Sunday 15 April 2018

THE SHINNERS, THE DUPPIES AND ME



FOR THOSE WITH NO SENSE OF HUMOUR

THE PIC ABOVE IS A JOKE :-)

OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE HAD SOME VERY IGNORANT AND VICIOUS COMMENTS SUBMITTED TO THIS BLOG BY PEOPLE ANGRY THAT I HAVE SAMMY WILSON MP HELPING ME WITH MY CURRENT PRISON VISITING ISSUE.

MOST OF THEM WERE UNFIT FOR PUBLICATION.

I am neither a Republican or a Unionist - and I am not even a Nationalist.

I am not interested in the traditional notion of a "United Ireland" - but I would like to see a NEW IRELAND where all communities get along - and a democracy that is plural and secular in the good senses of those words - and where religion of any kind does not play a big role in everyday public life.




FALLS ROAD:

My first parish in Northern Ireland (1978 - 1983) was in Republican West Belfast at the time of The Troubles.

I had reason every day to come into contact with Sinn Fein, the IRA, the IRSP, the INLA and the Official IRA.

I also had reason to liaise with the RUC, the British Army and all the various parts of the Northern Ireland state.

While my first priority was always to serve my own people first, I did find that in order to help them I had to deal with the police, the army, the prison authorities, the N. I. Housing Executive etc. I seemed to be able to balance all these forces reasonably well.

While not being a member of Sinn Fein - I did vote for Sinn Fein - not because I believed in any way with the "armed struggle" but because I thought Sinn Fein had very progressive social policies and were also close to people on the ground.

KILKEEL:




When I was moved to Kilkeel in 1983 I found myself in a very deeply divided community but as on the Falls Road, while putting my own people first I had decent relations with others.

I had a spat with the UDR who were misbehaving but had a good relationship with their colonel who was an English man.

I had another spat with the INLA who were involved in actions that negatively affected my parishioners.

But I got on really well with the Kilkeel parishioners and both they and I were sorry to part in 1984.

LARNE;




When I moved to Larne in 1984 I found myself in an 83% Protestant town in which discrimination in various ways was alive.

I was elected to Larne Borough Council in 1989 as a community candidate with the second highest vote after the DUP.

I had my spats in the council chamber with unionists.

But I did find that I liked the DUP better than I liked the Ulster Unionists - simply because you knew where you stood with the DUP and you did not know where you stood with the UU's. The DUP said what they thought to your face.

During all this time I still voted for SF who received a tiny number of votes in unionist, loyalist East Antrim.

When Sammy Wilson became MP he did not do so on my vote.

SAMMY WILSON MP


But at the last general election, I voted for Sammy - not because he was DUP but because as my local MP he had helped me greatly with a very difficult situation.

It was only at this time that I got to know Sammy Wilson.

I'm quite certain that Sammy Wilson and I have very different views about many things - including same-sex marriage.

But since getting to know him I have found him warm, welcoming, friendly, ordinary and willing to help any constituent with anything.

I also like the fact that he is a larger than life character, with a good sense of humour and no airs and graces about him.

Never before has any political representative given me his personal telephone number - and of course I do not abuse that trust.

So when I got this prison bar problem he was the natural one to turn to.

And whatever the outcome, I will vote again for him again - for the simple reason that he has made himself available to help me. 


We should always judge a person - not by public opinion - but by how we find them when we meet them.

Can I also say that Gerry Adams has always been gracious and friendly to me when we met and I know he would help me if I asked him?




In these parts, we have got to get away from thinking that all on our side are angels and that all on the other side are devils.

There are good and bad people in all communities. 


BUT WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS THIS:

WHEN YOU ARE UP AGAINST THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH - THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY CATHOLICS WILL COME TO YOUR AID!




86 comments:

  1. Many people up north argue about this matter. It never seems to dawn on them that London might get fed up of the North's financial drain. Nor does it seem to dawn on them that many of us down south don't want the bickering of the northern politics. Dont get me wrong, I want the best for the north and its people; but why so much fighting and arguing all the fecking time? Ye look like the laughing stock of the UK because of your childish politicians.

    An independent Republic of Northern Ireland sounds good to me. Force the northerner politician's to take responsibility for the north I say.

    Best of luck forming a government.

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    1. Typical down south glib attitude. The troubles where North which was always convenient for you lot. Your own present Government is nothing to write home about or be proud of.

