Declan Ganley looking hopeful

[Aardvark]

I think looking at Sinn Feins' more recent history, people are going to have to accept that they have moved on from the "bulllet and the ballot box" form of politics. This movement started with the Hume/Adams talks some 18 years ago. In more recent times the IRA have decomissioned their weapons, joined the policing board and very openly condemed Real IRA/Continuity IRA activity. Some people will never accept this progress of course for their own reasons.

I suppose I'm still too much of a cynic having served in NI. I just can't get certain images and thoughts to go away; I have dead friends. I know that the peace process is in place, but only when the former IRA men finally stop the punishment beatings, the drug running, the financial fiddles and the peddling of prostitutes will I be a hundred per cent convinced. People are still buying guns and preparing for a return to the 'troubles' and there is more than a little ambiguity in the opinions expressed by some people. It is laudable that men once complicit in murder now condemn terrorist outrages, but they have never repented of their crimes and there is still no closure on many of the killings.

It would be nice if the majority of Irish electors voted against Lisbon seeing that they are being told that their last expressed opinion was completely worthless, but I am not hopeful that they will do so without a proper campaign and debate.

[Larry08]

The independent monitoring comission consistently reports that there is no illegal IRA activity. The dissadents of course are a different matter. Let us also remember that there were attrocities carried out on all sides, including collusion between the RUC, British Army and loyalist paramilitaries which caused the death of many innocent people. Often done to protect the identity of British sources within the Republican movement.
We all need to stop looking back and start to move forward.

[connla]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIARJj9WajQ

tbh

[Anthony Butcher]

That made me giggle, thanks.

[sweetcaroline]

That youtube clip had to come . Have you seen the Cowen Downfall version (irish referendum)? appeared last year.... v funny...

Speaking of which , i agree with A Butcher earlier, in that I would hope Declan Ganley could be pursuaded to move on from this MEP election defeat - and work (with others) on the next irish referendum to fight for a no vote. Clearly, a consistent result from Ireland on the LT is very much needed for the whole of Europe, and that means all hands to the pump

[connla]

That youtube clip had to come . Have you seen the Cowen Downfall version (irish referendum)? appeared last year.... v funny...

I actually made it because I remembered that Cowen one and I felt that as the world turns and everyone ends up on their **** at some point, that it was Ganley's turn to suffer the fickle nature of the internet as the entity it has become.

I would think that Ganley would move into media for the next referendum, he knows his strength lies with his strong personality and that his weakness has been the actual politics side of things, so playing the role of media pundit will allow him to avoid that aspect of the debate and play to his strengths.

[Richard Allen]

I suppose I'm still too much of a cynic having served in NI. I just can't get certain images and thoughts to go away; I have dead friends. I know that the peace process is in place, but only when the former IRA men finally stop the punishment beatings, the drug running, the financial fiddles and the peddling of prostitutes will I be a hundred per cent convinced. People are still buying guns and preparing for a return to the 'troubles' and there is more than a little ambiguity in the opinions expressed by some people. It is laudable that men once complicit in murder now condemn terrorist outrages, but they have never repented of their crimes and there is still no closure on many of the killings.

Further to this I will add that releasing murderers from prison in return for a political deal was one of the most sordid and contemptible act of any British government.