Will the DUP agree to transfer of policing and justice before SF's christmas deadline

[mutley]

Unwillingness to discuss your own ideas does not constitute open debate.

You regularly bemoan the GFA and castigate those who defend it. Yet when asked to suggest a political alternative you come over all coy and evasive. Unless you say otherwise I'll assume you don't have an alternative.

Exactly Picador, are you playing the projection game again?
You asked me for some suggestions to alternatives to the GFA, which I gave, I thought it was obvious from my post that I thought that alternatives to the GFA where not political ones.

I never ever castigate anyone for defending the GFA, I state my reasons for my objection to it.

I wil have to assume that your unwillingness to offer any suggestions or ideas, is because you don;t have any. Please say it isn't so?

[picador]

So this is it - the strategy for reunification?

We need to begin working at a grass roots level to do as he says ie create new attitudes and provoke change inside people and between people. A truth and reconciliation commission is a must.
Education at a grass roots level, the History of Britain and its relationship with Ireland, told simply and without bias to Nationalist and Unionist alike.
Dialogue with Unionist business men and women who trade in the North and South of Ireland to sound them out on whether they think their business would be more or less profitable/productive through unification.
Think Tanks, workshops, debates about the benefits of a United Ireland as oppossed to a divided Ireland.
Then hopefully from this would eventually emerge some new political movers and shakers, that aren't interested in a tribal head count and who work for the benefit of both communities in Northern Ireland.

You see no need for any kind of political strategy - other than the removal of the GFA?

[mutley]

So this is it - the strategy for reunification?



You see no need for any kind of political strategy - other than the removal of the GFA?

Picador I promise I will answer your 2 questions here if you share some of your ideas and suggestions about how the Unionist objection to a United Ireland can be overcome either on a political or an non political level

[alan1122]

The continous line"well whats your alternative" cannot be an impediment to questioning the GFA at the present time. The flaws pointed out over ten years ago were rejected by pro GFA on the basis that it had to be given time, and a lot of republicans did do that, some strayed,but in the main most agreed to give it time. At some point all agreements come up for review and I'd wager that SF would have a more difficult time convincing republicans next time around.
The very nature of the GFA sucks the life out of any real impetus or drive for a united Ireland. The bedrock of the GFA is a normal functioning State. How can a normal functioning state then aquire the massive drive needed to fundamentally change itself and transform. ?.

[picador]

You asked me for some suggestions to alternatives to the GFA, which I gave, I thought it was obvious from my post that I thought that alternatives to the GFA where not political ones.

My questions were only seeking clarification of the above. I was surprised that you do not see any political alternative to the GFA.

[mutley]

My questions were only seeking clarification of the above. I was surprised that you do not see any political alternative to the GFA.

Are you not going to answer the question? - may I give you your own advise?

"Unwillingness to discuss your own ideas does not constitute open debate."

[picador]

The continous line"well whats your alternative" cannot be an impediment to questioning the GFA at the present time. The flaws pointed out over ten years ago were rejected by pro GFA on the basis that it had to be given time, and a lot of republicans did do that, some strayed,but in the main most agreed to give it time. At some point all agreements come up for review and I'd wager that SF would have a more difficult time convincing republicans next time around.
The very nature of the GFA sucks the life out of any real impetus or drive for a united Ireland. The bedrock of the GFA is a normal functioning State. How can a normal functioning state then aquire the massive drive needed to fundamentally change itself and transform. ?.

It is reasonable to question the current operation of the GFA. However to demand the abandonment of one strategy without having a credible alternative in place is irresponsible.

Thus I ask those who condemn the GFA and those who operate it to tell me their alternative. Thus far I have not heard a credible alternative.

[picador]

It is going to be very difficult to overcome unionist objections to national reunification. A lot of people say that unity is 'inevitable' but it's not.

Unionists (along with the London and Dublin governments) have committed to a situation whereby if 50% plus one of the people in the six counties elect for a united Ireland it will happen. That scenario still offers the best hope of a unification in my view. It is at least a generation off. In the meantime what is required is stable government along with a degree of reconciliation. So far that is proving difficult but it is still early days. As far as Irish history is concerned it is the blink of an eye.

Those who demand unification by 2016, etc are fooling themselves (or others!). This is a long-term game and trying to force the issue will once again lead to failure. The best way to convince people that a united Ireland does not represent a threat is not to be constantly pushing it down their throats (or glorifying the past deeds of the IRA)

Something that also need to be addressed in the intervening period is the indifference of many people in the 26 counties towards the issue of unity.

[alan1122]

It is reasonable to question the current operation of the GFA. However to demand the abandonment of one strategy without having a credible alternative in place is irresponsible.

Thus I ask those who condemn the GFA and those who operate it to tell me their alternative. Thus far I have not heard a credible alternative.

What If the one strategy is stuck in a dead end, and is perceived to be causing irreparable damage to your party, and is being used by your enemies as a tool to finally defeat you. Because you have no ready made "ALTENATIVE " then you blindly and stupidly continue and so ensure your final demise,

Not very clever. !

[picador]

What If the one strategy is stuck in a dead end, and is perceived to be causing irreparable damage to your party, and is being used by your enemies as a tool to finally defeat you. Because you have no ready made "ALTENATIVE " then you blindly and stupidly continue and so ensure your final demise,

Not very clever. !

Was that a question? Or a statement?