Examiner today - Could SF have done more

[williewatch]

I disagree with the analysis in todays Cork Examiner by Paul O'Brien which states

"Why on earth didn't SF push the issue more aggressively sooner? Yet again, it will raise questions about party strategy "

This in my view is a very naive assessment. Clearly if SF pressed the issue they would have met with the same kind of hostile reaction that was received from a very vocal minority on politics.ie when this matter was first posted. A previous poster has referred to this. Fortunately they were exposed and answered by the open minded majority here.

IMHO SF took a tactical decision to allow others to run with the story in the Dail. I presume that they didn't care who got the praise as long as they got the result that they wanted. And Boy, did they get a result.

Just speaking about the Cork Examiner, I thought that Willie O'Dea got a very soft ride in the articles by Jimmy Woulfe. Jimmy used to be with the Limerick Leader.

In contrast to the soft coverage from the Cork Examiner, I'd like to quote from a letter in todays Irish Times, which I believe speaks for many of us here in Limerick

"Madam, – As a Limerick man, I ask if Limerick city councillors and supporters of Willie O’Dea would stop generalising and being presumptuous by stating that all of Limerick supports Mr O’Dea?

They do not have right to speak for me or any other individual. What Mr O’Dea did was wrong. What he has done for Limerick is questionable. – Yours, etc,

STEPHEN O’DOWD,

The Village,

Adare, Co Limerick."

Aftermath of O'Dea's resignation - The Irish Times - Sat, Feb 20, 2010

.

[Kerrygold]

Disgraceful article but completely expected. If you listen to the contributions of many "journalists" you'd be forgiven for thinking that Willie had done very little wrong. . Now if he had said what he said about any other politician other than a shinner the reaction would have been a lot stronger. Finally I would like to point out that SF were the first party to call for his actual resignation.

[rockofcashel]

Disgraceful article but completely expected. If you listen to the contributions of many "journalists" you'd be forgiven for thinking that Willie had done very little wrong. . Now if he had said what he said about any other politician other than a shinner the reaction would have been a lot stronger. Finally I would like to point out that SF were the first party for his actual perioction.

perioction ?

WTF.. jaysus KG.. his resignation was enough.. I shudder to think what you mean by perioction

[Simply]

The ambush of O'Dea was motivated by opportunism rather than the wider principles involved,that's the political culture we have.No doubt its sticking in a few throats that a benefit to SF might be the by product..

[Kerrygold]

perioction ?
WTF.. jaysus KG.. his resignation was enough.. I shudder to think what you mean by perioction

Bloody predictive text on mobile phone. Thought i had it corrected before someone would see it!

[disgruntledcitizen]

Top post ROC

agreed a very well put post. however one can understand FG in particulars hesitancy to be seen in anyway less than hostile towards SF in the media.

FG attracts a lot of support from people whom would feel very hostile themselves towards SF* and some of those voters may feel strongly enough not to vote FG if they thought there was a real chance of FG doing a deal post election with SF.

FG have obliviously taken the decision (at least in public) that theres more to loose than gain from any public detente with SF.

* being honest i would include myself and my family background in that grouping.

[rockofcashel]

agreed a very well put post. however one can understand FG in particulars hesitancy to be seen in anyway less than hostile towards SF in the media.

FG attracts a lot of support from people whom would feel very hostile themselves towards SF* and some of those voters may feel strongly enough not to vote FG if they thought there was a real chance of FG doing a deal post election with SF.

FG have obliviously taken the decision (at least in public) that theres more to loose than gain from any public detente with SF.

* being honest i would include myself and my family background in that grouping.

I have no problems with people who have strong political feelings against Sinn Féin, but to believe that members or ex members, or even supporters and voters of Sinn Féín are in some way, second class citizens or less deserving of normal rights, is simply wrong. Whether people like it or not, SF garners support of up to 10% of the people of the 26 counties and 25% of the people of the 6 counties. That is a mandate that should entitle basic respect

[JoeHickey]

Disgraceful article but completely expected. If you listen to the contributions of many "journalists" you'd be forgiven for thinking that Willie had done very little wrong. . Now if he had said what he said about any other politician other than a shinner the reaction would have been a lot stronger. Finally I would like to point out that SF were the first party to call for his actual resignation.

I think the SF strategy whilst frustrating at times for some of us was dead on. the mission - nail O'dea. the result O'Dea nailed. mission accomplished. I remember Maurice saying to me in Dec before his settlement that O'Dea would be sacked (resign) over this and I laughed at him.......guess they were spot on. it was quite clear the story had to happen and the only way out for O'Dea to survive was if SF seen to lead it and that folks poses a Q for all of ye, the antipity some people have for SF blinds them to see potential sometimes... some posters here initially could get beyond their hostility to SF to see they could topple O'Dea and damage the Government...

[Pat Mc Larnon]

So what was the Examiner role in the whole affair? Did the fourth estate pursue this issue with the vigour it deserved?
The net and this site have been given a lot of credit for this story and rightly so.

[pjoz]

Excellent posts ROC. I can well remember in my college days having a number of close friends in YFG.Salt of the earth people.I knew there views, they mine,no problems. Unfortunately on one occasion I ended up at a house party that was populated by young blueshirts. Dont know if its typical of these occasions but i was bored rigid. I had met many of these people on social occasions before but the debate had never become political.On health and education matters I was met with complete ignorance, they loved talking about justice, there form held israel as a model for law and order.My views were clearly upsetting these delicate souls,one mused it was great to have some discussion with a communist, they'd never met one,eventually the question eventually arose,what party did i vote for.Response SF.End of debate.Not only was I treated like a 2nd class citizen but my 2 friends became outcasts in YFG due to our friendship.Those at the top of FG have no more interest in bringing about reform of this country and delivering equality than FF.They just want a turn at gorging themselves at the taxpayers expense