Opinion

Frankenstein’s 1921 political monster is totally unworkable

Joe Brolly recently opined that many nationalists in the north had psychologically withdrawn from politics within a six-county context – he was totally correct. Events in recent times have merely confirmed to the nationalist community that this Frankenstein’s political monster created in 1921 is totally unworkable as it was founded on unionist anarchy, violence, supremacy, gerrymandering, apartheid governance, the denial of human/cultural rights and its ‘survival’ is also dependent on all of these. Consequently most nationalists have now lost heart and consciously decided that they will no longer take part in the farce that passes for ‘constitutional’ politics here.

The persisten offensive behaviour of the DUP, aligned to a constant hostile narrative within the political and media establishments that Sinn Féin must be ridiculed, castigated and treated with contempt at all times has created a deep anger and frustration that has now risen to the fore within northern nationalism. The derogatory labelling of Irish citizens, language and culture in terms such as ‘Crocodiles, rogues and renegades, political scavengers, curry my yogurt etc’ has caused great offence and left a mark; thus there is simply no appetite anymore to play the false game that legitimises anti-Catholic unionist intolerance, gives vent to anti-Sinn Féin southern hostility nor accepts the right-wing, anti-Irish mindset of Tories. 

How on earth can ‘negotiations’ have any credibility or confidence while the Tory/ DUP axis holds sway at Westminster and dictates all British policy towards the north? We have already witnessed the out-workings of this toxic, sinister coalition. Gerrymandering has effectively been reintroduced within the north’s political boundaries to suit the DUP, protect their Westminster seats and ensure unionist representation in every Stormont constituency. 

Brexit and unionism’s rabid support for it has also caused a massive strategical rethink within Northern nationalism. The thought of being locked into a perpetual nightmare combination of 1690 fundamental unionism and 19th century Little Englander Tory Party colonialism, isolated and outside Europe, has only confirmed that there can be no future for nationalists within this myopic, insular context.

S BURNS


Belfast BT15

Modern feminism has become petty and irrelevant

The announcement by the darts and Formula One authorities that they are to ban female hosts from their respective arenas is indicative of just how petty and irrelevant much of modern feminism has become.


The misplaced pressure put on


the weak sporting bodies compared, for example, with the stand individual women are making at the BBC for pay equality is blurring feminism with the brush of radicalism that alienates men and women from even the worthy aims of this disjointed movement.


Feminists who campaign to remove attractive and/or scantily clad women from sport or commerce without including similar male roles can only be considered sexist in their own right.


Of course, if they were to include both they could only be called prudes –  modern day Mary Whitehouses.


There is a strong undercurrent of man hating in feminism, but also an equally negative reaction to women who don’t fit into the mould that some feminists are trying to force most of their gender.


These unfortunate women forced into unemployment by the feministas must sense more than a little whiff of jealously in this campaign. 

GERARD HERDMAN


Belfast BT11

Mary Lou’s words ring very hollow

Following her election as Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald proclaimed her desire to reach out to the unionist people of Northern Ireland.

These words ring very hollow in south Down as  the victims of terrorism in the constituency witness a succession of events aimed at glorifying those who inflicted so much suffering.

The singing of IRA songs in a Mourne GAA club in October, was quickly followed by the confirmation of the name of McCreesh Park by Newry, Mourne and Down Council. Not content with the offence caused by these events, there was a celebration of the Maze escape in a local community centre and Ms McDonald recently stood in Castlewellan honouring an IRA terrorist who was killed by his own bomb.

Do Sinn Féin and their republican ‘friends’ have any idea of the hurt these events and celebrations cause the families of the 70 totally innocent victims of terrorism in south Down? This is all in stark contrast to unionists who commemorate the memory of those they lost as a result of terrorism with solemnity. They don’t  seek to insult or hurt their nationalist neighbours. 

Sinn Féin have told the people of Northern Ireland to ‘move on’ and ‘set aside’ the past. Meanwhile, they continue to demand hugely expensive inquiries into the deaths of nationalists and organise a succession of offensive events.

I have no doubt that by the time this letter has been published Sinn Féin will be planning yet another high-profile event carefully designed to cause the maximum distress to the community Ms McDonald wants to reach out to.

JIM WELLS MLA


DUP South Down

Republicans not in the business of seeking ‘wriggle room’

Maurice Fitzgerald’s usual long letter – ‘Sinn Féin pushing for rights while exercising no mandate’ (January 30) – displays his opinion but is not actually correct.

First off republican’s mandate is its electorate. This may be a novel thing south of the border, but that is what it is here. Citizens vote for Sinn Féin because it reflects their own vision. That is to do with genuine equality reflected in institutions, parity of esteem, acceptance of diversity and in determination that all will faithfully abide by the Good Friday Agreement and its objectives.

The claim that the republican movement is making “no big push” on housing, jobs and the right to medical care  is simply fatuous.

Republicans are not ‘refusing’ to take seats in the Stormont assembly. Mr Fitzgerald surely you know the backdrop to the collapse.  


To have this assembly up and running there must be a sea change in unionist thinking and that is summed up in parity of esteem – and that has to be seen. 

So, finally, Mr Fitzgerald, republicans are not in the business of seeking ‘wriggle room’. There is an agenda to do with inclusivity and diversity and that is where it is at.

MANUS McDAID


Derry City