The suggestion that the group run by Lord Eames and Denis Bradley to look at how best to deal with "the troubles" might recommend the government officially declare that the various murder campaigns constituted a war is a risible attempt to allow the Sinn Fein to justify their crimes.

Yes they were crimes. There was no war. There was a concerted effort by criminal gangs to disrupt law and order and force their will on the population by terrorising them into submission. No amount of retrospective equivocation will ever change that.

It may be well-intentioned but this will not encourage anyone, least of all high-ranking members of Sinn Fein (who have the most to lose) to admit what they have done. All it will end up doing is vindicating their attempts to rewrite history to suit their own narrow sectarian objectives.

"Other mechanisms can be created to encourage paramilitaries to come forward without granting their wish for a rewrite of history."
Stephen Farry MLA, Alliance

The IRA and the alphabet soup of miscellaneous paramilitaries had no recognisable rules of engagement, they did not adhere to the Geneva Conventions, they did not identify themselves as combatants by dressing in military uniforms, instead hiding amongst the law-abiding civilian population, they did not look after prisoners of war (preferring to torture and execute them). Worst of all they targeted civilians (and then lied about it).

Sadly it looks like just another example of the political classes seeking to sacrifice common sense, majority opinion and pure, simple, truth on the altar of political expediency; all in the name of The Process.

Slugger today highlighted a story from Friday when it was reported that a Resident Magistrate delivered a damning verdict on an investigation by the Police Ombudsman's office bringing into question the integrity of the body in charge of investigating complaints against the police.

The Ombudsman's office was set up following the Good Friday Agreement to oversee the work of the police and ensure that any complaints about the police would be investigated through an "independent, impartial police complaints system". The prosecution persecution of Constable Keith McCabe, described by a magistrate as a "witch-hunt", made a mockery of that whole idea.

Following a GAA match in Enniskillen, a GAA fan and "dissident" republican, Brian O'Connor, was arrested after shouting "Up the RA!" at a passing Royal Black Preceptory parade. O'Connor then alleged that he was assaulted by Constable McCabe on the grounds that McCabe used excessive force arresting him.

"Witch-Hunt" Directed at "Brave" Officer

The Police Ombudsman's office "investigated" and as a result of it's "investigation" the Public Prosecution Service decided to file charges against the arresting officer. However, the so-called investigation was blasted by the magistrate as having "all the hallmarks of a witch hunt" after it emerged that a doctor who examined O'Connor found no evidence of swelling or bruising and that the Ombudsman's office interviewed witnesses who backed up the allegations while ignoring independent witnesses that contradicted these claims. Other witnesses were also ignored, including other officers on duty, members of the Royal Black Preceptory who were present and even the girlfriend of one of O'Connor's friends (also present).

Read more »

Do we have a right to be offended by Ulster stereotypes?

According to broadcasting news site Digital Spy, Ofcom is set to investigate complaints made about the Catherine Tate Show's portrayal of a Northern Irish family as terrorists.

The site says that viewers "expressed anger" about a sketch in which a Northern Irish family were opening their Christmas presents, which included a balaclava, a knuckleduster and an apron adorned with a balaclava-wearing terrorist alongside the words "Remember Everything, Forgive Nothing".

It's purile and really not that funny but is it really surprising? She's not the first and I'm sure she won't be the last. In fact when we have equally un-funny shite being produced locally in the guise of the Hole in the Wall Gang's Give My Head Peace or their even less funny (yes, apparently it was possible) Dry Your Eyes, or Patrick Keilty's usual shite, all of which pander as much to stereotypes of Ulster as anything produced elsewhere, can we really claim to be that offended when others join in? Even the Blame Game (which I quite like) all to often slips into crass sectarian stereotypes instead of the genuine comedy which it does rather well most of the time.

Isn't Jesus supposed to have said something along the lines of "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (For those of you still unsure: yes, he is). Anyway, Northern Ireland needs to improve its image, certainly, but isn't that our job rather than other people's?

I was really saddened to find out that the owner of a carwash/valet service near Stormont had his business attacked, with racist/xenophobic slogans smeared on the tarmac outside, warning he had 3 days to "get out".

I've a message for whoever did this. Fuck you!

Arthur Cufaj is a British citizen who has lived in Belfast for 12 years and has built himself a business to support his wife and 2 young daughters (2-year old Sinead and baby Jennifer). As a business owner he'll be contributing to society through his taxes. What the fuck are you contributing? Are his taxes paying for your dole per-chance? Here's a newsflash for you - most of us would much rather live beside Arthur and his family than live anywhere near you.

