Politics

Well, this one’s been up for a few weeks. I’ll admit I forgot that the poll was there for a while! Having said that, 87 people had their say on the matter…

All counted, we have a slim majority (51%) of folk who think it’s time to sever the MLA salaries. 23% disagree and want to keep paying good money for no results. 26% didn’t give a toss and were probably here for the post about Paperdoll Heaven instead!

Anyway, I think it’s all academic. Stopping MLA salaries is a good idea, but it’s never going to happen.

The politicians will continue to run around in circles, chasing the same old issues but ultimately doing nothing productive. The DUP will drag the peace process out for years before grudgingly going into Government with Sinn Fein. And for some reason - science will one day explain - we will all sit passively by and watch as it all happens.

Friday, February 24th, 2006 // Northern Ireland: Politics

El Blogador has posted a very interesting biography of the DUP’s Deputy Leader, Peter Robinson.

What an eye-opener!

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have an encyclopedic knowledge of Northern Irish politics, or its ‘personalities’, but seeing a man who refuses to talk to terrorists and criminals dressed up in his beret and toting a rifle is frightening.

What’s much more frightening is that the electorate are so blinded by their own biggotry that they can’t see this blatant hypocrisy staring them straight in the face. Yes, that goes for Loyalists and Republicans!

It has been famously said that Sinn Fein aren’t fit for government in the Republic of Ireland. Well, neither Sinn Fein or the DUP are they fit for government in the North. Both parties are populated by extremists who cannot empathise with the ‘other side’, and in all the years of this conflict they still haven’t matured enough to learn to compromise.

And yet - much more shameful - are the great biggoted masses who vote by flag and nothing else. What can be done about educating the public about political deceit and double standards? Or are these things sanctioned by the voters themselves?

Over to you….

Friday, February 17th, 2006 // Northern Ireland: Politics

On to more serious matters for this week’s poll. ‘Big’ Peter Hain’s threatening to crack down on playground politics by taking away our politicians’ pocket money.

What do you folks think? Will a loss of salary sharpen Unionist appetites for a power-sharing executive with Republicans?

I’ll confess to having a quiet smirk at the volley of responses to Hain’s threat/statement. Not sure if it’ll hold water, or if he’ll even act upon it (since he hasn’t given any deadline for progress). However, people need to be aware that there’s currently no penalty for political dithering - these arses could debate until the Apocalypse and still get paid for it. Over to you…..

Sunday, January 15th, 2006 // News & Media, Northern Ireland: Politics