Axed in 1998 after 30 years, the long running, hugely divisive and controversial ‘The Troubles’ graced our screens every night despite its unpopularity amongst the general population in Northern Ireland. In fact, it only had a handful of dedicated fans so it is a wonder it ran as long as it did. So why, after nearly 17 years, does it seem like The Troubles could be set to return to our screens with a reboot?
That’s the opening paragraph of a nice piece of satire from LAD . You can read it all here
http://ladfleg.com/blog/the-troubles-set-for-a-reboot/
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are accusing each other of trying to scupper the peace process.This is an exceptionally serious moment. Our lovely SOS
Theresa Villiers said that she hopes to discuss the issue with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan in Dublin
Reasons why we are on the brink
1) Unionists/Loyalists want to play the Orange Card Sign i.e. Unionist/Loyalist fear of Irish Nationalism/Republicanism, as symbolized by the IRA.
Query: What triggered the latest outbreak?
Manufactured doubts over whether the IRA has really gone away
A PSNI statement (later retracted) suggested the Provisional IRA was actively involved in the murder of Belfast Republicans Kevin Mc Guigan and Jock Davison. First Minister Peter Robinson
immediately raised the prospect of Sinn Féin being excluded from the Stormont executive.
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister agreed.
*”time for unionists who work the Belfast Agreement to face up to reality“,
*”time to show Sinn Féin the “exit door from government“.
So did UUP leader Mike Nesbitt
” the party will consider leaving the Stormont Executive”
Ukip NI leader David McNarry called on all unionists to unite .
“Sinn Fein must be suspended from the Executive and the Assembly structures,”
“Stormont can survive the repercussions of republican chicanery by unionists standing firm together”.
“Ukip’s message to Sinn Fein and the secretary of state is this: the game is up, the people’s patience is over.
“No government or committee chairperson representing Sinn Fein can meet anyone, anymore with a terrorist army lurking in the wings.
Query: Isn’t removing the elected representatives of 45% odd of the electorate – sort of – well, you know – illegal and undemocratic? Sorta coup d’état-ish?
How does the IRA Sign serve the Unionist/loyalist agenda?
The IRA is used as a vehicle in the ‘Loyalist cause’. Fear of the IRA fuels the hatred and animosity that is all they have known all their lives.
That fear/hatred serves to justify their
sectarianism ,
racism and opposition to the Irish language and culture
Comments:
*With the GFA/ Belfast Agreement and subsequent ceasefire Unionists/Loyalists were expected give up that hatred
*But if that hatred is taken away away, they have nothing left.
*So the IRA ceasefire became another threat to their way of being.
*They are delighted doubts have been cast on the ceasefire
Why do Unionists/Loyalists hate and fear the IRA and consequently Catholics, Nationalists, Republicans etc?
The IRA, Fenians, and so on that rose up in 1916 and continued rebelling until they obtained independence for 26/32 of counties, defeated Carson’s dream of Ireland united under the Crown
https://eurofree3.wordpress.com/2014/02/09/edward-carson-1854-1935/
The Civil Rights movement and the IRA campaign ended the Orange State and dream of a “Protestant Parliament for a Protestant people”
Unionists/Loyalists were forced into a power-sharing arrangement and parity of esteem/equality agenda they never wanted or accepted.
Comment: It hardly matters whether nationalists/Republicans make progress through insurgency or diplomacy, because the Unionist cause always suffers.
2) Unionists/Loyalists (read DUP) need a distraction decoy
The PSNI, assisted by the UK National Crime Agency, is launching a “criminal inquiry” into the allegations that a Northern Ireland politician or party may have been in line to benefit by up to £7 million as a result of a major Nama sale
Was there an official meeting between Cerberus, Peter Robinson and others at Stormont just 10 days before the US company bought the 850-property Nama portfolio for less than £1.5 million?
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said
because all official meetings involving the First Minister and/or the Deputy First Minister must be agreed by both him and Mr Robinson
He was not aware of the meeting on that date.
Is Peter Robinson’s son Gareth involved?
He denies Verbatim Communications, the public relations firm he runs, was involved in any way in the controversial sale of National Asset Management Agency’s (Nama) Northern Ireland properties.
An Inquiry was launched by the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee on Finance and Personnel. It’s chaired by
Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay
It wants to know
*what contacts existed between bidders and former DUP finance ministers
Sammy Wilson and
Simon Hamilton
Member of the Royal Black Institution and Orange Order.
The Inquiry Committee also wants to
- find out about the circumstances surrounding the drafting of a memorandum of understanding between Peter Robinson, and a failed bidder, investment firm Pimco.
It has had difficulty making progress since it was launched last month.
The DUP are doing their best to stymie it.
The head of the North’s civil service, Dr Malcolm McKibben issued a letter allegedly warning senior colleagues of the potential to prejudice a police investigation into the €1.6bn sale of the portfolio to US vulture fund Cerberus.
Minister Arlene Foster (DUP) blocked David Sterling, the permanent secretary of the North’s Department of Finance, from reappearing at the committee on the grounds that the police probe could be affected.
Lawyers in the North were warned not to divulge details about a billion-euro property controversy minutes before they appeared before a Stormont scrutiny committee.
A senior figure from the National Crime Agency (NCA) made an eleventh hour telephone call and told them not to discuss the criminal probe into the sale of Northern Ireland assets by Nama (National Asset Management Agency).
Mairtin O Muilleoir asked “Why is the NCA making calls in relation to the investigation moments before we sit?”
He said the NCA should be called to give evidence in public.
Mr McKay said: “We are aware there are some efforts to stymie this inquiry.”
Is the storm in a teacup
over the invisible? defunct? IRA (with no evidence that it’s involved in terrorism or paramilitary activity) just another blocking action?
Query: Who is really scuppering the peace process?
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-33465262
http://everydaygettingbetter.com/tag/regret/
http://www.cavalierideldado.it/blog/?p=466
http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/mlas/details.aspx?&aff=2416&per=200&c=2#
https://boingboing.net/2015/04/13/fox-to-remake-rocky-horror-pic.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-33465262
http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/2015/08/24/ff-and-sf-accused-of-trying-to-scupper-peace-process/?
http://www.waterford-news.ie/2015/08/27/law-society-told-not-to-discuss-nama-probe-with-stormont/?
the mirror@wordpress.com 
Couldn’t put it any better myself , ben
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Nice to hear from you again Paddy. Glad you liked the post.
All the best
Ben
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