... on sloppy journalism.

The "journalism" in the Belfast Telegraph is shocking, especially when it comes to anything that's emanated from the Northern Ireland Office on the Maze stadium plans. They've consistently toed the government line and refused to ask any real questions. The media is not supposed to be a lap dog for government, it's supposed to challenge them and hold them to account over crap like this.

In what I can only assume is another effort to bolster the case for the Maze by pretending the demand for a higher capacity sports arena is greater than it really is, they claimed last week that "the 13,000 capacity will once again be taxed for tonight's visit of the Ospreys in the Heineken Cup". In the end, less than 10,000 people turned up.

Once again Ulster fail to make the semi-finals of the European Cup. In fact that's been the pattern of all 8 seasons that have passed since they won the tournament. Yeah, Ulster Rugby really needs a big new stadium, doesn't it?

Now that's a disturbing thought, apologies to anyone who's eating as they read this. Anyway, Bob Wilson of the local Tories has criticised the response of unionist politicians and the media to Caitriona Ruane's non-announcement on the abolition of grammar schools.

Let us be unequivocal about this. To introduce a transfer procedure along the lines suggested by Ms Ruane would require secondary legislation - a Regulation or Statutory Rule. Such a Rule could be rejected by the Education Committee... 6 of whom are unionists.
Bob Wilson, NI Conservatives

That's the other EU, of course . Mark Mardell comments that the British public view the moving of the EU Parliament to Strasbourg for one week every month as a "money-wasting junket hugely enjoyed by journalists, MEPs and researchers." To be honest, I've only ever thought of it as just another example of the EU pandering to the France's over-inflated sense of self-importance.

Regardless, a Labour MEP has said he won't be standing when the next elections to the EU Parliament roll round. His reason is the "miserable journey" involved in the "shifting of the Parliament lock, stock and barrel to Strasbourg one week a month."

What I found most astonishing was that the same EU that banned ordinary light-bulbs on allegedly spurious environmental grounds apparently creates 20,000 tons of CO₂ with this monthly move. Surely in the environmentally obsessed world we live in today they can't allow this to continue. Can they?

What would a 'Divorce' of the United Kingdom mean for Scotland and for the rest of us?

In advance of a radio show on Radio 4 entitled "The Beginner's Guide to Separation", the BBC web site has a quick look at some of the implications of Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, some of which I wouldn't have necessarily considered.

Some highlights

Firstly, while Scotland would seek it's fair share of oil and gas, they would also be entitled to a population-based share of other resources (public property, essentially) and, on the other hand, their share of the national debt. They'd most likely have to re-apply to join the EU (and I'd guess this wouldn't be immediate). In fact, I wonder if the newly reduced United Kingdom might also have to reapply?

Any Scots serving in the army would also have to consider applying for the proposed miniature defence force. Failing that they'd have to find a civilian job or serve in a (nominally, at least) "foreign" army.

Food for thought, no?

My favourite politician is making headlines again although, as Big Ulsterman points out, she hasn't really done anything except release a rather vague (and badly constructed) statement confirming her intention to end academic selection.

Long-time readers will know I have a major gripe with her sabotage of our education system. While the 11+ exam procedure might not be the best way to achieve it, academic selection works. Northern Ireland sends more children from "less well-off" backgrounds to university than anywhere else in the UK. Why? Because places in the top schools are awarded on the basis of merit, not money: something you'd expect a socialist to support, no?

Read more »

Seems I'm not the only one to be depressed by the recent spoutings from the DUP's Lisburn crew. Things are pretty dire when the Corporate Services Committee of the local council demand that schools in the area teach Christianity creationism as a scientific theory (maybe this is what they were thinking of).

Even if the councils were responsible for education, surely it wouldn't be in the remit of some poxy committee whose primary job seems to be HR for the council. Don't you idiots get it? This sort of crap is why our local councils can't be trusted to take anything to do with education! Thankfully the local headmasters have politely told the council committee to blow it out their ass.

Of course this sort of nonsense is nothing new. Those readers who remember it may think back to some previous issues that got the local bible-bashers riled up. From Harry Potter being a dangerous cult to Line Dancing with its "sexual gestures and touching" being "an incitement to lust." (Guess who!)

Meanwhile the minister with responsibility for culture believes the Earth is only 6,000 years old. God only knows what information's going to end up being displayed at the Giant's Causeway's visitor centre (if we ever get one).

Frankly I'd normally let them live in blissful ignorance but these nutters are running the country. I have to wonder if this is our collective punishment for all the years of bigotry and sectarian hatred; God must be in quare vengeful form!