From a position of strength

[brenners']

Firstly, to try and give Ian Paisley the credit for brining about decommissioning is totally wrong and with out foundation. This is a decision taken by republicans after a long debate which has occupied much time and required a lot of thought and analysis, a good many years in fact. The issue was never if it would happen, we knew it would, but rather when it was prudent to do so and when the destruction of guns which would no longer be used and had been silent for years should be got rid of, it was all about timing. As a member of Sinn Fein in Dublin I would commend the leadership for the manner in which this debate took place and the way members where briefed and allowed give their opinions.
This decision has been taken at the right time, let’s not forget the IRA said last year that it was a step they were prepared to take, the question I guess is why now, without agreement from Unionists to share power? Sinn Fein and republicans have been leading this process from the start and most if not all of the moves have been unilateral. Hume-Adams, the ceasefires, all came about as a result of republican initiatives because we want the process to work, and have been framed against the background of rejectionist Unionism and their unwillingness to engage.
But it is also for strategic purposes that these moves have been made, and the leadership have timed them well throughout the process in my opinion. The growth of our party not only in the six counties but also south of the border is testament to this. We remember here in Dublin that up until five years ago we had one councillor in the capital, now we have 14, 2 TD's, and an MEP. The guns where silent, they where useless, but their destruction will lead to even greater growth, they played a significant part, mabye a greater part than when they where actually in use, and I feel this decision will cement Sinn Fein's position as the voice of nationalism in the North and probably double our vote and representation in the 26 counties parliament at the next election. The parade on Saturday showed us we have a party which is committed and united in their determination to make this happen.
In the past republicans have ended campaigns because they where on the brink of defeat, where decimated with regard to membership, and had lost support in the community to sustain the fight. The absolute opposite is the case, the republican movement has not been stronger for a long-time, we have a confident leadership, and the nationalist community have their heads held high. All that has changed in this struggle is that we now believe Sinn Fein can deliver instead of the IRA, we see the party growing while at the same time we see loyalisim and Unionism divided and scrambling to find a place and an identity.
This will also play so well with governments in Europe, America and around the world, Sinn Fein will be seen as the ones taking risks for peace, the doors will be opened to them in places where they where previously closed and we will have a chance to bring our analysis and demands for reunification to these places and seek support. At the same time this will be juxtaposed against the Unionist position of intrangesince and unwillingness to show the same leadership as Sinn Fein.
The goals of republicanism are to divide and seriously weaken Unionism, to build political strength and momentum for change, and to create partnerships with external bodies to help unify our country, today we are achieving many of these aims, today Sinn Fein take this step from a position of strength rather than one of weakness.

[watch-this-drive]

This decision has been taken at the right time, let’s no forget the IRA said last year that it was a step they were prepared to take, the question I guess is why now, without agreement from Unionists to share power?

Because it is undemocratic to put conditions on such an issue

Sinn Fein and republicans have been leading this process from the start and most if not all of the moves have been unilateral.

How could it be any other way?
As a party that aspired to have democratic credentials they have had such a long way to travel, it was a journey that only they, for the most, had to make.

The guns where silent, they where useless, but their destruction will lead to even greater growth, and I feel this will cement Sinn Fein's position as the voice of nationalism in the North and probably double our vote and representation in the 26 counties parliament at the next election.

Useless? I dont think so, the threat has been a useful horse to talk about bringing to the market for 10 years or so.
Im confused with you saying here that they are useless whereas above you suggested that somehting should have been secured before their destruction.

In the past republicans have ended campaigns because they where on the brink of defeat, where decimated with regard to membership, and had lost support in the community to sustain the fight.

I see this as the end of a tactical retreat that began with the ceasefire which was the first concrete acknowledgement that the status quo then was defeat scenario for all, not least the IRA

The absolute opposite is the case, the republican movement has not been stronger for a long-time, we have a confident leadership, and the nationalist community have their heads held high.

The future does indeed seem bright for Sinn Fein and congratulations on covering an impressive amount of ground towards democratic credibility.

The goals of republicanism are to divide and seriously weaken Unionism, to build political strength and momentum for change, and to create partnerships with external bodies to help unify our country, today we are achieving many of these aims, today Sinn Fein take this step from a position of strength rather than one of weakness.

I have to disagree with this. The only unity that is possible and desireable is not one that is forced, cajoled or brought about by submission of Unionists. The Unionist people of Ireland have to want to buy into a United Ireland, they can not be smothered into one. Any attempt to smother them will set the clock back 30 years even if it is achieved under the principle of consent/GFA - back to a defeat scenario for all. Republicans and Unionists have to marry each other to bring about the Union of Ireland and that is a long way off and it is even further still if Sinn Feins sentiment is reflected in what you just wrote.

[brenners']

To address some of your points, firstly, of course it is a goal of republicans to weaken the position of unionism, this is hardly news! A weakened unionist position is by its very nature good for republicanism and achieving our goals. Its all about how we go about achieving this which important. When an assembly is up and running we must be pushing for greater integration, greater ties to the south, we must be constantly undermining the position of the unionist political ideology and expanding the cross border bodies set up under the GFA. We are republicans and we should not be troubled by doing this, our goal is and remains the reunification of this country.
It is apparent for a long-time that the guns where never going to be used again and so as weapons they where useless, but as bargaining chips they have been priceless. I am happy that we have done this at the right time and put ourselves in a great position as a result. I supported the total decommissioning late last December as a means of undermining the Unionist position and exposing Paisley and the DUP even when they refused to share power.
You call this a tactical retreat; nothing could be further from the truth. We have a leadership which looked at the situation back in the late eighties, we where at a stalemate as far as the war was going. Support for republicanism was stagnant. They looked at how in these circumstances things could be moved forward and they developed a long-term strategic vision for republicanism. It is one which will require patients and hard work, but it is one which is clearly working. This road has been taken as a means of growing our movement, creating momentum for change, and it is effective, and today is just another step, just another strategic move in the long-term plan.

