good.

    Do you even read your own posts?


    Gerry: Europe impacts on so many areas of ordinary peoples lives and often the impact is not a good one[\U]


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blackwhite wrote: »
    No - the opposite of what Gerry said actually.

    Gerry highlights the EU as mostly bad, Matt as mostly good.

    Do you even read your own posts?


    Gerry: Europe impacts on so many areas of ordinary peoples lives and often the impact is not a good one[\U]

    Beezarre!

    I think you have taken up a position and are now desperately trying to shoehorn stuff in to fit that position.

    Where running candidates in an election becomes 'actively campaigning to leave the EU'
    And where cherrypicked phrases are hit with a sledgehammer a few times to get them to fit a narrative. A narrative another phrase in the same bloody speech blows out of the water.

    You are quite an act blackwhite.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,961 ✭✭✭blackwhite


    Beezarre!

    I think you have taken up a position and are now desperately trying to shoehorn stuff in to fit that position.

    Where running candidates in an election becomes 'actively campaigning to leave the EU'
    And where cherrypicked phrases are hit with a sledgehammer a few times to get them to fit a narrative. A narrative another phrase in the same bloody speech blows out of the water.

    You are quite an act blackwhite.


    Including “a negotiated exit from the European Community” in your election literature is campaigning to leave. Yet another example of Francie and pals magic dictionaries?

    Or more likely - another example of dishonesty - something’s never change. :rolleyes:


    Have you decided yet if your argument is that Sinn Fein haven’t changed their position - or that they have changed. You’ve tried to argue both at different stages on this thread. Are you just trying to be contrarian, or just confused about what the party line is supposed to be at this stage.

    I guess when all you do is defend, deflect and blindly parrot the party line it must get a bit tough to keep track of what you’re supposed to be arguing today


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭nkl12xtw5goz70


    "The economic and fiscal policies of the European Union have had catastrophic effects on the lives of many of its citizens" — Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada, 2016

    Pro-EU to the core.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blackwhite wrote: »
    Including “a negotiated exit from the European Community” in your election literature is campaigning to leave. Yet another example of Francie and pals magic dictionaries?

    Or more likely - another example of dishonesty - something’s never change. :rolleyes:


    Have you decided yet if your argument is that Sinn Fein haven’t changed their position - or that they have changed. You’ve tried to argue both at different stages on this thread. Are you just trying to be contrarian, or just confused about what the party line is supposed to be at this stage.

    I guess when all you do is defend, deflect and blindly parrot the party line it must get a bit tough to keep track of what you’re supposed to be arguing today

    My argument has not changed an iota since the thread started, that is Sinn Fein are not 'europhiles like FG' and that their position on the EU has evolved from being actively against it to being advocates of remaining in it. I presented links and back-up that shows that clearly.

    You claimed that the had 'actively campaigned to leave the EU for decades' and presented nothing to back that up.

    In 1989 they 'actively' tried to get people elected as MEP's while having an aspiration to negotiste an exit from the EC.

    FF have an aspiration to unite Ireland but have they ever 'actively' campigned for that? No they haven't.

    The fact is SF have never 'actively' campaigned to leave the EC the EEC or the EU. In fact the have never even 'actively' campaigned for a referendum on the matter.
    They were anti the EC for a period though and actively campaigned against joining it.

    You are a great man to pinpoint other people's words for scrutiny, but you need to review two in your own statement - 'actively' and 'campaign' because you certainly haven't backed them up and I can find zero evidence of any 'active campaigning to leave the EC', EEC or EU.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,865 ✭✭✭✭markodaly


    "The economic and fiscal policies of the European Union have had catastrophic effects on the lives of many of its citizens" — Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada, 2016

    Pro-EU to the core.

    Eurasia was never at war with Eastasia.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    markodaly wrote: »
    Eurasia was never at war with Eastasia.

    Or party that has always been openly and transparently critical of aspects of the EU in open and transparent criticism of the EU SHOCKER! :):)


    How does that sit with claims that SF have had 'an about face' on the EU since 'themum's yada yada yad....'


