I have this recurring nightmare. I'm in a room and I'm sitting opposite a row of people who are looking at me very hard. I'm in this room because I've answered an ad for a job and I'm reasonably confident I can get it. I'm experienced, I come with good references and I've got loads of academic degrees to support my claim. For the past twenty years I've been working in an area that shows how good I am at the job that's been advertised. Then the nightmare starts and continues for the next half-hour. It's a nightmare because the row of people keep asking me what experience did I have when I was twenty, were there any people out there who might have written bad references for me, and how many degrees did I have when I was twenty years of age? "But - but - are you not supposed to be asking me about what qualities I bring to this job now - not how qualified I was when I was twenty!" The line of people behind the desk glower at me. "We'll decide what questions get asked. Now, how qualified for this job would you say you were you when you were nineteen?"
It started last week and this morning I checked with my doctor. "Can you give me a prescription, doctor? I really need to get some decent sleep". "I can" he says. "I prescribe that you stop listening to the radio, watching TV and reading newspapers".
He's a good doctor but I find it impossible to follow his prescription. As I go tappity-tap here on my keyboard, I hear the voice of Norman Tebbit on the Stephen Nolan show talking about events that occurred in the 1980s. He's talking about how his wife was injured in an IRA bomb, and when it's pointed out that for twenty years now, the latest entrant to the Irish presidential election has been working might and main to end the violence and has successfully forged relationships with former enemies, he shrugs that off. What Norman Tebbit wants is repentance by Martin McGuinness. He didn't say "It's words, not deeds that count" but he came pretty close.
Some facts. If we don't know that terrible pain was inflicted by republicans, by unionists/loyalists and by the British army, then we're so buck stupid we should just go away and sit in a corner. Since we know about it, let's either shut up about it or - as Martin McGuinness himself has urged - there should be a Truth Commission where everyone -EVERYONE - puts their cards -ALL their cards - on the table. Including the British government. "Youse did this" and "Youseuns did that" could go ticky-tacking on to the crack of doom.
I'm an optimist. I think the people of the south (no, Virginia, sorry my dear, there is no vote for you in this election) - I think the southern electorate will judge Martin McGuinness on the basis of what kind of man he is. Not was. Is. If they do so judge him, then the idea that they would then vote for Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins or (God forbid) David Norris is simply laughable.
Like you I heard Nolan this AM. I was so annoyed at his partiality I went and got well thumbed copy of "the Committee", by Séan McPhilemy out; it calms me down after programmes like Nolan's because I know then I hadn't dreamed the Unionist contribution to the Murder and Mayhem. Maybe Nolan hasn't read it, maybe he only poses as an investigative journalist or maybe he is just a Unionist at heart but I won't be holding my breath waiting for him to forensically ask some senior members of the DUP about their roles in the troubles. A great article Jude as always.
ReplyDeleteTebbitt has an excuse - but Nolan doesn't. Doubtless he'd like Norris, given their shared interests in celebrating, em, diversity.
ReplyDeleteYea, because a job interviewer asking about the qualifications you had 20 years ago is exactly the same as asking whether you murdered a bunch of people and got away with it.
ReplyDeleteExactly the same.
Really, Jude, aren't you more likely to have a nightmare about that time you got the University of Ulster sued for discrimination because you refused to give up a ground floor office for a disabled woman?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 12:02 - I can take attacks, sometimes even name-calling, but I don't like diversionary tactics that involve daft lies. I don't know if UU was ever sued for discrimination but I can assure you it did not involve me in any way. Total red herring, Anon.And, as I say, a lie. Make that charge f2f with witnesses and I'll gladly sue you.
ReplyDeleteMartin McGuinness is now at 7/2 at Paddy Power to be the next Irish President.
ReplyDeleteThere was great amusement at Jordanstown when you launched your campaign to save the swimming pool because it was used by disabled kids.
