October, 2005

That storm the other week about Fr. Alec Reid’s ‘Nazi’ comments - has it died down yet?

I didn’t comment on it at the time for two reasons:

1. I didn’t know how I felt about the outburst, and
2. I didn’t want to get swept up in the wave of knee-jerk commentary and condemnation

Pastor of Muppets (cool name) was apparently at the meeting, and claims that Fr. Reid didn’t call Unionists Nazis: he said that there were parallels between Northern Ireland under Unionist rule and Germany between 1933 to 1945.

I’m not excusing Alec Reid’s comments. However, as I understand it the situation was akin to an Anti-Agreement ambush and I think it’s possible he was railroaded by certain members of the audience. POM describes the situation as the usual people with the all-to-familiar bickering points and public displays of blunt rudeness towards the speakers.

Faux Outrage

Now, I’ll tackle those comments in a minute. First I’d like to talk about Willie Frazer of victims group FAIR. A commentator described the mood following this meeting as ‘faux outrage’, and I think this is as good an assessment as any.

The whole thing looked stage managed to me. Deliberate provocation, Reid gives them a golden sound byte, Frazer takes said sound byte entirely out of context and becomes infuriated, causing a storm by walking out of the meeting early. Perhaps to get a head start with the assembled media?

A couple of days later Frazer announced to the world that he was reporting Fr. Reid to the police for inciting hatred. Thus the commencement of a long-running saga that will no doubt ensure plentiful press for Willie Frazer and fresh things for us all to be divided over.

Perhaps I’m demonising Mr. Frazer, but I feel he has not been even-handed in dealing with this situation. If the PSNI are considering charges against Fr. Reid, then perhaps none of us are safe, perhaps we all should watch what we say. Perhaps most of our politicians should be expecting knocks on their doors too for their part in inciting sectarian hatred.

The Nazi Comments

First off, totally inappropriate. I agree. But an opinion nonetheless.

Fr. Reid is not the spokesman for Nationalism. His opinions are his own, just as The Levee Breaks is the collected opinion of me and my co-authors here. Why should the entire Unionist community take umbrage, particularly when the period referred to is so long ago?

Not to round on Willie Frazer again, but wouldn’t a much better approach have been to ask him why he held those opinions? What had led Fr. Reid to such a drastic conclusion? Did other people think this or feel this? Was there any justification for the statement?

So, although I was shocked like many others with these comments, when I took the time to let the whole story emerge I found that it wasn’t as bad as the initial report (at one point, I heard a contortion of the story that implied Reid was referring to all Protestants). I found myself wanting to find out the basis for his claims. Any Unionist reading this should too - and here’s why: The Nationalist and Unionist ideologies are essentially inward looking and exclusive. Whatever side of the fence you sit, you’ll be more concerned with ‘our’ pain than ‘their’ pain.

So Unionists (in particular this time) should take the time to try and understand their neighbours. Buck the DUP/Willie Frazer trend and ask, “Is there something in this? Are we even trying to understand Nationalists?” If the Unionist ‘regime’ prior to 1968 was so bad, why should the Unionists of today be up in arms about it? Instead of shouting someone down for a change, perhaps take the time to listen to an alternative point of view. Listen to what’s being said and take it on board. Ask questions and find out more.

Outrage is great fun, but it achieves nothing in the end. Instead of persuing this legal action, Willie Frazer should sit down with Alec Reid and talk the issue through.

As a member of a victim’s group, Willie Frazer needs to show some responsibility and maturity. Cheap media stunts are not a way forward, and I hope he takes this on board.

Tuesday, October 25th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

In Northen Ireland, how you tell the story is critical. There’s always someone out there to offend, always some spin that can corrupt the story to suit the political advantage of whoever releases the piece.

But even I was surprised at a story I read recently in which a young burglar was given the softly-softly approach by the press, despite breaking into a family home and vandalising the house.

While the couple and their three-year-old son were out walking, this young hooligan broke into their cottage and went on a wrecking spree throughout the house, destroying furniture in the kitchen, living room and bedroom areas. No doubt looking for valuables to hock in order to fund an expensive drug habit.

