you say your irish born inireland, while in the next breath you say your living and want to be apart of the british uk. can you not see the contradiction. you cant have it both ways or are you a new type of amalgamated nationalist unionist.

ridiculous post, people dont have to fit into your sectarian labels. many people are irish but want ireland to be part of the uk. its not a difficult concept to grasp, sure even ian paisley says he is an Irishman but clearly he wants ireland to be part of the UK

the rest of your post isnt worth commenting on

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4678 - 10/08/2010 18:31:45    742536

http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/2008/Political_Attitudes/NIRELND2.html

This poll was conducted two years ago. 32 what fear of violence would someone have filling in an anonymous poll exactly? Hurlin you have stated that you view the majority of people in the North as British. You then go on to talk about the reunification of your country as if we are Irish. One minute we're Irish, the next we're British, I don't think you know yourself what you think

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 10/08/2010 18:38:20    742545

your post isnt worth a responce. ive still no idea why you have joined a GAA forum. you'd be more at home on a uda/uvf forum

32_4_1 (Meath) - Posts: 4211 - 10/08/2010 19:02:31    742576

32_4_1
County: Meath
Posts: 2595

742576 your post isnt worth a responce. ive still no idea why you have joined a GAA forum. you'd be more at home on a uda/uvf forum

Is anybody that doesn't share you views on nationalism not suitable to be on a GAA forum??

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 10/08/2010 19:51:32    742650

How many times have you put words in my mouth. I never said that I view the majority of the north as British, look at my previous posts, I stated that those who don't want to be part of ireland can be called british IF they so wish. They're british to me, I don't really care what they call themselves. You simply presumed alot because of this once off poll by some council who I've never heard of.

YOU claimed through this poll that only 18% of catholics want a united ireland. That's what our discussion was about - how many catholics want a united ireland. WRONG. The correct figure is actually 39%. You're part of the 7% of the people who want to remain under direct rule from whitehall. I wonder are the others also in it for the money or do they actually have some pride in their nationality and have a unionist opinion politically - I would have much more respect for that than you're purely fiscal reasons.

I can only add that 32_4_1, I agree totally and utterly. How did this person end up on a forum celebrating one of the ultimate expressions of what it is to be irish seeing as though he'd prefer to have a few measly extra quid than see a peaceful transition toward nationhood. SHAME.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 10/08/2010 19:55:28    742659

It's a lot more complex lads than catholics wanting a united Ireland and Protestants the opposite,personally i know loads of protestants that are Irish passport holders,some are dual and some like myself are british passport holders,personally i would not have a problem holding an irish passport,that is something that has changed over the years and i would never have even been on this site ten years ago.I have a number of catholic close friends and i can honestly say that the last thing on their mind is uniting Ireland,they are too busy earning a living and trying to look after their families,so in that respect pomeroy is correct.Just to confuse things even further,a recent poll has shown that substntial numbers from both communities regard themselves as Nortern irish rather than british,of which i am one.

jackieblue (Antrim) - Posts: 521 - 10/08/2010 20:04:57    742678

'YOU claimed through this poll that only 18% of catholics want a united ireland. That's what our discussion was about - how many catholics want a united ireland. WRONG'

Care to point out where I said that? I said 18% of the North and the majority of Catholics, which is correct. If you struggle to comprehend simple words then there's not much hope for us having a civil debate

'How many times have you put words in my mouth. I never said that I view the majority of the north as British'

You should really beep when you back up like that, as you said 'I said you're british because that is the term i refer to people in northern ireland who are anti a 32 county republic of ireland'

So anyone against a united Ireland is British, the majority of people in the North are against a united Ireland therefore by your own admission you view the majority as British. It is hard to take you seriously when you're too stupid or ignorant to have any sort of consistency in what you're saying. Each post from you gives a totally different argument. I'd bow out now before you embarrass yourself further

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 10/08/2010 20:11:45    742683

My reply didn't insult you pomeroy but got blocked.

I said: "I disagree, I think the majority from the nationalist/republican tradition still want a united ireland...."
To which you answered: "Recent polls have put the figure in the North that want a united Ireland at 18%."
We were speaking about catholics not about the north as a whole. Giving selective results of a poll is a terrible thing to resort to. It would have been fairer to say that 39% of catholics believe in a united ireland. Of course I view the majority in the north as British. The majority is unionist!! Not even including people like you are from a nationalist tradition who want to stay part of britain in order to make money. As I said before, anyone who wants to call themselves whatever they want is free to do so, it's not up to me. I don't see how you think that's going back on what i said, it's the exact same...

On a much more important note, I think jackieblue makes a good point about dividing these things on religious grounds although it's the done thing most of the time. What's really great is that you're on this site jackieblue, that's surely a sign that things are better?! I respect someone who bases their political opinion on what they feel is RIGHT much more than those making important decisions on the basis of personal gain and greed.
I'm done with this discussion, I'll simply say that I'm sad that anyone makes political decisions on the basis that you do.
I'll leave the last word to you.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 10/08/2010 20:50:49    742729

I think its very unfair that I am being prevented to responding to this thread in any way seeing as though I was not the one who started insulting another user.

