Northern Nationalists feeling "lonely and unwanted"

[pete2]

There is a strange tension in the air. Some of it has to do with the June elections. Some has to do with the economic doom that is sweeping the world. But beyond the usual election posturing and the reluctant recognition that our local political institutions are economically powerless, there is a negative frisson that needs some exploration...

The SDLP have lost their influence and access to the Irish government and have failed to persuade the voters that they have a vision for the future or the energy to bring it about. Sinn Fein is floundering. Still strong in the north but showing little ability to attract more than eight per cent of the southern electorate, much of their original buoyancy has dissipated. Even the days of open access to the taoiseach are gone. I would suspect that they may not even have Brian Cowen’s mobile number...

I think nationalists are feeling, once again, lonely and unwanted. And that is not a healthy position. It hasn’t reached a critical condition but it could do with some tending to. There are many interpretations of how the ‘Troubles’ came to an end but the critical one was the realisation that nationalism could not defeat unionism and unionism could not defeat nationalism. It took years to get that in to the heads of republicans and even more years to get it into the heads of the DUP. Now it seems that they need reminding of it from time to time...

In the meantime and in this period of uncertainty and nervousness, the onus is on the Irish government to devise and provide a comfort blanket to northern nationalism. If that means more representation in the Dail and Senate then better it happen soon.

Irish News: NEWS: COLUMNISTS: Nationalists feeling lonely and unwanted

[Phinaeus]

Ah, for God's sake, when are they going to grow up and get a life like the rest of us? Their chronic sense of victimhood is even worse than the siege mentality of the Unionists.

[Pat Mc Larnon]

Denis Bradley speaks for no one but Denis Bradley. Perhaps he could tell us who exactly he spoke to in order to gain this insight into the minds of the nationalist people.

I find this kind of bellyaching embarrassing and i wish these 'public figures' would desist from such nonsense.

The people in the 6 counties vote their leaders in, the nationalist people vote for SF. If they think ideas should be forwarded to the Irish government avenues already exist to express concerns and fears.

[Phinaeus]

A comfort blanket

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's something you'd give to a 2-year-old toddler. SF run candidates in the Republic. If their representation in the Dáil or Seanad is to be increased then it will be the electorate here that decides at the ballot box, not our incompetent government.

[Question R24U]

That's because they are on their own and no- one wants them.

But they suck on the tit of her britanic majesty through social welfare, grants, 60% plus in public sector, the NHS and then b.itch about her. It is a handout culture obessed by their now largely insignificant problem - two sets of white christians pretending they have self-government on how to share some land.
The scenery is stunning - its a shame we can't get vacant possession. Watch the film Eden Lake and then visit a northern town on a sunny bankholiday monday - scary. The only reason to go there is the landscape and maybe belfast city centre.
Newry is best avoided but in fairness that has more to do with the dregs of southern society invading every day (someone should tell them shops don't open on a sunday until noon).

[pete2]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's something you'd give to a 2-year-old toddler. SF run candidates in the Republic. If their representation in the Dáil or Seanad is to be increased then it will be the electorate here that decides at the ballot box, not our incompetent government.

Does it really matter? Most of the decisions are taken in Europe anyway. If some tokenism in the south talking shop stops violence "up there", which is what Bradley is getting at, then surely its worthwhile?

[blinding]

I love Northern Nationalists and Irish Unionists

In fact I love everyone.

[JCSkinner]

He's right, of course.
We were abandoned in the 20s, in 69 and again when articles 2 and 3 were jettisoned.
In return, we got Stormont back and the promise of peace (Loyalists and dissidents not included.)
People have seen through this. While peace is welcome, what we have is not a lasting peace.
The national question must be addressed. There should be a white paper on unification in response to the Tory landgrab in the North.

[Border-Rat]

Ah, for God's sake, when are they going to grow up and get a life like the rest of us? Their chronic sense of victimhood is even worse than the siege mentality of the Unionists.

You, dear sir, are the reason plantation was deemed unnecessary in the South.

[Lord Deputy of Listowel]

You, dear sir, are the reason plantation was deemed unnecessary in the South.

Really? But there were plantations in S Ireland going back to Norman times, and in the early 17 century we've had the arrival of the so called 'New English' who brought the reformed faith with them.
Over the centuries these settlers integrated into Irish society and everybody in this neck of the woods now identify themselves as Irish and citizens of the ROI, even those what hold British citizenship do so as well.

The settlers in Ulster were of a different kind though, they were mainly Scottish and did not quite gel with the indigenous population due to some reason or other.
Perhaps you're two of a kind, a most disagreeable lot to say the least.