However, the mainstream media are glossing over the damage done by this teenage vandal, excusing her - yes, HER - actions on the influence of the disadvantaged area she comes from. What about the trauma to the family? What about the damage she’s caused? No the true victims of this viscious burglary are the Three Bears.

I can’t believe the courts let Goldilocks away with this. Dammit.

Monday, October 24th, 2005 // News & Media

The road sign is round, with a white background and a thick black diagonal stripe running through it. What is it? The national speed limit sign, that’s what!

By my reckoning, on a country road this translates to 50MPH. So why do people insist on driving down these roads at 30MPH? What is wrong with these people?

Take Tuesday, for instance. I’m heading home after an intense day’s work, and decide to take a less-busy country road. Tootling along in my old banger, listening to Kiss, when I round upon a slow driver.

Ah well, I thought, I’m in no hurry. So I relaxed on the accelerator and prepared for a leisurely drive home.

Sadly, this was not to be….the car in front started to slow down even more, approaching 30MPH and in places even slower. And despite my pleading for the car to turn off somewhere, it seemed to be heading in the same direction as me. Now I wasn’t in any hurry, but I could have walked home faster! Blood was beginning to boil…

At this point, I started to look for a point where I could overtake - and I don’t like overtaking, as a rule! But being a country road, there were too many twists and turns for me to pass safely. Damn.

Further on, the road levelled off and I was able to see clearly ahead of me. I began to pass. A hidden dip in the road had concealed an oncoming car, so I had to pull back in fast! Eventually, I summed up the courage to try overtaking again. Just as I was passing my dawdling nemesis, another car appears out of another hidden dip in the road. I hit the accelerator and finished overtaking. Phew….

Until I came upon a tractor….

I’m not a reckless driver by nature. I actually avoid overtaking unless I absolutely have to. And as a rule, I find slower drivers to be much more dangerous than speeders, because of the frustration they cause and the actions they can cause other drivers to take.

So, if you drive at a snail’s pace - have a bit of decency and pull in occasionally to let other cars past. Thank you.

Thursday, October 20th, 2005 // Observations

How many crises does it take to make up a peace process? The truthful answer is “I lost count at 3,442″.

You would switch on the news on any given evening, and you could be sure that as you munched on your mashed potatoes, a “peace process crisis” would unfold in front of you. Often, it would be a slightly different crisis to the crisis from yesterday.

Whether it was a small crisis, or an earth-shaking OFF THE RICHTER SCALE CRISIS, two things were certain. It wouldn’t make a jot of difference to normal folks. And another crisis would be along before tea time tomorrow.

OK. The bit above was brought to you courtesy of an article I just read about the UUP threatening to boycott the Policing Board. Apparently, they’re peeved about reforms to the board that favor the DUP and hold two places for Sinn Fein - despite Sinn Fein showing no intention of getting involved.

It was Reg Empey who dropped the bombshell: This is a crisis in the making. We will not serve on a quango.

I’m not going to over-analyse this one. Suffice to say, I find it hard to take politicians seriously when they threaten to walk out of these things. I mean, did Sinn Fein thwart the creation of the Policing Board? No.

This is just another example of a Northern Irish party trying to prove their relevancy by creating a storm in a tea-cup. So they exercise the “walk out and sulk” option rather than properly represent the people. Yet again.

My final thought on this: There should be a penalty system in place against any politician who uses the term crisis (or any other word determined to represent ‘crisis’), or any politician who causes the local media to use same. Sort of like the penalty points system. Yes. Caused a crisis? Alright, you’ve lost 3 points Mr Paisley - lose any more points and we’re revoking your licence to be a politician. You’ll have to sit your test again. You might lose your job. Your friends and family will distance themselves from you, and you may not even be welcome at party functions.

I can see the campaign now….

Saturday, October 15th, 2005 // Northern Ireland: Politics

The Home Office has recently suggested that prisoners be released early in order to alleviate record prison overcrowding. What this means is that many prisoners could be released under curfew and with an electronic tag, as well as the release which happens automatically half way through all sentences of four years or less.