[Bogwarrior]

I'm sure De Valera supporters in the 30s, used much the same spin, when they went "Constitutional". Brenners, what makes you think your transformation from rebels to pro-staters, will be any different from Fianna Fails of the Sticks. And don't give me the mandate argument. Dev had a huge mandate.

[MacCoise]

I'm sure De Valera supporters in the 30s, used much the same spin, when they went "Constitutional". Brenners, what makes you think your transformation from rebels to pro-staters, will be any different from Fianna Fails of the Sticks. And don't give me the mandate argument. Dev had a huge mandate.

Dev's mandate stopped at the border

[Bogwarrior]

I'm sure De Valera supporters in the 30s, used much the same spin, when they went "Constitutional". Brenners, what makes you think your transformation from rebels to pro-staters, will be any different from Fianna Fails of the Sticks. And don't give me the mandate argument. Dev had a huge mandate.

Dev's mandate stopped at the border

Dev didn't recognise the border and claimed jurisdiction of the 6 counties, in Articles 2 and 3. At least Devs FF, didn't administer British rule in the North.

[Carrier]

They looked at how in these circumstances things could be moved forward and they developed a long-term strategic vision for republicanism. It is one which will require patients and hard work, but it is one which is clearly working. This road has been taken as a means of growing our movement, creating momentum for change, and it is effective, and today is just another step, just another strategic move in the long-term plan.

It isn't working - a united Ireland is further off than ever. How big the SF vote gets is irrelevant. The number of doors that open for you around the world is irrelevant. The turn-out at Saturday's rally is irrelevant. You've handed the decision as to whether or not there will be a united Ireland to a radicalising unionist electorate who won't let it happen. That renders what you deem progress totally redundant.

[brenners']

They looked at how in these circumstances things could be moved forward and they developed a long-term strategic vision for republicanism. It is one which will require patients and hard work, but it is one which is clearly working. This road has been taken as a means of growing our movement, creating momentum for change, and it is effective, and today is just another step, just another strategic move in the long-term plan.

It isn't working - a united Ireland is further off than ever. How big the SF vote gets is irrelevant. The number of doors that open for you around the world is irrelevant. The turn-out at Saturday's rally is irrelevant. You've handed the decision as to whether or not there will be a united Ireland to a radicalising unionist electorate who won't let it happen. That renders what you deem progress totally redundant.

I disagree with you carrier, I do think it is working. I don’t think we can achieve the goal of a united Ireland without building a mass movement for change. Republicanism must not be some esoteric idea but rather an ideology shared by all.
However, if it is not working as you say, then what should be done? What should Sinn Fein be doing to bring about a United Ireland, and why are groups like RSF and 32CSM not moving things forward on this basis? Sticking your fingers in your ears and pretending the border is not there is not a solution, even if Risteard thinks so!

[ChrIreland]

They looked at how in these circumstances things could be moved forward and they developed a long-term strategic vision for republicanism. It is one which will require patients and hard work, but it is one which is clearly working. This road has been taken as a means of growing our movement, creating momentum for change, and it is effective, and today is just another step, just another strategic move in the long-term plan.

It isn't working - a united Ireland is further off than ever. How big the SF vote gets is irrelevant. The number of doors that open for you around the world is irrelevant. The turn-out at Saturday's rally is irrelevant. You've handed the decision as to whether or not there will be a united Ireland to a radicalising unionist electorate who won't let it happen. That renders what you deem progress totally redundant.

A lot of doors are open for SF..................especially in the US. To anti republicans anything to do with SF is irrelevant. So you have a crystal ball about how the unionist will react now?

[Carrier]

They looked at how in these circumstances things could be moved forward and they developed a long-term strategic vision for republicanism. It is one which will require patients and hard work, but it is one which is clearly working. This road has been taken as a means of growing our movement, creating momentum for change, and it is effective, and today is just another step, just another strategic move in the long-term plan.

It isn't working - a united Ireland is further off than ever. How big the SF vote gets is irrelevant. The number of doors that open for you around the world is irrelevant. The turn-out at Saturday's rally is irrelevant. You've handed the decision as to whether or not there will be a united Ireland to a radicalising unionist electorate who won't let it happen. That renders what you deem progress totally redundant.

I disagree with you carrier, I do think it is working. I don’t think we can achieve the goal of a united Ireland without building a mass movement for change. Republicanism must not be some esoteric idea but rather an ideology shared by all.
However, if it is not working as you say, then what should be done? What should Sinn Fein be doing to bring about a United Ireland, and why are groups like RSF and 32CSM not moving things forward on this basis? Sticking your fingers in your ears and pretending the border is not there is not a solution, even if Risteard thinks so!

Right, SF's strategy is to build support for the party across the island, to get international support, to trumpet the benifits of a united Ireland etc, all in order to secure votes for a united Ireland in referenda north and south. There already is support for a united Ireland in the south so it comes down to convincing the northern electorate. Problem is, there's a unionist majority up there so whether or not a UI will come about will be decided by how a large section of that community decides to vote on the issue. The SF strategy hinges on getting the unionist electorate to soften it's view on a united Ireland. The opposite is happening, which means your strategy is going backwards. Talking vaguely about mass movements and the nature of republicanism won't make unionists vote to dissolve the union.

I've discussed what I see as the route forward on this site loads of times brenners. The tactic of asking me for my strategy as a means of diverting attention from the short-falls of yours is a bit redundant at this stage.