      “Take it down from the mast, Irish traitors, the flag we Republicans claim. It can never belong to Free Staters. You brought nothing on it but shame”.

      Delete
    2. @10.48
      Typical argumentative response.
      The challenge was to stop arguing and establish a country that can stand on it's own two feet instead of fighting over what State ye want to be in. By being argumentative you proved my initial point.

      Also, you may want the flag back, but I bet you want to keep our Free State passport!

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    3. You can tell that 17.13 is from Munster.. Always the same attitude and thank you, Pat.

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    4. Munster matters if the ballot proposes a union of Ireland, and I for one wont be a unionist. I wish Ulster well, but see no purpose in a "one island one Ireland" policy.

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    5. @17.13 You think you know all the answers - wrong! You presume much but know little. I don’t possess a Free State Passport. Never claimed I did.

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    6. @20.53
      I think it is you who presume too much.

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    7. I have a UK passport which is fine (and will continue to be fine)





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    8. No Surrender!

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  2. So you would like a new Ireland "where religion of any kind does oes not play a big part in daily life"?
    So what do you think of those people who feel that daily prayer is a very important part of their life? You wouldn't be in favour of it apparently.. What about daily Mass being valued as the most important event of somebody's day? No? - - You definitely wouldn't be in favour of it?
    Well, now we know...

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    1. I meant public daily life.

      Keep religion for people's private life, the place of worship and the home.

      Personally I agree about the importance of daily prayer.

      But let us not impose it on others.

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    2. Pat at 8.39: you are confused. Your interpretation of the social dimension of faith and christianity are narrow, self promoting and incomplete. Religious beliefs out of Christianity and derived from the gospel of Christ have much to ssy about the kind of society we want and should have, one characterised by justice and equality for all, care for the vulnerable and fragile, upholding of the sanctity of life, unborn and born, how we treat the stranger, the migrant, the homeless, the disabled. The social teachings of the Church are most challenging to a world that's very uncaring at times about true justice and equality and about addressing the rich/poor divide. That's why expression of a living christian faith should be openly seen on the highways and byways and in the market squares. Didn't Jesus command such? Pat, if you believe that religion should be kept for private living, then, why are you preaching and lecturing all of us through this blog? PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH - KEEP YOUR FAITH PRIVATE. BUT I'LL CONTINUE LIVING MY FAITH IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE. YOUR ARGUMENT IS CONTRADICTORY...What if Sr. Stan, Fr. McVerry, Alice Leahy and Sr. Consilio never looked beyond their bedroom windows? Get real Pat...

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    3. This is a blog that people can read or ignore.

      No one has to read it.

      I do believe in people of faith being propelled by their faith to do good in society.

      That is a totally different thing than a church telling the state how to govern or legislate.

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    4. Pat at 9.18: You protest against the Church proclaiming its truths and teachings, yet you want your vision, as an alternative, to be seen as the only one that matters...since you are against everything else, particularly if Catholic. The Church has a mandate from Christ to preach its moral truths. Let's be courageous both inside and outside our homes..

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    5. Pat at 8.39: Like yesterday's blog piece, there are confusions, contradictions and inherent illogicality in your argument. Religious beliefs and principles, derived from the long established Christian tradition are not just for within our homes but for the broader community of society, not as doctrines to be imposed but as revealed truths to inspire, as in the social teachings of the Church, its spirituality, mysticism, its outreach through compassion and justice programmes etc...What did Jesus ask of his disciples and we his followers? Not to hide our treasure under the table but to let it shine brightly for the good of the world. A very noble and honourable vocation!

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    6. 11.02 I don't think Pat is saying anything against proclamation of faith. It is the dictating to others using the threat of excommunication that is in question.

      Delete
  3. James Mc Connell Middletown.16 April 2018 at 04:47

    A VERY HONEST AND INTERESTING PIECE BY PAT,THEN AGAIN,HE IS A VERY HONEST AND EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT HUMAN BEING,WHO HAS MORE EMPATHY IN HIS DNA THAN ANYONE I HAVE EVER MET,ESPECIALLY TO DO WITH ANY RELIGION,TODAY LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF YOU'LL NEVER BE THE SUN DOLORES KEANE ON YOUTUBE,AS SOMEONE ONCE SAID TO ME,YOU HAVE TO SURVIVED THE STORM,TO APPRECIATE THE CALM.THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A STORM AND HOPEFULLY NEVER WILL BE. OH AND HURRY UP WITH THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

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    1. Are you the James from the door stepping youtube videos? Enough said!