Is it not ironic then that while the Home Office are taking such drastic measures to combat prison overcrowding, the government has released proposals in the new Terrorism Bill which recommend that suspects can be held for up to 90 days with no charge? In essence this means that criminals who have had the case against them proven in a court of law by a jury (if in the Crown Court or above) will be released early despite the presence of evidence against them while terrorist suspects by the nature of the crime they are SUSPECTED of committing, can be held for up to 90 days with no evidence existing against them. How can this be justified?

I will repeat a point I often make, arresting, detaining and charging suspects is fraught with difficulties, it is a legal minefield and when dealing with foreign suspects or those usually associated with Islamic militant terrorist groups there are the added pressures of finding interpreters, respecting religious practices, etc. However these problems existed at the time of the original Terrorist Act, the only thing that has changed is that since there has been an attack on British soil the British people will accept more stringent measures that before. In addition, could someone tell me why these problems, along with the problems the police have been complaining about surrounding investigations, the difficulty gathering intelligence and the intimidation of witnesses are only being legislated against with such vigour in reference to terrorism? Most of these problems are present with organised criminal gangs and it is arguable that in reality these gangs have more of a detrimental effect on society than terrorism.

The government should be improving their intelligence gathering facilities, although perhaps by MI6 going online, they have gone some way in achieving this. Gaps in intelligence can not be plugged with legislation; we can not legislate our way of terrorism and don?t forget, although the numbers of those held for 90 days may initially be small, it is the presence on the statute books that is the worrying part. Internment was on the statute books since the early 1920?s but it wasn?t until 1971 that it caused so much controversy.

Only in Britain would you see two news stories in the same week which appear to be diametrically opposed, one reports the overcrowding in prisons leading to early release for convicted criminals, the other a new bill proposing to hold suspects for 3 months with no evidence against them which will consequently increase the prison population. Oh the irony.

Friday, October 14th, 2005 // News & Media

After the death of his wife, Jonathan Rivers is approached by Raymond, a man who claims she has been trying to contact him. Raymond specialises in EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomenon and has recorded Anna Rivers’ on his equipment.

Jonathan becomes obsessed with EVP, and the pursuit of his dead wife that he begins to neglect his son, his job and spends most of his time with recording equipment. After a while - despite dire warnings from a psychic and the mysterious death of Raymond Price - Rivers decides that the spirits are channelling messages through him!

While in principle, White Noise looks promising, it is actually quite a confusing movie. Why does Jonathan’s wife try to contact him from beyond? Who are the mysterious dark figures? Why choose to communicate using EVP? Why did Jonathan find out about things before they happened?

In my opinion, none of these things are properly explained in White Noise.

The movie itself is made up of some genuinely suspenseful set pieces, and you’re left wondering what the hell is going on most of the time. However, you’ll walk away confused and wondering about all the loose ends that didn’t get tied up at the end.

Does anybody know who or what the ‘mysterious figures’ were supposed to be? Aliens? Ghosts? Answers on a postcard please…..

Thursday, October 13th, 2005 // Movie Reviews

From today, The Levee Breaks’ RSS service is available via feedburner. The new feed address is http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheLeveeBreaks. If you’re using the RSS feed, I suggest you update your software to the address above.

What Are You Talking About, Levee?

RSS is a technology which notifies you whenever new articles are posted to a website, meaning you don’t have to constantly check back for updates.

Many sites that provide an RSS service display a little orange button .

In order to view an RSS ‘feed’, you need an RSS reader program. These come in two flavours: regular software that you install on your PC and web-based services such as Rojo and Bloglines.

The BBC news website has a quality explanation of what RSS is and how to use it. If you’re interested in RSS, I’d suggest you read it.

How Do You Get Yours?

As someone who regularly reads and contributes to other Northern Irish websites, it would be impossible to keep up with the amount of content being posted on a daily basis. I use the Bloglines services to track the blogs I read most regularly.

I’d be interested to hear how many readers are using (or are aware of) RSS as a way to receive updates from websites. If any of you are interested in learning more, leave a comment and I’ll try to give a bit of advice on this.