Some users and political opinions, it seems, have preference on HS.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 10/08/2010 21:05:34    742737

'Recent polls have put the figure in the North that want a united Ireland at 18%'

If I was referring to Catholics obviously I would have said. I gave you the link to poll for God's sake, I'd hardly do that if I had lied about what the poll said. I can only assume your reply wasn't posted as you resorted to personal insults. If you have to do that there's not much more can be said, I'd view the person who does that as having nothing constructive left to say nor the ability to counter my argument. I agree it's been done to a death though, thanks for the debate

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 10/08/2010 21:22:51    742753

Just to be clear: I didn't resort to personal insults. I don't do that. Never have, never will.

Thank you for the debate.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 10/08/2010 21:30:38    742763

I can only add that 32_4_1, I agree totally and utterly. How did this person end up on a forum celebrating one of the ultimate expressions of what it is to be irish

ill have to tell all the nigerian, polish, iraqi kids in our club they are not welcome, you 'nationalist' boys have some serious issues. More akin to the BNP than most decent Irish people

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4678 - 10/08/2010 21:50:31    742777

Ah ogall but because we have different views and mindsets doesn't mean we cannot be one country. The East & West Germans still distrust each other 20 years after reunification but they still united. People from Lancashire, Greater Manchester and the North East of England are different from Londoners and Cornish people but they still live in the one country. Opposites attract you know big lad........what are you doing later LOL?

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9840 - 10/08/2010 21:56:47    742789

What a pathetic post bad monkey. That's really the worst I've ever seen on HS.

But this is not the first instance of people putting words in my mouth on this thread.
I am a proud republican. That is not at all at odds with the fact that nothing makes me happier than seeing immigrants in Ireland playing our games. What would make me happiest of all is if children from a unionist background started playing gaelic games. What progress that would be?! I already congratulated and expressed my happiness on finding out that Jackie above is using HS and is from a unionist background.

I started a thread on the main forum that attracted a lot of attention. It was about how we (the GAA) must not become complacent about racism and excluding minorities from our games. I stated that we need to make them feel welcome and at home - because that's where they are, home.

I vehemently defended migrant rights on this forum previously when their legality and intentions were called into question.

I live in the UK and I have actually written to my local BNP candidate asking him to stop using references to Ireland in his literature as he does not speak for me or my countrymen.

I work with migrants for a living. From asylum seekers to casual labour, I meet all of them every day and they are among the best people I've ever met. Incredible people with incredible stories.

Above all else, I believe that being irish has nothing whatsoever to do with your blood, with your colour or with your religion. It is cherishing what it means to be irish like the GAA. I stand by what you quoted me as saying, I don't understand how a person could end up interested in GAA when they are so anti Ireland in so many ways.

I'd appreciate it if you took back implying that I am xenophobic or anti immigrant in any way, shape or form.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 11/08/2010 10:12:18    742864

Pomeroy calls me stupid and ignorant and then says: "I can only assume your reply wasn't posted as you resorted to personal insults. If you have to do that there's not much more can be said, I'd view the person who does that as having nothing constructive left to say nor the ability to counter my argument."

I think this thread has run its course.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 11/08/2010 10:35:36    742892

Very well said Hurlingspuds.
I was at an underage hurling blitz last year and it was terrific to see the amount of immigrants/non nationals who were playing. And not just Brazilians from Gort! They were all part of the furniture, barely a comment passed over the day, and they were all welcome. As they should absolutely be. This thread has a lot of people trying to twist every argument, and its annoying in the extreme

abhainn (Galway) - Posts: 1000 - 11/08/2010 10:44:25    742903

Joined this thread quite late. I am in favour of a United Ireland and view it as the only permanent solution to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland.

There has been a lot of bluster and nonsense talked on the thread, usually by the least informed posters.

Some Facts:

The Good Friday agreement was voted for by people on both sides of the border. It is an international treaty between two soverign states and has been lodged in the United Nations. It is therefore legal and binding and cannot be reversed unless by the expressed consent of both states who entered into it.

In the agreement when the majority of people in the 6 counties vote in favour a United Ireland it has to happen. It doesnt matter if a significant majority do not want it, re-unification must take place. There is no provision for a re-partition of the 6 counties or any other solution to that effect. Furthermore once a vote takes place, a repeat vote must take place every 7 years thereafter.

In the last Westminister elections the two main parties in favour of a United Ireland won 42% of the total vote. The two main Unionist parties won 40.2% of the vote, with the rest of the vote going to other parties (some of which are admittedly pro-Union). The Nationalist population is gradually increasing, the Unionist population which is gradually decreasing, no-one knows exactly how fast this change is occurring but there are numerous theories on the subject. The 2011 census in Northern Ireland will make interesting reading.