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    2. 04.47 - What's this drivel about? Sounds very eerie and at the time you scripted it - almost 5am suggests you are trapped in your own dreamy storm. Would you be the video man of recent times harrassing priests?

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    3. James McConnell. A person with a real name
      We'll done

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    4. So if 4.47 is the video-man, is it really necessary to be nasty to him.
      He is as much entitled to post here as you are ..anonymous people...me included.
      Just post anonymously next timeJames, it will save all these good doers pontificating.
      What wrong with posting at 5 am...lots and lots of people are awake then...some people awake early and some people suffer from insomnia...takes all sorts.
      Do try and stop yourselves 10.56 and 9.52 from making assertions about other people’s lifestyles and address the blog.
      Of course u prob are the same poster...as is usual on here.

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    5. Oh you mean the ‘’ call meFather’’ and ‘ do you have an appointment with me ‘’. priests.
      Some servants of the Lord they showed themselves to be.

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    6. I would be extremely intimidated if someone like James McConnell turned up at my door with his aggressive and grating voice and filming me without my permission.

      He should be reported for stalking.

      Delete
    7. Typing in upper case is considered to be shouting. Pat's already written two excellent autobiographies so why does he need to hurry up and write one?

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    8. 12.42 Perhaps he is new to typing and doesn't know that there is a shift key.

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    9. No, he just wanted his opinion to look more important than yours or mine... Hence the use of capitals.

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    10. Do you remember that he defended the gross invasion of privacy by saying he had to video everything to remember it. So, James, video this comment when you see it.

      1. No shouting;
      2. Definitely no stalking. It's illegal.

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    11. James McConnell @04:47 have you nothing better to be at, says it all about the "Stalker" who can't remember!
      I've seen it all, so pleased to see you befriending Pat, be good to dee some videos from service's at the Oratory posted for all to view. James your the man!

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  4. If this tells us anything it is that religion and politics are not incompatible. Neither is marriage incompatible with being a good minister even though some churches may be obsessed with sex. Some are so caught up in their perceptions that they may feel if they are taken away there will be nothing left. The freedom of Pentecost becons one and all

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  5. I don’t like Sammy but that’s my choice

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    1. I personally do not dislike any person.
      But I would prefer to watch or listen to a politician who does not sneer,roll eyes and try to denigrate the opposition.
      Most could take a leaf out of Coveney’s tv appearances...somebody coached him good.

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    2. "... coached him well .."

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  6. Sammy politics are not mine. I have little or no time for the party he belongs to. That said and on a personal level I find Sammy a very good MP who has helped me on 2 occasions with good results. I found him dedicated and quite good craic actually.
    So, on the time honoured principle of treat as you find rather that the Ulster way of ‘he’s one of them’ I have a lot of time for Sammy.

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  7. Sammy is a bigot pure and simple.

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    1. I suppose you support Sammy Wilson then Pat when he referred to Gay people as “Perverts”. Very strange company you keep.

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    2. I certainly do not agree with that statement.

      Can you tell me where Sammy called all gay people perverts?

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    3. 1st June 1992 The Daily Express quoted Sammy Wilson in relation to Gay activists requesting the use of Belfast City Hall. Sammy referred to them as, "Poofs" and said he didn't care if they were ratepayers and then went on to call them "Perverts". This was quoted in many media outlets at the time. As I said, strange people you associate with Pat. Sammy Wilson is deeply homophobic.

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    4. That's 26 years ago.

      However I will ask him his views when I get the opportunity.

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    5. It does not matter how long ago it was, the fact is - it was said by Sammy Wilson. To refer to the gay community as “poofs” and “perverts” is disgusting. Giving this man a platform on your blog and singing his praises brings you right down in the estimations of the gay community here. Really disappointed in you.

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    6. I can only speak about people as I personally find them.

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    7. You are misguided Pat on this one.

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    8. Go, Sammy, go. I should vote for him myself!

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  8. MournemanMichael16 April 2018 at 11:00

    I wonder if Anon @09.05 has a relatively narrow view that Christianity is the origin and only expression of leading a good caring moral life?
    When discussing moral codes and values with some Christians, of all denominations, I regularly find them unable to appreciate the core moral values of many human groupings, religious and otherwise, are remarkably similar: or that Christianity is a relative latecomer in the pantheon of moral prescriptions.
    MMM

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  9. Sammy's great craic and I can think of no single recorded example of an anti-Catholic remark from him.