    Youse are all over the shop here!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,865 ✭✭✭✭markodaly


    image.jpg


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,716 ✭✭✭✭maccored


    blackwhite wrote: »
    If you cry bullying when someone points out your repeated lying then I'd hate to see how you cope in the real world.
    Anytime any facts or links are posted that challenge your cult-like mindset you throw a strop. Same reaction anytime anything that isn't fawning over SF gets posted.

    You really love making up bull**** when your point has been constantly disproven. Keep at it - Im sure you think it makes you look cool.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    markodaly wrote: »
    image.jpg

    What is your point? Here is Leo and Mary 'sharing' a platform to discuss a United Ireland. If I used that to make a case that Leo and SF were in cahoots on a UI, you would be foaming at the mouth to lambast me.

    image.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,327 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    maccored wrote: »
    You really love making up bull**** when your point has been constantly disproven. Keep at it - Im sure you think it makes you look cool.
    Nowt like a bit of invective when all else fails.


    Francie, another example of what you were posting about.

    Or are you going to tell me that you fully understand and excuse what that post says?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blanch152 wrote: »
    Francie, another example of what you were posting about.

    Or are you going to tell me that you fully understand and excuse what that post says?

    What?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,403 ✭✭✭✭LuckyLloyd


    Brexit has changed the minds of many political parties and voters across the EU on the value of the EU project. An unintended positive consequence, certainly for the eurosceptic movement suffering reverses at this year’s EU parliament elections. It’s a positive shift for SF that should be welcomed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,327 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    What?


    Clearly invective is only to be condemned when it is aimed at a SF-supporting poster, not when it is coming from a SF-supporting poster.

    Or maybe the definition of invective changes depending on who is making it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blanch152 wrote: »
    Clearly invective is only to be condemned when it is aimed at a SF-supporting poster, not when it is coming from a SF-supporting poster.

    Or maybe the definition of invective changes depending on who is making it.

    I responded to what was an attack on me rather than the post I had made in that post (see the quoted post).

    I am not a mod and don't comment on personal spats between others. If you have a problem with a post, report it, don't ask me to sort it out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,716 ✭✭✭✭maccored


    too many handbags at dawn posts in this thread


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    blanch152 wrote: »
    Clearly invective is only to be condemned when it is aimed at a SF-supporting poster, not when it is coming from a SF-supporting poster.

    Or maybe the definition of invective changes depending on who is making it.
    Silly. Nobody on here that constantly posts in support of SF is a "SF supporter"; I thought you would know that by now!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    Silly. Nobody on here that constantly posts in support of SF is a "SF supporter"; I thought you would know that by now!

    I don't support SF in terms of voting for them or as a member.
    I do support them when I read trite, ill-informed, even more ill-researched lies coming from a general anti-republican, anti-Irish citizens living in the north, or partitionist base on here.

    Take it or leave it really.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    Sweet list of posts for me to like. Cheers!

    That is your prerogative of course and I couldn't care less whether you do or you don't, just don't come on and chide me if I fail to throw a snowball you made for me. ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,327 ✭✭✭✭blanch152




    Not a bit upset.

    You are the one ranting about invective, but with the usual caveat that it is only bad if it is anti-SF.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,327 ✭✭✭✭blanch152


    I don't support SF in terms of voting for them or as a member.
    I do support them when I read trite, ill-informed, even more ill-researched lies coming from a general anti-republican, anti-Irish citizens living in the north, or partitionist base on here.

    Take it or leave it really.

    Why SF?

    If you don’t support SF, why do you only call out trite, ill-informed and ill-researched lies against SF.

    There are constant such lies directed against other political parties yet you never call those out. So again, why?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blanch152 wrote: »
    Not a bit upset.

    You are the one ranting about invective, but with the usual caveat that it is only bad if it is anti-SF.

    No, blanch. I only comment when it's directed at me.
    I don't get involved when others do it. That isn't my role here. And I don't orchestrate others either. You do get involved, you 'thank' personal attacks by others. You also try to orchestrate others to do your bidding. Twice on this thread alone you tried to get me to comment on the posts of others on two different topics.

    So leave it out please.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,397 ✭✭✭✭FreudianSlippers


    That is your prerogative of course and I couldn't care less whether you do or you don't, just don't come on and chide me if I fail to throw a snowball you made for me. ;)
    I'm not the one who made a list of "everyone accuses me of being a SF sockpuppet because I only ever post in support of SF". All good posts I had missed and have now thanked for being accurate.