Wednesday, October 12th, 2005 // General

Last week, I was intrigued by the furore surrounding events in Manchester. I read with interest about the Assets Recovery Agency raids that have been linked to the alleged IRA Chief Of Staff, Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy.

In a nutshell, the ARA has raided property in Manchester suspected to belong to an IRA member. This is a good thing. Isn’t it? Criminality being treated as criminality.

But no! Northern Ireland’s politicians spotted the reporters! The condemnation and cliche machine went into overdrive…

First to the mic was Mr Gerry Adams. I am not going to respond to what are obviously briefings headed up by a man, Alan McQuillan, a former Special Branch officer…This is obviously a political agenda. Round condemnations indeed. And leave poor Mr Murphy alone while you’re at it, he’s just a poor farmer.

Danny Kennedy is next up for the Ulster Unionists (where is Sir Reg these days?). His forecast is grim:If, after investigation by the ARA, the properties turn out to be linked to the IRA this will have very serious consequences for the political process in Northern Ireland. Why? Is this unexpected? Former glorified terrorists reduced to common criminals is what we want, whatever flag they choose to fly outside their ?30 million houses!

And where would the report be without the inimitable Mr Paisley, welcoming the move and wishing the police every success. At the bottom of the Belfast Telegraph report, we get a mumbled:

The raids were also welcomed by Alliance leader David Ford and the SDLP’s Alex Attwood.

The Assets Recovery Agency’s investigation has been a victory of sorts for the people of Northern Ireland. Though you might not think it to read the news.

It has now been shown that members of terrorist and criminal groups are no longer immune from the law. The people who have profitted from the troubles in Northern Ireland are about to get a rather rude wake-up call!

Yet, rather than celebrate the fact, this huddle of low-grade politicians are trying to make capital out of it. We are forced to listen to yet another unimaginitive diatribe about what dire consequences this is going to have.

I’m especially disappointed by Danny Kennedy’s comments. Serious consequences you say Danny? And for who? Why don’t you stop peddling pulp politics and give decent people the leadership they need instead of issuing dire threats. Who benefits from a stalled peace process? Not me. Nor any of the other people sitting at their desks today trying to scratch a living for their families.

A word of advice Danny. Stop trying to play DUP with the media. No-one can talk tougher than Paisley. But no-one can hoodwink and scaremonger like Paisley, either. You have an opportunity - which I urge you to expliot - to represent Northern Ireland properly. Fire and brimstone speeches are all very well, but they achieve absolutely nothing.

Monday, October 10th, 2005 // News & Media, Northern Ireland: Politics

Carrying on from Mr Levee?s discussion in Armchair Experts & Keyboard Critics, we need to ask whether Nationalism and Unionism can ever live in harmony. This is not a simple question and will not have an obvious answer. Protestants are akin to white Afrikaners in South Africa who, when forced to relinquish control to blacks at the end of apartheid, felt marginalised and forsaken. Protestants perceive favouritism towards Catholics in Northern Ireland; they can not comprehend why the British are now indulging Republicans while being tough on them, despite their loyalty over many years.

Protestants feel that the British government is being hoodwinked and they are angry at this apparent naivety. In their eyes the IRA can?t be trusted to legitimately have abandoned its military campaign; they remember many IRA atrocities, pointing to their duplicity and deceitfulness and are cynical and suspicious of this new development. In the eyes of many Northern Irish Protestants, any compromise is a concession. At one point in time Nationalists felt marginalised, abandoned and discriminated against and this frustration was played out in rioting, now the disillusionment is felt by ?the other side?.

How do we resolve this while trying not to alienate either community?

I am a Catholic although I do not feel that I am Nationalist, for example, I do not want a United Ireland and a United Ireland forms the very foundation of Nationalism in Northern Ireland. On the other hand in some ways I feel that my views may be perceived as Nationalist, for example I utterly condemn the blatant discrimination and abuse of civil rights of Catholics in Northern Ireland in the last century. However, I feel that the occurrence of this discrimination is fact; it is not based on partisan anecdotal evidence but on reality and therefore does not mark me out as Nationalist. Thus, I feel that I can question whether the current Protestant dissatisfaction with the system in Northern Ireland is justifiable without being accused of being a typical Nationalist indulging in Protestant bashing. It must be difficult to give up positions of power and security to people you have viewed so often as terrorists and the enemy (by this I mean not just the IRA but all Catholics) but it has to be done, there is no logical way to deny equality.