    He has certainly given the Shinners a hard time over the years but that's a political rather than a religious issue.

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    1. @12.36 Where have you been when you couldn’t think of no single recorded example of an anti-Catholic remark from Sammy Wilson. You need to do your homework on that one a bit more carefully. The Daily Telegraph who scrutinised each DUP MP highlights our Sammy as condoning ethnic cleansing when he voiced approval for a call for Catholics to be expelled, nullified or interned. You say Sammy is great craic, I wonder if you agree about what he said as great craic you ignorant idiot.

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    2. Fake news. Those comments were made in the early 90s by the UDA, not Sammy Wilson. At the time he said he'd never advocated a Balkans-type solution in NI. Remember that NI was a very troubled place and both sides were committing horrible sectarian murders, with the IRA targeting Catholic judges and policemen coming out of Mass, when they were not shooting Protestant farmers in Fermanagh and blowing up Protestant towns. The loyalists were just as bad, if not worse.

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    3. You're the one who's sounding bigoted, 13:07. Tell me, what do you really think about Protestants and unionists?

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    4. @13.51 Are you incapable of reading things properly. I didn’t indicate Wilson said it I said he condoned it - big difference. The only fake thing about it is you.

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    5. The Irish Times quoted Sammy Wilson on 12th January 2000 in relation to Catholic ratepayers. He said, “Taigs don’t pay rates”. If that’s not bigotry then I don’t know what is. It’s blatant bigotry.

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    6. NO ONE'S hands in Northern Ireland are free of sectarian bigotry, including mine.

      I recall the IRA volunteer who declared, when an IRA bomb had indiscriminately killed a Protestant baby in its pram: At least that's one less to woery about.

      If Sammy Wilson had managed to grow up in Northern Ireland (a deeply and bitterly divided state), free of sectarian prejudice, he'd have been a remarkable figure indeed...and a totally incredible one.

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    7. Glad of you to join us Magna at this late time in the day. Says it all really. Is it not time for your liquid supper again before you disappear off the radar until tomorrow. What you don’t seem to understand darling is we don’t give a Shite what you say. Speaking of which, I hear you have a touch of the oul alcohol incontinence just to match your verbal one. Ha ha ha.

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    8. Yet many of us did....

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    9. Magna @17.23. Do one! Is the blog now your source of this evenings entertainment? You are a total ignoramus fuelled by Pat Buckley. Some have suggested you are actually Pat Buckley provoking responses to encourage more comments on your blog.

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    10. We are all learning not to feed this troll.

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    11. 18:02, you say you don't give a 'sh*te' for my opinion, and yet you take the trouble to tell me this.😅

      And you 18:28, are learning 'not to feed this troll' , a.k.a. Magna. And yet you, too, take the trouble to tell (feed) me this.😅

      I swear to Yahweh there really is life after braindeath.😆

      I

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    12. 17.23: Magna, a little correction "worry" - not woery!! Are you a tad bleary eyed after a long sleep in from the all night drinks session? Poor thing - solpadine will help clear the headache....

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    13. You are very welcome Magna!

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    14. Another "little correction". It's Solpadeine actually..!

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  10. As a member of the RC institution I can attest to the greatness of Sammy Wilson, did you ever see him on Ali G? Or coming out in defense of Pastor McConnell?

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    1. Is that the same bigot Pastor McConnell that called Islam, “Heathen, Satanic and spawned in hell”. Right.

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    2. There were lots of naifs on the Ali G show. Have you seen the new "Cunk on Britain" series? Same sort of idea, though with academics e.g. "why did the Anglo-Saxons bury everything underground?"

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  11. MNM at 11.00: No, I don't believe that Christianity has a monopoly on moral or ethical goodness or that it is the only vision or perspective on life that inspires humanity. What about Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Pascal and all other great philosophers and the poets and artists of all eras whose work is inspired by both christian and humanist imagination and creativity? I believe in the lived highest ideals of Jesus Christ as a blueprint for humanity and as a priest, that is the beginning for me. I seek and find a deeper insight into the vision of Jesus through art, music, philosophy, poetry - christian, secular, humanist. All genres of expressions of life and humanity (not the vulgar or soap types) open the mind and soul to higher ideals of refinement. I believe your humanism/atheism is valid for you and those who choose the same. I respect that and I expect my view of life, through the lens of Christianity to be respected. All through my childhood, teenage years, studies and engagement with the world I was brought into contact with so many groups and activities that have grown out of Christian beliefs and convictions which led me to a deeper exploration of the relevance and value of a powerful faith based perspective on life and on moral, ethical and economic/social/justice issues. But I respect all traditions and world views. Tolerance and respect are the key words.

