Comments on: What’s in it for me?

By: Jo

Jo — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 14:20:26 +0000

While the responses to my question were plentiful, they also were all wistful and sentimental, “aw go on, Jo, puhleeese” rather than “here are 3 very good and persuasive reasons”

I empathise with nationalist aspirations but I cant be convinced by them – Is it because I am programmed differently or am not romantic (I definitely am the latter!)

More than many other unionist bloggers, I believe I have an understanding of wherenationalists are coming from and I have studied the relevant parts of history where I can see where it is belived that wrong doing was done. I have turned the mirror back on Unionism to the horror of some, and the abuse and accusations of “self-loathing” from others. Such a response deepens my empathy with nationalism but doesnt persuade me of a UI – because there has been no history of such persuasion, anymore than there was a history of Unionists persuading the northern nationalist of the benefit of the Union.

By: aileen

aileen — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 19:15:13 +0000

He’s just having his 80 yr itch!

thanks for the welcome I may pop in again!

By: maca

maca — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 06:57:49 +0000

Aileen
Your own Union hasn’t worked either apparently

(welcome to the site btw)

By: aileen

aileen — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 00:34:09 +0000

maca

Our Union wouldn’t work. Let’s just be friemds

By: maca

maca — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 14:14:08 +0000

I would probably feel different Redbhoy, but i’m not from one of those counties.

As for greed, putting my family’s future first is hardly greed. It’s up to me to look after my own and provide a decent future for them. It’s up to you to look after your own future.

By: Redbhoy

Redbhoy — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 13:25:59 +0000

Would you feel the same if the county you lived in and 5 others were left behind by a treacherous Dev and his maFFia???
I thinknot. Don’t be so inconsiderate! Greed is one of the seven deadly sins. Only worrying about you and yours is a form of Greed! Shame on you!

By: maca

maca — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 09:49:33 +0000

Hi JL. Well, the only unity i’m interested in (I probably didn’t explain it above) is unity of the people, I don’t really care what happens the border.

By: JL Pagano

JL Pagano — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 08:53:23 +0000

I applaud your views, Maca. Peace must always come before Unity. It is the extremists that are stalling the peace process, not the border.

By: maca

maca — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 06:57:04 +0000

I’m very reluctant to use any such terms Gerry. I’m most certainly very different from your average NI nationalist and even Southern nationalists like Utd.Irelander for example. As for ‘republican’, we just can’t go there.

By: Gerry O'Sullivan

Gerry O'Sullivan — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 23:28:07 +0000

I used the term ‘nationalist’ reluctantly, as like yourself, I wouldn’t describe myself as a nationalist. However it is recognised as a shorthand term for those of us who advocate a united Ireland by peaceful means.

The Irish use of the terms ‘Republican’ and ‘Nationalist’ is arseways, imo. Sinn F�in is a classic example of an ethnic nationalist movement. Republicanism in its most definitive sense is an inclusive ideology, something SF manifestly is not.

I would much prefer to describe myself as a republican, but I don’t want to be mistaken for a SF supporter.