My opinion:

Looking at the facts alone it is therefore a very realistic proposition that a United Ireland will happen in the near future, my own estimate is within the next 10 to 15 years at most.

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 11/08/2010 11:46:08    742962

Polls - now there is a rather useless set of statistics to bring to a political argument. Think I will do the sensible thing a pay attention to the polls that actually matter - for your benefit Plunkett they're called elections. At EVERY election in the 6 counties for the last 20 years SF vote has risen by thousands to such an extent that we are now faced with the very real possibility that at the next Assembly elections SF will top the poll.........must be all the tooth fairies voting.

Omar - I am afraid you will have a long wait for the emergence of traditional right and left political divide in the north, not that it exists in the south either mind - a centre party, a right wing party and a more right wing party hold sway in the 26. How else could FF do what have been doing for the last 18 months if it were not for the absence of a left wing opposition?

Patrique - I would be grateful if you could put forward some evidence in support of your assertion that SF votes "no" to all Ireland integration. What All Ireland initiatives have SF voted down? What evidence do you have that allows you to say that SF do not want an All Ireland government? I would counter this rather puzzling comment by saying it is FF playing party politics with the issue of re-unification. The republican party (notice the small R) opened up an office in Crossmaglen and invited the National media along so they could receive slaps on the back! Frank Aiken would be very proud, it only took them 80 years, I wonder how long it will take for them to give us the option to endorse their policies at the ballot box? The fact is, if the majority of nationalists in the 6 continued to vote for the stoops, FF would have given northern MPs speaking rights in the Dail some time ago, as it is the last thing FF want is 5 more shinners in 'their' parliament.

artisan (Down) - Posts: 1795 - 11/08/2010 11:52:41    742972

PomeroyPlunkett,why didn't you just say yes to the question posed by the thread if thats what you truly want? I don't think many other lads your age,from your community in and around Pomeroy would hold the same opinion as you do.I would suspect you are the only one.You state you are glad to be in the UK for now as it financially benefits you,thats a shallow reason and your not even ashamed of it.You offer prayers for other fellas on here but I think you should pray for yourself if praying is something you do,bear in mind as you pray,"its easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,than it is for a rich man to enter heaven". Or if you prefer,"money is the root of all evil".
It would seem on examination of your debate here that you are essentially in favour of whats good for your own pocket,and man you make no bones about that.Its quite sad really that the most important thing for you is financial self gain.Is nothing dear to you? Isn't it comforting for you though that the only person who agrees with you is the minion from Mayo? He wants,for the benefit of his Orange brethren,the north to continue to enjoy UK status also.
Your poll results are nonsense by the way and you know it,the sample polled must have comprised about 50 people in the the Limivady,Portadown or Sandyrow areas. The last Westminster elections,earlier this year saw Sinn Fein top the poll with 172,000 votes. The DUP was second,SDLP third,and Ulster Unionists fourth.I think that all those who vote Sinn Fein and SDLP know they have a desire for a united Ireland!
History would suggest to me that our country would be better off going it alone at this stage.I think we are well capable of looking after ourselves now.The following is a reminder of times gone by and conditions endured under the glorious Act of Union of 1801.
"No words",wrote Sidney Godolphin Osbourne,"can describe the appearance of the arms,from below the elbow the two bones seem to be stripped of every atom of flesh........Starvation had affected the children's bones;the jaw bone was so fragile and thin that a very slight pressure would force the tongue into the roof of the mouth.In Skibbereen,Elihu Burritt met children with jaws so distended that they could not speak;in Mayo the starving children had lost their voices.Many were in the stupor characteristic of death by starvation.....By April 1847 children were looking like little old men and woman of eighty years of age,wrinkled and bent-every trace of childish gaiety had disappeared,and even the babies were 'aged'.
Horrors were reported at a farm in Caheragh,Co. Cork,a woman and her two children were found dead and half-eaten by dogs;in a neighbouring cottage five more corpses,which had been dead several days,were lying;and Father John O' Sullivan,parish priest of Kenmare,found 'a room full of dead people',a man,still living,was lying in bed with a dead wife and two dead children,while a starving cat was eating another dead infant. (The Great Hunger,Ireland 1845-1849,by Cecil Woodham-Smith,1962).
Of course times have changed since and there is plenty of blame to be passed around on the many tragic events that happened in our countrys history.Nevertheless if our destiny is in our hands I think it would be more assured.Ireland Forever.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 11/08/2010 11:55:41    742975

If any of you are ever on the Tyrone forum you will see there are numerous threads which PomeroyPlunkett does his best to antagonise people. Many Pomeroy posters on the Tyrone forum do not even believe he is even from Pomeroy. He has been challeneged on his identity by posters from Pomeroy and has repeatedly failed to prove he is from the locality he claims to be from.

I would therefore take much of what he says with a pinch of salt. It appears his main aim on the board is to annoy other posters.

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 11/08/2010 13:11:07    743074