ReplyDeleteSorry Jude, but I believe that we need to move on from the things I posted 20 minutes ago. In fact, by dwelling on the past, you have really shown yourself to be a bit of a 20-minute-ago-obsessive.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't want to meet you face to face though - you might push my wheelchair into the swimming pool.
Glad to see David Norris back in the race. His homosexuality is his own private affair but his record on civil rights is noteworthy. A much more conciliatory candidate in terms of Irish unity than McGuinness would ever be. An Irish-language speaking Irish protestant with unrivalled education, a strong Senatorial track-record a progressive attitude towards relations with Britain.
ReplyDeletePIRA were an awful outfit but the actions of the British g'ment, unionists and others left some with no option and that is undeniable. Hilarious to hear those who idolise Collins and Dev, refer to Martin as a scumbag terrorist. Reality is great men are almost always bad men, with the will to do terrible things for objectives they believe to be just. People need perspective and if Martin was elected I would say he would offer an apology to unionists for 1916!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all comments. I don't know what David Norris's academic qualifications are but I was talking to someone at the weekend who was taught by him. I asked if he was a good teacher and got a four-word answer: "He was a show-off". Somehow I found that credible.
ReplyDeleteJude
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a good analogy really. If you had gone for that job interview, your prospective employers might well have been interested in any crimes you might have committed in the past
Martin, of course has committed none, but he should not be surprised to be asked.
So yes lets have a truth commission. Martin has already told us he was in the IRA, Gerry says he wasn't. No doubt as an experienced journalist with many sources you could venture an opinion on that?
Having said all that my only problem with Martin standing for President is that I would prefer him to stay here as DFM, or even FM eventually.
I don't doubt that for a second. Very credible, I'd agree. Mind you, there's a significant element of bravado/performance in teaching, maybe not as much as that seemingly exhibited by Norris, but it is there.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I'd venture as far as to say that with the Irish Presidency a largely symbolic or 'ceremonial' position (aside from the referral of Bills to the nation and/or courts, his/her powers are virtually zilch), it can't hurt to have something of an extrovert in a role that is arguably more about 'appearances' than direct actions.
Point of correction Anonymous the kids were from my school and I was interviewed re the closure of the swimming pool and they are NOT disabled - they have special needs.
ReplyDeleteJude.....I feel that what you say about Martin entirely matches my feelings. Martin did what he could to stand up to the orange state in the early 70's and tried his best to negociatiate the quaqmire that followed.... As we approach the hundreth anniversary of easter 1916 surely.. the election of Martin as president would represent the squaring of the circle ...er or some kind of globally significant healing....I hope and pray that the Irish elecorate take this opportunity to put two fingers up to the Brits...and forge a path to a bright brand new tomorrow... ps.... I am a brit but I used to lie away as a 14year old in 1976 listening to RTE radio on a little radio clock alarm thingy... above the hiss and crackle I heard for several nights running "How do you do young Willy Macbride... you mind if I sit hear beside your graveside... " I listened and I cried......There is something especially wonderfull about you taigs..... it's about time you fucking showed the world exactly how special your are! Vote Martin....... ps Jude .... I am still broke please send me a sub!
ReplyDeleteTo me it's fairly simple. You can't condemn MMG while lauding Michael Collins and the "Old IRA". The victims in 1916 were just as dead as victims in 1976. Enda Kenny will no doubt start going on about Garda McCabe etc and that's fine if he were consistent. But next thing you know he's quoting the Easter proclomation and off to Arbor Hill. Makes me sick.
ReplyDeleteMMG had people killed, apparently around 30, those who doubt it should watch the Cook report "Britain's Number One Terrorist" from many years ago the programme was unchallenged in any court by MMG.
ReplyDeleteWhen most people apply for a job they fill in an application form with their previous job history and experience and expect to be questioned on it, why should MMG be any different?
I have no problem with MMG being President as long as he discloses everything about his past to the electorate to allow them to take an informed decision based on the full facts, no less should be expected.
Fintan O'Toole v Eamon Dunphy
ReplyDeletehttp://media.newstalk.ie/listenback/202/thursday/1/popup