    Public service posting - oh hey! Not about supporting SF this time! Congrats!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    blanch152 wrote: »
    Why SF?

    If you don’t support SF, why do you only call out trite, ill-informed and ill-researched lies against SF.

    There are constant such lies directed against other political parties yet you never call those out. So again, why?

    Because of where posters like you are coming from, in my eyes. A deep seated partitionist anti-republican base.

    Two of the things I am most interested in seeing the end of on this island.

    And no, I have no interest in discussing your objections to my opinion on that on this thread. You asked, I answered, take it or leave it again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    "everyone accuses me of being a SF sockpuppet because I only ever post in support of SF".

    I post on a whole range of stuff on this site.

    Another ill researched ill-informed post. What a surprise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,716 ✭✭✭✭maccored


    I post on a whole range of stuff on this site.

    Another ill researched ill-informed post. What a surprise.

    I think their tactic is to bore us out of the thread with their inane responses. certainly worked with me


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    maccored wrote: »
    I think their tactic is to bore us out of the thread with their inane responses. certainly worked with me

    I have asked this of them before, what difference does it make if I'm Gerry Adams?

    You either have a answer to the point or you don't. I am here to debate, not to disappear up cul-de-sacs trying to work out if somebody is in a party or not. You would think SF was an illegal organisation the way they go on.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭Bishop of hope


    I have asked this of them before, what difference does it make if I'm Gerry Adams?

    You either have a answer to the point or you don't. I am here to debate, not to disappear up cul-de-sacs trying to work out if somebody is in a party or not. You would think SF was an illegal organisation the way they go on.

    It's a political party front of one probably/maybe.
    I wouldn't be sure of how much the Southern end of it, reps in the Republic I mean, are fully aware of or responsible for how it's policies are actually formed, they probably just toe a line opportunistically to espouse their type of politics, much like yourself, they have common goals, after that they turn a blind eye to the other stuff.
    FF/FG and Labour are probably as guilty of political terrorism at least tbf against their citizens too, as responsible or even moreso perhaps for the state of things on this island in general.
    Policies of doom in recent decades have caused more problems than the troubles ever did economically.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,503 ✭✭✭✭Mad_maxx


    SF made a decision several years ago to adopt " cosmopolitan socialism "

    this made them very palatable for the irish times - rte liberal influential intellegensia and also made unionists look even more unreasonable , about the only thing i like about ulster unionists is that they are stoic traditional conservatives , about the only people left in europe of this nature


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,865 ✭✭✭✭markodaly


    I am here to debate,

    Eurasia was never at war with Eastasia :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,983 ✭✭✭✭FrancieBrady


    Mad_maxx wrote: »
    SF made a decision several years ago to adopt " cosmopolitan socialism "

    this made them very palatable for the irish times - rte liberal influential intellegensia and also made unionists look even more unreasonable , about the only thing i like about ulster unionists is that they are stoic traditional conservatives , about the only people left in europe of this nature

    Not really fair to brand all unionists in that way. Many, many unionists are moderate and modern in outlook, but they allow themselves to be politically cowed by the conservative and belligerent element of unionism.


  • Registered Users Posts: 465 ✭✭Ballso


    maccored wrote: »
    I think their tactic is to bore us out of the thread with their inane responses. certainly worked with me

    You made such a fool of yourself on this thread, cringeworthy stuff.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,716 ✭✭✭✭maccored


    Ballso wrote: »
    You made such a fool of yourself on this thread, cringeworthy stuff.

    oh how distraught I feel :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,907 ✭✭✭LostinBlanch


    Mad_maxx wrote: »
    SF made a decision several years ago to adopt " cosmopolitan socialism "

    this made them very palatable for the irish times - rte liberal influential intellegensia

    And in doing so, left their base behind. They lose more votes in the likes of Ballyfermot than they would ever gain in Ballsbridge. Throw in the bullying claims in different constituencies leading to splits and a loss of candidates and, just as importantly election workers, and it's hard not to see why their vote has fallen away.


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