Most people in Northern Ireland want peace; they want their children to grow up in a safe world, devoid of the bitterness felt by many in Northern Ireland. The only way to ensure this is to promote equality; the only way to promote equality is to compromise. It may seem that the Protestant community are compromising more that the Catholic community but that is that nature of the beast, the community that had more must sacrifice more. In my opinion there is no way to unite Unionism and Nationalism, the very premise upon which both are based are incompatible, but we can unite Catholics and Protestants, the actual people in Northern Ireland, in order to achieve what we all want, a society in which we are all equal and of which we can be proud. Only then can any durable peace settlement be attained.

Friday, October 7th, 2005 // News & Media, Northern Ireland: Politics

I’m going to start today with a simple statement:

For the last 40 years, the politicians and government of Northern Ireland have been more concerned with party political in-fighting and trying to calm the terrorist situation than they have about the welfare of Northern Irish citizens.

The person I am quoting is myself. For each of my 29 years, I have watched as Unionist condemns Nationalist condemns Unionist…….ad nauseum. I have witnessed former terrorists and criminals rise to political prominence here, and negotiate the freedom of their fellow murderers. Politicians who have exploited our divided society and built careers around it, who have a vested interest in keeping the people of Northern Ireland at each other’s throats!

Playing Our Part: Breaking The Cycle

On the Internet, there are a number of high-calibre political commentators on Northern Irish politics. Some approach from the Unionist side, others of a Nationalist persuasion. Others, like The Levee Breaks, try to embrace our entire society.

However, we all fall foul of one crucial hurdle: We repeatedly analyse the news and apply our own perspective to it, whether that be Unionist or Nationalist. We rarely bring anything new to the table. We have yet to use our combined intellectual power to come up with something better!

1. Let’s stop critiquing the politicians, and amplifying their decades-old arguments.
2. Let’s build a framework for Northern Ireland that goes beyond the limited vision our politicians offer, both on the Internet and in real life.
3. Let’s rebuild our run-down neighbourhoods and provide opportunities and better education for their residents.
4. Let’s tidy up Northern Ireland, and start to attract investment as a great place to do business.
5. Let’s find politicians who will represent the whole society and hold the trust and respect of everybody.
6. Let’s tackle parades. We need to build tolerance and respect for those who parade. By the same token, the unruly elements must be dealt with.

Activism: Alternative Action

We’ve learned over the last few decades that Northern Irish people are tough. We’ve lived through some terrible times, but we’re still here. We have a unique Northern Irish character that cannot be denied.

Here’s a simple fact: Unionism and Nationalism are incompatible. Accept this and move on. The solution we should be looking for is a stable, independent Northern Ireland that works for everybody. Or, we could have the same arguments over and over again for the next 40 years, letting our children grow up with bigotry and oppression as we did ourselves. You choose.

My Vision For The Future

Let’s stop pushing party politics, either applauding or booing the news depending on whether it’s the DUP or Sinn Fein talking. While these two giants of cultural division are at the forefront of Northern Irish politics, all of us will continue to be second class citizens.

If we start working together, we can heal a number of deep wounds. Let’s concentrate on real issues and improve Northern Ireland for ourselves and future generations. We cannot rely on Unionism or Nationalism to do that for us, because their interest stops at their own communities.

Now is the time to abandon these politicians and demand proper representation. Sinn Fein and the DUP should fade into obscurity. We should start voting for people according to their policies, not according to what flag flies on their billboards.

We can only do so much to ’solve’ Northern Ireland in our lifetimes. Hopefully, if we raise our children in the right way, they’ll grow up without the scars of bigotry and future generations will see the fruits of our initiative.

Wednesday, October 5th, 2005 // News & Media, Northern Ireland: Politics