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    1. MournemanMichael16 April 2018 at 13:16

      Excellent reply. Appreciated.
      Your last seven words sum it all up.
      Thanks.
      MMM

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  12. You are on the wrong side of History Buckley. You will be erased from it all, I promise you and your evil will never prevail. Turn Coat, did your sell the Croppy Boy - how much was your fee?? Are you still a perpetual victim??????

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    1. What an enlightened and rational comment.

      Not a whiff of bigotry about it.

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    2. 20.31 you wish!

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  13. James Middletown16 April 2018 at 20:31

    I categorically and unambiguously apologise for using uppercase letters today, I didn't realise it comes across as shouting, that was not my intention, however we are custom to it around Middletown over the years because we are sometimes forced to speak up or we would have been kicked into the ground by the so-called ruling class.

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    1. Just right James.

      Hopefully the ruling class's day has tiochied!

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    2. 20:31... Seems like you use a few big words in both your recording and writing, says much about you!
      James I categorically and unambiguously say to you that as a resident of Middletown I am nothing short of embarrassed and ashamed to see you using Middletown as a prefix and To you Pat for allowing James to embarrass himself!

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    3. It must be obvious to Pat and others that "James, Middletown" is an imposter. The real stalker has a Google and YouTube account.

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    4. Silly comment..

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  14. Sammy Wilson didn't go round murdering people, unlike some SF political representatives. Ill-judged remarks from decades ago are not equivalent. The people who burn down Orange Halls and who depopulated the Free State of Protestants might face the charge of bigotry.

    NI was truly a factory of grievances and the unionist governments behaved appallingly, mostly. But it wasn't a one-way street. Protestants didn't get jobs or houses in majority Nationalist councils such as Newry or Warrenpoint.

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    1. Catholics didn’t get jobs or houses throughout the N. Ireland Unionist controlled State not just in two places as you’ve sadly highlighted. Newry and Warrenpoint were not Councils by the way. Then again Catholics at one stage didn’t have the right to vote. Did you ever hear of the Civil Rights Movement and why they existed? You obviously did not experience it so it doesn’t give you any authority to pontificate about it.

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    2. Fake news. Both Newry and Warrenpoint were separate Urban District Councils and there was also Newry 1 and Newry 2 Rural District Councils.

      Unfortunately the councillors in those days across NI had the right to personally allocate houses, so unionists gave houses to nationalists and vice versa.

      Catholics always had the right to vote in Stormont and Westminster elections. The council elections franchise was more complicated but the rules applied to Protestants as much as they did to Catholics.

      I agree, as do most unionists, that Stormont behaved disgracefully, but there's no point in harping on about things from a lifetime ago.

      Delete
  15. I’d rather have Wilson than Maskey and Gerry don’t Clamp me any day of the week.

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    1. @21.40 That says a lot about you.

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    2. Given the choice between meeting Sammy and Gerry up a dark alley I know which one I'd pick. Clue: he doesn't have a beard.

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  16. Who cares about Sammy Wilson anyhow? The blog is losing its appeal if it's going to have articles on Sammy & Co. Want to hear more from Ciaran Dallat and the likes.

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    1. I wonder did Pat approve of Sammy Wilson calling Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach a "nutcase" in the mid Jan recently?

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    2. Ciaran Dallat is in prison.

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    3. Pat, any news from Clogher about the appointment to that ancient See of Joe McGuinness, also known as Joe Duffy Lite?

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    4. Leo is a pro-abortionist Blueshirt so he deserves all the abuse he gets.

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  17. According to those sympathetic to the rugby players...we all make mistakes.
    The only thing is some just don’t know when to keep their dick in-their pants or when to keep their mouth shut....
    MISTAKES DO NOT EQUAL BAD MANNERS AND DEPRAVED BEHAVIOR

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  18. Posters use dreadful language on here.
    Pat I think it’s about time you did ablog about posters comments.
    When are you going to make a stand??? PAT.
    Lockhart,the female politician, is taking a stand.
    Is it too much to ask you to clean up your blog?
    Please answer..free speech does not mean calling others all the time

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